EVENT #7: THE SIGHT

[abraxasmods]

Event #7 - The Sight

go to the OOC event info and plotting post

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The night before APRIL 18, your dreams are disrupted by a vivid image of the same eclipse that occurred last month. The black sun seems to be an endless void in the sky, growing ever darker - until it suddenly opens into an eye that stares straight at you.

When you wake up, much of your night seems a blur except for the vivid dream of that eye. Whether you find it unsettling or try to ignore it, the image is something you cannot get out of your mind. If you ask, you will discover that none of the locals of your faction saw another eclipse. Speak with your fellow Summoned, however, and you may learn that while there was no eclipse that formed over the world, you were not the only one who had this dream.

Of course, dreams don't need to mean anything. You can't feel or see any immediate effects, and nearly everyone around you is going about their day as usual. Maybe you should do the same.

The Awakening

It might happen that very morning or a day or two later. You could be discussing the dream with a fellow Summoned or perhaps you simply brush shoulders with them as you walk by. Whatever it is, as soon as you make brief physical contact, one of you is struck with a sharp pain in your temple that grows into a terrible headache. It's disorienting and painful as the world around you shifts to someplace you may or may not recognize. Like an old film reel, you watch the events of the past play out before you: the past of the other Summmoned. It might be something they would rather hide, a moment of failure or despair, or something they are immensely proud of and brings them great joy - or even a jumble of several images over the course of a person's life. But you see it as if it were real and right in front of you all the same. When you come to, you'll likely find yourself on the ground or bent over, possibly with one or more people around you to see if you're okay. It'll take you a bit to gather your bearings, and the subsequent pounding in your head could last from minutes to hours.

Or, maybe you aren't the one who receives the vision. Instead, as you watch, another Summoned might grasp their head and crumble in front of you. They may go silent or groan in pain. They'll be impossible to shake out of their stupor until it's over. If you ask what happened, they may be inclined to tell you the truth - that you, you were what happened to them.

Or, if your Arcana signs happen to line up in a specific way, you'll see each other in the shared memory itself. You may also find that for certain Summoned, you can help soothe the effects, calm their emotions, or help draw them out of the memory before it consumes them for too long. It's not entirely clear what determines which effect, but one thing is for certain - within each memory, every Summoned as they appear in the past seems to wear the mark of their Arcana somewhere on their person.

For some, they might experience this only once. For others, they might experience it multiple times: with the same person, with several other Summoned, or with a different memory each time. Over the next 7 days, you'll find the Summoned around you are all receiving a glimpse into each other's past, as if the Singularity has awoken an eye within each of you.

Flee for the safety of the Horizon if you want, but you'll find that in there, it's much the same. In fact, inside the Horizon, the other Summoned don't even need to be anywhere near you - just existing in the Horizon space itself together will be enough to possibly set off a headache-inducing vision.

The Factions

What has occurred between the Summoned will not go unnoticed within the factions. While it's difficult to say how faction officials have picked up what's happening, it'll be obvious they do know.

In THORNE, characters will be asked to remain in the castle walls until further notice. Characters will not be allowed to leave the castle grounds, not even to go into the surrounding city, and anyone who is already outside will be requested to not leave again as soon as they return. If asked, they will be told it's for their own safety, given the Singularity is behaving unpredictably and the Summoned have a unique connection to it. Soothing potions and healers are on hand to offer assistance, if anyone is particularly suffering from ill effects.

In the FREE CITIES, characters will find the army by the outposts show more activity than usual. A higher number of guards will patrol the streets throughout the event, particularly in areas frequented by the Summoned. Anyone who publicly and visibly experiences the effects of the memory share (pain, doubling over, etc.) will be offered assistance by the guards. They are generally there to help, but they are also there to maintain order and ensure anyone behaving erratically due to this incident is properly contained. This might include confinement for a day or two if anyone is especially posing a risk, but no one will be punished except in the most extreme cases, as the locals are aware this is not within the control of the Summoned.

In SOLVUNN, the locals will be watching what's happening with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity. Host families and neighbors will be on hand to help with charms meant to offer protection, as well as general care and assistance (soup, blankets, and so on) if your character seems to be especially under the weather or afflicted by the event. Towards the end of the event, more elders and mages will be out and about to check up on the Summoned to make sure they're doing okay. If asked, the mages will say they aren't sure what's going on, but that they are currently divining with the gods and hope to have a definitive answer soon in the upcoming days.

None of the factions appear to be doing much more than keep a watchful eye on the situation - but as the week comes to a close, officials will start making a decision as to what they want to do and how to handle the Summoned who have demonstrated this unforeseen connection to the Singularity.

Comments

[funbreaker]

[ Whether Himeka is somehow the source of all this Thancred cannot say, nor does he want her to blame herself for this. They understand so little about the Singularity — ultimately, that seems to be the root cause, not Himeka herself. If anyone tries to heap the blame on her, they'll have to hear from him about it. ]

You had that dream as well, then. [ It seems all the summoned have. He crosses his arms and lets out a breath. ] Last month there was an actual eclipse. The people here call it the Singularity's Eye. It lasted for an entire turn of the sun and moon. [ He'd been unsettled by it. The sky going dark had reminded him far too much of the Final Days. Everyone had brushed it off as a strange anomaly, yet it's little shock that there's more to it than that.

So, even Y'stola has experienced the memory exchange. Thancred might have asked for more details, such as which other Summoned she'd run into, but then she speaks Fandaniel's name and that immediately detours him, his expression hardening with distaste as his jaw clenches. ]

Ah. Yes, I've spoken with him as well, back at the summit. The three nations had a peace summit of sorts two moons past, and all Summoned were allowed to attend. I found him there and made it very clear that if he tried to repeat any past schemes of his here, he would not go unopposed. [ If it gets to that point, Thancred can only assume that more of the Summoned would gather together to stop him. Himeka has a friend in the Free Cities keeping an eye on him, as well. It's hardly fullproof, but it's what they have. ]

How did your encounter go? [ He tilts his head. ] Did you... see a memory of his? [ It's a chilling thought, truly. ]

[aurasight]

The Singularity's Eye... [ It's said quietly, contemplative, and she listens with rapt attention despite the clear mulling over she's doing in her silence. ]

That they have a name for it implies this has happened before. [ To their benefit or detriment remains to be seen. The similarities to the Final Days and even the Calamity, as Dalamud's moon fell, could be a coincidence, but she isn't in the business of chalking things up to chance. ] Did anything else accompany it? Disasters, creatures?

[ Her logic matches his: it stands to reason they should be looking for other parallel occurrences that match their own star's troubles. It might even be worth knowing if anyone else has experienced such a thing in their own world.

She tips her head, considering what he says about Fandaniel. There is, again, relief that Thancred already has things somewhat in hand, and though she doesn't think a warning is going to stop such a man from doing what he pleases... Well, she can't say she wouldn't have done the same.

There's something she wants to say regarding the summit, but she supposes she'll cycle around to that later. It isn't pressing. ] Yes. I stumbled upon a distant memory of Amon's and, in turn, encountered Fandaniel. It certainly wasn't a pleasant experience but I am unharmed. [ She shrugs. ] I saw his efforts to look for other worlds. A rather tame memory, I should think.

[funbreaker]

[ Yes, if there's a name for it then that must mean this has happened every so often, though this is the first time an eclipse has occurred while the Summoned were present. Perhaps that makes all the difference. At Y'shtola's question, Thancred's quick to shake his head. ] No debris raining from the sky, no blasphemies. Though I do agree we might want to read up more about this phenomenon in the library.

[ To his credit, he had done a fairly thorough search of the stacks when he first arrived — or as much as he'd been able to stomach, at least. Back then, though, he'd had no concept of this Singularity's Eye.

He's relieved to hear that Y'shtola's encounter with Fandaniel had been as tame as it could be, and it's not as if he could do anything to her through the Horizon anyway. Nonetheless, his shoulders untense a smidge. There is likely more that they could discuss about that particular problem, but one thing at a time.

He glances up toward the ceiling. ] So, that was something that stayed with him from when he was Hermes. [ While that's an interesting tidbit of knowledge, it's also the least of their concerns for the moment. ]

There's no indication as to whether these effects will be permanent or not. They can't hold us within the castle forever. [ Yes, he'd only just returned, but if he's made to stay here for too long he'll end up climbing up the walls. ]

[aurasight]

One less similarity to worry on, then.

[ Too close, though, for comfort. And the Singularity is a particularly touchy topic, she's learned. Too many people want whatever it is, whatever it represents, the power it holds. And that troubles her, too: if the Singularity's effects are this potent without the tampering from others, then how powerful could they be if someone might get a hold of them?

And Himeka... If someone might learn of the power of the Echo, the true power of it, they could just as likely seek to use it. For not the first time, Y'shtola is glad their friend isn't within the walls of Thorne.

To the comment about Hermes, she nods, and leaves it there for the moment, if only because there are more pressing matters to attend to. Thancred has the right of it, but he is also toeing a little too close to the possibility of going against Thorne outright. And while no one has been unkind to her so far, she can see that the might of castle walls and the guards - as well as a history of throwing people in the dungeon - could hamper their ability to provide outside help if they get the suspicion that some Summoned aren't content to live by Thorne's rules. ]

They cannot without invoking a great deal of unrest [ It's said quietly and measured, clear this is working through Y'shtola's thoughts. ] But it's possible that matters little when they've smothered such dissent before. I would be very curious, however, to know how much the people here know of the Singularity's effects. [ Or how much is being hidden. There were several people in that summoning room, even if she could not see them. Someone has to know something about the magic inherent there. ]

Thancred, can natives to this world access the Horizon the same way we can?

[ She has other thoughts to revisit but this one strikes her as particularly concerning: if the Summoned alone can manipulate and interact with the Singularity's power, why allow them the opportunity to do so? ]

[funbreaker]

[ While Thorne's decision to keep them in the castle is supposedly for everyone's safety, it's definitely not something that could be sustained over a long period of time. These strange symptoms are only affecting the Summoned, and so the rest of the residents in the castle are bound to tire of their lives being so significantly affected by their small group.

In that sense, it may be interesting to see how it all plays out. The Summoned are treated with open interest here in Thorne, as if they're honored guests, but he knows how quickly that view might change.

At Y'shtola's question, Thancred takes a quick look around them before he shakes his head. ] Many do not even know of its existence at all. [ He keeps his voice hushed, just in case. ] If we're to speak of all this, I wonder if it might be best if we return to one of our rooms.

[ It's as close as they'll be able to get to privacy at the moment, save for going into the Horizon together. That is also an option, but Thancred takes care to only do that when he's out of easy view. In other words, in his room.

He nods down the hall and begins to walk, doubting that Y'shtola will have any protest to this plan. ]

[aurasight]

[ That's likely for the best, she realizes belatedly. Despite the talk not meaning to be traitorous, it certainly will come across that way at worst. At best, they might simply seem distrusting, but she doesn't want to take the chance. At his offer, she nods, and follows him as he walks. It gives her time to consider what he's said.

She should have supposed that few people know or understand its existence. And that's...likely for the best, she realizes. Anyone can wander into someone's innermost places, the sanctuaries they call their own. Such information can be traded with ease. It makes her think of Fandaniel and she is grateful, again, that he didn't find her but the other way around. A few things she can keep to herself, at least, even when she's already a mostly closed book.

Once arriving in his room, she still gives a cursory look, and then settles when she sees they are alone. ]

How much do you believe they know, if anything? What have you been able to uncover?

[funbreaker]

[ The room, like all of those granted to the Summoned here in Castle Thorne, is shared. At this time of day, however, there's no need to expect any of the other Summoned to return and interrupt them. Despite that, Thancred will keep an eye and ear on the door in case. He gestures to a chair that Y'shtola can sit in before sinking onto the mattress of his own bed. ]

I know for a fact that the Queen and most likely other members of the royal family are aware of the Summoned's connection to the Singularity. They have even made attempts to try and harness that power for themselves, yet thus far have not been successful.

[ As far as Thancred's aware, anyhow. There's always a possibility that the Queen has uncovered more than the Summoned know about via those experiments.

Following a pause, he gives a small shake of his head. ]

How much they understand about the Horizon, I'm less clear on. But given how they view the Singularity in general, I would not be surprised if that's another source of power that they wish to take for their own.

[aurasight]

[ Slowly sinking into the chair, her ears perk just slightly when Thancred mentions the Queen, though she bites her tongue from speaking anything until he's finished. The Queen has been on her mind since Thancred initially spoke of Himeka and Estinien's time in Thorne, and how much all of that had played out at the behest of the rulers in charge.

Her frown deepens in thought. ]

It would not surprise me in the slightest. And I wonder if we have been...allowed, for lack of a better word, to commune with the Horizon because of just that: it offers the possibility for us to be first in line to test what powers exist and that, in turn, can be utilized.

[ And so she begins to wonder, again and again, at the freedom - or lack thereof - offered to them, and how that power dynamic will shift. Sitting back, she taps her knuckles on her cheek. ]

...What attempts have they made? I'd like to speak of something but I wish to know what's already been tried.

[ After all, since she's also interested in better understanding the relationship between Summoned and Singularity, she might as well not repeat anything tried before. ]

[funbreaker]

[ There is little doubt in Thancred's mind that they are meant to test out the limits and capabilities of the Horizon, and that is part of why they've been granted access. There is always the possibility that the Queen, Ambrose, and those in charge in Solvunn and the Free Cities have little control over such things, however. They might not be able to keep the Summoned from the Horizon even if they tried.

To that end, when Y'shtola presses for more information on what the Queen has done in her attempts to take control, Thancred lets out a long sigh. He's already said more than he's comfortable with, suspicious as he is that the royals and the high mage might have means of listening in on them.

He glances to the shut door, then back to Y'shtola where she sits. He already feels more at ease having her here to think through these sorts of matters with him. ]

If we're going to continue down this particular avenue of conversation, I might advise we move into the Horizon. [ Even further from prying ears. ] Are you accustomed to the process now?

[ He's helped Y'shtola in, and it would be her nature to experiment with the mind-space as soon as she was granted the chance. Yet he still wishes to confirm as much. ]

[aurasight]

[ That's likely the smarter idea, she realizes. With a short little sigh, she nods. It's not exasperation that's directed at him, rather that they need to be as secretive as they are. Perhaps she should take more time to look for where safer places may be, or for defenses that Thorne has possibly put in place to keep an eye on their guests before they attempt further conversations in this vein.

Still... ]

I am. I've been practicing as often as I'm able. Will we be safe in the interim?

[ Is the room safe enough from prying eyes that will not disrupt us is really the question. But if Thancred feels it is, then she trusts him. He's been here longer than she has been, after all. ]

[funbreaker]

[ This room is more or less Thancred's by this point. He prefers not to share a space with a stranger if he can get away with it, and given that there was at one time so many more Summoned housed in Thorne, there's space to spare.

He rises from the bed to lock the door, though it isn't often that anyone tries to enter. He keeps it clean on his own, if only so he doesn't have to let anyone in for that reason. ]

As safe as we can be. I don't think anyone will be forcing their way in.

[ With that, he returns to sit cross-legged on his bed and sends Y'shtola a lazy smile. ] See you on the other side? [ By this point he's entered the Horizon enough times that he's become learned at entering that meditative state, and so after just a few moments he finds himself in his domain.

In a recreation of the Rising Stones.

When Y'shtola appears shortly after him, he gestures around them. It's unfortunately quite empty save for them, with Tataru not seated at the desk when she normally would be. ] In the event that you were getting homesick.

[aurasight]

[ That's plenty of assurance for her. Y'shtola straightens a little in her chair, getting comfortable. While the process of dropping into Horizon isn't as smooth and practiced as Thancred's, it isn't so long before she follows him, drifting into that meditative state that he's shown. And when she opens her eyes once more...

Ah. There's something fond in her eyes when she takes a look around, nostalgia creeping in like an old friend. She sighs, content. ]

Well, I'll know where to go if I should begin to.

[ And, truth be told, she's already missed home more than she'd like to admit. On one hand, this is just another world they've gone to, like Norvrandt, and so she has to have faith that there will be a way home. She might even pick up how to traverse worlds along the way. But it's been a bit of time since she's graced the Rising Stones and seeing it certainly pulls at her heartstrings.

Rather than leap directly into what they were initially speaking of, she offers: ]

Since all of the changes occurring among the Summoned, I had hope to see what the differences are between us and to see if there were those willing to allow me to see what happens in their Horizons or outside of such. But when you brought up the Queen...

[ Her expression sours slightly. ]

I'd like not to recreate anything that she has done and subject people to such things, especially if they align with what the Queen has already tried. [ Not solely morally but it'd be foolish to try something again if it didn't work. ] How extensive were these attempts of hers?

[funbreaker]

[ A return to the Rising Stones is always enough to lift up their spirits, seeing how it's as close as some of the Scions get to a home. To know that regardless of what happens, they can return there and be welcomed warmly by companions, even if there's only a handful present at the time, means the world.

Thancred's domain doesn't quite replicate that. There are times when there's the suggestion of other people in the room, but never to the point that they would approach or interact. The idea of recreating people doesn't seem right, and without souls it's unlikely they would be maintained for long.

Y'shtola doesn't hesitate to launch right back into her thoughts as Thancred leans himself up against the side of the bar and conjures a drink into his hand. He nods along as she explains her reasons for concern, not wanting her curious and research-oriented mind to set others ill at ease. A fair point. ]

I was not told every last detail, but my understanding is that back in the time when Thorne was jailing people, the queen took one of the prisoners to experiment on her. She wanted to see if she could somehow shift her connection to the Singularity into someone of this world. Apparently it did not work as intended.

[ His expression is grim as he takes a swig of his drink and then heaves out a breath. ]

Your own attempts to research the Horizon and Singularity would be undertaken with far more care, I'm certain.

[ Thancred has never known Y'shtola to be anything other than resolute in her efforts to uncover answers, but she has also never let people come under harm in the process. ]