Intro Log: October

[faileas]

Intro Log: October

I. ARRIVAL 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. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "There's always a right lot of you coming in, aren't there." The woman sets her hands on her hips, with her Bonded casting a glance at those looking confused - newly arrived - and those who may have followed them in to talk to the newest addition of their mirrorbound bunch. "About time for introductions though- this here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament and my Bonded, and I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven - but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds, winking. "The lot of you must be as tired and confused as the last batch - hullo to those who've joined us, too! - so just a moment, dearests, I'll set all you right up—" With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have - we will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, for us to summarize an answer for, or you can request an IC thread. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon under the same header! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are - if they have magic potential, or if they swing a different way - then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night - feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make a trek to where you'll be staying while Nessie and Mhairi continue to search for a solution to the situation. As you're leaving with a few Bonded for guides, peculiar-looking devices - watches, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament - are passed around to all the new arrivals; they're given a quick rundown on their functions and bid to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental-side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live - the Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra - like maids, chefs, and so on - they'll have to pay for them themselves with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services due to its roots as part of a district that already did. Much of the housing already has furnishing due to the speed at which homeowners were relocated; they were given enough time to collect their valuables, but standard furniture such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind for those moving in. Other houses appear the same, but the dust on the floors suggest these houses were left before the new arrivals even showed up - a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use it for - so long as the legality isn't questionable, on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It reads simply the information you've offered up yourself, or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

IV. Samuin There's an odd sense of relief in the air, newly arrived may notice, and it's common talk to hear about the return of those from another city; Dorchacht, they gossip, must've been terrible for their dear Speaker, who'd felt to them more weathered than she'd been previously, not to mention to all the Mirrorbound that went with her. Right shame, it was, how they acted over on the west coast, those Dorchachtians. It'll be common talk for a while yet, with increasingly worse rumors spread about that city to the far northwest, but not all of them can be true... right? While the black market moves back beneath the city, weaker than they were coming up, the goblin market remains in their places in broad daylight, happy to parse their wares to newcomers and oldbies alike -- with Samuin coming up, there's all sorts of things necessary to have on one's person, they say, absolutely key to keep bad spirits at bay! They say the boundaries are weaker this time of year, after all, wouldn't want your new year to be cursed right off the bat! Though Samuin's still the month away (it's at the end of the month, anyone'd tell you), the people are eager to gather their parchment, write away their worries, and start Geardagas's year off right. a. Aristocratic District With Samuin bringing in the new year on Geardagas, the Coven is eager to be rid of old, outdated things and bringing in the new -- this means they're offering spots for magitech demonstrations, extracurricular class presentations to be added to the potential roster, and even recipes to be used. Not just in the cooking sense either; they're excited to see alchemical results as well, and won't shy from innovative, even unconventional uses of different schools of magic, runes, and botany. Witches have brought their own game to the front, putting on spectacular shows with how conjured blankets can offer the placebo of warmth for a time, new techs that enhance readability in the dark (and they shine like the stars! floating crystals in a lamp!), so on and so forth. Won't you join them? While the Coven is in higher spirits with their Speaker returned lately, Parliament seems to be taken a breather as well, and while their eyes have set on the city once more they seem a little more lenient with what constitutes as a performance -- at least during Samuin proper, though the building itself, for those who visit, is certainly less tense than it was previous. There's tight-lips as far as Dorchacht's concerned, for those who ask, so there won't be any information to be found about that here, but there's plenty of talk of "scum" found in their own city that have had judgement passed on them and found them guilty of immeasurable crimes, and also of finding the root of their operations so they won't end up having something akin to Dorchacht beneath their streets. The rich people who live still in the district, with their overly extra houses and colorful personalities, throw exuberant parties all across the month -- there's to be a grand fireworks display at the end of Samuin, but they're taking liberties as they do every year to put on their own, seeking Witches to entertain however they can and, surprisingly, offering the same to Monsters; they still look down on the lower born, there's nothing that can stop that or their stuffy attitudes in general, but it seems the city's in a bright mood thanks to one of the most important holidays of their year. b. Residential District Preparations for Samuin are well underway for both sides of the Residential District, separated by the River Temese. Octeuril is a month for celebrating the end of the year, and for remembering and honoring those who are no longer living. On both sides, humans and Monsters both are hard at work cleaning their homes and businesses, and getting rid of things they no longer need - porch sales pop up all through the month outside of homes, selling off whatever folks have decided to part with: a lot of antiques, hand-made items, old clothes, things that are worn but could possibly be useful to someone else after a good spit-shine or fixing up. On the Eastern side, some artisans or hobbyists are even selling brand new pieces - this is a time for weavers and textile artists especially to shine, selling elaborate and cozy woolen blankets, to cuddle under as you watch the fireworks shows at the end of the month, or fancy clothes and costumes they've made. A few have even laid simple enchantments on their wares, resulting in tapestries that tell a story as the little thread figures move about, or dresses that shimmer like the night sky. On the Western side, the porch sales are simpler and full of more practical items, and don't seem as celebratory of the wares, but they make up for it by holding small bonfires outside at night, taking turns telling ghost stories and old legends, or tales of ancestors long past. If you have a story to share, true or made up, most circles will welcome you, offering you a hot drink and a piece of heavy, fruit-laden spice cake in return. (Get the piece with the coin in it, and you're guaranteed good luck, they say!) One tradition they both share is the airing of grievances and making amends with one another, to start the coming new year off on a good foot. The bridge over the River Temese that separates the Eastern and Western sides of the District is decorated with hanging lanterns and paper flowers, and here is where humans and Monsters, rich and poor, come together to get it all out and forgive. Mostly these are heated discussions that end in hand-shakes and smiles, but occasionally a scuffle breaks out; it's fine, they're getting it out of their systems. c. Shopping District The Goblin Market is bustling with activity, lately, just a little more out in the open than they were before. The selection of vendors seem... maybe just a little less shady. Some are eager to whisper gossip about the change, telling curious Mirrorbound that oh, it's too dangerous lately to sell items that aren't above the board, so to speak. Why, some of those sellers, the ones with living wares, they've taken a huge hit to their coinpurses from merchandise disappearing! Seems fair and just, doesn't it? Would you like to look at some of their own fine products? All ethically sourced, of course, this shed Faun antler was purchased fair and square from a willing Monster! 'Ethically sourced' is a big trend this month for Goblin Market sellers, with similar phrases scrawled across stall signs and banners to indicate that their ingredients were sourced fairly, given freely. They carry a wide variety of Monster parts for re-sale, though most of it are parts that could have been obtained without harming the Monster, and Witch's blood, donated, they'll say. Potions and charms to temporarily mimic a Bond, talismans that supposedly keep a Monster from going feral, they offer all kinds of specialty items, though still none of it is sanctioned by the Coven. With Samuin coming up at the end of the month, the wares laid across tables become more colorful, and more... interesting. Talismans made of dyed Harpy feathers and papery shed Naga skin promise to ward off ill-intent going into the new year, and several vendors are hawking samples of a potion that, they claim, will allow you to speak to dead loved ones. To Mirrorbound, they may claim these magical concoctions will let them speak to loved ones beyond the glass - but these claims are patently false, and the potions have a wide array of side-effects, including hallucinations, paranoia, skin or hair changing colors, or a burning fever that only abates when the afflicted cuddles up to someone close. Luckily, these symptoms will wear off in just a few hours. You're liable to start a fight if you ask for your money back, though. d. Harbor District The Harbor District is lively this time of year. Besides the Samuin traditions the entirety of Aefenglom enjoy, the sailors have their own. During the day, many of them set up tables wherever they can find the space to help each other make bright, painted lanterns to hang on the sides of their ships, to ward off evil spirits and welcome the good spirits. If you have some time to spare, they'll say, you're welcome to paint a lantern to hang outside your door! Then, every evening, the parties start at dusk and last clear until dawn, often spilling out of the bars and taverns into the streets. Drunk revelers play shabby instruments and sing folk songs and sea shanties, and they lead each other in exuberant dances under hanging lanterns. If asked, any seaman will tell you that you have to get it all out of your system before the new year begins! One last hurrah of drunken fun! (Several of them will swear they're going to cut back their drinking and be more serious - they've been saying the same thing every Octeuril for years.) Even the children in the orphanges around the factories get in on the fun, in their own way, making paper masks of fanciful creatures, and going door to door, or even just from street to street, to ask for trinkets, money and food so that they can have a good Samuin at the end of the year. But if you don't give them anything, well. They consider a kick in the shins to be proper retribution. Children can be so mischievous. Despite having less than most, the people of the Harbor District and the sailors are quick to welcome new faces into their parties, happy to include any Mirrorbound, and the Monster refugees from Dorchacht, sharing drinks and conversation. "It's nuts, what's happening up there," the sailors say, eager to share the latest gossip from their trade routes. "It's not much in or out of Dorchacht right now, is it? After chaos broke out and all. Their Resistance seems to be holding strong, and good for them, aye! Maybe we'll see things improve up there yet!" They'll toast to good luck for the Resistance, and good luck for the refugees, and good luck for the Mirrorbound alike.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up now as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the October's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

iv

[bloodwit]

[ viren had been eyeing the potions with proper skepticism, though this faltered in lieu of his typicial burning curiosity. it's something that he weighs absentmindedly in his palm, listening as the vendor prattles on about its fantastical effects. focused as he is, he doesn't registered the footsteps of someone encroaching from behind (a little too quiet, and maybe now a little too close) — when ah. that is someone familiar. ]

[ startled nonetheless, viren ends up jumping to the side, head whipping about. ]

Aaravos.

[ one of these goddamn days, he swears he'll stop being caught off guard by his appearance. viren swallows, reeling from a mix of bewilderment and-- relief, probably. something like that. patrolling the house of mirrors for several days, only to be met with disappointment, had also been... familiar. ]


[ he gives the man a look-over (down to his heels, up up and -- more up, to the tips of his horns). ]

You arrived, after all.

[themidnightstar]

Ahhh...

[It's more of a sigh than a sound of acknowledgement, as though hearing his name from another's lips was something he'd missed more than words could say. He straightens from Viren's ear and stands still as the other man looks him over. There's the familiar look of calculation in the mage's face and he can imagine he has many questions.

But instead of answering the other man immediately, Aaravos bows his head, pressing a hand over his heart.]

Lord Viren, then our shared dream was not simply one of fancy?

[bloodwit]

... It seems not.

[ comes the admittance. and, yes, aaravos best bet his ass that means his mind's racing through the meanings and possibilities of that.

his eyes having had briefly widened, he readjusts his posture. he still has to look up at the man — something he's unaccustomed to, having looked down others (metaphorically, literally) most his life — but he'd like to at least try to look more dignified. having realized he's still holding the dumb potion, he quickly replaces it on the counter behind him.

he affects the slightest of bow of his head, facetious as it is, gesturing off to the side with his newfound freehand while he keeps his eyes trained the elf. ]

But... welcome, to Aefenglom. [ a thin smile, that disappears as he straightens. from the tone alone, the other man would probably be able to tell how he detests their situation. ] I take it you've already been enjoying yourself.

[themidnightstar]

Aefenglom... The city you spoke of? [If the strange dream had been true, then they had met before he'd even woken here and learned of this place and the way being here might effect each of them.

And, more telling, is Viren's voice. Easy to see how the mage must chafe at being here, at the loss of what he had been working towards, although it was perhaps a better situation than he'd been in when Aaravos had seen him before the dream.

He demurred, straightening and falling to Viren's side and slightly behind; mirroring their stance in the dream.] After so long without anyone else, this place is almost overwhelming to the senses. I am grateful to have a familiar voice to offer me guidance in this world.

[His gaze trailed over Viren's face and form briefly before returning to the crowds and celebrations.] Much is strange here.

[bloodwit]

Believe me, it gets worse.

[ if 'more strange' is now 'worse.' or perhaps it'll be better for the elf. ]

I'll-- show you around, I suppose. It would be best to catch you up to speed.

[ the vendor behind now understands they're to be completely ignored - though they do make a shooing motion and loudly grumble something; if they're going to stop and have a chat, do it without blocking their stall. viren makes a noise of irritated compliance, marching off to the side. he looks over his shoulder, stopping halted a bit more isolated from the crowd.

and he presses in, just a bit, his voice lowered, ]

At the Coven. Were you tested there?

[themidnightstar]

[He allows Viren to lead the way, following after him with slower steps and taking care to remain close but slightly behind. Near enough to hear Viren's words without overtaking him.

Once they are clear of the crowd, Aaravos tilts his head to listen to the lowered murmur and thinks back. He was of course told of the effects coming here had on them all, in one way or another, and the offered testing that had seemed the best way to swiftly prepare himself for what to expect and what to focus on. His hands fold behind his back as he nods in agreement, watching Viren from beneath the shadow of his hood.]

In Xadia I was a mage, here I am to be a witch. The word matters little.

[A pause and then, almost as though the idea had only now occurred to him, his eyes widen slightly and his voice is almost surprised.] Have you not found the same for yourself?

[bloodwit]

[ that's -- something welcome to hear.

someone he has an "allegiance" to, someone on his side of the drawn battle lines, being a witch; that's where the power lied. he almost smirks with the revelation. but at the same time, viren can't help but feel a pang of misplaced jealousy at the news, the hands at his sides curling slightly (the claws rigorously filed down as of late, as it so happens). ]

As I am sure you have figured, primal magic, dark magic... It is all different here.

[ he responds, initially, after regarding the startouch elf another moment. undoubtedly, as an elven mage, he's sure aaaravos would learn quickly. he doesn't need to know much to put that one together. ]

[ as answer to the question, his lip curls with purpose, jaws parting; the movement reveals sharp canines, and neatly pointed, elongated teeth. ]

I have not.

[themidnightstar]

[As much as Viren might try to hide it - the pause, the way his hands tighten for just a moment - it all paints a clear picture to him, although Aaravos gives little away except for an ever so slight glance downwards. A difference between them again, a reason that Viren would need him and something he could gain from the other man. A familiar dance.

He inclines his head, listening and watching from the carefully lowered position, accepting the information offered of magic without any question. It had already seemed obvious and Viren likely had found it equally so. But then there's that revelation and he lets surprise show then, his eyes widening at the sight of sharp teeth and his hand raising in an aborted attempt to reach out before he settles on touching his own chin instead.]

Ah... [Again the sound drags past his lips as it he were weighing the revelation.]

Then the other fate here, the power that these people label 'monster', that is how they see you? How foolish of them.

[bloodwit]

[ viren watches as the would-be touch subsides; he's reminded of when he'd acted on impulse to reach out to the mirror, try to feel the warmth (cold? he doesn't know) of the other's contact. but his mind's moving too fast for that, particularly as he swallows aaravos' words, which dredge up something ugly curling up inside of him, like some stony snake. ]

I know.

[ it'd been - months of this, resentment toward those that had magic so easily at their fingertips, manifesting in lowly undercuts, scathing and yet essentially meaningless looks. that was the worst bit, that there was nothing to be done about it. ]

[ his response, the spark of anger he feels, ignites the tinder of his pride. he gesticulates to the side, and the scales at the underside of his wrist, barely hidden by his sleeve, glint gold in the dim lighting. the sleeve falls to cover them again. ]

Compared to what could've been accomplished, back home — [ what he could be accomplishing. he forces himself to stillness again, even if fangs remain bared. ] — the Witches here, they're ineffectual.

[ useless. impractical. unpragmatic. ]

They know nothing of it.

[ nor will they, ever, begin to know of it. ]

[themidnightstar]

Such is what happens to those granted power who never had to work for it. They don't appreciate what it is that they have been granted.

[His hand extends to just short of Viren's wrist and the sheen of scales there.]

But you know what it is to have gained and lost power. You have an appreciation and an... opportunity.

[His fingertips brush lightly against the inside of Viren's wrist and Aaravos sighs, his eyes closing for a moment. Then they open again, gold catching the light as he stares down at the other man.]

You have an understanding of magic here already, of these Witches and Monsters, and I would offer my power for you to direct once more. Together, we could be stronger than any force here could rival.

[bloodwit]

[ his eyes widen at the movement, the brush against his wrist met with an intake of breath; aaravos would be the first to touch his scales, here. but the man doesn't seem to recoil -- instead embraces his monsterhood for all that it's worth. and of course, he speaks truth as viren sees it to be: they don't appreciate what it is that they have been granted.

and here's a Witch, essentially, offering this to be his. he stares back into his eyes, searching for a moment. there's the lingering mistrust for an elf, for a mysterious being such as aaravos, reminding viren just how much he doesn't know.

but ...

there would be no harm to it. he can only gain from this. like they've acknowledged, their allegiance still stood firm. ]

[ he allows his arm to drop to his side. the initial incitement towards anger has vanished, and instead there's a slow nod, accepting the words. ]

[ he next ventures, cautiously, ]

Then, you have heard of... the bonds here, Aaravos?