EVENT #11: MEDIATION - IC POST

[abraxasmods]

Event #11 - Mediation

go to the OOC event info & plotting post

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As the Dimming draws near, the people of Thorne, the Free Cities, and Solvunn begin to prepare their celebrations similar to the previous year. The Summoned, though, will be having a much different experience.

A week before the event, you'll each receive invitations to an important diplomatic event held in Luna. Unlike the opening of Oleuni Square, these invitations are from nation officials themselves - sealed and marked with the faction's emblem, alongside Luna's. Notably, any mention of Ikorr is absent. This appears to involve the werewolves and Luna in particular.

The invitation will specify that a resolution of conflict is under negotiation and that it's of utmost importance that all of the Summoned of each nation is present. That means you. Due to the clash that occurred last year and the fact that the Summoned's powers and magic are unaffected by the Singularity's waning, any Summoned unaccounted for will be considered a high security risk that could greatly damage negotiations. Therefore, those who wish to remain behind must submit a formal appeal to officials and will be assigned a neutral third party from Nocwich to be watched throughout the event's duration.

Everyone else is required to attend. Officials will be offering full accommodations, a generous daily spending allowance, and even personal guards should anyone be concerned about the attacks in August. They'll stress you should be further reassured, as the Dimming means magic in the native population is severely weakened. Magical attacks and other risks of that nature are thus unlikely. Most people will be conserving their strength throughout this period.

◎ For all submissions, players will have until December 28. This is a soft deadline, as we understand the holidays are a busy time, but we do ask players do their best to make their requests early in so we can respond in a timely manner and determine the contents of the wrap-up post.

◎ Since characters will be in close proximity during this event, especially while on the island and the ship, we've posted a CURRENT EVENTS thread where players can comment with notable occurrences that are happening in their threads for other players to take notice if they wish. These can include: escaping out windows, commotion with the geese, minor altercations or arguments at the inns or on the ship, and falling overboard. We may also post our own current event updates depending on what happens.

◎ We'll be updating the list of Information Revealed through eavesdropping as details are uncovered.

Luna

The deep forests of the upper peninsula eventually give way to the widening settlement of Luna. The city sprawls up onto hills and between thick groves of trees, following the natural lay of the land. Buildings in the open areas are never more than three stories tall, dwarfed by trees along the outskirts. The air is frosty, but not biting. In winter, a thick layer of snow blankets Luna.

For more details, see the section on Luna on the Nocwich Setting page.

The Summoned will be arriving in ornate black carriages pulled by ghostly steeds. Each carriage is identical except for an emblem of one of the three factions (Thorne, Free Cities, and Solvunn) temporarily inlaid on the doors - indicating where each guest must go. When all passengers have boarded, the carriages move forward without command, providing a quiet and scenic ride through the hills and forests that lead to the sprawling settlement of Luna.

The carriages begin as a singular caravan before eventually spliting off as they bring each group to their designated inn.

Designated Inns

You'll need to stay at the assigned inn for your nation of residence. It will not be possible to switch inns, though if you're discreet, you can get away with an overnight visit. You won't get in trouble for breaking the rules, but chances are you'll be sent back to your inn with all your things if you make an attempt to move, and the lone carriage ride through the city with all your belongings might be a bit embarrassing.

◎ THORNE

Those coming from Thorne are led around the corner of the main square towards one of the older streets of Luna. They'll be taken to The Teallaigh, Luna's most popular inn. While not the grandest, its reputation lies in the warmth of its hearth. The Ward family have run the inn for three centuries. The rooms are cozy and clean, providing the comforts of home, according to the Lunae. This includes soft bedding, a hearty morning breakfast, and hot evening baths. The streets outside can be rowdy during the busiest hours of the day and night, but the thick windows and mulled wine offered on the house help balance out the noise. The Ward family and townsfolk are happy to discuss the inn's history. Rumors are that the founder was something of a magician himself.

◎ FREE CITIES

Those coming from the Free Cities are led towards a section of Luna known for its high hills and winding pathways. Connected to the rest of the city by a stone bridge, the Morwyn Siglo is Luna's oldest inn. Though the boards creak and lights occasionally flicker, the building has stood above most of the neighborhood since the city expanded to these hills centuries ago. Much effort has been put into retaining the inn's classical aesthetic while ensuring it has the modern comforts needed. Morwyn Siglo is often used as a landmark for directions in this part of town. That trees and other plants grow up and into the very building itself are considered signs of good fortune to the locals. The rooms are dim, yet warm. Signs of encroachment are noticeable in the nooks and crannies. The nights are peaceful. Despite its appearance, the Morwyn Siglo is the only inn that uses fully automated magic-powered crystalline lights rather than oil or flame lamps. The food served here is considered the best in the city.

◎ SOLVUNN

Those coming from the Solvunn are taken to the New Quarter, near the recently renovated Town Hall. A few blocks from the main square is the newly opened Realta Inn and Tavern. Meant to help promote tourism in Luna, this etablishment offers more of the modern aesthetics and standards expected in other cities across Abraxas. The rooms are tidy and finely decorated without being garish. Unlike the other inns in Luna, the Realta is not run by a single family but by a collective of enthusiastic entrepreneurs and local business owners who want to see Luna's doors opened up to the rest of the world. Eager to make a good impression, the staff is hospitable and tries to show reverence to Solvunn traditions while the Summoned are their guests. The Lunae and Solvunn share close ties, after all. Goat cheese is served at the complimentary breakfast, but for a touch of something new, they also serve fine cheeses and butter from the local livestock.

The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice, held around the Dimming, is a month-long celebration throughout Luna. It bears many similarities to Solvunn's Winter Solstice. Indeed, some werewolves with ancestral ties to Solvunn will visit Solvunn during the Winter Solstice to observe the commune's festivities. Anyone in Solvunn during last year's Winter Solstice might even recognize a few familiar faces in Nocwich.

Around Luna, you can find the following as people prepare for the Solstice:

◎ Bonfires
Though all of Nocwich is engulfed in an eternal night, large bonfires are lit in the would-be evening in the most popular gathering places: the large promenade by the edge of the forest, the busiest market center, and the central town square. Volunteers selected from the local youth - rarer these days among the Lunae - are honored with the "first light" where they stand in a line with flaming arrows and shoot them into the wooden pile, setting it ablaze to a chorus of excited cheers.

Mishaps have been known to happen in the past, but when questioned, most of the Lunae laugh off stories about how Old Man Tomlee had to frantically put out his window dressings when a wayward arrow found his storefront instead of the fire. It's all part of the tradition!

The bonfires signal the start of festivities. Wood is continuously added to the fire to keep it burning until the Winter Solstice concludes. Passersby, including you, are encouraged to contribute logs to the blaze. It's also customary to write out something you want want to let go of and toss it into the fire. This can be ill health, unwanted thoughts or feelings, misfortune - even people. Advertising you've burned someone's name is in poor taste, but it's common knowledge this happens more often than anyone will admit. It's said that if your parchment ignites a blue flame, then it is assured to come true. But if it burns white, then you won't be free of it yet.

◎ Glow Logs
The forest is home to many different types of evergreen trees. A small group of elm, spruce, and yew trees are cultivated specifically for the growth of the seasonal glow logs. They're cut to sizes of one to six feet to fit inside personal homes, with the largest on display in front of public buildings and businesses.

As a guest, you're invited to decorate a log of your own, which you can display in your inn rooms and later take home with you. Supplies will be provided for you to paint and carve the logs. Examples of traditional designs are available, but everyone's free to express themselves how they want. Symbols and scenes of fertility are common and welcome, of both the harvest and mammalian variety. The Lunae don't share the same sensibilities typical to some parts of Abraxas. These images are drawn quite seriously and artfully to bring forth bountiful luck in the spring. The final touches always include glowing flowers which light up the streets and homes, making the Winter Solstice the brightest time of the year in Luna.

◎ Spiced Wine Cauldron
Not far from the ceremonial glow log, you'll find a series of stalls for seasonal snacks and treats. In the middle is the most popular feature: a large cauldron kept gently simmering for several days on end. Inside is a flavorful spiced wine, which anyone can freely ladle themselves a cup from - though you'll have to bring your own mug. Deep red wine, brandy, cinnamon, and ginger are the strongest flavors, with hints of white wine and clove as an aftertaste. Additional sugar cubes and cinnamon sticks are available on the side if more sweetness is desired.

The cauldron itself never seems to get low, but there's no magic involved here. The Lunae all do their part to keep the cauldron full, adding their own bottles of wine and spices from home throughout the Solstice. This does make the flavor and strength of the wine inconsistent, but that's part of the cauldron's charm. More than the alcohol, the cauldron serves as a warm gathering place for chatter, meeting old friends, and spending quality time together.

The Sacred Geese

Geese have held an important status in Luna since its founding. The black-necked goose is by far the most common variety. They reside on farms and homesteads, as well as roam the city. Not all of the geese are wild. Domesticated geese will have a beaded band on their feet. Their eggs are a rich part of many meals.

During the Winter Solstice week, seven domesticated geese will be selected as that year's Sacred Geese. One notable goose is Daryll, the prized young bird of a local lumberjack. A ceremony is held in the town square where Daryll and his companions are presented for all to see and marvel at his plumage and feisty waddling. There, the ceremony host will hang a strange token featuring an eye around each of the seven geese's necks. The red-ribboned tokens indicate that the powers who watch over Luna have granted favor upon these geese. After the ceremony, the geese may be doted upon and gifted food as offerings...which mostly consists of people trying to fatten up the geese to slow them down for the next part.

When the ceremonial horn has sounded seven times, the geese are let loose into the city. The square erupts with the sounds of shouting and honking, feathers flying in the air as the geese take off and the townsfolk follow in pursuit. "Blind the goose!" becomes a chorus as the crowds rush past. To retrieve one of these tokens is the name of the game - effectively removing the eye and "blinding" the goose. Those successful may return to the square with the token in hand in exchange for a few decorated stone "goose eggs" that can be placed in a fire, then used to keep your hands warm. They retain heat for several hours.

Be careful: these are no simple geese. Known for their aggressive biting and powerful kicks, many local werewolves have earned scars from the ritual. They are also inexplicably immune to magic and spells, which makes them ideal for a custom held during the Dimming, a time when magic wanes. Considering the small prize, the winnings are not the point. Rather, the true purpose of this festivity is the bragging rights that come with having gone head-to-head with one of Luna's most fearsome birds. Teaming up is common. Community spirit is the most important thing in Luna, and one token can be exchanged for several prizes if multiple people were involved in a capture.

Do not harm the geese. The geese are very sturdy, so rough handling while capturing them is acceptable. However, deliberate attempts to harm or kill them will have you swiftly removed by the Lunae. You'll be served with a hefty fine, as well as shunned by the natives who will henceforth turn you away from taverns and shops. These geese belong to the townspeople, so harming any of the geese is the equivalent of harming someone's beloved pet and will be treated as such.

Anyone can participate! To see how successful your character is at obtaining a goose, comment here and we will perform a roll for your results.

If multiple characters are working together to catch a goose, only the person doing the active catching needs to submit for the roll.

Sylvcres Island

Originally known as Silver Crescent Island, Sylvcres Island sits off the coast of Nocwich in Luna's territory. This is where Luna mines its unique ore from under the surrounding waters. Miners and fishers make up the majority of the population. Across the bridge sits a stone building where negotiations will take place. You'll be arriving by ship on the evening of December 20th, which will dock next to the island for the full three days until December 23rd.

Because of the island's insular nature, it has no accommodations for guests. You'll have to return to the ship to rest and to seek entertainment. Nevertheless, for those who want to indulge in natural beauty, Sylvcrest Island has much to offer.

For more details, see the section on Luna and Sylvcres Island on the Nocwich Setting page.

The Ship and Ocean Journey

Welcome aboard The Arcanis! This "cruise liner" is considered the height of luxury and the pride of Luna. Its massive form cuts through the water smoothly, and its large sails are embroidered with thread dipped in sap that offers a brilliant glow under the moonlight. Instead of the defensive cannons or pikes one might find on a merchant ship, there are neat rows of small rowboats on either side - just in case.

The decks are spacious and could be mistaken for a grand opera house. Pillars decorated in onyx filigree and platinum fill the ship's interior. Curved staircases lined with candles allow access to all the floors, as well as the main deck. Are you wondering if this ship is conceivably bigger on the inside? You can ask the staff, but you'll only be met with surprise. Locals will tell you that it looks as expected - there's nothing unusual to it.

High-ranking officials will be traveling in a smaller, but equally luxurious ship, separate from The Arcanis. It'll be possible to see said officials from the upper decks as the two vessels sail alongside, and they will be docking at the island nearby.

Skyline Sea

Upon arrival at Sylvcres Island, you'll be notified of a wondrous event that will take place within the next few hours. Once a year, during the Dimming, creatures of the deep sea take to the skies. Legend has it these creatures never used to reside in the water, but the Singularity's growing strength forced them to migrate deep under the ocean due to the interference with song frequencies.

Most of the marine life are whales and sea jellies, but following behind them is the fearsome golden serpent and its friendlier but no less gigantic companion the rainbow carp. These creatures will not attack. Instead, they will simply migrate across the sky and vanish into the stars.

You can watch this incredible phenomenon on the deck of The Arcanis or on the shores. You'll get a thick fur blanket to protect you from the cold. Mulled cider will warm your hands, and tasty spiced nuts make for a great snack during the viewing.

Those watching are encouraged to make a wish and then share that wish with one other person. The Lunae believe sharing a wish with another will help it come true.

Accommodations

◎ Cabins
Cabins are below the deck, spread out between three separate floors. Each room is numbered in an elegant, swirling script. Sconces line each wall in even intervals and a long, plush carpet in deep burgundy runs along the center of the hallway. All rooms will host 2-4 guests based on demand. Each stateroom is roughly the same style and layout, containing:

• 1-2 queen-sized beds draped in silk sheets and velvet duvets
• 2 couches stuffed with decorative pillows
• 1 black marble fireplace that always has enough kindling
• 1 table and 4 chairs for afternoon tea
• 1 window covered in thick curtains and lots of floor pillows nearby
• 1 vanity and bench
• 1 small closet for luggage and hanging wardrobes

◎ Tavern & Eatery
Meals can be taken in the eatery, laid out like a banquet hall. If you have special dietary needs, you can talk to the head chef, a large and intimidating werewolf who is - when you speak to her - extremely friendly and cheerful. Food is served in the style common to Luna, meaning meals are hearty and filling. Bread, cheese, and ale often accompany each selection. While the factions have covered expenses, including dining, extra silver pieces will let you have someone bring a meal directly to your cabin.

Between mealtimes, you're welcome to visit the small tavern and lounge that offers a small variety of spirits and snacks. Offerings include wine, dessert, savory pastries, fresh bread, cheese, and pickled fish. The tavern is dimly lit, smells of spice and iron, and can grow crowded at peak hours. There are also comfortable couches and tables for chatter, reading, and relaxation.

◎ Spas & Baths
The communal baths and the wellness spa are the highly sought-after amenities aboard the ship. The spa boasts a variety of treatments and pools to aid common ailments. Guests are wrapped in fine silk robes and guided to relax to their fullest. Possible relaxation packages include:

• an herb therapy sauna meant to ease stress, tension, and anxiety. Works great for congestion.
• a seaweed wrap meant to rejuvenate and revitalize energy. Also good for dry skin.
• a mud mask made from clay from the island, said to release toxins from the skin and the spirit. Pairs well with champagne.

◎ Art Expression
Claimed to be one of the most popular activities, guests will be able to unleash their inner artist with the stroke of a brush onto canvas. Everyone is free to use any medium. Art supplies are provided. For the beginner class, the prompt is to depict something or someone meaningful from home. Share your creations with your fellow Summoned and discuss your art! With permission, you can have your piece displayed in a temporary gallery until the end of the island trip.

For the artist with a keener eye, an evening figure drawing class is available. This class will have volunteer models who will be seated nude in a variety of poses - but guests are encouraged to pose, as well, if they wish! Bottomless wine and dessert will be provided to aid creativity.

◎ Music & Gambling Lounge
For those who wish to leave their luck up to chance, The Lucksmith's Guild is a good bet. Patrons can gamble in a number of games, all the while listening to the local bard on center stage. While typical activities such as cards, dice, darts, and even arm wrestling are available, Luna also has two games that are popular when the ale is flowing strong.

• Dragon Egg. A small pebble or "dragon egg" is used to bounce or toss into a mug of ale in the center of a round table. Each player stands around the table in a circle. If you miss, the egg "hatches" and you must appease the hatchling by putting silver or gold into the "pot" or by "running away" (forfeiting the game). The last player remaining takes the winnings.


• The Long Embrace. Two participants cup their hands with one another with a live needle slug inside. The first to remove their hand is the loser. If the winner still holds the slug after the opponent pulls away, they double their winnings. While the slug is not poisonous, its sting - which occurs when the frightened slug "puffs up" to reveal its needles - can leave an intense burning itch that can be soothed by even more ale. Fortunately, the itch only lasts a few minutes and fades completely afterwards.

Charlie the Turtle

Beyond the size of the ship, The Arcanis has a peculiar resident. Charlie, affectionately referred to as Admiral Chuck by the captain, is an ancient turtle that's resided on the ship since its first voyage. He's often seen lumbering through the upper and lower decks at an average turtle pace. However, staff will claim that they've seen him speed by out of the corner of their eye, but none have proof.

Legend has it that Chuck may have witnessed the Sinking of Tornis or perhaps even once was a resident creature of the now-vanished city of Tornis. No proof of this exists, either, but turtles are extraordinarily long-lived so he may have been there.

Those gifted in animal speech can have a conversation with Chuck. If you want to attempt to converse with the ancient turtle, just reply to the Question thread with what you'll say to it, and an answer of some sort may come. Keep in mind that he is, in the end, just a regular turtle, so his insight may be limited.

Negotiations

Negotiations will have been ongoing for some time, but formally, the heads of the major nations will gather in the secluded building on the island between December 21st - 23rd. A 3-day banquet will be held in the surrounding areas. Officials who are not attending the meeting will be present at the banquet. During the day, less formal meals will continue to be provided on the ship.

The purpose of the dinners, as has been the entire week, is to keep all those of importance together in one place so that everyone who holds the ability to shatter tenuous goals of peace can be accounted for. If you feel somewhat held hostage as a Summoned, you'll get the sense some of these officials are in the same situation as you are. Perhaps that's one of the subjects that can be overheard?

Officials attending are as follows:

◎ THORNE: Queen Ellya Galdwin, King Brydan Galdwin III
◎ FREE CITIES: Marlo Reiner, Fallon Marsh
◎ SOLVUNN: Winifred Bordeaux, Rowan March

A general overview of how the talks will progress is detailed below for each day. Anyone present will be able to openly learn this information. Just approach any Nocwich official organizing the event and ask. Otherwise, said officials may also approach you and your table on their own to keep attendees apprised.

December 21

The Dimming and the talks begin.

◎ THORNE is requesting further provisional aid from Solvunn through its harsh winters, with a promise of no disruption from the Free Cities. They also want a formal apology from the Free Cities for the assassination of Grigory Jannus.

◎ The FREE CITIES is asking Thorne to cede the Badlands to them, arguing that it's a wasteland of no value to Thorne (...beyond preventing the Free Cities from pressing up against Thorne's borders, of course). They also want a formal apology from Thorne for the fire meteor attack on Libertas and Thorne to withdraw its accusations over the death of Grigory Jannus.

◎ SOLVUNN wants assurance that the Singularity will remain untouched and undisturbed, something they believe is the correct way of the world. This means no feeding of any caskets to the Singularity henceforth, and no movement to try to destroy it from the Free Cities.

December 22

The Dimming ends, and the Singularity will steadily begin to regain its strength over a week or so.

◎ THORNE will apologize for its excessive use of force, but will not withdraw its accusations or request for an apology over the death of Grigory Jannus. If the Free Cities will acknowledge its role in this unprovoked attack, Thorne may consider ceding a portion of the Badlands to them. They will not back down on feeding the Singularity its casket, but promise the events last year where multiple caskets were fed will not happen again.

◎ The FREE CITIES is considering allowing Thorne to receive its provisions (grain harvests only) from Solvunn without disruption in exchange for Thorne's apology for destroying Libertas. They will also promise not to make any aggressive acts towards the Singularity if Thorne gives assurances it will not try to siphon the Singularity's power for its usage. They will not give up their current claim on the entirety of the Badlands.

◎ SOLVUNN continues to push for its reassurances regarding the Singularity, but appears amenable to Thorne offering its singular annual casket to the Singularity, agreeing that it's been done for hundreds of years without noticeable harm. Solvunn has also put forth a claim to the Badlands, suggesting that Thorne and the Free Cities can prevent conflict by yielding it to a (supposedly) neutral party. It should not go unnoticed that Solvunn is the furthest from the Singularity, and that having a claim to the Badlands will put its territory closer to the Singularity's crater.

December 23

The final day of the talks. How discussions proceed may depend on messages received from characters. The outcome will be detailed in the wrap-up post.

The Banquet

While events in Nocwich were previously about displaying its culture, this time it's noticeably different. The touch of werewolf culture is minimal. Luna's message is clear: its only role is to serve as host and mediator. The negotiations and any related events are largely from the three factions.

Banquets take place on the island itself inside a warmly lit hall, but food is prepared on and arrives from the kitchen staff on The Arcanis. Seating is assigned. You'll also be able to communicate with officials in your faction at the negotiation table if you choose. Only one message can be delivered per person, so choose your words wisely!

Seating Arrangements

So that everyone involved can be assured they're receiving the same treatment and information, seating has been assigned for the formal evening dinners, with a roughly even mix between each nation. Each table seats 6-8 people. Seating will change each day. You'll have to find your name to find your seat, although assistants will be there to help if you're lost...or to redirect you back to your proper seat if you're seen wandering too much.

OOCly, players can plan their seating any way they like. With 3 evenings of dinners total, characters will find themselves at a different table each day. This means chances are high you'll be able to have your character sit and meet with everyone you want to thread with!

This feature is not meant to be restrictive. Its main purpose is to allow players to seat characters together who might not otherwise interact or be at the same table if given the choice. Don't worry too much about organizing or adhering to any strict seating arrangements. Feel free to have characters end up next to their friends by happenstance if that's your preference.

Delivering a Message

As one of the Summoned, you'll have the opportunity to communicate with your faction at the negotiation tables. During your time on the island, you can send a message or a short letter and have it delivered. This letter can be anything you want, within reason. Messages should be pertinent to events unfolding and can include topics such as:

◎ Your support and/or disapproval of a certain initiative being proposed as part of the negotiations. Do you disagree that the Badlands is as important as the Free Cities believes? Do you feel Thorne should relent on seeking an apology in favor of something better? Let them know.

◎ Additional proposals that you feel will aid the factions, but possibly your interests, as well. If you want to harness the Singularity's power yourself, you might consider encouraging the Free Cities to agree not to destroy it.

◎ Information you have that you believe can alter the course of the discussion.

To submit a message, reply here using the form provided under your corresponding faction heading.

Note that characters can only deliver a message to their own state officials. They will not be able to communicate with a foreign nation sitting at the negotiations. You can choose to address a specific individual, but both sitting at the table will be able to read it.

While we can't promise that every message will be actionable, we'll take a look to see overall how characters may sway the proceedings.

Obtaining Information

Be sure to pay attention and make the right moves - you'll find several avenues to gather information across all three days. Those of greater influence can use their reputation to speak to people in high places, while those who are lesser known can take advantage of their status to get close to someone without being noticed.

Eavesdropping (Rank 4 or Below)

As with any gathering, chatter is common. If you haven't made too much of a name for yourself among the natives (rank 4 or below), you'll have the chance to listen in on a conversation or two. This includes brand-new arrivals.

There are a few places where you can (somewhat) safely eavesdrop:

◎ The wine bar at the evening dinners, where attendants and organizers are seen conversing and coordinating around the corner nearby.

◎ The ship's lounge, where lower-ranked officials tend to gossip. "Sleeping" on one of the comfy couches from too much wine isn't unusual.

◎ The island's shores, where guards patroling the perimeter can be overheard as they pass by. High cliffs and loud ocean waves can help obscure you.

◎ The banquet tables. If you find yourself a bit "lost" by the wrong table while searching for your assigned seat, that's perfectly understandable.

To have your character listen in, reply here using the form provided.

Characters can eavesdrop on any faction they choose, including their own. OOC, players can choose the location and faction their character is attempting to seek information on. However, in-game, it's up to you whether your character will deliberately attempt to listen in and if they've sought a faction or person in particular. If you prefer, this act can be entirely accidental so characters who might not be the type to try and spy can still have the opportunity to participate.

Players can submit to listen in once per character, but you can also have a bonus opportunity for a second piece of information if you link a thread which describes your character in one of the specified areas above.

Meet & Greet (Rank 5 or Above)

A rare opportunity has presented itself where high-ranking officials can be found in one location. The nature of diplomacy means that if you've made enough of a name for yourself (rank 5 or above), chances are a foreign official will grant you a courtesy greeting and entertain a brief chat.

You'll have the chance to ask a couple of questions from the following officials you might not otherwise get to see face to face:

◎ THORNE: Anastasia Rhett, Lyle Vela, Jolene Sybell

◎ FREE CITIES: Quilleth Kaur, Aleksander Klingel

◎ SOLVUNN: Isar Hart, Josselyn Creed

To have your character ask a question, reply here using the form provided.

Players are welcome to have their character ask a question from someone of their own faction, as well! However, keep in mind characters will have plenty of opportunities to interact with NPCs from their own factions outside of this event.

Players can submit one question at a time per character for up to two questions total. You can spend both questions on one NPC or you can use them on two separate NPCs.

Comments

Eddie Munson | The Devil | Solvunn

[satanicpanics]

{ Open and maybe some closed starters below. Find me at muttonchops for requests! Eddie's plotting comment. }

Luna

[satanicpanics]

Around town;

[ Eddie can be found with his fellow Solvunn Summoned at the Realta, though he automatically just kind of assumes he’s rooming with Steve. That’s just how things work, right? Never once does it cross his mind that he’s allowed or that he should room with someone else.

In the mornings, you may find him sighing deeply over the complimentary breakfast, pushing more of it around his plate than makes it into his mouth. Goat cheese is good and all, but he’s hit a wall when it comes to pretending he doesn’t have a desire for sugary breakfast cereal. ]

Jesus Christ, I think I’d actually kill for some high fructose corn syrup right now.

[ Otherwise, you can find him around town, and if you pop into Oleuni Square at any point, you may see him sporting some fresh ink on his arm: a skeletal hand throwing up the devil horns, glowing in the low light. Can you blame him? He has a pocketful of money that isn’t his own and he’s going to make good use of it in the way he wants. ]


Winter solstice;

[ Eddie can be found at the bonfires, laughing at jokes and stories he has no real context for. When the festivities begin, he helps to throw plenty of logs into the blaze and considers his blank piece of parchment for longer than necessary, contemplating whether he wants to make a joke of it or be serious. In the end, he decides to be respectful for the tradition. He scrawls one word: fear, and tosses the scrap of parchment in the fire. He watches as it curls and burns, turning the flames around it blue. He snorts, grinning just a little. ]

Shit, I hope so. Do you know how much easier things would be?

[ Throughout the night, he can be found making several trips to the spiced wine cauldron with a mug he’s stolen from the inn (maybe a few too many trips, but he’s on vacation, it’s fine) and just enjoying the vibe and conversation. This is nice. It reminds him of Hellfire meetings, without the dice. ]


GEESE!!!;

[ Initially, Eddie eyes the geese with skepticism. He watches as others receive bites and kicks, and tells himself that he will stay far away from all of that.

Until he sees the tokens around their necks.

It’s to the promise of a prize that draws him in, not the adrenaline rush of man vs. goose. It is that completely rad and totally metal token. It’s such a small, strange thing to hyperfocus on, but in the end, he decides that he absolutely must have it, even if it means losing his own eye in the process.

So please, come watch him make a fool of himself. ]

Oleuni Square

[doubledead]

_{[Jack is passing by, trying his best to see everything he can when some delightfully creepy artwork catches his eye. He stops and turns to find Eddie. He remembers him from the Lamb all those months ago. It was hard to forget that scream.]}

You there--great tattoo! Very creepy!

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie is convinced that no matter what he sees here, he will never get used to the sheer horror of a walking, talking skeleton. Jack’s immense height certainly doesn’t help, especially when you spy him out of the corner of your eye, but Eddie seems much better at handling it than the last time they met. He doesn’t even scream this time! He merely gives a little jump, a squeak of surprise, and collects himself quickly. ]

Thanks, man. You know, I probably shouldn’t make assumptions, but I think you’d be a fan of this one as well.

[ He rolls his sleeve up to show off the glowing graveyard he got last time he was here. There’s also a colony of bats below it, clearly done at a different time in a different place by a tattooist with far less experience. It’s all very spooky, though. ]

[doubledead]

_{[Jack leans down to get himself a good look, grinning wide. He traces the shape of the tombstones in the air mere inches from Eddie's skin. He is just tickled to death by this--he wouldn't have thought the boy interested in such things judging by his disposition. But that's what he gets for judging! Jack is listening and learning.]}

I love it! I wish I could have tattoos, but I don't have any skin.

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie loves the macabre—when it’s not infiltrating his everyday life and actually scaring him. To be fair, he is definitely handling this a lot better, but it still takes a whole lot for him to not give a little shudder when that skeletal finger comes just a little too close to his arm. ]

Did you ever? Have skin, I mean. Sorry, is that rude? I mean, none of us have skin in the end. By all accounts, I probably shouldn’t have skin right now either, but—

[ His nerves have gotten the better of him, but he realizes and stops himself quickly. He offers an apologetic grin. ]

Sorry.

The Arcanis

[satanicpanics]

The Arcanis;

[ Eddie has never been on a boat before, and he’s surprised by the way it feels so…solid? They’re float on the ocean, but he barely feels the rocking, so he takes advantage of his lack of seasickness and roams the entire ship.

It may not be much of a surprise to those who saw his little handmade D&D invitation on the network or throughout Solvunn, but Eddie Munson is actually a decent artist. He can be found sitting in at the art classes more than once, ignoring the prompt for some time while he experiments with the mediums offered to him. He uses everything at least once, creating a dozen fanciful images of dragons, demons and hypothetical band logos. In the end, however, when he’s finally decided to focus on the prompt, he spends the majority of his time on a rather lovely stylized ink portrait of an older man smoking a cigarette. He never seems particularly happy with it, constantly going back in to edit and make changes. If he doesn’t stop, he’s going to ruin it, so he turns to the person beside him. ]

Alright, be honest. Am I one corner sun away from this looking like a Kindergartener’s father’s day card?

[ He can be found quite often at the lounge. He spends some time trying to lure the bard off stage, feeling too enclosed for a good old fashioned heckling. When that doesn’t work, he takes for the gambling tables. He sidesteps around the game with the needle slug at first, making good use of dice, darts, and cards—and it is especially hard for him to ignore a game with a name like Dragon Egg. He plays several rounds of that one—maybe one too many rounds, after which you can find him dozing on one of the couches.

When he’s had maybe just a bit too much to drink, the Long Embrace game starts to look very tempting, and he’ll try to reel the nearest person into playing it with him. ]

Hey, dude. Come hold a slug with me. It’ll be fun.


Skyline Sea;

[ If someone should come stand beside Eddie on deck during the sea creature migration, he hushes them loudly before they can even open their mouth—even if they never intended to—and grips their shoulder without even looking at them. ]

Do you see that?

[ His voice is hushed with awe. It’s an amazing sight, enormous whales and glowing jellyfish floating their way through the stars, but Eddie is pointing to the back of the group his eyes enormous as the golden serpent zigzags its way across the sky. ]

That’s a dragon. [ He lets out a soft huff of a laugh, practically unblinking as he stares in awe. ]

Or a wyvern, but—shit, who even cares? There’s a lot of shit I thought I’d never see, but that was definitely always at the top.


Banquet;

[ Now this? Eddie has no interest in. He had put up a real fight about it, arguing that “no one would know” if he stayed on the ship, but that was incorrect. People would know, and this is apparently not optional. So he dresses nicely, ties his hair back, and pretends to look interested when he’s spoken to.

He’s not a politically savvy young man; far from it, in fact. He has no questions, no comments. He has a number of concerns, but no way to voice any of them in a way that sounds intelligent. He just feels like an idiot, like everyone else is speaking another language. There’s a whirlwind of gossip around him, and he has no idea how important any of it is.

He spends most of the time fidgeting in his seat, drumming his fingers against the table, looking bored to tears and using one-word answers to any questions he’s asked.

But he’s also very clearly about to doze off, head nodding dangerously close to his plate. Please, someone kick him under the table.]

skyline sea

[theidlemaiden]

[ Without the warmth from roaring bonfires the cold is much more apparent on board The Arcanis. That alone should have been enough of a deterrent for Hilda, but she's reluctant to miss out on an annual occurrence, especially one that was hyped up to her as an event that wasn't to be missed.

She looks ridiculous bundled up in two fur blankets but at least the cold's bite has dampened. As the creatures begin their migration she's quick to shuffle up to the railing beside a random person whose hand immediately jostles her slightly off her centre of gravity earning a brief glare.

It's short lived though. The sight of creatures floating through the air is breathtaking. She's seen wyverns and pegasi take flight, but there's something ethereal. The moonlight glints off the water left on their bodies like precious jewels and as they pass overhead, a fine stardust-like mist is left in their wake filling her with a sense of childlike wonder.

Shushing and jostling seemingly forgiven, Hilda lets out a laugh, her gaze trained on the creatures becoming smaller and smaller in the sky. ]

It didn't have any legs though! It looked more like a flying snake - a really vicious one.

[satanicpanics]

[ Hilda would be the expert. Indiana doesn’t get many dragons or wyverns, unless they’re the type you roll dice for in the Hawkins High drama room, but Eddie has been obsessed with them since he was a kid. Devoured every fantasy book he could, drew them in the columns of his schoolwork,

Abraxas scares Eddie sometimes, but actually being able to see these things with his own two eyes? Just might have made dying worth it. He rolls his eyes and shoots her a sideways glance from his own bundle of blankets, pulled over his head like a wizard's hood, and lets out a huff of soft laughter. ]

Hey, not all dragons have legs. No wings and no legs, then it’s a snake. But yes wings and no legs? I think they’re called Amphipteres.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Expert on wyverns? She could be persuaded to admit that if someone really pressed her. Growing up she would have jumped at any chance to ride a pegasi and had at the behest of Holst who had been weak for his little sister's pleas. But riding a wyvern? She never would have thought she would do that voluntarily in a million years. Funny how things worked out that way.

But Hilda isn't sure she'd ever want to be considered an expert on dragons. That would mean seeing them again it was unlikely that would be in a fun scenario if her one and only experience was anything to go off of. That reluctance and sometimes recurring nightmare doesn't stop her from turning to face him with an amused smile. ]

Okay, Mr. Dragon Expert. I said it looked like a snake, not that it was one. What else do you know about amphipteres?

arcanis.

[gynvael]

[ Art is not why Geralt is here. He is not an artist. He is the opposite of an artist, in fact. No, he's ducked into this room because it's one of the places on this damn boat he knows Yennefer is unlikely to be. Not that he is...avoiding her. Not like that, not anymore. But Thorne's people are here, in tight quarters. Last time someone noticed they were friendly, the outcome wasn't. Pleasant.

He'd prefer not to tempt fate any more than he already has.

Geralt is, as a result, at the opposite end with a quill and a parchment scroll. He's shortly joined by a guest who will not shut up, undeterred by Geralt's deep frown. That's when he gathers his shit, brings it over to the nearest quieter table he can find—and realizes that it's occupied by the young man who landed in his domain some weeks back. Eddie.

A small pause passes, one that may or may not give Eddie a chance to glimpse what he's been working on: a series of plain technical drawings of the wildlife around Nocwich, each labelled with a tidy but archaic-looking script. What it lacks in creative soul (utterly devoid, frankly; this is work, not art), it makes up for in precision. ]

Ah. [ He isn't awkward, exactly. He's just not sure Eddie wants a conversation with him after the last time they interacted. Still, a question's been laid. He glances at the inked portrait. Unfamiliar though Eddie's phrasing is, he can grasp the meaning behind it. Honesty's never been a problem for him. ] Keep it like that. It's nice. [ He motions towards the chair. ] You mind?

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie would be lying if he said he hadn’t been thinking about what happened in Geralt’s domain on a regular basis. When he first arrived here, his death was a memory he successfully managed to distance himself from, pushing it to the back of his mind, taking up other duties and hobbies just to keep himself from thinking about it. But that event brought it back to the forefront, and it will not be dampened down like it would before.

But there are no hard feelings. He knows it wasn’t really anyone’s fault. It was the Singularity acting up, paired with Eddie being at the wrong place at the wrong time. He still thinks Geralt is the coolest person he has ever seen in his life, and he’s pretty sure he would give anything for white hair at this point. So he shakes his head, and he gestures to the empty seat with his pen. ]

It’s a free ship. And unlike some people?

[ Grinning, he nods his head towards the chattering guest who Geralt just fled from. ]

I usually know when to shut up.

[ It’s a struggle, but he takes the other man’s advice and pushes his portrait away, opting instead for a fresh piece of paper, though his eyes are on the work in Geralt's hand. ]

Not to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but what's that you're working on?

[gynvael]

[ There's the lightest amused huff at that remark. One might think he's used to nonsensical chatter; in a way, he is. But his tolerance for it is reserved for a certain bard.

He settles on the chair. His eyes follow the portrait as Eddie puts it aside. Someone important? He considers asking. Decides to hold off on it when Eddie speaks up first.

Geralt offers Eddie the page, if he wants a closer look. The last unfinished sketch on it is a lumbering tree-like beast, absent of any intricate details he considers irrelevant. One of his more unusual encounters in those woods. ]

Before this world, I thought I'd seen every monster to exist.

[ Now there are dozens more. It's strange, to feel as though he's learning anew. He's always know exactly what he's looking at. Now he suddenly doesn't. ]

Skyline Sea

[itookashot]

[ Jesper isn't easily wow'ed by anything, but this is truly far and beyond anything he's been able to see. He has bright green jacket pulled tightly around him for the cold instead of keeping one of the blankets, but he has mulled wine in his hand and he simply watches. He's come up next to Eddie really to get a good view, and he ignores the hush but the hand on his shoulder has him glancing over.

He follows where he's pointing and his eyes open wide, a smile so bright that it could overtake his entire face as he looks at it. ]

I've wanted to see a dragon my whole damn life. Even something adjacent to it.

[ He admits, on the same page about that. He doesn't know if it is an actual dragon. It looks like a serpent maybe. But it is spectacular either way. ]

I thought Nocwich had interesting animals in their hunting grounds, but look at that. And the pretty creatures with the glowing tendrils things, amazing.

[ Jesper's enthusiasm is on par with the stranger and he smiles. He pulls out magical magnifying glasses and offers them over to Eddie. He was going to use them but whatever, it seems nice to be in this moment with someone else. ]

They'll let you see everything closer.

[ They're a magical and fashionable version of binoculars, able to let the person wearing them see things vividly from far away. ]

[satanicpanics]

Holy shit.

[ He blinks when he puts on the, quite frankly, incredibly cool glasses, and lets out a chuckle of delight as the serpent comes into sharper view. Anyone would be able to tell that he’s happy, and the look on his face can really only be compared to that of a kid on Christmas morning. He doesn’t speak after that. Instead, he watches in silent awe, hands clasped together and practically holding his breath, until the serpent finally slips off into the horizon. ]

Thanks, man. Sorry I shushed you like that. I was just kind of in the moment, you know?

[ He lets out a whoosh of breath, folds the glasses up and hands them back to Jesper with a grin. ]

Only problem with that? Now I’m gonna wish I could see it every goddamn day.

[itookashot]

[ Jesper smiles and lets him have them. He looks very happy and it's endearing, so it seems very easy to have him enjoy the moment. He can see just fine from here, also quiet as they both seem to take it in. It's like nothing he has ever seen before. As strange as this place is, it really gives moments of absolute sublime beauty and madness. ]

No worries, mate, I was right there with you.

[ He takes the glasses back and puts them back in his coat, them seemingly disappearing into an unseen pocket, because it is for him. He has a dozen hidden pockets in his coat alone, all moving open and closed at his will. Jesper gets a good look at him and there is nothing particularly subtle about the intrigued once-over gray eyes give. ]

For all the shit this place can be, it's never boring. There are a lot of legends of things like that at home, but they're just that. Far as I know.

[ Then again, so were Sun Summoners! Until Saint Alina came along and proved it very true. Jesper thinks it would be marvelous if all those legends were true. Wouldn't that be something? Of course, over in his port town they'd never be seeing it for themselves. ]

I'm Jesper Fahey.

arcanis - art classes 8)

[vecna]

[They share one thing in common: Henry’s never been on a boat before, either. Yet his thoughts run parallel to Eddie’s, in that it hardly feels as though it rocks on the waves at all, and the smooth sailing means he get to avoid finding out whether or not he suffers from seasickness, either.

Still. What is a man to do to kill time in the meanwhile? Not much really garners his attention—even people-watching is tainted by his innate cynicism, the commentary in his mind that is so very rarely flattering—but the art classes do draw him in. And the prompt itself is easily fulfilled, though Henry has wandered away from his own spot to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes: being nosy.

After all, if some of the Summoned are willingly putting images of what’s important to them to paper? How can he not look?

When Eddie turns to him with a question, Henry pauses and leans forward, just a tad, to inspect the drawing of a man. It looks as though he’s put care into it.]

No, I think it’s far from that. It’s better than most of what I’ve seen.

[satanicpanics]

[ At least they’re unlikely to be sick on one another, and that’s always a positive, especially in an enclosed space.

Eddie gives the portrait of his uncle one last scrutinizing look, then slides it away. He knows he’s going to overwork it and mess it up if he keeps picking at it, so he opts instead to overwork another drawing: a colony of bats that might come across as especially morbid to anyone who knows what happened to him, which is mainly just Steve. ]

You mean, uh...old man Johnson’s stick figure family over there?

[ Grinning, he nods across the table at a chatty older gentleman who is working rather intently on a group portrait of a dozen of grandchildren—all in the form of crudely drawn stick figures. Eddie snorts, more amused than unkind. ]

Yeah, not exactly a masterpiece. But something is better than nothing. Just spectating, or...?

[ He glances up with a very pointed look. No, he is still not over so many people wanting to spectate his D&D game… ]

[vecna]

[A pale brow arches.]

Yes, definitely better than that one. A stick figure family isn’t exactly what I’d call inspired, either.

[Very rote, very trite. Utterly vapid. Not to mention it just isn’t any good.

Henry smiles, though, the expression barely reaching his eyes, like the criticism is a sort of quietly shared joke between them. But really, his gaze hasn’t wandered away from the two drawings Eddie’s sketched out — the man, and the massive colony of bats, strange and overwhelming, even on paper.

Interesting.]

...Hm? Oh, no, I’m not just spectating this time. Promise. [Blue eyes lift to indicate where he’s seated himself, on the other side of the room. His own art can’t be seen at this angle.] But I also wanted to see what everyone else was coming up with.

You don’t mind, do you?

slug time.

[marlbro]

[ Oh, hey. It's the D&D guy.

Jerry lets himself be pulled in without even trying to escape. He comes over if beckoned, or is just as easily physically dragged toward the game, which he eyes with interest. ]

Okie-dokie.

What're we holding the slug for?

hell yeah slug time

[satanicpanics]

I dunno. Shits and giggles, I guess.

[ He hasn’t really put much thought into it, or what the point of the game even is. If he did, he’d probably realize it’s not the best idea he’s ever had, but right now? All his ale-addled mind currently knows is that it’s the one game he has yet to play, and he’s going to remedy that with his new best friend--whose name he doesn't know. ]

But if I'm gonna go so far as to hold a slug with you, I should probably get your name or something, dude. I'm Eddie.

[marlbro]

Sweet. I'm in.

[ Jerry beams. ]

Whoops, my b. Forgot about the whole intros thing.

I'm Jerry.

Honored to hold a slug with you, Eddie.

banquet

[ordinar]

[Wilhelm trudges through much the same struggle as Eddie. His political opinions are limited to things like maybe Thorne shouldn't have incincerated the shit out of Libertas and please don't pull me aside for questioning. The only difference is that he's borne this struggle dozens of times before, so while he despises these stuffy affairs, he's better equipped to at least pretend that he isn't completely lost. Though, he's never learned how to fake enthusiasm convincingly.

Seeing that Eddie is about to make a pillow of his plate, he nudges his shin with his foot. He whispers to him underneath the conversation that occupies the rest of the table.]

Wake up.

[Not a reprimand, but a gentle reminder. Personally, he doesn't care if anyone decides this time is better spent catching up on sleep. He just wants to save Eddie from unwanted attention and potential embarrassment.]

Try drinking a little. [He lifts his eyebrows, his expression a little conspiratorial.] It might make things more interesting.

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie’s opinions lean heavily on the I dunno, ask someone else side of things. It’s not that he doesn’t want to understand, but his lack of interest in the subject and inability to grasp the finer details make it very difficult to even pretend to be interested.

Just as his nose is about to dip dangerously close to his food, he snaps his head up with a soft snort. ]

Shit.

[ He grumbles it out loud, just quiet enough to avoid drawing the attention of anyone else. He scrubs his face with his hands, tucks a stray piece of hair back, sits up straight, and tries to look at least somewhat attentive and put together. ]

Thanks, man.

[ He appreciates it, and takes Wilhem’s advice and immediately reaches for his glass. ]

I don’t know about you, but I think I’m gonna need just a little more than this to make this evening even a little interesting. This is not really my scene.

[ordinar]

[Wilhelm reaches for his glass too, raising it in a sympathetic toast to Eddie. The wine inside is a deep red that makes him suspicious despite the kitchen staff's reassurance that it contains no blood. Taking his own advice, Wilhelm brings the glass to his lips. No, he doesn't look old enough to drink, but one of the perks of living in an archaic fantasy world is that there's no such thing as a legal drinking age.]

It's not really mine either.

[In spite of all that supposed "good breeding" and whatever. He gives Eddie a small smile.]

Good thing we ended up at the same table, right?