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

→ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴛᴏᴡᴇʀ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴜʀᴄʜ ʙᴇʟʟꜱ ᴄʜɪᴍᴇ

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo's not entirely sure where she's going, only that sometimes (if she's being honest, a lot of times) lately, there being five of them tripping over each other, is getting a bit maddening. It's not even the number that bothers her. The number has been proportionately larger and has still been fine. The number isn't the problem; the space is. She was already getting to the pin-head of this problem back home, but now they're stuck on and in increasingly smaller locations they can't leave, and it's needling up from under her skin, and since it's a goddamn boat she can't even do anything about it here like she might at home.

Except get out for a while.

It’s nothing anyone specifically said or did this time.

Just the need for the space, to send herself down some hallways and into the areas where none will end up in likely, thus avoiding the bars and gambling halls for the moment. It's a massive boat, whatever the renaissance reject world wants to call a cruise ship, but its walls stretch as she walks & she knows even upstairs, where you can see into the distance but can't pass a rail, won't feel like enough space either. There are days yet for that. It has to bide.

Eventually, Jo falls into one of the flowing crowds, not entirely watching where she or they are going, only that it is getting a bit noisier as they're reaching another larger set up area, with a handful of closed and open rooms. There are some lines but she can’t remember having ever ended up wherever this is before now.

[familysucks]

Michael doesn't find himself thrilled with the overly familiar cabin arrangements either. In his case, though, the company is the issue. Wanda is a presence he's no longer totally certain he can trust, and her beau seems eternally seasick. He whines enough to be counted as at least three people. It's absurd to have forced someone like him into accepting sleeping arrangements in the first place. Michael takes strolls on the deck to alleviate those eight hour stretches of overnight boredom, but just as often winds up being herded back to the cabin.

As if he's going to fall off. As if he couldn't fly himself back onto the ship if he did. As if he's up to something. Who do they take him for, Lucifer?

At least during the day he's left to explore the ship mostly unrestricted. Trying to wander into some of the service areas gets one turned away, but there's still space and people enough that simple observation has kept him engaged thus far.

He's weaving through the current crowd, looking to pass into a quieter area of the ship, when he nearly bumps into her. Michael takes a quick glance around. He doesn't see any of the Winchesters in the area, and he doesn't sense any of his brothers in proximity. How convenient to find her yet again unaccompanied by hostile company.

"Jo," he greets. "Enjoying being trapped on a boat with your fellow Summoned?"

His tone says that he is getting very close to being done with this trip.

[tobeclosetohim]

There's a fast second where the cut of her gaze sharpens as the guy's words start—where Jo's about ready to say where she thinks people can stick this 'pleasure cruise'—but he calls it what it is. It even sounds like the few words he chose might not be the strongest ones of his own opinion. Maybe there's some mollification in that, even if it doesn't dramatically brighten her expression. It just gets closer to somewhere around the neutral middle.

Jo's voice has nothing on that earlier passing expression of hers, though. It's all mocked sass with only the faintest pangs of sharpness under it, claws still well pulled in. "What's there not to love about being on an oceanic cattle car?"

There was a small, very brief wrinkle of her nose as she studied him, and while she's had a reason to be good at names in the past, it was for longer than five-ten random minute intervals near nothing consisting itself of any brand of work, where remembering might effect something she needed to get later. But there, also, aren't that many people she's met in the betweens yet. So it pays off for both of them.

"It was Michael, right?"

[familysucks]

Michael nods an affirmative.

"Was and still is."

Well-remembered on Jo's part. It's almost funny to think of his name as so common on Earth it might be forgettable. Not one member of the Heavenly Host ever had reason to ask 'Michael who?' Forgetting names isn't a thing that happens to angels in the first place. The name of each and every one of his siblings is still there in the back of his mind, if he cared to read them, like an invisible memorial wall.

These are dark thoughts for what's supposed to be a comfortable voyage, albeit for the sake of easing political tensions rather than for the simple pleasure of their captive audience. He lets a shade of it show through in his expression. Let her believe he's just unhappy to be here. A least a quarter of the other passengers are, and he's no exception.

Michael isn't bothered by her expression, for that matter. He doesn't often wear a cheery look. It's like looking into a mirror to his own mood. Even better than that, it is confirmation he is not alone in his irritation.

"They are at least not asking us for meat or milk—yet. Were you headed anywhere in particular?"

There's a break in the line of people headed down the hallway and he makes for it, expecting her to follow. He wouldn't mind somewhere quieter.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo's vaguely pleased to have remembered it, but that's as far as it goes with the random Nocwich guy. However, it doesn't hurt anything to see a vaguely familiar person who isn't one of the boys, someone else concerned about Dean's Everything. Even with a bag of squished feathers forever in her pocket, endlessly being collected, sometimes she needs to breathe away from it.

(She errantly wonders about crossing decks and talking to some Thorne magic types. Later.)

His response gets a bit of a brow furrow, wondering if that's some reference she's supposed to get. If it's from whichever of the other two places everyone's from. She doesn't remember which of those he was. (Hypothesis: Not Thorne, given. Well. Look at him.) It had not been all that important at the time. Not knocking the guy, but neither had he on a mostly dull afternoon in the middle of nowhere.

Jo was about to answer, but then the break in the crowd formed, and he guy, tall as all get out, somehow squeezed himself in, and Jo was not about to let the hole close up since he was still waiting on an answer. She slides past a last lady before she's back at his side. "Hadn't settled on anything yet. But I am curious what all this is about."

These lines. The people. "I think it's up there."

[familysucks]

Michael used to be concerned with Dean's everything, in the over-invested way only an angel needing a body could be. He's over it now. He's been over it ever since the moment it became clear he was never going to get his perfect vessel, if he's honest. Adam had proven a more than suitable match.

Associating with a close friend of Dean's is maybe not consistent behaviour with being over it, but the number of Summoned to interact with is only so large. She might try to stab him if she knew he's Michael as in the celestial original, but that's still more trustworthy than some of the natives.

No one's told Michael he looks like he's from anywhere in particular yet, so he hasn't had to decide what he thinks of being localized based on Adam's face. On the one hand, looking like he's into pagan rituals and animal sacrifice is quite the insult to fling at an angel; on the other, religious and family-oriented are right on the nose. It'll remain undecided until someone voices the thought.

"Perhaps they're headed to look at the turtle," he suggests, wry. It's a comment on how monotonous being stuck on a ship is getting that watching the turtle sun itself might attract a crowd. Charlie is a fine conversationalist for those so gifted, however.

"The games and gambling lounge are back in the other direction, so I take it this is some other activity."

He follows the line, this time from outside the crush of people. Might at least be worth seeing what all the interest is for.

I return from the crazy last few days!

[tobeclosetohim]

"Are people actually talking to that turtle?" Jo's question is with a dubious look over at him.

As much as she gets that she's stuck on a boat, after being stuck in a random nation city, is for stupid politics that happened to get a lot of people dead very fast, the whole turtle thing sounds ridiculous as all get out. Even with the whole of the floating animals and the weird, annoying necessity to still not be able to kill werewolves thing running on lowgrade like fiberglass against her skin, talking to a turtle still felt very out in No-Land.

She didn't need to know about some magical sunken Atlantis of this world.

"Have you checked out the games and all that?"

Jo's been skirting a lot of things. She's spent time reading the books she's got hidden in her room in the Horizon, spotlighted in on cards and gambling games, but mostly she's been restless and not wanted to play along with the whole kidnapped and imprisoned 'for your own good' game. But who knows, maybe the guy had made the rounds of it all.

♥

[familysucks]

"I believe most are simply looking. Though for those so gifted, there are certainly worse people to talk to on this ship."

Michael gives Jo a contemplative look, as if evaluating whether or not that subset of Summoned includes her. He's relatively certain she can't speak to animals. He has no idea how long she's been in Abraxas or what gains she may have made in that time, however. Based on her tone, it's a moot point.

He gives a light shrug. He passed by the gaming halls and watched a few people play. He's unfamiliar with most games as it is, but seeing people pass around a live slug and tempt it to stinging them seemed particularly foreign. He'd felt little desire to participate.

"I've observed a few rounds. I never had much time for leisure back home, and I never developed much of an interest in games. Family, work obligations, you understand."

He thinks she gets half of it, anyway. Hunters strike him as both dedicated to their fellows and as bound to their jobs as he was to his purpose, but the human desire for fun seems universal. Going without recreation or relaxation might be unique to angels.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo meets that considering look settled on her with a faint raise of eyebrows. Clearly aware, and maybe even a little amused, but not giving the slightest away, even though she's not confident at all what he's suddenly decided to check out over on her side against those words. Even for all that his remains (as it seems to near always be too serious), there's an edge to her smile that touches almost flirty challenge.

Nothing like she might across her bartop, whether severe or sassy or arrogant, but just enough there to make her expression half-curious and half i'm-always-ready-for-stupid-boy-nonsense bravado. There's no telling which part of that sentence she's been put to the test or task of.

"I do." Things were a lot like those two things, honestly. There was her mother, and there was hunting; those were the only two things. She'd left home for one, and her mother had found her again years later and joined her on the road. Family, and The Job. It's all there was behind her, and crazy as it sounded? It was all she wanted back, too.

"Not having either here actually has me hella restless a lot of the time."

Though it wasn't quite true, she didn't have family here.

[familysucks]

Flirty of any intensity is not an emotion that Michael can parse. Is that look a challenge of some kind? He displays raised eyebrows of his own for a moment, then his expression settles back into neutral as he looks ahead once more.

He wouldn't find it so crazy that she has only two things to return to. Michael has few tether points of his own.

"What would you rather be doing, if you had your choice? Anything at all."

Don't call him curious—he'd be insulted. All the same, he wonders what hunters who are not Dean Winchester crave. Violence, quiet, something between the two? He might only get a half-truth, or an outright lie, but those answers in and of themselves can reveal something.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel: a few people filtering into an open door down the hall. Michael can't see into the room beyond from this angle. Though there's a room number nearby, there are no signs outside that give away its current purpose either.

[tobeclosetohim]

That's so, so, so sad. Michael. Jo is sad for you. She will weep you a river. Or she would be if she knew. Which honestly, she's doesn't not entirely as he continues to stare at her in that way, as though it's gone right over his head. Still attentive and not the slightest amused. But not annoyed either. Blankly oblivious. This one might take some work, but he should definitely not always look like this.

Not that she's got that right to judge. She's known the guy for a total of maybe 30 minutes, counting these five. But. Still. He could twitch the edge of his mouth even once or twice,, so she knows he's alive in there in any fashion other than the rapt attention of that steady, serious, drilling gaze.

"Hunting." It's an easy answer and even.
Faster and truer than her next heartbeat.

And after the last six months, where it's her job here (even if it's not her job at all), people accept it as an answer without getting what she means at all. Jo's hand hooks a door frame, to try and glance in before ending up in some kind of kum ba yah sharing circle, but even as she does it grousing starts up behind her about 'holding up the line.'

[familysucks]

He'd be insulted by her pity if he knew about it. Prior to his stay in Hell, he'd been running Heaven in his Father's place. Viceroy of Heaven was a heavy title for what could sometimes be compared to herding cats, given his younger siblings' inclination to self-destructive decisions. Where had there been time for fun and leisure in bringing about the Apocalypse?

As it is, he maintains his stiff demeanour. For a guy without a soul, he thinks he's doing pretty well.

"Really," he says, without sounding the least bit surprised. How that reads, he wouldn't know. Maybe just someone from a region where hunting's a common pastime. Maybe an archangel that knows what she really means by 'hunting'. He's not giving the latter away. "Have you tried the Hunting Woods in Nocwich? I hear they're a challenge."

Michael hasn't bothered trying them out himself. His temper is not the kind that demands blood until pushed to the breaking point. Slowly stalking prey through the dark doesn't really appeal to him. He suspects it might at least soothe the itch of someone used to the Winchesters' brand of hunting. Creatures that are rare enough to be believed by many not to exist in their world are common in Abraxas. Their wildlife might as well be monsters.

He takes a spot in the door frame, doing the same kind of window shopping Jo is despite the sharp comments from people trying to pass. Michael takes in the tables loaded with clay, paints, paper and other colourful supplies. Vessel memories are his only reference point for the display: kindergarten arts and crafts, high school art classes.

"I don't think this is my area."

Creating is not his strong suit.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo throws him a look for his question—not so much avoidant, as unable to answer right away, or maybe even uncertain if it matters since no one else's asked at all how she's doing with that—before looking to the people behind them hemmed in by their stopping the flow of the lines right there at the door, as though they can't see them or can't, or do and are ignoring their slowly growing angry-bee hum.

People don't ask because most of them don't get it; get her. Raised the way no one else in their life ever has been, and in that, coming at it from such a different angle that no one seems to recognize, either in its happening or the slow, unending suffocation of its deprivation. It's frustration on multiple levels in that way, and even when it's not something she expects any of the four people living with her to truly gets, it's a weight to carry that they just ... don't. Like they're missing seeing who she is in totality, even as they keep her with them.

"Tell me you're not afraid of children's art supplies."

Before he can even answer, her eyes narrow a little. Which might look serious if her mouth were sliding crooked and her head tilting. "Come make a terrible eye-sore offense to all art anywhere with me, and maybe I'll answer a few more of your questions."

[familysucks]

Her expression is definitely a challenge this time, albeit a joking one. Michael's been around people long enough to recognize this is not an occasion to stretch out his wings and let the grace flash in his eyes. He straightens anyway, posture stiffer than before.

"I am not afraid of anything. I am simply not a child."

Michael doesn't get her either, but that's part of what led him to ask his question in the first place. He's not sure the answer is worth—whatever this is. He takes another look around the room, this time noting the groups of people chatting quietly amongst each other as they begin to pick at the materials on offer. It is distinctly nonthreatening. They are not children, either.

What's the alternative, anyway? He goes back out into the halls and keeps circling the ship for a few more hours, until they're called to dinner. Then he gets to sit through a banquet he won't eat, after which another overnight waiting period begins because most of their guests actually need to sleep.

He sighs. Fine. He'll do the art thing. He does not move out of the doorway with any particular hurry, but forward movement prevents the crowd behind them from resorting to shoving.

[tobeclosetohim]

There's a small laugh under her breath at his instant reaction, like a cat dropped in water or a child scolded. Jo's pretty positive he's full of shit. Everyone's afraid of something, and those who aren't are just psycho. It's a pretty sane baseline. But it makes it even better to just smile blandly at him before—on random impulse—her hand wraps his wrist, and she drags him toward one of the nearest tables of craft supplies.

"Well. Maybe this will help you get back in touch with your inner child,
or whatever nonsense it is people say about this type of thing."

At least it didn't look like they were in a room with people who had a fantastic amount of skill from what she could see so far. There were worse ways to blow off an hour that didn't involve gambling, collecting loose angel feathers, or tiptoeing around Dean's constant irritation with everything from the sun rising on down.

"It doesn't have to be nice, you know. No rules or whatever. Pick something you like.
Or, hell, make an effigy to something you hate and burn it later."

[familysucks]

'Psycho' is such a harsh word. He's just an archangel. The claim that he's entirely unafraid of anything at all is an exagerration, though. Michael fears God, and he fears the Darkness. It's a short list but they're both expansive entities.

His eyes flick to his wrist as Jo's fingers close on him. The handcuff incident was months ago by now, but it's still one of his most recent misfortunes. He was headed into the room anyway, so he lets himself be pulled along in the direction of the nearest empty table. They are not, however, moving a single step faster than his begrudging pace permits.

"Inner child?"

He's heard that expression before, but he can't quite grasp its meaning. Maybe it's because he's never been a child. The only thing he's used to having on the inside is a human soul. Could he count Adam as his inner child, or was he too old? At least Adam had known what it was to be young and to mature in the human way.

"I don't see the point in making something only to destroy it." With remarks like that, Jo might have some insight into his Father's mindset. He's intrigued despite himself. "What are participants supposed to be making?"

Michael's eyes are back on the wider room, scanning for clues. He sees works in progress that span all sorts of categories: animals, trees, places. If the inspiration is 'anything at all', he's at a loss.

[tobeclosetohim]

It shouldn't be endearing—in the way that makes her want to laugh, just let it bubble up taunted amusement—when Micheal bunts back those two words like it's something utterly foreign. An object she shoved into his hands, and he wasn't at all sure how to carry. She leaves that to him, as he doesn't fight her hand or being pulled through the room by her. Slow is still movement.

No, instead, with maybe the air of someone who has imperiously won something, smile tucked in crooked and deep at one corner. Still, not looking back on purpose, Jo only settles her gaze to sweep the table of a billion odds and ends she has not seen like this since somewhere at the beginning of high school. At the far end is a pile of instruction sheets, and Jo let go to reach for one of those instead.

"It says—" Comes with fanfare, even as she's still pulling it back to herself, and rocking back on her feet, blonde waves falling down her shoulders. Eyes scanning it once. Then again, the sentence left to hanging. Until. "—to depict someone or something meaningful from home."

She says it lightly, but it feels a little too ironic. On the nose.

What the fuck is she going to do with that?

[familysucks]

She may be able to say it without irritation, but Michael lets his tone and expression say exactly what he thinks about the suggested activity. He furrows his brows and lets his voice dip lower, judgemental. At least it's not directed at Jo. That instruction sheet is on thin ice, though.

"Given that this is all meant to be in the name of a sensitive diplomatic event, that seems rather personal."

He does not know these people well enough to give them any information on what is meaningful to him, even if it's not anything present in this world. Although, he supposes he could simply put an image of his own face to paper and have Jo and everyone else around him believe that he's self-absorbed. Giving that impression wouldn't bother him (and would not be entirely wrong, though you won't catch Michael thinking or saying so).

"An exchange of portraits?" he suggests instead.

They're both going to be at this for a while. She'll have a subject; he'll have a subject. Not very creative, but it strikes him as the most logical alternative.

[tobeclosetohim]

"Art usually is," Jo answers, without looking up from the paper, without thinking about it. She knows shit about art outside of high school, to begin with, not that the careful levelness of her voice, lost or heard, would give much of that away.

She left her home.
She lives in her home.

She stood in it broken around her.

There's a lot about those three things she does not want to fucking think about while trying to put something on paper. Even the idea of relating it to Mag's grinds something in the center of her bones. She loves the place, and it's nice and all, but it's a renaissance reject hotel, and she's tired of that. And trying to wrangle kittens in the shape of redwood tree boys across it.

Jo looked back up at his words, a small crease pressed into her brow. Just briefly enough to catch before it vanished. It sinks into the replacement of a shrug. "Sure, why not. If it doesn't work, I'm only promising you a stick figure with some hair and pants."

But even as she's tossing that over a shoulder,
she's picking up some paper, some lapboards, and pencils.

[familysucks]

Oblivious to Jo's inner turmoil, Michael takes a seat at the table. It's the final step in committing to what is definitely a half-mad idea. Being in Abraxas in the first place is not consistent with reality as he knows it, however, so sitting down to play at being human under the guise of whatever Jo imagines Michael to be seems no more senseless than anything else he could be doing at this moment.

"Is that what separates art from simple illustration? A personal connection?"

That's a genuine question. So far as Michael is able to distinguish, what makes a piece of art is that it gets placed in a museum. He's not prepared to identify what's fit for a gallery on his own.

He waits for Jo to take her own seat before accepting his half of the art supplies. Then he selects a pencil—the most symmetrical of the lot, not that the difference is particularly obvious or significant—and tests it at different angles against a sheet of paper. Michael's done more writing in a few months here than he did in hundreds of thousands of years back home, but he's still not familiar with doing anything other than simple straight lines.

It's more than obvious he has not had much, if any, occasion to draw before.

"Well. I hear it's the effort that counts."

Michael is more of a results man himself, but he can appreciate anyone who's willing to put in a little work to produce something.

[tobeclosetohim]

"Hell, if I know. I've never been an artist. Or an art snob," is easily airy as Jo drops in the seat facing the guy. Give her a little time, and she could build a casefile checked sixty ways from Sunday or categorize any kind of random hunter lore into a ship-share, cross-continent-locatable repository. And those were the kind of beautiful that cut like a knife. But art itself? Not really. Not outside of the barest sketches if and when they'd ever been needed. Which they had printers for.

Well. Had. Huh.

Maybe she should look into sketching.


Jo settled her paper but didn't get a pencil, just studying Michael's face. That wrinkle in his brow. The something on it that looked less like the consternation she first thought it was and more like uncertainty being worn like shoes two sizes too big. The cast of his glance. The hold of his mouth.