Shadows Over Fluorgis

-- The Story as Told By Rumors Posts --

RISING DARKNESS AROUND FLUORGIS: 1-3-2013

Throughout the various regions of the Eastern Continent, rumors have spread from various adventurers and travelers who braved through the desert. While it is known that the creatures of darkness haunt those who travel, the word has rapidly spread that the frequency of the encounters have risen.

"...I d-d-d-don't know what happened. One moment, my crew and I were delivering goods, the next moment, all of those little creatures with the beady yellow eyes were jumping over my caravan!"

"I lost good men to those monsters."

"I'd never seen that many come out the last time I made my trip here!"

Word of mouth has reached that many of the encounters became more frequent as they crossed through the Bare Desert in approach to Fluorgis. Speculations rise over the increase of encounter ratings with the Heartless. However, no definite conclusions were made.

DESERT ROSE RECOVERED: 1-13-2013

Word from Fluorgis reaches Luca and Traverse Town, and from there sweeps across the worlds, of an admirable feat that kindles hope in the hearts of those beset by darkness: the Desert Rose, a legendary crystalline artifact which blooms once every hundred years -- the last of which was plucked 500 years ago, prized by Fluorgis, and then tragically shattered -- has been recovered by two rival groups of adventurers who cooperated. The Shard Seekers, who do not seem to have much luck finding World Shards but do pretty well with side-quests, and VALKYRI, skilled warrior women who moonlight as maids (it is generally accepted), set aside their differences and returned in triumph to the desert city, where they split the reward and the honors. The Desert Rose will be housed in the museum where the previous one was centuries ago, and visible to the public, its pedestal engraved with the names of those who retrieved it.

Legend tells that the Desert Rose reveals some secret when in full bloom. Shockingly, examination of the patterns on the petals has revealed what appears to be a map leading deep into the desert. The government of Fluorgis encourages adventurers to seek out this harrowing destination. Yet the city itself is in need of support. The sands about it are rife with giant agitated Sandworms, its famous fountains are malfunctioning, and Heartless emerge with unsettling frequency from its darkened alleyways, making it difficult for tourists to come see the beauty of the Rose. Will heroes drawn to the promise of adventure come and help protect it from its bizarre new perils, and discover their source?

Incidentally, rumor also has it that VALKYRI and the Shard Seekers are jointly releasing a maid-themed calendar. Most popular is the demure yet alluring Burmecian, Fara Serietta.

CHANGES IN FLUORGIS: 2-8-2013

The atmosphere around Fluorgis has changed. Slowly, the presence around the prosperous land of Fluorgis is slowly detiorating. With the dwindling number of adventurers through kidnapping and the rising presence of the Heartless, the normally docile creatures surrounding Fluorgis and the neighboring area have become abnormally violent. Although the water was purified of contamination, people have noticed that the once plentiful water has slowly dwindled.

People are becoming increasing worried over the changes around the city. Exporting has decreased, causing the prices for goods to rise.

Rumor has it that the cause is the weakening of the Fire Crystal.

BARON DENIES EVERYTHING: 2-20-2013

The culprit behind the increasing malaise over Fluorgis was apprehended and revealed to be Cornelius Baigan Jr., Guard Captain of Baron. Investigators allege that Baigan, utilizing rings called Obsidian Signets, was able to release darkness into the skies above the city and induce the proliferation of Heartless and other such disasters. This is said to have been part of a plan to suppress the light of the Fire Crystal, on which Fluorgis is powered and subsists, so that its defenses would be lowered and the Crystal made vulnerable to Baron's predations. With Baigan imprisoned, the shadows over Fluorgis have ceased to expand -- but, instead of decreasing, have begun to condense forbiddingly as though in preparation. The government of Fluorgis is bracing itself for whatever is yet to come.

With Baigan and Morrighan Alazne both accused of diverse crimes, the military nation of Baron has denied all knowledge of or affiliation with their activities, and is rumored to be privately seeking to smooth over ruffled feathers with Archadia (as Rabanastre is Fluorgis's neighbor) and other shadowy figures. The King of Baron did not issue an official statement, as he is said to be on a romantic getaway vacation with Queen Brahne of Alexandria, his frequent guest. However, his chief adviser, Lord Commander Golbez, stated that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkx3KcO7TCs

SHADOWS OVER FLUORGIS LIFTED: 2-23-2013

The day of reckoning has come and passed, leaving Fluorgis battered but intact, the Fire Crystal glowing still, and blue skies above. When the shadows above the city, cut off from their source of replentishment by Baigan's capture, condensed and unleashed a hail of darkness upon the streets, many brave volunteers stood fast against the powerful enemies that gathered. When the city teetered on the brink of collapse, the Fire Crystal was borne from the city by their secret weapon, the Fire-Powered Ship, retrofitted as a powerful prototype airship. The ship plunged into the darkness, guarded by a small trusted group of adventurers, and was beset by one of the Fiends associated with Baron in a last-ditch attempt to seize the Crystal.

Desperate battles were fought both above and below, but just as it seemed the Heartless would be repelled, the smothering shadows at last managed to suppress the light of the Fire Crystal entirely. As the Fire-Powered Ship plummeted, the phoenix pinion fossil recovered from the desert by following the map inscribed upon the petals of the Desert Rose awakened, and its pure blinding light mingled with the hopes of all who had fought to defend Fluorgis to reawaken the crystal and at last banish the darkness and clear the skies.

Celebrations are to be held all over the city as it begins to rebuild and recuperate, and all those who fought to support Fluorgis will be richly rewarded. Realizing how much they depended upon the help of others, the council which governs Fluorgis has elected to loosen restrictions on forming clans and the payment limits on non-clan adventurers. A tribute to this historic occasion will be placed in the fountain city's main plaza, and at last, the Desert Rose will be placed on public display as a symbol of what can be achieved when different interests work together for a common cause.

Most striking of all, however, and cause for festivities in its own right, is the recovery of a World Shard from the remains of the phoenix pinion fossil. Though it is to undergo some examination by the city's scientists, as such items are exceedingly rare, it shall be restored as soon as possible. Rumor has it the Shard contains a small segment of a city called 'Tokyo'.

Unfortunately, a rampaging armored Heartless wielding two giant scimitars happened to tear into the building which was housing the imprisoned Baigan, and his whereabouts are unknown...

Title	Date	Scene Summary
Talks of New Plan With Emi	February 27th, 2013	As the party at the pub is near, Reize takes the moment to reflect with his chat with Leida while considering what's ahead for the Shard Seekers. Emi comes to check up on Reize...
Celebration in Fluorgis	February 26th, 2013	With the Shadows Over Fluorgis passes, the city undergoes a celebration. Drunks, music, merriment all around. Some shenanigans are abound.
Clear the Skies	February 22nd, 2013	As Heartless rage through the streets and Fluorgis teeters on collapse, its council makes a fateful decision, and employs the city's last ditch plan to protect the Fire Crystal from the darkness. In the midst of the melee, from the bowels of the earth bursts the Fire-Powered Ship, retrofitted as a mighty airship with the combined technology of Fluorgis and Karnak, which plunges bravely into the shadowy skies above with the Crystal within. Yet deep in the dark miasma, fearsome foes lurk with designs of their own. Can those trusted few allowed into Fluorgis's inner sanctum repulse these last invaders and preserve the city's livelihood?
Banish the Darkness	February 22nd, 2013	The shadows over Fluorgis at last unleash their true power. The malaise which has so oppressed the once-lively citizenry suddenly condenses and then erupts in a dark rain over the desert, a veritable storm of Heartless weltering down upon the weakened city. With the light of the Fire Crystal flickering and its defenses depowered, Fluorgis's last hope and protection are the adventurers who have heeded her call. A desperate battle in the streets ensues as the siege -- and the Shadows Over Fluorgis plotline -- reaches its climax!
Happiness Hunt	February 17th, 2013	In order to collect the secret ingredient for happiness gumbo- a special dish that will help feed the people of Fluorgis- Shiki Misaki assembles a crew of adventurers to go after a rather large (and delicious) alligator.
Maid Cafe: The Bacon Episode	February 16th, 2013	The Shard Seekers and Valkyri put up a Maid Cafe for gaining some coin - for charity
The Obsidian Ring	February 16th, 2013	As the shadows darken over Fluorgis and spirits fall, and the flickering of the city's power and malfunctioning of water pumps lead to fearful rumors that the Fire Crystal itself is being suppressed, a Legion of lookalike detectives uncover a startling lead. A hooded figure has been spotted on high rooftops unleashing plumes of darkness into the air, leading to the thickening of the black clouds -- and, perhaps, the increasing incidence of Heartless. The mysterious villain is spotted fleeing to the Sky Port, even though most flights are grounded due to the treacherous skies, apparently aware the jig is up. Acting quickly, the city of Fluorgis puts out a public alert to apprehend the fugitive. A crucial confrontation approaches. Will the force behind the Shadows Over Fluorgis be revealed at last?
Funhouse of Nightmare - Reize Side	February 16th, 2013	This is Reize's side of the story and what happened from prior the group exporing the funhouse and within the remaining duration.
Funhouse of Nightmare - Group Side	February 11th, 2013	A mysterious funhouse has shown up and those who explored it never came out. Now, adventurers are tasked to find the missing people.
What to Do About The Weeds?	February 7th, 2013	In the Shard Seeker garden, Lily is growing concerned with Reize over the garden and she asks the garden.
The Birds	February 5th, 2013	The growing malaise in Fluorgis breeds a seriously large Noise. Shiki enlists friends and passers-by to stop the problem.
Crushatrice Crisis	February 3rd, 2013	The infamous crushatrice, Klesta, has descended upon the city of Fluorgis for some absurd reason. Can our intrepid heroes stop him before his rampage levels the city?
Lily's Confrontation with Reize	February 1st, 2013	Reize was asleep for the night, but then he woke up, unable to move. He first thing he sees is a very unhappy Lily
The Wills of Women	January 31st, 2013	Beneath blue skies, during a rare respite from the shadows plaguing Fluorgis, some of the Shard Seekers come together in the garden, and Lenn and Raiya show their determination to move forward on their own paths. As the bonds of trust between these different friends grow, so too do their prospects of success. But where does this road lead for the motley crew?
The Plot Thickens	January 31st, 2013	Emi Dennou meets with the Mayor of Fluorgis, secures proper recompense, and investigates the strange goings-on in the city. The relation between the shadows over Fluorgis and the Fire Crystal is discussed, and the source of the darkness is pondered. A mystery is solved -- but not quite the one most relevant.
Reize's Decision to Depart	January 29th, 2013	Reize made preparations to leave at midnight. However, it was not without getting the notice of those closest to him.
Lingering Doubts	January 28th, 2013	Reize has started to doubt his role as the leader of the Shard Seekers. With the growing turmoil in Fluorgis and Manhattan, Reize's reasoning for leaving his home became more transparent. Yet, there are some people hopeful for him.
Walls of Wind	January 26th, 2013	Sandstorms have begun to regularly beset the walls of Fluorgis, and the massive sandworms that thread their way through the surrounding desert have entered a state of heightened agitation, making caravan travel all but impossible and rendering the famous fountain city nearly besieged. What with all the troubles that have arisen, no one knows how long the map etched upon the newborn Desert Rose will remain valid, or even to what it leads. Yet the Shard Seekers' new (and somewhat dubious) shard-seeking device indicates that the map is no ruse, and may lead to something precious indeed. Could the Desert Rose somehow hold the key to saving Fluorgis in its time of dire need? A brave group of adventurers set out to ruins deep in the desert, through hordes of monsters and terrible walls of wind, to discover what treasure lies in wait. But even Sandworms may be the least of their problems, as the darkness gathers...
Pets in the Potion Supply	January 22nd, 2013	Kidnapped pets, heartless, and dwindling supplies! What ever will our heroes do? Can they protect the kitties and doggies and chocobos?
Trespassers Will Be Toad	January 20th, 2013	A party of adventurers investigates mysterious disappearances and rumors of monsters in the Fluorgis Water Treatment plant. Everyone was Kung-Fu Fighting. HAAAH. Caution: You May Get Wet.
A Court of Bombs	January 20th, 2013	Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb...
Stocking the Pantry	January 19th, 2013	Leida drags Reize out to be a pack mule for food shopping.
The True Self?	January 19th, 2013	A mysterious fog fell over in Fluorgis. Strange mirrors erected in place and the adventurers who investigate found more than was expected...
The Sundered Shrine	January 18th, 2013	A certain mischievous Nu Mou pays a visit to an out of the way desert shrine in hopes of obtaining some valuables for his work. Instead, he runs afoul of a particularly angry esper. Heroes are recruited to deal with the mess with unexpected results.
Opposite Day	January 17th, 2013	Monsters and troubles abound in Fluorgis lately. A lonely hill gigas has managed to find his way to the City of Flowers. Can the heroes handle this giant problem without bringing the house down?
VALKYRI VS Shard Seekers: Racing the Dawn	January 12th, 2013	Desert madness! VALKYRI and the Shard Seekers go head to head as they rush through an ancient ruins to secure valuable artifact not only within the time limit, but before the other adventurers get to the final chamber as well. The object? A Desert Rose, a magical crystal rose, a living artifact, that blooms only for one night once every 100 years. Inscribed on the petals themselves are shapes that form a map to an even greater treasure. What awaits the two teams as they race for the goal?!
Post-Prelude Shenanigans	January 7th, 2013	It was after Fluorgis was attacked by the Heartless. The Shard Seekers and the adventurers were resting at the inn, recooperating from the fight. Of course, shenanigans occured.
Prelude ~ Panic in Fluorgis	January 6th, 2013	It started off as a normal day for the Shard Seekers, but then the Heartless invaded the city itself. Many adventurers banded together to stop the outbreak with a bit of a mysterious help...
There Are Always Shadows	January 3rd, 2013	Heartless almost always lurk in the shadows of even the most light-flooded abodes. Yet Fluorgis, with its well-trained Clans of adventurers, happy populace, plentiful water, and desert sun, is taken aback with the swell of those abominations throughout the city, the darkness throughout seemingly intensified. With the clouds thickening as though to blot out the sky, and the unsettled citizenry faltering in their usual harmony, the stymied Shard Seekers attempt a desperate ploy for the sake of the worlds.
Shadows Over Fluorgis: Shrouded Hope	December 27th, 2012	The Shard Seekers have gained a reputation as a reliable and successful adventuring group, motley crew though they be, in their quest to be recognized as a legitimate Clan of Fluorgis, gain access to its Fire Crystal, and to thereby develop the Shard-seeking device needed for them to pursue their primary objective. But fate conspires to undermine them, even as the tide of darkness rises throughout the worlds. Manhattan has been consumed, and its citizens scattered. But what of the shadows over Fluorgis, and the chill that has settled over the desert sands? The Fire Crystal, silent, sheds its radiant light...