sticksandbonesmods: (Default)
sticks and bones. ([personal profile] sticksandbonesmods) wrote2023-08-24 11:28 am
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NPC CONTACT

NPCs
To request a thread with an available NPC, put their name in the subject line and anything else you feel is relevant. NPC threads cannot be used for Main AC, but can be used for Bonus AC.

Available NPCs:

Shopkeeper / Heimr.

(he/him)

A tall, heavier man who dresses in slightly oversized clothing not unlike that of a wandering merchant of sorts. He has golden orange eyes and long, curly dark hair that's starting to turn silver here and there, and though he carries a certain weeriness, this does nothing to mask his kindness. He has absolutely no pokerface whatsoever. During the day and late at night he mans the General Store with the help of Plum's magic, though now that he needs to sleep, he's more prone to catnaps at the counter. That said, he'll always be ready to listen or offer a cup of tea. Late winter/early spring, he became human — but not the man he used to be. Heimr gained his name from Mizuki.

Trader / Ydalir.

(she/her)

A large woman who adorns herself with rich colors and baggy clothes to hide her shadowy form, and the Shopkeeper’s sister. Like her brother, she has given her name to the forest and with it, her identity and humanity. She is much more energetic, but more likely to anger as well. She runs a trading booth, armed with magical items from who knows where and a mirror that allows her to reach for items across dimensions, which she will use for the new residents of the Grove! For a price. Her name was given to her by Mizuki.

Rusty.

(he/him)

An old dog who desperately wants to go home. Before the fence erected itself, he spent most of his days trying to get into the manor with little success. The Shopkeeper says the children of his former master are inside the manor, and he wants to return to their side. He can be fussy and has a flair for that doggy judgmental side eye, but he’s gentle and loving as well. What secrets does he hold?

Zahliya.

Played by [personal profile] purifier
(he/they)

A Gargoyle rescued from the fog who is very fond of his titles. Known as "the Purifier, He Who is the First Sentinel, the Grove's Guardian" and fifteen other things, Zahliya is short, combative, and possesses the ability to cleanse corruption by taking it into himself, or burning it out with magic. While formerly unable to conjure said magic, Zahliya is now capable of curing all but the most dire forms of Corruption. His true name is "Amun-Ra", given to him by the Goddesses who created him. He can typically be found perched on the roof of the church, and wields two holy blades called Daybreak and Nightfall.

Zonari.

(she/her)

A Gargoyle constructed by the Fallen Sun/Forest who was brought back to the Grove with some reluctance. Zonari is firmly on the side of the Fallen Sun, though she will entertain being spoken to, and is operating under a truce with everyone here under the promise that they will reunite the Fallen Sun with Beiwe and repair the trust lost between the siblings. She refers to Zahliya as her brother. Her magic deals in Corrupting and modifying memories, and she has a small amount of control over Time. She rarely visits the Grove to "check on you all", and will not get directly involved in affairs of the players at this time.

Moder.

(she/her)

A terrifying, two-story tall moose monster known as the Guardian of the Forest. Moder speaks exclusively in a language that sounds similar to Old Norse, but her words are automatically translated in the heads of those who hear her into something legible. She roams the Grove freely and slips in and out of the fog, regularly killing dangerous monsters to protect the people within the fog's protective bubble. If you ask nicely, she will give you rides around the Grove. During Spring and Summer, mosses and flowers grow along her back and bloom in her hoofsteps.

Sinann.

(it/its or they/them)

The River Guardian, Sinann is a five-foot long fantail fish. It is the reason the river flourishes, and it is the reason you should return the bones of fish you take from the river back to it. Despite appearances, Sinann is just as powerful as the other Guardians. It has the ability to enter a humanoid form to go on land, but will largely still be a fish in the river. Sinann's healing water can heal all but the most fatal of injuries, and it recommends carrying a bottle of it with you just in case.

Callan.

(he/him), art by [plurk.com profile] winterbolt

The Lake Guardian, Callan, lives within the lake primarily, but his "mobile home" is in a fishtank in Pure Vanilla Cookie's house. He has the ability to charm people with his siren's song, though lately he's learnt to "be good" and ask first before he tries to take bites out of people. To make matters worse, he's also a shapeshifter, and tends to take on amorphous forms. He cannot shapeshift to something that would break his usual powers — no birds/flight, and no saltwater creatures. Mostly, he wants to play and taunt people. He acts much stupider than he truly is, but he's not going to tell you that.

The Sky Guardian/"Aurora".

(she/her)

Dubbed "Aurora" by the residents of the Grove, The Sky Guardian, the "bird of rainbow", was killed by the Fallen Sun when it Fell. Thanks to the efforts of Pure Vanilla Cookie, she has been resurrected. When she initally perished eons ago, it is said the stars fell from the sky with her; with her return, the stars, too, have come back. She is kinder and more patient than the other Guardians, and can shapeshift into various types of birds. When in her real form, she stands at three stories tall. A single rainbow tailfeather can bring people back from the dead without consequence — but the offerings required can be steep.

Dragon Hatchlings.

(varies)

A clutch of seven dragon young who hatched upon the beach midwinter. The young vary greatly, but are friendly and playful little things. They like to play at the Rec Center or can be found in various places around the Grove, though they all have favored guardians and caretakers.

You may ask them for a blessing or two, threaded here.

Nene.

Played by [personal profile] mermaidcursed
(she/her)

A young girl who was previously corrupted, but healed by the Cosmic Serpent's holy rain and Pure Vanilla Cookie's efforts. This has resulted in the more malignant plant growths on her to drop and die, but at this point she is still significantly plantlike, as she's come to rely upon these mutations to survive for thousands of years. At a glance Nene will stand out due to her eyepatch, metal legs and the flowers growing out of her hair. As she's now free of the Forest, her exuberant and bright personality is starting to really shine through. Upon death and revival, Nene will personally lead you back to the Grove. Just don’t let go of her hand on the journey.

Elsword.

Played by [personal profile] simplicitas
(he/him)

A young man who was once living among the Grove's residents and formerly Corrupted. Elsword formerly resided in The Garden, where he greeted and spoke to the dead, as well as researched the secrets of it. He decided to resurrect for a chance at attacking the Fallen Sun out of revenge. Fully blind, he can be found living with Mizuki, but spends a majority of his time outside camping out across the river and upstream from Vash's House.

Callisto Abella.

(she/her)

A merchant and 'treasure hunter' if you believe her words, Callisto is a cynical woman who has the unfortunate crime of freeing the Fallen Sun, letting him claw his way back to power. He's kept her as a personal pincushion for centuries, killing and resurrecting her at whim, and though she's still full of fire, she is also weary from years of guilt, suffering and the realization that everyone she knows and loves is dead. Callisto keeps to herself but can be drawn from her room at the inn with good company, good food and good wine- which she also enjoys making.

Semi-Available NPCs:

Semi-Available NPCs are NPCs that are only able to be spoken to under specific circumstances. The circumstances are outlined under each NPC's informational blurb. These NPCs may or may not be moved to Available or Unavailable status depending on further plot updates. Characters who do not fulfill the requirements will not be able to thread with these NPCs. They live under a cut to save page space.

List of Semi-Available NPCs (Click to Expand):

The Behemoth.

(she/her)

The "daughter of Callan", The Behemoth is an enormous, many-eyed crocodile who is now trapped outside of the lake due to the fog wall. She has interest in humankind, and will regularly stalk anyone near the river, but will not try to harm them unless she is harmed first. She claims that she will side with whoever makes her home better, be it humankind or the Creature in the Woods. She can only be spoken to while using the Bone Ring.

Plum.

(they/them)

A little fox spirit within the General Store, Plum is the reason that Heimr can get so many supplies and keep it stocked year-round. There is a shrine to them in the back of it. Plum can only be spoken to while using the Bone Ring.

Beiwe.

(she/her)

The Goddess of the Sun, Beiwe's statue rests next to the well. She traditionally wears armour and wields a sword. She is boistrous, loud, and passionate, and praying to her will make the area feel warm for a time. At one point, she rode on the back of a giant dragon named Sehul. Her statue shows her without her horn-halo cracked, but the real Beiwe does indeed sport that injury. She can be contacted via prayer, but unless otherwise noted, cannot be physically interacted with at this time.

Ourania.

(she/her)

The Goddess of the Moon, Ourania's statue rests next to the well on the opposite side from Beiwe's. She wears a flowing gown and a scarf in her statue. Little is known about her, though she is said to be "very ill". Another humongous statue of hers lies underneath the far-off lighthouse, built into the cliff face. When prayed to, she makes the world feel colder for a moment.She can be contacted via prayer, but unless otherwise noted, cannot be physically interacted with at this time.

Felicity Morais.

Played by [personal profile] amethystic
(she/her)

A young witch and Star who was called to an uninhabited star shrine to empower it once more. She stays to both provide a beacon of safety to other Stars in the forest, share her power and a third, much less pleasant reason: to be live bait for that which would kill the holy lights and give them time to protect themselves best.

Unavailable NPCs:

Unavailable NPCs are, well, not available for threads for one reason or another, but are listed here for bookkeeping/lore reasons. They may or may not become available at a later date. Available NPCs may also become unavailable at a later date, and will be moved to this list accordingly. To avoid clutter, this list lives under a cut, but all NPCs are lore-important and should be considered part of the story even if they aren't necessarily contactable.

List of Unavailable NPCs (Click to Expand):

Aldric.

(he/him)

The founder of the Grove, owner of the manor, and Rusty’s previous master. He had planned on establishing the Grove as a pitstop town within the woods while trying to clear space for a shortcut trade route between towns. It seems that he invited people who needed to get away from their hometown as means of refuge as well. ... Recently, the Shopkeeper has confessed to being Aldric, though he can no longer call himself by name.

Renard.

(he/him)

Aldric’s best friend and the co-founder of the Grove. Currently, he is deep within the forest, sealed into a tree and awaiting rescue. He is said to have taken a magic artifact long ago that the forest wants, intending to hide to protect it.

Olivia.

(she/her)

Aldric's sister, who lived within the grove. Apparently she guards the star shards. Through magic and great sacrifice, Olivia gave up her name and with it, her humanity, to become the Trader.

Audrey.

(she/her)

Aldric’s youngest child. Her body was discovered in the manor, laid to rest within her bedroom. She has a gravestone outside of the manor, and both Rusty and the Shopkeeper can be found there sometimes.

Rillian.

(she/her)

Aldric’s oldest daughter, the middle child. She remains within the manor for reasons unknown, and refuses to exit, insisting that it’s for something necessary.

Evan.

(he/him)

Aldric’s oldest son. He remains in the manor alongside Rillian, and refuses to exit, insisting that it’s for something necessary.

"The Forest".

(he/it)

Or rather, the entity possessing the forest as a whole. Childish, sadistic, and power-hungry, the Forest has invited you to play! And you will play, whether you like it or not. Though it can show acts of kindness, it views all life as its toys, and will not be convinced otherwise. Known also as the Creature, the False God, and the Fallen Sun, the entity possessing the Forest was formerly a God that Fell and has seen fit to wreak havoc upon the world. The Guardians will tell player characters to call it anything other than a God so that it doesn't regain any more power. While not available for direct threads on request, the Forest will interact with characters through major events and storylines. At one point, it was named "Suri" by Affogato Cookie, though this name is not known by other player characters and should never be used ICly due to that. Do not do a metagaming, thank you.

Sehul.

(they/them)

A long-dead Guardian, formerly Beiwe's mount and said to be a flame-coloured dragon. Sehul was killed by the Fallen Sun in an attack. The Guardian's skeleton can be found at the lake's edge, sunken into the sediment.

The Cosmic Serpent.

(any/all)

Lying in the whirlpool in the middle of the ocean viewable from the cliffside, the Cosmic Serpent is a long, glittering leviathan who feasted upon the fallen stars eons ago. They will not entertain conversation, and their preferred hobby is taking a nap.
purevanillacookie: (014)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2025-04-07 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He would come back out here and dig up the entire area-

He'll trot after her contently, hm?ing to her question then glancing to himself.

Oh. ]


Ah! Yes, I shall take a bath. Oh dear. Thank you, sweetheart, I am a mess am I not.
menophesto: (176)

[personal profile] menophesto 2025-04-08 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks. I'll be fine. [ There's a little voice in the back of his head that wants to tell Heimr off for trying to be nice to him, but he refrains, if just because he wants to stay on good terms with Heimr. He'll be useful later, after all.

Mephisto closes the notebook and puts it back under his arm. ]


Besides, I've already put stuff on your full plate already. Anymore and it might break, you know?
livlaughlove: begging, please don't go (223)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2025-04-08 02:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[he's openly surprised at the offer. like, yeah, he loves nick enough that he feels a literal god moving heaven and earth for wolfwood is completely merited, but it's different when said god just -- volunteers.]

I -- I'm real honored y'feel it necessary to do yourself. Though -- if it'd hurt you or anythin', please don't feel obligated...

[and he tilts his head a bit, pondering. he'd been a bit surprised, pleasantly at least, to wake up and find out razlo had accompanied clive and them as livio had promised. it made him feel both relieved and guilty that he hadn't been there himself, so this is actually perfect. he can fulfill his own word, after all.]

I don't mind at all. It don't even feel like enough, tell you the truth. If there's anything else you can think of, I'd be glad to do it.
purifier: (002)

[personal profile] purifier 2025-04-08 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Wh— hey!!!

[ADRIAN MOTHMAN CINNABAR YOU OPEN THAT DOOR—

Zahliya shoves his little shoulders into it to fight back and push it open again.]


You know I have to be rougher with you if you run from me, right?!

[Sorry Adrian he's in the room now, he's going to approach you with his little hands on fire]
livlaughlove: i can't shake the feeling i could have done more (122)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2025-04-09 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
[jeez, mom, why can't you make him work like a dog so he feels like he actually DID something?? why do you gotta be so NICEYS and understanding???]

If you say so... I've sure gotten the hang of masonry 'n carpentry, that's for sure. I guess I'll let y'know when we're all done...? D'you got any requests for that day? I could do lunch or dinner... [sorry, no matter what she says, he's always going to bring her food. get over it.]
unheiring: (If We Don't Believe)

Beiwe

[personal profile] unheiring 2025-04-10 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[So... here's Luca. In theory, he knows how to pray. For years, he would attend services to the Phoenix, and though he might have felt silly praying to a Beast that could hear his every thought anyway, he still gladly knelt before the shrine and uttered the proper rites.

But it's different, when it's a god he doesn't know. Especially one that he had maintained suspicion of for a lengthy period of time. His relationship with gods and god-like figures has ever been rocky.

Things have changed over the last few months, though. The Guardians have proven to be wholly unlike the Beasts he's grown to loathe. Through their might, he'd been given the chance at freedom from his own burdens. If the products of the gods themselves could be so kind, then perhaps their creators might be worthy of following. Especially one so aligned with fire and warmth as Beiwe.

So he clasps his hands together and tries to pray.]


I don't know if you will... receive this. Nor do I know if you wish to listen to me after all the blaspheming I have done. But if you are, I thank you for your patience. For your kindness. And of course, your blessings. The grove is home to so many souls that I have either always loved, or come to love. You have provided as much protection as you could, and have guided us in establishing more. I no longer believe that I have had the pleasure of knowing a god that truly cared about their people, at least not until now.

And... I also wanted to thank you for freeing me. I know it was not your direct will, but the Guardians you have created and bestowed upon us have given me a chance to act as I wish. To pave my own path forward.

And I... think I would like to do so, in your name. Should you have me. And... [An awkward little laugh.] Only if my gifts have proven sufficient for you and your beloved.
Edited 2025-04-10 16:55 (UTC)
toaflame: (56)

[personal profile] toaflame 2025-04-11 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[He tries his damnest to keep the door held shut, the thing rattling on its hinges as Zahliya literally throws himself at it, only for him to manage to break in and force Adrian to jump back, at which point he just

Literally skitters up onto the wall and clings to one of the low-hanging support beams underneath where the lighthouse stairs begin to loop upwards, exhaling on a hissing sound in the back of his throat. It’s like a cat trying to avoid the vet in here-]
unheiring: (Making)

[personal profile] unheiring 2025-04-11 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Luca startles as the world around him seems to shift. As a wave of vertigo takes him, he puts a hand on the nearby table to steady himself. He makes a face, shakes his head, before lifting his head to look at Beiwe.

Or... try. He can't exactly meet her eyes. There's still a level of guilt there. He keeps his head bowed, though Beiwe might catch the way he smiles a little.]


Well, I wish that were a lesson you could teach my deity. [He huffs out a sarcastic laugh.] And... hello. Thank you for having me in your...

[He looks around.]

Realm? Make no mistake, I am used to communing with deities but not like this.
unheiring: (And You've Taken on the Rest)

[personal profile] unheiring 2025-04-12 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
[In the realm of another, stronger divine, and diminished still by the influence of the bracelet upon Luca's wrist, the Phoenix's voice feels smaller than ever. Nevertheless, he can feel its disdain through their connection, hear it mutter about disrespectful children.

Luca has to bite his cheek to keep from outright cackling. A faint titter escapes him nonetheless.]


You can keep that up if you like. [Fuck you, bird.

Anyway, he takes his seat for only a second, then stands once more. He makes to follow her if she tries to leave.]


You don't - it hardly seems right for you to go about serving me. [He wasn't exactly a mortal, but still far from a god of her caliber.] Sourdough would be nice, but at least let me fetch it.

[He'd been a sinner for a long time, but once upon a time, he knows how to properly respect a god. That part of him bleeds through in the presence of one so kind as her.]
mermaidcursed: (249)

CLUTCHESHEAD IM SO SORRY

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2025-04-12 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, but also neglecting your mental health! When I was isolating myself when I first got corrupted, it just made things worse.

( nene shrugs though- )

I might be a new species entirely at this point. Adrian, at the lighthouse, is probably the same as me since he's been corrupted only slightly less than I have.
sailingfor: (037)

[personal profile] sailingfor 2025-04-14 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, my mental health is fine. [IT IS NOT] But duly noted. As long as you're alright as you can be...

[Hm.]

Do you know if the black plants can be distilled into poison? [of course that's what you're actually after]
purifier: (007)

[personal profile] purifier 2025-04-14 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
You're being a big baby! Let me purge your mind of the sad forest rat!

[yeah

sorry if Vash can hear any of this from outside, Zahliya is flying up to meet Adrian and trying to put his fire hands on the man now. It's a tight fit in here thank God he's tiny.]
unheiring: (Making)

[personal profile] unheiring 2025-04-16 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Luca inhales deeply as the bread is handed to him. His mouth is already watering.]

Friendship. [Something in his chest twists. It isn't unpleasant.] I think I like that.

[He tears off a piece of the bread, then holds it out to her.]

I don't have a cup to toast with. Will this do?
oleaeuropaea: (Virtue in Emptiness)

[personal profile] oleaeuropaea 2025-04-16 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
[He is just kind of hovering down at the bottom of the stairs, wondering if it's helpful to go inside, or if he should stay out of the damn way.]
unheiring: (Hunt You Down)

[personal profile] unheiring 2025-04-16 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[He cracks off his own piece, then clanks it together with Beiwe's own. His smile might be small and hesitant, but it is warm.]

To friendship, and a much kinder, cooler future.

[He kind of wants to hug her, but that's probably too much.]
unheiring: (To Stay Alive)

Zahliya

[personal profile] unheiring 2025-04-16 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, suffice to say, Luca has fucked up. Probably in more ways than one, considering the skeletal dragon and smoldering forest. But right now, what he wants more than anything, is to fix the damage done to another person.

By Zahliya's count, it's only been a handful of minutes, maybe an hour or two depending on how long Luca's efforts went on. For Luca, it's been months. A clarity has swept in, blanketing the grief and reminding him of how important Zahliya had been.

And how hurt he surely was.

Luca pauses only to do one thing, to properly clean and shred his arms. It's almost grim, how the scars he leaves mirror ones he'd left back home. He was always destined to be a wreck, it seemed.

But perhaps he was also destined to piece things back together.

There are only a few places that Zahliya likes to hang out. Of them, only one is accessible to Luca. Though he doesn't spy the gargoyle at the top of the church, he still approaches it all the same. Slipping inside, he waits for his newly blazing eyes to adjust to the dim, then begins to look around. He wants to call for Ahli, but the nickname seizes in his throat.]


Zahliya?
toaflame: (56)

[personal profile] toaflame 2025-04-16 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[That’s up to Vash honestly, because uh…this isn’t going particularly well. But it’s at least not going terribly. Like, since they’re inside the Lighthouse, Adrian is reluctant to start blasting fire since he doesn’t want to burn the place down. Ironic, considering who he’s up against.]

No!!! Augh!!!

[WRITHES AND SCREAMS AAA]
alphacraft: (O_wry_1[BUST])

[personal profile] alphacraft 2025-04-17 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
She laughs dryly.

"I don't think I even knew the word before coming here."