EVENT #22: KHION - IC LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event 22 - Khion

OOC Event Log ⦁ The Nether

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.

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Comments

[gynvael]

[ John has said the same, once. In a way, Geralt understands. There is something freeing about being tied down to no land or kingdom. When he was a boy, he'd dreamed of travelling like a knight would. Destiny had other designs for him, but...

He did find himself travelling, after all.

Not until Istredd says that does Geralt look up. His eyes narrow, a little thoughtful, a little considering. ]

And end up drenched in blood and shit? [ He makes a quiet noise that passes for a laugh. ] I don't travel with the bard for his music.

[ He takes Jaskier along because Jaskier is a friend and he enjoys Jaskier's company. It simply took him...a while before he let himself have it. And what goes unsaid is that he thinks Istredd could be an equally tolerable travelling companion. Or, somewhat more than just tolerable these days. But he is curious that Istredd is speaking any of these sentiments out loud in the first place. He turns the thought in his head for a moment before adding: ]

What would you imagine us hunting?

[magicalarchaeologist]

I've gotten used to the blood but I'll admit I don't have the strongest stomach for the rest. I've been hunting regularly in Nocwich the past year or so.

[ Lucifer likes hunting and often went by himself to get out some of his aggression, and then he invited Istredd along. They don't always go together but it has helped him learn some combative skills against real opponents, rather than only in training. Blood absolutely becomes a part of it, they often come out looking horrifying, but the guts and gore he literally gets sick to the stomach of. All this time later and he's embarrassed about it still, but he can't really stop it. ]

Whatever you already hunt in the Free Cities? I can hold my own. Probably.

[ He draws his hand away from Geralt after it lingers probably too long. He's not very good at this so he figures his attempts are going right over Geralt's head, but that's also fine. He's come to value the fact they can talk like this at all together. It's a long way from only clipped necessary conversations before Geralt would simply walk away. ]

If I was there do you think you would? Go out with me.

[ Is that the kind of date Istredd would end up asking for? With Jasier it was dinner and hearing him sing. ]

[gynvael]

[ Right. He does recall Istredd saying something about that. With Lucifer, was it? He can admit he finds that amusing, the idea of Lucifer taking his paramour out to kill things in the woods. He supposes Istredd had to leave his books and scrolls behind at some point.

Geralt hums. ] Does this scenario involve the bathhouse afterwards?

[ Just so they're clear. Geralt can sense where this is going but he isn't entirely sure if Istredd means it to be going where Geralt thinks it's going. Fuck knows the man isn't exactly self-aware of how he comes off sometimes.

But then, Yen must enjoy his company for a reason. So Geralt imagines there are some hidden depths to the mage that he's yet to uncover. ]

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Istredd thinks he understands the undertone of that question. They've been to the baths together before and nothing happened, but he wonders if Geralt is used to a different kind of situation separate from him. With him being the one who is overlooking any suggestions that might happen. He is rather oblivious.

In this case though, he isn't. This is something he is dancing around himself and inwardly he gets hesitant, his stomach fluttering, but if he keeps circling instead of stating anything, he'll never get through. His cheeks are a little flushed but when he glances over to Geralt, he forces himself to look straight at him, to be more forward than he typically is with sharp blue eyes. This worked on Jaskier, didn't it? ]

Yes.

[ He is pretty sure what they are both implicating puts this on the same page. But after a beat, Istredd is still himself, adding: ]

If that's something you'd want.

[ Geralt could outright not be interested in him and that would be fine, at least he would know. His heartbeat picks up, pounding a little at his daring. ]

[gynvael]

[ He can hear the skip in Istredd's heart. Interesting. He can admit bedding Istredd did not cross his mind at the start, in part because Istredd mostly had eyes for Yennefer, and then Lucifer, and in part because they simply did not have much opportunity to speak so casually. Over the past few months, though, he's found Istredd's company...hm.

Amusing.

And they've been through enough together. Not, truthfully, that Geralt needs very much to convince him. Istredd is easy on the eyes and Geralt doesn't mind being in his presence.

He meets Istredd's gaze, then cocks his head and keeps walking. ] So long as you don't expect me to serenade you afterwards.

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ It's very rare for Istredd to be the one reaching out for something that he wants. He typically stumbles into encounters like this and he just got lucky with Yennefer and Lucifer. It's just something that happened to him, and that's great, but in the case of Jaskier and now Geralt, it's him making the effort. Learning how to try for what he wants, rather than allow things to occur almost accidentally.

He knows that for someone who can read people like Geralt, he is being extremely obvious, and that is fine. Better obvious than stumbling over his words and being unable to express a want for anything. It's hard to put himself out there but Geralt seems to understand. It's a relief.

His smile is sudden and bright, surprised by his success. They can't exactly do anything up here, but that is something that they can perhaps discuss at the bottom of the hill. It's an agreement of a kind. He laughs. ]

I would honestly and truly love to hear that, but we hardly want to take Jaskier's defining characteristic away with any competition.

[ Now he has even more to look forward to from this trip. ]

I'm glad, Geralt.

[ That is something Istredd brings to the table. His utter sincerity. ]

wrap soon? 🎀

[gynvael]

[ Frankly? Geralt is perfectly content of obvious. He is not a coy man and, with rare exceptions, does not have much patience for those who would play coy with him. It occurs to him that Istredd—knowing the mage as he does—must've sat on these sentiments for some time before finally voicing them now.

Makes him wonder exactly how long ago that may be. Not that it matters. Just a point of curiosity. Geralt, for his part, has no qualms about bringing someone to bed for exactly that purpose.

He huffs. ] He'd perish in a fit of laughter if you suggested I could be competition.

[ Geralt does not sing for a reason. His brothers sometimes do, when they've indulged in too much White Gull, but Geralt's always preferred to let them make the ruckus.

He nods towards the treeline up ahead. He can see the flicker of a clearing beginning to break through the dense brush. Up here, the sun is especially bright, almost blinding. ]

Come on. We're nearly there.

🎀

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Istredd's attraction has existed a long time but his interest in doing anything about it is much more recent. Post vision, he and Lucifer had a different way of looking at their relationship, and it helped open some doors. But it still is difficult for him to put himself out there. He knows Geralt is someone who prefers directness, so he should have just done it sooner, but well, at least he finally did. It worked. ]

You'll have to recite poetry instead.

[ Neither of them are good at that, but he's trying to keep it light. A decision was made that means a great deal to him. Now he can focus on what they're here to do and take the exhilaration that comes with flying with the possibility ahead of them. This time when he smiles and puts a hand on Geralt's shoulder, it is with more confidence. ]

Last one down has to make a brew for the other.