EVENT #24: RESOLUTION - IC LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event #24 - Resolution

OOC Event Log

News of the increasing tremors across Abraxas soon reached the minor territories. Though Nocwich, the Feywilds, and the Nether are more insulated from the effects of the Singularity, they'll feel it, too: intermittent quakes that knock books off of shelves, cracked foundations in old buildings, and large tidal waves that swallow ships and boats into the ocean, destroying coastal buildings.

By APRIL 16, it's clear that something worse is coming. The air in the crater hums with electricity, the ground shaking. For weeks, quakes have spread throughout the region, all emanating from the ancient relic. As dawn breaks on APRIL 18, the sun rises behind the solid stone structure, a shadow of a shadow stretching long across the desert.

As the territories struggle to maintain order, the very fabric of reality itself begins to shatter.

If you have any questions about specifics for this event, please don't hesitate to ask. Because the world of Abraxas is so large, and because so many of you have had your unique plotlines, we are not able to provide every possible detail all in one post - but that doesn't mean we don't have those details to share!

Part 1: Convergence

Within minutes, Abraxas watches the world peel away like old paint. A vendor in Aquilla falls through a shard beneath their feet that reflects the deep ocean of Earth; a Royal Guard in Thorne is swept up into the vacuum of space. What doesn't fall into the shards falls through them, dropping landmarks, creatures, and familiar faces onto a quickly unraveling Abraxas.

Between the fragments of Abraxas's reality, a dark fleshy substance presses through. A raw, meaty film stretches across a myriad of undulating limbs, wet with a thick milky goo. It pulses with the beat of a racing heart, eager to break free but unable to squeeze through. Where it can manage, bone-like tendrils sprout up and wide in any direction, appearing like blackened trees after a devastating fire. Through them, the pulse of life can be felt and seen as the "bark" shakes with each heartbeat.

Veins slither forward from the pieces of reality and encase the Singularity. One by one, multiple shards, large and growing - the source of all things - appear around the Singularity. Through them peer the reflections of another world, turned upside-down but most certainly recognizable to those once torn from their homes: a glimpse of a great modern city, the interior of a spaceship, the stretches of an ancient dark road.

While smaller shards can appear and disappear across Abraxas, catching unaware Abraxans in their wake, the primary "canon world" shards are only in the crater. These are the ones that must be closed, which only the Summoned can reach.

Return

Across these shards, the Singularity's tendrils stretch beyond imagination. No mages are required this time to break down these barriers. Instead, the shards themselves can be seen from the other side, too, frightening passersby as they glimpse another realm amid destruction.

Regular people cannot survive going through the shard. If anyone is curious enough to try and enter Abraxas, they will disintegrate immediately. But the previously Summoned are different. They can willingly enter if they choose. And, in cases where they don't, the Singularity's instability might force them through regardless, opening a shard up at their feet and dropping them back into a world they thought they had left.

Returning Summoned will only remember they were once in Abraxas after the shards breach their canon world. Once the veil has dropped, the memories will come flooding back - and they will realize that the place they temporarily called home, however long or brief, is now in trouble...along with those they left behind.

Because each Summoned is unique, please don't hesitate to ask us about your character's return if you're unsure how it might work for them!

Converging Realities

The reflections of another world are not the only thing breaching the fabric of reality. You realize, with dawning horror, that the pieces of a previous reality entirely shaped by your mind - the Horizon - are pushing through into the physical world...and some of them belong to you. A friendly sheep you created as a friend might bound out of the crater toward you. A monster you trapped in your psychic basement tears through a small village. Pools of lava from your special corner in the Horizon set fire to a flowering shrine.

But that isn't all. Some of you who have been here longest might recognize the portion of an enormous stone labyrinth that emerges through cracked shards the desert. As the light hits them, the walls of the maze shift between gritty granite and glass, flashing iridescent colors. Should anyone approach the reflection, they will find themselves at the entrance of the maze or lost somewhere within it.

Others of you will recall the same sickly-sweet smelling goo that shrouds a tower of oddly stacked containers. Bits of the substance leak out of the shards, staining the sand they land on.

Long ago, you might've suspected that these were the domains of the Gods. Now it's clear that that's exactly what they are: sections of the Horizon, just like yours, belonging to those who carry the potential to ascend.

Across Abraxas

All across Abraxas, particularly throughout the major territories, chaos reigns. Officials struggle to retain control of their population, no longer able to effectively direct their citizens as panic sets in and destruction is wrought over the land.

Kingdom of Thorne

In desperation, the forces of Thorne are attempting to siphon off magical energy in hopes of at least slowing the encroaching threat. While the artifacts and spells they have on hand were not designed for this particular purpose, they are making do.

The real push comes not from Thorne's castle but from Nott. The current High Mage, Mace Hemmet, is inexperienced in the face of such an unprecedented crisis. As a result, Ambrose Rhett steps back onto the stage, once again. He knows more about the Singularity than any mage. It's time for the former High Mage to come out of hiding.

Lord Veda fully supports Ambrose, lending the strength of Nott's forces behind him and offering whatever is needed. Even shelter and supplies for castle mages sent to battle the rifts and a promise to work hand in hand with the castle's forces. Meanwhile, King Rudolph Sidwell - himself more of a soldier than a scholar - returns to Borrel to be with his men. Against his advisor's counsel, he travels out to sea in one of Thorne's warships to rescue sailors trapped under the roiling and shaking ocean at great risk to himself. Queen Lia is thus in charge, and she sees the value in inviting both Ambrose and Lyle Veda back to Castle Thorne.

The Free Cities

Already mistrustful of magic, citizens in the Free Cities are gripped by a multiplying fear. Some believe Thorne is responsible for what's happening, while others grow angry that the end has now arrived due to Marlo's inaction against the Singularity as promised.

Prime Minister Marlo Reiner is in a frenzy. The only thing keeping her from utilizing every resource at the Free Cities' disposal - tested or not - is the calmer head of Quilleth Kaur. It's no secret among the upper authorities of the desert region that the two are closer than simply friends or fellow politicians, and Quilleth remains close by Marlo's side in Portam Hall to present a united front.

Curfew is reinstated. Massive generators are carted to stations along the outsides of the walls to defend them against unknown threats from beyond this reality. The cacophony permeates the desert - a loud grinding of mechanisms and the crackle of New Magic that drowns out everything else. Soldiers patrol at all hours, a rotation of everybody available and able. Outposts and mining operations are treated the same, ringed, and defended as best as possible. Trade and travel between the cities halts.

All the while, the Free Cities' population becomes increasingly restless. They expected to be better protected by their advanced technology and armies - and it's clear that their government and soldiers have let them down.

Solvunn

The normally placid Commune is more divided than ever. Having fostered a deep devotion to the Gods for centuries, extremists and fanatics sing the praises of the end times. Some take to proselytizing the centers of towns and villages or along roads about how the end of this world will bring them together with the gods. Fervent prayer is common no matter the level of faith, and the oldest shrines see an increase in pilgrimages. Some people scatter themselves in earnest, while others hide away in their homes.

As reality crumbles, the most fervent believers begin to throw their most prized possessions into the reflections to be one with the Gods, whether it be material goods or loved ones. Fights break out between families and neighbors, clashing over true devotees and fear for the safety of others. The Elders try to mitigate, torn between their duties to the Gods and their fellow man.

Isar Hart is rumored to be a true believer, but he stands beside his friend and current Head of Council Rowan March. They call for all Solvunnites to return to the Primary Settlement to "take this hallowing moment in reverence. Meanwhile, without a direct call to action on the Gods' behalf, Edda Hagen, despite her recent appointment, is scarce - though some report seeing her on the roads late at night.

The Commune is in chaos.

Part 2: Doorways

As reality splinters further, it becomes clear that the answer lies in the epicenter of the Singularity's crater. Unlike previous crises, there are no officials or territory leaders that will guide the Summoned or make requests of them. Instead, it's up to you to figure out what to do. Logic dictates that one should approach the Singularity to determine the next steps.

A certain God will chime in - and he might be worth listening to.

Due to the thinning veil between the mortal realm and the domain of the Gods, the Summoned can now communicate with the Gods through the Network. Using the information they learned from the minor territories last month, plus the knowledge they've gained regarding Abraxan magic throughout their time here, characters can come up with a solution.

We'll outline the solution for players to know OOC, but this does not mean characters can't have doubts or concerns. However, for the sake of moving the endgame plot to its conclusion, the majority of characters should believe it's their best chance to prevent further destruction despite the risks.

RESPOND TO THE GODS HERE.

Coming to Terms

As you work together to gather what you know, it becomes clear that the only way to stop the Singularity from overwhelming not only Abraxas but all worlds, is to permanently seal the shattered rifts - which, according to what you know, will require at least some of you to remain on the other side of the rifts while others stay behind.

The spell must be performed during the lunar eclipse taking place tomorrow night. Everyone will have a brief 30-minute window to perform and complete the spell using various runes learned from the Gods, the Fey, and Solvunn. You're told that you may need to channel an immense amount of energy, so much so that the process could leave irreparable, lasting effects upon you and your soul.

You cannot receive assurance of the outcome. While all sources indicate that this method grants you and the universe the highest chance of survival, it's unclear what the impact will be on you and your friends. You'll have to take that risk if you want any hope of seeing the next sunrise.

A few Gods may fill in the gaps for rifts that do not have a Summoned willing to go to that canon world. For some of you, it would be possible to stay in Abraxas while one of the Gods takes your place. Remember, too, that the person stepping into a canon world does not need to originate from that world. The process only needs someone on the other side.

Defining Fate

You and the Summoned gather into the crater, now expanded many miles in all directions. It's evident that the crater is safest: here, the quakes do not affect you, and though the rifts continue to fracture and shatter, the creatures emerging do not seem interested in attacking anyone within the crater - only outside of it.

Having learned you must wait for the arrival of the lunar eclipse, there is little else to do except spend time together. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise. You have time to make your decision. You can say your goodbyes. After all, even if this works as intended, some of you may not be with each other tomorrow. And, if it doesn't go as planned...you'll want to get anything off your chest you haven't yet shared.

Things will be relatively quiet at the Singularity's crater to allow characters to have any final moments they wish to have together. They may use the Network to communicate or speak to each other in person! Once the lunar eclipse arrives and they proceed with the plan, there will be no turning back and no time for long discussions.

When the lunar eclipse arrives, you must act quickly, each of you locating the correct rift. You'll have had time to identify each rift the night before, so navigating there should be easy, to a degree. As the eclipse takes over the sky, you begin to experience a powerful rush of energy from the Singularity that makes it difficult to breathe and blurs your vision. While you can fight through this, it'll take all of your strength - and relying on your gifts from the Singularity will help.

◎ The spell itself is simple: you copy the runes from the research you've done, drawing them around the rift itself. How you do so depends on the power you possess. You can paint it, etch it with a weapon, use a magical design in the air, mark it using a floral pattern, or so forth. You're drawn naturally to the method that feels most intuitive to you and the power you wield.

◎ Once drawn, you must reach into yourself and channel the power that connects you to the Singularity. Physically, you may experience the following symptoms: a splitting headache; feeling as though you're torn in half or your soul is rendered; an overwhelming rush of emotions; or all of the above. You might feel you can sense the very universe crying out.

◎ The longer you persist, the less certain you are that you will survive the process unscathed. You can try to stop, of course...but at a certain point, you'll be too late and the power continues to flow from you regardless.

Closure

Flashes of light pulse with the closure of each shard. You hear the crackle of glass as the rifts are crushed and reformed. The ground shifts and shakes in every territory, the night air vibrating with chaotic power. This could be everything...or it could be the end. For a terrifying moment, you don't know which.

Your body is suspended in an abyss, a reminder of your entrance to Abraxas. You feel once more a light and the oppressive water around you. As the world stitches back together, the veins on the scorched trees shrivel and crumble to dust. The trees turn to ash.

The eclipse passes. The night is calm. Most significantly, the relic that cast its shadow over Abraxas for thousands of years has vanished. The crater is empty. There is no more Singularity. Yet, Abraxas still stands.

As for you - that's another matter. In your quest to restore the universe, what has become of you?

Comments

✴︎ SOLVUNN • ( OTA )

[deslumbra]

( A ) BREAKING A PACT

( wanda, ultimately, has found so much love for this small piece of the world. a home when she had lost one, brimming with memories and love for those she's met. the chaos is frantic within the commune, and the locals' desire to visit shrines, to allocate some of their chances at being together with the gods.

but with all that wanda knows now, about going back to a home, it leaves her with another decision to make. a decision to leave solvunn and abraxas entirely behind: breaking her pact with soris imaneus.

she travels light, one final journey alongside her one trusty horse, clover, onto the breaches of a forest. her hand commands appreciation as it presses and caresses over clover's neck, letting the reins dissolve unto her magic, and uttering a command to go, to be set free—to roam the plains of solvunn, to find a herd to join.

as she watches her horse go, she turns back towards the shrine, to meet soris head on; to ask for one last favor. )

( B ) HORIZON ENCOUNTERS

Hey, Mary, slow down—

( and more so than the rifts pushing familiar places near the singularity, the horizon decides that it'll bring aspects of their lives into the real world. mary, the young australian shepherd that once roamed around wanda's horizon is now able to run and jump around in the midst of all that solvunn has to offer.

wanda, for her part, in this very small moment, of quietude, she allows herself to be on her knees—reaching for mary—as the puppy bites into just-sprouted flowers, bumping back into wanda. her arm stretches out, a rune burnt into the soft skin of her forearm, looking quite fresh.

at one point, mary will even crash into an approaching individual's legs. )

—oh, sorry— she's very excited...!

( bark, bark! goes the puppy. )

horizon encounters, wildcard

[theidlemaiden]

[ Seeing parts of her Horizon, pieces of home that she had so painstakingly crafted, appear in the real world should be more of a concern for her. That the Horizon is leaking into their every day lives isn't a sign of good things - that much has been made apparent to her and everyone else around them. But even with that in mind, it's hard not to find comfort and appreciation for a place that she's fairly certain she'll never see again. But that is a small sacrifice if it means staying with the people she loves. Or at least, some of them.

Which is how she finds herself strolling down the rolling, gentle hills of her domain that is now in full bloom with Wanda in tow. A breeze rustles through the tall grass as they make their way towards the cottage that she had hoped to rebuild some day at home but is now, inexplicably here. Coming across a stream she hops gracefully across the rocks, holding out a hand for Wanda to take and hold onto when she follows suit. ]

Do you think there was any rhyme or reason why certain things were brought through the Horizon and other things not?

[deslumbra]

I think we're past assuming there is rhyme or reason in Abraxas, Hilda.

( wanda entertains the notion, though, finding whimsical and childish wonder as the sprawling hills in bloom that had once been of hilda's own creation now adorn a particular spot within the living and breathing abraxas. suppose it says a lot about their power of creation, as summoned. that power was always there, somewhat limited, only.

she lingers by the stream, though, after hopping across it, mary following after them and splashing all over. dot, the orange cat, on the other hand, is more graceful as he follows along. wanda glances to where they had come from, a breeze blowing past them, and lets herself feel nothing for a moment.

she's avoiding a painful conversation with hilda, and the notion of it alone breaks her heart.

returning to glance at her friend, her gaze is soft. )

Where are we headed?

[theidlemaiden]

[ Wanda's incredibly correct response is met with a 'tsk' and a harmless swat of Hilda's hand before her gaze travels to follow the short line of animals following after them with a fondness that can't be disguised.

Once they've caught up she doesn't loosen her hold on Wanda. Rather, she slips her arm easily through hers before setting off again down the sloping hills and verdant grass of a place that a part of her heart would always consider home.

The thought brings about a pang in her heart and Wanda's soft expression doesn't help matters either. She knows that some of this is goodbye. But she's never been very good at those. None of that is betrayed in her voice however. It's bright, light and every bit her usual self. ]

A little further. My cottage made it out of the Horizon too.

[deslumbra]

( once it is clear where they are going, 'a little further', towards the cottage that is now somewhat in sight, mary runs off towards it. that puppy sure has her own mind, but at least she hasn't entirely lost much of the training instilled into her by wanda's magic. dot, on the other hand, just trudges along, getting a little sidetracked by a cricket or bug, before catching up with the women.

their little escort.

wanda trudges along, enjoying this moment for what it allows her, for she isn't certain she will ever get the chance for it, again. )

All this nature and beauty, and we're going inside?

( she teases, a light grin on her face when and if hilda should turn to her, pouting and with cheeks puffed up, most likely. if it does happen as envisioned, wanda will only laugh, unrestrained. )

—I don't mind, not really.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Every moment spent in these fields leaves Hilda feeling wistful as she presses everything between the pages of her mind to preserve it - the sun on their skin, the breeze that carries the smell of wildflowers in bloom, Mary's bright, brilliant gaze, Dot's dutifulness and the warmth of Wanda's hand in hers. ]

Wow. [ She offers Wanda a fearsome, hurt pout. It doesn't last long though. It's impossible here. ] There's a lake there you know. And comfy seats that look over it. So don't worry - you'll be getting your taste of nature and beauty.

[ And as she says it, the little cottage appears at the bottom of the hills. There's nobody else as far as the eye can see but Hilda pauses at the top of the hill again holding tightly onto her friend's hand. ]

I wish I could have shown you Goneril for real.

( B ) HORIZON ENCOUNTERS

[catholica]

I see that.

( matt smiles and crouches down, letting mary barrel into his grip. he sits down, cane falling to his side as he holds her.

he gives her a kiss on the head. )

Hello, girl. How are you?

[deslumbra]

Are you talking to her or to me?

( wanda jokes, though she is (mostly) certain that matt refers to mary, not herself. mary, made a real puppy, does have a lot of energy that needs to be let out, so it's certain that she needs all this attention.

wanda herself would like his attention, too, though she mostly worries with rubbing at the dog's fluffy back. )

I think she's happy.

[catholica]

In this instance, her.

( but once it seems that mary's placated, he stands up and reaches for her. )

But now, my attention's only for you. How are you doing?

[deslumbra]

( wanda sees his hands, seeking her out, and so wanda moves closer. her hands at his waist, she nuzzles her face against his; her nose against his, her forehead pressed against him. there's a light smile on her features, because matt can so easily read her. )

You remember how I told you a few months back, how it felt like something inevitable would happen?

( at the time, she had been flush with worries, an anxiety that she couldn't quite settle. now, she seems calmer.

is calmer. )

I'm excited to go home with you.

[catholica]

I'm excited that you're coming.

( he's kind of in a world of disbelief that it's happening. that it's going to be able to happen. )

What's the first thing you want to do?

A

[aquaveiled]

[ Despite all the work she's done with the gods, Himeka never made an official pact. It was, in part, due to the fact that she felt it easiest to make sure she can talk to all sides if need be, but mostly that a part of her soul will always have belonged to Hydaelyn.

Wanda has been through a lot. She's done a lot. She was the first of the Summoned to reach forth and make that solid connection. And now, she's choosing to end it.

Of course Himeka wants to support her. She watches Wanda's horse walk off and Himeka's chocobo isn't far behind. She looks to the other woman with open concern. ]

Do you want me to wait here?

[ Do you want some privacy? ]

[deslumbra]

( wanda shakes her head, because there had been a reason that she had asked himeka to come with her. is she afraid? somewhat. she trusts that her bond with soris imaneus was strong enough that the goddess would understand her favorite human's request, the why she's doing this.

she reaches for himeka's hand, intertwining their fingers. )

Something tells me I might need one of your spells once all is said and done.

( perhaps a heal, if worse comes to worst. though wanda certainly hopes not. )

It might not be so bad, though.

horizon wildcard

[judgmentbolts]

[ Cid hasn't seen anything of Solvunn in all his time in Abraxas. As the shape of the future begins to settle into place again, he's decided that it's worth risking a short trip, if only to ensure that he has the chance to say his farewells and ensure that there's a path for the few Summoned who might remain.

He means to send Wanda a message and ask her if she's got the time once he arrives, but a very familiar puppy gets to his shins well before that. Cid very nearly trips over her before Nir calmly collects the puppy by the scruff and gently places her down again. She's quite unlike Torgal — her massive size is mostly fluff — but Cid has grown fond of her none the less. ]

Just like the first time, eh? [ He flashes Wanda a wry smile and holds out a hand, offering to help her up. ] Should I assume it'll be the last?

[ His gaze falls on her arm, but he holds that particular question for the moment. ]

[deslumbra]

( she wonders if, from now on, every time she sees the familiar face of someone she's come to love here in abraxas, if her emotions will never cease to pulse towards a painful kind of resonance. knowing that this is all coming to an end—

up on her feet she goes, his grip strong, but even as she finds herself on her feet, mary at her heels, curious glances and sniffs in nir's direction, wanda is hesitant to pull her hand away altogether.

her words are already wet with emotion when she speaks, and the first couple of syllables out with that affliction cause her to laugh softly. )

You should know better than asking something like that, Cid. ( how much it will make well inside her, the certainty of this being 'the last' of what was once a common occurrence. she adds, gently, ) Sorry, it just hit me how it's all — coming to a close.

[judgmentbolts]

[ Cid huffs, not quite a laugh. His voice comes out a bit softer than he intends. ] That's where you've gone wrong, thinking I know anything.

[ Wanda couldn't be more different from Midadol, but over time he's come to think of her with a kind of parental fondness. She wears her heart so openly that his own seems to sink like a stone. His own grasp lingers as hers does, not quite ready to let go.

He nudges her cheek with the knuckles of his free hand. Chin up. ] Save your tears, lass. You'd have been sick of me soon enough. Now you've got no choice but to remember me fondly, eh?

[deslumbra]

( chin up, she feels in his actions and emotion, and wanda finds herself unable to try and be contrarian about it. she knows that his world is not particularly the best, that it is ruin by a blight on the land and that his fate isn't uncertain—rather doomed, if the curse on his arm weren't already proof of it.

and yet it makes her heart ache, knowing that he was a father, and whatever reprieve there was in this world, it'll come to an end, at least as he knows it. but then again, maybe he would be one of those who finds it easy to get used to a new place and make the most of it, no matter how much it's changed. )

I don't think you give yourself enough credit.

( because those parental notes aren't lost on her, how oft she feels like a child around him, but not in an insulting way. )

You're staying, then?