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

[wordsinthesoul]

That's probably not inaccurate- though certainly Thancred regards himself as grown-up. …mostly. He's still a little fluffed up, but most of his feathers settle into place. "We've all been strangers here- 'tis only right that we should help look after each other." Even if there's been disagreement about what shape that should take, exactly- and probably it's best if they try a few different things. "Then- where would you like to go first?" From the look of his clothes- well, an ordinary clothes shop might present some difficulties. Perhaps they'd have better luck working with fabric.

Now I am imagining him wrapped in a giant length of cloth. Like a chiton, or himation. Or a toga.

[purposefulnonsense]

"I suppose the primary needs of living are the same as in any place. Sustenance, and shelter." Lifting his head, the Amaurotine looks with sweeping gaze over the swath of buildings situated in their proximity. "...The latter, I expect, will be more difficult to find than the former, for one of my size."

Would that he could create a dwelling that would be suitable for his use. Unfortunately, his ability to create is... diminished. Gone, along with his other notable and much-enjoyed talent.

that was kind of what I was thinking!

[wordsinthesoul]

"Of course." Straightforward enough, he thinks, though he imagines they'll need to find somewhere catering to large appetites. Not impossible, but it'll be interesting. He hums, ears twitching a little. "It might be necessary to find some sort of temporary arrangement. Though- have you been able to speak with any of the Coven, yet?"

This is now on my to do list. So much to do, so little time...!

[purposefulnonsense]

The question is one that sets Hythlodaeus thinking. The towering man briefly slips into his thoughts, hand poised before his mouth in contemplation. The Coven... no, he hasn't spoken with them yet. Truth be told, he has been so focused on others that he has somewhat neglected to consider his own needs. If Hades has been here for months, after all, he may end up being so as well.

"...I have not. Do you think they would be able to help?"

I'd like to hope we can get there!

[wordsinthesoul]

"I would say so. They ought to be able to make some suggestions, at least." One thing does occur to him, though it might still pose some difficulties. "If it comes to it- we could see if we could make some arrangements in the Barracks. I'm not sure how many are staying there just at the moment, though…"

I shall tag as often as I am able!

[purposefulnonsense]

The Barracks. Hythlodaeus takes a moment to ponder what sort of place it could be. A group living arrangement, perhaps?

That could work.

Grateful, he drops his arm back to his side, smile stretching anew over his features. "Thank you, little one. Already, you have taken a weight off my mind."

9'-'9 I'll try and be around!

[wordsinthesoul]

It's still odd to be called that, but Hythlodaeus clearly means well enough, so only a few feather fluff up. "I'm glad to have been of assistance. We'll still have to see if it will be suitable for you, so- shall we?"

If all else fails, I am open to continuing the thread(s) elsewhere should time run out

[purposefulnonsense]

"I shall follow your lead." And what a sight it is, for the small to lead the exceedingly tall. Yet follow he does, turning more than a few heads towards their general direction, mildly curious glances and a not-unnoticeable amount of open gawking cast their way in the course of their travel.

For his part, Hythlodaeus takes care to not walk with an even more leisurely than normal gait, lest he accidentally close the distance between them to an uncomfortable degree.

"...If I may ask," he begins not long after their start with the intention of promoting amicable conversation, he not being the sort inclined towards long walks in silence, "How is it that you came to find yourself in this place?"

If they have all been strangers here, as he said before, does that not mean that this little one has been in a situation much like himself?

yeah, if it comes to that I'm good for it!

[wordsinthesoul]

It's certainly a very unusual one. Thancred ignores the looks, focusing on leading the way. The more normal they act, the better, probably.

He could probably take to the air, although he's not sure what difference it might make- perhaps a little easier to see him.

He turns to look at Hythlodaeus at the question, eyebrows raised- but it does make sense to ask that. "Much like yourself, I suspect. I caught a glimmer of something, and sought to investigate- only to find myself pulled through, into the Looking Glass House. And that seems to be the case for all of us who are strangers to this land- save the location now, it seems. Thus the term 'Mirrorbound'."

[purposefulnonsense]

"The circumstances do seem similar..." Hythlodaeus responds, a lightly closed hand rising to hover before his chin in thought. The first part is similar, in any case. He does recall something catching his eye and moving to investigate it before his sudden, watery experience.

"So people normally emerge from a specific location? I wonder, then, why it has changed. I hope the concept has not become unstable..." Then again, he, and perhaps others, have been caught in whatever transportation processes the concept must be intended for, so perhaps it has already become unstable. Perhaps it has been so for a while.

[wordsinthesoul]

"The concept?" That seems… distinct, and Thancred cocks his head, curious. "Well- if you've any ideas for how this might be constructed, I'm sure we'd be open to hearing about it. I fear much of it is still a mystery, even to the Coven." So- it probably is a mess in that respect, yes.

[purposefulnonsense]

"Were my normal abilities available to me, I might be of greater help... Without them, I can only suppose that it is some manner of aetherial transportation network, with these mirrors... and it would seem, mirror-like surfaces... set to be its anchoring points." He pauses, imagining a rough idea of it in his mind. It does not go very far, though, given the minimal amount of information he has at hand to work with.

"...I wonder what their readings would be, were we to obtain an instrument capable of measuring them...."

[wordsinthesoul]

"That's the case for many of us, I fear." He shrugs, wings shifting, but adds, "Though we've also learned a few new things since arriving here. And… that would make sense. I'd not have thought mirrors would have that capacity to anchor without some sort of addition, but it does make sense. Perhaps we could take another look at them." Once they've been to the Barracks, at least- which shouldn't be too far off now.

He hums, ears twitching up a little. "Ah! I might have such a device- and if that fails, I'm sure we could ask after the materials to make something, should it not exist already."

[purposefulnonsense]

What luck, that the little one should have something that might prove of help in their situation! It perks him up considerably, to think that they may be one step closer to sorting out whatever it is that is the cause behind all this. "I shall be glad to assist in whatever way I may."

Being that he is the Chief Administrator of the Bureau of the Architect, surely there is something he can do to help. He has seen more than a few concept designs during his time there, after all. Both approved and rejected.

[wordsinthesoul]

"I appreciate it- and hopefully we'll be able to learn something to help everyone." If they can learn more about some of the mysteries of this star- he imagines they can get to the root of it all, eventually. "Do you know something of building those networks, then? Or- ah, but perhaps I should introduce myself before asking anything further of you. I'm called Thancred. A pleasure to meet you."

[purposefulnonsense]

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Thancred. My name is Hythlodaeus." As for Thancred's question to him, Hythlodaeus responds promptly, though he is as unhurried in his speech as he is in his stride.

"I serve, in city from which I come, in the Bureau of the Architect, so I am familiar with designs for a variety of different concepts." A delightfully wide variety, as it so happens, but going into that would risk pulling their conversation towards other subjects.

[wordsinthesoul]

That name sounds unusual to him, but- well, there are certainly people from all sorts of stars. No doubt it's common enough where he's from.

"Ah, so you've knowledge of a variety of applications? I'm sure that would certainly be of use here. Do you believe you could replicate any of those here?" Though- their destination does lie ahead, in the end- the building perhaps a little simpler than others in the Haven, but certainly capable of housing a good many people. "Ah- here we are. Perhaps you would prefer to become acquainted with matters here, before that?"

[purposefulnonsense]

[Continued Here]