❧ The Awakening

[luministimods]

Attention, attention, your attention please! All residents of Luministi! This is the disastrously dutiful Verita, with an uncannily urgent report! Listen please!

[those who were here several weeks ago likely recognize the sprightly, dark-haired young woman who abruptly begins to broadcast from everyone's CAT, except that those who have seen her before might be surprised to notice that she's pinwheeling her arms this time--in a far less theatrical and far more frantic manner. not only that, but there is an angry-looking red lump on her left temple]

Are you listening? I hope you're listening! This is inescapably important, brimmingly breaking news! Good residents of Luministi, I am lamentably loath to inform you that... [takes a deep breath] The sky is falling! [throws her arms out to her sides, heaving a great sigh, and...well, admittedly she looks a bit theatrical at the moment--if only mixed with being frantically fearful] ...but only in a manner of speaking! [holds up a hand to silence the gossip she's sure has begun from this statement, putting her other to her head in apparently tragic dismay--either that or because she has a headache from her wound. in any case, she pauses to catch her breath]

You see, a marauding menace has come to our fair town. The mayor will have none of it, no. But the news--the news knows better! And I tell you truthfully--absolutely assuredly--that there are ALIENS in the skies above us! Aliens meaning to invade us! [pauses, her expression deadly serious] Oh no, citizens! I can see that some of you are doubtful, but I promise you, I have seen them in the skies! Close by! So I ask you all--and not lightly by any means--if you have any feelings in your heart for the safety of this town that has done so much for you, prepare yourself to defend us. A battle--a battle against the very skies above us--is imminent!



❧ Plot Details: The Awakening

At the time of this message, the music and the box in the botanical gardens will have mysteriously disappeared. Only the pedestal remains. But any residents still trapped in the gardens will find that the exits suddenly function as proper exits again! From this point on, all residents can enter and leave the gardens as they please. Isn't that exciting?

But it seems that the situation in town has begun to grow more serious--if Verita is to be believed. In any case, while those residents who look to the skies won't see anything out of the ordinary, there might just be some strange happenings about the town itself. Perhaps the "invasion" isn't exactly what Verita thinks it is.

The variety of carved topiary animals that residents may have seen about the new botanical gardens have mysteriously disappeared. So has every single one of the extremely large assortment of heavy stone statues. The same is true of the Poseidon statue from the sundial to the northwest of the library. However, they haven't gone far. Residents may now find these many statues and animals in a variety of locations about town. A cursory look may give the impression that someone has moved them. In fact, an army of Chinese soldiers seem to have been placed rather ominously in front of the town hall, facing the square. Also, a group of angry topiary chihuahuas are guarding the town pavilion. Some of these monuments may look sinister enough just at a glance, but look at them for a moment or more, and residents are likely to notice some unexpected movement from these monuments. Investigate further or get too close, and the monuments might even attack! For the most part, they have no weapons, but they are made of rough and heavy materials that you would not want to be smacked by. The carved animals might even bite. And Poseidon does have a weapon and will not hesitate to use it. Also, while the statues on the town's fountain have not moved, they will squirt water at you if you get close! How serious a confrontation your character might have with these monuments is completely up to you! However, residents who attempt to fight back will find the monuments mysteriously invulnerable. Stone will not break, even under the blows of a sledgehammer, and not even hedge cutters will have any effect on the carved animals.

In addition, residents might find places in town where damage has been done to the buildings. This damage can be as minor as chipped paint (or perhaps nibbled paint) and as major as chunks crumbling out of walls. You've guessed it--when the residents' backs are turned, the runaway monuments are doing a number on the town itself. They have abandoned the botanical gardens, leaving them untouched, but seem to consider anything they encounter in town to be an enemy. Along with that, plants, grasses, and weeds seem to be growing unchecked throughout town, sometimes just multiplying and sometimes attacking and growing into the buildings as well. Just where these plants are coming from, what has gotten into the monuments, how either are able to do this, and what the goal might be is anyone's guess. But one thing is clear--it has the rest of the town spooked! In fact, the town has become little more than a ghost town overnight. Verita can be found in the town square, declaring warnings and nursing a rather large lump on her head. Audrey is still available in the evenings in the White Rabbit. Miss Osculia is still ready to head off any prying eyes outside of the mayor's office in the town hall. And finally, Dr. Resarci is, as always, available in the Clinic for any who might have the misfortune to sustain an injury during this crisis. However, outside of these four, there are no other residents in town. Sorry, new residents, it appears you're on your own in this crisis.

For the intrepid residents who have noticed the abandonment of the botanical gardens (and aren't too afraid to return after being trapped there before!), you might just find any of a number of stone pedestals where some of the statues used to stand in the gardens. The tops of these pedestals are carved with the helpful message: "DON'T TRUST ANYTHING." Just what could that be referring to?

Residents who would like to talk to Verita during this plot can comment to her ICly here. The other NPCs can, as always, be contacted through the usual channels (PM, email, etc.). Also, any OOC questions can be left on this post. Enjoy the mayhem!

EDIT: For those who might be wondering, characters do retain the notes they retrieved from the box and can still hold on to them for safe-keeping and sharing so others can see them as well. They can be seen in these posts.