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

[a_better_man]

"Once you've established your connection with the Horizon, you ought to come and see my domain. Very creative, very beautiful." And private. Mat knows how this goes now, how to talk about a thing without actually talking about it.

And now that it's said, he can relax some and return to actual casual conversation.

"And I find all sorts of ways to keep myself busy! I study both magic and music, I'm quite blessed to have personal tutors in both. I perform in the town, in the evenings. I do well." Better, now that he can play an instrument.

"There's gambling and drinking games, too, which are always a good time. Riding and hunting in the royal woods. And I do enjoy an active social life. Very friendly fellow, me."

[beloyaltome]

"Thank you, I look forward to visiting." She's not yet taken the chance to join the meditation, feeling a little skittish about it but not going to let the opportunity pass her by.

"Oh, you are quite busy! What kind of instrument do you play? What varieties of magic are you learning?" She understands that there are quite a few different areas of specialty in the local magic, but it's already the ability of the mages to craft and modify clothing that has captured her imagination.

[a_better_man]

"If a fellow doesn't keep busy, he tends to get into trouble." At least this fellow does. And it's been months since he poured water down any flights of stairs to make an ice slide, so he thinks it's working.

"I play a long necked lute called a theorbo. S'about as tall as me! I've just begun learning it, though, so I'm afraid I cannot play terribly complex melodies as of yet. And I study...well, I'm not sure what to call it. We call it Channeling, back home. It's not like Academic magic that they study and teach here. I do know some of that, though."

But Mat would hardly say he studies it. The lessons he has with Istredd and Yennefer are for his own particular sort of magic - or what he assumes is his own sort, with how it first manifested.

"Academic magic isn't hard to learn."

[beloyaltome]

"Oh, I've not heard of it. I know of lutes, certainly." But not these futuristic modern versions invented in the 1600s. Might as well have flying carriages!

She nods interest about the magic, as well. "It's remarkably easy compared to the magic system back home. That either takes a great deal of practice or some very complicated spellcasting, and quite possibly both. The things we can do here with just a few lessons." She easily summons a ball of light to hover above her palm, the one spell she learned from the introductory magic lessons. "It's incredible. Such a thing would have taken months to learn in my world."

Gazing into the light for just a moment, fascinated to be able to so easily hold magic, she dismisses it as easily as it was summoned and returns her smile to Mat. "What is it that you do with your ... Channeling?"