Elysian Bubble

Written by Drackzahn

It is always charming watching the foxes play their little bubble game. The giggles and playful teases can often be heard even inside the shrine, and I enjoy going outside and observing them getting themselves trapped one after the other in these magical soap bubbles.

— Patrick, guest in Elystria

Elysian Bubble is a captivating game that tests players' magical prowess, memory, and skill. Ideal for two or more players, the objective is to keep an enchanted bubble aloft by imbuing it with a new layer of magical energy each time it is tossed. As the bubble floats to the next player, they must swiftly recall the sequence of energies already within the bubble and identify the newest layer added by the previous player. Failure to do so results in the bubble trapping the player inside, eliminating them from the game.
This enchanting pastime is beloved by the Shrine Maidens of Elystria, who often gather to challenge each other's magical abilities. Occasionally, the Koganari and even Goldie herself join in the fun, adding an extra layer of excitement and competition to the game.

History

It is unknown when or by whom the game was made up. Each Shrine Maiden seemed to have learned it from another. It can be assumed that the game is millennia old, with slightly changing rulesets over the centuries. When asked directly, the foxy maidens will guess that it was Goldie herself who thought of this game first.
While most games are just about little things, like who decides about dinner or who is allowed to cuddle the newest guest first, sometimes the game has bigger prizes set by the players.

• Three of the most skillful shrine maidens once dared to challenge Goldie to a game. It was set that if they won, they would be allowed to join Goldie for her next visit to Earth. The whole game was played out for over 20 hours before the tiredness of the shrine maidens was too much for them, and they lost. In the end, Goldie absorbed her three maidens into her fluffy tails and took them with her to Earth anyways.
• A guest wanted to let a game of Elysian Bubble decide their fate. Three maidens played to be allowed to decide what would happen to their guest. In the end, the winner decided to ask Goldie to transform their guest into a foxy Shrine Maiden. After her transformation, the new maiden asked the other two maidens who had lost the game what they would have done with her if they had won. Both answered that they would have done the same.

Execution

The goal of Elysian Bubble is to be the last player remaining by successfully identifying and replicating magical layers within a floating bubble. The winner gets to decide the next group activity, dinner choice, or any other prize the players set before game start. While the game generally requires the players to handle magic, guests in Elystria, often without any magical knowledge, are frequently invited to join in the fun. These guests are usually allowed to toss the bubble a few times, ignoring the rules, before they eventually get trapped inside the bubble.
The game begins with the first player summoning a magical bubble and imbuing it with the initial layer of magic. There are 12 unique layers of magic, each offering a distinct sensation that magically attuned players can discern. The bubble is then tossed into the air, where it autonomously selects the next player by floating towards them.
The chosen player must quickly recall all previous magical layers and identify the newest one added by the previous player. They then replicate this magical pattern with their hands before tossing the bubble back up, adding a new layer of their own. This process requires not only a keen memory but also swift reflexes and a deep understanding of the magical layers.
If a player fails to correctly replicate the pattern or runs out of energy, the bubble traps them inside, and they floats above the playfield for the rest of the game. The next player in line then summons a new bubble, and the game continues until only one player remains.

Primary Related Location

Elystria

Related Ethnicities

• Shrine Maiden Kinari