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abraxaslogs2023-12-17 09:52 am
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Entry tags:
- !event,
- altaïr ibn-la'ahad; the magician,
- alucard; the hierophant,
- cassian andor; the tower,
- castiel; the hanged man,
- cirilla of cintra; the devil,
- claude von riegan; the wheel of fortune,
- dan heng; the high priestess,
- hilda goneril; the lovers,
- istredd; the high priestess,
- kell maresh; the magician,
- kyle; the hanged man,
- prince wilhelm; the tower,
- rhy maresh; the lovers,
- river tam; the fool,
- steve rogers; the hierophant,
- thancred waters; strength,
- the doctor; the fool,
- wanda maximoff; the hanged man
EVENT #16: THE ISLAND - IC INVESTIGATION LOG
Event #16 - The Island
As requested, the Summoned from all three nations will be allowed to revisit the island where the abductions, experiments, and subsquent escape occurred nearly one year ago. Officials will send representatives on this trip: Jolene Sybell of Thorne, Reva Hym of the Free Cities, and Isar Hart of Solvunn. Although they won't be available for private conversations, they're there to lead the expedition and answer any questions you have.
The excursion will take place on DECEMBER 29, after the Singularity and all magic has returned to full strength. A portal will take you directly to the island, where you'll have 48 hours to accomplish what you need. Tents will be set up on the surface for resting.
The excursion will take place on DECEMBER 29, after the Singularity and all magic has returned to full strength. A portal will take you directly to the island, where you'll have 48 hours to accomplish what you need. Tents will be set up on the surface for resting.
For the main Wintertide Event Log, click HERE.
The Expedition
CW: Disturbing imagery (text and visual), death, folk and body horror, other dark themes.
At the start of December, officials will inform each Summoned Conclave that their request has been granted. You'll receive a letter detailing the date and time, as well as instructions on where to take the portal. When you step through the portal, you'll land directly on the island.
The expedition carries risks. Representatives have scouted the area beforehand to ensure its relative safety, but considering the cave's collapse and its flooded areas, they can't make promises. You're advised to bring personal weapons and protective equipment and are told to dress warmly. Be sure you can handle some hiking.
You'll see an unusual figure join the expedition. She'll introduce herself as Lorelai. If you're from Solvunn or were one of the Lost, you might recognize her.
◎ All characters are welcome to participate, including new arrivals. You do not need to have taken part in Event 12 to make this trip. However, if your character was not part of Event 12, they'll need to tell officials why they want to join. As long as the explanation is reasonable, such as wanting to help recover bodies, they'll be allowed to go.
◎ To learn more about Lorelai and interact with her, see the Investigations section.
◎ To learn more about Lorelai and interact with her, see the Investigations section.
Exploration
Island Surface
Collapsed Cavern (Pit)
Underwater
Above ground, the island is muddy and wet, and the temperature is cold. Where the ground hasn't turned to a bog, the dirt has hardened from frost. Trees show signs of the same blackened rot that was present during former investigations. The air is thick with a dark presence that leaves a strange grimy sensation over your skin. The more sensitive you are to magic or the Singularity, the stronger the feeling.
Desiccated corpses drained of life, both animal and human, litter the ground. Some animal carcasses - especially birds - are fresher than others, suggesting they died recently. Although many months have passed, it seems time has not been enough to help the island recover.
Follow the faction representatives. After a short trek, you reach the mouth of the cave. Here, a mangled mass of crushed bats and birds lay at the tunnel's mouth. A dried, bloodied residue sticks to the surrounding rock walls with bits of bone on the ground, as if a body was spread into a paste around the area.
Collapsed Cavern (Pit)
To descend into the cave, you'll need to navigate the tunnels. Some of them have collapsed, so be careful of potential rockslides and falling boulders. The worst of the blockage has been removed, but some areas still need you to clear the way by hauling off the rocks. Make sure you don't slip or fall - or worse, cause another collapse.
When you finally reach the pit deep beneath the earth, remnants of the horrors within confront you. The smell of death, rot, and unidentifiable herbs is overwhelming. Scattered at your feet are what's left of the blackened corn that some of you subsisted on. Fungal growths have sprouted in their place, pulsing and glowing.
The bulbous organic growths that once confined its captives have deflated into a gelatinous mass, its digestive fluids having eaten itself from the inside out. Dissolved corpses can be found still trapped under the mass, their skeletal remains rubbery to the touch. Other bodies appear to have succumbed to terrible lesions. Some were consumed so thoroughly that they became bizarre humanoid roots. Others still show signs of having been crushed under a massive beast.
Four disturbing statues are spread out across the area. The melted wax candles - now unlit - suggest they're shrines of some kind. All four shrines are severely damaged. The intestinal mace carried by one is curiously missing.
You might remember exactly what happened here or you can ask a Summoned who was there for details - if they're willing to talk about it.
Underwater
The western end of the island suddenly ends in a series of fresh jagged cliffs, so new that the erosion of water has yet to smooth the edges. A swirling whirlpool appears to have torn a large section of the island into the depths, washing away sins and secrets both...or most of them. Barnacles have formed on the rocky ledges. More disconcerting are the bloated bodies in various states of decay and mutilation that have risen to the surface.
You'll be able to help gather those remains or dive into the water to investigate what lies beneath. Officials - and the Summoned who were here - will be able to tell you that an altar once sat in this area where the terrible rituals took place.
Key Tasks
Hidden Threats
Uncovering Remains
Purification
Two major threats have survived the island's collapse:
Mages have set up a protective barrier to keep the creatures out, but it won't hold forever. Guttural screams and explosions of magic rumble the ground and air after each attempt to break through. You should act quickly to make sure the situation doesn't worsen.
- The bone serpent, a creature whose sharp-spiked legs grabbed many unfortunate victims from the pit. With a substantially decreased territory, the bone serpent has become more aggressive and territorial. It's missing one limb while its other legs show signs of damage or scarring. It attacks wildly, relying on its massive size and strength to overcome its opponents, and hides within the dark depths above. The only warning signs it leaves are the carcasses of its prey. It'll require multiple people to take it down.
- The ceiling monster. Its claws and blood are corrosive, and removing its head will disturb the swollen sack on its neck to cause a similar explosion. Due to its ability to respawn when killed, the captive Summoned trapped the beast in a narrow tunnel. With the cave's collapse, it's now loose once more. You're advised to lure it into a trap designed by Free Cities scientists, where the creature can be set ablaze to prevent it from regenerating, ending its reign of terror for good.
For a general sense of timing, players can assume both threats are properly dispatched 24 hours into the excursion.
Uncovering Remains
Due to the haste of the rescue mission, exacerbated by the rapidly flooding cave, only the living could be extracted at the time. Now, you've returned for the dead. Many of the bodies are in a disturbing state as described above under Collapsed Covern - not just from decay but from something that appears to have been done to them before their deaths.
Few of the bodies can be easily identified and not all of them are on the ground, either. Some are up on the high ledges, which you can reach by climbing up using climbing rope that's provided. Scattered bones or limbs may need reconstruction or to be matched upon return. You can also recover small objects such as jewelry or other innocuous possessions that weren't taken from the captives.
Your task is to collect everything you can. Luckily, you won't need to handle the corpses themselves. Officials will send along attendants who will do the job for you to ensure everything is properly contained. You simply need to direct them to the area.
Purification
Each faction is focused on one of three hazards on the island. Thorne wants to dispel all traces of corrupted magic, Solvunn wishes to cleanse the destroyed shrines to ensure no other dangerous entities remain within, and the Free Cities aims to remove all contaminants. Formally, you're charged with helping your faction with their task, but no one will stop you from pitching in elsewhere.
This assignment will occur at the end of the expedition, once all investigations and exploration are completed.
- Dispelling
Thorne will provide a pouch of small jelly-like orbs the size of marbles. The orbs are clear and pre-enchanted. Your job is to place them around the island where they'll begin absorbing unstable magicks. Once absorbed, the orbs will change into different colors. Collect and sort each orb by color. Additionally, you'll need to guard the orbs from curious or hungry critters on the island. Rodents, lizards, and palm-sized beetles may try to snatch what they believe is a tasty berry. Critters who consume a ball will explode into a gory splatter. It's not dangerous, but it can get a bit gooey, so you'll want to avoid bursting too many lizards or beetles.
- Cleansing
Solvunn will ask you to perform a cleansing rite used for places of worship fallen under dark forces. You'll be given a pot containing a red substance and brushes made from twigs harvested from the island. You'll paint eye-shaped runes on and around the shrines to call upon the Cardinal God known as Misrklen, Patron of the Unstained. His presence is marked by a distinct fizz or hiss, followed by a popping that grows louder and louder. Solvunn's Elders will perform a chant until the ritual is complete and all of the red substance is absorbed into the ground.
- Decontamination
The Free Cities has determined the most thorough way of removing hazards is to burn them. You'll be given a pistol-sized flamethrower and a thick gel to spread on each item to ensure the flames don't spread out of control. Once the gel is consumed, the fire will naturally go out. Main hazards to burn are the deflated organic bulbs, the rotted corn, any odd fungal growths, and parts belonging to defeated monsters. The flamethrowers are prone to overheating, so be sure to give it a few minutes to cool down every once in awhile. Otherwise, you might risk minor burns to your hands.
Investigations
As you explore the cave and its submerged sections, you might be interested in interacting with some of the things in your environment. In particular, the shrines, the mysterious woman named Lorelai, and the submerged altar stands out to you.
Shrines | Interact
Lorelai ('Hydnellia') | Interact
The Altar | Interact
Characters can investigate or interact with any of the items provided in whatever way you want: poke it, smash it, try to talk to it or use your abilities on it (within reason!). We'll do our best to make sure every interaction yields something interesting.
See here and here for examples of how investigations and interactions work. The ones available on this log will play out on a smaller scale.
See here and here for examples of how investigations and interactions work. The ones available on this log will play out on a smaller scale.
Shrines | Interact
The shrines, as described above, are situated around the pit. Stained with wax and blood, they no longer emit any strange energies or whispering voices. All of the magic contained within is now gone. You might recall that unlocking the shrines unleashed an enormous creature, causing the cave to collapse as it fled. It was last seen disappearing into the ocean, but where is it now? Your answer might lie in the shrines that once trapped it. Though broken and missing pieces, you can attempt to engage with each shrine such as relighting the candles, using magic you possess, or anything you can think of. You can also coordinate with others to test something on all four shrines at the same time.
Lorelai ('Hydnellia') | Interact
Originally called Hydnellia, Lorelai is a former Acolyte who, along with her brother, helped the Summoned escape. The Summoned agreed to let her and her brother return to the Tertiary Settlement where they live in their old home. She is the only non-Summoned survivor of Josselyn's ritual experiments. Lorelai has requested to join the trip to find closure and help recover bodies from her community. She is quiet and polite, and very grateful that she's been given the chance to make a new life. You can speak to her at any point.
The Altar | Interact
Beneath the water lies an altar that's now broken into pieces. To reach it, breathing enchantments will be provided that'll allow you to swim and see beneath the water, as well as protect you from any contaminants. You'll need to dive a distance down, but not too far - about 30 feet. Those held in the room during their captivity might recall a disfigured woman inside the mouth of the altar. What happened to her since is unknown. Perhaps you might try to find out?
A Decision
After the excursion has concluded, the Summoned will be sent home to their respective nations. Conclave representations can call a meeting to discuss the results of their investigations and what steps might be next. They can do this using any method they prefer, whether that be in-person, in the Horizon, or using the Network.
Most importantly, Summoned who were part of the abduction incident, as either the Lost or the Spared, will be asked to decide if they want to raze the island or restore it.
Vote HERE by December 31 at 11:59 ET.
Most importantly, Summoned who were part of the abduction incident, as either the Lost or the Spared, will be asked to decide if they want to raze the island or restore it.
◎ Razing the island will strip it of all growth. This has the benefit of ensuring no corrupted creatures or flora can grow on it again, but will prevent nature from reclaiming it and will leave the area barren for many decades.Officials will allow the Summoned affected by this incident to choose, including those who didn't return to the island. You'll be able to accompany officials to execute the decision made. Individuals in each faction can vote to support one of the two choices. The majority vote will be the decision that reflects the Summoned in that faction as a whole. Officials will implement the option with the support of 2 out of 3 factions.
◎ Restoring the island will stimulate the regrowth of healthy vegetation and wildlife. This has the benefit of allowing the biome to flourish once more with nature, but may risk the growth of corrupted flora that needs to be removed every so often.
no subject
But he pushes those thoughts aside for the moment, offering a weak attempt at a grin at Hilda's last comment, and although he doesn't squeeze her hand back he also doesn't pull away.]
You're not annoying. There just isn't much I can say.
[Or, more accurately, there is, it's just both too much to try to sort out and too much to say when they're out here in this terrible place. There's work to do, and if he lets himself start thinking about his feelings instead of repressing them, he'll never be able to accomplish what they're here for.
But despite this entire logical thought process and his determination to stay on task, he finds himself not taking the out that Hilda offered him. Instead, after a moment he continues, his gaze still focused on the remains even though he really isn't looking at them.]
I thought coming back here would be more like goin' to work.
[He doesn't elaborate, but it's probably clear enough what he means. The mental distance and detachment he'd hoped he would have just aren't there, and so how he's doing and feeling is much worse than he'd expected.]
no subject
While she may not fully understand what he had done for work at home since there wasn't exactly an equivalent in Fodlan, but it was to help better the lives of those around him. And finding closure for the families affected by everything the cultists had done certainly falls under that.
It's just one of the things she admires most about him.
Reluctantly she pulls her hand away, putting the finishing touches on the sketch ensuring that there aren't any important details missing. ]
I'd be surprised if it was just like work for you at home. I think the things that happened here probably haven't ever happened to you at home, right? [ And by that she means kidnapped and had awful, terrible things happen to him. She pauses. ] But I think I understand what you mean. I thought this would be like walking through the aftermath of a battlefield but not as bad somehow. I didn't know any of these people. All my friends made it home safe.
no subject
And it's easier to focus on that than what Hilda said, because she's exactly right. He'd been hurt during investigations, sometimes seriously, and also been in generally terrifying or disturbing situations. But those had been results of investigations, risks he'd intentionally taken and not personal so much as crimes of desperation. He'd put pressure on murderers, and they'd retaliated. Unpleasant experiences, but normal.
Nothing had been normal about this.
He hadn't even truly been able to understand magic yet, having only been in Abraxas for a few weeks before ending up in the pit, let alone the horrific ways magic was used here. But more than just that, he'd never been a victim. He'd never truly understood what it was like, or how different it would feel--how different it feels--to revisit the site of that experience, even if he's doing so now in a professional capacity.
But although he logically understands all of that, it's a lot to put into words, and so the nod is all he gives to show Hilda she's correct. Still, it's an admittance of his feelings all the same, even if what he says is only about the last part of Hilda's comments.]
I've never been on a battlefield. Is it like this?
[She'd said 'I thought' so he presumes there's a difference, but he's not sure if it's in the the scene itself, or only in what she'd said about her friends. Not that losing friends on a battlefield is something to ever be described with the word 'only'.]
no subject
Yes and no.
[ She knows she should go on. That in itself isn't much of an explanation at all and she knows it; it's just that she doesn't feel like she has the right words for it. When she does there's a somberness to her voiceas if recalling all those times ]
The aftermath of one is. Although, you don't usually go back to a place you fought. There's always other land to defend, other places to march. There's not much time to give people a proper burial. [ Gronder Field suddenly comes to mind. ] I was just about to fight in a place just before I was brought here. But when we fought there as kids it was just a mock battle.
no subject
Sorry.
[It's quiet but very genuine, both for her having experienced that and for asking and bringing up bad memories. He hesitates a moment, not totally sure if it would better to ask her something else or to offer a little more himself--he had been pretty evasive with her questions earlier--and eventually decides on the latter.]
That sorta' thing still happens in my world during wars, but it's not somethin' I've ever been around. I'm usually only dealin' with one dead body at a time, and if the person or the situation was any way connected with me personally, I wouldn't be allowed to work on the case.
[And so, of course, this situation is very different.]
no subject
[ The genuine apology that seems to come out of nowhere earns a surprised look from Hilda, drawing her attention away from her notebook and back towards Jayden. The corners of her lips lift humorlessly. ]
Why are you sorry? That's just war, isn't it? [ The breath she lets out could very well be a laugh if it weren't for the fact that it had the same quality as her smile. There's a resignation to her words. Like it's a fact she had come to terms with a long time ago, perhaps even before she had been thrown head first into it. ] And those are the sorts of things that happen when people who don't agree don't see any other way. Not that that makes it okay or right but, it just sort of is.
[ Everything Jayden says is met with a flicker of understanding as her question from earlier is answered with a little more clarity. ]
This is different though. What they did here was wrong. And I can never forgive them for hurting the people I care about - including you. [ There's a brief pause as she holds his gaze. ] Being here isn't easy for anyone that was taken, and you didn't have to come back here, but you did. I think that says so much about you, Jay. But even then, I think you owe it to yourself to take it easy too. And be honest with how you're feeling.
no subject
But that doesn't mean it isn't awful, or that it doesn't affect those who are caught up on it. He's sorry she has to experience that, but he also understands why she might have a sense of resignation about it, because that's what he's been trying to attain here. He's normally better at just accepting that terrible things happen, looking at them pragmatically, and then focusing on what needs to be done; that's what he has to do to work the cases he does at home, and he'd thought he could manage that here.
It doesn't feel like something to be commended for, especially when he's been failing more that succeeding. Sure, he'd come back, but it's the least he could do for these people who didn't have the chance to keep living, and who had been so seemingly forgotten about.
And that last point is something that's been on his mind for months now, something that makes up a part of his many complex feelings on everything that had happened and everything happening now. It's something he wouldn't normally put into words, too much of a real look at his thoughts and emotions for him to normally share, but Hilda's a special case for several reasons.
So, finally, he continues.]
I keep wonderin' how many of these people died without anyone even noticing they were gone.
[How many of these people had no one to even notice their absence, let alone mourn that they're gone?]
At home, I was okay with knowin' that if something happened to me, my boss would probably be the only one to notice. But here, when everything happened, there was no one.
[Not that he blames anyone for that; the timing of this happening so soon after his arrival combined with his own tendency to keep to himself had led to natural consequences. Hilda had been the only person he knew who hadn't also ended up in the pit, and they hadn't known each other long at all, so he certainly hadn't expected her or anyone else to notice his absence. It had just been a strange thing to suddenly realize in the midst of all the horror going on, and it's a thought he hasn't been able to shake. He'd always been empathetic when it comes to cases and victims, but there had still been a certain distance there, a lack of understanding because he'd never been through something like this himself. But that's all changed now, and he doesn't know how to handle it, because if it were only about him he could just repress and not deal with it. But it's not, and these people deserve better.]
no subject
Jayden had wondered correctly because she counted among the number that probably hadn't noticed those that died without her notice. It had been so hard for her to think about those that hadn't made it back when all of her energies for months had been on her friends. The faces she knew. The ones that she held dear. And by hard, she had to admit to herself that she spared little thought until as of late. Perhaps that was a condition of growing up spoiled and privileged. Her world view was only so large. Her heart, while big, only cared for a finite few. Perhaps it was a condition of the war.
She could not mourn every Goneril soldier, not for long at least, even if she knew all their names and their families because she'd buckle under the weight of all that collective grief. And she couldn't buckle. Not because she was a leader like Claude, or a sharp minded tactician that needed to keep their mind clear to strategize. But because she had taken it upon herself to try and keep the spirits up of those around her. That's what others expected of her. A silly airhead, only daughter of House Goneril with no responsibilities or other real expectations to her name.
As for the grief, it settles like a shawl upon her guilt. Grief because Jayden's statement alludes that he has no one at home that cares enough to notice his absence. Grief, because he thought the same was true here. It's true that she didn't know him well when these events had unfolded - but she still cared. She does care for her quiet, sometimes-hermit friend who has a stronger, kinder heart than he'd let on. But had she told him as much? She prattles on like a chatterbox, but does she say the things that matter to those that matter the most?
For a moment words fail her as she feels her throat close a little. ]
Were you okay with that? Thinking that no one would notice or care about you here?
no subject
[What he felt about it. What he feels about the idea now, even though he knows it isn't actually the case, which is strange in its own way, albeit a positive one. Doesn't it really matter what he feels or felt about it? It wouldn't have changed what happened, for him or anyone else. Aside from the expected misery all he truly remembers feeling--or at least what he remembers feeling most strongly--from his time in this place was a sense of resignation. A sense that it didn't matter what he did, what he thought about things, how horrible it was; none of it mattered, none of it would change anything. They were all just waiting to die or be rescued, with the latter only being a possibility because some of the taken Summoned had connections who cared to look for them. The Summoned that didn't, and the natives who were unmissed or whose families didn't have the power necessary to do anything, ultimately weren't important enough. They would've just been left there and forgotten, and all these bodies are proof enough of that.
Jayden takes a deep breath, reigning in some of his emotions, some of the openness he'd allowed, not necessarily because he regrets doing so but because he can't keep doing so. He isn't good at handling this sort of thing, at finding a balance between the extremes of repressing everything and letting sadness and horror completely overwhelm him, and he'd so much rather do former than the latter.
So he redirects, offering a pathetic attempt at a smile, but his words are far more genuine than the expression.]
Besides, I was wrong anyway, right? I was at least relatively confident you'd remember who I was when I sent you that first message, but I hadn't expected... You know. Everythin' you did.
[And he can't tell her how much he appreciated her acting as a lifeline while everything was going on, but then even more so still caring after it was all over. For putting up with how distant and awkward he is over the past months. For being here now.]
no subject
Instead of voicing her frustrations, her borderline infuriation with this notion that his life isn't important, she watches him pack some part of her back into a box. She's quick to match his unconvincing smile with one of her own, the worry lingering in her gaze. ]
...Well I couldn't just leave you alone, could I? No one deserves that, newly Summoned or not. Especially after everything you experienced.
[ And while she could be many things, flippant and frivolous among them - she couldn't just ignore someone who was in need. It hadn't been out of pity nor was it performative in any way. Hilda knew well what acting out pity felt like to her and nothing that she had done for Jayden had been that. She regards him a moment before shuffling over a little more to gently lay her head against his arm. ]
You were very wrong though for the record. And if you ever think that again, you better remember that you were very wrong in that moment. You matter.
once again I'm so sorry for the delay, and I think we can probably get this wrapped nicely soon?
He's quiet while she talks, and while the silence hangs for a brief pause, and although he isn't terribly surprised that she moves closer again the particular move of resting her head on his arm is unexpected. Not in a bad way, the gesture is just... Soft.
He hesitates a few seconds while she continues speaking, and then, after a moment, tilts his head sideways to rest it against hers.]
Yeah. I get it.
[He doesn't say it impatiently or dismissively, but genuinely. He believes her, enough so that even he can't convince himself to keep doubting that, at the very least, he matters to her.]
it's okay!! 💕 let's wrap on yours maybe?
When she feels the weight of Jayden's head lie gently against hers she still doesn't think he's changed his mind; even if she had been someone who had a way with words, something like that wouldn't happen so soon or so quickly. But she can hope that it will plant the seed that he does matter all the same.
Staying like this, with their heads leaning lightly against one another's is comforting in an odd way even taking into account this awful backdrop. Hilda can only hope that it brings him some comfort too. After a bit she lifts her head before repeating a question she had only asked him not too long ago but is worth asking all the same. ]
How are you feeling? Did you want to take a little break before we start searching again?
sounds good! <3
[It's of course not true and he's not saying it intending to be believed, just that he's okay for the moment. Taking a break would be nice in theory, but having to then return to this would make it worse, so he'd rather just work through the time they're here and then been done. And by that, of course he intends to just go back to repressing everything.]
We should let one of the attendants know about this and get back to looking.
[There are so many people left to be found.]