abraxaslogs | OPEN MINGLE: Welcome to Thorne!

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! New characters may hear some gossip and chatter about a few recent important events that happened in Abraxas. Just in June, the Summoned were welcomed into the Feywilds where they met the Fey. The Fey have been separated from the rest of the continent a long time so it was a big deal. They may hear that months ago many Summoned were kidnapped by a cult and are still recovering. Lastly they would hear about strange rifts that started appearing with mostly harmless animals coming through. Some of those animals were familiar.

General.

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, Kell, or Istredd, 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 they 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.

Most of this was written by Lena aka Rhy player! Have fun! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Istredd usually takes part in the magical demonstrations now just to assign himself publically as a mage for newcomers but he appreciates that someone else in the group offers classes or shares their skills. Elrond is a natural that way so when Istredd spots him in a brief time between more questions, when they have a second to talk, he approaches the elf. ]

Thank you for offering to do that.

[ For awhile now it is mostly him and Rhy, and before them two other Summoned, and there are a few who offer combat training separated from this event. Istredd is not as good at this as Rhy is, a lot of the weight ends up on him to organize parties, but he's skilled at it. ]

We have quite the influx.

[ elrond tilts his head politely. ]

Not at all. I am happy to provide such a service. Healing should be a talent we all nurture in a place like this.

Agreed. One of my friends, well, colleagues back home is a very good healer. We're all trained, but it doesn't come naturally to everyone.

[ It doesn't come naturally to most of them, to be honest. Training has more to do with just making sure they can do useful things, but a lot more work is put into the other areas of magic, the ones most useful to the courts of the Brotherhood. Marti's always been good at it though. None of them were friends, and they aren't exactly colleagues. There just isn't a good word for it. ]

So you're a diplomat and a healer?

[ ah, titles. men do enjoy them, don't they. ]

I am many things. It all depends on the need and requirement.

But these are also the things you enjoy?

[ Istredd is capable of many, many titles and things that he could be doing. Sometimes just being a mage in general feels like that. Something he was made, when his chosen profession is something else. ]

[ he inclines his head in acknowledgement, like a willow tree in the wind. ]

I do receive a measure of fulfillment from them, but I also welcome a world where such talents would not be required in such great amounts.

I doubt there could be a world so perfect.

[ Istredd isn't entirely certain what he would do in it if there was. Probably still be a scholar and mage and have to worry less about the continent around him. No genocide of the elves, no wars? He could be wistful about that idea. ]

Let's say the perfect world exists and you wouldn't need to be either. What would you be instead?

[ valinor would be. the everlasting lands are no longer touched by such things. ]

A poet, most likely. I enjoy penning my words to parchment.

Have you been keeping journals here? I have, although I store most of them in the Horizon.

[ Istredd does keep a casual one in Thorne, nothing too serious or personal in there, in case they do come looking. He's paranoid like that. But he does like keeping notes of what they've experienced. It's never fiction though. Poetry would be laughable for him, he's not creative enough. ]

Will we be getting any poems from you about this place?

I have my scrolls stored in my Horizon as well.

[ it seemed like the safest place for them. not that anyone in abraxas would be able to read them. elrond writes in elvish after all.

at istredd's question, elrond chuckles. ]

Perhaps someday soon.

I think we'd all love to hear them. It'd be something different.

[ It's not as if they have events that are entertaining outside of these mingles and these are here to engage with the new people and help them out. There isn't a lot of actual spending time together in a relaxing situation, as a group. He glances over at his side of the room, seeing a few people headed there for his portion, and sighs. ]

Thank you again for helping out. If you'd like to do this every mingle, I'm sure we'd appreciate it.

[ elrond laughs softly. ]

I'll be sure to prepare one for Thorne then. And of course, you have my services for as long as you need.

OPEN MINGLE: Welcome to Thorne!

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Maybe wrap here on this one!

sounds good!