EVENT #19: OVERTHROW - IC EVENT LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event #19 - Overthrow

OOC Event Log ⦁ IC Exchanges ⦁ NPCs

It starts at midnight in Castle Thorne. The date is JUNE 16. You might be asleep, but if you're a night owl, you might not sense much. The air is calm in the North Wing. Deep behind closed doors, however, events are afoot.

The Prologue below will contain some narrative details to contextualize the event. A summary will be provided for players who want to quickly scan what's happening, but if you wish to experience the full narrative first, you can save the summary until afterward.

Prologue

Roughly 1000 years ago, the Galdwin family ascended to the throne in the Kingdom of Thorne after the fall of the Almach family. Since then, the Galdwins have ruled with little opposition. As the sole remaining heir, Ellya Galdwin inherited the kingdom from her father and married Brydan, who ruled alongside her. They have no heirs of their own.

Rudolph Sidwell married into the Galdwin family via Queen Ellya's aunt, though he retained his family name and naval rank for his title due to his military career. After his first wife passed away from illness, he remarried Lady Lia Sidwell. They have two young sons, the eldest of whom carries the royal bloodline from Rudolph's first marriage. A few rumors contend otherwise, but Rudolph is known to be close with Ellya, and thus many are reluctant to be too critical.

Last winter, Rudolph was promoted to Admiral. He's made more frequent appearances in Castle Thorne lately, the most recent of which occurred when the Summoned were taken to the Singularity's crater. Currently, his wife and children are temporarily residing in a manor in the city.

Queen Ellya's rule up to this point has not been without contention. Many of the original Summoned were imprisoned while under her rule. She was responsible for conducting secret experiments on one such prisoner, had another kidnapped and tortured, and decimated Libertas in the Free Cities, an act taken in haste and anger that has lent doubt to her stability as a ruler. However, she has successfully maintained the kingdom's strength and economy, as well as its naval force...the latter of which the Admiral would say is his doing.

Midnight, June 16 - Kingdom of Thorne

◎ East Wing, Garden Terrace

Nightly chats over tea are a favorite pastime of King Brydan Galdwin and the newly arrived Lady Lia Sidwell. Often taken on the garden terrace when the weather is pleasant, tonight, they're joined by a third guest. Though...now it's just two of them again.

"You had a heavy hand."

"Sorry, your Majesty." A hunting hound comes over to sniff the bloodied and motionless body on the ground. "I would have expected the king to be able to hold his drink."

Lady Sidwell inches her chair back to avoid staining her shoes as the blood trickles in her direction. She wears a critical frown and peers into the teacup at the third seat. A speck of red powder clings to the leaves at the bottom of the cup.

"I'll clean it up," continues the young mage. He meets Lady Sidwell's severe gaze for a second before turning to his hound. He holds out a piece of dried rabbit for it to eat.

"Oh, don't be silly. You'll have better things to do as the High Mage."

Mace Hemmett looks back up. He smiles, pleased with himself, then adds, "I could've gotten rid of Ambrose, too. He doesn't run very fast."

"Tch. And explain to the Duchess why her brother is in shreds? You know we can't afford all that discontent in Hayle." Lady Sidwell stands and steps over the former king. "Come along. I don't want to be caught in the fray."

◎ East Wing, the Queen's Chambers

Even in the darkest hours, Castle Thorne doesn't sleep. Servants work through the night. Guards make their rounds. The ruling class is beholden to no schedule save as suits them. No one takes note of Sidwell moving through the halls. He walks with a calm sense of purpose and nods in silent greeting to anyone he passes who warrants acknowledgment. Nothing seems amiss.

His destination is Queen Ellya's quarters. The guards allow him to pass without thought or question. The running of the kingdom is none of their concern.

Sidwell is not expected. The rooms are silent and shadowed, lit only with faint points of dim illumination. He reaches for the door with a shake of his head. There is work to be done. Any ruler worth their salt would be up and doing it. He considers how Ellya has been accomplishing that work so far, and supposes it makes no difference. It is a pity. She'd shown such promise once. Regrettably, she hasn't lived up to it.

There's no time left to hope she'll suddenly flourish as a wise and tempered leader. Measures must be taken for the good of the kingdom. There is no joy or pleasure in it. Sidwell would rather not be in this position but he puts those feelings aside. Some things are simply more important.

The Admiral slips into his niece's chamber without a sound, his hand already on the hilt of his blade. There's no need for any fanfare or long goodbyes. Indeed, one might question if Ellya realizes at all who betrayed her in her final hour as the knife sinks into her heart.

◎ South Wing, Ambrose's Office

The thick piece of parchment dissolves in a flash of violet flames and a weathered hand closes around the embers. Anatasia's handwriting stays burned on his inner eyelids as Ambrose closes his eyes tightly. Every fiber of his being is wound tight. He holds the tension until a misty aura surrounds him, blurring his appearance and compelling curious eyes elsewhere. A peasant's spell, truly. Unfortunately, any large burst of magic will alert the entire castle.

The slimy cur.

Muttering to himself, Ambrose grabs a small satchel and the most important artifact in his office: a heavy tome with its pages of insight and, most significantly, the summoning ritual. The seal - physical and magical - remains unbroken, but he won't leave its fate up to chance. He wraps it tightly into his robes, clutched to his chest like a breastplate.

Moving to the door, Ambrose pauses, looking back at the room that's been more like a home than even his chambers in the royal castle.

"A terrible waste on feeble minds..."

Just as he is about to grab the knob, he pauses again. Then he exhales sharply and snatches his pondering orb. He shoves it into a large pocket.

He slips through the castle uninhibited, forced to drop his illusion only when he enters the stable. The horses are too reactionary to a presence they can feel but cannot see. Ambrose chooses a steed with large hooves and deep eyes and affixes the saddle.

"Hey! You aren't supposed to be in here - "

Ambrose turns, surprised expression rapidly turning into a frosty glare that stops the stable boy in his tracks.

"H-High Mage?"

Before the boy can utter another word, Ambrose swiftly recites a practiced incantation and presses his thumb to the boy's head. The young lad instantly collapses, sound asleep with no memory of the last hour.

"I won't risk any witnesses. Not with the fate of Thorne and the entirety of Abraxas on the line."

With the saddle and reins secured, Ambrose pulls up his cloak and disappears into the night.

Midnight, June 16 - the Free Cities

◎ West Gate, Cadens

The summer heat is an oppressive weight over the desert west of Cadens. A busy merchant's stop on the roads that border the badlands shimmers like a mirage, a welcome reprieve from the brunt of the midday sun. Located only a short few miles away from a military outpost, it attracts as many soldiers as civilians. Pleasantries are exchanged under wide awnings. Visitors barter for last-minute supplies and find a moment's refuge inside tents.

As the day goes on, the stop gathers more and more patrons waiting out the heat. As temperatures cool come nightfall, travelers prepare to continue their journeys.

"Look out!"

A shout from a farrier. Peddlers turn to the west, rapidly packing their valuables to flee the usual bandit attack. Soldiers pull their weapons ready.

A reddish-brown plume rushes through the encampment, easily mistaken for a sudden dust storm if not for the immediate bloom of burning irritation that afflicts the eyes and nose. A few cover their mouths instinctively, while others cough and try to catch their breath. A convenient wind shifts the plume, blowing it toward the outpost...and straight through the gates of Cadens.

Through the chaos, only one soldier notices the figure standing collapsed in the sand where the plume originated. Although the clothes belong to that of a bandit, a smoldering tarot card clutched in the figure's hand signifies a mage - seldom found in the Free Cities, much less the Badlands.

Only a terrible wheeze comes out when she tries to speak. Blood splatters from her lips to the ground. An urgent hand lands on her shoulder.

"Shit...sergeant!"

A siren blares, echoing across the sands as it travels to the city gates and beyond. The last thing she sees before the painful blistering takes her sight are soldiers and civilians mounting horses and wagons, fleeing back to Cadens - and taking with them a lingering yellow-green powder that coats their hair and clothes.

How strange. Wasn't the plume red?

Summary

The Prologue details a coup in Thorne, which deposes the current King and Queen. At the same time, an insidious attack is unleashed on the Free Cities.

Castle Thorne, the Kingdom of Thorne

◎ Crowned: Admiral King Rudolph Sidwell, Lady Queen Lia Sidwell
◎ Deceased: King Brydan Galdwin III, Queen Ellya Galdwin
◎ Exiled: Ambrose Rhett (Nott)
◎ Promoted: Mace Hemmet (the Twelfth High Mage)

The coup is enacted by Rudolph Sidwell, the Queen's uncle. An unprecedented betrayal due to their reportedly close relationship, Ellya was killed by Rudolph's own hand in her chambers with a dagger through the heart. Meanwhile, King Brydan was poisoned during one of his frequent tea sessions with his old friend Lia Sidwell, served to him by Mace Hemmet...with Lia's full knowledge.

For this act of loyalty, Mace was promoted to High Mage. Ambrose Rhett, who has served as Thorne's Eleventh High Mage for the past twelve years, fled the castle, having received a secret warning from Hayle - where his sister serves as Duchess. He's now in exile in Nott.

Cadens, the Free Cities

Aware that the turmoil in Thorne might be exploited by the Free Cities, Rudolph Sidwell took steps to ensure the Free Cities and its military would be preoccupied with a crisis of their own: by sending a loyalist from Thorne to release a noxious yellow-red cloud just outside the gates of Cadens.

Sirens activate quickly across the Free Cities, but the winds - manipulated further by Thornean magic - carry the thick cloud into the city. Military outposts stationed near the gates are struck first. The effects of the cloud are not immediately apparent until after citizens are evacuated. Because the initial symptoms are that of a deadly choking gas, soldiers and officials react accordingly. However, the actual effect of the cloud, obscured by the alarming corrosiveness it inflicted, is a pollen-like residue that sticks to the skin and infects the body with a much slower-acting disease...one that saps the victim of both magic and life.

The Fall

This portion of the event will take place over one week. Characters should ideally all be at the site of action if they wish to participate. You can choose any reason to maneuver them to the right location, such as temporary repairs after the storms, visiting a friend, or similar.

Players can also use IC EXCHANGES throughout the entire event.

The First Night

The details won't be available to you when chaos first strikes. All you'll know is that the locals are frantic, an evacuation is taking place, and you are ushered along with very little time or room to seek answers. You can try to communicate with the other Summoned through the Network, but chances are, they won't know much, either. The best thing you can do is stay calm - and make sure those around you remain the same.

Thorne

The pounding on your door interrupts your night. Outside are Royal Guards who won't relent until you open up. They urge you to come with them. In the distance, the rumbles of magic and swords clashing echo. They seem to be coming from the East Wing, where you know the royals and court mages live. As you continue to look, you see smoke beginning to fill the hall. More and more of the castle staff come your direction: cooks, apprentices, students, gardeners. You might even recognize some faces. The guards that are with you are all Royal Guards. Members of the Royal Navy are nowhere to be found.

Regardless, the guards hustle you further down the hall, giving you very little chance to ask questions. Many seem as confused as you are. All they know is that the East Wing is under attack and that their job is to keep everyone in the castle safe. You're led down a winding set of stairs, going past the dungeons deep into the bowels of the castle. A heavy stone gate glows with magic and then opens. The staff don't hesitate, and if you ask, they will tell you that this is one of the castle's safe rooms.

As the last person comes through, the door seals tightly, locking everyone inside. For the ten minutes, quiet tension builds. Then a loud explosion shakes the room, sending debris falling from the ceiling. When a guard tries to go outside to see what happened, she discovers a problem: the door's warded locks will not release.

Free Cities

As Thorne's sitting monarchy crumbles, a blaring siren will sound across the Free Cities. Anyone outside late at night will see a cloud of spores blow through the skies above the city gates and into Cadens. You won't have time to contemplate: soldiers and city guards will react quickly, immediately evacuating all of Cadens. The Free Cities' well-trained army is practiced at keeping things orderly, but chaos and panic are inevitable. Several portals have been set up at the city square, each one granting entry to an underground bunker in Aquila.

As the Summoned, your well-being is prioritized whether you like it or not. You can go last if you want to help as many women, children, and other vulnerable citizens through first, but eventually, they will insist that you, too, must go through the portal. They will attempt to explain that they require you there to protect the evacuated citizens while the army focuses on defensive measures and diverting any remaining locals to the city of Aquila above-ground, the furthest point from the site of the attack.

Once underground, the bunker will be sealed off. Soldiers are under strict orders not to open it for any reason until granted the all-clear. You may be somewhat comforted at first by the amount of supplies stocked in the area, enough for a couple of weeks or more. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that the cloud unleashed is not the corrosive gas initially believed.

Solvunn

Solvunn is reliant on the Gods and guardians to protect it. Instead of sirens or guards, what wakes you in the night is some horrible shrieking. While you might've heard one of these unusual shrieking weeds scream when unearthed, now there are hundreds of them bellowing from underground. The vibrations shake the earth. A thick fog rolls in around the edges of each Settlement and the lakes turn red.

Neighbors, Elders, and members of the Council rouse everyone in the Primary Settlement. Locals know when the Gods are warning them and won't hesitate to take the signs seriously. Outside, the Council has already created a portal that leads to an underground ritual site, used for safety and prayer. You'll be one of the ones told to go through, along with the elderly and children. While not everyone can make it, the natives will refuse to let the Summoned give up their place. Accepting the sacrifice of any of the blessed will only test the temper of the Gods. They tell you that the most important thing you can do is go to the ritual site and perform the rites below.

The ritual warding cannot be broken once you're through. Going back out will risk compromising its protective force. The Council believes the Gods will send a sign when it's safe to leave, though they are unable to say when that'll be.

Sealed In

As hours drag into days, you begin to worry. Supplies aren't lacking for now, but with no indication of how long you'll be trapped, it's hard not to be concerned. Close quarters also lead to increased tensions, some have injuries or medical requirements, children need tending to, and many are separated from their families and loved ones. Doors will open by the end of the week, but you won't know that until then.

Each underground area has the following resources in common: a renewable supply of fresh water (refilled via magic in Thorne and Solvunn, and technology in the Free Cities), food and healing supplies that will require rationing, a limited number of beds but enough room on the ground to sleep on, and the same plumbing structure that each territory typically has. Essentially, you may assume that basic needs are met while characters are trapped.

Castle Safe Room

Castle Thorne's safe room is fairly large, able to accommodate up to 200-300 people. Made of heavily warded stone, it's an impressive piece of magical architecture designed to keep the castle's occupants safe during a siege. Floating orbs cast a dim and eerie glow, enough to see where you're going. The air is a bit chilly, but not uncomfortably cold. Guards will keep a close eye on rations. You'll have more access if you're a trusted Summoned, but everyone else will need to wait for distribution to receive what they need.

◎ Releasing the Warding: The sealed door is the biggest problem to contend with. Standard spells and physical force don't seem to work. Despite your initial suspicions, it's evident that this was an accident. Mages on the outside promise to look for help, but it's clear that the turmoil has disrupted much of the castle's ability to act effectively. You're better off trying to find solutions yourself. The more you work at it, the more the warding begins to crack.

Watch how forceful you're being. If you push too hard, you might shake the foundations, break containers holding precious supplies, or risk caving in the entire structure. Indeed, it's likely that efforts from apprentice mages and other Thorneans will cause unwanted rumbles or corrupt other spells maintaining the safe room. The room might plunge into darkness or temperatures might fluctuate - all things you'll have to work together to fix before returning to your attempts. You might also run into conflict with natives or other Summoned who disagree with your tactics.

◎ Foul Waters: A day or so in, someone notices that the barrels of fresh water have turned murky. Though the magic that allows the barrels to refill themselves works, the water itself is contaminated. As it turns out, the spell has corrupted along with the sealed warding. Luckily, one apprentice has fled the commotion with her box of alchemy supplies and asks for help to brew a purifying potion that will cleanse the drinking water. Because of her limited ingredients, the potion only has a shelf life of a few hours, meaning a regular supply needs to be kept up. You can follow her instructions and take turns with your fellow Summoned to create the potion. The ingredients are sensitive, though, so be careful not to waste them!

◎ General Acts: As one of the Summoned, you hold some sway and trust with the locals, many of whom are regular citizens. Some might be familiar to you: perhaps you attended some magic classes with them, shared a meal in the dining hall, or lent them a hand with the horses. With Castle Thorne in disarray, the guards with you are as confused as anyone and have no way of receiving orders from their superiors. They'll do their best to keep things orderly, but they'll need your help to make sure everyone gets along. You can break up fights, mediate arguments, distribute supplies, and keep people calm. A few were also injured during the rush. Sprains, contusions, and more serious (but non-fatal) wounds will all need to be looked after.

Aquila Bunker

Aquila's underground bunker is one of the newest and largest, able to accommodate up to 2000 people comfortably - twice that with a tight squeeze. Made of stone featuring mosaics and murals, it was designed through the efforts of the Free Cities' finest engineers and one Summoned well-known for his architectural projects. The stocked pantry and medical areas can only be accessed by doctors and soldiers. As the Summoned, you'll be allowed in without too many questions, but everyone else will need to wait for distribution to receive what they need. One recreational area has been stocked with reading materials and basic writing and art supplies; however, the other is being used as a sealed armory that will be guarded by soldiers. The greenhouse contains limited crops that aren't ready for harvest, and one kitchen is currently operational. While dorm-like rooms were planned, only the medical bay has any beds right now. If you're in one of the standard dorm rooms, you'll have to sleep on the floor.

◎ Infection & Quarantine: Several hours in, a few of the natives exhibit signs of infection. Rashes form in patches over their bodies. By the next morning, the most severe cases contain lesions that split open the skin. While the abrasions heal surprisingly quickly, the scabbing leaves a permanent layer of thickened skin that itches, and then splits open again. The process repeats until the patch of skin resembles the bark of a tree. Malaise commonly accompanies the infected. Doctors in the bunker identify the thickened skin as confirmation of Heartwood Syndrome, an incurable and sometimes fatal disease that's left Fomalhaut in tight quarantine for decades.

While the infected aren't yet contagious, they will be within a matter of weeks. Soldiers will lock down a section of the medical bay, a contentious decision for anyone who's separated from friends and family. Further, the initial symptoms are difficult to distinguish from a common rash or simple fatigue, causing small bursts of disorder and unwarranted accusations. Not everyone will agree to regular testing, either. The Summoned, however, seem to be immune, which the doctors will be curious about. You can offer more of your blood for testing, keep things calm, and break up any conflict.

◎ Wandering Pigeon: A young assistant named Alice snatched Nikolai, Aleksander Klingel's beloved pet pigeon in the evacuation. Alice has grown irrationally anxious about the bird and will ask anyone who listens to search for the bird when it flaps away, make sure it has enough food, or keep an eye on it. In reality, Nikolai is perfectly independent and quite safe in the bunker, but the soldiers will - with some exasperation - request you do as she says if you have the time to keep Alice from agitating the other civilians. If you talk to Alice, she will admit that she left behind an old dog on the surface. Evidently, it's not really about the pigeon. You can help her with the pigeon, spend some time with Alice to distract her from worrying about her pets, or both.

◎ General Acts: As one of the Summoned, you hold some sway and trust with the locals, many of whom are civilians. Some might be familiar to you: shopkeepers, blacksmiths, orphans, and more. With so many people in one space, not only will soldiers need your help to keep things orderly, but you might also find yourself intervening if any of the guards or soldiers get too aggressive. After all, tensions are high for everyone. You can break up fights, mediate arguments, distribute supplies, and keep people calm. A few were also injured during the rush. Sprains, contusions, and more serious (but non-fatal) wounds will all need to be looked after. Finally, Portam Hall wasn't able to stress test the bunker before the emergency struck - meaning repairs and construction upgrades are required. If you're handy with a hammer, you can get to work.

Settlement Ritual Site

Solvunn's underground ritual site is surprisingly large, able to accommodate a sizeable portion of the Primary Settlement. How far underground the site is located is difficult to tell, but the dirt walls smell old and earthy. One large room with a comfortably high ceiling acts as the main shelter. The floor is decorated in intricate patterns of laid stone dug into the earth and there are few places to sit. Smaller rooms connect to the main chamber on all sides, the largest adjacent of which is a cold storage that remains half-full after the passing of winter and early spring. Food and medicine are freely accessible. In Solvunn, the commune polices itself...and the eyes of your neighbors are a greater deterrent against selfish acts than any set of rules or laws.

◎ Seeing Eyes: There is one task the Elders believe only the Summoned can help with: a scrying ritual that connects the commune to what they call the Seeing Eyes. These Seeing Eyes are members of the commune who have long established their roots abroad in Thorne and the Free Cities. They directly serve the Gods and, by proxy, the Council. The scrying circle is located in a small warded room. Here, you'll be asked to etch your Arcana Sign onto the back of a sigil-carved bone charm and add it to the circle. Upon doing so, you will borrow one of the Seeing Eyes' sight and glimpse either the situation on the outskirts of Castle Thorne or in Nott, or briefly view one of the bunkers in Cadens and Libertas. The ritual is physically taxing and the vision you receive is blurry and disjointed, lasting only a minute or two. You may suffer a headache afterward.

For Thorne, the outskirts and Nott can carry chatter that confirms Rudolph Sidwell's ascension to the throne and that Ambrose Rhett has fled to Nott - no word on who's replaced him. For the Free Cities, viewing the bunkers in Cadens and Libertas will inform you that there are cases of infection there, too, but will also serve to reassure you (and others) that the Aquila bunker is not the only shelter available. These bunkers are much older than Aquila's, where the Free Cities Summoned are, but still effective.

◎ Burrowers: Solvunnites aren't the only ones who have retreated underground. Large worms are drawn to valuable food stores. The worms are easily provoked into a defensive state due to their lack of sight. When they bite, their saliva contains an irritant that causes rashes and itching. In children and the elderly, this effect can be more severe, resulting in many scratching off their skin. What's worse, a nearby colony of mole rats has decided that the ritual site would make a perfect new colony. Both threats will need to be dealt with. However, as they are part of the natural ecosystem, the Elders believe that the animals should be contained rather than harmed where possible to avoid further upsetting the balance of the commune.

◎ General Acts: As one of the Summoned, you hold some sway and trust with the locals, many of whom revere you as chosen by the gods. Some might be familiar to you: farmers, traders, children, and more. With the settlements and surrounding townships and villages being so spread out, more than the Elders will need your help providing comfort and faith. People might come to you looking for reassurance that the Gods are watching over them while others fear disfavor that will blight the land. The Primary Settlement is the foremost location for education, so there are collections of children of all ages who will need watching over or instruction. If not Solvunn or the Gods, they are eager to learn about you and your fellow Summoned.

Exiles In Nott

A few of the Summoned with close ties to the Crown received a hasty warning before the coup took place. Under the cover of night, and joined by the former High Mage Ambrose Rhett, they will flee the castle and journey to Nott, where Lyle Vela will offer them safe refuge.

This section applies only to players who received an event plot from us for their extended involvement with Thorne's fallen monarchy.

◎ The Escape

While Castle Thorne is in turmoil, you'll meet Ambrose Rhett at the designated gathering point in the woods. The stablehand will be mysteriously missing from the stables, allowing you to each take one horse of your choosing. Thornean horses are sturdy and bred for the mountain terrain.

Ambrose will be all business. He'll take off as soon as you arrive and will lead the way. The path will likely be unfamiliar to you. The roads are also not well-maintained since many castle residents and the city's wealthy population tend to use portals for travel. Fallen branches and other debris from the storms not yet cleaned up remain a hazard...and you'll probably want to stay off the main roads as much as possible.

The journey will take you one week on horseback. If you hunt for food, take care to cover your tracks and other signs of movement. Ambrose will have rations and potions on him for any wounds or injuries sustained. It won't be a lot, so be careful you don't overextend yourself. You might run into some dangerous wildlife, though nothing exceptionally challenging. Stay on guard and avoid entering the Horizon too frequently.

You can use the Network to check in on your friends back at Castle Thorne. While you're traveling, they'll be trapped in the safe room. By the time they're released, you'll have reached Nott.

◎ First Days

Once in Nott, Ambrose will tell you to go to the Stormy Gull, a tavern famous for its fish pies. He'll give you each a small pouch of money, enough to get by for a couple of days. Then he'll wish you luck and leave.

At the Stormy Gull, you'll stay the night among the salted fish barrels in the cellar. While not ideal, you'll have some cots to sleep on and you'll be offered a room with a bath to freshen up in the next morning. The innkeeper will also give you a free meal, but if you want a drink or something other than fish pie, you'll have to pay up.

From here, you're on your own...sort of. Although Lyle Vela will not meet you directly, it seems his influence has extended subtly throughout Nott: food stalls lower their prices a little or throw in an extra loaf of bread, the local charity house mysteriously has extra clothes or potions on hand, and inns will allow you to stay in their rooms as long as you wash the dishes or repair something or other. Your first few days in Nott won't be as comfortable as the castle, but you are away from the kingdom's watchful eyes - and the sudden chaos unleashed.

Be sure to keep your head down. Lyle has some leverage due to the new monarchy's tentative hold on power, but that leverage only goes so far.

Recovery

At the end of the first week, you'll be able to leave the underground area. Residents of Castle Thorne will face a new regime, the Free Cities must contend with the potential infectious spread of Heartwood Syndrome, and Solvunn must expel lingering signs of the Gods' warnings before they seep too far into the land.

For Choosing a Path, you must SUBMIT THE DECISION your character has made if you want your choice to count towards the outcome. The choice with the most support will "win." There is no formal in-game vote or discussion, however.

Votes close June 29 @ 11:59 ET

Aftermath

The abrupt emergency in each territory has caused a ripple effect throughout the land: confused civilians, disorder, broken-down infrastructure, and more. Of course, the natives aren't the only thing you need to worry about. You probably have concerns of your own: friends in other territories, questions about what the future holds, and what this means for the nation you reside in.

Thorne

Castle Thorne is the least in disarray. The takeover was carefully planned and carried out. Other than some hiccups - the corrupted warding, for one - everything appears to have proceeded smoothly for those who picked the right side. For anyone who didn't, they've either been cut down where they stood, were forced to flee, or are now imprisoned in the dungeons awaiting judgment.

◎ The former monarchy's most loyal guards and personal servants have been executed, which you'll only know if you ask around. The newly crowned King Rudolph Sidwell is disinterested in gauche displays of power and thus sees no reason to hang the bodies of his enemies or make any grand statements. A military man, he is especially respectful of soldiers who proved their loyalty to the end even if they were on opposing sides. As a result, the dead are all being quietly prepared so that they can be returned to their families for a proper burial.

◎ As the Summoned, you'll be allowed to return to your room and continue life in the castle as usual. How well you're able to do that depends, but the guards won't interfere with you as long as you don't cause trouble or poke your nose where it doesn't belong. You can help the kitchens take inventory of the pantry, tend to the horses, or fill in gaps where some staff members are now absent. There aren't that many apprentice mages, for example, and the fires have scorched some valuable books and scrolls that need restoration.

◎ If you know the exiled Summoned in Nott, you can visit them, but try to do it early in the mornings away from the prying eyes of guards, and don't overstay your welcome. Although you won't always have to be this careful, it's a good idea for now while things are unstable. Likely, the exiled Summoned will be busy trying to settle down or searching for a job. Locals in Nott will treat them like any other citizen and avoid drawing attention to the Summoned.

◎ The general population outside the castle is largely accepting of the new monarchy in that they don't care who's in charge. Commoners don't expect their lives to be any better or worse under King Rudolph. They're wary but willing to wait and see how things go. It helps that Queen Lia made herself useful to the town during the storms. Some even consider a military man to be more "down to earth." Borrel is supportive, believing that the new King will prioritize naval advancements, while Nott sees it as an opportunity to assert itself while the kingdom regains its footing.

Free Cities

The Free Cities' vast population means disorder is unavoidable. Hasty evacuations and unplanned quarantines have left every city with the usual problems that accompany such instances, from looting to protests to long lineups outside Portam Hall as people try to obtain paperwork and information. Tempers run hot, orphans and other disenfranchised individuals are lost in the system, and hospitals are overwhelmed, leaving those who would take advantage to fill in the gaps with snake oil and dangerous treatments.

◎ The government's main priority is to find and quarantine all those infected. Fortunately, the infection isn't contagious until the bark skin forms and buds begin to sprout, making it very obvious who's taken ill. Heartwood Syndrome spreads when the pollen bursts from the buds. This won't happen for at least 2-3 weeks, meaning you won't see those symptoms in the early days. The pollen's pathogen lifespan is extremely short and it does not live very well once released into the air. Indeed, the Free Cities' dense population is the main reason Heartwood is an effective weapon here, a fact that strongly suggests it was specifically tailored to attack the Cities.

◎ As the Summoned, you'll be allowed to return home and continue life as usual. How well you're able to do that depends, but soldiers and guards won't interfere with you as long as you don't cause trouble or poke your nose where it doesn't belong. You can help deliver medical supplies, work with people struggling to fill out paperwork, assist with quarantine efforts, and guard borders or shops from bandits and thieves. Civilians who do not report an infected person or who attempt to hide one are at risk of being arrested or fined.

◎ The Cadens barracks nearest to the Badlands were struck the hardest. The entire area is now locked down and sealed off, and many soldiers have been taken by Heartwood Syndrome. The reality is that they, along with others afflicted, will have to be moved into permanent quarantine in Fomalhaut to live out the rest of their lives, a task that Portam Hall means to accomplish within two weeks - before it becomes contagious. Those afflicted with Heartwood Syndrome can survive many years with treatment, but can never interact with the general population again. They are slowly drained of life and magic as the bark-like effect takes over internally. Eventually, the growths affect their connective tissue, stiffening the limbs. At its most aggressive, the disease takes over the organs. Death arrives quickly once this happens.

◎ Since the Summoned are determined to be immune to Heartwood Syndrome, you'll be able to travel freely throughout the Free Cities. The rest of the population is locked down, with many from Cadens and Libertas trapped in Aquila and separated from friends and family. You'll have the unique advantage of being able to relay messages, transport supplies, and deliver vital resources to isolated communities.

Solvunn

The situation in Solvunn is less hectic, but by no means normal. Signs from the Gods have left their marks across the land, which must be rectified. The Council has undertaken several private meetings. What they're discussing is unknown, but even the most trusted Elders weren't invited. The main settlements are also seeing an influx of commune citizens who normally live in small isolated pockets deep in the woods. Fears of what what be going on near Borrel and the Badlands have driven them inward.

◎ Although the Gods' warnings are meant to aid, they've also caused some unusual disruptions that must be put right. In particular, the goats have stopped eating. Each night, they wander the settlement in small herds of four or five. They walk upright on two legs and make no noise. At each door, they knock on it with their hooves until the person inside answers and acknowledges their "message." They do the same to each home until sunrise whereupon they go to sleep. Though their lack of nutrition doesn't seem to be causing them harm, residents are eager to get their goats back so that they can once again be used for milk and other tasks on the farms. You can paint runes on the goats using a mixture of chicken blood, garlic, and herbs, which seems to cure them of their stupor. There are a lot of goats, so getting each one will take a while.

◎ As the Summoned, you'll be allowed to return to the settlements and continue life as usual. How well you're able to do that depends, especially since the locals frequently seek your blessing and aid around the commune. You can help deliver potions, mind the children, tend to shrines, and assist with chores and other duties. You can also make or serve meals for the many community dinners hosted nightly to bring everyone together in a time of strife. The communal meals are extra important due to the arrival of villagers from their woodland communities.

◎ The lakes and ponds now stained red require cleansing. This is especially important for the fishermen who rely on freshwater fish as much as saltwater. Vimorskas, the Guardian of Preserved Lands, has arrived to ensure the land is put right after such a disruption. His presence will take the form of tiny mushrooms that sprout and hop at your feet when you approach the red waters. You can harvest the mushrooms, dry them in the sun, then grind them into a powder that you must scatter over the waters. Each time you do this, the waters grow slightly clearer until they eventually return to normal.

◎ Overall, the locals are concerned but calm. They trust in the Council and believe the warnings are a sign that the Gods are watching over them. Edda Hagen becomes a prominent presence while the Council is occupied with its duties behind closed doors. She frequently goes from settlement to settlement, where she tends to all livestock behaving unusually. If you're good with animals, she'll accept your help with common responsibilities such as giving medicine, checking the animal's weight, and the occasional birth of a calf or a lamb.

Choosing a Path

As you continue to deal with the fallout, you'll also be faced with a choice. Your decision will have a direct impact and far-reaching effects you can't predict. You can abstain if you want, but chances are, you'll be compelled to do something.

Thorne

No regime change is complete without a coronation. The Kingdom of Thorne will hold a ceremony honoring their new King and Queen on JUNE 30, an all-day affair. At the same time, however, Lyle Vela of Nott is requesting extra aid to reinforce the wards around the city, concerned about retaliation from the Free Cities. Your choice will have an immediate reflection upon you...and may also influence a future decision that the King and Queen make.

When selecting one of the two options below, you should account for the impact on you and what it might mean for your friends. Attempting to do both will dissatisfy each side and disqualify your "vote," as Nott will not receive your full assistance, and the King and Queen will not receive your full support.

1. Attend the coronation
The main coronation will take place in Castle Thorne in the throne room with the King and Queen and their children, but there will also be concurrent celebrations in Borrel and Nott. The royals will not be present in the latter two cities. If you're one of the exiles in Nott, you may attend the celebration there to support the new monarchy. All the necessary formalities will take place. While King Rudolph dislikes excess, he realizes the need to please the people. As a result, the coronation and related celebrations will feature plenty of wine, food, and entertainment...though for anyone who's been in Castle Thorne for a while, you might notice some restraint here or there: less wasted food, a plainer outfit for he and his wife, and simpler decorations. Nott's celebration will have the sparsest attendance but there will still be those who show up out of curiosity or because they believe the new King might be better than the old one.

2. Decline attendance and/or assist Nott
You can distance yourself from the new King and Queen by declining to attend and/or forgoing attendance to assist Nott as requested. On the surface, Lyle Vela states that he doesn't wish to disrupt the coronation and he's only asking for assistance should the Summoned be available. However, he emphasizes that the last time there was an attack on the Free Cities, Nott suffered the harshest consequences. They could use a hand shoring up their defenses should that happen again. To help Nott, you must inscribe a series of runes along the city's walls and gates. The task is simple but may take some time to complete.

Free Cities

Unrest in the Free Cities has led to multiple cases of arson. Most of the anger stems from the perceived failure of the military to protect them from Thorne, and the subsequent quarantine measures that have split families apart. The city is hard at work quelling the discontent, but resources are limited. When two separate mobs target two facilities located on opposite ends of Cadens, the army has no choice but to divide their already thin forces in half. One is a family compound; the other is a military medical facility. The attack occurs in the middle of the night while everyone is asleep.

You don't have to help, but the army would be grateful if you did. You won't have time to do both, so you'll have to choose one of the locations below. Regardless of your skills, each area can equally use you.

1. Defend the military family compound
Located far north of Cadens, the compound is occupied by spouses, children, elderly parents, and other members of the army's family. Taking advantage of the army's reduced forces and split attention, a crowd stormed the compound. Whispers suggest that one of the soldiers inside - equally disillusioned - has let them in, though nothing is confirmed. By the time you arrive on the scene, most of the mob has been arrested or neutralized, but it's much too late to stop the fire, which is rapidly growing in the desert heat. Many could use your help evacuating them from the burning building. The Free Cities pump also needs repairs before it can be used to put out the fire.

2. Defend the military medical facility
To the south of Cadens is the medical facility, which primarily treats wounded soldiers, including patients who are there for long-term care. The building also has field nurses, doctors, and administrative personnel. The mob that rushed the facility believes that Portam Hall is hiding a cure for Heartwood Syndrome and is reserving it for military use. They've disrupted most of the hospital's New Magic infrastructure in retaliation, shutting down vital equipment. By the time you arrive on scene, the instigators have been dealt with but the hospital could use your help moving patients to the one still-functioning east wing of the facility. The equipment also requires repairs to get them back up and running again before they start losing patients.

Solvunn

In Solvunn, the Council is determined to keep the commune safe. After conferring for several days, two members of the Council - Isar Hart and Winifred Bordeaux - along with three trusted Elders travel to The Nether. Word has it that Luna, to secure its foothold after the incident with Ikorr, has swayed the Nether to let Solvunn consult with the shrine negotiated last year. Back in Solvunn, Rowan March will abruptly gather you and your friends after sunset. Having successfully received a sign from the shrine, Rowan explains that the God wishes to see the Summoned's dedication to the commune and its citizens. You're asked to bestow your blessing towards one of the following: the open waters shared with Thorne's naval force or the forest to the east, home to many revered shrines, ritual sites, and ancient villages.

The God does not possess endless patience. It wants a demonstration before sunrise. The Tertiary Settlement would be grateful for your protection...but so would the woodland villagers, who have temporarily evacuated and hope to return home soon. The Council explains that it's best to devote yourself to just one of the areas. Though the God did not say so, the Council and Elders worry that splitting your focus will affect how the God perceives the commune's resolve.

1. Protect the waters
Solvunn shares its waters with Thorne, which is a cause for concern. Firstly, the treaty negotiated two years ago was with the old monarchy. They fear it won't be honored under Thorne's new reign. Secondly, Solvunn is no longer perceived to be as neutral as they were. Their Summoned population has grown to nearly match that of Thorne's, and the Gods have demonstrated their considerable power. If the new King strikes Solvunn from Borrel, it would be devastating to the Tertiary Settlement and Solvunn's reliance on its fishing economy. If you believe Solvunn is most vulnerable by the water, demonstrate your dedication to its protection by joining the others and weaving seashells into some netting that spans the length of the shore. The more shells by sunrise, the better.

2. Shelter the forest
The Badlands have been contested territory between Thorne and the Free Cities for many years. Due to the release of Heartwood, The Council is worried another widespread attack could strike much closer to Solvunn's forests. Not only do the forests contain important shrines, but they're also home to ancient ritual sites that could unleash a dark power if disturbed. In addition, its small and well-protected villages retain some of Solvunn's most ancient traditions and forest guardians who preserve Solvunn's vital ecology. All of these are at risk if conflict breaks out in the Badlands. If you believe Solvunn is most vulnerable by the forests, demonstrate your dedication to its protection by joining the others and tying animal bones to a series of hanging vines that cover a swath of trees. The more bones by sunrise, the better.

---

Comments

wildcard!

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie is always been high energy, loud and quick to joke, and he’s managed to keep that up for the first few days underground. It’s a trait that makes him exceedingly popular with the children, and they’re always crowding around him for a story or a song, and he’s always happy to provide. He’s even managed to cobble together a long D&D campaign—suspiciously long, like he’s been planning for something like this for awhile, but that…well, that’s been put on a pause due to an interesting turn of events involving Steve and Henry.

There’s been a weird sort of strain between the three of them recently, ever since the storms, and it’s not at all difficult to find if you know what you’re looking for. He and Steve have been attached at the hip—nothing new there, but then there’s Henry. They’ve been friendly in the past, but something’s shifted where Eddie doesn’t seem to know how to respond to him anymore, and Steve is just angry and seething, and—it’s a mess. It’s just been one thing after another since Nero’s death.

In the evening (at least, it’s probably evening), when it grows quiet and everyone is settling in for a meal, or getting children tucked into bed, or passing around bottles of wine they’ve smuggled down with them, Eddie approaches Wanda. ]

Hey.

[ He flashes a wry smile that makes it pretty apparent that he can no longer mask just how exhausted he really is, but god is he trying. ]

Mind if I join you? But, uh, mind you that I’m gonna be real offended if you say yes.

[carmesi]

( in true solvunn fashion, it almost feels that after a compressed time period of so much to do, they are left with a lot of time to do ... a couple of other things that do not, realistically, take up a whole day's worth. it wouldn't be so bad if they weren't all confined to the ritual site, underground, and it started to feel a little cramped.

wanda has found herself a corner to sit in silence, her orange cat purring at her lap, and have a few bites of what looks like rice porridge. her bowl is suspiciously emptier than the others, but she's genuinely not that hungry.

she looks up at eddie, noticing that there is something significant weighing him down. )

As long as you don't mind eating next to a cat. ( dot perks up at that, raising his head and flicking an ear, orange eyes on eddie. ) Come on— you tried the rice porridge already? Apparently it tastes better than it looks.

[satanicpanics]

As long as the cat doesn’t mind me eating next to it, sure.

[ He salutes Dot with a faux stern expression, and settles down beside him and Wanda, bowl and spoon in hand. ]

Nah, I haven’t. Sort of haven’t gotten over the texture yet, you know?

[ But rice porridge is what’s in his bowl, and considering there were full weeks back home where he lived off of microwave dinners and beer and nary a vegetable in sight, he’s definitely put significantly worse in his body. That doesn’t mean he can’t scowl at the concoction in his bowl and play with it more than he actually eats it, though. He’s not really that hungry anyway. ]

I kind of wanted to talk to you about something, actually. Thought maybe you’d have some advice or something. Words of wisdom. I don’t know.

[ Because even if he seems to be handling the entire reveal shockingly well, he really isn’t. He doesn’t really know how he’s supposed to feel, can’t bring himself to be angry at a man whose timeline doesn’t quite align with his own despite knowing that he’s earned the right. So he’s opted to just…avoid feeling anything about it at all. It’s not the healthiest coping mechanism in the world. ]

It’s about Henry.

[carmesi]

( dot seems to accept the conditions and the salute with a little nod, though it might as well just have been him going back to lying down comfortably for a nap. the rice porridge is what they have, and hopefully himeka will get to work on more of the meals at some point to add a little more flavor and better textures to their rations. she's just been busy elsewhere, with her healing and magics.

the thought serves as a bit of a distraction, because the moment eddie does sit beside her, wanda can immediately feel tense—uncomfortably so. eddie is exuding so much of it.

when did she become the one people go to for words of wisdom? she feels a pit in her stomach. )

So it is.

( about henry. it was only a matter of time, she thinks, though she wasn't entirely too certain how henry fit in the equation with these two boys she cares plenty for. henry unnerves even her, knowing what she knows about the man, but she cannot judge him. not really. )

What about him?

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie uses his words pretty flippantly. He may not actually mean that he expects “words of wisdom” from Wanda, but some huge part of him still he wants to tell her about this. He doesn’t expect anything from her, yet still feels like she may be able to offer him something. She was one of the first people he met after being pulled out of that lake, one of the people who has always just been there and willing to listen. ]

Uh, well…

[ He frowns into his porridge, scooping it up and allowing it to fall off his spoon again. It’s just something for his hands to do, somewhere to channel all that nervous energy so that he doesn’t jump out of his skin with anxiety.

It’s sort of funny; Eddie has never found himself particularly fearful of Henry. Found him strange and difficult to read and knew so very little about him until recently, but never frightening. Even now, he can’t quite find the fear he probably should have. But Henry has never actually hurt him, never been perceived as a threat, just sort of…existed mildly alongside them for two years. ]

He’s…from the same place as me and Steve, and uh…we recently found out that we may have run into him before all of this.

[ His frown deepens. ]

Like when I died. And, uh…before that. When other people died.

[ And even if he’s not saying it outright, it’s still pretty clear what he’s getting at: Henry is not a good guy. ]

And I’m not, like…trying to start anything by telling you all of his. Just…I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do about it? Because none of that’s actually happened for him but Dustin says he’s like Ted Bundy anyway, and it’s not like anything I do or say is going to bring anyone back or fix anything, and Steve’s pissed, and I’m…Jesus Christ, I’m just tired.

[carmesi]

( wanda listens, without interrupting, and figures she's not exactly as hungry as she thought she might be. maybe later. depositing the bowl to the side, wanda lets her hands linger instead atop the orange cat, scratching between his ears until there's nothing but the chirpy purrs exhaling from his pink nose.

none of what eddie tells her is particularly new to her, and there's a thought about the fact that she had actively decided not to get too involved in matters that weren't hers to meddle with.

this is the first time either one of her indiana boys has openly talked to her about it. )

I know you aren't trying to start anything. ( dot stretches on her lap, curling his back and front paws reaching out towards eddie. wanda pauses. ) Even if he's done nothing yet, Henry will go down a dark path. That much is inevitable.

( it's what she gathered from henry; what his curiosity for the maligned skews towards. )

But you're right — he isn't that person yet. So, what? Would you prefer he backed off entirely?

[satanicpanics]

[ That’s just what he and Steve do: shoulder their problems for weeks or months to years until they gets too heavy to handle alone and they have no choice but to talk about it. But when there’s nothing down here to do but think and talk, Eddie has opted to open up about this one relatively quickly.

Maybe it’s because he wants to be swayed—be it into anger or forgiveness; he doesn’t know. He just hates that he can’t figure out how to feel. It’s kind of an insult to all of Vecna’s victims—even himself. Part of him hoped that maybe it wouldn’t be inevitable. He’s considered Henry a friend, and even now he sympathizes with what he knows about his life in the lab, but all of this new information leaves that friendship odd and strained. ]

No? I don’t know. He’s not like…messing with me or anything. I mean, I guess his sheer existence kind of is, but it’s not like he’s existing any differently than he was before, you know?

[ Frowning, he reaches out to scratch Dot between the ears. ]

You really think it’s inevitable? That he's going to become that? You don’t think all of this—

[ He gestures around vaguely. Solvunn, the people who live there, the things they’ve been through. ]

That can’t have some sort of impact?

[carmesi]

( if wanda could have an answer to how the universe ebbs and flows with their lives, with that of beings that carry within them more power than can be quantified, then maybe she would be better suited to handle the many circumstances she has been confronted with. even with glancing into the multiverse the way she had, wanda still holds no answers for something as complex as human nature.

things always are, and—one way or another—always come back to its nexus point. yet, there is always a very, very minimal window of opportunity for things to be just a touch different.

she turns her head to eddie, moved—perhaps—by how his questions spell wanting redemption for someone who has caused him immeasurable amounts of pain prior to coming him; who may yet cause him to go through the same toll of suffering should he be allowed to return to his world and time. )

I don't think we remember our time here when we do return, Eddie. ( not that she has a lot of evidence on this, but the few times people from her own world returned a second or third time, they claimed not remembering anything about abraxas at all even if their memories returned when they were summoned again. ) It can have an impact now, here, but outside of Abraxas?

( she speaks quietly, like she's telling him a secret. wanda shakes her head slightly. )

The darkness and pain he carries cannot so easily be destroyed. ( which, sort of begs the question... ) Have you ever asked him about his childhood?

[satanicpanics]

Well, that just fucking sucks, then.

[ It’s a blunt response, but it’s sort of all he has. He still doesn’t feel the option to return home is ever going to be open to him, and the thought that he could one day be left here alone, close friends returning to their home worlds one by one, is something he tries not to dwell upon. But they’ve all been through so much here, it’s difficult to imagine those memories and experiences being erased as though they never happened.

He suspects Wanda is right, though. If she’s not, Robin either got sent back home with a very interesting story to tell, or thinking she had the world’s most realistic dream.

His eyebrows knit together as he once again begins to rake his spoon through his bowl. He’s not really sure why he cares so much when he has every right to be just as angry as Steve, but the closest he’s gotten so far is frustration. There’s a weird barrier to full on rage, and he’s not sure why. He truly believes trying to kill him won't undo a thing, would just piss off the commune, and there would be no real satisfaction to it--but maybe he also just sees Henry the same way he sees the freshmen he so often dragged into Hellfire. Lost, in need of somewhere to belong, in need of a little help--but this time, it’s a level of help that is way outside Eddie's wheelhouse. ]

Uh…yeah, he told me some of it. He was a lab rat, basically? It was pretty messed up. Sounds about right for Hawkins, though. I don’t know why I’m surprised.

[carmesi]

( eddie seems like such an easy and simple guy to figure out, but in reality there are so many layers to him—so many hidden depths that barely pull to the surface. he is so emotionally mature for his age, for his antics, even if he isn't aware of it; that he feels empathy for henry when he should, apparently, hate the guy? it says a lot. )

And that's not an excuse to do whatever it is that he will do, but—in the moment—it's so hard to feel like anything will make up for what was suffered. ( she nods, softly, ) He suffered so much.

( and here she also is, trying to figure out the puzzle that is one henry creel. )

He is a product of his circumstances, as are you, Eddie. Your heart's in the right place, but you're the type of person who will get himself hurt for it. I'm afraid the answers you're looking for aren't so simple.

( mostly because there isn't a right way to navigate any of this. )

But... what do you want to do now that you know all that about Henry?

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie has seldom run into something that he doesn’t have a strong opinion on—something blunt and simple that he can shout loudly from the rooftops. This is different. He’s wildly conflicted to the point that he’s at a total standstill with himself, frozen like a deer in headlights. He’s always had a soft spot for people who don’t belong, but this isn’t really the type of situation he thought that would get him into.

And yet he can still think logically about it. He listens to Wanda, takes in what she says, and he can agree. Henry’s suffering, while horrible and unnecessary, doesn’t excuse his future actions. But at the same time…Henry isn’t Vecna yet, and that feels like it should still count for something. ]

I don’t know, man. At this point I think it would just be easier to just let Harrington pummel him and call it good.

[ That’s not what he wants, though, so he takes a deep breath, scrubs his face with his hands, and thinks a little harder. What does he actually want to do? He’d like for things to go back to normal, ideally, back to when he knew next to nothing about Henry but didn’t feel strange speaking to him or inviting him to play D&D. He wants a fix, but that’s not possible now. They know who and what Henry is, and ignoring it isn’t going to help anyone. Nearly everyone is being forced to find a new normal, and no matter how he chooses to handle this, this is just going to have to be part of Eddie’s. ]

I don’t know. I guess…maybe I still sort of want to help him. Which—I mean, I get it, that’s basically the same as Frodo just giving the Ring to Sauron because he feels a little bit bad for the disruption.

[ Clearly, it’s literally the same thing. ]

But that was always my thing back home. You’d see some pitiful loner or freak and you just..offer them a place to call their own with fellow freaks and loners. Little lost sheep cut off from the herd, you know? And yeah, I’m not a shrink and yeah, it probably won’t stick. Chances are he’ll go home and things ill go exactly the same they did the first time, but…

[ It’s worth a shot in his mind. He wishes they had a real plan and weren't just fumbling in the dark. But if anything, maybe Eddie can help things can go a little more smoothly here if they don’t have to worry about Henry going down the Vecna path. ]

I mean, it’s not like he can kill me a second time. Probably.

[carmesi]

( ooc: i know this is pretty old, so feel free to obviate it if you'd rather move on to focus on more recent stuff! i just know this thread is important for eddie, so whatever u want !! )

( wanda smiles softly at the lord of the rings reference—that one she gets. it's just like eddie, too, to try and find something that he could relate to, in a way that makes it somewhat lighter than what it should be. the light joke about dying 'a second time' rings a little too close to him, after nero's recent death, so it makes her smile falter for a moment.

she is thinking this through, carefully, before ultimately deciding to reach for one of his hands—and hold onto it tightly. )

I think... kindness like yours is something Henry's not received before. Even if he were to become a monster, you don't — really see him as one. Right now.

( she is also making sure that she is understanding his current position. )

Do you think it's worth all this trouble, even if it won't change anything at all? If the answer is yes, ( she pauses, looks him in the eyes, ) then it's the right thing to do, Eddie.

[satanicpanics]

[ The shift in Wanda’s expression doesn’t go amiss, and he nearly kicks himself for it. He’s tried to reel his grim jokes in for Steve’s sake. The guy hasn’t been doing particularly well since Nero’s passing, but Eddie is very much the type of person who copes by joking about things. But while the entire commune is on edge, he had forgotten that Wanda was just as close to Nero as Steve was. So he makes a mental note not to joke about death again—his or anyone else’s. He probably shouldn’t at all, truth be told. There are other ways to cope. ]

Sorry. That was a shitty joke.

[ He smiles apologetically and allows Wanda to reach for his hand, giving her hand a gentle squeeze right back, and then he falls into a thoughtful silence. There’s not really anything he can do to help back home. There’s nothing he can do to change or help an older Henry who’s already chosen his path and, quite frankly, probably doesn’t even deserve redemption or kindness. But this is different. This Henry still seems…human, easy to sympathize with, capable of change like everyone else. In the end, maybe Henry is truly rotten to the bone, evil to the very core of his being, and maybe this will just be a huge waste of time. But Eddie can’t see himself revoking all kindness now that he has the information he does.

Finally, he nods. ]

Yeah, I actually do. I'll probably be wasting my time, but…yeah, I think it’s worth it.

C

[sketchycharacter]

As long as you don't mind that I know jack shit about magic, yeah.

[Nate tosses the flippant joke off like he breathes, but he's admittedly a little nervous about giving this a go. It's not like anything he's done before and he doesn't absolutely love the idea of sending his eyes outside his body (or whatever), but cabin fever is a thing and he's ready to get out of the underground site any way he can.]

Knew jack shit, I should say. I can shoot magic missiles now so that's at least one thing on my resume. [He pauses.] There's not a way to tie an astral rope onto my leg so you can tug me back in case my consciousness gets stuck out there, right?

[carmesi]

( wanda is grateful for these moments and interactions, because in the monotony of their time underground, at the least they have personalities to keep things varied. she always finds the most amusement in those who are the least keen about magical rituals finding themselves traipsing over the edge of something brand new.

scrying is not something she would ask novices to do, but like most things in abraxas—it's getting plunged into the deep end of the pool, most times.

there's a strain of amusement in her voice when she offers, )

I can give you an actual rope if that'll make you feel better.

( she reaches to her side for a rope that wasn't there before, standing up and walking up towards nate. she'll wait for him to offer his wrist before she starts tying it. )

I won't let you get lost in the visions. I promise.

[sketchycharacter]

Ha ha, very f—

[Oh. Uh. Where did that come from? You know what, he's not going to ask. He hesitates for a moment before shrugging and offering a wist.

What the hell. Maybe it's just teasing to make him feel better, maybe it'll actually work, either way it probably can't hurt.]

Appreciate that, cuz I don't think there's a map for this sort of thing.

[All right all right all right. Okay, time to do this. His Arcana is already etched into the bone charm, so once everything is as set up as it can be he tosses it lightly into the circle and—

—whoa.]

Okay, fuck. [He's not sure how much time has passed when he feels more like himself and less like whoever he was looking in on. Feels like it was an instant, but Nate's pretty sure what it felt like wasn't what was.] Sidwell's on the Throne in Thorne. Ambrose Rhett's alive, probably — not in the castle there, for sure. Didn't hear much more than that before I got cut off.

[carmesi]

( it has been a while, to the point that wanda's sat back down where she was prior, waiting for nate to come back to. a few minutes, at most, but she didn't expect him to have any real trouble throughout the scrying experience. time is vastly irrelevant when peering through the curtain of mysticism to uncover what's on the other side. )

It looks like you glanced into Thorne.

( a bit more practice, a bit more veering, and he'd be able to jump towards the east, where the cities are.

the rope is still tied to his wrist and she holds the other end, because what is magic without a bit of a gimmick? )

How do you feel?

wow I totally lost this notif, hooray for finding it again

[sketchycharacter]

Had to be, yeah.

[He rubs at his forehead with his freehand, leaving it up to her to dispel (or whatever) the rope. Just in case doing it by himself sends him back in or something.]

I'm okay. Little queasy. Better than I would be if I were actually in Thorne. Take it from a guy married to a war correspondent - you don't want to be around the aftermath of a coup.

[But a bunch of Summoned don't have much of a choice, do they? Dammit.]

😭 it wanted to be found ok

[carmesi]

( wanda doesn't dispel the rope, but does untie it for him, allowing him to gather himself. only then does wanda start to coil up the rope in her hands; perhaps it'll be of use to someone or the commune while down here.

in conversation, little amounts of information from each summoned pushes to the surface, showing just how different and similar their worlds tend to be. )

I doubt it'll be any fun. I worry for those who are there — Thorne always seems to have a majority of the teenage population of Summoned.

( and those are whom wanda is concerned for. the adults can handle herself (or at least she hopes they would be able to). )

I know plenty about war. My country was immersed in one for most of my life, and not a day goes by where I don't appreciate not having to fear the skies. ( that being said— ) I always wondered about why journalists would want to leave their homes to put themselves in a dangerous situation, but they gave us a voice when it felt like no one cared. She went to many places?

it did

[sketchycharacter]

Huh. I never kept track of that kind of thing, but I think you're right.

[He squints at the rope. Is it real or magical-fake after all? He'd have expected her to -whoosh- get rid of it, but apparently not.

Maybe he should not question the ways of magic people and just go with it.]

Fuck. I'm really sorry to hear that. [His sincerity is obvious in his tone; Nate doesn't know what it's like to grow up like that, but he's seen enough to imagine it.] Yeah, she went all over. Sometimes in the area to report on the conflict from a safe-ish distance, sometimes right in the middle of it. She just...thought it was the right thing to do. That people should know what was happening.

[carmesi]

It is the right thing to do.

( her gratefulness for people like nate's partner is audible in the tone of her voice. )

Was Sokovia one of those places?

( she wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't. sokovia doesn't seem to appear in any of the maps of the world outside of her own, and even then, it's not like it exists any longer. with a light frown, she glances down at the scrying circle and then back at nate. )

Does your head hurt? Are you dizzy? I can make you something that would help with that.

[sketchycharacter]

No. Not that I know of.

[The name doesn't ring a bell for him at all, actually, but he hasn't been to every corner of the world, even if it feels like that sometimes. Probably a tiny place he's missed.]

Little woozy, but I think I'll be all right. Wouldn't say no to a soothing libation, though.

[carmesi]

( probably a tiny place he's missed, but wanda takes no offense nor does she build up her expectations for it. sokovia is no more, and part of her still yearns for it to be recognized—remembered—in some way.

when he does admit that he's a little dizzy, wanda moves over to him to put a hand to his arm, tugging him back towards the outcropping of rock, where she had been sitting. )

I don't know if there is anything like that here.

( surely, in solvunn— )

What would you usually have?

/coming off hiatus feel free to drop

[sketchycharacter]

[He goes along with her easily. He's not a weak baby, he just doesn't have a complex about being a manly-man in times of magical scrying weirdness.]

Some nights when I'm all keyed up I break into Elena's stash of chamomile tea. They might have something like that here, but probably not in the little prepackaged tea bags.

[If they do, there's a LOT about Solvunn left to surprise him.]

Beer works pretty well too. Abita if home in New Orleans.