• OPEN •

[carmesi]

WHO: anyone and everyone in solvunn, some minor npcs
WHAT: mingle for the summoned, a funeral rite
WHEN: a day or two after the new summoned arrive
WHERE: in the treehouse and its surrounding area
WARNING: tba as necessary in comments

A. THE SUMMER EQUINOX

Across the different territories, the celebration of the Summer Equinox has long been awaited ever since the Spring Equinox picnics and floral decorations came to an end. Now, to celebrate the longevity of the sun, performers from different corners of the commune go about to entertain the community; sheaves of wheat and hay adorn the fields, and the drier ones are used to make decorative masks and costumes.

The days grow longer, and the settlements are decorated in ribbons of bright colors and the few flowers that are even more colorful this time of year, to decorate crowns or clothes—making bracelets to share amongst children and couples. The trees are a deep green, the branches dancing with the warm breeze that comes up from the southern coast, and the commune settles onto a festive mood as sunsets late into the day bring beautiful colors to coast over and through the clouds.

The celebration moves now towards the Primary Settlement. Trees are decorated with strings and ribbons, young girls and women in their best white dresses, dancing around to the rhythm of the music of the local bands. Young children run around in their half-finished masks and costumes, some of them even carrying a pamphlet that they give out to the Summoned, whether they're new or not. The Maypole, still erect from Spring, is being prepared to be burnt later in the night. In the meantime, people are asked to participate and add to the bonfire: twigs and flower crowns and ribbons.

Likewise, as the community waits for night to fall to culminate their celebrations, a small market has opened. Tents are raised under the eaves of trees, different items to barter: precious gems, produce, smoked meats, clothes, yarn, tools—the list is endless, as traders from across the different settlements have come to this particular spot. Come and join in the spirits of the celebrations and on the commune’s intent to bond together.

B. THE LOCAL TASTE

When shadows start to fall onto the commune, the market takes a different nature. No longer is there trading, necessarily, but rather the owners of pubs and makers of brews are excited to take part in this year’s ‘brew crawl’. Locals and Summoned alike are welcome to participate, both in providing the brews they have concocted over time and to partake in the drinking.

From one ‘stand’ to the other, ales of all colors from golden yellows to mauve browns, there is not a single individual who will go thirsty under the colorful lights of the marketplace. Watch out for roots that stick from the ground or a change in the ground’s level, and be sure to have at least one partner to make the most of the brew crawl.

At one point, the sound of drums and wooden flutes will signal to a rise as the shadows deepen. Men and women alike are invited to dance as the bonfire flares up into a white, hot blaze; the children who have managed to remain awake join as well, wearing their masks and chasing each other around. The atmosphere is electric, the buzz of ale thrumming through people’s inhibitions, and the general joy of the day’s celebrations. Locals sing songs without instruments, harmonizing with one another as they dance circles around the burning Maypole.

The youths in their masks will then scatter into the dark, sneaking out towards swamps or forest, forming a ‘mini-Council’ and attempting to sacrifice or make offerings to the Cardinal Gods. One may find an Elder mage or two chastizing the youths, who run away when caught, or one may even find themselves the lead subject of one of these ‘rites’. One could either follow along or snitch on them.

C. A FOREST'S LAMENT

As the heavens blotch into inky black skies, the sun seems to gift Solvunn with a gift of colors and light even as it has already departed, as they approach midnight. Pale reds and greens decorate the sky; the perfect backdrop of darkened treetops.

A more solemn ceremony takes place some ways away from the Primary Settlement, by the Black Eye Lakes. Across the lake, the local band led by Tiril Blomare the authors of a solemn song that echoes across the trees, a concert not meant to have a public, lights above on the trees adorning the musicians. A special gift, as Tiril is so pregnant at this point that she can only stand as her husband, Declan, holds her upright.

With every new year comes death, and with every new year comes new life. The death of one of the Summoned does not go amiss to the Council and to the members of the commune, especially that of someone who was an active participant in much of Solvunn’s growth in the past two years. A few locals have come about to pay their respects to Nero. Solvunn may have other ceremonies, but this one in particular is one that both Himeka and Wanda decided on after conferring with one another. Grief is not easy, and grief is best not tackled alone.

Candles and ornaments have been set up by the shore of the lake, to be lit and set to float away. Anyone who wants to pay their respects can walk into the water, send off a quiet prayer; a few of the locals do as much.

Perhaps this will be enough.

Comments

Brew crawl

[inthenameofhades]

Luckily for Red, someone does indeed come to his rescue - although perhaps not quite in the way he was hoping.

"Sorry to disappoint, but he already promised me a dance," Zagreus says, cutting in with an apologetic grin that doesn't quite manage to look actually apologetic. Stepping in between Red and the woman, Zagreus takes hold of Red's arms and starts to spin him away.

Hopefully Red doesn't actually step on his rescuer's feet. Considering that they're red-hot and burning, that would be very, very unpleasant.

"Alright, you're probably...oh, she's just fallen down. Mortals really can't take much even of their own drinks, can they?" Zagreus says, as he looks back in the direction of the woman and releases Red's arms. "But I'd say you're definitely safe now, mate."

[macwraith]

Red's actually very quick on his feet, and not a very good liar, but the woman's inebriated state prevented her noticing either of these things. He'd just been gearing up to make a break for it (assuming he could free his sleeve), when a savior dances up from somewhere, and literally sweeps Red off his feet.

That's. New.

"Whoa--! Ho there, mate, I'm flattered, but--"

He's just noticed the eyes, and shortly after the feet, fumbling the already awkward steps he was taking trying to keep up. It's not that he's naturally a terrible dancer. But a lot's happening at once.

Mortals?

His head swivels in the young woman's direction, a faint crease of concern between his brows. "Wait. Is she all right?" He begins to turn back, but a couple of her friends appear, giggling, and start pulling the girl to her feet.

[inthenameofhades]

"Well I'm not an authority on exactly when someone is about to die. Not actually my area! But...I believe so. Just enjoyed herself a bit too much, I think," Zagreus says, as he watches her friends help carry her off. 

(They hear her drunkenly declare just how much she'd liked Red's beard, and how she just wanted to dance, surely she deserved a dance with a Summoned for all the offerings she'd given the gods! But then her friends manage to drag her outside, and she's taken out of earshot.)

"Hope you didn't mind me stepping in," he says. "But you didn't look like you were particularly keen. Thought you might like an escape."

[macwraith]

"What? I didn't mean that." He'd just wanted to help her if she was too drunk to stand, not implying she was dying. What a conclusion to jump to, he thinks, but doesn't get to say because that's when the women's laughter and his would-be dance partner's slurring compliments drift over on the breeze.

Red looks more and more aptly named by the moment, flustered and uncomfortable. He steps back from the man who'd helped him 'escape,' straightening his clothes whether they need it or not.

Shaking his head (no, he didn't mind at all), Red lets out a halting, awkward laugh. "Thanks, mate. Though I'm afraid I'll have to decline your dance, as well. Hope you weren't hoping for another."

[inthenameofhades]

"You didn't?" Zagreus says, looking genuinely surprised. Perhaps when one is an immortal god of the Underworld, who has never experienced illness once in his entire life, one's preconceptions on what happens when mortals are doing poorly might be a little...skewed.

"I wouldn't say no to a dance if you actually wanted one, but I can see that's not the case," Zagreus says, with an easy grin; no need to worry Red, there is no offense taken here. "Not fond of dancing, I take it?"

[macwraith]

"Not as a matter of principle or anything. Just can't say I'm in the mood," he admits, in a way that gently shuts down further questions in that regard. Thus, Red is more than happy to lead them away from the dancing area and back toward one of the booths offering free ale.

"I'd offer to buy you a drink, but they're not taking coin today." The 'offer' stands, though, if his companion would like to drink together. He gestures at a rough wooden table nearby, some food laid out.

"The name's Red mac Raith. And who might my savior be?" He's not quite bold enough to ask what in addition to who, but he's definitely thinking it.

[inthenameofhades]

Zagreus, perhaps to Red's relief, does not press the issue. He follows Red to the table without argument, although he doesn't sit down. Zagreus isn't a fan of sitting.

"The locals don't really use coins much. They do like to trade, however! Services as well as goods," he says, gesturing to the food on the table. They might not pay for any of this with anything like money, but that certainly doesn't mean they won't be expected not to give anything in return.

"Pleasure to meet you, mate. I'm Zagreus." Alas, said introduction comes only with his name, and not any kind of explanation of the nature of Zagreus's being.