First Quest [Video, towards the end of the first day of QuestBoard]

[bladeofnymeia]

[A blue Nidoran in a blue bandana smiles gently at you and nods in greeting. You may have met her, you may have not - therefore, she ought to introduce herself before trying an experiment.]

Hello. This is Firoza Istus - you may call me Firoza if you like. I am not good at this sort of communication...but that is going to work to my advantage. I want to share something with everyone.

[The memory that bubbles up is allowed to come freely - it's not nearly as clear or steady as what a Psychic Pokemon would be able to share, but it is intentional, rather than accidental. The image is of a desk, where an attendant lays out thin plates decorated like tiny slides of stained glass, each image unique, and there's a sense of...a task, that goes with each one.]

This is a system we have where I'm from, where people can put in requests for adventurers to do a task, such as protect cargo or slay beasts, or guide travelers to and from places. They are called leves. Similar ones can come in all the time, and like quests are represented by like images. Where I've done much adventuring, in Eorzea, usually they depict sainted individuals of the gods of the realm. In other lands, the system has proved to be very popular, and the images for leves are different - but it is the same concept.

[The memory fades back to the Nidoran, looking contemplative and at peace.]

'Tis reminiscent of that board in town. And...it is welcoming to see. So, I wonder...is there aught similar where you are from? I should like to learn about it, and about all of you in turn.

Comments

[truthdecided]

More or less, though they're far darker and grungier than a happy dream, and the Shadows dwelling within them make them far more akin to a nightmare.

[Still, it's close enough. An elegant, simple way to explain it.]

[bladeofnymeia]

Ah, my mistake. Nightmare tunnels, then.

[A pause.]

Sounds like something out of All Saint's Wake.

[truthdecided]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar...

[Though, given the opportunity...]

Care to elaborate?

[bladeofnymeia]

I don't mind. All Saint's Wake is a holiday where I am from. People dress up in costume and decorate their homes with gourds and ghosts, in a way to sort of scare away any frightening creatures that emerge from the void to cause trouble. But, they don't cause trouble anymore - in fact, they've come to embrace the revelry and join in...partly because of how prevalent adventurers are, and partly because of...I suppose one would call her a witch? She can bind such creatures to her will to ensure they don't harm anyone. But the ones I've encountered seem to like their new roles as playful tricksters.

[...Firoza that sounds like a fever dream]

Oh! And people give out treats. Usually to children. Pumpkin cookies are very popular.

[truthdecided]

[Hmm... Fascinating. A few images flicker through his thoughts, including Jack-o-Lanterns and children in costume, eating candy.]

That's not too dissimilar from Halloween. In Japan, there are many street parties and theme park events, along with specialty products. However, in countries such as America, there's a tradition where children go door to door to collect candies in the neighborhood, or partake in some light mischief and trickery. Hence the name 'trick or treat.'

[bladeofnymeia]

Ooh! [A flood of delight pushes back in response.] I had no idea other stars had similar festivals! But, are there also fiends to contend with?

[truthdecided]

Only imaginary ones, for those seeking the thrills of horror films, theme park rides, and "haunted houses".

[He pauses.]

These houses are less haunted and more a performance utilizing spectacle and practical effects to evoke the feelings of the paranormal.

[bladeofnymeia]

Aah.

[A pause.]

Our fiends are real. And, if it were not for the efforts of others, would be considerably dangerous. But I would be curious to see such a place with practical effects. It's a bit like mummery, then - but you know that when you go in.