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

[vixening]

[ ah - that is something that yennefer notices. the way she turns from the kindness, but also that there is something more. missing others she says, and yennefer turns her attention forward - so that she's not looking directly at the other woman.

don't have anyone and graves stick out, but yennefer does not seem too worried about it. as if she's not surprised, perhaps, or maybe a part of her simply understands the feeling. ]

Almost a sister. [ yennefer offers, casually, a bit wistfully. she is not dead, yennefer knows that, despite the best effort of the nilgaardian army. yennefer remembers seeing her, in those dreams as well - a shell, a bit off, haunted by the scars left behind. yennefer had felt so protective in that moment, and yet simultaneously, just as lost, unsure of what to do to help despite her own direction, her own solution she'd yet to find.

it's not a dissimilar feeling, to how she is now, except that rather than driven to a specific goal, yennefer feels more distant than anything. ] We'd gone to the same school - to learn how to control chaos. It's why- [ yennefer turns to wanda, gives her that same small smile again. ] Your magic reminded me of her, especially the flowers.

[carmesi]

[almost a sister. family without being family, a sentiment wanda can understand; after losing pietro, the presence of steve and natasha was comfort enough when she allowed herself the weakness of it. it's a different bond entirely, firmly cemented in trust that's grown over time.

over similar experiences that would merit trusting someone that intensely.

(has wanda not seen the ghost of pietro, walking amongst the faces of those here? has she not wished and hoped to see natasha, just one turn of her head away, the usual grin on her face?)]

I'm sorry.

[it's the first thing she says, because missing others is painful enough — the reminder at times feels like a cold knife piercing skin.]

What do you mean by 'chaos'? Do you know — of Chaos Magic?

[vixening]

[ yennefer is quick to shake her head, if only because this hadn't been the direction she had been expecting this conversation to go. it's fine the gesture says, a small smile still on her face.

triss is alive. she is fine. they'd all survived sodden, some of them with more scars than others. yennefer has no reason to hold that dark spot in her chest.

for now, though, she has something else to turn to - a conversation topic that is much easier than all of this. ]

Yes and no. [ because, thankfully, yennefer's also studied the abraxan magic enough to know what chaos magic is. ] When I was taught, it was explained to me that chaos is everywhere. It is the energy of a lightning strike, what keeps your heart beating in your chest, the power of a flower sprouting from a seed and then blooming. It is everywhere, and in everything. But there certain people are conduits, where they can harness that chaos and transfer it to more useful ways, where most cannot. Magic is the practice of being able to control that chaos.

[ she watches wanda to make sure that made any sense at all before she continues. ]

[carmesi]

[it's all new, explanations about magic and what magic means. wanda has never had a 'formal education', so to speak, in this area, and she may be disadvantaged in that regard in comparison to the more scholarly magic-users of this world (and beyond). still, she is a quick learner, even when school in general was never a reality for her past the age of ten.

not to mention that there is logic to yennefer's words, easy enough for her to understand. there is gentleness too, and it makes wanda feel like she isn't utterly hopeless; it's a clear distinction of how agatha would explain things to her, as if it was something an orphan from sokovia should have known.]

I think our definition of 'chaos magic' is different. [it'd magic forged from emotion, drawn force from a world that does not encompass the thought of nature.] ...but I understand what you're saying. It is — how would you say, gathering the chaos that is found in nature and — using it, right?

[she tugs at her sleeves, covering her wrists and leading them close to her knuckles.]

Mine is different. [yennefer had seen it; after all, it's the reason why she approached wanda.] It comes from me. [a pause,] I think.

[vixening]

[ wanda listens, and yennefer feels a bit like she had back in those halls of aretuza, showing the younger girls the more interesting sides of magic. the things that had been kept from her, that she had to find out for herself. think for yourselves she had told them, as they had watched her, enraptured, as she opened doors, gave them access to things she also - at one point - thought impossible.

she shrugs - it is possible their understanding of it is different, possible that the laws she'd been taught and that she'd learned to press the boundaries of are far from the same laws and rules that apply here. but the heart, the essence of it, she'd yet to find any evidence isn't true. ]

In a way. We call them conduits- pulling chaos from its source and using it for other means. We conduct it through our bodies, using magic to apply it to what we see fit. [ she does see out of the corner of her eyes the way that wanda pulls up her sleeves over her hands. up to her knuckles.

when wanda says mine is different, she turns to her a little more. curious, and listening. ] You think? You're unsure?

[carmesi]

[perhaps, in another life, wanda would have been like one of those younger girls that yennefer had taken under her wing. had wanda even known that her powers were anything akin to 'magic', or deserving of the title 'witch', she definitely would have benefitted from others who were like her.

as it stands, there was no such thing as 'school' for wanda. only agatha's long-winded call to triumph, teaching wanda an ounce of her knowledge only for it to be used against her. she is a quick learner, turns out.

wanda lingers on this thought. agatha. can she trust yennefer? there's a sudden tension in her shoulders, looking away, a dismissive shake of her head.]

I've probably got it all wrong. I'm still learning about it.

[her powers are all she has; she doesn't want to lose them, not to anyone.]

[vixening]

[ yennefer does not know this woman - it's true. they have only just met, and their conversation has been fairly light and simple. but even still, almost without her very consent, yennefer feels her chest tighten at the uncertain pause in wanda's expression. catches the tension, the dismissive shake of her head.

perhaps wanda would have been one of those younger girls in the halls of aretuza that yennefer had taken under her wing. or, perhaps, she would have been someone else. someone yennefer would have been able to help a bit more than just sharing the secrets that had been kept from her.

I've probably got it all wrong and yennefer's eyes narrow, very briefly, as if sensing something more beyond the words. something a little deeper. ]

You have a gift. [ is what she says next, something...not quite intense in her words, but more solid than the ease of her tone before. ] Your chaos- especially if it comes from you- that is something incredible. Something that is yours. [ that is when yennefer smiles, feeling something bright and new and young in wanda, before she turns her eyes away from her. back out into the space in front of them. ]

The source of your magic might be different, but if you did want to know how I was taught to control it, I could help. We could compare notes.

[carmesi]

[yennefer goes on to express that wanda's magic is her on, and that just because it comes from herself it is in some way incredible. personally, she has her doubts — her powers, her magic, has always been surrounded by tragedy or painful circumstances. wanda has considered it, too, how even though it is her magic and she should be able to use it to protect her loved ones, all she's ever managed is the opposite of that.

to think that she was effectively the only one who could destroy the mind stone brings little comfort to her.

her smile is a little tight; wanda's somewhat tired of being on the defensive, of wondering what her powers make her, of prophecies, of the destructive nature of her title.]

Maybe. [it's not that she's trying to push yennefer away. she hesitates, then finds the words to express herself better.] When it comes to my powers, it has almost always been just me. [she had pietro, once, to share the experience with, but as her powers evolved, she was on her own.] If you don't mind a total beginner— [she nods slowly] I would like that.

wrapping up in the next tag or so mayhaps?

[vixening]

[ it's fairly obvious that wanda doesn't...well. it's not that she doesn't believe her, necessarily, but there is doubt to the way she listens. yennefer gets it - gods know she has spent most of her life distrusting the words of others. knowing from experience how different her life was from theirs.

still - yennefer won't push her, and when wanda says maybe, she almost takes that as the end to their conversation. as wanda giving her a polite enough out. but then the woman continues and yennefer just...well. she gives her a small smile. nods. ]

No, I don't mind. But- [ she looks down to the spot where wanda has just been, you know, growing a plant. ] You're already far ahead of where I was when I started.

works for me!

[carmesi]

There's a different between knowing an understanding, isn't there?

[it may seem that way, to an outsider, but there is still so much she doesn't know—her studies with the darkhold interrupted as they were. wanda wonders if she could trust yennefer with the burden she carries, with how it wasn't until recently that she stopped looking at her powers like the worst part of her.

suddenly, she tilts her head upwards, and feels the pitter patter of rain on her face.

she turns to the other woman:]

Perhaps we can talk more in a tent. [about magic, about their worlds; about anything at all. wanda is not opposed to the company. she rises from her seat on the bench, and waits for yennefer to walk with her.] I'm a little hungry anyway, I think.

[friendship, is perhaps, something she is unpracticed with, but she sounds willing to try.]