faileas: (Default)
aefenglom log posting account ([personal profile] faileas) wrote in [community profile] middaeg2020-05-03 03:07 pm

Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

I. Boaltinn (1st - 3rd)

    Boaltinn comes around again. A handful of Mirrorbound will remember the holiday from last year, but for others, it will be brand new. In both Residential Districts, bonfires burn in central locations through the night, frequented by the residents celebrating another summer come to Aefenglom. Curiously, while last year the bonfires seemed quite segregated by human or Monster, this year, there is more of a noticeable mix at each, and Mirrorbound are invited to join the games and festivities quite happily. Characters are invited to try and jump through the bonfire's flames to burn away any poor relationship experiences, be it romantic or platonic, past or present; to aid them in this, those at the Eastern Bonfire will give those participating rune-etched accessories to protect them from the fire.

    The city has quite a bit to offer for this holiday: shared rose baths at public bathhouses and pleasure establishments that increase feelings of friendliness and talkativeness, poles draped in ribbons meant to be danced around, wrapping a ribbon around the pole to bring good luck for the summer, food stalls whose offerings are meant to be shared, and fortune-telling set up by Divination students of the Coven, who can tell your day is going to go.


To see last year's Boaltinn prompts, you can take a glance right here! Much of it, including the bonfires, baths, and entertainments will be similar this year, so feel free to use those in your top levels.
II. An Unusual Arrival (3rd on)

    A full year from the arrival of the first group of Mirrorbound, the 1st passes quietly, with no one showing up in the mirror-lined halls of the Looking-Glass House. Dates and times are important in most kinds of magic, and this is strange enough that some Witches of the Coven get together on the night of the 3rd to try a probing ritual, attempting to gather some kind of clues that could be useful in prying out the cottage's secrets. Boaltinn is the best time for such things, when the boundaries are thinner, and magic is stronger.

    Those who are awake that night at 3 am might notice a pulse of harmless silvery light that spreads like ripples on water throughout the whole city, originating at the Looking-Glass House, but nothing further happens, and the Coven receives no answers.

    Well, nothing happens in the Looking-Glass House.

    Before long, the reports start coming in: people are emerging from mirrors, regular old mundane mirrors, all over the city. Anything with a particularly reflective surface could be an entry point for someone from another world! Inhabited homes, businesses closed and locked for the night, pools of still water in fountains or the river, these unorthodox Mirrorbound pop up anywhere and everywhere, causing chaos for the City Guard (folks aren't happy to find strangers in their bathrooms at 3 in the morning) and the Coven both.

    Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. If you are one of these unfortunate arrivals, it's likely a rude awakening for you, to find yourself somewhere inconvenient, somewhere other than where you've been. It only makes sense to be confused. Hopefully someone finds you and explains to you what's happened to you.

    Resident Mirrorbound will hear a message from Miss Nessie shortly after it begins, a call to arms: "Dears, I'm quite sorry to disturb you, but it seems your fellows are arriving elsewhere than the Looking-Glass House this month! We're trying to track them all down for the usual welcome, but we could use a hand or several! If you could just bring them by the Coven, the usual spot, that would be lovely." She'll give her usual orientation and pass out Watches, but no doubt the Mirrorbound will be more helpful in this regard, with so many arriving.


III. The Goblin Market (All Month)

    Life goes on in Aefenglom, despite the addition of so many new residents. With the City Guard decidedly busy dealing with the sudden flood of break-ins (or, more accurately, break-outs?), the vendors of the Goblin Market find opportunity to set up their stalls more openly than they have since the crack-downs some months ago. They pop up all over the city, but clustered more often in the Residential Districts and the Harbor District, where there are even fewer law enforcement agents out and about to run them off.

    These sellers, while not as devoid of morals as those major players of the Black Market, still have very few compunctions when it comes to lying, cheating, fencing stolen goods, and misrepresenting their wares to unsuspecting buyers. It's also the place to find those things that are- not quite legal, shall we say. They won't say a word if you don't. If confronted, they are quick to pack up their things and slip away, however; they know this city and its hiding places a lot better than you do.

    With a brand new batch of what the natives assume are Mirrorbound, many undergoing rapid transformations into their Monster forms, many of the wares on display are potions: supposed cure-alls for aches and itches, calming draughts for the full moon restlessness, some even claim their brews can halt changes entirely! Some concoctions are meant to increase a Witch's magical ability, or decrease it, or provide them a finer control. They offer potions that they say will eliminate the need for a Bond, or temporary Bonding potions of their own that they claim are more pure, stronger, than the ones offered by the Coven.

    Claims are only claims, though. A few remedies for the pain of changing or some regular temporary Bonding potions can be found here and there, but for every potion that works, there are twenty more that have less than pleasant side effects. A brew that will cause everything you touch to turn to solid gold for up to an hour; a potion that will invert your sense of direction - trying to turn right will make you turn left, trying to go forward will cause you to walk backward; a potion that will remove all traction from your feet, causing you to slide around as if cobblestone are the slickest ice. Worse, some shadier vendors sell things more sinister, including a potion that gives you the appearance of being moderately to heavily infected by the Cwyld.

    Even if you don't drink any, the vendors are not at all careful where they're sloshing those bottles around, trying to show them off, and they all activate on skin contact.

IV. A Wilde Hunt (7th - 22nd)

    All Mirrorbound, temporary or not, are likely to feel it. Monsters are always affected by the full moons, but this month, it is more. Stronger. Instincts rise to the surface as the Sisters emerge full and visible in the night sky, and for many Mirrorbound, they are undergoing rapid transformations into whatever type of Monster they are meant to be. Curiously, the natives get along like they usually do, noticing nothing out of the norm, other than the increased agitation and restlessness from Mirrorbound Monsters.

    Monsters' aggression fades when the Sisters start to wane, but as the new moons approach on the 22nd, Mirrorbound Witches will notice their magical reserves overfilling, and will find themselves stricken with the overwhelming urge to use it, until casting spells, pushing one's magical limits, is almost a compulsion. Those who are not in proper Witch-Monster Bonds will feel it even stronger, with no stabilizing magic to consume (for Monsters) or avenues to expend magic (for Witches) other than casting spells. (For those who are interested, the Coven does offer temporary Bonding potions which can be used to help alleviate the effects somewhat.)

    The Coven Witches notice the signs, and they take decisive action on the morning of the 6th, the day before the full moons. So many Mirrorbound, likely to be so heavily affected by the lunar cycle this month, many of them coming into new features and abilities at a breakneck pace, only spells danger for the city. They barricade off a massive chunk of Wilde outside Aefenglom, largely free of Cwyld and totally bereft of farms, homes, and Wilder outposts. They invite anyone who feels the effects of the moons too strongly to control to come out for a Hunt. The hunting grounds will be open nightly to anyone who needs to work off restless energy or overflowing magic; all participants will be warned that their safety cannot be guaranteed from others, but they won't be able to harm bystanders out here.

    The woods are thick, with the river cutting through them, and full of wildlife. There is room to run and chase prey, or room to play with your developing magic. Play cat and mouse with your friends or Bondmates, or stalk a stranger. If playing games isn't your thing, there is something else to hunt out here as well.

    With the deep Wilde entering into Winter, this patch of land so close to the city is much warmer, and fearsome Shades have emerged to search for prey. These were once living beings, Monsters, Witches, or animals, who have been overtaken by Cwyld infection long ago, leaving them dead but for the infection, white-eyed and seeking out sources of magic to consume and infect. Anything could become a Shade, but the most common out right now are the ferocious remains of bears, wolves, and nomadic Arachne and Turnskins. If not killed, these Shades threaten the people of the Outer City, when they inevitably escape the barricade. Careful to limit your contact, though; anyone infected upon their return to the gates will be escorted straight to the infirmary.



    Welcome to May's Fourth Wall event, An Inauspicious Arrival! The comms are now open to comments from all registered users and will be until June 1st. Current players, if you don't want fourth wall characters tagging your posts, just say so in your text. Fourth wall characters can use this post for their own network top-levels, or this post for log top levels. This event is game canon; threads from this fourth wall can be used as application samples later and current players may use these threads for AC. As always, be courteous to each other! Let the mod team know if there are any problems and we will handle things.

    As always, please direct your questions to this thread!

timenace: (you can say goodbye to)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-04 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yeah that's not great, huh? Sougo smiles somewhat nervously as he glances around him for something to wipe it off, before opting to just let his hand sort of catch fire there.

It doesn't feel good, and he's definitely burned himself a bit in his attempts to learn to do this, but it probably won't do any serious damage to him.

... Hopefully.

Just on the off chance though.
]

You don't happen to have any water on you, or...?

[ He's speaking very calmly for a boy whose entire hand is engulfed in flames right now, and is visibly wincing in pain, because it is just a little too hot for comfort even if it's not searing his skin. ]
timenace: (took a look at myself)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-05 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's a thoughtful suggestion on all fronts to both of his fellow mirrorbound, and Sougo genuinely appreciates it. He'll appreciate it more when he later really does have to get some contaminated blood off of his arm in order to avoid infection, and when things are calm and he's not busy... dying in the upcoming month. Well, maybe then he'll actually go and seek out a sword.

It's probably for the best the future becomes clear and he doesn't get one in the immediate, because it would have been a waste of money considering how Sougo will be going out.

He does nod thoughtfully at the comment though.
]

I could probably do some other kind of magic on them too. I remember burning the plants that were infected, but other things can take out Shades too, right?
yesdoubt: (you can't 100% know)

[personal profile] yesdoubt 2020-07-05 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I think so? I've heard of particular enchantments the Wilders put on weapons to deal with them, but enchantment isn't my thing so I've never really looked into it any further.

[He's largely been sticking with defensive magic to start, and even his plants to expand into Evocation at some point are more about the major healing magic part. The elemental magic that can be used for offense is more of a bonus to that particular path as far as he's concerned.

After a few more moments, he lets go of Sougo's other hand, also returned to a healthy condition.]
Alright, you should be good. Just don't go set them on fire again as soon as my back's turned, okay?
timenace: (it was just all cool)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-06 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ Defensive magic is probably smart, but Sougo's always been the sort to toss himself into the thick of things, hence all the fire actually. He really should consider some other things as well, but his main skill seems to be that he's surprisingly good at hitting monsters and bashing them with a broadsword.

Which is why he is taking note of everything Momo is telling him. A broadsword would be a big boon to him right now.

With his second hand free Sougo holds it up, flexing his fingers as he marvels at his now burn-free skin.
]

Mm! You did a really good job with them! I'll try not to ruin it so soon.

[ He makes no promises not to burn his hands again at all. ]
yesdoubt: (can change this ambiguous colour)

[personal profile] yesdoubt 2020-07-06 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Momo barely even needs to read into that, because that's the kind of weasel wording he uses when it suits him. It does make him sigh in a rather put-upon manner, though.]

Right, so you'll just ruin it after I leave...I've got your number, you know! [He points accusingly at Sougo, but the whole thing is also overly dramatic enough it's probably easy to tell he's playing it up.] Remember what I said about long-distance stuff. I'll check up on you another time to see if you've learnt it.

[Momo just slipping into parent mode over here.]
finesseblade: do not take (8.)

[personal profile] finesseblade 2020-07-10 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ Felix whuffs out a short, barking noise that sounds irritated, and takes a step closer without saying anything in response. He can see the problem, but he does not have water.

Instead he seizes Sougo by the elbow, and drags him down, pressing his hand into the loamy earth where the nighttime damp and the moss can stifle the flames licking around his fingertips. ]


You must learn to control that, for your own sake, and for others'.
timenace: (time after time)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-15 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sougo clearly doesn't expect to get called out like this, and the nervous laugh that bubbles out of him is a pretty genuine and unprompted reaction. ]

Was it that obvious?

[ He offers Momo a sheepish grin. ]

Though I really don't plan to try and hurt myself.

[ But he will be continuing to practice with fire, so... ]

Something like that would probably be better to try some other time though. If I start spending fireballs everywhere right now, it might not end too well.

[ He glances around the very tree covered area around them to make his point. ]
yesdoubt: (even if the truth is twisted)

[personal profile] yesdoubt 2020-07-15 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I've seen the type before. [In the mirror, but also some of his juniors are a bit like that too, so Momo has plausible deniability. Sougo does have a point about the heavily forested area, though, and he's at least confident the guy wouldn't be risking other's lives even if he's willing to risk his own.]

But that's fair. Try to keep your hands intact for a little longer than when you get out of here, though, or I'll know.

[Somehow. Not really. But he'll point at his eyes and point and Sougo regardless, like he has some way of knowing.]
timenace: (you're calling to me)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-18 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, well that certainly works too! It's a little surprising, and he stumbles quite a bit as Felix yanks him down, but he does look more relived than upset by the whole thing. He'll even roll his arm around as much as he can in the dirt for the moment, it feels cool and if there's any lingering blood on his hand this should take care of that problem too.

While doing that he does glance up at Felix and nods somewhat solemnly (though maybe not as grave looking as one might want him to be).
]

I'm getting a little better at it.
timenace: (like a half a mile an hour)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-19 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He laughs a little at that, and holds up his freshly healed hands to flex his fingers and show off what good shape they're in. ]

I guess that would be pretty obvious too, wouldn't it?

[ Unless he found someone else to heal him before come across Momo again. ]

Okay! I promise to do my best not to injure myself. And you'll do the same, right? Be careful when fighting Shades.
yesdoubt: ((your way) is towards the future)

[personal profile] yesdoubt 2020-07-20 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm not out here to get myself hurt, I've got stuff to do. [He offers a cheery wink at that. While he did come out to burn off magic, he did also partially come to find a certain hideaway octopus, so getting himself hurt would just make Yuki worry more if he manages to find him.]

So I'll go parent someone else now, since I think you got the point of your scolding okay. [For now, at least. Momo's not sure it'll stick, but either way, he gives a wry little wink along with the remark.]
finesseblade: do not take (69.)

[personal profile] finesseblade 2020-07-23 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ He lets Sougo go only once he's certain that all the flames have been smothered out, tilting his head to eyeball him severely for a moment. ]

Good. Get a lot better at it before next time.

[ He glances down at Sougo's hand once more, surveying the damage. Not as bad as it could be, but definitely in need of a witch who knows how to heal. Felix no longer possesses that skill, unfortunately. He's traded that in for some extra pointy bits. ]

Do you want to go back to the city now?
timenace: (and you will find me)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-25 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It does at least make Sougo smile, so that's something. He's a bit reckless, but he's not actively trying to get himself killed for the most part. He's not really trying to get himself injured either, but he does very little to concern himself with avoiding minor injuries.

With a small bow of the head Sougo teases back.
]

I got it, uncle.

[ Not dad? After Momo made a parenting joke? No, because Sougo was raised by his uncle.

That's a conversation for another time if it ever comes up. Right now he'll be jogging into the gloom, strangely cheerful for the setting and the fact that he just killed a monster.
]
timenace: (now i wonder what my life)

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-25 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It doesn't seem that bad to Sougo, but then again he's been burning his hand plenty during practice, and it's far from the worst damage he's received. Magic has never been his forte, but without his suit his ability to brawl isn't as good as it used to be either. He can still dodge well and land a punch, but a lot of these monsters can shrug it off without anything helping to enhance his strength for him.

That's probably where he should be focusing his magic instead of fire, but in theory fire seemed so practical. It's what is used the most often to help stop things from spreading here, after all.

He flexes his hand, ignoring the pain that comes from the movement, and frowns at the question.
]

I wasn't planning to yet.
yesdoubt: (over! over! now break dis one)

[personal profile] yesdoubt 2020-07-26 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
My kids usually use "mother", so maybe aunt for you? [Momo returns that with a cheery grin - his "kids" are usually his juniors from home, who are familiar with his couple act and the role he usually takes. But with Sougo's departure, he goes his own way too, further out into the area. He's still looking for someone, after all.]
finesseblade: do not take (40.)

Good to wrap it up here?

[personal profile] finesseblade 2020-07-26 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Felix considers that for a moment, rumbling quietly, but eventually he rolls his shoulders, grunts, and turns his attention to the night air again. ]

Then do as you will, [ he growls shortly, taking a couple of steps back and giving Sougo his space. He's not going to argue if the boy wants to push himself. ] I will watch to make sure you don't get yourself killed.
timenace: (and you will find me)

Works for me!

[personal profile] timenace 2020-07-27 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There really is something about Felix's whole disposition that reminds him so strongly of his friend Geiz, from the threats, to the annoyance at Sougo botching some things, and even down to the agitated attempts to not see someone get hurt. It's weirdly homey feeling, and something that should have Sougo feeling bad about wasting another man's time, but mostly has him grinning broadly.

Again, he did just kill something with fire, and badly burned his hand in the process. The whole chipper attitude really doesn't seem totally in place for the situation, and yet...
]

Thanks. I think I'll be just fine then if you're watching out for me.

[ It's so genuine it's almost sickening, but in his defense Felix did do a stellar job of proving his own competency a moment ago. ]
exsoldier: (Default)

[personal profile] exsoldier 2020-08-10 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)