[DROP] catch them if you can

Random Event Like the end of a Hitchcock movie, a little dark and a lot confusing Rumours have been spreading far and wide through the regions - cloud spiders or no cloud spiders - that something profoundly curious is happening in the Greatwood. A conglomeration - no, an assembly - or even a swarm of will-o-wisps has been sighted all throughout the forest, in numbers that far surpass the norm. And, mischievous as the little creatures tend to be, they've been causing all sorts of trouble! Someone really ought to catch them. In fact, if one arrives at the Wildwood, one might find several collections of neatly arranged nets that glisten strangely in the fae light. The keen-eyed might notice that the nets are made from cloud spider silk; whether that will make them any good at catching will-o-wisps is another matter entirely. Regardless, someone has to do it! Could it be you? WELCOME TO THE DROP! You have 48 hours to post your character arriving in the Wildwood and grabbing up a net to catch some will-o-wisps! The prize for winning this drop will be a race-specific character companion! (Oooh! Aaaah!)

Jude

come on, come dance with me

Jude has been in the Greatwood for a few days now - catching Whisper Fish, visiting his mother, generally hiding from both Torchline and Stormbreak and their new-leader-drama. Normally he isn't the type for rumors, but will-o'-whisps are already so intriguing that he can't help but check it out for himself.

The presence of nets is a little harder to explain away, and a bit suspicious. Surely someone wouldn't just leave such items sitting around? But, well, why not right? Jude picks one up and does his best to make his steps quiet as he follows the trail of color and light, hoping to help corral and capture the mischievous little spirits.

the earth is spinning, we can't just stand

He's here for his quest, but while he's about, why not help with a will-o'-wisp problem? And if he's going to be helping, why not team up with a familiar face? Koa's quick to spot Jude's waifish form in the growing crowd, and the sight of someone he (sort of) knows fills him with relief. Truth be told, he's found the woods a bit spooky thus far: there's nothing like this in Stormbreak, and he could swear the trees move.

So net in hand and dragon on his shoulder, the young man strides to catch up with Jude. "Hey," he greets warmly, bumping a narrow shoulder with his own broad one. "Need a bodyguard?" A charming grin, a devilish wink. Fun fact: Koa doesn't know that Jude is the one who cock-blocked him. Or that he's now in a committed relationship with the girl our hero had an earth-shattering crush on.

Let the good times roll.

Koa

Tal was looking for an apprentice.

He was looking for that apprentice in the Greatwood, and had happened to hear about the funky goings-on and figured: why the hail not. He hadn't been able to track down Jude in the Village so heading out into the Woods seemed like as good a plan as any. And while he was there he might as well throw some nets around, right? Maybe he'd get lucky!

With Boreal sleeping keeping watch aboard the Peregrine, Tal shouldered his gear and grabbed a few spare nets as he wandered in amongst the great big trees, keeping his eyes peeled for apprentices or will-o-wisps - whichever he found first.

Orbs of light beckon and call from the darkened angles and shadows of trees. Were those whispers of your friends? Family? Fallen allies?

Was that a scream? Could they be in trouble?

Is it all in your head? Just your imagination?

Or something else altogether – because what if it’s true?

---

You’ve encountered a Will-O-Wisp. This counts as a common creature encounter for the purposes of levelling, but does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention. If you choose to follow this creature, you do so at your own risk, however, just having it in this thread is enough to satisfy your levelling requirements.

Will-O-Wisps (common): Glowing orbs of light that dance and weave between the branches, despite their usefulness, these creatures are not to be trusted. Mischievous and loyal to no one, they will lead travellers astray at a moment's notice.

Dantalion

how the fuck am I supposed to know

Danta has net, will travel.

More specifically, Danta has heard the will-o-wisp rumours, has found the net area, and has sequestered himself away up in a tree somewhere, the Ancient watching others come and go as if they might be a better catch than the weird fae creatures. And he hasn't decided if they are yet, truthfully, watching Jude and Koa meander away and considering following them, before Talyson comes along.

Not wanting the courier to be all alone on his mission, Danta drops from the tree branch directly in the other man's path, offering him a fanged grin. "Let's go hunting," he announces.

if we're in love or if we're in pain?

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

from the mornings you ease to the evenings you quiet
I'm always thinking of you, I'm always dreaming of you

Hotaru is looking for nothing. She does, however, find Talyson. And Dantalion ooooh. Maybe she'll stick around in the Greatwood for a bit after this.

Given the ruckus, she merely catches his eyes and wiggles her fingers in a jaunty wave, unsure how well they'll be able to stick to each other's sides or otherwise converse when the hunt is on. Besides, why not let the two of them get cozy?

The nets are a welcome addition, and Hotaru picks one up and twirls it easily in her hand, gauging its durability. How nets are supposed to catch spirits made of - what she presumes is - light is beyond her, but she has little else in mind for corralling them. That doesn't mean she won't try her hand with magic of course, if she can manage to venture across a few.

the valkyrie

say my name, say I'm yours
promise we'll never be oceans apart

totally sniped from odd ilu

Very, very, luckily, Fox arrives just after Talyson, and is thus spared whatever the fuck is happening to his fellow hunter. The rumour mill is a lucrative employer at times, though admittedly he hasn't heard of any sort of payment for this will-o-wisp problem. Nevertheless, Fox takes stock of his surroundings, collects up his net, and glances towards some tell-tale lights through the trees.

Figuring that this is as decent a place as any to start with, it's with a last, quick look around that the hunter stalks off into Ludo's Woods, hoping to catch a few of the mischievous glowing creatures. At least the place seems otherwise peaceful; if nothing else, it'll be good practice.

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

Isla take your medicine How fortuitous that something like this would happen just as Isla is visiting the Greatwood. She'll blame Remi for the chaos that inevitably seems to follow in his wake, but at least this sort of chaos seems like fun. Leaving the Lullaby to his own devices - the pull of will-o-wisps is far too strong - Isla prowls into the clearing and spots the pile of nets, along with the several departing people. Smiling to Hotaru and selecting a net for herself, the Remedy is in no particular rush. She lets the woods close around her and enjoys the rustle of leaves and sounds of nature, along with the various supernatural whispers of, she presumes, the very creatures they're meant to be hunting.

Tell the tales of the trail of dead
Lovers learned from slower hands

Liam wasn't, as it happened, a part of the rumor mill, but he was becoming an avid explorer, at least of his new home region. Being new to the Greatwood, he'd taken to wandering its regions each day, familiarizing himself with new territory that he might, for all he knew, one day be called to protect. He had promised Phoebe his aid, should it ever be needed, after all, and in order to be helpful, it would be useful for him to have a working knowledge of the region.

Normally his meanderings were undertaken alone, and he enjoyed the solitude. Today, however, such was not the case. As he closed in on the Wildwood, he realized that there were several people about - none of whom he knew. Still, they seemed to be on the hunt for something - will-o-wisps, by the look of it - and upon seeing some nets, Liam shrugged to himself, grabbed one, and joined in the activities. Surely it couldn't hurt to try to figure out what was going on?

Losing self in myself
And my demons make demands

Liam

Soleil

I hear the music, I feel the beat
And for a moment, when I'm dancing, I am free

Everyone seems to have a reason to be here that's more exciting, but the Greatwood is Soleil's next stop in her little Exploring Caido's Cities checkbook. Chaos is merely a chance to get involved and meet some new people!

Nearly every face is unfamiliar except Talyson, who likely won't recognize her given they haven't interacted since she aged up. But her godmother is here! Soleil waves cheerily, blowing dramatic kisses at Hotaru as she rests her newly acquired net on her shoulder.

There's nothing to stop her from going to say hi, but Soleil was raised with an ingrained sense of duty not only from her father but from Halo at large. She'll wait until after the whisps are dealt with - and with that she takes off into the woods, hoping to find one to ensnare.

Edmund had noticed the wisps around and, on a whim, had decided to follow the rumors of their sightings. As such, the Ancient steps into the Wildwood with purpose. Spying the nets, he grabs one that seems nimble enough to work between the trees. As he does so, Edmund glances at Jude and sheepishly waves. Mouthing, 'We'll talk after', he spins on his heels and begins his search. He and his brother sorely do need to speak. But for the moment, Edmund feels guiltily relieved that it'll be postponed for just a bit longer. He's not sure how he can look Jude in the eyes just yet. ~ Edmund arrives, grabs a net! Edmund Reborn In Fire

Hadama arrived in the water beneath the trees, drawn by curiosity and a certain attachment to the Greatwood that he'd developed over the past seasons. It wasn't his home, but he was fond of the people he'd met and the memories he'd made there, and he remembered - quite clearly, and in detail - that dangerous darkness during LongNight.

The Will-o-Wisps had been out then, too.

Swimming through the rivers that crossed the Wood like so many streets for his people, he found no few he recognized and many he did not. The young men, Jude and Koa , and the young woman Soleil who he nodded serenely to. Hotaru , his respected teacher, was given a small wave and a pulse of silent greeting through the Attuned bond. It was while he was choosing a net from those dropped near the bank - questionable, whether they would work, but at least they wouldn't dissolve in the water - that he spotted young Edmund.

Ah.

Slipping back into the water he swam slowly away from the young Ancient, distracted by thoughts of his friend and her wayward son as he hunted a prey equally intangible.

Random Event Like the end of a Hitchcock movie, a little dark and a lot confusing Off you all go, swarming into the forest just like those pesky will-o-wisps you're looking to catch! And it doesn't take long to find them - all of you, whether banded together or working solo, will be able to see those flickering balls of light soon enough. There's some degree of success for everyone; all except (alas) Hadama and Liam. Each man is on the trail of a wisp, tracking through streams and trails and twilit woodland, until the light suddenly winks out. They are alone, and there will be no more wisp-catching for them. Booooo! For all those remaining, these woods are indeed wild, and there are some decisions to make! Do you stay centre, go left or go right? Hadama and Liam are out of the Drop! Wisps: Jude: 1 Koa: 4 Talyson: 2 Dantalion: 2 Hotaru: 1 Fox: 1 Isla: 3 Soleil: 1 Edmund: 3 Confirm which direction your character goes at the end of your post! You have 48 hours!