OPEN MINGLE: Welcome to Thorne

[magicalarchaeologist]

WHO: OPEN to all Summoned in Thorne
WHAT: A party, info dump, and magic study session all rolled into one! Eat, drink, mingle -- make some friends!
WHEN: a couple days after the newest Summoned start appearing
WHERE: a ballroom in Castle Thorne

NOTES: This is an open mingle log where everyone can tag one another!

Rhy Maresh will have sent a written invitation to all Thornean newcomers within a couple of days of their arrival, inviting them to meet their fellow Summoned. Otherwise, there will be fliers posted in the dining area that anyone can see. If your character has CR with Rhy or Istredd (or Kell), you can assume they were told and got an in-person invite -- and you can even assume your character helped with setup if desired (decorations, helping set out food, etc.), since Rhy definitely needed the assistance. Up to you!

Istredd will also be hosting a group meditation to allow newcomers to access to the Horizon (and network). New Summoned who wish to learn how to step into the Horizon have an opportunity to have their connections to the Singularity activated. If preferred, they can also get one-on-one help from those who've been around for a bit. He will also discuss the magic in Abraxas and point them in the direction of teachers of magic, combat, or other things they may be interested in.


Banquet.

The large ballroom is bathed in warm, golden light from dozens of chandeliers above, reflecting off the gleaming inlaid floors and brass light fixtures along the walls. It is at once neatly sectioned, yet naturally open, allowing the length of the room to flow from one potential activity to another with ease.

In the center, a circular area has been left clear, and every half hour or so during the first half of the evening, two native Thornean (apprentice) mages come up to offer magic demonstrations -- mostly flashy elemental magic, adding sparks and atmosphere. If any of the Summoned who've been around longer wish to show off as well, they are welcome to do so.

Along the walls stand narrow refreshment tables, where one can serve oneself wine from large glass carafes. Hot tea is also available in a few flavors. (Though those who have been here a while may notice there are fewer carafes, and more expensive options for alcohol and refreshments are missing this time.) For those looking to eat, a large dining table has been set out toward the center of the room, with plates and utensils and large platters of food in the center -- nothing fancy, but perfectly serviceable, and arranged to look good even if the ingredients themselves aren't nearly as lavish as they have been in the past. Still, despite the impending war and tightened purse strings in the face of shortages, the kitchen has agreed to help welcome the newly Summoned as best as they can.

Both the handful of large tables and the smattering of small, taller tables for standing at are in full view of the demonstrations so the show can be enjoyed with food and drink, whatever your desire. Bright summer flowers garnish every table, freshening up the space.

Of course, there's plenty of space to stand and mingle, walk around, and see what everyone else is up to. In the back of the room, the folding screens offer a quieter area, for more private conversation and meditation as desired.

Magic Studies.

Behind the folding screens made of tall, carved wood in intricate patterns, there are a handful of low sofas and chaise lounges around a fireplace at the far side of the hall. This sectioned-off area has been enchanted to provide some insulation from the sound of the banquet beyond, and once you step inside, the quiet is like a gentle blanket settling over everyone who chooses to spend some time here.

This is the best place to ask questions in some semblance of privacy, to learn about your new home, and to receive guidance on entering the Horizon and using the so-called network of telepathic notes only the Summoned can send one another.

A mage named Istredd seems to be the one 'in charge' of this particular endeavor, but others who have been in Abraxas a while are likely also about, lending their assistance to those who are newly arrived and sharing thoughts on their experiences so far.

Just be careful -- even if the insulating enchantment is sturdy, there are still Thornean natives around, refilling refreshments outside and demonstrating their magic. You may want to be careful how candidly you discuss any displeasure toward Thorne or its crown, considering the Queen's notoriously explosive temper, and the rumors of the dungeons deep beneath the castle. It's hardly a secret, at this point: a conflict has been sparked, and the mood around the castle is a tense one, even amidst a celebration such as this.

(( ooc: Feel free to make your own top levels and tag around! This is meant to be an open mingle, with the above as mostly setting and flavor, so don't feel limited if you want your character to do their own magic demonstrations, for example, or even if your thread ends up moving outside the ballroom. Have fun!

It should be noted that if you would like to handwave your character's first experience to the Horizon, you can do so. It's a blanket permission from me / Istredd that he took your character there, helped them leave, and showed them how to go back in with their memory now.

This was written by Lena aka Rhy player! Contact me @ waftingcurtains with any questions otherwise just roll with it, friends. ))

Comments

[schlick]

( choosing a room essentially consisted of spinning around in a circle and picking one at random, which works for robin, because her qualifications for a room are 1.) four walls and 2.) a door that closes. bed preferred but not needed — but hey, this room is pretty nice. kind of hobbit-y ... elf-y? something either a very conservative princess, or dustin henderson, would find absolutely perfect. )

Ah! ( she shouts at natasha's arrival, jumping in the air at the shock, and immediately leading to ) Sorry! I'm — ( and when she turns to look at her, only to see a lady who is both very pretty and very wet? robin turns back around, covering her eyes. ) Sorry, sorry! I'm totally trespassing, aren't I? I was ... ( not doing something creepy?????? ) I will leave. That's what I will do, I will leave, yes.

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha just chuckles at the girl’s reaction, not looking bothered by this in the least. In fact, she just crosses to one of the beds on the far side of the room and sinks down on the edge, drying the blond ends of her hair. ]

It’s fine, you’re not intruding. I was just surprised. Did you just get here?

[ She’d been warned this happened every so often, even this is her first time experiencing it since her own arrival. ]

[schlick]

( the squeak of the mattress has robin turning back around on her heels in slow motion, shoulders tensed up as if anticipating a blow — verbal more likely than physical, but still. she turns and is greeted just by a continuously pretty lady, with continuously wet hair, so at least there's some consistency.

after a beat, she takes a seat on the bed opposite, squeezing her hands between her knees. )

Oh, yeah. Guess I'm a newbie. ( robin offers up a short laugh. ) But I go by Robin, too.

[widows_kiss]

[ She doesn’t miss the nervousness, but she doesn’t do anything to draw attention to it either. Merely continues acting as if this were a perfectly normal occurrence as she settles comfortably and shoots the girl a crooked smile. ]

Robin, then. I’m Natasha. I’ve been here for a couple of months now, but I’m still pretty new myself. [ In comparison to the couple of years some of her friends had on her, anyway. ] At least, new enough that I still feel like I’m playing catch-up half the time, but long enough to have stopped pinching myself when something weird happens.

[ Which, unfortunately, seems to keep happening a lot. ]

[schlick]

Months?

( and that's new?? dramatic in a way that only a teenager can achieve, robin groans, throwing herself onto her back on the bed, folding her hands over her stomach. )

I hope it doesn't get weirder than waking up naked in a tub. Really would not like to repeat that experience. ( her hands move up, flattening over her face. ) I'm gonna miss band practice!

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha presses her lips together but it's to stifle a sudden laugh more than anything. Now she feels old. Band practice. Really? ]

I'm pretty sure all further incidents of nakedness will be purely voluntary on your part. [ Her tone is thick with amusement as she watches the dramatic display. ] Although there's certainly plenty of weird to go around otherwise. We've been kidnapped to a magic castle, after all.

[schlick]

God. ( she huffs a small laugh and, as she apparently has no idea how to sit properly, twists herself around to throw her legs against the wall the bed is pressed against, her head just barely hanging off the side. she lets out a very teenagery sound of defeat. ) Magic castle! It's like a Disney movie, or something. Seriously. The weird in this one is terminal.

[widows_kiss]

[ Well, if she'd needed any further proof that Robin's from some version of earth, the Disney comment certainly cemented it. ]

I'm pretty sure this might be more del Toro's version than Disney's but you're not wrong. It's a lot to wrap your head around, especially if you're not used to dealing with magic. But you've got time to adjust, at least. And the Summoned here in Thorne are very good about explaining things. I'm still pretty new here myself, so I can at least vouch for that.