Event Log: May, An Inauspicious Arrival

[faileas]

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!

Comments

omg thank yooooou! I love your Claude so much btw!

[bravelyathome]

[Others probably would think he's messing with them but there's something about him crossing his heart in that almost childish manner that eases Bernie. Probably because it's such a simple gesture rather than anything complicated. So there's nothing else to read into.

Okay. This won't be so bad at all! Hopefully. She really hopes.

Looking around, she considers for a moment.]

Ummm...maybe the ones to increase abilities for Witches?

(❁´ω`❁)

[kingofunification]

[Claude hums to himself, resting his hand on his chin as he runs through the booths he's seen.]

Well, then I should be of help. Since I've apparently inherited the traits of a Witch in this place, I've had a few places attempt to flag me down to purchase such a thing, though I've graciously turned down all offers so far.

[He scans the stalls as well, before jabbing his thumb over his shoulder.] I recall hearing someone talking about allowing you to cast more powerful spells without using as much energy back down that way.

[bravelyathome]

[Is that claim real? She honestly doesn't know. But if he's a Witch then that means they'll be able to cover that territory! Some...how. She's kind of making this plan up as she goes.

It's kind of working?

Anyway! She turns so they can start going that direction instead.]

Did you...just arrive?

[kingofunification]

[His eyes are on the booths but he keeps checking on Bernadetta from the corner of his eye, not wanting to leave her behind.]

I did. Fresh out of the mirror...or in my case, a lake. [Claude chuckles, trying to recall what that booth with the gnarled looking root was claiming...some kind of muscle relaxer for growing pains?] Not the highlight of my life, but I'm trying to adapt.

[He turns to eye Bernadetta more fully, small smile on his face] How long have you been here?

[bravelyathome]

[He'll find she's started flying again to keep up, faster in flight than she is on foot. No surprise there considering how short her legs are now.]

Um...a few months. Maybe four? It all kind of blurs together after awhile.

[But really, she's not been here long at all.]

I came when Sylvain came though! And Felix!

[kingofunification]

[He watches her dart in the air, fascinated by the way her wings flutter. How strong must they be to support her weight...what biological make-up changed to allow such things to happen?]

Interesting. [He pulls his mind back onto the task at hand, keeping his eye out for the vendor.] I've seen Sylvain--he basically fished me out of the lake I arrived through. [His nose wrinkles slightly at the memory.]

How many from our world are there? [And why?]

[bravelyathome]

Um...eight including me?

[There's nine actually but her mind is sparing her the panic remembering Byleth causes her. It does that sometimes to help her avoid panic attacks. Even she can't explain why.]

I could...make you more clothes! If you want. Maybe you don't. I know I'm not that great. You can probably see all the mistakes I made making this outfit...

[Actually the one she's wearing looks great. This is just Bernie doubting herself again. She had a bit of a bad incident not that long ago so sometimes she questions her sewing skills.]

[kingofunification]

[He smiles at that, huffing out an amused laugh.] I would love to have a Bernadetta original, if you'd have the time. My clothes got pretty ruined, so I've been borrowing some. [He tugs at his shirt, a plain white thing.] Not really my style.

Ah. [He slows his steps, finding what he was looking for.] That booth with the black cloth and purple flowers.

[He nods his head toward it.] They were the ones who had been trying to sell me something earlier. Do you want to check it out?

[bravelyathome]

[He...he really wants some clothes made by her. She stares at him and then her face lights up before...]

You're not teasing me are you? I'll be so angry with you if you tease me! Don't poke the Bernie Bear!

[This is a million times less threatening from someone who is now a 4'5" Fae. But she's trying. Give her that much credit.]

Oh. That booth.

[Truth be told, she almost chickens out. The idea of bargaining is positively terrifying. But also she wants to be useful. Swallowing, she nods but turns to point at him.]

...But you do the talking! You're good at it.

[kingofunification]

My dear Bernie! [He laughs again, genuinely amused by her. Claude quickly tries to stifle the laughter, clearing his throat to disguise most of it--he doesn't want her to take it the wrong way and think he's making fun of her.] I'll admit to enjoying some good, light-hearted teasing--but I assure you this is not the case. I would love to wear something you've made. Let me know if you ever need me to try something on, alright?

[He leaves that off with a wink, turning his attention back to the booth.]

People do say I have a silver tongue. [Another huff of laughter] is their anything in particular you think your friend would like to study? Certain classes of magic to enhance?

[bravelyathome]

Sylvain's interested in healing!

[Surprise, this is about Sylvain. She lingers back so that way people will know to talk to him. Because oh please oh please oh please don't talk to her. She doesn't think she could handle that.]

So maybe...healing...things?

[kingofunification]

[Ah, so this was for Sylvain. The man had mentioned Bernadetta crashing with those who were in the Blue Lions, but he didn't realize they had bonded at well.]

Alright then--one concoction with healing properties coming up! [Claude moves to approach the booth properly, taking a step to the side to give Bernadetta more room to hid behind him if she so chooses.]

I heard your pitch before, Sir... [Claude begins casually, hands open in front of him.] You mentioned something about a potion that accelerated the recovery of life energy that allows healing, correct?

[bravelyathome]

[Well if he's going to offer to let her hide behind him then you bet she's going to. She just pokes her head around a bit to watch, listening to what Claude says.

He's so amazing already.

If only she could be half as charming as him...]

*waving over talking to myself nbd*

[kingofunification]

[After a few back and forth retorts from him and the vendor--a haggle and a underlying threat of taking his business elsewhere--Claude takes a small step back, smiling and holding up the bottle of milky liquid as he turns to Bernadetta.]

Here we are! [A wink] One bottle of a concoction supposedly potent enough to allow a healer to tend to one hundred men! Accelerated magical recovery that which would give Saint Cethleann a run for her money, don't you think?

[bravelyathome]

[Her mouth has fallen open as she watches everything. It's astounding! He talks circles around the vendor! By the time he turns around, her eyes are wide. There's no way that really happened. It's like it was a scripted play!]

That...that was amazing! I can't believe you did that!

[kingofunification]

[He laughs, amused that she seems so impressed.] It was much easier than wrangling the nobles of the Alliance like I have to do every day. [He starts to walk away, saying in a lower voice:] I didn't have to tend to his ego nearly as much as I have to for Count Gloucester.

[He pockets the potion for now, glancing her way.] Did you want to look at any other vendors, or do you think this will keep Sylvain occupied for a while?

[bravelyathome]

[She can's help but to burst into giggles at that. Here she's always thought maybe Claude is an intimidating person but he's really not so bad at all.]

I think he'll like this. But maybe we could keep looking? If that's okay. I know I'm not the funnest person to be around.