EVENT #17: EPULUM - IC EVENT LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event #17 - Epulum

OOC Plotting Post ⦁ Coordination Post ⦁ Nocwich

Nocwich is familiar territory, having invited the Summoned over a year ago. While Luna and the werewolves are a prominent presence, Ikorr has chosen to keep to itself. That is, until now.

Stamped with Ikorr's signature wax seal, the red-enveloped letters invite you to a grand street festival called Epulum. While the Carnivale itself will take place on FEBRUARY 25, you'll be asked to come one day beforehand to enjoy the sights and prepare for a fantastic night. Food, accommodations, and clothes will be provided. All you have to do is show up.

As the night goes on, however, you'll notice something is afoot. Do you ignore it and continue partying? Or will you find yourself swept up in this unusual mystery?

Players are encouraged to incorporate aspects of the celebration into their investigation threads. Explore the mirror hall while looking for clues or wear a mask to blend in! And if someone's a bit tipsy? Well, let's hope they won't mess up the investigation too terribly.

Please note that the confrontation and choice at the end may temporarily impact the state of Nocwich. Nocwich is not guaranteed to be open in March.

The Carnivale

Each Epulum, Ikorr draws from the Major Arcana to determine what direction the world will take. This year, Epulum is represented by The Tower. Indicating change through chaos, Ikorr believes that The Tower is a sign that it's time for the city to open its doors to the Summoned - even if the decision might cause some strife with Luna.

Shops and stalls will sell accessories with the symbol of The Tower on them, from necklaces to embroidered shawls to hand-inked cards. If you happen to be a Tower yourself, you might be given a small trinket or two for free!

The main celebration will take place on the night of FEBRUARY 25, but characters can explore Ikorr's main streets the evening prior.

Arrival

You'll enter Nocwich as usual, wearing the pendant that allows you through the portal at Oleuni Square. Once there, you'll be given a warming potion to keep out the cold, and a second portal will take you into Ikorr.

Unlike Luna, Ikorr's architecture favors height, stone, and stained glass. Pointed arches stretch towards the stars. You can explore a variety of taverns and shops around the Carnivale area, which has been blocked off for the celebrations. Leaving the checkpoint is possible, but you'll be patted down and examined each time you reenter, so you may not want to come and go too often. Ikorr is taking a bit more care ever since the attacks on the delegates and given the scale of this event, security is fairly tight.

Nonetheless, there's no shortage of things to look at: street vendors, eateries, taverns, art galleries, and more. You'll have a few hours to look around before you retire to your tent.

Getting Ready

Since your stay will only be overnight, Ikorr has set aside one of the massive tents near the Sanguine Promenade for you and your friends. There are no rooms. Every Summoned will be piled under the same tent. You'll have plenty of space, though not much privacy. Maybe you can take the opportunity to make new friends and help each other dress up.

On that note, you must find the right attire. You can bring an outfit or purchase something from the shops, but if you don't want to spend the gold, the tent will have several wardrobe trunks and closets filled with clothes and accessories. You can borrow anything you want for the Carnivale.

You'll have a pretty good idea of what you're expected to wear to blend in since natives around the Promenade will be getting ready at the same time. Outfits are eye-catching , and bolder guests tend to cover very little. Men in particular will forgo a top in favor of wearing little more than strings of beads and crystals. Ikorrans are more lenient with foreigners who don't want to go all-in, but you should make an effort. You've taken the warming potion, haven't you? So the chilly weather is no excuse!

Carnivale Night

Extravagant and over-the-top, the Carnivale is all about excess. Shops and buildings are decorated with colorful flags to match the tents that line the streets. Even the Sentinel Guards have made the effort to add decorations to their uniforms. If your clothes are too understated, someone will come by to drape you with beads and feathers.

The main display is the parade. Competition is fierce for participants, who spend months planning the float, costumes, and magical displays, including pyrotechnics. Some floats have up to a dozen performers while others utilize intense spells to create an unforgettable show. The parade is typically led off with a float dedicated to the chosen Arcana - the Tower for this year.

During the parade, you'll be given some flowers to throw onto your favorite float. At the end of the night, the float covered with the most flowers is crowned the Golden Petal, a title that guarantees them a slot in the next celebration's parade. While Ikorr does its best to keep the competition in good spirits, sabotage has occurred in the past.

Attending Guests

The majority of Ikorr's population are vampires, or Ikorrans. While Oleuni Square sees werewolves and vampires mingle in small degrees, werewolves and vampires don't enter each other's borders, with rare political exceptions. The Draconae from the Nether are frequent visitors to Ikorr. Some settle in Ikorr for years or decades.

A handful of humans are also in attendance since Ikorr extended the invitation to natives of Thorne, the Free Cities, and Solvunn as a courtesy. Lesser-known but notable representatives will observe the event in a diplomatic capacity. They'll stand out a little more, as their outfits won't be as bright or revealing.

Sights & Sounds

As you enter the block, small pieces of glimmering confetti float down from above. Don't try to brush them off - there's no escaping the glitter and shine. You'll quickly realize the only taboo at the Carnivale is to have taboos in the first place. Partiers are here to let loose, and won't take to it kindly if you've come to bring down the mood. If you're shy, the locals are encouraging and will direct you to one of the main festival sections.

◎ Sanguine Promenade

Here, large tents in bright colors fill the walkway. Each tent hosts a different activity: drinking, bathing, gambling, and more intimate desires. The Promenade is illuminated with floating candles that shift colors to match the surroundings. Aphrodisiacs can be obtained upon request. They offer a range of effects from heightened sensitivity to relaxation. Avoid unlabeled foods - you might accidentally take something you didn't want.

A few of the tents will have a wall of colorful masks, each one featuring a different animal: a mouse, a rabbit, a wolf, a bear, a snake. Donning the mask will cause you to take on the physical traits of those animals. Scales emerge along your skin, ears sprout from your head, your nails become claws. You won't gain any special senses or strength. The transformation is strictly visual. It'll fade the moment you take off the mask.

Designed for anonymity so that guests can indulge in more extravagant behaviors without attaching their name, they make for a fairly quick and easy disguise if you need to remain unidentified. Or, you can just have fun with them.

◎ Feasting Quarter

The Feasting Quarter is a glutton's paradise, especially for the Summoned who can dine and drink for free. Enticing smells from vibrant stalls beckon you forward. While typical Ikorran dishes are dainty and petite, the Carnivale brings rich flavors, thick slices of meat and fruit, and overflowing plates. And one can't forget the wines! Blood-free varieties are available. All attendants will receive a special chalice decorated with the Tower. With the chalice, you can go up to any stall and fill your cup as much as you like. You can also buy trinkets and flowers to add to your costume.

As is tradition, samples from a small eatery called Thought For Food are placed on tables around the Quarter. These small candies feature different flavors: spicy, sweet, and sour. The flavors give the effect one might expect (spicy enhances passion, sweet delivers euphoria, and sour induces clarity)...except for you, the effects are reversed. Does it have something to do with being a Summoned? Nobody can say, but the result is the same:

• a spicy morsel will dull all your emotions
• a sweet treat will make you irritable and moody
• a sour candy will cloud your judgment, thereby increasing impulsivity

To your relief, the effects wear off within the hour. Be careful you don't eat one of these while investigating. These candies are also dissolvable. Maybe you can slip a witness a candy to change their mood? Just remember that as native Abraxans, witnesses will experience the proper effects, not the reverse ones!

◎ Blood Moon Ring

The Blood Moon Ring is an arena lit with floating red orbs. No seats are available, so you'll have to crowd around if you want to watch. Sword swallowers, fire jugglers, and other extravagant displays are here to entertain you. Most of it uses illusory magic, but the Ikorrans are hardier than your average human, so some of their stunts are quite real.

At the far end is a hall full of mirrors titled The Unending Face of Madness. The plaque explains an Ikorran artist designed it as a tongue-in-cheek reference to rumors that vampires lack a reflection. It isn't meant to have any mystical properties. Indeed, none of the natives will experience anything unusual - but that isn't so for you. As you navigate the maze of mirrors, your reflections begin to move independently.

When you lean closer, you notice your image bears your Arcana across its chest. Then it begins to transform into the very thing that defines your Arcana Sign as you. Are you an outcast? Too unyielding in your judgement or foolishly hasty with your decisions? Was there an event that shaped who you became? Maybe your features will shift into another individual, or you'll face a past version of yourself at that defining moment in your life. Or, you see yourself as the person you're afraid you might become: a monster or a corrupted ruler. Whatever it is, the mirror will reveal a piece of your soul - not only to you but to anyone else who's in the maze with you.

The Crime

On FEBRUARY 25, the night of the Carnivale Epulum, you notice some oddities afoot a few hours in. Are the guests behaving strangely? Is it a strong instinct you possess? Did somebody tell you that they saw something weird? You should probably investigate in case things go south.

If you think you've solved the mystery, don't be hasty about chasing down the accused! Instead, bring your suspicions to Celeste. She'll decide who to apprehend based on all sets of accusations. Her temporary office is near the celebrations. You can't meet with her directly, but you can drop off the details with her secretary.

Characters should REPORT to Celeste rather than pursuing the suspect themselves. This is to avoid conflicting scenarios as to how and when the culprit is caught. The culprit will be one of the four Witnesses described under Investigating.

Rising Suspicions

Your suspicions might arise from one of the three scenarios below. Each scenario will lead you to the same information outlined under The Missing Artifact. You might be on your own, or you may be with a friend. Of course, you can also learn the details secondhand from someone you know.

Players can incorporate the information provided to flavor their threads and are welcome to take control (within reason) of the NPCs involved in these scenarios. If you have any questions about specific responses or behaviors, use the MOD CONTACT section.

If your character is inclined to announce the full details to everyone immediately, we recommend delaying their in-game discovery time a little. This will allow other player characters to engage in the discovery scenarios before they learn everything over the Network!

Scenario #1: Sentinel Guards

There's been a sudden increase in Sentinels, Ikorr's guarding force, around the perimeter of the street party. Approaching them, you learn that they won't let you leave. It's a matter of safety, you understand. They promise you everything should be sorted by morning. If you're polite and question them further, they'll admit that a thief has struck the vaults. Though they can't disclose anything else, they'll direct you to their Deputy Sentinel, Soraya Moran. Speaking to her, the deputy will tell you it's unorthodox to involve an outsider, but due to the emergency, she'll make an exception.

Scenario #2: Angry Guest

A distressed woman wanders the promenade in tears. She declares she's barricaded from retrieving her jewels in the vault and that her costume for the parade is now ruined. If you can calm her long enough to talk to her, she'll tell you that the Vault Guardians have sealed off the vaults to everyone, even esteemed patrons. Visiting the Vault Guardians, you learn that there's been a theft in the area. While they don't usually divulge the vault's precious contents, they admit they could use the help from a Summoned, given the potential consequences.

Scenario #3: Abandoned Skulls

Throughout the street festival, you can find several lost skulls from someone's costume. You might recognize it from the Drowning Maiden who went by during the parade...except the float and its massive tank never finished the circuit. When you locate the prop's owner (it is just a prop, right?), you realize why: the soaking wet maiden, now out of her costume, sits beside the defunct float with its cracked tank. Upset, she insists that someone must've tampered with the tank. Have you heard of the theft in the vaults? She's sure the thief did something to her tank to cause the distraction. She directs you to Ikorr's Deputy Sentinel, Soraya Moran. Speaking to her, the deputy will confirm the theft. While it's unorthodox to involve an outsider, due to the emergency, she'll make an exception.

The Missing Artifact

Whether you speak to the Deputy Sentinel or the Vault Guardians, they'll tell you the same thing: that the item stolen is of critical importance and extremely dangerous if not contained. Historically, Ikorr's secured vaults have never been broken into, so this is an unprecedented situation. Officials suspect more nefarious forces are at play.

Ikorr will stress that the goal is to recover the artifact undamaged so that it can be safely locked away again. While characters will be faced with the decision to destroy or preserve it at the end of the night, they will not know that this is a potential option until after the artifact is recovered and Luna has made its stand.

Further questioning will reveal the following details:

◎ While the item itself is, of course, gone, you can take a look at a painting of it located in the public art gallery directly above where the vaults are secured. Called the Twin Latchkeys, its origins are unknown, but its appearance is unlike other artifacts in Abraxas. The vivid paint is well-preserved despite the passing of time. When the blades taste blood, the user becomes a conduit for great power.

◎ Inside the vault, next to the missing artifact, is an ancient headless torso fossilized in stone. Its chest has been split open and folded back - like two doors opening. The Sentinels explain that this is the last known user of the daggers. While the specimen holds no relevant clues, seeing the consequences for yourself might spur you to action.

◎ The vault shows no signs of forced entry. The powerful wards aren't broken at all. The Sentinels claim this can only be possible if the ward were taken down, then erected back up, something that would require an unusual amount of magic.

◎ From the Sentinels, you can learn the names of key Witnesses as outlined below. They'll also point out that the Vaults and the gallery above are a good place to start. The dressing room at the Blood Moon Ring may have experts in lesser-known magic, as well as somebody who might know what really happened with the tank and the Drowning Maiden. The Sanguine Promenade is ideal for eavesdropping, where talk flows freely. Finally, the Feasting Quarter has shopkeepers who're privy to all manner of gossip.

Investigating

The Sentinels can suggest some key names (Witnesses) or locations (Scenes) to help you get started. Examining a witness or scene will lead you to Evidence that you can investigate further or add to your notes. You won't find evidence unless you look around first. There are no strict limitations on how much you can do or examine at a time, but keep in mind you'll be working with others - so it might be a good idea to delegate and share the load!

Keep your focus on the noted evidence and witnesses. You're welcome to go off track, but you're unlikely to uncover anything useful. Ikorr officials will suggest you take a partner in case you run into any danger. Try your best to be discreet. While you can use the authority Ikorr bestowed on you to get information, making it known you're investigating may result in witnesses being less cooperative. The choice is yours!

Characters can investigate or interact with any of the points provided below. Interactions can be accidental if your character wouldn't get involved on their own. Further, the Horizon is available for coordinating evidence, recreating crime scenes, and more.

Images are purely references for visualization. All necessary information will be in the text. You can explore what you like for CR purposes, but only the items listed below will help you solve the mystery. Forms are available in the body of the Coordination Post itself.

Witnesses

Each witness has an assigned location. They won't stray from there, so they'll be easy to find if you need to see them again. You can either talk to or spy on an individual. The higher your rank, the more trouble you'll have spying. Try your abilities or look to the Carnivale Night Sights & Sounds to see what you can use. Any one of these witnesses can become a suspect. Be careful! Delivering unsubstantiated accusations to Celeste can lead the real culprit to escape.

Babis ◎ Interact
Sanguine Promenade

Bright-eyed and earnest, Babis has traveled to Ikorr to celebrate his 20th birthday. Despite his youth, he's a talented blacksmith seeking to hone his craft and expand his horizons outside the Nether. He has a record of theft for stealing an expensive wine, demonstrating his impressive lock-picking skills. Security claim they saw him in the gallery above the vault at the time of the theft - unusual, since most of the crowd would've gathered outside for the parade by then. They'll also note that he viewed the painting of the Twin Latchkeys frequently, returning to it over and over. The other witnesses may know more about him...or you might want to follow him first to see what he's up to.

Retha Zelpha (Firewing) ◎ Interact
Blood Moon Ring

Retha Zelpha is an Ikorran performer for the Blood Moon Ring. A well-respected figurehead for the event, Retha knows anyone and everyone who takes part in the performances - both past and present. A skilled ventriloquist, she sometimes speaks through her bird, named Firewing. Confusingly, "Firewing" is also Retha's stage name, leading to rumors that Retha and the bird are the same individual. You can find her looking after the performers or resting in her dressing room. Or, if you have good timing, you can catch her after one of her impressive acrobatic displays, where she soars nearly as high as Firewing (the bird). As with many in the entertainment business, she has a fair number of rivals...and a history of being vengeful.

Soraya Moran ◎ Interact
The Vault

Soraya Moran has been a Sentinel her entire life. Young by Ikorran standards, she was promoted to Deputy six years ago. Soraya is most informed about the vaults: its history, access records, information about the wards, and security protocols. While she was once a common sight during late nights, the past year has seen her take more time to herself ever since she began dating Marcellus Ver, the famous chef. Or, that was the case. In the month leading up to the festival, Soraya began taking extra shifts guarding the vault, which her colleagues find odd. What happened to all her talk of finally settling down? Gossip around the blood cooler is that her relationship with Marcellus was growing turbulent, causing her to avoid her home life by throwing herself back into work - but it's equally possible there's more to it.

Marcellus Ver ◎ Interact
Feasting Quarter

Marcellus Ver is a talented chef who's become a wealthy businessman and landowner. He made his name on his signature wine, the coveted Dusk Rose, an expensive vintage that uses a secret ingredient. The wine isn't available to the public. Marcellus sells it to an exclusive clientele list. He has a hand in nearly every shop established in the Feasting Quarter. Despite his considerable riches, his generosity is well-known, as well as his support for the arts. Coupled with his charms, Marcellus is a popular figure in Ikorr. He can often be found sampling the food and wine around the Feasting Quarter to make sure they're up to standard for the guests - and his name. If you need to know who to talk to for information on a particular subject, he can likely point you to the right shopkeeper. Of course, you may have to wonder, is his reputation just a little too spotless?

Scenes

You can investigate these locations below for any reason. Maybe you think it's a good idea to begin somewhere, or you spoke to someone who gave you the lead. While you can explore the broader area, it's best to narrow your focus to one of the key aspects (denoted with an underline). Any one of these scenes can contain evidence, which you can pursue further in the Evidence section below.

The Vaults ◎ Interact
Vault/Gallery

Underneath the art gallery, you can find the vaults, now sealed off by a team of Vault Guardians. Supervising them is Deputy Sentinel Soraya Moran, who'll guide you around the crime scene. There are two key sections you might want to examine: the warding that surrounds the vaults and the blood signature used to seal the artifact inside its (now empty) case. You can also look upstairs and speak to the gallery security guards, who keep an eye on the public artworks. Many of Ikorr's important figures keep their valuables in these vaults, too, but you'll need a good reason first to go through someone else's private vault.

Dressing Room ◎ Interact
Blood Moon Ring

You can find several dressing rooms at the Blood Moon Ring, but one locked door stands out: while the area is busy with performers coming and going, no one seems to be using this particular room. To gain access, you'll need to bypass the lock using your magic or skills. Having a special lockpick may help. If you've heard of a certain Draconae thief, you can try seeing if he'll lend you a hand. Or, you can go at it yourself. Sneaking risks getting caught, but it'll get you in and out much quicker. However, should you get on Retha Zepha's good side, she'll let you in to look around without trouble. Once inside, you can examine one of the following: the closets and dressers, the vanity table, and a wall decorated with paintings.

Merchant Stalls ◎ Interact
Feasting Quarter

The Feasting Quarter includes the famous Sun Petal, a flower stall run by an expert botanist who could know a thing or two about unusual plants. Another wine merchant is rumored to possess a bottle or two of the Dusk Rose vintage. They aren't advertising this fact, though, so you'll need to eavesdrop or ask a witness who might know about wines. Of course, it'll help if you can explain why you're so interested in either information. If you'd rather look around, you can examine one of the following: the storage area behind the merchant stalls and the carts of food samples.

Bathing Tent ◎ Interact
Sanguine Promenade

This is where the Ikorrans go to have a dip in the heated pool. If you want to talk to anyone discreetly, you'll also have to strip down and don one of the disguising masks to blend in. If you show up fully clothed or unmasked, you'll draw more attention to the investigation. There's no right or wrong way to do it! Being upfront will give you the authority to look where you want, but folks will be unhappy. Discretion will keep everyone none the wiser. Once inside, you can examine one of the following: a series of locked trunks where people store their belongings (located behind a curtain), a sauna that's mysteriously out of commission, and the lost and found barrels. If you've chosen to go undercover, make sure you use a distraction or keep watch so no one catches you rummaging where you shouldn't.

Evidence

Evidence can only be examined after it's found. You can find a piece of evidence by investigating a Scene or a Witness above. For simplicity, there are three "types" of evidence. However, there are multiple items of each type - so don't worry if someone else has already "taken" one of the evidence items. Keep investigating, and you might find something of your own. For example, you may find a third or fourth letter that previous others didn't.

Letters & Records ◎ Interact
Unknown

Important letters and other records can be found in the various scenes you explore. Once you have one, you can examine it in detail, cross-reference it with other letters or records, or use the information you learn to return to a Witness to pursue a new line of questioning.

Leather Sachets ◎ Interact
Unknown

These unusual leather sachets will surface around the Carnivale area. You're likely to find one hidden in an unexpected place, though it's possible one of the locals will have found one, too. Be sure to examine its contents closely, and compare what you find inside to other sachets that show up. There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason as to where one is located. In fact, you might not even be investigating on purpose when you stumble across it.

Blood Signature ◎ Interact
Unknown

You'll be informed that of the authorized personnel who have access to the Twin Latchkeys, none of them match the blood signature used. As a result, it'll be up to you to search for a match. You'll have the best luck if you focus on one of the four Witnesses. To find a match, you'll need to obtain the person's hair, saliva, or blood. How you accomplish this is up to you! If you're positive someone's innocent, you can request they hand a sample over to clear their name. However, you'll risk alerting the culprit if you target the wrong person or are caught stealing a sample.

The Confrontation

Fortunately, whether or not the culprit is identified, Ikorr will recover the missing artifact. The Sentinels will notify all of the Summoned about the news, even if they weren't involved in the investigation, and will request everyone gather in Celeste's office.

There appears to be a small hiccup, however: due to the Twin Latchkeys going missing, Luna has caught wind that Ikorr possesses the object, and they've come to do something about it.

Brewing Tensions

Luna is demanding the artifact be destroyed rather than returned to the vaults. They've sent one of their own, though the werewolf who arrives is not the one some may have grown familiar with. Accompanied by only two guards, Thyra, a member of the Circle, is here to deliver a message that if Ikorr won't give up the artifact, the vampires could very well disrupt the tenuous peace built over the past two years. Naturally, Ikorr holds similar sentiments should the Lunae refuse to leave Ikorr's borders.

◎ IKORR claims that destroying the artifact will risk unleashing a dangerous unknown power. Keeping it contained is the only surefire way to keep everyone safe. Ikorr's vaults haven't been breached in thousands of years, and they don't foresee this happening again.

◎ LUNA claims that containing the artifact will risk that power escaping in the future. Destroying it is the only surefire way to keep everyone safe. It only takes one misstep for something to go wrong, as tonight demonstrated.

With how involved the Summoned have been in Nocwich and the measure of respect some of you have gained, a few eyes turn to you for answers. Most of Ikorr's Sentinels want to go home without starting a war. Other Summoned may feel the same. Thyra and her guards don't appear interested in conflict, either, but they firmly believe the world is threatened by the existence of this object and will do what it takes.

Tensions aren't just between Ikorr and Luna. There are the other Summoned to consider. With so many of you gathered together, and emotions running high, you might find yourself in the middle of more than one conflict or arguing with your friends.

Taking Action (or Not)

For some of you, the choice is easy. For others, you might feel conflicted. Do you help? If so, whose side do you take, if anyone's? You won't have a lot of time to decide while tensions rapidly mount. Either option poses a risk: you can't take it back if you accidentally release the dark force inside the artifact, but nor can you predict if or when that force could escape on its own somehow.

And if you don't want to get involved? Nobody could blame you for stepping aside to let Ikorr and Luna resolve their centuries-old conflict. In fact, neither Luna nor Ikorr will explicitly ask you to intervene. They're more than ready to take matters into their own hands, and they understand you aren't responsible for Nocwich's politics. But they are willing to hear you out if you have something to say. You get the sense that you're the only person they'll listen to.

Still, you wonder if you're letting all the importance bestowed on you as a Summoned get to your head. Or maybe you don't wonder anything. Maybe you're acting just to keep things from spiraling out of control, or you're positive you have to save these people from themselves - and protect your friends, too. You've seen firsthand the kind of havoc that can occur with untested powers. What if this artifact disturbs the Singularity or worse? You certainly don't want a war (do you?)

No matter what you do next, you'll leave your mark behind. Will your meddling make things worse? Or will you walk away only to discover you should've made a stand?

No vote will take place in-game, but OOC, players will SUBMIT THEIR DECISION as a vote. The deadline is March 3 at 11:59 ET.

Each character can have a vote as long as you can link a thread of them participating in the event. You can side with Ikorr, Luna, or Abstain. All three choices will carry consequences. You can also use the Coordination Post to play out any rapid IC exchanges while everyone is gathered together.

---

Comments

Kyle | Thorne | The Hanged Man

[ushiri]

GENERAL CHARACTER CONTENT WARNINGS: here

CARNIVALE OUTFIT: black robes and gold adornments

wille.

[ushiri]

Kahlil draws looks as he walks through the marketplace, and while he didn't mind it an hour or two earlier, the attention is something of an annoyance now that he's here hoping to do a bit of eavesdropping.

This situation should have nothing to do with them, except that the culprit purposely planned their heist for this specific night. Kahlil is tense. The last time he was at a party in Ikorr things also went awry, with disastrous result. The vampires are still a relatively unknown quantity to them, and though he'd been curious enough to look over the scene of the crime, he doesn't know how much the Summoned should be inserting themselves in any of this mess.

Although the market is buzzing with the spreading news, there are still merchants trying to sell things - and one very annoyingly calls out to Kahlil as he's trying to walk by - he forces a smile and shakes his head, beelining for the first familiar face he sees.

"Been a strange night," he says, approaching Wilhelm from the side. Kahlil feels a small sense of relief at finding him, maybe again reminded of that summer party.

"What are you up to?"

[ordinar]

As the celebratory atmosphere starts to thin with tension, Wilhelm finds himself wishing he hadn't indulged in quite so much wine. He lost count early in the evening. It seemed like as soon as his chalice was empty, someone popped up to encourage him to top it off again. Tonight's festivities are in honor of the Tower, after all, and here he is in all of his chaotic upheaval-ish glory.

His head is buzzing. The rest of the world seems to float and tilt around him. He tries very hard to stand up straight and look sharper than he feels. When Kyle suddenly appears beside him, he startles.

"Trying to be sober," he answers truthfully, the words stumbling and bunching together. "And looking for Kelson."

[ushiri]

He hadn't meant to startle the poor kid, and a hand shoots out to gently hold him steady by the shoulder. Kahlil offers a look of sympathy, he'd had a habit of getting lost in his cups more than once at Wille's age during celebrations, albeit for different reasons.

He hopes, at least.

"Kelson?" An eyebrow raises. "Everything alright?"

His first thought is that something between the two boys might be reason for Wille's state... Kahlil knows nothing of Kelson's preferences, which has him mildly concerned.

[ordinar]

All of the delicate little chains and beads that compose the top part of his costume rustle gently as he sways into Kyle. He pulls in a breath, trying to ground himself. Trying to get the world to fall still.

"Yeah, yeah, everything's fine." He pats Kyle's arm in reassurance. "It's just, I was supposed to be making sure he has fun, and I lost him. Or...he lost me? ...Oh!"

Abruptly, Wilhelm grabs onto the black robe draping Kyle's shoulder and leans in closer. Urgency slants into his voice even as he crushes it to a whisper.

"Something important was stolen. It's...it's really bad, apparently."

[ushiri]

Kahlil attempts to follow Wilhelm's train of thought - and finds himself being nudged down to listen.

Well, at least the problem isn't with teenage hearts tonight.

"I did hear that..." he nods very seriously, matching his volume to a whisper. If it's reached an inebriated Wille, word must be spreading fast.

"There's got to be a lot of gossip, but -" he catches the eye of a vampire staring at the two of them. Kahlil lifts an eyebrow and they glance away again, pretending not to have been trying to listen to the pair of Summoned.

"- I think I might make people too nervous to talk freely."

geralt.

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil has spoken with the Sentinels, keeping his questions quick and direct before moving down to the vaults. Kahlil feels entirely overdressed in his long, flowing robe and gold adornments across his shoulders. They cover his right arm, masking the lines of scars that run down them. The ones littering his abdomen are on full display.

He is used to being the one causing - sometimes staging a crime scene, not investigating one. But the description of these keys that are weapons, their taste for blood - it's his language.

The fossilized corpse gives him pause, as does the other person currently inspecting the area. ]

Have you seen anything like this before? [ A glance from Geralt to the stone body. He grimaces. ]

[gynvael]

[ Crossing paths with Kyle is both unexpected and yet not. He isn't surprised to see that the man's one of the first to notice something awry. In any case, Geralt sees no reason not to peer about with Kyle—and he's keen to gather what he can before the rest of the party realizes there's more happening under the surface.

He folds his arms over his chest, frowning. The open jacket with its feathery collar is clearly not his first choice, but he's. Making do. Why do these things never take place during a normal day when he is not required to put on an outfit? ]

Not...exactly. [ On occasion, monsters burst out of a human chest. But this looks far more deliberate. ] It's nearly ritualistic.

[ Or scientific—a revealing of the internal organs for study. ]

Have you spoken to the guards?

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil isn't going to comment on the feathers, or the amount of chest exposed. Perhaps it's Julie's fashion influence.

He isn't sure whether he's surprised or not that Geralt is here looking around down here. It's been a long while since they've had a longer conversation, which Kahlil himself had ended abruptly. He might not expect Geralt to involve himself in the matters of these territories - Kahlil isn't entirely sure any of the Summoned should or need to, but they're also being told they can't leave, so there's little else to do.

And maybe some of them are anxious after what happened two summers ago. Kahlil had been Ikorr at the time. ]

I did. The weapons allegedly can be empowered by blood. [ He shifts back to the corpse, nodding to it with a somber look. ] They were the last to use them.

[ He shakes his head, lowering his voice. ] My people used blood rituals on our weapons. They could infect the body and spirit - but they didn't do this.

[ This is grotesque. ]

[gynvael]

[ Regrettably, it's just the least offensive item he can find since his own shirt has been...displaced. Thanks to Jaskier. ]

If you ask me, [ He pokes his fingers into the chest cavity. The thought of asking permission from the Sentinels does not cross his mind. ] it seems as though whatever power the victim possessed, they failed to contain it. Tore them apart.

[ He withdraws his hand. It's strange. Everything he's learnt so far suggests this is the work of either an unusually powerful mage or a group of men, but he's not sure what that really means. What would they want with this object? If they're powerful enough to have breached the vaults, then they must've known they'd leave their blood behind. Was it simply something they felt was worth the risk?

Geralt leaves the specimen, pausing before the wards. His fingers curl lightly around his medallion. Hm. ] What do you know about the wards here?

[ Thorne uses them often. He doesn't encounter them much in the Free Cities. ]

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil frowns when Geralt fingers the corpse's chest, and also chooses not to comment on this.

Torn them apart sounds right. It brings to mind very suddenly images from a battlefield he only half remembers, and is sure he's never been to himself - this is Ravishan's past. A great power that shredded the land and men and their mounts alike...

He blinks back to Geralt, replaying the question in his head as his gaze shifts to the medallion. His eyes close, and he tries to focus on the energies pulsing and threading through the the vault, not unlike how he feels out invisible currents between space when he splits open the Gray Space. ]

I can tell they're strong - [ which is just stating the obvious. ] And that one - [ he opens his eyes with a scowl, pointing at the wards around where the artifact had been held ] - feels off.

[ And not in a way he can properly verbalize. Another shake of his head. ]

Let me try something else.

[ There are guards here, but Kahlil makes no effort to hide what he does - with a small motion of his hand he opens a tear in space and hops inside, letting it shut behind him. Geralt might feel a rush a cold, sterile air before it closes, and a kind of burning ozone scent in its wake. ]

viktor.

[ushiri]

[ A year and a half ago when Kahlil first arrived in Abraxas a carnival like this would've been pure sensory overload. Even now it's all a little overwhelming at first, so many choices, alluring sights and sounds and scents pulling him this way and that along the promenade.

By the time he wanders toward the tent with the animal masks he's already had quite a bit of food and drink, and appears to have been accosted along the way by enthusiastic revelers - his dark hair and robes are dusted with glitter and small white flower petals.

The vampire manning this tent offers an explanation for the temporary transformation spells attached to them. He's grown used to how casually magic like this is talked about and used in this world, but he still can't help reflecting on how such a simple spell here would be considered more sinister in his own world. His fingers trace along the sculpted lines of the masks, settling on the most dog-like of them. He brings it up to his face, his gums starting to itch.

If someone were to unexpectedly approach him, they might be jumpscared when his lips pull back into a terse grin to show a mouth full of sharpened teeth. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor, too, is overwhelmed, and no amount of interest in the vampires negates the fact that the vibe of this festival is more-or-less antithetical to everything he prefers. He's been here long enough, at least, to know that he needs to dress the part on occasion, and Viktor is aware of all the eyes on him by now. He manages to work out something that doesn't reveal all of the orthotics he wears just to remain upright, and seems sufficiently shiny enough. It's certainly less revealing than what most of the vampires--and even some of the Summoned--are wearing, but Viktor likes to think he's a special case.

That, and he's already got glitter all over himself. In his hair, dusting his face. By now, he's resigned himself to the fact that it's unavoidable.

Suffice it to say that Viktor is seeking out a friendly face. Kyle's familiar silhouette is something that he unconsciously zeroes in on while browsing the festival, and he always enjoys an opportunity to meet in person. He is about to reach out to tap him on the shoulder when Kyle turns of his own accord, stopping him in his tracks.]

Ah.

[Having not heard the explanation from the vendor, Viktor is not expecting Kyle to turn around masked, with a mouthful of sharp teeth. To his credit, he tempers his reaction, immediately writing it off to the magic of the evening, even if the sight of it is

alarming. To say the least.]

That's new.

[ushiri]

[ As soon as recognition appears in Kahlil's eyes his grin goes from being something weird he's doing with his mouth to relaxed and genuine. His gaze trails from Viktor's glittery hair and face to the rest of his outfit. He doesn't think of Viktor as particularly modest, he's seen him dressed in much less, but neither is he surprised that he wouldn't show more skin in the context of a party like this one.

Kahlil enjoys all the extravagant clothes on display, and though he usually doesn't let his gaze noticeably linger too long on Viktor for a fair number of reasons, he does so now to admire the adornments on the outfit as he talks: ]

Is it? Maybe I've been hiding them all along. [ He runs his tongue gingerly over the top row of newly sharpened teeth, then tests opening and closing his mouth. ] There's a warrior sect in my world that has the real thing, or close as - they file them down themselves.

[ He pokes at his canines with a pointer finger, demonstrating and messing around with his mouth. He clacks his teeth shut a couple of times. Kahlil is devout, but the kahlirash'im are fanatics even to a self-described fanatic. ]

Their engineers are clever too, the first time I visited their fortress was intimidating - [ in a sudden, self-aware moment he realizes he's reminiscing about things he's not certain Viktor cares about while sticking his fingers in his mouth like he's a child. Hands drop down to his sides, and he nods to the rest of the masks with a grin. ]

Try one on. I want to see what they do.

[techmaturgy]

I would have noticed.

[He says that as a half-joke, because he knows Kyle has changed his appearance before. The scars, the tattoos--maybe he wouldn't be surprised, to find out that he's hiding this as well. Kyle's even saying that there's precedent for it, back in his world.

That said, a closer look reveals that Kyle appears decidedly canine, like the mask. Not the effect one would achieve by literally filing down one's teeth. Not exactly comforting, to know that's the state of engineers and scientists where Kyle comes from--is there a part of him that expected that sort of fanaticism from Viktor?

He's not given much time to dwell on it, not with Kyle gesturing to the wall of masks, insisting that Viktor should try one as well. By now he's caught snippets of the vendor's spiel (and, of course, he can see the result right in front of him), which leaves him slightly reluctant.]

Which one?

hilda.

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil returns to the hall of mirrors a second time that night, waiting for a quieter moment to enter alone.

Like before, his own altered reflection stares back at him. His face is scarred and tattooed, his carnival outfit replaced with the priest robes he normally wears in Horizon, the arcana sign of the Hanged Man emblazoned on the front.

Behind his reflection rises something like a black tower, or the remains of one. Its black metal cables are entangled and merged with the broken yellow marble of another structure or two, it's difficult to glean more detail because of the amount of damage.

Just like before, a man steps into view from behind him. Kahlil is tall, but this man is even a few inches taller, and broader at the shoulders. His long, sun-bleached blonde hair hangs down to his shoulders, framing a face that seems uncannily similar to the twin statues in Kahlil's domain. His expression is impossible to read - one moment there might be feverish anger in his gaze, in another its shock and distress - sometimes he appears to be a slightly younger man, the hard lines of his face softening. His hands slip to Kahlil's shoulders or grip around his throat, depending on that expression.

Kahlil watches, motionless, with an ache in his chest - until he hears someone approaching from behind - to that he turns, his own expression one of anger in that moment. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ The mirrors were simply something she wanted to check off her proverbial bingo card. She'd heard rumours of it showing pieces of the Summoned's souls or parts of themselves that their Arcana represented but if she were being perfectly honest, she didn't think her reflection would show her much.

Ever the active imagination she had speculated quietly to herself what might appear but had only come up with two realistic options (to her). Which, so far, were either the faces of those that she considered herself loyal to...or her walking around in a giant heart costume. Either way she wasn't particularly worried about the outcome. But privately she wondered if it would show anything different at all.

So far her speculations had remained just that. Aside from her reflection flitting off to Goddess knows where she hadn't seen anything remarkable about it. So focused on watching it, she winds further and further into the belly of the maze only realizing a beat later than she may normally that the person she stumbles upon is a friend. ]

Kyle! [ It's not so much is angry expression that takes her aback. Rather it's the sight of his reflection, of a man with bleached hair gripping the throat of what should be Kyle's reflection. ] Hi.

[ Her bright smile falters, a chink in her otherwise cheerful attitude. Immediately it's wiped away replaced with an apologetic grimace. ]

If I was disturbing you I can leave.

[ushiri]

[ The anger in his eyes falters when he sees who it is that's come up behind him, his expression turning to one of guilt before he smooths it out. ]

Hi - [ he manages, quickly glancing over his shoulder. To his relief (and heartbreak), it's only his own reflection staring back at him - the handsome figure and the broken structure have both vanished.

She might catch a flicker of regret in his gaze as it returns to her, and he gives a quick shake of his head. ]

No, you don't have to. You're not. [ Disturbing him. He gives a furtive glance at her nearest reflection, though it appears no different than what's actually in the room. Kahlil lets out a deep sigh, looking over her shoulder and raises an eyebrow. ]

Did you come by yourself?

[theidlemaiden]

[ The striking blonde man in the mirror disappears, but Hilda's gaze isn't on the mirror. It's on her friend. She watches another expression she hasn't seen on his face before pass over it like a cloud before it's gone as quickly as it had come. There's an inquisitive look in her gaze that contrasts with the sheepish smile that she offers him. ]

Yup! Although I think in hindsight that was a mistake. [ She holds out her arms helplessly as she gives a depreciating laugh. ] I'm not very good with directions.

[ Her eyes flit back towards their reflections - or Kyle's rather. Hers has decided to make itself scarce again, a flash of pink disappearing around the corner. Maybe she was starting to understand why Holst had been so exasperated with her whenever she took off at the slightest hint of anything serious. ]

I don't think you're that bad with directions though.

[ There's a pause, almost a hesitation as she considers whether or not to ask him what she had seen or if he'd prefer that she pretended she hadn't seen anything at all. In the end curiosity wins out, albeit with that same, cautious smile on her face. ]

...Was that someone you knew from home?

castiel.

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil is taking his time perusing the Feasting Quarter, keeping his chalice full while trying not to overindulge. He sticks to the smaller offerings, wanting to taste one of everything rather than take the large helpings that he probably won't finish. Even here, he tries not to be wasteful where he can.

The Thought for Food samples eventually catch his eye. He listens to the server explain the three different varieties, glancing over with surprise to see Castiel hovering nearby. ]

I don't think I've ever had spicy candy... [ He seems dubious at the part about enhancing passions, but he takes one anyway - giving it a small sniff and then a tentative lick. The flavor isn't one he can place, but the tip of his tongue goes numb. ]

[unwings]

[ this place is like a science fair, and cas has been ambling around closely inspecting each food or drink item that boasts a claim to alter the mind, body or heart. he's only watched other ingest them so far, and kyle's providing a unique moment for observation.

he leans in, watching hid friend closely after he licks the candy, squinting for biological indications of a change. ]

And? Do you feel more passionate?

[ushiri]

Not really.

[ He shrugs, then pops the whole candy into his mouth. ]

It's like... cinnamon? I was hoping for jalapeño...

[ It's a little disappointing, actually. He takes another sample and tosses it to Castiel. ]

It says sour for clarity.

[unwings]

Hm. Disappointing. [ sorry for kyle's anticlimatic candy, cas hopes the next will be more satisfying and pops the sour candy into his mouth, feeling electrons bouncing around while molecules shift and chemical reactions dance along his tongue. yep, sure is atoms. ]

Tastes of citric acid.

[ tricarboxylic acid is very important to all organic beings, of course, so all in all, he'd say he approves.

something subtle shifts in his mind, quiet and unnoticed, so it doesn't strike him as strange when a tray of wine glasses passes by, and the intrusive urge to grab one and down the drink like a shot results in the unquestioning execution of the action. he digs another sour candy from the bowl and holds it out to kyle. ]

Perhaps it's a building effect. We may need several of them before the change is noticeable.

Feasting Quarter

[the_keeper]

"Hypothetically—" Sabine starts, maybe popping in out of nowhere, maybe just having spotted him while she was walking through this area, as well. "—banquets should get boring at the staggering rate that we seem to be continually treated to them."

Beat. "And yet—"

She pops the last of a slice of purple fruit in her mouth.

[ushiri]

He gives her a sour look for stealing the last fruit slice, but there's no real heat to it. His fault for not being quick enough, he guesses.

"I thought all women enjoy dressing up as often as possible..." he shoots back with a raised eyebrow. Kahlil, at thirty-something years old, still knows very little about women. If Sabine really is a woman, anyway.

He plucks something with a stem, like a candied cherry, and pops it in his mouth.