abraxaslogs | EVENT #22: KHION

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

"Nah, I figured I'd let Jesper and Kaz sleep. It's a very big bed, I won't be missed too badly."

And considering he's bunking down with both of them, it's not exactly a secret how the two relationships are muddling into one. There will be other hikes, and Mat imagines plenty of folks would rather sleep a few more hours than go on a long, moderately difficult hike.

He's glad Wilhelm had a similar thought to him, though. He'd go mad without someone to talk to all the way up. Granted he'd talk to nearly anyone, but he quite likes the other lad. Light, they've been friends for years now. Not to mention the shared reality that wasn't, adding centuries to friendships and relationships.

"But that's just fine, we can keep one another company this morning!"

Oh, right. Two cute boys. Well, it's good that Jesper's partners are getting along, and they're all settling into something that works for them. Wilhelm, meanwhile, has yet to get a decent grasp on maintaining one functional relationship...

"Yeah, good thing we've got each other," he grins, swaying his shoulder into Mat's as they walk abreast. "I couldn't convince Iris to wake up before the sun for a hike either."

Early mornings and vigorous physical activity are to his roommate what garlic and crosses are to vampires.

As they come around a bend in the path, flanked by waves of black rock, their guide announces from farther ahead that they'll soon arrive at the peak. With a burst of renewed energy, Wilhelm pushes into a quicker pace even as the trail tilts upward at a steeper degree.

"Their loss!"

Mat grins broadly and moves to slip his arm companionably through Wilhelm's.

"We can later boast about how fantastic it was, and make everyone terribly jealous. Even if it isn't, we'll say it was."

All said in jest, his tone and the humorous glint in his eye making it clear. He's certain it will be worth the early wake up, to some degree. And he's sure anyone who really wants to make the trip will make it on another morning.

"Ah...here we go, then!"

His own energy his high, and excitement is building rapidly. They're almost there, now, to the vistas and caverns they've been told of. He glances in eagerness at Wilhelm, hurrying his pace right along with the other fellow.

He laughs along with Mat as they race to the top. The climb levels off, and they find themselves at the peak. Snow and frost sparkle over the rocks, cast in periwinkle by the fresh sun as it peeks around the mountain. To one side, the mouth of a cavern gapes, and to the other, the world spreads before them like the pages of an open book. Sheets of basalt and ice stretch toward the blue-grey band of ocean in the distance.

Wilhelm pauses, both to catch his breath and to drink in the view.

"Which direction do you think the castle is in?" he idly asks after a long moment.

Alright, that's an impressive view.

Mat has to take a moment to stand and just look. He's seen scenic vistas before, and he's sure he will see plenty more, but that doesn't take away from the moment.

"Fuck me, I couldn't begin to guess." He's not exactly entirely sure where Thorne is in general in regards to...well...most things. Above Solvunn, across nasty lands from the Free Cities. There ends Mat's geographical understanding of the world he's begun to realize is now his own.

Oh, and the Singularity. He knows where that is.

"I'm not even sure where we are right now. Other than up some bloody big rocks."

Wilhelm's grasp on the world's geography isn't that much firmer than Mat's. Out of curiosity, he's looked up maps in books, so he has an idea of the general layout of things and where they stand in relation to each other. He knows that the Nether is to the north of everything else. Finding the sun over his shoulder, he slowly shifts to face what he estimates to be southwest.

"Somewhere over there, maybe."

He makes a circle with his pointer finger, to indicate where, far out of sight, lies what he's come to consider home. As he drinks in the view, his eyes settle on a rocky island rising from the sea in the distance.

"And that must be where we were taken."

Two years ago, by Josselyn's crazed acolytes. Even now, his voice takes on a hard edge when he speaks of it.

Mat makes a very rude gesture with his hand in the direction Wilhelm indicates.

"Let the sea take it," he mutters, darkly. Still his sleep is sometimes troubled with dim dreams of cavernous places, wet with fungus. Perhaps he'll always have those dreams. Some things leave a very deep mark on the soul, as both of them know.

He wonders if Wilhelm has the same troubles.

"Come on, let's check out the ice tunnels or whatever it was they have up here. Between the pair of us, I'm sure we can handle a few wee spiders."

He joins Mat with a rude gesture of his own, presented with both hands to double the effect. The ordeal of the pit, as they'd come to call their rocky prison, still sinks its slimy roots into his sleep. The nightmares don't come as often anymore, but there's a reason he still sleeps with a light by his bed.

At Mat's suggestion, he nods with a grin.

"We've faced worse. Come on."

And with that, he leads the way to the mouth of the cave, which glitters with icicles like teeth.

EVENT #22: KHION - IC LOG

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