abraxaslogs | ( open ) an informal family dinner

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( open ) an informal family dinner

Who: the summoned of cadens
When: beginning of august
Where: the sarstina inn and tavern
What: the welcome committee (sam wilson, hilda, jesper) has come back together again for another cadens welcome event! everyone might remember the last event and this one will be much of the same. Including, but not limited to, another invite by hilda! | sam art credit!
Warnings: will update as needed!

THE DINNER

Just as before, this is kicked off with Hilda's invitation, and if any of the Summoned come by Sarstina's that evening, they will find it set up a little differently than usual, but very similar to last time.

There is a long table set up near the bar that has a whole party-spread, a ye-old-southern-party kind of set-up, if you will. There are dips, charcuterie plates, sandwiches, drinks, a pastry/dessert bar and almost anything else that Sam could get his hands on. It is all, of course, limited by what’s available in Cadens, but thankfully he’s been here long enough to figure his way around the food options. Behind the bar is Mag (because no one else is getting their hands on the alcohol stash, thank you very much) and she will serve whoever it is that comes up to ask for a drink and will refuse any sort of payment - it appears someone is covering the tab tonight.

The rest of the tavern is set up for a party, with tables and chairs scattered around, a stage set up in the corner, and a decently sized space in front of the stage for dancing if the night gets to that point. There may or may not be some live music later in the evening, no promises have been made, but if anyone else wants to get up on the stage they are more than welcome.

Nadine has been kind enough to provide little apothecary bags filled with a mild sleeping tonic and things to help settle the nerves that new (and old) Summoned can take with them. There’s a table near the door and by the bar that have these bags in wicker baskets with a small sign that reads: Visit Salves and Stitches for all your medical needs!

The vibes are definitely low-key and casual – come get an ale, come eat some food, and if you're new there is a very good chance you'll end up (gently and in the most friendly way) cornered by either Sam, Hilda, Jesper, or any of the other Summoned. They are here to help answer questions and give a bit more background on what the hell is going on. And also let you know about the deal that has been going with Mag and the Inn for almost two years now. Aka, if you're looking for a room, there is one here for you in exchange for work. You can leave whenever you have a job, or you can stay as long as you like. It’s all about helping Summoned get more settled, and as long as you’re good at taking instruction and picking up after yourself, Mag hasn’t had any issues. Not a bad gig, right?

And if being social isn't your thing, or you’re just not the party kind of person, the Welcome Committee understands. But also, really, who is going to turn down free drinks and free food? The Cities work on coin and commerce, so turning down a free meal isn’t really the smartest thing. Plus - there’s alcohol. And the food is pretty damn good.

OOC INFO

- this is a totally open post! There will be some TL’s below from the Committee Members, but otherwise, have fun, meet some people, and put up a TL of your own! there are various places to run into people around the tavern, and if you find someone who is willing to help you into the Horizon (Sam is happy to help, but he’s helping Host), Sam's been letting people know they can use his room upstairs.

- the only Rule is there will be no fighting. You want to duke it out? Take it somewhere else. There will not be warnings or second chances, so don't be an ass. Summoned have lived in this Inn since they were all portaled here ages go, this is their home. and if ANYONE is seen giving Mag a hard time, there are a few people here who will not hesitate and who are not afraid of squaring up. Also, you cause problems, and you will not be invited back :)

- The whole purpose of the Welcome Committee is going to be going overboard to be welcoming, especially to new faces. Even if your character didn't see the big invitation, feel free to have them invited by word of mouth, or chased down by any of the members. Some Summoned may have also checked the barracks for any new Summoned to bring them into town.

- Mag is an NPC who you can read a little more about in the NPC section of the Cadens setting page. Feel free to have her come in and out of your tags as needed!

THE INN

Magmara (or Mag) has run the inn for years and has been a familiar face in that neighborhood as a woman who always made ends meet, almost in spite of the way she took care of her friends and neighbors above all else. Most weren't always sure how she managed to run the place on her own, but she made due, though she always seemed a bit overwhelmed and exhausted. When the Summoned arrived in the Cadens through that first portal, Sam managed to stumble in and make quick friends with Mag. In exchange for manual labor, fixing up and cleaning up the inn, as well as whatever other various tasks Mag needed to be done around, Sam would be given free room and board (a deal she now offers to any Summoned that arrives in the city for as long as they need it).

The inn itself is 4 floors tall, with the top three floors making up the 15 or so rooms (around five rooms per floor), and the entire bottom floor reserved for the restaurant area. The tavern makes up the entire first floor and is a large open floorplan, with a small stage in the corner, a walled-off area for the decently sized kitchen, and a large wooden bar where Mag does all her business for both the inn and tavern (where can almost always be found standing behind). It serves drinks of some variety (though not nearly as large a selection as some of the more well-known taverns) and some food (usually a single, large meal that will be served to the tenants and whoever comes in throughout the night for a moderate price). It can be busy some evenings, but in general tends to keep a more 'dive-bar' kind of feel, filled with more locals and regulars than a casual dinner-going crowd.

The rooms themselves vary from fairly simple, single-bed inn-style rooms with a small bathroom and little else, up to a two 'bedroom' suite style with small kitchenettes and spaces for sitting rooms. Each bedroom has its own small bathroom for the tenants, with cleaning, washing, and chores left to those who live there. What used to be more of a working inn now serves as a kind of boarding house for newly arrived Summoned (or simply those who won't leave), and Mag has found herself quite okay with that.

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[ There's a nod from Claude in the universal signal of of course or you're welcome or anything else in between for it. Whether it comes to pass tonight or not, the offer will still stand since it's another part of all of them working together in however they can when it comes to being here.

The mention of better off not knowing immediately gets an arched eyebrow from him. That's quite the warning, or what he's inferring as one, and - well. Given that Claude would've said that about the other timelines he's learned about from those who also arrived from Fodlan but different ones than he'd known, it feels... relatable even without the context of what James means for his own history. A topic for another time, perhaps. ]

You're likely right. I would've said the same about ending up here when it comes to things not existing though that's proven me wrong. I'd like to have thought I had an open mind before, but - never hurts to keep other things in mind. Talking with Viktor's a little like that, too, particularly if what he offers is different than what you're used to.

[ Though - based on what they've talked about, Claude's fairly certain that's less likely to apply to James than it has for him. ]

If it's not something he's familiar with, there's a good chance he can point you to others here who might know whatever it is, even if they're in Thorne or Solvunn. Call it another benefit of the Horizon that we have access to make that happen outside of Nocwich or to show someone what it is specifically than relying on diagrams, particularly if you're not an artist which I can safely say I'm not.

Yes, precisely. You never know what might be real until it happens to you.

[ This place is actually a perfect example of that. James would've been maybe a little less skeptical of something like this happening, if only for the fact that he's been through so much himself, but the magic portion of it certainly would have been met with doubt and a good amount of distrust. ]

That's one of the reasons I wanted to get to the Horizon. [ To be able to meet others from other factions, learn about them as much as this one. Not to mention his opportunities for connections would multiply by three. He'll just have to be careful not to spend too much time there.

He looks up at Claude at the last remark, a small, amused smile on his lips. ] Must be tough, hm. Guess you can always describe it, unless you're also not gifted with words.

My friends might say I'm a little too gifted with words most days. You'll have to find out for yourself if that's accurate or not.

[ The grin offered with it, however, says Claude's self-aware enough to admit it's very much true. Something he doesn't usually bother hiding since that talkativeness makes its appearance soon enough, depending on the topic or the situation. ]

In my case, it's more that I've found the things I'm familiar with from home are either things people here haven't seen before, or they're something so far in the relative past for them that they have trouble picturing it. Not everyone, though, but something like if you tried to have me picture something from your world when it comes to going through space.

But, [ with another small wave of his drink as if that sums up the thought entirely, ] sometimes it's just faster to conjure up something than to go about describing it or trying to draw it out. When it comes to anything related to technology and aside from us being lucky enough to have Viktor, the Free Cities seem to have the most advancements. From what I've heard of Solvunn it reminds me a bit of the rural lands at home, and Thorne comes complete with its own problems beyond the imprisonment.

Mm, maybe I will.

[ James can be fairly quiet company, most times, but he has his moments. He definitely appreciates entertaining company, particularly if they're good with words. So it's the kind of thing he won't mind learning for himself. ]

Yeah, I get it. It's always easier to show than tell, in situations like that.

[ Chances are half the things Claude would describe from his home would also confuse James, so a visual representation is always a plus. And he is curious, even if most of it (if not all) might be outdated to him. Maybe even more so, given how much of a fan he is of old, vintage stuff. ]

Starting to get the feeling I got lucky landing here, rather than one of the other two factions. For more than one reason. [ He snorts faintly, takes a sip from his drink. ] I've had more than enough of farms for a lifetime.

You can say that again. Don't get me wrong: the Free Cities have plenty of flaws you'll find out in time from being here. That's even before that we're no doubt under close observation at all times since they know where to find us. But that's not the same as being restricted to only a castle and only in very close quarters, and it's not the same as... [ with a brief trailing off for him to think of something else to add about Solvunn - ] well, I think I've probably covered how remote Solvunn is even if it's got a little problem with all the gods here.

[ Here and not just there, unfortunately, though he can get into that in a minute. No need to rush into that some of those gods have both been invoked and visited all in the very first conversation - maybe that's better for a second conversation topic. ]

There is some relative freedom here even if that illusion could be revoked at anytime. That's just the opinion of someone who didn't enlist, though, since I'd imagine the benefits of doing so far exceed having to make your own way in Cadens even with Mags' generous help.

Well, population density certainly makes it easier to go by mostly unnoticed, or at least more left to our own devices.

[ But Claude has a point. It's good to keep in mind that they're more closely watched than it might appear. The illusion of freedom might be more of a problem than one might think, as it might make some Summoned think they're safer or more at ease here, only for it to be the other way around.

Not as much a problem to James, who is paranoid even on a good day. He's never going to let himself fall into the trap of thinking he's safe, or not being watched. ]

You think enlisting would facilitate settling in? [ Even in terms of freedom, James wonders. Because that could work in either direction. ]

I certainly think it could help, yes. In terms of having somewhere to stay and funding? If you're looking at it pragmatically, Mags can only help with one of those and then someone's on their own in finding coin. That's not to say that those of us here won't help them out in whatever way they can including pointing them in the direction of jobs to do to pay rent, move out, whatever else.

[ There's a slight shrug of one shoulder afterwards, though Claude sets his glass on the surface to the side rather than continuing to fiddle with it now and again. Even for all his generally nonchalant treatment of everything - this is a little more important. ]

Enlisting would make sense if someone came from a military background and were used to that structure already. It'd also be useful to know what's going on over there rather than being, say, me only visiting the barracks whenever I hear there's new arrivals. But I don't think it comes without some other costs besides freedom either and as for what those are, the Free Cities haven't been very forthcoming or yet called for them to be paid which wasn't a gamble I was interested in taking. It's also worth mentioning there's only one Summoned who's joined the military as far as I know, but you'll have to make of that what you will.

Plus, that would mean having to rely on the kindness of strangers.

[ Personally, he would rather avoid that. He doesn't want to owe anyone any favors, not back in his reality and certainly not here either. He's always managed to find ways to survive on his own, and that's no different here. ]

So, having someone on the inside, you mean. [ He nods in understanding. ] I see. Could take a while to rise in ranks enough to actually manage to get decent intel, but it could be an interesting path to pursue, from a long-term perspective. If they're keeping things from us for their own purposes, then I'd say we should do whatever we can to look out for ourselves. No one else will.

[ There's a touch of a wry smile on Claude's face briefly, if only because he understands that sentiment well. Possibly too well, given that independence had been a must for him from a young age and applied to one more made and then another, and it's something he wonders if James has faced as well.

But rather than ask - because he knows he wouldn't answer that question himself if faced with it - Claude nods at both the mention of being on the inside and the time it'd potentially take. ]

Got it in one. From what I can tell, 'a while' when it comes to gaining trust is an understatement. That's not to say there's not ways to gain it outside of the military, too, but it makes a certain amount of sense that doing something which shows as a support of the government would advance that.

[ Useful in many ways, in his opinion, but that last point? That's the biggest one of all. ]

And you're right, especially given that if someone doesn't enlist they're absolutely on their own without the Summoned here helping. It's especially clear whatever we are told is something that's been carefully crafted for the illusion of telling us information without really telling us anything. Just imagine what's going on beyond that.

[ Oh, it is something James is more than familiar with. Not just because he was left to fend for himself from a very young age, but also because he was a quick learner, and it didn't take him long to understand what kind of world he lived in, what it would take to survive. He could never trust anyone, lest he'd end up used, killed, or worse.

So to him, relying on anyone here was out of the question. Doesn't mean he couldn't make use of them, when necessary. ]

I'll admit, I'd vastly prefer being in a position where I can have some freedom of action, and more access to information. [ Military background makes it an even easier choice. Might mean less comfortable accommodations, but he doesn't particularly mind that. ] I'm familiar with ruling systems keeping information from their citizens. They're not gonna throw anything at me I haven't seen before.

One more reason you've landed in the right place, then.

[ Not that they exactly chose where to go, but Claude has to wonder yet again about the criteria of how the Free Cities chooses them. Implied in that is that it's a sentiment many Summoned here have in common among the others - being extremely social another one of them, as the party around them suggests - and something which seems odd given the hope of enlisting those brought here.

That'll require answers they don't have access to, not without time and likely considerable effort. Both of which he's not applied himself to unlike in Fodlan where it'd been required, and needless to say, his curiosity's piqued by someone looking to do into it. Which makes his interest rather genuine as he looks back at James after picking up his drink, adding - ]

Having that experience will serve you well, I'd imagine, especially in navigating what it is the Free Cities is willing to offer those who take up their causes. You'll have to let me know how it goes if I don't come across you out at the barracks sometime.

It's starting to look like it.

[ It is interesting, and it leads James to believe that maybe there is some choosing done on the factions' part. He's not about to complain, given what he's heard so far about the other two options. ]

I will. Are you around the barracks often? [ This is a party after all, kind of, and he won't keep Claude for the entirety of it. He's been helpful, James will remember that. ]

Not as often as I was once, though I try to make a trip out whenever I hear about new faces showing up around. There's other Summoned who make it out there more often looking for newcomers to make sure they get into town if they want to, but I also like to take a look now and then.

[ For a variety of reasons, some of which there being new Summoned are a convenient cover for even if it's probably not fooling the monitoring of them going on. He'd meant it about that curiosity of what the military is up to, visible as they are in Cadens and everywhere else in the Free Cities, and having someone out there is all the more reason to make the ride out there.

And just to make that clearer, in case it wasn't already as he pushes off the surface he'd been leaning on to let the other man get back to whatever else he might like to do around the mingle - ]

If you're out there, though, I'll make a point of dropping by a little more frequently when I can. Keep in touch, won't you?

[ That makes sense, especially if the locals there don't take too kindly to Summoned bunking there without enlisting. So, he'll have to make sure of his choice soon. The last thing he wants is to garner animosity on his first month here. Trap more flies with honey, all that. ]

I will, [ He nods, offering Claude a friendly smile. ] And I'll look forward to seeing you around. There, or anywhere else.

[ He's sure they'll both have plenty of interest to share with each other, soon enough. ]

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( open ) an informal family dinner

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