« player event » 🌪️ the eye of the storm

[seaboards]

Who: Garuda & YOU.
Status: Open log.
Where: Eltrut, Nogard.
What: Benedikta Harman has primed into Garuda, and is wreaking havoc on the Leviathans.
Warnings: Violence, Final Fantasy XVI spoilers.

"The Warden of the Wind. She takes the form of a fearful harpy, summoning storms and tearing into the flesh of her prey with hawklike talons. Such is the Eikon's frenzy for destruction that even allies of the Dominant of the day are wont to begin fleeing the battlefield when dark clouds gather overhead."

The morning of May the 4th starts out like any other: calm waters, clear blue skies, ships coming and going from their ports. However, all of that is about to change—and abruptly—as Benedikta Harman soars over the ocean after learning the painful truth about the fate of Cidolfus, and of herself. Her wrath now unbound and unmatched, all coming to a head as her aether bursts at the seams, a storm gathers on the horizon. With every angry beat of her wings, the skies turn a dark, eerie green, the winds grow stronger, and Garuda's voice is louder as laughter rings clearer for the first time since that one fateful dawn...

Benedikta & Garuda's Wrath (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)

Her wings are tired, her face stings with the burn of sharp tears and sharper winds that follow after her, but she does not stop. She cannot. Any other day, she would never make it this far, but her body and the air are dense with her aether that she can fly farther and faster than she has ever managed—in no particular direction, so long as it is a direction away from him. Away from the place where she thought home could be. How naive she was to think that anywhere could be; how ignorant of her to have lit even the smallest spark of hope that things could be any different than before.

Reckless to think that trusting anyone, especially after a whole life of never affording to, would end in anything but deceit.

They all leave. They always leave.

Just like they had then, six years ago on that fateful night in Stonhyrr, those claws of betrayal coil tight around her throat and sink deep into flesh. Only this time, who is there to catch her?

The thought of that wide, open freedom that always followed Cidolfus wheresoever he went frightened her to no end. To her, it meant the unknown that came with running away, being whisked on the back of the winds, to a place where she would not know if, when next she landed, there would be a ground beneath her feet. His betrayal left her on her back once before, and she had been fool enough to take that risk again. Six years in an empty pursuit in his absence, chasing what she thought to be stability, power, and even love in another—her king, touch-starved and hunting any warmth that she could find, is what had her listening to the promises he whispered into her ear again. It is what made her take that plunge into that vast unknown, made her lean into his easy-going benevolence...

And look at where it has led her.

Back then, she had King Barnabas to pull her back on her feet. He would show her a better world, through what they both knew to be empty platitudes, and hearts that did not belong to the other, but she would be loyal. She would be good. She would be everything that Cid could not be. She would do his bidding to prove to him—and most importantly, to the rest of the world, and to herself—that she could be valuable. Powerful. Yet, what she thought was love, she realised in hindsight, was nothing more than a passion for his insurmountable power. A stable place above all the rest who thought they could cut her down. And it was his power that gripped her like a vise—she feared him, and yet, she was still loyal.

Look at what trust and loyalty have wrought.

Destined to loneliness and desperation.

Falling, falling...

Alone and afraid, a wrath now unbound as she soars over the bone dragon's head. Fumbling in the dark, she is trying to catch the pieces of herself that have shattered and are now being scattered into the wind—how the fuck is she supposed to put herself back together now?

A tool for love. A way to atone for his past sins. A way to "save her" where he could not before, and to fulfill a promise he could not uphold the first time. To make up for past mistakes so that he may now live with himself. Because that was all she was, wasn't she? A remnant, a ghost of a broken past that haunted him.

A tool for war. Even in death, she was nothing more than that. The king that she pledged her utmost fealty to then saw fit to use her however he wanted. Her body was desecrated and turned into an instrument to fuel the war between cruel men and crueler gods. Nothing more than a vessel for power. Nothing more than Garuda.

Falling...

So why does she refuse her? Why has she been so afraid of her? She should embrace her Eikon again. Become one with her once more, all fangs and no mercy, because that was all she was ever seen as: a source of power, of redemption, but they were not her own. They were never to be her own.

Tighter, the claws squeeze, and Benedikta screams and screams until she can no longer breathe. Until it is no longer her own screams, but Garuda's.

This wretched world... With wretched people...

Liars. Maggots. All of them. They all knew, and they lied.

She is afraid, but she is angry, and she has learned that it is easier to let in the rage than it is the fear. It was at Garuda's hand that she had died before, but that would not happen this time, that voice promises her. Garuda will protect her, swathe her in her comforting winds and rip apart everything that has and could hurt her.

The sky above Nogard falls dark, almost black. The waters rage as the wind abruptly picks up, lightning cracks, and a violent, swirling gale descends, only growing.

Let me help you. Let us show them what happens when they hurt you. Again and again...

If only Barnabas could see her now in all her strength. All power coursing through her pulsing aether, not an ounce of humanity left. This is what he wanted, isn't it?

She can at least take solace in the fact that Cidolfus is here. He could not keep his promise, could not save her, and instead, he lied to her, deceived her. In return, she will hate and hurt with all her love. She will let the fury take her. She will tear it all apart, and he will have to watch, knowing that he did this.

So much for your fucking redemption now.

DIE, DIE... DIE...

And from that whirling gale, she emerges. No longer is it Benedikta at the eye of the storm, but the true Warden of the Wind, the Eikon, Garuda, a reckless harpy with four wings wider than any bird's, claws that could split a man open in a single swipe, and fangs that could rip flesh from bone. With them all bared, her laughter echoes across the sea and sky.

Freedom. She is untethered, let out of the cage that Benedikta chained her in for so long.

And she will ravage this world in her name. Now fall...

WEATHERING THE STORMS

The moment that Nogard senses that something is amiss, its flesh will reform to protect itself and the villages within from the worst of the storms. While the Leviathan does get battered and the winds persist even after its body takes shape, Fang and its docks will be saved from the tidal surges that are bound to come and, upon seeing Garuda take off in the direction of Eltrut, the dragon will follow after her, roaring across the seas to send a signal of warning to the others to either flee or shield.

Heeding its call, the Naughtilust and Norhpip will retreat while Elah comes to their aid. Paladins will be encouraged by Elah to assist with rescue efforts—brave the storms and head out to sea to help. Those who do not wish to face the harpy's wrath can take refuge on the whale's back. But it will be Eltrut that will receive the brunt of Garuda's attacks, and where her magic will be most potent, the build-up of her aether coming to a head when she lands on the turtle's back.

Harsh, hurricane-like winds will assault Eltrut, and with them, a sense of dread and trickles of sadness fall upon the Leviathan. With Eltrut docked at an island, it's easier to see what is about to happen: the tide recedes, and on the horizon, the shadow of a giant tsunami wave guided by the wind approaches. While Eltrut can shield itself with its bubble, it will still need some help!

Using whatever magic is available—and necessary—everyone will have to work together to help Eltrut withstand the worst of it and, when the tide hits, it's best to be holding onto something, or someone, as Eltrut will be knocked around a bit before stabilising. Unfortunately, with the water's far too choppy to swim in, everyone will have to wait it out and work together to reduce the magic, and hope that someone comes along soon to take care of the harpy that keeps tearing through its shields.

🏝️ On Land. For those stuck on Eltrut or Nogard, the storms are just as fierce. With winds strong enough to rip the trees from their roots, shatter glass, and throw large objects around, it is imperative that people help each other find shelter and safety, and those with shielding magic use it, especially around the docks. Help the locals, assist the merfolk that have been washed up back into the water. There are weaponsmiths asking anyone with a set of hands to help craft things like harpoons and arrows that will be useful against the creatures that now roam the Leviathans.

🌊 Out at Sea. Crews will need to batten down the hatches and work together to weather the storms as well as rescue anyone else, including locals, who might be out there. Though, it is recommended that people try to outrun them as that is one big wave that is heading for Eltrut. Thanks to Garuda's magic, some of the wildlife have grown wings, and sharks are chomping down on boats and even leaping onto decks in search of a good meal.

☁️ In the Air. Male gryphons from The Hideaway's island will arrive to aid those who wish to take to the skies for search and rescue efforts. They are still wary and a bit erratic from being attacked earlier on the island, so working together to earn their trust will be imperative. Offering them food or small gifts such as feathers or beads will appease them, as well as protecting them from oncoming attacks from their fellow birdkin. Once in the air, riding on gryphon-back will take some getting used to, as they will always travel in pairs, and will employ tactical maneuvers to dodge the debris and any creatures that attack.

With their homes partially destroyed by the massive wave, some of the merfolk have come to aid not only their own that have been washed up onto land, but those who hope to alleviate the stress on the Leviathans, whether it be rescue efforts or fighting off the birds and winged sharks. They have offered their herd of seahorses for people to ride on, but they are a bit temperamental, especially with all the chaos, so they will need to be calmed first before they can be ridden.

All threads will be worth 4 points.

( Bonus ♫ )

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

It isn't just the violent skies and seas that pose a problem. Garuda's magic has somehow affected all of the birdkin and bird folk alike across Nogard and Eltrut. What once were peaceful, friendly creatures have now turned on others, as well as each other, and will be attacking and fighting on the streets.

More than that, while some birds have transformed into menacing beasts large enough to pick up a whole person—sometimes two—there are also dozens and dozens of Wind Elementals that have spawned all around the Leviathans, all of them under the command of Benedikta's sisters, Chirada and Suparna, the strongest of them. They hardly ever leave one another's side, but when they are provoked, they will not hesitate to attack. To make matters worse, when threatened, they will tether their aether to each other to make themselves more immune and to regenerate. They are fast, agile, with wide wingspans and talons that will rip anyone apart if they manage to catch them. They are weak to lightning magic and can be held off by the plumes found throughout the forest, and destroying them will buy time for those fighting the smaller Egis to defeat them... However, be warned, they will only respawn again elsewhere, and will keep doing so until Garuda is chased away. (Note: this video of their boss fight can be referred to if needed.)

🐦 Birds and Birdfolk. Beware of feathered friends! Garuda's magic has made both the birds of the islands and the bird folk particularly aggressive. Bird folk will be quick to anger, and those caught up in the worst of the effects will attack anyone unprovoked for so much as looking at them. The only cure for this is taking out the Wind Elementals that have spawned, as they are what sustains Garuda's magic. In the meantime, until they can be destroyed, luring them further away and outside of town or finding a humane way to knock them out for the time being will work to help alleviate the threats at the eye of the storm. Cats will also be effective against them. Be careful, however—the birds are capable of stealing the breath of anyone who wanders too close, strangling them through lack of air.

🌪️ Wind Elementals. Minions of Garuda herself, these Wind Egis will indiscriminately pick out anyone they find to assault with their large wings, sharpened talons, and powerful wind magic. Men will be carried out to sea where they will attempt to drown them, while women will be carried to "safety" in the nests that the birds have built within the forests. Defeating them is the key to weakening Garuda's magic, so take them out by any means necessary. Note: Players are free to use and control the Egis however they want.

🪹 Within the Nest. For those caught in the nest, escaping on the ground will be the only way out as horrific winged beasts and Egis guard the skies. Beneath the trees, people will need to carve out a path through the messy vines and thorns. It will be safer with a partner, as all sorts of horrors lurk. Eldritch hummingbirds, cassowary, magpies, human-sized hawkmoths, guineafowl, pelicans, and a strange breed of geese that are prepared to feed on or tear apart anyone who might threaten their nest.

There will occasionally be white plumes that will flutter down from the skies. These feathers are from Garuda's wings, and gathering them will provide a ward to protect one from harm for a short period of time. They can shield against one hit or act as a repellent to the birds and the Egis before they are destroyed. Search for them in the treetops and the vines, gather them, and they should be shared so that everyone can make it out of the forest safely. If anyone is able to collect enough of them, they will have healing wind properties that can mend small wounds and cuts.

For those at The Roost (the Hideaway crew's island), the gryphons will be up in arms, not only because one of their nests has been destroyed, but because Benedikta's uncontrollable magic has bled into them, too. The female gryphons, led by the Matriarch, will attack the males, and a fight will break out among them. The males will flee down into the Roost to seek help, but the females will surely soon follow. Killing the gryphons is not an option, and anyone who threatens the lives of the females will have to get through the males in spite of this war, so they will need to be chased off for now. In return, the males will allow anyone to ride on their backs and carry them to Eltrut should they wish to help there.

All threads will be worth 4 points.

( Bonus ♫ )

THE LADY OF THE WIND

For those few who are brave enough to encounter Garuda and live to tell the tale, and those fewer who are daring enough to chase her down seeking to clip the vengeful harpy's wings, they will likely not have to look very far. Garuda is a mischievous and wicked Eikon, chaotic, as if she were made of the winds and storms herself, and through all of the destruction she brings, she also finds enjoyment in taunting others, sometimes swooping down or over one's head just to toy with those on the ground before flying off again.

If she is feeling particularly naughty, she may even kidnap a few, scooping them up in her claws and flying them off someplace else... just for fun. Whether it is the nest, into the sky, out to sea, who knows, but one thing is for certain... one does not want to be engaged with her for long, lest they wish to feel just how sharp her claws and fangs truly are...

Try as they might, however, it will take the might of another full Eikon to take her down, and the battles will end as Ramuh, the Warden of Thunder, makes his appearance and chases her away from Eltrut, and they will face off against one another over the ocean.

Note: This portion of the log is closed to those who signed up for an encounter with Garuda. Please leave a starter at your designated top level down below! They will be worth 6 points.

( Bonus ♫ )

This is the designated log for a player-run (garudas) mini-event. After revelations came about surrounding her fate, Benedikta Harman primed into her full Eikon, Garuda, and she is now ravaging the seas, skies, and land.

Players are free to make their own top levels and tag around, and those who have signed up to face Garuda can leave their starters beneath their designated top levels. Information can be found on the OOC post and please direct any questions here. New players/characters are free to tag into this as well, as this is all occurring after their arrival.

The event and its effects will last less than one day ICly and will have a resolution, so there will be no bearing on anything afterward. Any post-Garuda events will be on the main monthly log that will be going up, including Leviathan clean-up and helping the mermaids after parts of their underwater dwelling were ruined by the wave that hit Eltrut.

Comments

[yuezun]

[He held Cid's wrist in one hand and pressed two fingers to Cid's pulse point with the other. A moment later a small trickle of energy would be able to be felt at where his fingers pressed.]

Qi. Yours.

[He let Cid get used to the feeling of energy sitting at his pulse point before flipping his hand over so Cid's fingers now rested on the pulse point of Daqiang's wrist. He drew his free hand down the line of Cid's hand from the wrist to the pointer finger and with it, the feeling of the energy pulling lightly at what Cid might call his own life energy. That's what qi was.]

Those who practice learn to cultivate their qi by adding to it from the ambient spiritual energy of the world around them. Places especially strong in the element one's root is aligned with are easier to cultivate in than others.

[After another moment to allow Cid to get used to the feeling of his qi being tugged outward to his finger tips, Daqiang attempted to pull the energy into his own wrist in a minor energy transfer. Not actually taking it from Cid, but directing it to explore the feeling of entering the meridians of someone who had cultivated - if Cid allowed it and could follow it, the experience might be best described as falling headfirst into an ocean of energy. If Cid was unable to, then he might still feel the phantom sensation of something much greater than him waiting. Just waiting. To be drawn upon and used.]

This venerable one's qi.

[ramuhs]

[He feels that energy...it doesn't feel too different from what he's used to with the flow his aether, which would make sense. For them, aether and their own life energy are intrinsically intertwined—as far as they understand it at least. And this "ambient spiritual energy"...again, that sounds similar to the use of aether. It exists all around them in their world—the life force of the land and the source of all magic. It's how all Bearers and magick users are able to draw magic directly rather than through the need of a crystal.

So thus far, Cid is able to follow Daqiang's explanation.

As for the next part...

Perhaps there's a natural defense or response from his Eikon, or perhaps it's just a natural barrier from being from different worlds. Regardless of the reason, Cid will be unable to follow through completely and will only be able to feel that phantom sensation beyond where Daqiang is. In this respect, perhaps it's similar to when he was trying to push against Garuda when battling against her, that connection he formed with Benedikta. Yet it's also different, so there's just that weird sensation of "somewhat familiar, but not the same."

But he can feel that greater power and although he has a furrowed brow of concentration while staring at their hands, he'll look up at him.]

Think I can feel it—if it went any farther you could swallow me hole.

[yuezun]

If this venerable one wished, he could probably take your energy for himself to add to his own. But this venerable one does not practice in that manner. The risks are not worth the return.

[It would not necessarily be easy - though with Cid injured as he was, it would not be as difficult as it could be. Not that he actually considered it. But if he could take it, then Cid could certainly be taught to give it.]

It is because you have no training in controlling your energy properly that you cannot sense it better. Once you have, you can share it with others and better incorporate energy shared with you.

[Was he making an assumption? Yes. But with the kind of power Cid wielded, and the fact that he couldn't really feel Daqiang's own despite being led directly to it, Daqiang was confident that learning to sense and control it would solve most of the problems Cid had. Also, it would mean that if Daqiang did have reason to overload Cid with power again, Cid would be able to use it for more than one big strike.]

[ramuhs]

[Hmmm. Cid is still skeptical, but he'll still be open minded about it.]

So what is the type of control you use?

[Because he can control his aether—quite well given the decades of experience under his belt. But perhaps there is a different way outside of wielding it in combat.]

[yuezun]

[How to demonstrate the basics of practicing when Daqiang did so as naturally as breathing? Certainly, actively practicing was what brought him the power he had, but his body was born with a core and an immortal root did not have to cultivate it the way mortals and yao did.

The basics were the same, though. A lot of breathing and meditation and circulating of energy and - no. Circulating of energy came after learning to sense one's energy and pull it into the lower dantian.]

It is part of practicing. To do so, you must become aware of your body and it's energies and the way they move through you at all times. Meditation is where you should start. You are already somewhat aware, so meditation to become more aware and gain control of your body and how it's energies flow would be the best place to start. Both sitting meditation and moving meditation.

[His eyes went to Cid's injury.]

Moving meditation after you have healed.

[ramuhs]

[...Hm, well that all sounds sensible, really. Even they have meditative exercises to steady and focus the mind, with some cultures having more focus of it in other parts of Valisthea. So Cid just ruminates over it as he never considered to apply it towards the flow of his aether...]

Of course. Though just out of curiosity, what is moving meditation? I'm more familiar with the sitting form.

[yuezun]

It is similar to sitting in that you are meant to focus on your body, learning to pay attention to each part and how to control it in isolation as well as with the rest of your body. Moving meditation is the same, only you attempt to do so while conducting some sort of physical work. Soldiers often practice their battle forms during it. You must not only be aware of the body and controlling it, but must also conduct the work you set out to do and ensure you are maintaining control throughout.

Some find moving meditation easier. Those who have trouble sitting still for long periods find sitting meditation to be a more difficult task. Moving meditation should be avoided when heavily injured. It is too easy to block out the pain while your focus is elsewhere and not recognize when you have aggravated the wound and made it worse.

[ramuhs]

[He listens thoughtfully, again finding a sense of familiarity with the idea. The idea of focusing on the self while training is a common concept. So this is just a deeper sense of that.]

I suppose I never considered it when using my aether. It comes naturally like breathing air. But you suggest I focus more on its actual flow and movement within me, aye?

[yuezun]

Yes. Even with the natural process of breathing, you can learn to control it and train your body to go without for longer and longer periods when needed. The control of your life energy, your aether, is the same. It already moves naturally within you and you call on it for battle. But you can learn to control it's flow within you. To allow more or less, creating precision and also to build up the pool of it within you by eventually learning to draw more of the natural life energy of the world into you instead of burning through your own.

But you have to learn to sense it and control it within you first. Only after knowing it internally, can you start sensing and controlling it externally. Sharing it, and being able to sense the depths of other's own power.

[ramuhs]

[A low hum.]

Makes sense.

[...And then a thought occurs to him.]

Do you think my Eikon could interfere? Or hinder the process? While my aether and life force is my own, in the end I am borrowing Ramuh's power as well. Where his aether ends and mine begins I cannot really say.

[yuezun]

That is more difficult to say. This venerable one does not employ mortal vessels. You may find the answer when you become more able to sense energies.

...this venerable one could attempt to follow your meridians to see if he can find a point of connection between you. But that may be hampered by your own god or the strange ways of the rifts and attempting to reach past them to follow a path away from this world.

[ramuhs]

[....Hmm....]

I will put a hold on it for now. Would like to see if I cannot figure something on my own myself. Who knows, maybe the old bastard will honor me with some answers.

[Unlikely. But sure would be nice if the grand Eikon of Wisdom would actually share some right now!!!!]

[yuezun]

Very well. Do you wish guidance in your mediation? You said you are familiar with it.

[ramuhs]

I wouldn't mind a few tips or two. While I'm familiar with the concept, I never really delved into the full practice of it. Didn't really have much time.

[...And maybe patience, but that was when he was younger—]

And trying to feel out my aether is a bit different than honing my senses for battle.