EVENT #6: PEACE ON THE HORIZON

[abraxasmods]

Event #6 - EVENT INFO

go to the OOC event info and plotting post

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Those that agree to attend the Summit will travel via portals to the designated location, which is out in the open in neutral territory. Plenty of pretty mountains and flowers. A magic field is erected over this area. Characters can only enter and exit at designated portals. It is not possible to leave this encircled area, which will also negate teleportation and portal spells. Plus, you don't want to embarrass your faction by sneaking out of bounds!

Before entering, all will be given a pin that designates what faction they belong to. This pin is not only color-coded but enchanted so that even should the appearance change, mages from any faction can identify who is who. The Summoned will be required to wear this pin at all times during the Summit.

The Summoned will be offered a comfortable tent to stay in during the 3-day Summit period! There's also a communal bath and a lounge to enjoy. A simple but tasty complimentary breakfast is provided for everyone, and additional meals can be bought from the faction booths or at the lounge. See the Neutral Section detailed below for more.

As noted, CHARACTERS MAY CHANGE FACTIONS USING THIS EVENT. To switch factions, please reply to the comment here. See the OOC post (link above) for details or questions!

The "Peace" Summit

An open plain flanked by mountains to the north and south, a large circular area has been fenced off. Large poles embedded into the earth are connected with magical rings, drooping heavy in the middle as if the ethereal chains have real weight. The area is divided into thirds, each section a mass of colorful tents and booths. In the center is a large wooden stage. All attendees must sit through this keynote speech. It's only polite.

The Prime Minister of the Free Cities begins the opening address. In formal military regalia she's the first to address the crowd, raising her arms high to command attention. She's smiling.

+ Marlo's Speech

"We'd like to start by welcoming all of you. For those that don't know me, I'm Marlo Renier, Prime Minister of the Free Cities. With me are Councilwoman Winifred Bordeaux of the Solvunn Communities and Queen Ellya Gladwin of the Kingdom of Thorne. We come together today in the spirit of good will. We may be divided by borders but we're all neighbors. We all share this continent. We may not always share the same opinions or agree on everything but who does? There's one thing we do agree on though - nobody is looking to start trouble. That's about the last thing anybody needs right now. That's why we're all here today. A show of good faith, a display of trust, and hopefully the first step on a long road of diplomacy and mutual understanding. And we all expect everybody on their best behavior and to conduct themselves in the spirit of this Summit.

I'm going to turn things over to Councilwoman Bordeaux now. Thank you, and you all should come check out what the Free Cities has to offer! Councilwoman?"

Marlo steps aside for the representative of Solvunn to take center stage.

+ Winifred's Speech

Winifred steps forward, nodding hear head to Marlo before turning her attention to the gathered crowd. Her own attire is modest, a dress of ivory and forest green adorned with hundreds of embroidered flowers and a velvet bodice in a deep wine red.

"Thank you, Prime Minister. Some of you are likely only to know of Solvunn due to the terrible circumstances surrounding Eifstide, for which we must humbly apologize. It was not our intention to cause such pain and happened merely by accident. While that does not take away what has occurred, we do hope that we can move forward together to create a brighter, more connected continent. All of us has something to share with each other, and it is my sincerest hope that we may learn from you, as well.

The Gods smile upon the unification of our mighty communities! May we be blessed with a friendship of longevity and prosperity!. For those of you curious as to what Solvunn can do for you, look no further than this Summit's festivities. It is my pleasure to let Queen Ellya of Thorne conclude todays formalities."

+ Queen Ellya's Speech

When it's Queen Ellya's turn to speak, she addresses the crowd with hands folded. For this occassion she's worn an elaborate gown of bright blue shot through with silver that seems to shift and move through the fabric.

"Such inspiring words, truly. I can only echo the sentiments put forth before me. I hope that this Summit shows to one and all that Thorne intends no aggression toward our fellow kingdoms. Certainly, through collaborative efforts such as this, understanding can be found. Tensions can be resolved. Even between such opposite minded cultures. I am confident that these few days will be very illuminating for each and every one of you. I urge you to go forth with eyes and ears open, to ensure all that can be learned is. Enjoy yourselves. Indulge yourselves. Educate yourselves. The festivities will now commence!"

Spreading her hands towards the audience, Queen Ellya slowly steps back to her place with the others.

From here on out, the festivities commence! Characters are encouraged to freely explore each faction's section as they please - and of course, to be respectful of their neighbors. They're all friends here, after all.

Mingle & Activities

Every faction has their own setup of booths and displays that feature a variety of activities and items. Booths open in the morning and close a couple hours after sundown in the evenings. Attendants at each place will be friendly, although some may notice that while the Summoned wander more freely, there is very little intermingling among the locals of each faction. The occasional dirty look may be exchanged when no one's looking and those with keen eyes might find evidence of petty bits of vandalism.

Click to expand the sections below for a description of each area.

Thorne Section

Each booth in Thorne's section are adorned with opulent fabrics in the same blues and silvers of the Queen's dress. Magically lit lanterns are strewn on the fronts and within tents and will change colors throughout the day and over the course of the weekend. Regardless of the weather, being beneath the awnings is always pleasant as if indoors in a properly warmed and ventilated room. Nothing is left wanting. Luxury and ease through the use of magic is emphasized.

Though not calling out any who wander the aisle, any who approach a booth will be greeted with a pleasant smile. Mages are eager to show off their magicks by the use of spells, staves, wands, and magical enchantments from ancient tomes. A booth from Hayle University gives demonstrations and short lectures on the hour every hour, letting the Summoned know that with enough practice they, too, can become a Master of Magicks.

For those who came with a full coin purse, there are fine wines, expensive tapestries and fabrics, sparkling accessories and more available for purchase. If you're feeling hungry, it is highly suggested that you try the decadent and delicately dressed dishes comparable to what's served in Castle Thorne itself.

Along with magic shows, the most popular booth is that of the Pondering Orb. Form an orderly line and wait for your turn to approach the orb. All will be allotted five whole minutes to think their deepest thoughts as they lay their hands upon the orb and ponder. The little bit of tingling that you feel and the faint glow that grows the longer you touch it just means that it's working.

Free Cities Section

The Free Cities area can be heard from nearly all the other sections, alive with sound and activity. There's a state of carefully balanced chaos between the different booths and lanterns are connected by long wires, powered by generators placed proudly out in front - in almost direct competition to the magical light show that Thorne has been putting on. It's just a bit of friendly rivalry, of course. There's nothing wrong with having such a strong reliance on magic, even if it seems rather outdated.

Attendants are eager to show off all their grand innovations, including meals in a can (main course and dessert all in one dubious goop can!) and a small variety of old-style guns. They are the only faction displaying these weapons. In addition, they'll talk about the impressive level of productivity their workers provide in the name of progress. Naturally, no one is forced to work overtime. It's only that their people are so dedicated to their work, even a common factory worker will go out of their way to help science and innovation. The Summoned are encouraged to consider joining a nation with such a high level of ambition, and there's always room for everyone in their powerful military.

To commemorate the event, those participating can stamp their bronze with a fancy gear pattern. It takes about fifteen seconds to press and renders the bronze worthless to spend, but what's more valuable than a souvenir? There is a sign that says No refunds if you aren't happy with the result, although if the machine happens to swallow your coin, you will be given a new bronze to stamp free of charge. Isn't that generous?

Solvunn Section

Solvunn's booths are covered with handmade tablecloths in various styles - quilted, patchwork, crochet, and intricate embroidery. Enchanted candles of all shapes and sizes float and illuminate the area, some changing color as the day goes on. When the sun sets, all the candles take on a shade that imitates moonlight.

Those who are running booths will call out to anyone who approaches, ushering them to the booths in order to ply them with friendly conversation and small samples of their wares. For the right price, there are specialty honeys, cheeses, candies, and all other manner of goat-based products. A few booths also have goat's milk soaps, lotions, and candles. Ask a Solvunnite about what good a goat is and they'll tell you everything. The mages are equally more than happy to show off their mastery, though not just in flashy elemental magic. Mages fond of divination, tealeaf readings, and interpreting tarot will offer one-on-one demonstrations, especially if you've some coin to spare.

This year, Solvunn has decided to extend its Spring Equinox celebration to the other Abraxans at the Summit! Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities as now is the time for observing the balance of day and night. This celebration is devoted to new life - new community members, additions to their flocks, and the bringing of goodwill for the year's crops. A maypole is erected at the center of the celebration and if it stays upright until the following festival, it's taken as a sign that the community's harvest will be bountiful.

Additionally, the shrine of Lyfbringr has been erected with paintings and several small statues depicting an androgynous god that appears as an amalgamation of man, flora, and fauna. The shrine is enclosed in a tent that is half bright cheery colors and darker monochromatic shades.

Representatives of Solvunn stand by to weave colorful ribbons or rings of flowers into people's hair or tie small bells onto their wrists. There are many baby goats frolicking in a temporary paddock that guests are free to mill about in. The Summoned are invited to consider a life among a peaceful neighborly commune where help and friendship are right at your doorstep!

Neutral Section

This area is meant for everyone to mingle, but the Summoned will find they're mostly the only ones here as the locals prefer to stay within their factions. It's lightly decorated with no particular colors or emblems of any one faction. Ample ambient lighting gives the place a warm glow once the sun goes down. Wooden benches are placed sporadically between the different designated areas, making sure that no one has to go far to find a place to rest their feet.

The Lounge Tavern is open at noon for 2 hours for lunch, and then again at sunset in the evenings, where anyone can come to have a drink or a meal. Beneath the protection of a large, open air tent, seating is provided in the form of more wooden benches and long shared tables, as well as a few stools. Vintages, ales, and meads from each of the factions are available to enjoy. A few recreational activities are available, as well, such as darts and dice games. The tables and seats are placed close together, to encourage mingling and talk among each other. Though the bar is staffed by NPC volunteers, all are expected to bus their own tables when they leave.

The Sleeping Tents are where the Summoned will return to for the night to sleep. Each tent has large number of pillows, throws, and a few large mats that can be arranged as desired for optimal comfort. The ground itself is lined in animal pelts, mostly sheep and goat, making it soft and inviting. They are indeed shared, but there's plenty of room for everyone. Each tent can fit about 8-10 people - or more, if you cozy up.

The Communal Baths open in both the evenings and in the mornings for a few hours each, which is effectively an open bathhouse pool. The pool is dug into the ground itself and lined with special tile manufactured from the Free Cities, hailed for its ability to hold water without the use of special sealant. The waters are magically warmed to the ideal temperature using enchanted stones from Thorne that create a natural border around the edges, and soap (made of goat's milk, courtesy of Solvunn) and towels are provided. Here, those attending can bathe as well as use it as a mingle.

Summit Events

Meant to be a "collaboration" between the factions, the Summit also offers activities that take place on the main stage where the speeches were initially given.

Raffle

The Summoned will be provided a single courtesy raffle ticket, which they can use to enter the raffle contest. Additional tickets will cost an extra 5 bronze coins. To enter the raffle contest, fill out the comment here and we will RNG your prizes!

Regardless of luck, all those who enter will receive all 3 (one of each) of the following consolation prizes:

• Inkless Quill: Provided by Thorne, this is a magical quill that never runs out of ink...sort of. It'll work for about a month of heavy use before it runs out of juice. The Thorne sigil will automatically watermark any pages that this quill is used to write on.
• Tote Bag & Charm: Provided by Solvunn, this soft woven tote bag comes with a small handmade charm depicting a sigil of one of the old gods. If asked what the god or sigil means, the only answer is that you will know when your time comes.
• Glow Ring: Provided by the Free Cities, this ring will adjust to fit any finger size. It comes with a round orb instead of a jewel that can light up on command and act as a powerful torch or flashlight. Very powerful. People have gone blind by looking directly into it for too long.

An Escaped Creature

On the second day of the event, rumor has it a small creature has gone loose! The offender in question is this little fellow, who is the size of a small poodle. The Summoned are asked to help find and catch him, if at all possible. He's noted to be harmless if mischievous, but all those in the area are warned to be careful for if he's startled, the animal will eject a magical plume from his quills that can cause one of the following temporary effects: excessive sneezing, a change in hair color, glitter bombed, or to emit a constant glowing aura.

No one knows where he came from or who brought him, but ask any of the faction attendants and they'll be liable to start pointing fingers at the other side. Nonetheless, all those who make an effort to help catch him will be thanked and available mages may attempt to help with the side effects.

If you want your character to make a real attempt at catching him, reply to the comment here by Feb 20th and we'll RNG who eventually catches him. If your character fails, however, they must take one of its side effects for the rest of the day. The choice as to which one is yours! The winner will be rewarded with a token bottle of wine for their troubles or a very fancy dessert if they don't drink.

Comments

[cointosser]

New. [He gives a huff of a laugh, shimming his shoulders as he sinks lower into the water. There's always been something so quaint about the phrase, though Viktor is hardly the first to use it with him.] Acclimating to being magically spirited away to another sphere? Ah, we're all still acclimating, my good man. You're in suitable company.

[Take it from him: a dude who's been here nearing a year. It's great.]

To be fair, it's a lovely heated pool.

[Also ask a man who's spent far too many days bathing in ponds. He stretches, perhaps giving Viktor a bit more to look at if he's going to go around scrutinizing sexy bards in baths. Look at all these muscles. The hair. The... the necklaces he's getting wet now, he really should have taken those off. Do bone rings go back in water? Are bones wet? Bones are usually wet.]

It's good to hear at least one of the newest recruits is, in fact, very disinterested in being recruited. [He smiles. He wonders how long that will last -- or for how many.] Tell me, as someone acclimating: what else do you think of it all? I'm sure you've been waxed to about the Singularity already. Or perhaps you're one of those who isn't quite surprised to find themselves on a new world?

[techmaturgy]

[Fine. He will begrudgingly admit to himself that it's a nice heated pool, but like hell if he's going to say it out loud. Viktor's still visibly irritated about the whole situation, from the kidnapping to the summit that reminds him too strongly of Progress Day, to the fact that his time to himself is being interrupted by a guy who is clearly preening. In the heated pool.

He weighs the feasibility of drowning himself. Probably would cause too much of a commotion, he thinks. At the very least, he has a lot to say about the next question, which proves to be a suitable distraction. He shakes his head no, to start his answer.]

I was surprised.

[But Viktor sounds more exhausted, than anything. He'd known immediately that it couldn't have possibly been some kind of Hexgate malfunction, because there'd very obviously been some kind of ritual.]

I never thought something like this would be possible. [How can you prepare for an inter-dimensional kidnapping?] It would be one thing if all of this was--was an accident. But to pull people away from their homes? Their lives? Unconscionable. That's what I think of it.

[So, yes. Extremely disinterested in being recruited.]

[cointosser]

[Luckily for Viktor, Jaskier would never allow a man to drown himself in front of him. First off, he would pollute the bath. Second, it's too sad to bear. He already looks a bit like death.

It's a fair answer. There have always been theories of alternative spheres -- and, of course, if one is to believe in the Conjunction, they are all but proven -- but being pulled to one is. An impossibility still.]

And the best part is, they won't send you back! You know, when they first summoned us, it was only Thorne. We assumed they were the only mages with the capability. Some of the Summoned were regaled as heroes, and the others were thrown in cages. As if they had made mistakes in the process.

[From what he can tell, similar does not happen in the Free Cities, though they certainly push the military angle. And Yennefer has not said it continues in Thorne. So... perhaps they have perfected it now, whatever magic they use.]

[techmaturgy]

Of course they won’t. Why would they?

[After going through all the effort to bring them here. He’s heard that Thorne was the first, and now it seems to be an outright competition between the three factions to find their own Summoned. He hasn’t decided whether or not he’s lucky to be in the Free Cities over the other two places, but at the very least he can be glad that he didn’t wake up here only to end up in prison.]

My understanding is that, until recently, the process was…imperfect.

[So, yes, they were making mistakes.]

I've given some thought to reverse-engineering the ritual, but I don't know enough about it, and I doubt the mages are willing to share their state secrets.

[cointosser]

Well, my thought always was, if they fucked up the process, it would've been polite to send them back.

[Look, Viktor doesn't know it's personal, only because they decided Geralt was wrong, and he was right. And what had either of them ever done for Thorne? He has a few songs that linger in Thorne, he supposes, but he abandoned the place as quickly as he could.

Jaskier's brows raise.] Oh? [He doesn't exactly throw off mage vibes... more like the greenwitch-a-hut-in-the-middle-of-a-swamp vibes.] What would you need to study that sort of thing? A mage performing the ritual itself, I imaigne?

[techmaturgy]

If they-- [hang on] --fucked up the process in the first place, it follows that they don't know how to reverse it.

[Or they never cared to figure it out. Given their reasons for summoning people from other worlds and planes of existence, it's obvious that all the time and effort was spent learning how to do that, with no thought for a return journey. It's meant to be a one-way trip.

That's not going to stop him from trying to figure out what they couldn't or didn't bother to do, but Viktor has already decided it's not necessarily a priority. Better to slow or halt the progression of his condition, first. Then he'll have the time to puzzle out a way home.]

That would be helpful, yes. [Hell, even watching it from the outside would give him much of the information that he needs. Right now, all he really has to go on are the cards. Despite his general air of exhaustion (and aggravation at being interrupted and made to converse), it seems that talking about this sort of thing animates him. He sits up a little straighter and furrows his eyebrows, clearly engaged in puzzling this out.] But I could do without if there is proper documentation. If they are summoning specific individuals--that is, if they know exactly who they want to bring here before they actually do it--it will be easier, because it means the initial location of the subject is known, and built into the ritual. Do you understand?

[cointosser]

[Jaskier waves a hand, flicking little drops of water in an arc.] Only an assumption. Though I suppose it is far more safe to fall onto the side of incompetence than malice, isn't it?

[Is that how science works, Viktor?? Jaskier is definitely edging towards malice, though. Everyone in Thorne is kind of an asshole -- he's only lucky he wasn't on the receiving end, being thrown in a cage. No offense, but he's rather sure a month in one might take his new friend out of this world.

But Jaskier is glad for it. That, at the very least, Thorne has learned from its mistakes.] I'm not dim, I'm following. I'm afraid all of the factions will be jealously guarding their secrets. However, when I was first brought here, it was with the implication they knew of my deeds. Thornean mages, I mean. I suppose they could have given the same speech to everyone, but the summoning did come with the idea they knew of our measure before our appearance in the wells.

[techmaturgy]

The most likely answer is usually the simplest one.

[They just don't know what they're doing!!

Though, of course, it is malicious to throw people in prison once you've realized you've brought them here by mistake. It doesn't seem to be a problem anymore, but it does speak for Thorne's capacity to generally be huge jerks--and it's not lost on him that the most "loyal" of the Summoned (for what it's worth) hail from Thorne. Makes him wonder just what, exactly, goes on over there.

Not that it's really his problem, at the moment. Jaskier implies that the mages know exactly who they're bringing, now, which tracks. Unfortunately.]

Either way, that implies they're looking for specific individuals. [Or, they're just pretending that's what they're doing.] That's good for us, in some ways. Less guesswork. If the goal is returning to our homes, obviously. [He shifts a little, leaning back against the wall of the pool and lifts himself up a little using his elbows on the ledge, seemingly ponderous--that's the first time he's admitted out loud that, perhaps, reversing the ritual shouldn't be the goal, not when something like the Singularity exists.] I'm still prioritizing.

[cointosser]

[And the simplest is often malicious. By his experience, anyway. Still, the bath is not the ideal place to argue philosophy, especially when it tends to get so. Heated. He's enjoying the heat of the water alone enough.]

One would think. And either it's a lie, or they're bad at it, or we were simply practice.

[It's a fun thought experiment at this point, for knowing does not change anything. Especially for him, with their decision to stay for Ciri's sake. The question is, though, if, like the others, what if they were not given the choice? To stay?

His brows raise. He lifts two hands of water to his face, like a cup, splashing it across his skin, through his hair. Drops of soap he's already applied trickle down his shoulders, the faint smell of goatsmilk and... ooh, is that lavender?]

And what is your priority, if I may ask? Honest curiousity only.

[techmaturgy]

It would explain why they more-or-less leave us to our own devices.

[That's the part that doesn't square with him. Everything else he can more or less extrapolate--what he doesn't get is the fact that he's basically allowed to do whatever he wants. Sure, that's not without hurdles, as the easiest way to housing and a salary in the Free Cities is by joining their military, but he's always been resourceful, and he has a set of talents that are practical and useful to civilians.

So, he supposes that's at least one priority. Keep all of that away from the army. Jaskier says honest curiosity, and he can't really help the curl of his lip--not necessarily at the man asking the question, but the question itself.]

Avoid getting pulled into...all of this. [A vague hand gesture--he means the political situation, generally speaking, even though he's already here at the summit.] Find a way to continue my work. Stay alive as long as possible.

[That is probably (???) a joke? He says it like it's a joke, at least.]

[cointosser]

[A fair point, and one he's considered himself. Especially after Marlo made it so very clear she had very little interest when Thorne took Geralt, and he... made it back. After being kidnapped. By a foreign power. With no questions asked after.

Jaskier pours water over his head, scrubbing the last remnants of soap from the long strands, and gives a laugh.]

Noble goals indeed! And achievable enough. I did the same, have made my way through Cadens, after... [He gestures with a hand through the air.] Several catastrophes. Should you need a helping hand and you're lingering in Cadens, you can look me up. The locals know the name Jaskier well already.

[Because he's famous. Obviously.

Luckily for Viktor, he takes it for a joke because staying alive is easy! Outside that one time he got blown up, where a scar now runs ragged up his left arm. But that was only the one time.]

[techmaturgy]

[Achievable enough, Jaskier says. Viktor can’t blame him for saying something like that, when he’s purposefully withholding the full context of, well, everything, but it’s enough to get him to decide that he is finished being in a hot tub, for the time being. It’s possible he hoped to avoid having to get out and leave while someone else is here, but the desire to do something beyond just sit here is suddenly overwhelming.

There’s no way to not make this a production, but Viktor does his best, hoisting himself out onto the rim of the pool and getting a towel secured around his waist as quickly as humanly possible. Then, it’s just a matter of his crutch (within arm’s reach) to haul himself up the rest of the way. His things aren’t far, and now he’s glad for it.]

Jaskier. Okay.

[He has no idea what this guy has to offer, actually, but despite the nature of the conversation, Viktor understands that it’s good to make connections with fellow summoned. So, he does mean this, despite the fact that he’s standing here dripping wet in a towel and he still seems a little thrown off-kilter by the entire interaction. He’ll blame the hot tub.]

I’ll, uh. When we’re back in Cadens, I’ll let you know. I’m usually around the workshops by the Academy. You can ask for Viktor.

[cointosser]

[If Jaskier wasn't so sure of how magnanimous his own company was, hhe might swear that his new friend (for it is, undoubtedly, what they are now after all this bonding) was attempting to escape from him.

Possibly... he came off too strong?

Hah. No.

Jaskier has at least enough sense that he isn't eagle-eyeing Viktor's climb out of the water, as he sinks a bit deeper in it so he can all the better raisin his skin. Soon enough, he will be nothing but prunes and a light head from the heat, and... that would be perfect, honestly.] Ah, the Academy. I will, then! Have a fine summit, Viktor.

[Perfect gentleman.]