event log: a summons

[moustre]

Event Log: July, By Invitation Only

You're Invited The morning of the 19th hears Nessie's voice ringing out over the city, calling a summons of all mirrorbound, Wilders, Parliament members, and Master Witches to the Parliament proper; the 19th also sees regular Witches, presumably those not invited, heading around the residential districts and The Haven to help spread the word and get people up and going for something that's been talked about in brief over the week: A summons for information. The Parliament building is one rarely entered by those without clearance, and its inside is just the same as its outside: made of the same quartz blocks, everything feels clean, official, and new. The hallways are quiet and empty, save for the guards posted to keep people from moving off the path. The room everyone is herded into, however, is made entirely of an old, dark hardwood, a deep contrast to the white walls that lead the way. Nessie stands at the head of the room, dressed in her usual; Mhairi stands beside her, a little more formal and with her cane hooked in the crook of her arm - she is The Coven's ambassador to the Parliament, after all - and the leaders of Parliament themselves have seats behind the two of them. Once everyone is inside and seated, Nessie grins and steps forward, clapping three times; the third is particularly loud, a shiver of magic running through the room, and despite the fact she doesn't raise her voice it carries effortlessly. "Good morning, and thank you all for coming! We're right grateful, we are." A brief pause, gazing out at the gathered crowd, before she continues. "But this isn't a tour or pleasure visit - unfortunately, it's quite serious business, it is. We've summoned you all here today to talk." "Nerissa Bell," one of the Parliament leaders behind her calls, sounding worn, "enough of your dramatics. Please get on with it." Mhairi's ears twitch backwards as Nessie frowns slightly at him, but she laces her fingers in front of her and steps forward, head raising as she begins to address those gathered properly: "We've looked into a lot of things over the past two or so months since the lot of you arrived, and this is what we've come up with. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and share what you've managed to find too - if we work together, I'm right certain we'll be able to figure out a couple of mysteries. With all that out of the way -" Some Coven Investigation Results The Shared Dreams • They seem to only affect the mirrorbound. While sharing a dream isn't technically unheard of, it isn't in the same capacity that the ones experienced each month by the mirrorbound (and, last month, by the city as as whole). While she isn't sure if this pattern will continue, or if the city will share the same experience again - or if that was an effect of Litha - it's something they're going to keep a close eye on, especially as continuous dreamwalking can prove fatal. • The few, true dreamwalkers that Aefenglom's Coven are in possession of are present; however, they're in and out of consciousness in their seats, and don't have much to offer in regards to the situation, staring with unseeing eyes as they speak of the dreams that they've been walking through. They're evidence that caution is advised regarding this situation, but their handlers and those that study their exploits and the concept of dreams make their best attempt to offer their insight. • However, they nor the Coven's diviners have discovered the source of the dreams. If the mirrorbound arrivals perhaps have any theories, they would appreciate hearing more, and are prepared to compile all of the information everyone has to share. Offers of learning under the diviners are open, as well. Dewaint Forest • Information about the long lost Dewaint Forest has begun to be uncovered, along with theories about it and the goings on that many mirrorbound have dreamt of. The majority of Parliament is less inclined to believe the tales, and their doubt and skepticism is fairly evident, but there are still those that ask for more - more knowledge, more theories, more investigation. • A possibility of Dewaint Forest falling on the node of a leyline - and a powerful one at that - has been brought up. Leylines run throughout the entire world of Talam, and Aefenglom was settled atop a node, as well, due to the magical power that they carry. The Coven (and the Parliament, to a small degree) want to see just how true this theory is. • The possibility that civilization still exists in Dewaint is something that they'd like to know, as well, considering the fact that within its depths was once the heart of the Fae civilization. But it now rests as the heart of the Wilde, and subsequently... the heart of the Cwyld. Was it the source? Is it safe from the blight that affects them? It's knowledge that they need, especially if there's a way to fight the Cwyld within the forest depths. The Meeting of the Fae • Some old folklore states that the Fae courts only come together in times of impending crisis; this lines up with the spread of the Cwyld seen by those who had this dream experience. The mention of the High Queen is particularly important though, as she is said to reside solely in the heart of Faeryland, slumbering in order to keep her youthful appearance. For her to have awaken and attended a meeting... Well, it doesn't spell the best of news. • There are a few Fae in the city, and after speaking with them, it's been deduced that - despite their long life - none of them remember something like this, so it's likely this particular meeting was much further in the past than anyone might imagine. This implies that it's possible that this isn't the first time the Cwyld has broken out, but she isn't entirely sure of that - it'd be best to take the idea with a grain of salt. • Regarding the Courts: it would seem the Fae used to divide themselves into two of them, though Fae nowadays hold no allegiance or importance to anything of the sort. Information about these specifically are sparse however, as the Fae were notoriously secretive about where their loyalties ultimately laid. The Looking-Glass House • There isn't much to report here - all records state the house has been around for quite some time now. What has been noticed is that inductees into The Coven cannot spell a mirror that is connected to one of the mirrorbound. This isn't too much of a problem, given the house's ever-expanding inside, but it's something to note. • Nessie's written to the heads at other branches of The Coven and found that none of them have an outside housing area for their mirrors - the rest of them have them inside their building proper, in rooms or hallways. Curious, but just another thing that makes Aefenglom's branch stand out from the rest. • If anyone has found out anything additional about the mirrors or the house itself - more likely the mirrors, Nessie thinks, since she feels as if they must have a special meaning to be bound so tightly to those who have come through them - then they're welcome to share it, be it fact or theory.

Welcome to your meeting log! No question thread this time, and no making your own logs either - as this is a one day affair with a very specific location, for the purpose of sharing information and the like. Feel free to make your own top levels presenting information, tag or threadhop into relevant threads as necessary, and so on!

Comments

[whomthebelltolls]

I think it would be interesting if it was a trap. Usually, one would have to have a reason for wanting to inconvenience people in such a way - and such a large group of unconnected people? Then the motivation or potential gain would have to be considered.

[Though that's a whole new level of paranoia she didn't particularly want, it's still worth considering. She has enough things to worry about in this place. Like not letting the Beasts eat everything.]

Still, did that last dream not feel like some kind of a message? The city, in ruins... it's obvious what happened to it, if you looked hard enough - in more than a few places were there the telltale signs of explosions, and if I had to guess, it would be from the Witches that let their mana run rampant. Or perhaps had no other choice, and had no way of utilizing it. The Cwyld creeping in seemed like an after-effect.

[futhark]

[ Hell yeah, paranoia. Quite a valid one though, so Caster runs with this assumption. ]

When magic and mages are involved you just can't allow yourself to be too trusting. Where is that trap leading us to, outside the City, no? [ He does not sound concerned, quite on the opposite, kind of excited ]

From that, we can assume, it's either to nudge us outside before we are ready to face what's hiding there. [ At least that's what it does to those like them, ready to run face-first into danger ] Or it's meant to scare the newcomers, to never dare to look outside.

[ It's pure speculation of course, but why not include the Dream Lady Maria mentioned into that ]

Now, how does the city in ruins Dream fit into this narrative? [ There's always a story, and when it starts to make sense, maybe they will find their answers ] Native Witches know how to deal with their magic, it's us who are the wildcard. Inexperienced, rebellious, there are plenty of us who are either unable, unwilling or not interested in forming a Bond.

[ Or even more simple, not actively looking. It is not a jab directed, at Maria, just a statement of fact, but it could be taken as such. Could be worded better, but he's not the most diplomatic sort. ]

How many of us would consider going into the Wildes to fight a better alternative than setting a city aflame? A death that could accomplish something over death that brings only ruin is always preferable.

[ And if that's the trap, something to get rid of them, it would also mean they are able to tip the battle in Aefenglom favor ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Or leading the outside of the city within. It is an interesting point, but many are not warriors, they're not made for fighting, they're just trying to live their lives. [She takes a deep breath, wrinkles her nose a little.] The Witches here survived just fine before the Bonding process; when the Monsters were turned away or slaughtered, not invited into people's beds. [As it should be is not said, because she's still running under a lot of assumptions from her home.] In fact, there are many out there that live their whole lives without bothering with it, though it seems many of the folk here are not particularly powerful Witches, and likely don't even need to think about it. Still, that doesn't mean every Witch who is powerful enough to become a threat is taking proper care and precautions to ensure tragedy doesn't befall everyone.

[She pauses, then gives a sort of absurd chuckle.] If we were going to chase every possible coincidence, though, we know the Cwyld is a magical blight. What if the Monsters, native here being residents of the forest for a long time before they were allowed in the city, and those who were brought here and being transformed by something against their wills are all connected to the source of the Cwyld? What if, in Bonding, you're feeding your own energy into the very thing that you're trying to defeat... or is trying to kill you?

I refuse to believe into a narrative that this Bonding thing is exclusively beneficial. Almost nothing in the world ever is. Prices must be paid for everything.

[A wave of her hand.] I don't think this speculation will get very far though. We have far more questions than answers. It's a parliament building, not a college lecture hall. They want what cannot be given.

[futhark]

[ That makes Caster pause. This is a new interpretation of Bond, different from all that he heard so far. It could be dismissed as exaggerated negativity but Caster has enough of assumptions from his homeworld to not do that. Something might be advertised as a magic ritual to make your wishes come true, but omit the fact that everyone else participating are meant to be sacrifices. That's because— ]

No magic contract is purely benevolent— huh? They do paint it as a necessity for any Witch practicing magic, but there were other ways, indeed. Familiars, potions, herbs.

[ But then Caster is also far more likely to act within the system, rather than outside of it, accepting what comes with it, such is resignation. ]

The Coven building is less than 300 years old, but does it apply to Coven as the organization itself... Do you happen to know how far back practicing magic itself dates? [ Why not ask? Everyone here is doing their own information digging, and it already proved that each holds a piece of the puzzle. How long exactly Witches survived without Bonding is one question. ] Perhaps what we should be asking them is "are there other ways of practicing magic, then the one Coven mandated"

[ Maybe it's something in the way this particular school that makes them go boom. He knows there are druids on the island, albeit he didn't manage to found them. Would their magic be different? ]

[whomthebelltolls]

[It pretty much is exaggerating negativity, but considering they're all prisoners here of some kind of uncontrollable cosmic fate, maybe it is worth considering a little. Maybe it is even more sinister than anyone is giving it credit for... though honestly, it was an extreme idea, mostly born out of her utter distaste for the Bonding thing and whatever side-effects that carries.] No one would ever want to practice magic if you knew it would limit your lifespan - and thus what you can learn to practice and utilize - to only a few months. I struggle to think of any madness that would strike someone so deeply.

[And she comes from a place where people regularly either limit their own lifespans out of ignorance, or out of experimentation to see if they can then become something more powerful, and potentially eternal. Or, in the case of Annalise, it succeeding.]

I do not know. I imagine it has been here since whatever they consider "ancient" times, however. The magic here is pervasive enough - some old civilization had to have discovered and utilized it long ago. Perhaps their ways are lost now, or perhaps not, but I did not inquire that deeply.

[futhark]

[ So there is no answer to that yet, and might be something worth looking into. He wasn't made for this investigation thing, but pure curiosity can be a great motivator. Just as resignation can be the demotivator. ]

Yet mages put their and others lives at risk all the time in the search for knowledge and power where I come from— but we're definitely missing something crucial here.

[ But then he wouldn't expect mages to tell them everything, why Witches would be any different. ]

Perhaps we will find some answers in the next Dream. Or just more questions. [ He barks a laughter] If an expedition to seek heart of the Cwyld ever takes off I hope to secure a spot. Until then— good luck.

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes. Though it is one thing to seek knowledge knowing the dangers, but it is very much so another to begin a task knowing that it ends only in death, and soon, for yourself. [Even as much as Maria has absolutely no interest in self-preservation, that just seems stupid and impractical, even for her. How did magic ever become wide-spread if using it was just that dangerous?

It's giving her plenty to ponder on, at least.]

Yes, and I hope to be there as well. We should speak again, if we so ever learn anything.