abraxaslogs | EVENT #22: KHION

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EVENT #22: KHION - IC LOG

Event 22 - Khion

Despite the unsettling tremors from the previous month, the citizens of Abraxas are determined to enjoy their winter festivities. For you, the collective wintertide celebrations - The Dimming, The Festival of Enlightenment, and the Winter Solstice - have often been held in your home territories or Nocwich.

This year brings a change. You'll receive a personal letter from the Nether, signed by Aster, the Guardian themselves. Whether you were there to aid the Nether or not last autumn, the letter thanks you nonetheless for your assistance and informs you that much has changed in their lands...for the better. Indeed, so much so that the Draconae wish to invite you back so you can see for yourself the positive impact you've had.

Their gates will open DECEMBER 16 and close on DECEMBER 20. Because the Draconae do not possess magic as powerful as other races in Abraxas, they kindly ask that you stay for the week since they cannot maintain a persistent portal.

The major plot occurrence will occur at the end. The fallout of this incident will carry over into January.

Above and Below

Previously, only the Obsidian Heart - the volcanic city - was accessible as the area above was far too cold and desolate. Now, with the adult dragons having returned to their full strength and their hatchlings growing by the day, the Draconae have begun to reclaim their territory beyond the volcano.

You'll be able to explore areas within the Heart, but you'll find most of the festivities above-ground. The Draconae are a fun-loving people and they're quite fond of the Summoned after all the help you've given them. They also understand that tensions between the major territories have been high as of late...and would like to grant you some reprieve from a war many of you didn't ask to be a part of.

Accommodations

This time, guests will stay in stone huts built from the Nether's volcanic stone. The stones preserve an unusual amount of heat, meaning the huts are very warm. Bedding is comfortable, if simple, with room to store your belongings. The Draconae believe strongly in mutual respect, so the doors contain no locks. Your safety is assured, but if you're nervous, you can ask for a guard to watch you at night.

If you don't do well in the cold, the Draconae will offer you warming potions and thick furs. Curiously, the furs closely resemble what the werewolves in Luna wear, suggesting that the Nether and Nocwich have resumed more active trading in recent months.

◎ A larger community hut is in the center of the small village that's slowly being built. The dining area consists of open-fire grills, pots, and raw ingredients - including spices and fiery hot peppers. As great believers in self-sufficiency, the Draconae will leave you to make meals to your taste and liking.

◎ You can hunt and fish your meat, as well. There are numerous spots for ice fishing. Since the natural world is steadily being restored, game and fish found are of the common variety like deer, bison, and trout, as opposed to the stranger creatures that were found inside the Obsidian Heart's lava pools. Feel free to share your catch with your friends or offer to cook for the culinarily challenged.

◎ Hot springs can be found to the north. You'll have to hike to reach the area but it's a lovely walk. The waters themselves are crystal clear. At night, they glow with hundreds of tiny unknown creatures. These creatures are believed to be the result of the previously sickly hatchling, Anthusa, who creates bioluminescent algae. Now that Anthusa is much healthier, it can be spotted playing in the hot springs and lakes.

◎ Large fuzzy rodents the size of a small cat will occasionally invade your sleeping quarters or eating areas. They're easily chased off but they can be a huge nuisance by stealing your food and chewing holes in your blankets. You're warned only to chase them off not injure them. Unfortunately, their blood is quite corrosive and can cause a harsh burn to the skin. While the burns will heal up in a few days, it's best to avoid the situation altogether.

Sights & Activities

Opal Flats

The Opal Flats are natural wonders that have recently come into being with the dragons' increasing strength. The pearlescent icy surface glows at night which makes it the perfect place for ice skating after sunset. You can borrow a pair of ice skates and join the Draconae on the ice.

◎ When you're done with the ice, you can join one of the tents nearby that are hosting spiced cider workshops. Here, you can make your own spiced cider blend. Flavors include clove, cinnamon, and berries unique to the Nether. You can test infusing your blend into small cups of cider until you're happy with the results. Your final personalized blend will then be packaged into a jar and tied off with a ribbon. Enjoy it yourself or give it to someone special!

◎ Keep an eye out! The young dragons are troublemakers and will sneak into the workshops to steal cinnamon sticks, drink from the steaming cider pots, and knock down hanging decorations. You can help rehang decorations or remove the dragons from spaces they shouldn't be in...though they'll soon find their way back again. The Draconae seem exasperated but tolerant of the hatchlings so you shouldn't worry too much about the mild chaos. It's to be expected.

◎ Once more, Khloris is the biggest menace and it's grown larger since. While Khloris has learned to better control its powers, it's still prone to causing flowers to sprout in your hair should you come into contact with too much of its pollen. Fortunately, the effect is temporary - just a few hours.

Dusk Falls

Each day, starting at dawn, two Draconae guides will lead a hike up the mountains. Make sure you bring your hiking boots! The slopes are frosty and can be dangerous but they'll keep you safe as much as possible. Otherwise, it's a lovely trip and takes about two hours to reach the top. You'll encounter a beautiful view, fresh mountain air, and a cavern at the peak where you can go inside and look at some frozen waterfalls.

◎ Unusual ice-like spiders infest some portions of the cave. While they're quite big (about the size of a wolf spider), they're harmless and seldom bite. On the occasions that they do, the bite is easily treated with a bandage and a few days to heal. However, they do have a bad habit of dropping down from the ceiling onto the heads of passersby wandering through the caves. The experience can be startling if you're not expecting it.

◎ Once you've all finished enjoying the sights, you can return to the bottom. Luckily, you won't have to climb down. Instead, the group will get to ride one of the two adult dragons in the Nether: Hierus, the Obsidian Drake, and Kruos, the Glass Serpent. They'll bring all of you safely back to the base of the mountain.

Cinder's Core

Walking through the Ashlands no longer requires any special potion. The air is now clear. Cinder's Core lies at the southern end. Previous visitors will recall that it was full of petrified trees and fossilized bone. The detritus of a fallen ecosystem remains, but alongside it is new growth of flourishing green thanks to the young dragon Okenus. This includes the trees growing the unique kydros fruit.

◎ You can help harvest the kydros fruit to contribute to the feast above the surface. Now that they're growing freely again, the Draconae are no longer reserving them for the potions and have reintroduced the fruit into their regular dishes! Mildly sweet with a hint of citrus, it tastes somewhat like a pomelo.

◎ Be careful when harvesting or traversing the area! While the jungle is starting to recover, it's still a jungle full of tripping hazards, slippery vines, and high cliffs - some of which now have refreshing waterfalls. There might also be a hidden snake or aggressive birds. These creatures aren't dangerous to any real degree, but if they bite or peck, it'll leave a mark!

Mysterious Gifts

While the Draconae participate in traditional gift-giving, this occurs only between the closest of mates and friends. More common is an activity they call Krypto's Box. Krypto's Box is a massive jar in the middle of town with a hole carved out at the bottom to function as a sort of dispenser. Filling the jar are hundreds of vials containing a mystery potion. Each year, the batch of potions is blessed by magic from the young dragons of the Nether. In other words - these mischievous creatures have influenced the potions' effects.

You can take a potion and gift it to someone. Neither of you will know what the effects are until the recipient opens it, but you can trust it'll be something mild, temporary, and amusing. During Khion, it's not unusual to see the Draconae wandering around covered in glitter, swirls of flowers, or hovering 2 feet above the ground. Accepting a mystery potion is part of the fun. The local Draconae will gift you some alongside your Summoned friends!

If your character has received a potion - whether from a Draconum or another Summoned - comment HERE to see what effect they'll receive. If you don't like the effect, simply disregard your character having received a potion to begin with.

Making Friends (NPCs)

The occasion is less formal this time, so Anneth and Aster will each be available for you to meet regardless of your status. There's also one surprise guest that some of you might recognize from last year's Epulum event in Ikorr: Babis, the cheerful Draconum who was merely looking for a good time and found himself embroiled in a mysterious theft.

Descriptions about the three NPCs and where they can be found will be in their character comments below. Depending on who you talk to, you can learn a little more about neighboring Endsmuth, the dragons, and relations with Nocwich. The meetings might not last very long, but you'll be able to get in one or two questions!

Characters of any rank can speak with one of the three NPCs available.

To do so, TAG IN with your character under the NPC you want to meet.

Renewal

The Nether's limited magic means that they seldom feel the effects of the Dimming. However, even the Draconae begin to notice something is wrong as the final day draws near wherein the Singularity should go completely dark, falling into its usual state of hibernation. The dragons, in particular, are disturbed and have communicated as such to both Anneth and Ermis, the Keeper.

Before anyone can determine what's truly happening, a massive quake strikes all of Abraxas. As far away from the epicenter as the Nether is, even they feel the effects, a tremor that knocks over decorations and cracks foundations.

For any who are near the cliffs overlooking the ocean below, they can observe a giant tidal wave that consumes the island where some of you recall being held captive on.

Portals Awry

Naturally, you want to return home after such an unexpected event. The Draconae hurriedly open the portals to your individual territories and assure you they will assist in any way possible, though they are equally unsure of what's just happened.

Stepping through the portal, you expect to pass through and face the familiar sights and sounds where you reside. For a small handful of you, that may be exactly so. For many others, however, you'll find yourself in a completely unexpected place.

Indeed, it seems that whatever force has caused the quake has also disrupted the Singularity's no longer waning magic, corrupting the portal magic and sending you into an opposing territory. In a time of war, this could be disastrous for all involved...and it's clear from the locals who greet you on the other side that they are as baffled as you.

Players can choose to mix things up and send their characters to a new territory for the duration of January. Since this will be temporary, feel free to separate close CR or put your character somewhere they won't enjoy. It won't last long!

Characters will not be placed under any restrictions for accidentally landing in a strange place. They will, for the time being, be treated as guests while officials determine what to do next.

The Wrap-Up will detail how characters' experiences will go once they are in their new territory.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

starters below
plotting —

fuels — pinkwestwood (@) discord

Edited 2024-12-17 18:03 (UTC)

( over the last several days since james had arrived, he had been forced to confront harsh realities about the situation he was in and what this strange place had expected of him. he didn't consider himself someone who truly cared to involve himself in things beyond his own goals and desires, but at the end of the day when he weighed his options and his own abilities, it was best to just do what was expected of him and comply.

although he genuinely felt an apprehension of getting too involved with anyone or anything, he had a stubborn drive to find his wife despite the nagging thought in the back of his mind that this place wouldn't bring someone from the dead [would they?]. regardless of what the truth was, he needed to see it for himself. so much like others from the free cities, james had decided to embark on this journey to the nether.

while he adjusted himself and made a plan on how to best explore this new area and speak to others on whether or not they've seen his wife, he decided it was best to make himself useful. back home, he was a mere office worker, sitting at his desk for hours on end mostly doing paperwork and reports. here he had to become more useful so he decided to teach himself how to fish.

anyone who was nearby and watching, would see a man in uniform struggling to even get his fishing rod in proper order. as he worked to put the bait onto the hook, one of the many fuzzy rats roaming about seemed to jump him and steal the bait straight from his hook. not wanting to be outdone by a mere rodent, james immediately began to ran after it and when he reached it, he began to stomp it out.

only no one gave him the memo about the blood. )

Ah fuck-

( he managed to yell out, nearly falling back from the pain of the corrosive blood that splashed back onto his upper calf. )

( Julia has no skills when it comes to fishing, she grew up in the suburban area of New Jersey into a socialite family, she sucks at a lot of helpful skills. But she's keeping people company while they fish and she also likes to explore everything in the Nether, knowing this won't last forever. She's always loved this place but it's been a whole year since the last time. She's chased one of the hatchlings out here and he probably sees the dragon playfully swing around before flying off.

Julia starts to fly after it, although she ends up only flying about fifteen up in the air before she spots him dealing with the rats. They are stealing his bait which is not a surprise, but her eyes widen as he goes to stomp it.)

Oh watch out, their blood is--

( Too late, he's already yelled out. It's probably strange to hear her voice come from above him but it's moments later that she sinks down to the ground. She's a petite young woman who to appearances seems much more normal than her powers implicate.)

Yeah, big ouch, it's usually best to just scare them off. Here let me look at it.

( truly too little too late— because her half warning is missed by him completely and now he bending down to see the damage that had occurred. he was used to pain really, this wasn't anything new for the man who had come from a world with a literal hell on earth.

yet being in a new environment, vulnerable and embarrassed over what happened, he might have overreacted a bit more than he usually did. when julia approached him, he looked even more flustered by the situation. he usually didn't feel guilt, but he was feeling a bit annoyed with himself he had dragged a stranger into his mess. )

Um really...it's okay.

( he looked up, holding up his hand but it was obvious by the disintegrating bottom part of his pants that he needed medical attention. )

Don't worry, I'm a healer. It's kind of my thing.

( Julia flashes a smile at him although her gaze stays steady on his leg to try and get a glimpse at his calf. It does look a bit rough but small potatoes for a goddess. Still, she's not going to just do it without asking him, so she steps closer to him and wiggles her fingers at him.)

As long as you're not allergic to magic.

( There are people who are, she's even met them before, so it's something to be considered before just poking around at him. Technically first aid isn't that hard to find around here, the draconae don't use magic so they have normal medics, but she's standing right in front of him so it's easy enough.)

Magic?

( oh that was right. this world has such a strange variety of people who already knew how to use magic, or learned it. while he had taken some time to look into these things [even going so far as to meditate and venture into the horizon], it was still so new to him.

yet he shouldn't be too surprised, considering the world he came from. the monsters almost seemed to form from some kind of magic beyond his comprehension. )

Oh right, no....or at least I don't think so.

( with a rather plain expression, he bent down to tug his leg pants up, revealing the wound a bit more clearly to julia. )

It's fine, I know how to handle it if you are.

( Technically her healing isn't always magic. She doesn't need to say any spell to make it work, it's from her essence. She just didn't want to freak him out if he's new to everything. Her smile is welcoming and her soft red eyes are as reassuring as can be. She leans down to get a better look at it and then gets on her knees, reaching out.

Her touch is gentle and what he'll feel instead of pain is a sudden heat that isn't unpleasant just strange. It glows a pale white as his skin knits back together and covers over the burns smoothly, like nothing happened to start with. Only the lingering sensation of the sting will stay with him.)

There we go. You have to be careful with the animals in this world, sir, a lot of them are more dangerous than they seem at first.

( despite how awkward and stiff he could be, at least he could somewhat appreciate kindness from others. so even if he seemed a bit off-putting, he did his best to just accept what she was offering with a faint smile of his own.

he watched her as she moved closer to him, eyes slowly shifting towards his wound as he watched it heal up and close. james had seen a wide array of questionable things in his life [especially considering where he had been prior to arriving here], so he doesn't look as shocked as she might have expected.

instead the shock comes from being called sir. it was a strange title to be used....considering he felt it had been decades since anyone called him anything but james. )

You're right but uh....you don't have to call me sir, especially after helping me. Call me James, James Sunderland.

( He's only a few years older than her truthfully, and she can tell that from a quick glance, but she's still trying to be polite since she doesn't know him. Calling him 'dude' also seems like the wrong vibe, much more common with guys that she knows. She straightens up now that he's healed and smiles.)

Gods, I probably shouldn't have said that, I would full body cringe if someone called me ma'am.

( It's happened a few times and she always hates it. So weird. Still, there are a lot of different people here, some of them might want an honorific title. She's glad to know he's otherwise since she probably wouldn't keep up on it for long.)

I'm Julia Wicker, hi. Let me just give you a general head's up in all the places in this world, some of the animals are weird. Some of them are just goats.

( An endless parade of goats in Solvunn, along with chickens and horses and the usual farm animals, but then they have weird spider creatures in the woods and gods prowling the land.)

Are you new?

james sunderland — silent hill 2

— ice fishing/pest control

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— mysterious potion

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— portals; solvunn (ota + closed)

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