Intro Log: May

[moustre]

Intro Log: May, Game Start

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 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. Besides the new arrivals, however, there's one more person in the building, and only one. A young teen stands; previously bored and mulish, he's now owl-eyed and slackjawed as he takes in each arrival, either from the mirrors or coming from another floor as you try to get your bearings. In his hands he's clutching a broom like a security blanket, until - "M... Miss Nessie! Miss Nessie, something's happened!" he yells, as he drops the broom and turns tail out of the building. Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is clear, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, regardless of their waning crescent phases. Follow, or explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in? 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. "MISS NESSIE" Whether you've decided to follow the hapless young man, 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. The woman covers her mouth with a soft "Oh my!" as she surveys those who begin to crowd in, and she turns to the werewolf (?), lowering her hand once more. (The handful of others who'd come with her peer as best they can from a ways behind her with unconcealed curiosity, closer to the door out than not. The boy previously seen before he ran off can be spotted at the very back of the group.) "This is right unexpected, isn't it?" She not-quite whispers, delight and confusion in equal measure in her voice. Her companion makes a quiet noise in her throat, unscarred eye narrowed - it's hard to tell if that delight is one shared by both parties. "Well, they've always said the veil is thinner during Boaltinn... We'll have to talk to James and see if he was doing anything other than cleaning, we will, but for now, we've got a full house to attend to, don't we? Ah, if they're all Witches, that'll be something, it will!" Without wasting another beat - much to the fond irritation of her companion, certainly - the woman turns back to the newcomers of Aefenglom, clapping her hands together in glee. "Well then! I'm certain you all have many, many questions... As do we! First thing's first, though, first thing's first! I am Nerissa Bell, the Head Witch of the Coven - that's where this house is located right now, on Coven grounds - and this is my Bonded, Mhairi Ainsley. Don't worry, she's a right softie despite her looks! You can simply call me Miss Nessie - everyone does, short of those stuffy folks up in the Parliament, but, well, that's just how things are with them, I suppose." She pauses a beat, for breath, before continuing with a wave of her hand; dozens of chairs and stools, all surprisingly comfortable despite their wooden looks, are conjured in an instant, and Nessie smiles wide as she gives a small bow. "Take a seat, and let's get familiar with one another for a spell! The city'll celebrate without us one way or another, and we've already finished our business for tonight anyway. Isn't that right, Mhairi dear?" Despite the onslaught of information and excitement at three in the morning, Mhairi inclines her head slightly after a huge sigh; her voice is likely exactly as expected, low and akin to a growl. "Best to take advantage of the distraction. Let's begin, before I have to report this to Parliament." 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.

III. THE COVEN 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, a solution is presented. Though they certainly can't answer every question, Nerissa and Mhairi promise to help find the answers, and open the doors of the Coven to all new arrivals in the Looking-Glass House. The walk from the quaint cottage to the imposing structure ahead is lit only by magic provided by Miss Nessie and the Witches accompanying her, as well as the path of stepping stones coming aglow with each step that's taken across them. Beyond the courtyard, with its high, opalescent walls, a city can be seen. There are torches accompanying the flickering light posts outside, and the sounds of life clear even this far from the heart of Aefenglom, something that sounds like... merriment? Festivities are in full swing, even this close to dawn. The rest of the world continues on, even though you've arrived, confused and perhaps missing a few aspects of your usual persons. But while they certainly weren't expecting to spend the festival like this, the Coven has worked as quickly as it can. Their doors, decorated in cowslip flowers, are wide open - welcoming to the public, and to new arrivals as well. The Coven's main building has a surprisingly large front room, compared to its outside; the ceiling stretches ever onward, with stairs of the solidly-flush-against-the-wall variety and floating-ethereally-in-the-middle-of-things variety both. Magic and mundane intermingle as if meant to, with brooms inscribed with runes to clean making quick work of dirt and dust, shadowy figures opening and closing doors as people enter and exit, plates of snacks drifting around as if carried by invisible servers. The brooms are especially attentive to the door as new arrivals step in - they don't apologize for knocking into anyone, and really, anyone particularly scruffy will get swept at until the brooms are satisfied. None of this seems to mind the Witches coming in, with small murmurs of gratitude given to the busybody brooms instead of reprimands. Doors lead this way and that, on higher floors and on the ground floor, but runes glow by their frames in indecipherable patterns. 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, and Nessie waits for things to calm before she steps up the floating stairs and addresses the room. "We'll see to it you all have lodgings for a bit, we will, but for now, the festival's still going on - if you couldn't tell!" She laughs a little, hands on her hips. "There's nothing we can do about things right now, so you might as well enjoy yourselves, you might. If any of you want to stay in 'til morning though, well, we can provide - just mind your manners, magic's real particular about them. At least," she winks, head tilting with the motion, "that's how I teach all my classes, it is." Those deciding to stay will be lead to doors that seem to follow no real pattern by native Witches; the rule is "two to a bed," so get cozy with the person next to you. They're the ones you'll be sleeping with tonight. The beds aren't too small - enough to accommodate at least three humans - and they're fairly comfortable too, for their old-looking age.

IV. BOALTINN For those who journey out into the city, they'll be sent off with a word of warning to keep out of trouble from Mhairi, to find everything still quite lively - and still quite unaware of what's taken place. There's very little left to the shadows, with dim light filling in the gaps between the flickering streetlamps and the extra candles and such people have put up themselves. Curiously, small bonfires seem to follow a pattern, culminating into a wide plaza in the center of the Residential District where a larger, brighter one burns, with people dancing around it, their clothing jingling softly with little bells hanging from their hems. The same is mirrored on the direct other side of the city - the only difference is in who's dancing. The Eastern Bonfire has more visibly humanoid beings enjoying themselves, while the Western Bonfire has creatures more monstrous in looks. Regardless, they all seem to be happy- And the reason is this: Boaltinn, a festival lasting the next two dusks. The nights and early mornings are filled with flickering firelight, while the morning and daytime have all but the small fires leading the way to the giant bonfires extinguished; the bonfires, however, stay lit. - and in general, it seems the city is quite happy, quite cheerful, and quite close. a. The Bonfires The main attraction of Boaltinn, as they are with any fire festival, the bonfires on each side of the city are tended to by various Monsters every hour of the day. While much of the scenes are similar - there's plenty of food to be shared, with those partaking in it cowed into sitting with someone else regardless of how familiar they might be, and children of all kinds play together and invite those sitting or watching to come too, in all manner of games, such as jacks, hopscotch, and running ribbons around the tall poles at the bonfires. But there are marked differences, too. The Eastern Bonfire primarily has humans or those that can pass as humanoid in attendance, and they're much friendlier to those who look similar to them; to those that look a little more monster-like, though, their replies are far more curt and their shoulders colder. The area around the bonfire is also littered with trinkets and baubles, all shiny and new and utterly forgotten by their playmates; the ribbon poles are similarly new, made professionally as if by commission. 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. Meanwhile, the Western Bonfire has primarily those who are more monstrous in looks, and they're similarly friendlier to those who resemble them, with a similar brusque and cold manner to those who look more human. The area around the bonfire is carefully kept clean, however, and the ribbon poles look handcrafted from lumber and grass, with tightly-woven knots and clumsily-made paper decorations. Those attending here are also invited to jump through the flames, but no such protection is offered; it's simply assumed that, as a Monster, you're likely much better at handling a little fire. b. A Little Entertainment It isn't only the bonfire celebrations that one can participate in, however. All throughout both the East and West Residential Districts, as well as a portion of the Shopping and Entertainment Districts, there's a number of stalls, stands, and stores available for perusal. Take a gander at the rest of the city and find something to do. Of note: Divination readings are available in various stalls, set up by Coven-official Witches as well as homegrown ones, with tarot cards that vary from pristine art pieces that one would almost hesitate to touch to the personally drawn and cut. They offer free readings, enticing all who pass by to join them at their table. Good or bad, the cards seem to bring with them lessons and words of wisdom, interpreted expertly by those handling them... or as expertly as possible; some readings seem a little unsure and muddy. Regardless of belief, those who take part in these readings will suddenly find their day going either exceptionally well or incredibly poor, depending on the overall feel of their reading. Carts and booths are available for one to partake in more food, however there's a stipulation to taking anything from these vendors: one must share this food with others, either in pairs or a group. While relations between humans and beasts seem to be a little frosty, they can be seen intermingling a tad more freely when it comes to this portion of the celebrations, sharing the treats and small meals that are being offered to everyone. The food available all seem to be those easy to hold in hand, not unlike modern-day food trucks; of note, the thin pancake wraps seem to be the most popular, with a bubbly drink similar to a milkshake filled to the brim with drinking straws for best sharing experience coming in second. Flavors are plentiful and varied, though they err closer to the fruits, vegetables, and spices side of the spectrum. Finally, the more pleasure-based businesses offer the chance to relax one's weary feet and take a chance with a little aromatherapy with their rose baths. While traditionally this had its roots in imbuing the bather with good tidings and blessings for the upcoming seasons (or so they'll say when asked), nowadays, it's simply become a luxury treatment for those needing a little TLC. The waters here do have the added bonus of making those who share them friendlier and more talkative with their partner(s) - and yes, all baths are a shared experience. Rather than being split by sex, baths are split by monster and human; co-ed bathing exists for those who don't mind mingling with the opposite species, and if really pressed, they can offer separate baths for different sexes, but their focus seems elsewhere. c. Impulsive Compulsion Throughout the whole festival, new arrivals, particularly those with magic talent gifted to them by the world, will feel like they can do anything and will push themselves to the limit. While not inherently detrimental, those who feel it will become more reckless, their inhibitions lessened and impulses heightened; trying new things is easy as pie, with any thoughts of fear left far in the back of their minds. While magic is highly discouraged on festival days, given their rest day quality, those under the spell of Boaltinn's madness will feel the temptation to try some anyway, regardless of knowing the proper way of performing it - perhaps it's about time to try out what one discovered in that strange dream... Those found doing magic will get a firm scolding, but no actual punishment; it's only looked down on, and they'll be cautioned against using too much. If any property damage occurs due to reckless magic use, however, there are fines; those without any money to their name can be recruited to pay it off by working at the buildings and stalls they may have accidentally damaged, serving people, looks, or whatever else the business might offer.

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 technically most of them won't start until after festivities, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the May 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

[honoraboveall]

[Symon had paused merely to fold his shirt as he shucked his clothes off and gave the man a bit of a half-smile. As he continues to strip down, it reveals a deep, barely scabbed over wound on his thigh, clear bite marks both on the front and back of his leg, deep, with the surrounding flesh heavily bruised.
His clothes soon make a neat pile, and he slips into the water, utterly unselfconscious of his nudity.

A low sigh slipped past his lips, the water was perfect, just on the right side of hot, and it seemed to sink deep into his bones, releasing an ache from the wound on his thigh. This place is luxurious far more than any public bath in Korvosa. He feels an odd easing in his chest, and sinks back even more. ]

You certainly weren't lying. Water's more than fine, I'm worried I'm might drift off right here.

[rowdyraven]

[Julian sees it there, the raw-looking wounds on the other man's bared thigh, injuries barely begun to heal. Quite unconsciously, one hand begins to life from the rose-scented water--

--only to fall back again as he recalls with quick and startling clarity that he can't do that anymore. For three years, he'd had that magic in him, the ability to take other people's wounds onto his own body with a touch, where they would promptly heal. But it's been over a month now, since he lost that gift. Subtly, he frowns.]

Well, the water should certainly do you good but um...what happened to your leg? That's some injury you've got there.

[He's still a doctor, even without the Hanged Man's healing seal. Though he doubts there's all that much he could do for a half-healed injury like that besides give advice to keep it clean.]

[honoraboveall]

Ahh, [Symon's mouth crimps and he shifts the limb underwater; the warmth actually seems to be doing quite a lot of good for the wound. ] I had to fight an alligator. I cannot recommend the experience, I have to say. [The cant of his mouth deepens personally amused. As he speaks, his fingers drift up almost idly to his shoulder, to the rather impressive scar that mars his pale skin, tracing over its uneven surface.]

[rowdyraven]

An alligator, you say?

[His brow lifts high towards his hairline, and his expression, it visibly brightens. And whilst his eye catches on the movement of the other man's hand, draws his attention to the savage scar that decorates his shoulder-- well.

One story at a time.]

It sounds like there must be a tale behind that. Fancy elaborating?

[honoraboveall]

There certainly is. [And now that that world was left far behind him no need to keep it a secret.] Me and a rather mismatched set of individuals were all tasked with killing this one man, Gadreon in our city. [The words easily roll off his tongue, his voice curling into a rich story-teller's cadence.] Gadreon was a rather nasty man who had a strangle-hold on all the unsavory aspects of our city, but he had holed himself up away in a this warehouse full of unpleasant surprises. One of which was this alligator, who I do believe he made sport with feeding some of his victims too. As we were attacking him, his pet came out to play; not out of loyalty, but the scent of blood. I was the one closest to it, so perforce, [He gestures to his leg.] I got out lucky too. Hurt it bad enough that it slid back into the waters. [He leaves out the part where Gadreon appeared to be little more than a suit of skin stretched over rot that could still move and talk. It seemed a little much for a first conversation.]

No worries! and if it's easier I don't mind switching to prose.

[rowdyraven]

[Ah. Good. This is, evidently, precisely what he'd wanted to hear. Whilst he's happiest playing the story-teller, he's also partial to hearing a tale of adventure or two, himself. He settles back a little further into the water as the other man begins, the glitter of his one visible eye resting - attentive - on his companion's face.

He makes encouraging sounds in all the right places, punctuated by appropriate facial expressions of surprise and interest. Leans a little forward in the rose-scented water as the story nears its conclusion.]

Ah, well. He sounds like a thoroughly unpleasant sort, just waiting to get his comeuppance. And the alligator! How did you manage to hurt it? And was the villain apprehended, in the end?

Oh gosh, if you don't mind, thank you <3

[honoraboveall]

"He was indeed." Symon replied, "Got just what he deserved; his head taken from his shoulders." He sinks a little deeper into the bath, into the warm, idle pleasure that it provides.

"The alligator?" He laughs, a touch wry, "Despite their armor, their eyes are still soft. "

no worries, I have no real perference! I just default to brackets because everyone else does haha

[rowdyraven]

Subtly, Julian winces upon hearing of the beheading, sucks air in between his teeth, makes a face. "What a messy business, but it sounds as though he had it coming. That's what comes of being a tyrant, eh?"

He settles back a little himself, but his eye remains bright and fixed on the other man's face. Quite thoroughly attentive. "And yes, I suppose an alligator's eyes must be as soft as anyone else's. Hah! Can't say I've ever been up close and personal with such a creature, myself. Though I was once almost beheaded. A narrow escape, but here I am, alive to tell the tale."

[honoraboveall]

"I cannot really recommend the experience." Symon's voice is wry. But then at the confession, his eyebrow rose. "Well, I see here you are, your head still on your shoulders, how did you manage keep it that way?" There was no denying the curiosity in his voice, the way it sparked in his eyes. "Just a step ahead of enemies?"

he talks a lot, I apologise

[rowdyraven]

"Hah! Well, in a sense, I suppose. Though not through daring and swashbuckling my way out of, it I'm afraid. I was traveling on a spice ship across the Southern Sea, working as a physician in exchange for free passage. Halfway into the journey, though, we ran afoul of a pirate ship out on the open water, miles from anywhere, quite without aid. We tried to outrun them, but spice ships, in case you aren't aware, aren't exactly built with speed in mind, and before long canons were fired and with our ship scuppered, we were quickly boarded.

"We all took up arms and fought, of course, as bravely and valiantly as all were able but...well. It was a merchant vessel, and the people traveling aboard her were hardly hardened sea dogs ready to fight to kill, and the ship was already sinking besides. The skirmish was over rather quickly, and the pirates swiftly rounded us up, began with the executions. They beheaded the captain first, then the rest of the crew one by one, blood spilling bright on the decks and, ah...I wasn't quite the skilled charmer I am now, and my fighting skills left a lot to be desired, but just as one of the miscreants lifted his sword to relieve me of my head, I shouted out to the captain 'I'm a doctor, sir, and that foot of yours looks gangrenous!'"

With the tale in full swing, Julian lifts his hands from the water, holds them up as though in surrender. Voice wavering convincingly as he makes that last statement, as though in fear of his life. With a quick grin, he continues on.

"And they decided then and there that rather then murdering me, they'd keep me instead. So that's how I ended up the captive physician of a murderous gang of pirates for...well, a couple of years, at least."

Don't apologize! I love chatty boys c:

[honoraboveall]

Symon listens to this tale the corner of his mouth turning up. There's no denying the other man has the flair of a bard, and the entire thing is rather entertaining. "Well, I must say that was some clever thinking." His head tilted, thinking, "So you were in the crew of these pirates...did you ever feel like you were a part of them?"

okay good!

[rowdyraven]

Julian lifts a shoulder in a lazy kind of shrug, sends ripples moving out across the scented water.

"Oh, I suppose I got used to it, in the end. I'm um, well I've been aboard ships my whole life, so nothing much took me by surprise. And whilst they didn't always treat me well, they weren't too severe with me, either. You know, what with me being useful to them and all. So in the end, I think they considered me part of the crew, even if - for myself - I was always on the lookout for a way to slip the leash, so to speak," he raises a brow, flashes his debonair smile, "I had other things to be getting back to. My sister was obviously worried about me. But um, I didn't mind it terribly. And I got some good adventure stories out of it."

[honoraboveall]

"I'm not surprised." Symon replied frankly. "It sounds like a rather lively time after all." He slides his hand through the water, his skin seeming to tingle with a deep sort of pleasure at the warm water, undoing even more of the tension that always lay within him.

"I assume that your escape was one of these good adventure stories?" He asked the man, "Or was it more of a mundane affair?"

[rowdyraven]

"Ah, now there's a tale. You see, as I said, over time the pirates began to see me as less of a captive and more a member of the crew. It was all just a matter of honing my skills of persuasion, something I had plenty of opportunity for during my enforced stay on that particular vessel, and giving them what they wanted willingly enough that eventually they came to trust me.

"Finally, a year or so into my ship-based imprisonment, I was able to sweet talk the captain into letting me go out on a rum run-- just me and two other crewmates, a smuggling venture to the nearest port town. The plan was, we'd row to shore to a collection of caves at the base of the cliff upon which a large part of said town was constructed, where we'd meet a connection who'd supply us with our stolen cargo," He leans in closer then, his smile going wide.

"This was my chance! Even for someone as handy with a sword as myself, a shipload of pirates was a stretch too far, but two pirates and a possible co-conspirator in the caves? Now those were the kinds of odds I could handle."

And he launches, then, into a rather long, rather involved tale involving a dazzling swordfight where he defeated the two pirates and their co-conspirator singlehandedly, only to deign to allow them to live before slipping away into the night.

And it's true...for the most part. The battle in the cave, however, may have received some embellishment. Rather more swashbuckling and rather less running and hiding than actually occurred.

[honoraboveall]

Symon listens to the tale, his eyebrows neatly arching, especially at the parts mentioning the fighting, his gaze flicking over the the other man. The corner of his mouth curls up as the story comes to its end, his hands rising up from the steaming water to let out a soft, gentle sort of clap.

"Definitely a good adventure story." He says quietly, "You have quite a talent, healer and warrior both." He runs wet hands through his pale hair, pushing any stray strands from his features. "So, did you settle into a peaceful life after that, or are you the type to jump from adventure to adventure?"

[rowdyraven]

"Hah!," the sound comes out a little sharper than he intended in the overall hush of the baths, but you'll have to excuse him. He's more than a little drunk, "I don't think the peaceful life is for me, I'm afraid. That was just one tale among many, and far from the strangest, or darkest of them."

Though he frowns just a touch at that. He's sure that, one day, the tale that began in Vesuvia three years ago, when he was plunged into the depths of the plague-strewn city, and all the strange, twisted happenings that spiraled out from that point, will eventually just be another adventure story to tell. One more in his significant list of them. For now though, it still cuts too close to the bone, has too much darkness in it. He shakes his head, sending wet curls spilling into his angular face.

"But...well. Things had been fairly quiet for me this past month. Settled almost, although busy. Which was...nice, actually. I didn't mind it," but then his face splits around a grin, one touched with just a hint of bitterness, "and yet! All good things come to an end, I suppose, and here I am, with you, plunged into yet another strange adventure. Being dragged into some alien, magical world through a mirror will be one for the books, I'd wager."