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

[He recoils, slightly, from the splash of snow, though it's reflex more than anything else--none of it actually reaches him. Viktor doesn't think he has to tell Ciri why he's sitting here watching, instead of out on the ice himself, but of course he will offer his explanation anyway.]

I think I'd hurt myself if I made an attempt.

[A gesture, towards the "ice". If she's inviting him out, they'll need to be more creative, and he has a full mug of cider.]

Would you like some?

[He can share.]

Edited 2024-12-23 19:00 (UTC)

[ She reaches out her hands for the mug with an eager nod, cheeks flushed from the cold wind while she was skating. ]

You won't get hurt. I promise.

[ Ciri smiles at him over the rim of the mug after taking a sip. ]

Let me show you. It'll be fun!

I'm not sure about that.

[He's not going to put on the skates, that's for sure--they'll have to make do without. Viktor reminds himself that once, a long time ago, Ciri did not let him drown--so there's no reason to think that she'll let him fall in an arguably lower-stakes situation.

Still, he seems uncertain.]

We'll have to be careful.

Obviously, we're going to be careful.

[ She takes another drink for good measure and hands the cup back for him to finish. Despite Ciri's obvious enthusiasm and nudging, she isn't trying to rush him. ]

I think I've told you-- maybe a bit? About how I would spend time as a girl with my grandfather's family in Skellige. It's an island country in the north. Snow and ice cover the land most of the year.

[ Ciri cocks her head up at him, flashing a toothy grin. ]

I got really, really good at skating.

The Skelligan boys held these jumping competitions on the ice, you see.

Extra careful. For me, please.

[He drains the cup, then sets it aside and begins the process of extricating himself from his blankets. Underneath, he is wearing a coat--with scarf and hat, too, so at least he's equipped for this, even if he's certain his legs won't cooperate. Viktor offers her his hands so that she can help him up, giving one last look to his crutch, as if to emphasize that he is now relying on her for mobility and balance.

Viktor does, at least, smile at her recounting of Skellige.]

It snows in Piltover, but only some of the year. And the sea doesn't freeze over--you'd have to go outside the city, if you wanted to skate.

[Which, she might guess, Viktor never did much.]

It snowed in Cintra too, but not as much. The shore there didn't freeze. But in Skellige, there are enough inlets from the ocean that get cold enough, and plenty of lakes.

[ She takes his hands, helping him up, and shuffles slowly backwards in her skates so he can walk forward toward the edge of the ice with her. She can pull him along easily enough with him sliding on his boots atop the ice, after all. ]

Did you ever try it? When you were younger?

...did you like playing in the snow at all?

[ Ciri glances with eyebrows raised at his bundle of momentarily abandoned blankets. ]

Ice skating? No, I've always been--

[He doesn't finish the sentence, the lingering gaze on his crutch doing some of the work for him, though once he has a sold hold on her hands he starts the careful slide towards the ice. Viktor hasn't told Ciri much of his childhood, though he imagines she can read between the lines.]

--I was never very good at keeping up with the other children. And I fell ill, easily. I spent most of my time tinkering.

[ It's answer enough. She doesn't push, though she does slightly regret asking, assuming--

But her goal here was to get Viktor to have fun, not bring up sore memories. Ciri drops it, maintaining a firm grip on his hands while she glances over her shoulder, finding the edge of the ice. It's a large area, plenty of space to be had so they won't be in anyone's way, and others can easily stay out of theirs. ]

Well, if you hate it, I'll forgive you. And I'll help you right back out. [ Ciri promises, pulling him closer. ]

Ready?

I'll only hate it if you drop me!

[Or otherwise let him fall. He nods, to indicate that he's about as ready as he'll ever be, and then shuffles forward onto the ice. He clings desperately to her hands, eyebrows pinched together, moving an inch at a time.]

So far so good...

I won't drop you! [ Ciri laughs. ] You have my solemn word.

[ Reassuringly, she grips his fingers tightly, without pulling, letting him step out while using her for balance until he's both feet on the ice. ]

All you have to do is keep your feet about the same distance apart as they are now. And hold on.

Ready? [ She'll dutifully wait for another confirmation before actually giving him a steady pull forward, glancing briefly over her shoulder to make sure the coast is clear before skating backwards in a couple short strides so they're not right up against the edge of the ice. ]

Edited 2025-01-06 09:00 (UTC)

[Viktor knows she won't--this is a much less dire situation than drowning in the bay, and she hadn't dropped him them, either. Still, he's clumsy, unable to put much weight on his right leg, and she'll find that he needs to lean heavily on her to maintain his balance.

Still, he does his best to follow her instructions, nodding when she asks if he's ready. She more-or-less has to drag him along, and he does seem slightly nervous, moving further out onto the flats, keeping his eyes on her as if tearing them away will spell disaster.]

[ She very much intended to just pull him along. And not too fast, not wanting to give him more of a fright. His boots should slide easily enough on the surface of the ice.

Ciri's balance on her skates is good, and she seems to have no trouble at all skating backward in smooth strokes. Once they're a bit further out from the edge, she stops. ]

Look down.

[ Away from the dark shadows of the ground and the rocks along the shore, the glow that shines from beneath the ice seems to envelope everything, like standing inside an aurora. The lights move faintly with the water beneath the thick layer of ice under their feet. Ciri squeezes his hands, excited. Hoping it was worth the trouble of leaving his bundle of blankets for a few minutes, at least. ]

[Viktor fixes her with a look that says he's not sure whether that's a good idea, but although things are slippery and feel unstable, she hasn't failed him yet. He swallows down his apprehension, and nods, then looks down.

It is beautiful. Viktor is always struck by the marvels of this world, mostly because he'd never been able to travel his own. He watches the lights move, taking them in for a moment before looking back up at her, beaming with excitement.]

Isn't it beautiful?

[ She hopes he likes it. It's difficult to tell, with how quiet he's gone. Is he nervous still?

Ciri's wide grin fades a little, softening into a hopeful smile. ]

...do you like it?

[ It's difficult to imagine anyone wouldn't. But she also has a very hard time imagining what it must be to be in Viktor's shoes, despite her best intentions. ]

I do, yes.

[One of the nice things about being here, that Viktor won't deny--the opportunity to see and do so many things he would not have been able to, back home. He's nervous, yes, and his grip on her hands likely says as much, but it does seem like he's doing his best to enjoy this.

And he is appreciative, in his own way.]

Thank you for convincing me.

[ An anxious little knot in her chest loosens, releasing a soft laugh that briefly clouds the cold air before her lips. ]

Thank you for trusting me.

[ It means a lot. Their friendship has been fraught at times, and their values and desires may not always align-- but the trust matters. More than agreement, even more than getting along. She remembers (memories that never happened) explosive arguments, anger, disappointment, and through it all, the way that Viktor had always been there to rely on anyway. ]

Let me know when you want to head back. We can stay as long as you like, though. I don't mind.

[ She needs that feeling of being relied on, too. ]

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EVENT #22: KHION - IC LOG

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