Event Log: September, The Price of Revolution p1

[faileas]

Event Log: September, The Price of Revolution Part 1

I. The Freedom Festivities Behind the fortress-like walls of Dorchacht, what was once a gloomy, imposing city is lit up for the festivities to come. Septeril brings with it many mixed emotions for the citizens of what used to be called The Black City, though the overwhelming atmosphere is positive - this is a celebration of freedom hard-earned and prosperity hard-fought-for. The triple stars of the Resistance, now the current reigning party, feature heavily in decorations and in clothing: in pins, on hats, golden stars enchanted into fabric to dance merrily across skirts and cloaks. Stars light up the streets in decorative strings hung from lamppost to lamppost, flickering gently over the cobblestones. Mirrors, as well, feature into the decor, tiny round ones hung in multitudes from awnings and in windows like ornaments, catching the light and playing it across the otherwise-utilitarian architecture, lending it a sort of understated beauty. Much of Dorchacht has been rebuilt and repurposed by necessity since the uprising last year, and many new small businesses and restaurants are being featured at the festival - their goods or their foods on display in markets of street-side stalls or on the feast tables. Local handmade wares and crafts are out for sale for modest prices, and every sale helps out both the small business, many of which are started by former slaves, and helps the local economy, which is better these days but still recovering. The festivities go for six days, almost a full week, with feasting and bonfires every evening, and tours and tales of the city by day, as they display the changes for the better they have all made. And then, on the final evening, all are invited to watch a grand fireworks show that will be put on in the skies over Dorchacht, presided over by the Circle of Three themselves. Mirrorbound are welcomed warmly, whether they were present last year or not, and treated much like family - get ready to be pulled into activities and plied with food left and right. a. Join the Fun The children of Dorchacht are out by the dozens during the festivities, excited by all the freely-offered, special sweet treats and the magical sparklers and poppers being handed out by the fistful. The poppers explode when thrown to the ground in bursts of bright colors, completely harmless, and the sparklers are enchanted not to burn little (or big) hands if mishandled. Mirrorbound passing through may find themselves roped into elaborate pretend games of revolution by eager faces: the children name themselves either Resistance members or Mirrorbound, and 'do battle' with their magic fireworks against scarecrow-like constructions cloaked in dark bed sheets as 'the bad guys'. Depending on one's perspective, it may seem dark, but this is what these children have known very recently in their lives, and their caretakers or parents (there are more of the former than the latter, especially for the young Monsters) let them play as they will. If asked, they'll just explain that some of those kids even remember the fighting when it happened; this is just another way that they try to understand how the city has changed. More organized, family-friendly reenactment performances are also common, with several of the orphanage groups putting on small plays about the uprising, or moral plays about kindness and togetherness between Witches and Monsters. This includes a prominent set of performances by the Mirrored Hearts Home for Children - maybe you're helping out with their sets or costumes, or maybe you assisted with their scripts and songs. Those Mirrorbound volunteers will want to see the kids do well, right? They'll be heartbroken if you don't show. Of course, kids aren't the only ones doing reenactments. The newly formed Dorchacht Historical Society, dedicated to protecting Dorchacht's history going forward, puts on several - and may drag in passers-by to play different roles! Only the luckiest are begged to play the role of The Dragon, who valiantly rose up against their cruel former master, Morgana, and helped lead Dorchacht to where they are today. b. Forget-Me-Not While the overall air is celebratory, among the adults who are old enough to understand just what was lost as well as gained, there is an undercurrent of sombre remembrance. Many visit the burned-out Old Coven, left as damaged as it was when the fighting ceased, as a monument to how freedom fighters suffered and fought. Plaques dot the grounds and buildings there seemingly at random, until you realize that each metal plate bearing names is laid where someone died. To decorate these plaques, and homes and businesses as well, there are tables set up in the yard of the New Coven, heavy with a rainbow of small magical flowers called Forget-Me-Nots, and the supplies to make remembrance wreaths. In this new tradition, the flowers are chosen with a dead, missing, or simply absent loved one in mind, and woven together with glass beads, small wooden charms, and a spell written on a slip of paper. The enchanted fragrance of the Forget-Me-Nots allows whoever smells them to witness short, happy memories of the person the wreath was made for - whether they knew that person or not. The memories come from the wreath-maker, and are only short flashes (less than a minute long) or mere impressions, but all are pleasant or warming. With the spell woven in, they'll last for an entire year without wilting or losing their effects, a souvenir from the festival to take home. Mirrorbound are encouraged to join in, and make wreaths of their own, whether or not they lost someone in Dorchacht's uprising. It can be for someone who has disappeared from Geardagas, someone who died long ago, someone living they miss from home, anyone who is not currently with them.

II. The Uninvited Guests On the 25th, the final day of the celebrations, the partying lasts all day. Food and drink are abundant on every corner, upbeat music is played by street performers and over the radios that can be found in nearly every household and shop, and the bonfires have been enchanted to let the flames take fanciful shapes. Drinking games and dancing, storytelling and general partying all last clear into the evening, but once dusk falls, everyone gathers in the center square of the city for the fireworks show. The Three are there - the Witches Bryn and Hilda, and the Monster known as The Dragon, Starlight, or formerly Fafnir - with Nessie and Mhairi as guests of honor, and Hilda is the one to set off the first enchanted fireworks, after a brief speech thanking everyone for coming out to celebrate a year of freedom and independence with them. It's with bursts of colorful light in the night sky behind her that she seems to appear from nowhere: tall, dark and imposing, a sharp-eyed Witch that exudes power. Morgana Drummond is not alone, either, flanked by a dozen rough-worn Witches and a host of others. The chaos that ensues is immediate and violent. "All of this for me?" Drummond sneers. Attacks bounce off her, no matter how powerful - even Nessie's considerable spells. Witches will be able to sense the strong barrier spell close-fit around her body, and the others around her will not let Monsters get close. It's The Dragon who speaks, voice rough from disuse but loud enough: "How dare you return here-" "I built this city in all the ways that matter. I was never going to let you have it. You burned away my Dorchacht, so now I will make sure there is nothing left of yours but ashes." a. To Sleep, Perchance Unreachable, Morgana Drummond's form limns in a sickly violet light, the circle of a spell forming beneath her feet, steadily growing as her power gathers. So much magic gathered in one spot is bound to be felt by all the Mirrorbound, Witch and Monster alike, oppressive in nature as if it could steal the breath from your lungs. Perhaps it truly was a fluke that she was driven from Dorchacht, a happy accident caused by a timely distraction. The spell circle spreads, glowing, until it envelops the entire city, and it pulses once, blinding, before it sears itself across Dorchacht's streets and buildings in burnt lines and symbols. The fireworks continue to pop and burst overhead, casting shadows that seem suddenly sinister. Nothing happens for just a moment - and then all the people of Dorchacht collapse in waves. Next to a stunned Nessie and furious Mhairi, Bryn, Hilda, and the Dragon fall into a heap as well, the final three bodies to hit the ground. Mirrorbound and citizens of Aefenglom do not fall prey to the sleeping spell despite being in its area of effect. It happens in the span of just a few minutes, and then Morgana is gone in the blink of an eye, leaving her people to sow terror on the sleeping city. b. Battle on the Streets While she brought with her only a dozen Witches from her former Coven, she's collected a force in the Wilde. Blank-eyed rogue necromancers, mind controlled the way the Monsters of Dorchacht used to be, storm the streets controlling in turn their dead Monsters and creatures. A few even have with them dead Nuckelavee, which will require multiple fighters to take out. Wilders from Dorchacht gone missing on expeditions in the last year bear the signs of mind control as well - the ones who aren't dead, shambling around the necromancers. Maybe you recognize them, maybe you don't. Maybe you can help them, or maybe you can't. The mind control enchantments can be dispelled with a lot of effort or with the specific spells used often by the Resistance a while ago, for those who still remember it. In the slums of Dorchacht, the people who were convinced of Morgana's return, those who want to return to the days of slavery and terror, break free from the now-sleeping guards and failing wards that kept them contained and join the fighting, manic in their glee. The spell that put the rest of Dorchacht to sleep seems to slip right off them, perhaps sensing their loyalty to terrible causes. It is chaos, as the insurgents set fires and attack at will with magic, claws, weapons, anything they have. Mirrorbound will soon realize that they and the visitors from Aefenglom are not the only targets. The sleeping people of Dorchacht are ripe for the killing, unable to react or defend themselves. The fighting will continue into the night until the invaders are all dead or captured.

III. The Aftermath When the fighting ends, the work begins. An entire city deep in the throes of an enchanted sleep is a worst-case scenario that none of them could have predicted, even those who had a hunch Morgana didn't die out in the unexplored Wilde. Miss Nessie and Mhairi will remain on the scene helping to direct the aid efforts in the aftermath of the battle. Fires must be put out, corpses must be rounded up to be buried or burned, captured attackers must be secured and questioned, sleeping citizens must be whisked from the streets to safety and shelter, and buildings ensured to be safe in the meantime. Aefenglom's Coven are called in to assist, anyone who is available, and Mirrorbound help is more than welcomed. They will need everyone they can get to make sure not all is lost in this tragic attack. Nessie herself will ensure the Three are taken to safety in Aefenglom until the people of Dorchacht can be woken. Action needs to be taken quickly. Morgana needs to be found as soon as possible, and capable hands will be needed to search the Wilde far outside Dorchacht, the most likely place for her to go. More urgently, however, are the sleeping citizens. Nessie announces late the next evening, the normally-bubbly woman gone solemn and serious: "I believe I've found a counter-ritual for the spell that nasty woman used, I have. I will need your help, though, Mirrorbound. Volunteers only, of course, of course, as it's likely to be quite dangerous, though the Dreamers and I will take every precaution we can. Discuss among yourselves, decide if you're willing. Those who are, meet at the Coven at midnight on the 27th. It's not right to just leave them all like that, not right at all..."

Welcome to September's event log, Part 1 of The Price of Revolution! This event will continue in the TDM posted on the 21st, with a foray into purposeful dreamwalking. It will be a hybrid test drive and event that current characters will be allowed to top level on as well. Quests into the Wilde to search for Morgana will currently bear no fruit beyond small clues, but Part 2 in early October will deal with her whereabouts and her final fate. As always, direct your questions about the event HERE! And finally, for those who are wondering what's up with Dorchacht, we have a Setting update for you.

Comments

QUESTIONS

[moustre]

GENERAL

[moustre]

EVENT

[moustre]

Elliot Craig | OTA | Witch

[fiddlestick]

I-A. Helping Performances
[It was pretty easy to get Elliot to volunteer to help the orphans with their reenactment play. Sure he's supposed to be here enjoying festivities, but there was something about helping productions that made him happier than anything else. So it's easy to find him among the "backstage", helping the kids learn their parts, finetuning instruments and songs, patching together set pieces. He seems pretty happy as he does it.

Otherwise you might catch him during a moment alone, as he gets a little more somber in his self-reflection. There's almost a look of loneliness on his face as he looks over the plays being assembled. You may even hear him speak quietly to himself]

He would've loved this...

[He was certainly enjoying himself, but there was no mistaking the fact that something felt Missing through the whole process. Something that wasn't easily replaced.]

I-B. Forget-Me-Not (Thread will contain CS3 spoilers)
[Having been among the Resistance, there had been some folks he remembered falling during their attack, as well as ones who fell in the battles after. So he finds some time to visit their plaques, praying over ones that he recognized briefly.

After he's finished with that, he can be found making a wreath of his own, made with white and robin-egg blue flowers. It's not for anyone that fell in Dorchacht, but someone he's always thinking of.]

II-B. Battle in the Streets
[he always had suspicions that Drummond had survived, but this certain exceeded his fears of what could happen. It was terrible, what was being done here.

Elliot didn't hesitate to jump into action. He's helping with forming barriers around the sleeping folks, as well as fending off any would-be attackers and arsonists with powerful water magic. Over a year of constant practice, and he's become a force to be reckoned with.

Maybe you encounter him while needing help yourself. Otherwise, he could certainly use back up himself. Powerful witch he may be, he wasn't immune from being overrun, or from running out of steam. Help protect him and the citizens he's protecting.]

Wildcard
[Got another prompt for me? Hit me up here or on plurk at neutronstar!]

Momo | IDOLiSH7

[yesdoubt]

[a: festivities]
(i. eat, drink and be merry)

[Far be it from Momo to miss a celebration ever, especially when it's one for a city he's rather fond of. Since the whole sport day Dorchacht put on earlier in the year, he's been in and out of here participating in similar kinds of activities and getting familiar with the local Coven and Wilders, so of course he's going to show up for what's looking like it'll be the biggest celebration Dorchacht has.

And, as ever, he's dragging everyone else into his shenanigans too. The moment he finds a good bar or restaurant is the moment he starts beckoning people over or literally dragging them if they don't look like they're going to take exception to that, entirely too ready to start pushing food on them (and drinks if they look old enough).]

Come on, the party's just getting started! What kind of food do you like? We'll find you something good!

(ii. forget me not)

[While the wreath creation is somewhat more somber, there's no shortage of people Momo misses from home, so he takes the time out to make one when he's not gently menacing people into having fun. He mainly hesitates on who to make it for, since it seems to need someone specific for the magic to work properly, but eventually he's well into the process, building the wreath with a surprisingly delicate hand.

If anyone seems to be having a bit more trouble or stalling on something, he'll lean over with a small smile.]

Need a hand?

--

[b: battle on the streets]

[Momo was done enough with the necromancers on their own earlier in the year. In the midst of all this, when there's so many people in direct and immediate danger and so many noncombatants caught up in it all, it brings out a side of him that's quite rare to see.

While the dead creatures are an obstruction to reaching their puppeteers, Momo is more than willing to give them something to think about, whether it's spikes of ice slammed into their face with his magic or a number of cauterised wounds (or a missing limb...or head) with his enchanted knife. However, they're not his main focus, and as soon as he gets a shot at the necromancers he's very clearly intently targeting - especially if someone else is at risk from them or their creatures - he strikes without mercy and an uncharacteristically rough and coarse roar.]

And what the fuck do you think you're doing, bastard!?

[For Momo, in this state, striking means hurling himself at them like ten tons of bricks and angry fists, a furious snarl on his face that exposes his lengthened canines and makes him look all the more like a feral dog. He sinks fists and sometimes feet into the head, stomach, anywhere that will put someone down quickly but then does not stop, following the unfortunate necromancer down to the ground to continue the process of beating them into a bloody pulp with his bare hands.

Someone might want to stop him before whichever necromancer he's dealing with this time ends up beyond being put back together again by healing magic.]

--

[c: aftermath]

[Despite all the feral throwing himself around Momo did during the battle, and the fact that he's clearly banged and clawed up from the fight, he doesn't stop once the battle is over. He begins helping to move innocents out of danger with an almost disturbingly single-minded focus, apparently not content to stop in any measure before things are over.

Perhaps he's carrying two adults, one over either shoulder, or cradling two sleeping children side by side in his arms in a very protective sort of motion. Regardless of what he's actually doing, he's so focused on getting people from point a to point b that he might almost walk into someone else transporting the sleeping Dorchacht citizens, starting visibly just before he collides with them like he just woke up from a trance himself.]

...Ah, sorry. Didn't see you there. [He manages a smile, well-practiced enough to at least look like it's not forced.]

--

[d: wildcard]

[[Feel free to hit me up at reviseleviathan for other plotting! Momo will be going on the dreamwalk as well when that goes up.]]

[fulgency]

I have a bunch of questions regarding the Witches supporting Morgana!

First, do the Witches also bounce when Morgana does, or do they stay behind after she vanishes? If they stay, would they be liable to bounce if they thought the situation were getting too dicey for them or would they keep fighting to the bloody end? Does that differ from those who were released from the slums? Will any of the Witches be trying to enact mind control on Mirrorbound or Aefenglom citizens or are they just focused on going straight for the kill?

Second, power-wise I wouldn't think any of them would be as powerful as Morgana, but how do those that show up with her stack up? Similar to the above, is there a difference from those released from the slums?

Lastly, if a Witch who showed up with Morgana were captured, would they have any valuable information? Would they cough anything up and betray her or nah? Which relatedly, what exactly is questioning the captives going to entail?

[foundfamilies]

A couple of (groups of) questions regarding villainous priorities!

1. Regarding the mind-controlled necromancers, the witches who came with Morgana, and the people from the slums, what are their targetting priorities like? That is, how much do they favour easy targets versus difficult ones?

To give a concrete example of what I mean: say some Mirrorbound brought a bunch of sleeping Dorchacht citizens inside of a building and used Abjuration magic to ward it/put barriers over any entrances. Would the attackers consider it worth their time to assault this more fortified building, or would they be inclined to pass it up in favour of softer targets elsewhere, since I imagine there will be a lot of people in vulnerable places when they all pass out in the middle of a festival? Do different groups react differently? (Like, say, if one group might be more likely to move on while another might view it as "here's a bunch of victims all in one place"?)

2. Also, when it comes to killing Dorchacht citizens, do they target people who could fight if awake differently from people who likely could not? Would they be more likely to kill adults who could be a problem in the future and spare the children as easier to control if they take over again, or do they slaughter indescriminately? Or do they target the weak even more to try to break the will of the citizenry? Do they take hostages among the sleeping citizens to try to force the actions of the defending Mirrorbound?


Thank you for your time, both in prepping this great event and in answering questions like mine!

Re: EVENT

[gynvael]

1) Aside from vague rumors that she may not be dead, are there any hints that all may not be well either prior to, during the celebrations, or in the moments leading up to her appearance? Or does Morgana just pop into existence?

2) What do the rogue necromancers smell like? Are they dressed or appear uniquely or do they blend in well? And can they physically fight or do they rely on their shambling buddies?

3) Did Dorchacht have any special wards or protections in place, either before or erected specifically for the celebrations, that Morgana broke through or did she get in so quickly and easily because the city was largely left unprotected? (Basically, could the Coven be considered at fault for not taking proper precautions during such a big event?)

Thank you!

[usurpers]

1. is the perception of morgana’s presence immediate with her announcement, giving no time for gradual growing reactions or will characters with heightened magic sense/smell/taste something slightly “off” the closer her appearance is? things like smelling/tasting rot from the necromancers, something feeling not right but not being able to put their finger on it, a “heaviness” from morgana’s oppressive energy before it hits full throttle— those kinds of things!

2. are there any hints of cwyld to any of her followers that have hung around in the wilde, mindless, necromancers or otherwise (nuckelavee included)?

3. do these maddened witches free from their cells have an average amount of magic content or does that depend? are there any monsters accompanying them? alternatively, how would the witches react to a monster consuming their own kind? frightened, outraged or something else? asking for a hungry friend. and then an addendum: are there any consequences to man eaters having at the enemy for now? whether a stink eye from wolf mom or a later talking to orrrrrr anything else eren is quite upset and will finally eat his first. first few. maybe. it’ll depend on these!

Iramaat | Faun

[wylderrant]

I. Join the Fun

[ Iramaat can be found amongst a crowd of laughing and playing children, wielding a pretend sword and rallying her 'troops' on to overthrow the vile former overlords. She's apparently in her element, based on the fact that she's melodramatically overacting everything as she throws herself into it. She twirls the imaginary sword and gestures. ]

There they are! Charge-!

[ A small group of gleefully screaming children goes streaking by and Iramaat laughs and pauses to glance at a bystander. ]

Come to join the fight?

B. Battle on the Streets

[ The sudden change from celebration to deadly serious combat is not entirely out of Iramaat's wheelhouse, but it's certainly rather startling. Everything has been shot to hell and here she is scrambling and trying to make the best of it. The faun has her sword, at least, so that's better than not having it. Unfortunately, she's also in a city which means that her nature magic and her frightening bellow really don't do much, which leaves her with just her sword skills to rely on.

She's also, unfortunately, perhaps a touch over her head. She's facing down a group of glowering surgents, easing herself back down a side street, just keeping them at bay with the tip of her sword as she dodges magic or thrown cobblestones. For once, Iramaat looks grim.

A little help? ]

Wildcard

[ Make something up! Hit me up at dragoon1940 ]

Prompto Argentum | FF15 | OTA

[clickclickbang]

Fun

[Prompto wasn't terribly involved in the revolution a year ago, but Caren had been, and he's here partially in honor of her. He's also here because hey, he's a photographer and it is important that these sorts of things get memorialized in photos! He can be found wandering the city with his camera in hand, taking pictures of some of the performances and some of the celebrants if they look particularly happy.

He also has Lionheart strapped to his back under a cloak. He's sure it's not going to be necessary, but honestly he just feels safer with his gun outside of Aefenglom itself.]

Unexpected Guests

[Turns out Lionheart was necessary. The second things start going south, Prompto quickly ushers some of the panicking locals away from the square and into the first safe building he can find, even carrying a couple when they fall asleep. Then he shoulders his camera, pulls out Lionheart, and gets ready to protect this building until a Witch that isn't trying to kill everyone can take over with magic

Once a Witch comes, Prompto heads off to look for anyone he knows in need of back up. A couple of times, he stops to take a photo of this building or this group of (thankfully still living) sleeping citizens. He just thinks that's going to necessary, when all this is said and done.]

Fuck Drummond...

Wildcard

[Prompto can also be found with the flowers, watching the shows, or maybe getting roped into them! I just didn't want to make this too long, so hmu if you have other ideas!]

ii. forget me nots

[quintessent]

[Rememberance is a solemn thing for her, as there is much that she's lost, and many painful wounds that were only just beginning to heal, from the loss of her planet. More than once she's gone a bit glassy eyed while working on her craft, lost in her own memories and wondering just what ones are going to be infused into the wreathe when she's done.

Momo's voice cuts through, and she blinks,]

Oh, [She shakes her head. Less as an answer and more just as a way to clear her head.] No, I think I am almost finished with mine. What do you think?

[Her wreath is made up of mostly pink blooms, so much so that it almost drowns out the green leaves below. Even then, it looks nice, with lacy white flowers and small blue flowers to break up the swaths of color.]

Hubert von Vestra | Witch

[bloodypath]

i.
[It's the most colorful most people have ever witnessed Hubert—and by "colorful," he's replaced his usual dreary coat with a dark red one, the Three Stars pinned plainly to his collar to avoid any... misunderstandings like he's suffered in the past. And though Hubert could hardly be called "celebratory," the revolution's anniversary has put him in good spirits.]

[He watches one set of children and their poor abductees play at their revolution war games from afar at a bench. With a smirk, a subtle gesture of his hand, and an effort of magic, one of the dark-robed scarecrows starts to move.]

[Much to very sudden shrieks of children and at least one startled caretaker, but the animated scarecrow moves in clumsy, dramatic sweeps. A few of the Monster children are the first to respond, young Turnskins and Chimeras fluffed up in challenge, going back at the new threat with renewed bravado.]

ii.
[There is no mercy.]

[Blankets of fog follow Hubert; he controls his conjured mist with idle tugs of magic. Sometimes, he uses it as cover to hinder the sight of Morgana's loyalists as they advance on Mirrorbound or slumbering citizens.]

[Other times, Hubert adds something dark and tar-smelling from a vial to the fog as it moves to encompass a company of undead puppets, and if clear of all friendlies and citizens, combusts violently into an inferno at a spark before the cloud burns quickly into nothing.]

[And when Hubert shifts the fog into a tightly controlled orb or barrier and adds the contents of a vial that turns the fog a muddy color does he strictly caution people from it.] I wouldn't touch that, if you value your life.

Wildcard
[PM me or throw a prompt at me, I'll roll with it]

Sora | Kingdom Hearts | Puca

[oathkeeper]

[a. join the fun]

[The celebrations are in full swing and Sora can be found joining in a lot of the games and re-enactments of revolution between the kids with games of tag and the like. He knows how important it was for Dorchacht to be freed because now he can see all of these free monster children running about and playing and laughing. Some of them might not have families or homes yet but that is all coming together for the better each day. Sora is happy to spread a little bit of cheer and do his part.

He comes up to anyone nearby and passes out magical sparklers and poppers to anyone who wants them.]

Here, these are for you! Take as many as you need! Light up the sky!

[He grins and his long rabbit ears twitch as he turns back towards the crowd of festivities. He then raises his hands and claps them to create a flourish of magic light in the air. Sparks and blue dust fly up and reveal a very whimsical and cartoon looking creature in the sky. It floats like a balloon before it pops and rains down sparkly lights all over the place. It is a puca’s special illusion magic!]

[b. forget-me-nots]

[If someone happens to be making wreaths out of the fragrant forget-me-nots they might suddenly find a small fuzzy-looking brown rabbit looking up at them with bright ocean blue eyes. The rabbit sits there and sniffs at the flowers that you might have. His little rabbit nose twitching and twitching. A small clawed paw comes up to pat or tug at the flowers. Like he wants you to give him one or two.

This happens to be Sora in his full rabbit form. He’s not very good at transforming back yet. So now he’s stuck as a rabbit and wants to snack on some flowers. What sort of memories will be shared if the little rabbit ears the flower? Who knows!

Give him a flower! Or pick him up?? Just don’t put him in a stew.]

[c. to sleep, perchance]

[When Morgana Drummond appears Sora can’t help but think how much she reminds of Maleficent. She’s looming and dark and the chaos that she inflicts on the city checks out. When the fireworks go astray and all of the people around him start dropping like flies he quickly tries to do his best to collect the children falling in the streets.]

Hey! Help me! We’ve gotta get everyone somewhere safe!

[Everyone is falling asleep right where they’re standing and people could get hurt. If they can just get them inside or move the sleeping bodies so they don’t’ get hurt then that would be a good first step to figuring out this dilemma.]

Did anyone see where Morgana went?!

[d. wildcard]

[got something else? throw it down here too!]

closed to vanitas

[oathkeeper]

[The fireworks were something Sora wanted to see as soon as he discovered there was going to be a display. Fireworks are bright and colourful and full of magic and life. And now he thinks it's something he wants to see to help keep his mind off sadder things.

The display is going to start soon in the town square but Sora thinks maybe a quieter place to watch them might be better. He turns to Vanitas and asks,]

Let's find somewhere higher up to watch the fireworks!

[He's being awfully cheerful considering who it was that just left this world.]

[darkcharge]

[ Honestly this comes as no surprise to Vanitas. Naturally Sora would want to go to a festival. He always does. Van just figures that he is always going to get yanked along for the ride. However, he can't really complain. Vanitas has grown to like these outtings. Knowing that there are fireworks just makes him all the more determined to watch.

Kind of like during the star showers. ]

You want me to find another roof?

[ Now Van figures that the whole disappearing of that person is probably bitter sweet. Happy to see him return home but going to miss and long all the same. Sora probably just doesn't want to think about it. Probably wants that distraction. ]

[oathkeeper]

[A distraction is right. Something as brilliant and wonderful as the star showers... Sora smiles softly at the other boy and reaches out and taps the back of his hand with a few times.]

Hmmh! But not too far from the main plaza. Let's go!

[Use some of that magical teleportation magic. Vanitas has gotten so much better with magic that all those days reading books like a nerd must've really paid off.]

II

[arturiarex]

[ Saber has thrown herself into the defense of the city and its citizens with almost reckless abandon. She's fortunate that she brought her sword along. She's been moving from street to street, beating back monsters and other attackers, using all of her strength as a chimera - and some well-placed bits of flight - to try and protect the sleeping forms that fill the city. She knows of Hubert and may have even exchanged a greeting with him in passing.

Funnily enough, this is the first time she's had an opportunity to actually converse, though. Here, when they're locked in deadly combat. ]

What is that?

[ "That" being the muddy ball of fog. She knows magic when she sees it, of course, but the specifics are up in the air. ]

[moustre]

1. They do stick around to fight. They are loyal to Morgana until the bloody end and will see the fight out, choosing death rather than running.

The people from the slums (not all Witches, there are a few Monsters in those numbers as well, surprisingly) are more taking advantage of Morgana's sudden return to cause some chaos and get revenge - they didn't know it was coming, but they're happy for it.

Generally speaking, they'll go straight for the kill, though attempting to use mind control magic on PCs is certainly not out of the question if that's something players want to use.

2. The Witches Morgana came with, her former Coven members, are not comparable to her or Nessie, but they are on par with some of the best Witches Aefenglom's Coven has to offer, so difficult to take down. Those from the slums are far less skilled than the average Coven Witch, and the few Monsters are not combat-trained. The mind-controlled parties from the Wilde are of variable skill but if the control isn't broken, they will fight until they physically cannot any longer.

3. Any Witches who are captured will be pressed for information on where Morgana has gone by members of the Coven, and Mirrorbound can assist with this, but the Witches are loyal to a fault and will bite off their own tongues rather than be forced to answer questions. Most of what they say are doctrines from the old Dorchacht.

[moustre]

1. They'll go for an easy target over one fighting back (or one they have to fight to get to) nearly every time. The intent is to cause death, destruction and mayhem, as much as possible and as quickly as possible. The people from the slums are less in on "the plan", however, and may react in more unpredictable ways - they're just taking advantage of their good fortune in escaping to get some good old fashioned revenge for how they feel that they've been wronged (whether they actually have been or not).

2. Indiscriminate slaughter. Morgana was not kidding when she said she would leave only ashes of the new Dorchacht. Hostage-taking is possible if players want to use it threads, as they would be quite happy to take down Mirrorbound while they're at it, but generally speaking, it isn't the priority.

Lan Xichen | Witch | OTA

[zewu_jun]

I. festivities
a. Playing along

[Lan Xichen buys a few of the crafts and wares offered during the festival, happy to support those that need supporting in what way he can. Sometimes he purchases sweets to give away to the children running around and enjoying the sparklers, watching them go about their games with delighted calls back and forth with their friends. It is similar to what he used to know at home in that way, and he eventually gets pulled into one of their revolution games, as an innocent monster in distress, because the children have quickly decided that is the most fitting role for him. Except he's too tall, and a few of the louder kids end up arguing that he should be one of the evil Witches! That would make more sense. Another group counters that he doesn't look like one; it would be too weird! And Lan Xichen stands in the middle of the heavy debate, listening quietly as they decide what he should be doing.]

b. Making wreaths

[During a quieter time when he is alone, Lan Xichen finds himself with some of the Dorchacht natives who are making wreaths in the new coven's yard. He watches those participating for a while, then, with some urging from the ones who finished theirs, makes a wreath of his own. It's slow and methodical work, lacing in the enchanted flowers as he weaves the wreath together.

Those who catch the scent from the Forget-Me-Nots get flashes of laughter from a child and a woman, soft questions about innocent things like catching insects and watching clouds. Even a vague impression of a face, lovely, if unclear. She seems serene and warm, murmuring Take care of each other. The flashes pass, never fully formed, but Lan Xichen hum a soft song to himself.]

II. Fighting the dead

[During the invasion, Lan Xichen turns his priority to protecting others. The people asleep and strewn in the streets need defending, and he draws his blade in their defense. Sticking more to fending off attackers and disabling those that are persistent, he tries not to aim for fatal strikes, but as combat becomes more tense and overwhelming, his tactics begin to be more offensive. When the sword isn't enough, he pulls out his flute and begins to play, sending sharp lashes of wind to cut his enemies and knock them back or a freezing touch to slow their movements. In the thick of things, he's likely to have his own back exposed at some point as well, putting himself in danger to drag unconscious or wounded allies to safety.]

Stay together! Don't let them corner you!

III. Clean up and recovery

[In the wake of the fighting, Lan Xichen goes searching through the fallen for survivors to heal and bring to safer quarters. He is sporting some injuries himself, and exhausted, but does what he can to help others to their feet and offer food and water to those resting after the battle. Holding something out, he bends down with concern.]

Come, we should go inside. Are you able to walk? If you will allow it, I can help you get more comfortable.

[ooc: If you have a situation and need a random volunteer just throw the scene at me and I can roll with that as well! I'm here for meetings and new CR with the continued CR. You can find me at teaandreveries for plotting too if you want to get specific details hashed out.]

[moustre]

1. There isn't any discernible hint of anything being wrong before Morgana makes her move. The people of Dorchacht really were just trying to have a nice party. Morgana isn't the type to make her entrance extra flashy or build it up - she's very much a woman of action who has planned this for close to a year.

2. The rogue necromancers frankly all stink of rot and unwashed bodies. They roam the Wilde in exile from proper civilizations who do not approve of their chosen magics so they are quite ragged and dirty in appearance, and many have lost limbs or eyes from Cwyld-related amputations. They aren't much for physical fights and will always try to put their dead Bondmates and thralls between them and an attacker.

3. Dorchacht has protection wards against varying hostile magics and the Cwyld engraved on the walls, Morgana simply has the skill, knowledge, and raw power to break through them. If characters choose to blame the Coven for not taking enough precautions they can, but in reality, it's hard to keep a woman like Morgana out of anything if she wants in bad enough.

[darkcharge]

[ Sora doesn't need to reach out and touch his hand. In fact, Van snatches it up and tugs Sora a bit closer. The Puca is going to need to hold on. Van is going to use that teleportation magic to get them on a rooftop of a shop. Right along the edge of the plaza. ]

You think right here will be good enough?

[moustre]

1. Immediate with her announcement. She isn't one for a flashy or building entrance, preferring to show up, do her thing, and disappear. Practicality wins over gloating - in her mind, she can lord it over the ashes of Dorchacht after its destruction.

2. Absolutely. Some, though not all, of the unwilling soldiers from the Wilde bear signs of Cwyld infections in varying stages of seriousness, as well as amputation injuries from past infections. The dead Nuckelavee are mostly uninfected but there may be one or two that bear signs of it.

3. The slums Witches are generally of lower skill than the average Coven Witch, though it varies from person to person depending on what kind of life they had before the uprising (whether they were in the Coven or just practicing the usual types of oppression magic on the side). Monsters consuming their own will garner shrieking reactions of fear, outrage, and we told you so - they've always believed Monsters capable of such bestial acts if not tightly controlled. It would be proof, to them, why Morgana Was Right.

Addendum: No strict consequences for fighting back against attackers, even in an unorthodox and frankly worrying way. Legal consequences wouldn't apply as they are in Dorchacht and not Aefenglom, for Dorchacht business, and the Three are not awake to have their say. If she actually found out, which it's possible to miss in the chaos, Wolf Mom would not be pleased. Do you want to disappoint and upset Wolf Mom?

making wreaths

[shinkunochou]

[She's been shy and slow to start, but at least this is something she knows how to do and feels confident in. So she's gathered her materials up and gone to look for a place to work on them.

It's the sight of him that draws her in at first--she's been going through it the past month, near-bedridden with illness that's finally started to let up the past week or two. And she hasn't seen him since that disaster of a dinner besides.

But she's very glittery now, shimmering patches on her neck and face and below, hidden by the layers of her kimono. Her ears more pointed, her eyes a little larger. But it's still Sae and she pauses a moment as the warm flashes of memory wash over her.]

...Big brother. [She shakes the daze off of herself as she approaches, rubbing at the side of her head a little as she tries to sort through that.]