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

[haillenarte]

Truly? Never?

[that surprises francel enough that he stops in the middle of reading the spine of one particularly overblown volume: the elements of scrying: a complete guide to divination by the one and only sorceress of worldwide renown — it goes on for several more lines caught beneath francel's thumb.]

Were there no such libraries in your world?

[veilfires]

Oh! [He laughs, not having meant to mislead, but now thinking of the libraries he has spent ages in. Libraries not stocked with books but with collected thoughts and memories. For simplicity's sake he decides against trying to explain that just now. Though even the simpler story requires a bit of exposition.]

Yes, there were. But I was a wanderer who avoided towns by necessity. Though I enjoyed that lifestyle, it did mean I often lacked opportunities to avail myself of books at all.

[He puts a deciding finger on Trevithick's Encyclopaedia of Divination - Vol IV: Predictive & Prophetic Dreaming and begins to take it out as he speaks.]

When I took up a position that carries with it the privilege of ordering my own books, I seized upon that with a hunger. Having books delivered to my desk to peruse at my leisure – that was a new and delightful novelty. [He smiles fondly in recollection of his extensive book lists and Josephine’s patient, professional courtesy in seeing those requests met.]

Still, it did not compare to this past week. Here there has been nothing but time, my questions about this place - and the answers, sitting in wait, scattered through these countless tomes.

[haillenarte]

[solas's response raises more questions about him than does it provide answers, and there are a great many things that have piqued francel's interest towards him, but it seems best simply to tackle one thing at a time. he nods, in agreement, for all that solas has said.]

What questions have you about this place?

[though it would also be nice to ask solas why he was a wanderer. an adventurer or mercenary of some sort, perhaps?]

I've many of mine own, of course, but I confess myself curious to hear your logic.

[veilfires]

I imagine most of my questions are similar to yours… How does this world connect to my own? How might I leave it? [a wry smile that doesn’t touch his wan, tired eyes. He’s had a few sleepless nights.

He considers how to answer in a way that is not overly strange or mad – they know nothing of each others’ worlds, after all, and he doesn’t know how much Francel knows. He sees this meeting as a chance to pick Francel’s brain on those points, so he doesn’t want to at once divebomb this conversation into the abstract and arcane, if that is not a place he can follow.]

Some, perhaps, are more particular to my own interests - that is true. One of those is: how is it that we yet dream? Evidently, there is some manner of dream realm where our collective subconscious goes in sleep. As you and I experienced. But it is frustratingly elusive, here. [Emphasis on the frustrating. There is some manner of passage that is allowing everyone to dream, imagine and create as they do, but it is not one he’s yet able to find. He thumbs the encyclopedia through to its index.]

When one turns to look at it directly, it shies away. The walls between the worlds are so dense...

[haillenarte]

[encouragingly, francel nods in agreement; he can follow this much of solas's strangeness, at least.]

Leaving is my priority, as well. I would like to understand the mechanisms by which individuals are selected to come here — I confess myself skeptical of the idea that all of us have been spirited away through mere happenstance — but this pales in comparison to the investigation of... some magic that might take us home, I suppose.

[pursing his lips slightly, francel stares wearily at the spine of a new tome, then shelves it without further ado.]

...When you say you are confused as to how we dream — do you mean to say that we should not be able to dream, or merely that we should not be capable of shared dreams?

[veilfires]

We must keep trying. I will not soon turn my back on my responsibility to the world I have left behind.

[That agreement met,]

How we dream at all! This world defies all I know of magic and people. [Not for the first time.]

Our dreams are fundamental to who we are as creative, emotional beings. It is not the Coven’s thinking, but I theorise there is a closer connection between this world and the realm of dreams. That would explain how we yet imagine, and how witches can cast magic.

[haillenarte]

[francel frowns; he does not take up a new book. this is an answer to his question, certainly, and one that he had partially deduced from solas's own phrasing, and yet — it doesn't make sense. how are men not able to dream, wherever solas is from? everyone dreams, in eorzea — some, francel has heard, can even dream of the future. a shared dream is unlike anything he has ever experienced before, but it doesn't seem impossible.

he considers his response carefully. he does not want to make it sound as though he thinks solas is mistaken, of course; the man seems more intelligent and assured of himself than any other stranger francel has met in this world.]

...Where I hail — a land called Ishgard, although the basics are more or less agreed upon throughout our continent of Aldenard — magic is performed through the manipulation of aether. I have never been blessed with any skill in the aetherial arts, and when I arrived here, the Coven informed me, similarly, that I did not have the aptitude to become what they call a Witch. Thus I had assumed that their magic is essentially similar to the magic that is found in Aldenard.

Is it not the same in your homeland?

[veilfires]

[Solas, too, stops perusing the encyclopedia in his hands. He inclines his head toward Francel, to indicate he is listening and considering both.]

It may be different. If you have not received an education in the aetherial arts, [he picks up new terminology, at least, readily enough] it may be difficult to say. Do you know where aether comes from? Is it intrinsic to the physical world, or sourced from the users' own bodies...?

[haillenarte]

[francel has to flounder for a moment, somewhat flustered as most men would be when asked a scientific question with one's schooling years long behind them. it is a difficult question, moreover — how is one to define aether to one who has never heard of the concept?

nevertheless, francel musters a response after a short pause.]

Aether is — life energy, I suppose. It forms the foundation stones of all creation. Living beings are composed of aether, as it flows through all things — earth, water, fire, air. When men and women die, their aether is returned to the Lifestream... an aetherial sea, a great font of aether said to lie at the planet's core.

[does that... make any sense? halone have mercy.]

Healing arts such as conjury and destructive arts such as thaumaturgy rely on the manipulation of aether in the surrounding environs. I have heard tell of magics that draw from the user's own wellspring of aether, but they are said to be dangerous, and not oft studied in my homeland.

[veilfires]

[He closes his book to pay full attention, fingers tucked still in the page he had it open to. He listens attentively, and when Francel finishes, drums his knuckles on the book’s cover as he considers.

It’s new to him, but the ideas strike him as immediately poignant. He repeats the concept in his own words, wistful.]

Life flows from and returns to the aetherial sea. All feeling life connected in an ever-shifting cycle.

[He nods.] There are strong commonalities. Natural capacity determines who is able to manipulate aether in Aldenard, and who is able to use magic in Geargadas. One either has that connection, or they do not – as you have noted. The same holds true for the ‘mages’ of my world.

A difference I perceive as important is that aether, as you describe it, is drawn from a larger, common source. [He gestures as if drawing a line.] Magic of my world is likewise drawn from the Fade. [He breaks the line, and lays his palm flat.]

Geargadas’ magic, however, is sourced only from the Witch’s own body. There is little Coven literature available on the dreaming realm, let alone the otherworld, apparently blocked to us by a veil. We Witches do not appear to have a conscious connection to magic outside of ourselves. If that is truly the beginning and end of magic here, if there is no greater world connecting us all and making our dreams felt – well.

I suspect there is, as there is in my world and yours. [He half-shrugs, with a wry smile of a man who knows he speaks overlong on subjects most important to him.] I’m curious to find out.

[haillenarte]

( continued here! )