Welcome to Thorne!

[magicalarchaeologist]

WHO: OPEN to all Summoned in Thorne
WHAT: A party, info dump, and magic study session all rolled into one! Eat, drink, mingle -- make some friends! If your character is interested, they can go help out in Nott instead/afterward!
WHEN: After the new people arrive
WHERE: A ballroom in Castle Thorne and at Nott (pre and post worse storms)

NOTES: This is an open mingle log where everyone can tag one another! New characters may hear some gossip and chatter about recent important events that happened in Abraxas. They would have heard that recently the Summoned were invited to Ikorr, the land of the vampires, for their annual decadent party. While there, a heist went down involving a chef name Marcellus who stole an important Ikorr artifact. After catching the man, the Lunae showed up to demand the artifact so they could destroy it. The Summoned supported keeping it with the Ikorr and not destroying it, causing some trouble with the Luna.

Over the course of the night, a strange being was playing with the Summoned, and when they left, they had a vision of a god who said "You are Awaited." Shortly afterward, the Singularity started reacting to something unknown and caused lightning to appear in the sky and winds to pick up severely. There has been damage to all of Thorne but more specifically Nott. Please note at the bottom of this log that there are two prompts for Nott that you can take part in, one when it's just the winds and one when people have to flee the worse storms.



General.

Jill Warrick and Istredd are the hosts of this celebration. Jill will have sent a written invitation to all Thornean newcomers after 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 Istredd or Jill, 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 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 and liquor from large glass carafes. Hot tea and a variety of warm drinks are also available in a few flavors. 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. Jill arranged for special refreshments to be offered in partnership with local businesses. Dante has also offered pizza for those who want something less traditional.

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. Everything is decorated in Thorne's local winter flowers, filling the space with pleasant smells and pretty atmosphere. There is 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.

Istredd is 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. Istredd recommends people visit his Horizon because he has a history of the Summoned and general helpful details written in there for anyone to see.

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.

Nott Pre-Storm

Newcomers may be made aware that there are particularly harsh winds happening at the moment and that Nott, a poor fisherman city, has been in particular damaged by this. Istredd will announce at the ballroom that anyone who wishes to pitch in to help Nott would be welcomed, and there is a portal going there. He says that there are ships who never made it back and most of the ones left are damaged and need patching up. They have been working on fixing up an old hospital that could use physical labor on it and people to move anyone injured by the storms into there for extra help. Newcomers do not need to volunteer for this and can enjoy the party without it, but this is an option!

Nott Post-Storm

Shortly after the ballroom and the request for assistance, the weather in Nott takes a turn for the worst. Lightning now strikes the ground, and heavy rains have led to flooding. Conditions have grown from troublesome to outright dangerous. While the Summoned can be there at the time when things turn, they will be forced to leave back through the portals, although they will be assured the guards can handle what's coming. They will not have a choice or be able to go back. You can use this for their reactions to the disaster and any feelings they may have!

(( 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. Your character can also know anything from the entries I linked to above that are in his library if you'd like to jump-start them into having information, or they can know none of it.))

Comments

[parce]

They're called...whatever they want to be called, I suppose. I've heard them called healers, medical helpers, doctors. I just default to healers.

( same thing, different name. )

This is my first time to Nott as well. I've been staying around Thorne since I've gotten here. But, I regret that now. It seems that Nott could have used some help beforehand.

[sophos]

Is it all magic based healing here?

[ she really shouldn't be posing questions like this in a crisis, but she can't help it. it's fine, annabeth can multitask. it's not a real battle, but she's still able to take in all the chaos going on around them easily, guiding nikolai around the debris without even thinking. ]

I heard it was a good place to visit, but they definitely don't seem like they're ready for a tourism burst right now. Hopefully we can help more again when the storms end.

[parce]

I don't believe so.

( he shakes his head. )

I have been fortunate enough to not have needed much medical attention but I've seen all types of assistance here. Whatever works, right?

( healing was healing. )

I've heard similar things about Nott. I haven't had much chance to visit. Things can get a busy around here without you noticing.

[sophos]

[ annabeth draws in a small puff of a sigh, agreeing. ] Yeah. Whatever works.

[ she's just going to assume there's no nectar and ambrosia here at the ready. unfortunate. she'll have to use real medicines? terrible. ]

And how long have you been around to make these observations?

[parce]

A few months now.

( it definitely feels like it's been longer especially when things like this happen but he realizes that he's still fairly new to things. still learning. )

Not nearly as long as other people though. Some have been here years. Perhaps since this place became...I don't know, available to be at?

[sophos]

[ she tries not to make a face, but the frown deepens anyway. the longevity of some people's tenures isn't news, but she still dislikes it. ]

I'm trying not to think about being here that long, thanks. [ fallback to sarcasm, perfect plan. ]

I hope it hasn't been three months of terrible, if the shit weather I walked in on is any indicator.

[parce]

I don't really know if I can describe what kind of three months it's been.

( interesting. trying. confusing. )

This place is very unlike the place I come from so it hasn't exactly been easy to adjust.

[sophos]

I'm going to assume semi-chaotic, if the current state of things is anything to go by.

[ chaotic is familiar enough for her, even if a lot about this world is unfamiliar. ]

Are you from Earth?

[parce]

I'm from Ravka.

( which might not be the answer she's looking for but it's the answer she gives. )

I've deduced that it's different than a lot of other places that people are from. Only a few people know Ravka.

[sophos]

You can add me to the never heard of it list.

[ she steps easily over a fallen slab of wood, without jostling the man's legs between them. ]

I'm from New York, in the United States. It's a lot different from there too.

[parce]

I think I've met a few other people from that place. New York.

( Earth seems to be the predominant place where people are from but it wasn't the only place.

he's careful as they walk, glancing behind him to make sure they were taking the best path possible. )

Do you do these sorts of things often in New York?

[sophos]

It's a big state, and New York City is the most populous in the country. [ her interest piques, but not enough to ask after it. new york is home to to a lot of people, and it doesn't necessarily mean she'll know any of them. ]

[ she continues to move easily through the debris, very aware of everything happening around them despite her attention to the conversation. ]

Do what? Deal with storms? [ it doesn't occur to her he might mean carry injured bodies around. ]

[parce]

Deal with storms or deal with...damage like this?

( he can't help but be utterly interested in places that he will probably never see in his life. some places sound so similar to ravka and others so different. )

Who rules this New York City?

[sophos]

[ she briefly wrinkles her nose. ]

The rats. [ no she's kidding. ] No one really rules New York City. The people elect a mayor for a couple of years, and there's other branches of government that run things too.

Supernatural storms are an occasional problem, but most people just think they're really bad weather.

[parce]

You've no king?

( interesting. he hasn't ever lived in a place like that, going from ravka right to thorne. so, all of that is very foreign to him. )

And that sort of government works well?

[sophos]

Some countries still have kings. But a bunch of colonies rebelled against their king over two centuries ago and now we have the United States, purposely with no king.

[ zeus is definitely king of the gods but that's different. ]

It depends on who you ask and who gets elected.

[parce]

Interesting.

( he tries to imagine ravka like that, electing someone to rule that wasn't a king, that wasn't from the lineage. )

Is it something that you think works? That sort of government?

[sophos]

[ she shrugs her shoulders, without dislodging her hold on the poor man between them. ]

It depends on who's in charge I guess, but I'm not old enough to vote yet anyway. [ she's not always the most up to date on mortal governments either, given her tendency to get sucked into the godly world. ]

I think it works in theory, but it needs everyone to participate and it needs good people who want to lead.

[parce]

And that doesn't always happen.

( nikolai doesn't really know what category he would put himself under. he hadn't ever wanted to lead but he'd gotten thrust into it because of tragic circumstances.

and now that he is leading, he wants to do a good job. )

I've been in places with leaders that liked the power but didn't want to use it in ways that it should have been used.

[sophos]

Correct. It doesn't. I think I'd be more surprised if there were places or worlds that didn't run into that problem.

[ she is currently in the midst of wondering if it applies to thorne. ]

[parce]

If there's one out there, I haven't heard of it.

( that would be quite the utopia, wouldn't it? )

I'm sure, if a place like that exists, they'd find a way to have other issues. Conflict seems to be a similarity everywhere.

[sophos]

Me neither.

I don't really think a perfect world or system of governance exists. [ sometimes she thinks she could help things get closer to that, but she also knows that's a part of her hubris talking. and she's been warned about that already, thank you very much. ]

I'm starting to think there will always be people ready to screw it up, even if it did.

[parce]

I don't disagree.

( about any place being perfect or about the existence of people who want to screw something good up. )

Some people get very bored, I believe, and try to start trouble for their entertainment.

[sophos]

Among many, many other reasons too. Thirst for power included.

[ the guy groans between them, and annabeth takes another look around. ]

Looks like there might be some kind of medical tent up there.

[parce]

Then, that's where we're heading.

( he grunts a bit, feeling the burn in his arms from carrying someone for a distance. but, they do manage to get the injured person to the tent and hopefully seen soon.

nikolai dusts off his hands. )

You're not injured at all, are you?