idolpro | Zhongli's Ideal World Session 2

Objectives:
Zhongli is suffering from erosion - a disease that affects his memories and distorts his concept of reality. To pull him out of his ideal world, you will have to restore the world to its accurate perception. There are multiple paths to achieve this:

Find the erosion and restore each area of Liyue to what it should be rather than Zhongli's idealized version. Then the Rite of Descension will continue as normal.
Defeat the Geo Archon after the false Rite of Descension has started.
Defeat [ REDACTED ] after [ REDACTED ] event occurs.

Options 1 and 2 are ICly known to your character.

Glossary for Zhongli's Ideal World:

Teyvat - the world Zhongli is from
Liyue - the country/home city Zhongli is from. It is ruled by the Geo Archon
Archon - god of one of the seven elements (pyro/fire, electro, hydro, cryo/ice, geo, anemo/wind, dendro/nature) and ruler of one of the seven nations of Teyvat
Vision - eye of god; grants a human the ability to use one of the seven elements

Link to stats sheet

Your character has the following stats and 2 HP. Unless otherwise stated, successful damage to your character will be 1 HP:

STR (strength): For physical attacks
SPD (speed): For dodging and acts of dexterity
ELM (elemental mastery): For using elemental skills
INT (intelligence): For getting additional context clues (historical or cultural)
CHA (charisma): For getting extra dialogue out of NPCs

   HP: ♥ ♥

All stats start at 0, but you can adjust any stat as long as it is between the range of -2 and +2. You also have an additional 3 points to distribute.

We will use Zhongli as an example:

Base Stats:
   STR: 0
   SPD: 0
   ELM: 0
   INT: 0
   CHA: 0

Adjusted Stats (the numbers added up here should equal 0. You can adjust as much or as little as you want):
   STR: 1
   SPD: -2
   ELM: 2
   INT: -1
   CHA: 0

+3 Points to Distribute:
   STR: 2
   SPD: -2
   ELM: 2
   INT: 0
   CHA: 1

When using a stat, roll a 1d6 die plus your stat. 1-3 fails. 4-6 is a success. Natural 1 and natural 6 are considered critical failure and critical success even with modifiers. If the situation calls for it, additional flavor text will be added.

You wake up floating, feeling lightweight and free. There is nothing but beautiful golden-purple sunset sky above you and stars twinkling in the distance. Nothing below your feet but clouds too thick to see through. But you imagine the ground is somewhere down there, very very far below.

A flash of gold shimmers, and a rolled up parchment unfurls in the air in front of you. A small black inkwell and calligraphy brush appears off to the side. The script is neat and tidy.

"Erosion.

It is a terrible disease of the mind known to affect the long lived individuals of Teyvat; those affiliated with the element of geo being much more susceptible. It is a slow and gradual process - forgetting the name of a friend who has long since passed here or the exact date of an important event there. Steadily do memories and tethers to the realm crumble until nothing is left but a husk of the individual completely separated from reality.

Zhongli has been battling the onset of this malady for years untold. And even careful as he was, he too has succumbed to its grip. Fortunately, he is not yet completely lost to us, but without immediate intervention, I'm afraid that he will be.

Traveler, I do not know how close you are to Zhongli, but I can sense that you are at least acquainted. Enough perhaps to know that he would not want one of his power left alone to ravage the land. I offer you a boon, the power of the elements and a tool to help differentiate fantasy from reality to use as you see fit. In exchange, I request your promise that you will return Zhongli to his senses or render him incapable of further harming others.

Will you accept this contract?"

[[ OOC: For the contract signing, you are alone, but once you have landed in Liyue Harbor, you are free to interact with the other Ideal World runners as you see fit. ]]

[ stares at this wizardry. ]

...

[ he's not sure how much he can help, but ]

I accept.

[ Giving the parchment a wry look, not that anyone is around to see.

The nerve of a piece of paper offering him his own powers--!!! ]

But if we would do this even without the contract?

[Honestly, Alisaie heard "Zhongli" and "malady" and "lost to us" and everything else was just background detail she would think on more closely later.]

Yes...!! Of course!

Just tell me what to do, and I'll do it.

Congratulations, Traveler. You have been bequeathed with a [ Electro Vision ] under the constellation [ Perierat Inventus ].

Your signature flashes golden as the parchment rolls itself back up, a gold ribbon tightly securing it before it disappears like so much stardust. A contract forged and sealed. Then you hear it - you feel it - the earth calling you pulling you down down down to the ground and welcoming you home. You can just make it out through the thinning clouds during your descent - a harbor city protected on all sides by tall, jagged mountains. The city of Liyue - Zhongli's heart and home.

If you do happen to glance back up toward the sky, you'll see a woman garbed in white and black armor, golden eyes piercing as she holds the contract in her hand.

"May the blessing of Celestia guide your path."

And thus, your journey begins.

Where would you like to land:

The docks
The marketplace
The mountains overlooking the city
The central pavilion where it looks like preparations for a ceremony are beginning

( For some reason, you feel yourself drawn to the pavilion. )

[[ OOC: If you have accepted the contract and the vision:

You will get a +1 to Elemental Mastery. If you are already at +2, please put +1 in any other stat of your choice.
Your vision will glow if you are near the source of the idiosyncrasies in Zhongli's ideal world. Roll ELM if you'd like to investigate.
Consider yourself a master of your element and you may use it in any offensive, defensive or utility capability. You want a sword? A shield? Hydro surfing? It's yours!

If you have not accepted the contract, your stats remain unchanged.]]

[Reading the missive carefully or... contract, as it were?]

Yes, I accept.

[ More writing appears on the paper ]

Such an agreement is not as binding as one tied to a contract.

We ask for one for the benefit of both parties involved.

[ So like. As soon as he sees the word 'contract' he makes a point of rereading the whole thing again, like a reflex.

Looks up at the sky.

Looks down at his feet.

...It's probably a pretty long fall from this height...

In the manner of someone used to writing with one, he takes a brush and signs his name, 'Gracious Skylark'. ]

Congratulations, Traveler. You have been bequeathed with a [ Pyro Vision ] under the constellation [ Soror Bellator ].

Your signature flashes golden as the parchment rolls itself back up, a gold ribbon tightly securing it before it disappears like so much stardust. A contract forged and sealed. Then you hear it - you feel it - the earth calling you pulling you down down down to the ground and welcoming you home. You can just make it out through the thinning clouds during your descent - a harbor city protected on all sides by tall, jagged mountains. The city of Liyue - Zhongli's heart and home.

If you do happen to glance back up toward the sky, you'll see a woman garbed in white and black armor, golden eyes piercing as she holds the contract in her hand.

"May the blessing of Celestia guide your path."

And thus, your journey begins.

Where would you like to land:

The docks
The marketplace
The mountains overlooking the city
The central pavilion where it looks like preparations for a ceremony are beginning

( For some reason, you feel yourself drawn to the docks. )

[[ OOC: If you have accepted the contract and the vision:

You will get a +1 to Elemental Mastery. If you are already at +2, please put +1 in any other stat of your choice.
Your vision will glow if you are near the source of the idiosyncrasies in Zhongli's ideal world. Roll ELM if you'd like to investigate.
Consider yourself a master of your element and you may use it in any offensive, defensive or utility capability. You want a sword? A shield? Hydro surfing? It's yours!

If you have not accepted the contract, your stats remain unchanged.]]

[ oh my fucking goddddd ]

Morax.

You're the worst.

[ EXASPERATED SIGH ]

I'll sign the dumb paper.

... [ mumbles to himself about the blessing, because he doesn't believe in god/gods, though he's fully aware there are plenty around him in tokyo-f. ]

[ ~~as far away from people as possible~~. ]

[ sure, let's go to the pavilion. he doesn't know jack from shit about zhongli's home, so he may as well go with his 'gut'. ]

Congratulations, Traveler. You have been bequeathed with a [ Hydro Vision ] under the constellation [ Scholaris Frater ].

Your signature flashes golden as the parchment rolls itself back up, a gold ribbon tightly securing it before it disappears like so much stardust. A contract forged and sealed. Then you hear it - you feel it - the earth calling you pulling you down down down to the ground and welcoming you home. You can just make it out through the thinning clouds during your descent - a harbor city protected on all sides by tall, jagged mountains. The city of Liyue - Zhongli's heart and home.

If you do happen to glance back up toward the sky, you'll see a woman garbed in white and black armor, golden eyes piercing as she holds the contract in her hand.

"May the blessing of Celestia guide your path."

And thus, your journey begins.

Where would you like to land:

The docks
The marketplace
The mountains overlooking the city
The central pavilion where it looks like preparations for a ceremony are beginning

( For some reason, you feel yourself drawn to the docks. )

[[ OOC: If you have accepted the contract and the vision:

You will get a +1 to Elemental Mastery. If you are already at +2, please put +1 in any other stat of your choice.
Your vision will glow if you are near the source of the idiosyncrasies in Zhongli's ideal world. Roll ELM if you'd like to investigate.
Consider yourself a master of your element and you may use it in any offensive, defensive or utility capability. You want a sword? A shield? Hydro surfing? It's yours!

If you have not accepted the contract, your stats remain unchanged.]]

Congratulations, Traveler. You have been bequeathed with a [ Pyro Vision ] under the constellation [ Renati Solis ].

Your signature flashes golden as the parchment rolls itself back up, a gold ribbon tightly securing it before it disappears like so much stardust. A contract forged and sealed. Then you hear it - you feel it - the earth calling you pulling you down down down to the ground and welcoming you home. You can just make it out through the thinning clouds during your descent - a harbor city protected on all sides by tall, jagged mountains. The city of Liyue - Zhongli's heart and home.

If you do happen to glance back up toward the sky, you'll see a woman garbed in white and black armor, golden eyes piercing as she holds the contract in her hand.

"May the blessing of Celestia guide your path."

And thus, your journey begins.

Where would you like to land:

The docks
The marketplace
The mountains overlooking the city
The central pavilion where it looks like preparations for a ceremony are beginning

( For some reason, you feel yourself drawn to the pavilion. )

[[ OOC: If you have accepted the contract and the vision:

You will get a +1 to Elemental Mastery. If you are already at +2, please put +1 in any other stat of your choice.
Your vision will glow if you are near the source of the idiosyncrasies in Zhongli's ideal world. Roll ELM if you'd like to investigate.
Consider yourself a master of your element and you may use it in any offensive, defensive or utility capability. You want a sword? A shield? Hydro surfing? It's yours!

If you have not accepted the contract, your stats remain unchanged.]]

Welcome to the Rite of Descension. Every year, the Geo Archon graces the people of Liyue with their presence, offering words of wisdom and blessing for the coming year. How fortunate it was for you to arrive on this exact day.

Within Yujing Terrance, there are two places to go and one interaction point:

The Mileleth: Security seems pretty tight around here. It never hurts to put in a good word for yourself. Probably.

The Censer: It's a device used to burn incense. While you do not physically see Zhongli, his presence lingers around here specifically more than any other location.

Offerings to the Geo Archon: If at any point, you wish to make an offering to the Geo Archon, you may do so here. It is customary for everyone to offer a suitable gift or prayer.

You might also catch some familiar faces among the crowd - two people talking quietly off toward the side (Skylark and Valor) and a horse-dragon (Pentium) watching the growing pile of offerings with interest.

You may also travel to: the docks, the marketplace, or the mountains in the distance.

The edges of the world fade around you as you suddenly come face to face with yourself. The sound of the other Travelers and Liyue harbor become indistinct. Your doppleganger bows in a standard Liyue greeting, posture too perfect and movements too precise, making it seem uncanny for a moment.

[ "So this is a festival. Fancy." ]

A gaming menu also flickers to life in front of your eyes:

Please choose one upgrade:

Details: You may ask your doppleganger questions until you get one answer that will assist you in repairing Zhongli's erosion.
Ascend: You may add +1 to any stat (following the rule that it does not exceed +2).
Refine: You will be healed to full health or can choose to be revived to 1 HP should you fall to 0 health.

[[ Disclaimer: You may get an upgrade from your doppleganger only once. Should the area your doppleganger exists in be cleansed of erosion, you will still be able to interact with them. ]]

[ Proceed here and move directly to the Doppleganger: Pentium comment ]

[Docks it is!]

[Well, far be it from her to ignore otherworldly prompting. Maybe this is what the Warrior of Light feels like all the time? It's comforting, even as a part of her wants to laugh and mutter something about learning experiences.

[The docks it is.]

Congratulations, Traveler. You have been bequeathed with a [ Anemo gnosis(???) ] under the constellation [ Carmen Dei ].

Your signature flashes golden as the parchment rolls itself back up, a gold ribbon tightly securing it before it disappears like so much stardust. A contract forged and sealed. Then you hear it - you feel it - the earth calling you pulling you down down down to the ground and welcoming you home. You can just make it out through the thinning clouds during your descent - a harbor city protected on all sides by tall, jagged mountains. The city of Liyue - Zhongli's heart and home.

If you do happen to glance back up toward the sky, you'll see a woman garbed in white and black armor, golden eyes piercing as she holds the contract in her hand.

"May the blessing of Celestia guide your path."

And thus, your journey begins.

Where would you like to land:

The docks
The marketplace
The mountains overlooking the city
The central pavilion where it looks like preparations for a ceremony are beginning

( For some reason, you feel yourself drawn to the mountains. )

[[ OOC: If you have accepted the contract and the vision:

You will get a +1 +2 (Archon privilege) to Elemental Mastery. If you are already at +2, please put +1 in any other stat of your choice.
Your vision ~~will glow if you are near the source of the idiosyncrasies in Zhongli's ideal world~~ does not glow because you should already know this. Also it's fucking glass. Roll ELM if you'd like to investigate.
Consider yourself a master of your element and you may use it in any offensive, defensive or utility capability. You want a sword? A shield? Hydro surfing? It's yours!

If you have not accepted the contract, your stats remain unchanged.]]

[ Huh. He was interested in the pavilion, anyway. The ceremony looks like a good place to start investigating. ]

Welcome to Liyue Harbor - or specifically the docks. Here ships large and small moor at the piers to spread trade and commerce between Liyue and the rest of the world of Teyvat. Be sure to watch your step, because the docks are always bustling and you're likely to get swept away with the tide if you're not careful.

Within the docks, there are two places to go:

The Traveler's Gate: Between the two pillars framing the entrance (and not pictured) is a large circular gate which pulses occasionally with a blue energy. With every pulse, it seems a new visiting Traveler enters the harbor. How curious indeed. Even from this distance, you can see Zhongli there.

The Fishing Association: What's a harbor without fishing? Surely you have time for a little rest and relaxation. Surely…

You may also travel to: the marketplace, the mountains in the distance, or the central pavilion.

[ To the docks ]

[ oh. he fucken hates this, and it's taking all his restraint to keep from killing his doppelganger in cold. fucken. blood. he growls at it, hating everything about it. he digs his claws into the street beneath him, growing increasingly more tense as his surroundings fade out. ]

I hate you.

[ chuffs. ]

[ but he made a promise. ]

What is the Rite of Decension?

Zhongli's Ideal World Session 2

OOC Objectives and Glossary

Stats and Rolling

Introduction - Start

Re: Introduction - Start

Re: Introduction - Start

Re: Introduction - Start

Pentium

Re: Introduction - Start

Venti

Re: Introduction - Start

Alisaie

Re: Venti

Re: Pentium

Alphinaud

Skylark

Yujing Terrance

Doppleganger: Pentium

Re: Pentium

Re: Alphinaud

Re: Alisaie

Re: Venti

Re: Skylark

Liyue Harbor: The Docks

Re: Alisaie

Re: Doppleganger: Pentium