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

Do you not want to see a wolf slide across the ice? [Alucard's grin is small and while it looks smug for a moment, there's some honest consideration that follows.] It may not exactly be in control of all of it's limbs, but...

[The dhampir can all too easily see a version of a return where he's on his belly, all four paws out in different directions, sliding haphazardly about. It'd be funny, and he can accept that affront to his dignity.

But for now, he can squeeze Hilda's hand gently in turn, his own gloves made of thick leather and stitched together with gold thread.]

[ It's impossible for her not to see the hint of smugness that colours his expression. They've spent so much time together at this point now that even if he was trying to be subtle about it she probably would have picked it out from beneath whatever it was he was trying to conceal it with.

Her lips twitch upwards in amusement as she gives him the gentlest of hip bumps that would have sent him sliding across the ice were it not for the fact that they were holding hands. ]

Don't put words in my mouth! When have I never not enjoyed seeing you make a little bit of a fool of yourself?

[Alucard's only response is to give Hilda the slightest of hip bumps in return before starting to very slowly move forward. He's managing fine once there's momentum, but starting and stopping? That is where the challenge seems to lie for the dhampir.]

Then onward it is. And perhaps there will be some privacy as well.

[There's a very gentle tug on Hilda's hand.]

I'm not surprised you've done this before, but how did you learn?

[ His playful hip bump in return is met with a teasing, near mischievous glint in her eyes. ]

Privacy? For what?

[ While she doesn't wait for an answer she gives his hand a squeeze before pushing off and sending them on their way. ]

Back home.

[ There's a wistful tone to her voice as they press on towards the horizon. The sound of their skates cutting across the ice is soothing. And while she could go faster, she keeps a steady pace for the sake of Alucard. ]

The winters in Goneril were magical. The lakes would freeze up in the mountains and we'd go up there and skate on them. I didn't want to learn at first because I was scared of falling but when I realized that it could be fun that was really all it took.

The dramatics of kissing while beautifully lit with glowing, opalescent ground hasn't occurred to you yet?

[Alucard had considered the optics the moment he saw the skating grounds - but he had also had a few thoughts about taking to one of the huts and enjoying the quiet there under a solid pile of blankets.

He follows along after a few shaky moments of building momentum. There's no too tight squeezing of Hilda's hand as Alucard works to get there, but there is a greater ease to his voice once they're both moving.]

That sounds like a lovely way to spend a winter. Who was faster - you or your brother?

[ The large stones that jut from the ground create a good hand hold for those that might not be so well-versed in skating - but they also create a great obstacle for a moment of peace. The curl of her lips is good an indication as any that she had in fact considered that possibility. ]

The thought never crossed my mind.

[ How she says it of course probably isn't very convincing. ]

It was.

[ And then more often than not in the earlier years someone would bundle her up and carry her back down the mountain for hot chocolate. ]

Holst, obviously. He's so much larger than I am so he had more strength to go further. [ Another fond smile flits across her face. ] But eventually I was faster. Not that we ever raced but it was difficult for him to get me off the ice.

Mmmhmmmm.

[Alucard's tone makes it clear he doesn't believe a single word of it and he's happy for Hilda to be well aware of his doubts. But it's good to know they're both in agreement regarding skating behind one of the larger rocks that juts out of the flats and making out. They just need to find one with a good virew.

He grins at the fact that Hilda was faster. It is all too easy to imagine.]

Oh, I think I can easily imagine a world where you're probably eight or nine and having none of this going inside business, letting him get close and then skating up ahead just enough to make him think he's got you. [If Alucard isn't right, he'll eat his gloves.]

I only ever turned into a wolf and romped through the snow.

[ There truly are fee instances where Hilda would ever turn down the idea of making out with someone in a pretty semi-public place. Particularly with the views (both of the person and the scenery) were both pretty. Some joyful laughter comes on the tail end of Alucard's assumption confirming that he is in fact, correct.

In fact it conjures up a memory of just that. Holst had far too much stamina and energy to tire but even he could get winded when his speed demon of a sister sped around the ice just out of arm's reach. ]

Holst was a good sport. He always is.

[ Speaking of good sports though - ]

Did skates not exist when you're from? I can't imagine that where you came from was a tropical climate.

[They're 200% going to make out and there's a non-zero risk Al's going to land on his ass because of the skates. It is going to be amazing and Hilda's laugh only confirms it.]

Oh, but how'd did he finally get you off the ice? Pick you up and carry you over his shoulders like you were a sack of flour?

[It is a very specific mental image and...

...Alucard pauses, realizing how little he really has shared about Wallachia. It is a surprise, one he's not sure how he feels about. There should be some guilt in not thinking about home in that regard, and yet Alucard can't find it in himself to feel a single ounce.]

They might have, or some other enterprising vampire might have created them independently. My father wouldn't have. [The mental image of Dracula on ice skates is sure a thing Alucard is pondering for a second there. He shakes his head, trying to dislodge the thought.] Wallachia has four seasons, and the Carpathian Mountains get plenty of snow. It wasn't unusual for my father to move the castle to rest in the foothills there, but there weren't large bodies of water that froze over for something like this. Sledding, yes, and a good howl at the moon absolutely, but not skating.

[Wait. Has he told her that the castle could be moved?]

[ Is it really ice skating if someone isn't falling on their ass?

Despite how much she's enjoying their time reminiscing she can't help but huff because it simply feels like the right thing to do in the moment. ]

Even if I say no are you going to think any differently?

[ Because he's right. And if the puff of her cheeks is any indication she really doesn't have to confirm it verbally for him. And if teasing will give him an out from having to speak more about Wallachia then she's more than happy to oblige. When he does begin to speak of it though she finds herself blinking in surprise though to her credit it doesn't stop the glide of her skates ]

Sorry, did I just hear you correctly? The castle can move? Why haven't you ever told me that before?!

I might, but it seems I don't have to.

[Hilda's ability to have a poker face on most topics is about as strong as Alucard's, which is to say they're both extremely bad at it. Alucard doesn't mind. If anything, it is a reminder of why they get along. Like calls to like and all that.

At Hilda's reaction to the castle, Alucard blinks once realizing that he has, in fact, not explained this part of his life.

How she keeps moving is a mystery.]

I...suppose there was never an appropriate venue to bring it up? [bullshit.] But yes. My father, with a few centuries on his hands, developed a magic engine that could power the castle and physically move it, disappearing from one spot and reappearing in another based on his will. He used it to achieve isolation and as a form of defense from would be Dracula killers. It was quite remarkable really, and I don't know if anyone else would be capable of creating the same thing.

[ That's rude. She's very good at it. It just depends on the topic and company in question. Which is to say he isn't some grizzled old man that she's trying to con into doing something for her because she simply doesn't want to do it herself.

As for the continued skating, it's called growing up doing it most of her life. At heart she is nothing more than a woman who's grown up in Fodlan's equivalent of the Swiss Alps. ]

I'd beg to differ.

[ But sure, she'll let him have it mostly because hearing that it's his father who had been the one to develop it is nothing short of astounding. ]

That's...amazing. And you lived there after [ She pauses a moment, the sound of their skates cutting through the silence. ] you know.

Oh yes, let me just go get the shoe horn and tell you all about my father's magical moving castle.

[His voice is dry and disapproving, and a free hand waves and wiggles it's fingers to emphasize the moving castle part. Hilda is wrong, he'll fight her on when it's appropriate to mention the castle.]

...Well, my father had technology and books and all other manner of things that I could not leave for others to loot like a tomb. Beyond monetary value, there are any number of dangerous things in there that could not fall into incorrect hands.

[ The sarcasm is met with a swift elbow to the side. From its placement one could assume that she's done that more than a couple of times now because if he's being particularly cheeky within short amounts of time, he tends to get several elbows to the exact same spot. ]

Does that mean you're able to make it move at your will?

[ Briefly her mind goes to Perry. ]

Or does it have some kind of failsafe that will trigger it to move on its own?

[There is a magnetic spot on Alucard's side that simply calls the elbow home. That's all. That's how it works.]

Sadly, I can't answer that. It was kind of well, the moving mechanism was fully and entirely broken during the confrontation with my father. I hadn't begun to assess the damage or see if it could be fixed before I arrived here.

[He shrugs lightly, skating along. It isn't a topic that seems to bother him.]

But it'd be good to build a failsafe like that, if I'm ever forced back and begin to do repairs. But it'd just be me doing it. I'm not lucky enough to have say, a Perry, with me.

And here I was hoping that would be your next project. Getting the Old Public Hall to move around would be something.

[ Not to mention how many tickets it would sell. Nevermind the actual play or show that was on - people would definitely come to see a moving building. ]

I'm sure you could probably build a Perry if we end up returning home. Though he won't compare to the original.

[ And as if to punctuate that Alucard will feel a stronger than usual breeze ruffle his hair courtesy of said Unseen Servant. The teasing air about her dims a little as something else seems to cross her mind. Or rather, surfaces seeing as it's been on her mind since a gift showed up at the doorstep of her hut. ]

By the way, I was meaning to ask...were you serious about designing me a whole shop?

Oh, that is something I could attempt. It'd take a long time, but it'd be worth it. A traveling venue to meet artists and artisans and performers where they're at is...

[His eyes light up. It is actually a fantastic idea.]

There's only one Perry, as we both know.

[He reaches back up towards where the breeze came from, seeming to aim to pat Perry's hand or wrist in return. He's become comfortable with him over time, and acknowledgement is important.]

If it is something you want to pursue now or a few years down the road, I am entirely serious.

[ Warm affection dances across Hilda's face as she watches the birth of a new idea form. She's spent more than enough time with Alucard to understand what inspiration looks like and she feels like it's something she'll never really tire of witnessing. ]

That would be fun, wouldn't it? Imagine if we could do that here. It'd be nice to have a little bit of everything from every territory accessible to those that can't travel as freely as we can.

[ "Freely" with an asterisk of course.

Grand dreams of a traveling market aside however she can't help but contemplate that seriousness of his offer. And perhaps predictably, a shadow of worry crosses her face. ]

I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I barely know how to run a business - I mostly just make things.

[ But it isn't a no. ]

It has also been a little while since I've had quite so long term a project. [He won't get too excited yet as the concept is very, very large and needs to be broken down. ] This one could take years. Maybe even a decade.

[But even at the idea of so much time the dhampir seems genuinely enthused. A feeling he's keen to carry on into the next part of their discussion.]

I'll gently counter that for making things, you still need a workshop. I can remove the storefront element and convert the space into more work areas.

[ Though he tries not to get excited, Hilda knows full well that all it takes is a spark. And though she claims to be many things, she will never shy from encouraging those from doing what they love - and do whatever she can in her power to help see them come to fruition.

Doing the same for herself though is a little more difficult. ]

Are you sure there aren't other projects the city doesn't want you to work on first? Or just other projects that will earn yourself and Jaskier coin?

[ You know. Like actual business? ]

...Jaskier? Worry about coin?

[Hilda. Hilda please.]

I also like having multiple projects going on at one time. [They're hitting against the gentle back and forth of getting Hilda to take the next step out of her comfort zone that Alucard has come to expect and learn how to navigate.]

I won't rush you on this, everything was hypothetical. But I think you should seriously consider some version of it. Or at least let's make a logo that you can use on smaller projects?

[ Her eyes roll. ]

Sorry, should I just have implied that you're the one more in need of coin?

[ And therefore poor? No stranger to pettiness she probably could have but they both know that that's not what she meant anyway. The attitude is all feigned either way as she falls back into a lapse of contemplative silence. ]

I have a little bit saved up. [ More like a lot. But she's simply discrediting herself. ] I wouldn't want you doing any kind of work for free, Adrian.

Hm, no, but you did offer me some very low hanging fruit. You can't be annoyed at me for plucking it.

[The joking grin becomes something more serious. Hilda's thinking about it. That's good enough for now.]

That would be more than equitable from where I sit. And I will work on your schedule, meaning we can take as long as you like.

[ The look that she shoots him says that she can and she will.

Though she'd kept them moving along at a slow (for her) and steady pace all the while, she pulls them to a graceful stop to gaze up at him with a look that may be difficult to read. Truthfully she doesn't know how she feels about agreeing to this show of generosity (of affection) that she knows he's extending to her.

It feels like too much, teetering on the edge of overwhelming. A storefront means being open for business to some degree. Making things, with any kind of intent other than to gift them to people, could be done without something so grand as her own dedicated space. And though it's comfortable being in Cyprian's workshop and Viktor's workshop where she's honed a lot of her varied craft a quiet voice tells her that it can't be that way forever.

After a moment she pulls him down towards her, pressing his lips against hers. The kiss linger, but when she does pull away a smile forms at the corners of her lips. ]

Then the first thing I'll make there will be for you.

[Hilda is welcome to. But the result will always be the same.

Alucard has been able to keep pace until now, and he only slides away slightly when they stop because his legs expect to be taking another step forward over the flats. He's aware they're on the verge of something truly sentimental though, and movement is likely the only reason it has not already becoming overwhelming.

The kiss is and isn't a surprise. Words are hard in moments like these, so to express yes, let's do it in this manner makes perfect sense. Still, that Hilda has agreed to the venture is a delight. Alucard takes her free hand in his and holds it when their lips lock, and when Hilda pulls away, well, he isn't going to let go.

His own smile is warm and proud and delighted.]

I can't wait to see what it is.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT #22: KHION - IC LOG

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/end here?