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!

freecshow: (no. i dont want to hear about quadrants)

[personal profile] freecshow 2020-05-08 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Eheheh...

[Gon was about to argue back with Killua—he had been talking to people!! just... no one from the Coven! he just somehow hadn't made his way there yet, distracted with this and that, and for some reason found himself more interested in the candid word of mouth by the various sorts of people scattered all over the place.

so, yeah, messing around. which is why Gon is laughing sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.]


I mean, I've been learning some stuff! I just kept getting distracted... It's all kinda overstimulating...

[today was the day he was getting serious about all that stuff! now that he felt like he was a little calmer. so much for that. now Gon's brain feels like a shaken jar of bees.]
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14928)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
Pain touches his heart, not his own, but that of what might come. Xingchen sets it aside. Something else to meditate over, to think on.

The agreement has him smile.

"Thank you." However it does bring his thoughts around to the other rather important thing they should speak about. "What have you learned about this place? Are you what they are calling a witch?" He hopes so. He feels that's easier to handle than his own fate.
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
"As far as I can tell." He didn't feel any different, beyond the lack of ability to use his own powers but the question leaves him still for a moment, gaze searching Xingchen's face.

"...Tell me they did not make you a creature here, Xingchen." It's soft, pained. "You do not deserve that."
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14958)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 08:53 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm glad." He means it sincerely.

Xingchen meets the other's gaze, apology flashing clear across his expression. "I would not lie to you. I am a dragon and...by the scales beginning to form...I will be silver when the transformation is complete." He manages to keep his voice steady, if quiet. "It appears to be happening faster than it should. I have been gifted some potions that are known to help with certain instincts, but it cannot be stopped."
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
"...At least it's something that will suit you." He exhales a breath, not moving as he studies Xingchen.

"What do you need?"
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14388)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
His cheeks pink a little and his gaze lowers shyly at the comment. Then back up to Zichen with the question.

"I have been told that witches and monsters must form a bond to share power and stability. That the monster," his lips thin, still disliking the description and how it now refers to himself, "needs this bond to hope to retain any sense of self. And that the witch needs it to help power any spells learned and used."
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
"...You do not deserve the title monster, Xingchen. I don't care what they call these transformations." The mention of the bond have his gaze sharpening slowly.

"And you wish this bond with me?" Not that he needs to say it, his expression softening in a way it only ever does for Xingchen, his hands loose at his sides.
lmpatientdefense: (i hear you)

ii - suspicious food time

[personal profile] lmpatientdefense 2020-05-08 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
[So far, so good. Beau hasn't started sprouting feathers or fur or whatever, or accidentally setting things on fire, so she's ahead of the dire warnings the people at the Coven started giving. Sure, she can't sense her ki, and she doesn't know how to get back... but she knows how to wander down a city street and find a decent enough food cart to grab a quick bite before getting back to research. Not too shabby.

So when a, frankly, kind of haunted looking guy starts cautioning her away from the stall, she gives the food a second glance. It seems fine. The stall's proprietor looks and sounds a little offended by the advice, but not in a way that gets her hackles up. She looks back at the haunted guy, tilts her head a little.]


...Why not?
hypomeneo: (is our greatest gift)

[personal profile] hypomeneo 2020-05-08 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
I will take it outside immediately, then.

[That is your compromise, Near. Waver sounds tired and in no mood to argue about this further. He's had a hell of a day even before things turned its way from the nightmare of a battlefield to whatever this is turning out to be. He will not be denied his nicotine. But he won't stay and smoke in someone's home either, if that's going to be a problem.

... he frowns heavily as he marches his way out. What the bloody fuck is going on here? Waver does not even know where to begin speculating on Near's appearance. But out of the house first. Questions after this.]


Thank you.
Edited 2020-05-08 09:08 (UTC)
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14897)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 09:10 am (UTC)(link)
It's reassuring that even another version of Zichen is so considerate, so thoughtful, so decent. Xingchen finds himself smiling again, and it's completely because of that comment.

"I can handle the scales and once I have some control, the power over wind and air. I don't even mind becoming a dragon, when it comes." It's the potential loss of self that worries him.

The question softens his smile. "I admit I do. But it is not something I would force on you."
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I know you wouldn't, Xingchen. You're too good of a person for that." And it's something to make up for the harm he's done to his own Xingchen, in a way. That's the reason and not the idea of Xingchen being reliant on him being appealing in a way he doesn't even want to acknowledge.

"I would never turn you away, either."
thavnairian: (☀ turn.)

[personal profile] thavnairian 2020-05-08 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
[He can't tell if this person typically wears all those scales and feathers, or if he's been fortunate enough to run into an Au Ra from his world. He probably won't be sure until talking to him a while. Even so, that means Takame is a curiosity, and Amal won't grow bored of him so easily.]

Sometimes you lose something, but you might gain something in return. It's a risk.

[There's a glint of something metallic and almost coppery before he hides behind the tree again. His voice seems to come from two directions at once.]

Did you always have feathers? Or did the scales come first?
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14932)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
Relying on Zichen is not something he worries about. It doesn't even occur to him to be nervous about it, or that it might appeal to Zichen.

Instead it has him smile softly. "Then we should probably find a place to stay, ideally close enough to the others so we may go to them for help should it become necessary." But so they have privacy, so Zichen can possibly relax.

"And find out just how to form this bond, along with anything more we should know."
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
"That does seem the most reasonable plan." Privacy to relax would be a good start, although depending on the state of said place, they may need time before he can truly settle.

"You don't know how to form the bond?"
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14931)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
Xingchen would be amazed if Zichen settled immediately. He knows he won't be, not for a while. Not completely. It'll be easier with Zichen though, even more so as this one's features and voice sink into heart, mind, and soul to the point he'll know him anywhere.

"I am not certain enough to wish to attempt it without a little more information."
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
"...What do you know about it?" He's at least close to Xingchen as they start to walk, Zichen letting Xingchen take the lead since he's a little more familiar with the area and his fingers flex, the urge to reach out and touch his friend becoming stronger. Not that he can't resist it.

But it's been so long and even if this one looks different, something about him is close to the memories he has, it's painful.
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14950)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
It's comfortable to walk close. Feels natural. Xingchen leads the way through the Residential district towards where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji live.

"Some of the houses are in poor condition, but I believe we can fix them up if we work together." He hesitates, thinking about the bonding ceremony as he knows it. "Vows and holding of hands in a special circle, performed by the Coven. I believe by the end of it, our souls would be tied together." But since he considers himself soulmates with his Zichen...is this so different?
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
It doesn't sound too bad. Xingchen is one of the only people he even considers seeking contact with, after all, and hand holding at least is relatively clean. He's quiet, considering the description as they wall.

"Not that different from the rituals of our own people, then." At least with the vows and witnesses.

"If we can find a relatively clean one, we can start there." Although he has no problems sleeping outdoors if that becomes necessary.
impatientdefense: (day at the fair)

Beauregard Lionett | Critical Role (campaign 2) | Witch | OTA

[personal profile] impatientdefense 2020-05-08 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
II - Unusual Arrival - Maiurill 3rd
The disorienting travel itself wasn't a surprise to Beau, as she'd been reaching forward into the gold-framed darkness of the path to 'the Garden', whatever that chamber was supposed to be. Sure, she'd glanced back at the others following her, and something about Jester's shield had sparkled before everything went black... but that was from touching the portal, or something. No surprise to fall through darkness.

Landing in a dimly lit, shallow pond was a little bit of a surprise. One she sputtered and complained about as she climbed out, but not a shock. Not with the scents of flowers around, or the silhouettes of trees overhead. The dimness was a little strange, but nothing that her goggles couldn't solve...

What is surprising was the sight of the sky beyond the trees, and the sheer multitude of buildings beyond this little garden, and most of all the fact that no one else landed with her. "Uhh. Jester? Fjord...? Where are you guys?"

When hissing whispers and louder for her various friends in the Mighty Nein lead to nothing? That's worrying. Beau carefully makes her way out of the fish pond garden, creeping between two buildings with her best attempt to search for traps or writing on the walls, and onto a main road before finding anyone.


III - Goblin Market - Maiurill 5th
After confusion, alarm, some degree of explanations, and a good deal of research at the Coven... It's time for a little retail therapy.

Some of the merchants seem on the level, some shadier, and having been kidnapped by magic mirrors? Shady magic seems like the way to go. Beau doesn't expect any of the salves promising to return the 'mirrorbound' home to work, because if it was that easy then everyone would be doing it, but she keeps her eyes and ears peeled for something else that might be useful whenever the mirror spell wears off.

One's advertised as a 'reversal tonic', and the seller isn't completely clear what that's supposed to do, but she figures it might be some sort of dispel or counterspell effect. Well worth the money, if it's true. It seems to shimmer when she rotates the bottle, anyway.

Or, maybe, picking the bottle up will be just enough to get some residue on her hand. She puts the bottle back easily enough, as she checks her purse to see if the price is worth it... But when another potential customer comes up and she tries to step back, she bumps the table and jostles a couple of the bottles.

"Shit," she mutters, trying to step aside, only to step even closer to the other person. "Fuck! What the hell?"


IV - Wilde Magic - Maiurill 22nd
They warned at the Coven, magic here is a pressure that builds up until they have to use it. A different sort of energy than the magic in Exandria, where people have to seek it from gods or learn to shape it with ritual, or whatever.

She remembered that in the way she remembers a thousand little facts, something an authority said that might be useful to know, but not very useful or interesting without context. Not compared to reaching in herself for this energy, finding something that's not quite her ki, and doesn't result in the same effects at all, but was intuitive enough to reach for. Beau used it enough, figuring things out, that the pressure didn't build up dangerously.

Now, it's like she hasn't been doing anything this whole time, the way the power's building up in her. She takes the advice to get out to the barricaded area to burn it off less dangerously, away from books, crowds, and venerated wall. Physical exercise doesn't do much for it, but it helps ground her before taking familiar, practiced stances. Good thing, as punching out at the open air makes a lightning bolt, which cracks and splinters the nearest tree.

"Hahaha, holy shit," Beau laughs - a little uncomfortably, drunk on power and aware of it - at the little crackles of electricity still running up her arms. "Check this out, can you believe it?"
bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14928)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
As clean as they can make it, really. Xingchen is pretty clean himself, when and where feasible. "They are? Good." He knows little about such things, beyond silly stories! Some more fanciful than others.

"I am sure we will find one that suits us." He also doesn't mind doing the initial clean if they find a house suitable enough for their uses, aside from grime. If it spares his - Zichen anything, he will do it gladly.

Then again, anywhere with Zichen suits Xingchen just fine.
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 10:57 am (UTC)(link)
He's quiet as they pass buildings before glancing at Xingchen.

"Is there where everyone lives?" Because it seems extrenely run down for a place to house people. Not that they haven't seen run down villages before, but so far, he hasn't seen a house he's be comfortable setting foot inside without a reason.


bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14914)

[personal profile] bright_moon 2020-05-08 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
Xingchen also doesn't really like the look of the buildings they pass, but if Zichen stopped him...the silence is comfortable, though he also has no problem speaking with the other should he feel like talking.

The question has him think back to what he's been told, eventually he shakes his head slightly. "There are homes for those who are new here." He even remembers vague directions, so he turns their path that way without needing to be prompted.

"They call it the Haven."
unsundered: (★036)

[personal profile] unsundered 2020-05-08 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Emet-Selch hadn't been sure what he'd been expecting, but that response wasn't even remotely close. An apology would've been a nice surprise, being ignored more likely, but this--

Though he hadn't quite been knocked over himself (Garlean sturdiness had helped; being knocked partially into a wall had helped more), it still takes several moments for the Ascian to regain his balance- balance that felt undermined entirely when the man did speak. His expression, his words- there was only one way both of those things made any kind of sense.]


Don't tell me you're another--

[It's clear in the Ascian's face that he doesn't explicitly recognize him, but the way irritation gives way momentarily for resignation, unease- and then onto wariness- seems to indicate he has his suspicions.

Emet-Selch takes a breath, tone reflecting his caution- and perhaps, a certain amount of weariness.]


You know who I am, don't you.

[It's not really a question.]
bitterfrost: (Default)

[personal profile] bitterfrost 2020-05-08 11:13 am (UTC)(link)
"It might be worth a look, at least." Although if Xingchen has his heart set on this side of town, Zichen won't argue. It just seems the best option to see everything before they decide on a residence.
headshaking: (17)

sweats

[personal profile] headshaking 2020-05-08 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!

bad. bad bad bad. jin guangyao having hypnotic powers is unbelievably bad. nie huaisang is not looking to die today, but the universe might not give him that choice. there's that feeling again--it sends goosebumps up the back of his neck, and he's left staring kind of dumbly as jin guangyao starts to persuade.

this time, it takes a full minute for it to stop working. it's long enough that nie huaisang is dragged away from the little parlor, down the street and back into the crowd, willingly, mouth still just slightly open like he wanted to keep protesting. they're nearly to the edge where the people are lesser, when his senses finally start to come back to him, as if he'd been underwater and suddenly breaks the surface for air.

the panic kicks in. he's been so good at playing it cool this entire time, so easily walking directly on the knife's edge, but the real and present threat of his oncoming death, that jin guangyao knows everything, ratchets up the anxiety, and he reels, tearing his hand out of the crook of jin guangyao's arm and stumbling backwards. for a brief moment, there's a there-and-gone-again flicker of real emotion, his eyes wide with realization, terror, but its shuttered away in a second, and he transitions from sheer survival instinct to the pathetic headshaker on a dime, using his backwards motion to trip himself.

it gets some space between them, and he drops on his ass in the middle of the road and all of these people without a hint of shame. ]
Ah! [ and from there, it's easy to transition into sheepish laughter, rubbing at his hip where he fell. how clumsy... ] Ah, ah, I misstepped....I'm sorry, San-ge, I missed what you were saying....

[ on the ground, huaisang lifts his hands as if to brush dirt off of them, to inspect himself, looking himself over for any more damage. it lets him turn his head away, his heart pounding. there it was again. huaisang's not sure how this keeps happening--he needs to make sure he avoids looking at jin guangyao for as long as they're stuck together. if he catches him with that again there's no way he'll survive.

the faster that he can get away from him, the better. it might be time to try and lose him in this crowd. ]