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.

---

Comments

[godshattering]

And if I was? I had to make sure I knew what I was getting into.

[ As if he wouldn't have known and known well by the time the Fey's party happened given they'd been friends for so long by that point and long before anything which followed after leading them to here as he squeezes Jesper's hand in his. All teasing and all in good fun - except for the part about studying Jesper in his outfit. That had been entirely serious.

The mention of the Fey perceiving the present gets a hum from Claude as he considers it while they keep walking. That's a very good point indeed. ]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case where we're thinking about it like a year and they're thinking about it more as a moment in... however they measure things. The same could sort of be said for for a few individuals with extraordinarily long lifespans in Fodlan since they'd seen what we thought of as history come and go and it was hardly events of the past to them.

[ That's a tangent leading to nowhere. What happened in Fodlan hardly matters here in Abraxas; it's just a distant memory to use as a frame of reference for the tiniest moment since if the Fey are going to reach out to them again, they'll have to wait for it. Better to tug on Jesper's hand to lead him over to the stand Claude had in mind since this can actually solve their problems. Well - his own problem, really, since he's the one layered up in as many items as he could find to keep the chill away in case the potion somehow wears off early. ]

C'mon, you can remind me how fun you are when we both have a drink in hand. Not that it's required for the fun part since you're more than that all on your own, but maybe they'll have some spices here we can try out.

[itookashot]

Too bad, we could have run off to the rose garden and dabbled in some semi-public sex.

[ Jesper may or may not have engaged in that while he was there. (He definitely did.) He has a taste for things, what can he say? But it was a thrilling kind of night. He loved the masquerade, it was very him. He knew what a lot of costumes were because he offered to make them for people. He low key wishes they could have another one of those, but everything in the world is too serious at the moment. Too bad the Fey can't just show up and swoop them away from the war this time. ]

Well we remember what it was in theory, yeah? The centuries did end up feeling like either days or like forever, time was an entire other thing.

[ Jesper doesn't know for certain how many years they were supposed to be. People have mentioned it was around eight hundred, people who may be more on top of things, whereas he was just wandering the world at that part spreading love and having a good time. It was easy to lose track of time when months blended into years. The only time he was aware of a time was during his festival, and then he forgot again.

So the Fey might be the same way. They might think it's been days. It's a bit of a shame since Jesper would love to see them again, but he also gets it. Who would want to get involved in all this human mess anyway? He'd love to get away from it himself! ]

There are Grisha like that in my world, the more powerful you are, the older you can be. That's how the Saints came to be.

[ Inej would be able to explain it a lot better than him, but he's heard her prayers enough time for one lifetime. They were Grisha with extraordinary powers and lasted for centuries. The Darkling was one of them, and he was a source of darkness and fear because of it. Jesper doesn't think of himself as that level of Grisha, he might get a few extra dozen if he's lucky.]

Oh you want to get spicy, do you?

[ Jesper laughs and lets him pull him over to the stand. He's never said no to a drink in his entire life and he won't start here. While they wait he slides an arm around Claude's back, leaning down to put his chin on top of Claude's shoulders. Jesper isn't easily cold, his inner heat is unusual due to his powers, so he'll warm Claude up if he needs to. ]

I really wish we could just stay here, you know?

[godshattering]

[ The rose garden gets a laugh from him for both the suggestion and because he'd had the same thought about the garden's many places in which to have a private moment or then some. Something to add to the list for if or when they're able to return, certainly. Claude's already marking it down on one of his many mental lists. ]

Your Saints live a long time, then? [ He considers this since with the mention of saints - as he's hearing it, anyway - it's difficult to not consider Fodlan's when that feels almost like a direct comparison. ] The ones I knew in Fodlan were the ones with those long lifespans I mentioned though there were some... other circumstances there. If only I knew I'd see stranger things than everything witnessed there though that would've required me to know anything about arriving here.

[ That might be the biggest understatement he's said to date. Then again, if the Singularity is listening: he wouldn't mind the ability to learn more about the future when it'd answer so many questions even if it'd offer just as many more in return. For now the only endless questions Claude has involves what drinks to order as he looks up at Jesper with a very deliberate wink at the question of anything spicy. ]

It's like you're reading my mind.

[ Back to the contemplation while they wait in line as a Draconae couple ahead of them order, and as Jesper curls around him a bit he tilts his head to lean the sides of their faces together with a hum. ]

Including with that since it feels... easier here than being in the Free Cities even if I've come to think of it as home. Getting to have everyone here instead of waiting for Nocwich is pretty nice. Though I know not everything is uncomplicated here either, even with as nice as it is to see everything flourishing from how we left it.

[ Though the conversation he and Nadine had as part of the diplomatic mission only touched upon a few topics of what was happening in the Nether on that visit, it was clear (to someone used to studying for those things) more was happening elsewhere. Too heavy of a thought to expand on even for the others they've said, so Claude briefly turns to the side to brush a kiss to the other man's cheek before continuing, ] All the more reason to make the most of it here while we can.

[itookashot]

Yeah, at least a few hundred years, possibly up to a thousand? I don't know for sure, that was Inej's thing more than mine. I don't know what makes some Grisha more or less powerful, probably genetics.

[ Jesper's mother was a very skilled Durast but his father is normal. He wonders if two Grisha parents would make someone exceptionally strong, but he's aware that the Sun Summoner came from no deep blood at all, as far as he knows. Sometimes people are just born special. He's a stronger Durast than many people are, he knows that much, but not centuries of life ahead of him kind. Those are one in a thousand, he's pretty sure. Jesper never learned much about his people. ]

It'd be nice if one of these days we could all just bloody see each other. I think I'll die before I give up on my idea of us as our own community.

[ It's not as if they can live independently entirely, they'd still have to treat with other people and have alliances, but what Jesper means is like their own camp, somewhere none of the sides can control. He doesn't know how that would be possibly, honestly, but he just hates being constantly under the thumb of their territories. He sighs and kisses Claude's cheek back, running fingers through his hair affectionately. It's a pipe dream, Jesper is aware, but he'll keep coming back to it.

Until they're gods again and can do whatever they want, obviously. Jesper's not against that, he had a pretty good time. His permanent Fey ears have something to say about how much he enjoyed living free and untethered by anything. ]

Maybe you should be flirting with your lovers from other factions then, if you have such a limited time.

[ Jesper smiles at him, his mood bouncing back easily, and he's teasing. He could (and has) been doing the same, but maybe he's being a bit of a gossip. ]

You have at least one or two of those, yeah?

[godshattering]

[ A thousand gets him to raise an eyebrow; that certainly does sound a lot like the Nabateans and the church's saints hidden living in plain view. It's quickly replaced by a small smile at the mention of Inej as he remembers her though he hadn't known her very well, and that smile grows wider at Jesper's mention of bringing all the Summoned together in some location to call their own. Even though they've carved their own spaces out in each nation over the years, there's certainly an appeal to that even as logic just as quickly asks Claude how it would come to be.

A problem for another time, or rather one to consider in the background of everything else when that hand running through his hair becomes a priority over anything else. A definite weakness of his - and one not hard to find at that - and a simple pleasure to enjoy as he watches the Draconae in front of them order their own drinks. Of course, as much as fondness lingers on it'll be quickly replaced by a smirk the next time he looks at Jesper after that question to volley the teasing right back. ]

Who says I haven't? There's a lot to do here, after all.

[ Lots of sights to see and spaces to take them in together, much like they're doing now in one way. And more importantly that chance to be together in person instead of waiting for one lone weekend each month, which is all the more reason to use this time where they can as he's sure Jesper's also done, too. The smirk on his face doesn't leave, but the thought of it brings a different sort of warmth to light behind it. ]

And just one, and I'm sure we'll catch up a bit later.

[itookashot]

[ Inej is religious, something she doesn't really share with any of the Crows, but they all try to respect it. Jesper wouldn't say his heart hurts less when he thinks of her, despite all this time having passed, but he does have the benefit of knowing she's happy back home. She's going around sailing after slavers and making the seas a better place to be. If he never sees her again, he'll still be able to hold onto that reassurance. ]

Oh really. Are you going to kiss and tell or is it a sexy secret?

[ Jesper's never been one to be secretive about his variety of lovers but he doesn't make a big deal about it when one of them is modest. Not everyone likes the sort of open physicality that he aspires to, such as how he's hanging on Claude at the moment. He ruffles Claude's hair gently, knowing all too well how much he enjoys it being played with, and raises his hand to his lips to kiss the knuckles.

It makes him happy to see other people happy. The warmth on Claude's face when he's thinking about whoever it is comes across as very sweet. He knows from personal experience how being chosen by Claude can be a remarkable thing. He won't even sulk if they didn't have to wait years to get there. Everyone has their own thing. Claude's long-term friendship with Jesper is why they are the way they are now as lovers, it all adds up to the same thing. ]

I think I've lost one again, Wille keeps getting cute boyfriends and leaving me on my lonesome.

[ Laughable. He's never been lonely a day in his life. He doesn't mind though, Wilhelm's a sweet boy and he deserves the type of relationship he longs for. ]

[godshattering]

[ There's really only so far playing up some level of coyness Claude doesn't necessarily feel can go - even more so when Jesper just asks outright as he'd expected with that unnecessarily small bit of information he'd extended which successfully gets a laugh from him.

It's not that Claude was really intending to keep it entirely secret - as that would've been better served by moving evasively around that question from the start. Nor is he stalling in the aftermath of it, at least not for anything other than merely to enjoy the affection from Jesper. No matter how much time it's been, he thinks it'll still be something to appreciate given the ease and how seamlessly they moved from friends to this. ]

I suppose I could make you guess if I wanted to be difficult given it's my go-to. Have you met Dion? He's over in Thorne.

[ And in Nocwich frequently when it's a way to meet in person as a guarantee, whereas being here in the Nether is a bonus on top of that. One he's always glad for in general when it comes to seeing friends, but something that'd become far more so as what was between him and Dion grew from friendship to beyond. ]

Well, we can't have you being lonely. [ Teasing's his first response as always as he squeezes Jesper's hand with his own mittened one just as it's now their turn to order. ] I'm glad to hear Wille's found someone or someone's since I'm rather fond of him, though perhaps he'll come back to you yet. You can tell me a little bit more about it after you tell me if you'll let me order something for you while we're here.

[ As a surprise, of course! ]