abraxaslogs | The Dimming

Entry tags:

!event,
!npc

The Dimming - Thorne

Throughout the Kingdom of Thorne, the Dimming is begun. This festival, held in harmony with the annual cycle of the seasons and the slide of the Singularity into temporary dormancy, is a celebration of two halves. The mood is generally somber and reflective in the days leading to the winter solstice itself, with the promise of a fantastic explosion of life, light and renewal waiting on the other side.

A Hymn for the Night

The Festival begins with song. As the sun goes down across the Kingdom, a many-layered hymn the Summoned have never heard begins to rise up from the streets. The words are strange and arcane, but everyone in Thorne seems to know them. Young, old, rich and poor alike all watch the darkness fall together, each holding the flickering light of a candle as they sing an ancient promise to be light for one another.

In distant Hayle, the bitter cold has the congregants gathering in the tunnels built into the mountainside.

Borrel sees the farmhouses scattered among the fields linked to the central barracks with military processions.

Lamplight scatters on the water as a flotilla of fishing vessels line up along the lakeshore of Nott.

And in Castle Thorne, the King and Queen step out onto the royal balcony to join the ceremony with a heavily gilded lantern each.

For the week to come as the days continue to grow shorter and dimmer, all of Thorne makes the lofty pledge to rely not on the convenience of magic, but on the kindness of others. Enchantments providing light, heat and many other necessities are dispelled, replaced for the season with their mundane counterparts. Many households bring out heirloom lanterns from storage, blow the dust from tools ordinarily rendered obsolete with the simplest word of a spell and get ready for a week of wholesome back-to-basics contemplation.

Street vendors set up stalls with intricate votives and lanterns for sale alongside strengthening mugs of richly spiced mulled wine and baskets of sweetbread. Shadow puppet storytellers delight children with tales of brave Thornean heroes of old, knights accompanying a temporarily weakened mage as she carries the hope of light returning back to its source of the Singularity, fending off attack from monstrous creatures wreathed in darkness. And as midnight falls, a procession of volunteers carry candles to ring the city walls themselves in light: a hundred flickering flames to guard against the night until dawn.

The Winding Thread

The following morning, anyone who listened carefully to the words of the song will realize the Thread the Thorneans made reference to wasn't strictly metaphorical. Symbolising interconnectedness, a long, continuous cord has been strung in a winding path through the labyrinth of each city’s streets— and it isn’t long before each begins gathering colourful ribbons tied like fluttering bunting all along its length. During the Dimming, Thorneans write their wishes on these strips of fabric and affix them to the Thread... while others choose to take a ribbon from it as a vow to make that wish come true by the season’s end.

Few in Thorne believe in gods these days, but according to tradition there is unusual and bountiful luck to be found in answering another’s prayer. Should any of the Summoned ask at any of the streetside vendors for a ribbon of their own, they will be invited to write a wish and tie it to the Thread wherever they like (Don’t forget to sign it so anyone inspired to generosity knows how to find you, though!). They are also welcome to claim any already hanging there if they would like to do a little good for others in the spirit of the season.

The Empty Throne

Every community across the Kingdom has its own Thread, but the courtyard of Castle Thorne itself is the true focal point of the season’s festivities. Set up on a raised platform is a richly gilded throne, notably empty, and as the Dimmest Day approaches the courtyard begins to fill with offerings.

Laid before the throne is an ever-growing carpet of gifts. Candles in decorative lanterns, wreaths and garlands, hampers of food, bottles of wine, some with carefully written cards nestled beside them while others are accompanied by a child’s drawing. These gifts come not only from the residents of the castle and the surrounding town, but also from settlements further afield. Each of the great cities has sent something in tribute— but not to the King, the Queen, or even the High Mage. The throne is not for them.

Any of the Summoned curious enough to peek at a card or ask one of their hosts about the ceremony will discover the gifts are all intended for a mage selected to carry an impossible burden, sacrificing their life to restore magic to the world.

New Dawn's Day

(Coming soon! The events of December 21st and beyond will depend on player actions...)

OOC: Event #5: The Dimming

LOG: Thorne | The Free Cities | Solvunn

PvP: The Mission to the Singularity

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ronan is sure he's been up to quite a lot, but when she puts him on the spot with that question, he can't immediately recall a single thing. At least, nothing that isn't a Top Secret mission. ]

Uh...

[ What do people usually talk about when someone asks them about their life? For so long, Ronan didn't have one. ]

I've been learning how to fight for real, not like shitfaced barfighting. I train with the guards when I'm not training with Kylo.

With weapons?

[There's no criticism in Nadine's voice, she's curious. He could mean magic, or hand to hand. But she's had a similar thought, reaching out for lessons in wielding a sword. Only in the Horizon, she doesn't have anyone to teach her in the physical world.]

It's...smart, to be able to protect yourself properly.

Yeah. My sword knows how to fight on its own, but Kylo's teaching me how to use a regular one. Like, without the cheat code. And all kinds of kung fu shit, which I guess is how they fight in space.

[ It doesn't even occur to him that Nadine might disapprove. His mother was always proud of his boxing skills. It was a slightly different sort of combat style that was honed in the Lynch household, but peace was never an option, even if Ronan hadn't known exactly what he was learning to protect himself from. ]

Yeah, I've learned it's best not to rely too heavily on tricks and magic or someone else when it comes to protection.

[She hadn't had a sword that can fight on its own, but she'd had Flagg. And even then she'd told him that she wanted the ability to protect herself, in case he couldn't. A pity that he hadn't been able to teach her anything, after sparking her ability to learn.]

I've started learning some basics, too. I...don't suppose you have any spare swords lying around? They're...pretty expensive.

[Nadine has money, but she's saving most of it for the eventual move to the Free Cities. But Ciri and Geralt both stressed it would be best if she had a weapon in the real world to practice with.]

[ Here, Ronan hesitates for the first time. He's caught by surprise at the request — though he really shouldn't be, considering the way everyone else has been using him. His eyebrows frown even though his mouth doesn't exactly. ]

No, nothing I can spare.

[ Which isn't exactly a lie. He has an entire armory of his own, but after what happened with the jailbreak, he can't just go giving away weapons to people who might run off to join Thorne's enemies, and Nadine has already made it very clear she won't be returning to the castle. ]

No problem.

[It didn't hurt to ask, but Nadine understands. She can't begin to speculate how easy or not it is for people like them to get their hands on weapons. They're expensive, for one. More than she's willing to dip into her savings for. She only spends what she has to...for the most part. Which reminds her....

Some things are worth shelling out a few coins for, even if not necessary.]

Oh! Before I forget...I'm not going to be up here long. Uh, I know we're here in this world and everything's kind of a mess, but it'd be Christmas time, back home, and...in the spirit of the season...

[She reaches into her voluminous cloak and pulls a small, rectangular packing wrapped in burlap.]

Here.

[ The crease between Ronan's eyebrows deepens, this time in confusion. ]

You... got me a Christmas present?

[ Even if Christmas was celebrated in this world, Ronan would never have expected a gift from anyone. Especially not Nadine, who hasn't seen him in months. Why would she go to the trouble?

He accepts the parcel, his features shifting into a more complicated expression. ]

Should I open it now?

Yeah. Um, it's nothing big, just a little something I thought you might like.

[It's just...nice, to get a gift. And Nadine has no way of knowing how homesick or lonely for the familiar that Ronan might be. The thought had come to her, since she'd been planning to make the journey up here in part to check in with him.

And it's a little way to let him know that she has been thinking of him.]

You can open it now, if you want. But I won't be offended if you'd rather not.

[Some people can be odd about gifts. She's thinking maybe he's one of them, judging by the look on his face.]

[ While it's difficult for Ronan to be homesick for a world that was desperately trying to kill him, he's still an orphan who had been separated from his brothers for several months even before he was summoned to Thorne. Looking at the gift in his hands, he feels almost like he's been thrown back to his old life. His old old life, when he still had a mother who adored him and a father who would come home just in time for the holidays with a trunk full of presents. Back before his little brother hated him for lying and before his older brother sold him out.

He looks like he's going to cry.

Blinking rapidly, he unwraps the gift with an uncharacteristically ginger touch, and his lips part in surprise when he finds himself looking at a storybook. The very same sort of gift his mother would have given him.

Ronan doesn't know what to say, so he says nothing. ]

[Maybe it had been too much.

Nadine worries at her lower lip watching him, noting the flickers of emotion.]

It's really no big deal.

[Or rather, it doesn't have to be. It's just a token, really, a little something to to say things she isn't entirely comfortable saying. They've taken different paths, but the time they'd spent together meant something. She feels vaguely protective of the young man, despite the fact he's likely better suited to handle this world than she is. But he's still young, not much more than a kid, in a strange place and at the mercy of forces they don't understand well. She worries about him. She hasn't forgotten him.

But she doesn't want to embarrass him.]

It's a big deal.

[ Going out of her way to get him a Christmas present? Bringing it all the way here? That's not something many people would do, especially not for Ronan Lynch. It communicates exactly what she meant it to, and it's not so much embarrassment but shame that he feels, for not having thought to go to the effort first.

He owes her, now. ]

Will you still be here in the morning?

Yeah, I will be. My ride needs to break down his stall and pack up before heading back, came up with a merchant who wanted to sell here for more custom. I'll be helping him pack up tomorrow.

[Luckily trading in favors and labor seems to be a time honored tradition around here, and coin money wasn't needed to make the trip. But she isn't fleeing at dawn, she'll be around for a good portion of the next morning.

Nadine wants to assure Ronan there are no expectations, gifts don't come with strings attached. But she understands pride, and has no inclination to bruise his any.]

I am sorry I'm not here for very long, but I can't risk getting stuck. I have people waiting for me.

Don't leave before I find you. I'll bring you a sword that knows how to fight.

[ It's not a matter of pride, but duty. Unlike a certain ex-boyfriend of his, he has no qualms about accepting a gift. He's only bound to return the favor. ]

You...you really don't have to.

[Now this is a surprise. Nadine could point out what he'd said earlier, but she won't. Ronan really doesn't owe her anything, in general or because she gave him a holiday gift. Not that she'll stop him after the initial mild protest, that sounds like something very useful. But she wants to stress there's no obligation. Gifts aren't transactional. Besides, she's given him a book! A magic sword doesn't seem comparable.

But she's starting to learn that that approach is not the common one here. Like Ciri and Jaskier and their insistence they owe her something for doing what she feels any decent person would have done in the same situation.

At least she was right about trading favors possibly being important in this world.]

But thank you.

[ Ronan shrugs off her gesture of refusal. ]

It's not like I'm going out of my way.

[ Nadine went to much more trouble acquiring and delivering this book to him. Humans have to work so hard for everything. ]

I have to dream, whether I like it or not. The only choice I get is what I make. Was a sword the only thing you needed?

Yeah...I can't argue with that.

[Nadine can't claim to entirely understand Ronan's abilities, but she understands enough.]

A sword is more than enough, really. Just...something I can handle.

[Not that she probably has to specify, he likely knows even better than she what would be suited to her. And she won't ask for more, she'd feel terrible. Her needs are met, and she has little she wants anyway. The offer itself means more, anyhow.]

I really am doing pretty well, down in Nott. I like my work, a lot. And the woman I work for is very kind.

[ Ronan's eyebrow looks skeptical. Having grown up in extreme wealth, he has a hard time imagining Nadine is living in any kind of comfort on whatever pay an herb-grinder makes around here. The castle itself isn't up to his standards, even if it is an improvement over being on the lam.

But if a sword's all she wants, he won't argue. ]

How many of you guys are out there? I figured most people fucked off to Solvunn or the Free Cities. Everyone around here says Nott's a shithole.

Not many of us. Most people who wanted to get away from Thorne wanted to get away. I don't really care, I just...don't want to get involved. I'm really tired of being used and having my life dictated for me by forces I don't understand.

[At least she'd loved Flagg, had reason to let whatever powers that guided them do so. And him. She doesn't owe Thorne anything. Whatever designs of vengeance she'd harbored have faded entirely, but that doesn't mean she trusts them.]

And Nott is a city that's struggling and no one is helping. It used to be the capitol, you know. Now the royal family doesn't even send them guards.

Who wants the cops hanging around, anyway?

[ Yes, he is training with the guards, but that doesn't mean he is one. Ronan inches closer, dropping his voice low: ]

It's better to be forgotten by the royal family. You've got the right idea, staying away for now.

Not most of Nott, there...there is a lot of crime.

[One of the reasons Nadine would prefer to be able to protect herself. There's a lot of rough sorts in Nott, and they don't exactly live in a nice part of town. They can't afford the nice part of town. In a way, it's not that different than those hubs and and Larry had found along the way to Boulder. Keep your stuff close, keep it locked up if you can, be careful of strangers...]

Oh?

[Nadine follows suit, stepping close. She offers her arm for Ronan and inclines her head down the street.]

Come on, let's take a little walk.

[ Ronan's eyebrows lift in surprise at the invitation, but he takes Nadine's arm anyway. Though he doesn't usually project the comportment of a gentleman, he's betrayed by his years of elite private schooling, his bearing reflexively and unintentionally graceful now that he's escorting her. ]

I don't have a lot of details. I've just got a feeling the mages and the royals don't trust each other

Oh?

[Nadine keeps her own voice low, trying to project the image of just two friends strolling along and enjoying the festival.]

I thought the mages work for the royal family. I never had anything to do with the royal family, but I spent a lot of time around the apprentice mages...I never noticed anything, but then again, I've gotten really used to the very open dislike of the royal family down in Nott. But it's hard to tell if that sentiment is genuine or just that whoever's in charge is a real easy target to lay blame for everything on.

[Nott's anti-royal sentiment is prevalent but often sounds to her like they've become a scapegoat. Anything goes wrong, someone's finding a way to blame who's in charge. Especially with the lack of official presence in the city. It's difficult to cut through to the truth.]

I've never dealt with the royal family, either.

[ Thankfully. ]

But that's the thing, right? You'd think they'd wanna get involved. Check out the merchandise, at least. Do you know what rich fuckers in my world do when they find out what I can do? They hire armies to try and find me. I'm a golden fucking goose and Their Majesties are just letting me walk around, free to do whatever. So do they not give a shit?

[ He would love it if that were the case. Really, he would. ]

Or is it just that they don't know about it? Do they not know what they have because the High Mage isn't telling them? And if he's not telling them... Why not?

And no one's come poking around Nott for anyone who left. There's been nothing. One of my group even went and talked to the guy in charge down there, Lord Vela, and said he wasn't concerned about us being there, he wasn't afraid of any reprisal from Thorne, and that he had no intention of sending anyone back. But he talked about the royal family, not the mages. Or whatever he said about the mages wasn't important enough to be repeated.

[Nadine gives a little half shrug. So who is pulling the strings? Did the mages and the actual government have different designs on them? Why was her little band apparently not worth the effort to travel a week to collect, but worth hauling in from a whole other dimension?

And why did Nott just calmly take them in, with promises that they were safe? What designs does Nott have?]

I...don't like any of this.

[ These are all big questions, and it's never been Ronan's job to answer the big questions. Until Bryde came along, no one even asked him. But ignoring all that stuff is exactly how Ronan ended up where he did, so as much as he hates to wonder about this shit, he can't keep shrugging it off. ]

A few of us are in position here. We're moving up the ranks. We're keeping an eye on things. If anything happens, we've always got the Horizon. None of us can get in real trouble as long as we've got that.

The Dimming - Thorne

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