· OPEN ·

[carmesi]

WHO: Anyone and everyone in Solvunn!
WHAT: Mingle for the Summoned disguised as Winter Survival Camp™
WHEN: Two days, some time in January after the beached great yawning shark situation has been resolved.
WHERE: Within the boundaries of the Primary Settlement, at the edge of a small forest near a small body of water.

The invitation for camp is made after the beached giant of the sea has been put back into its rightful place in the ocean. It's an idea that had been ricocheting in the minds of those who live in Gardsbruk farm, and after sharing the idea with Aloy, together they've managed to design something that will (hopefully) not raise too many questions. Aloy has scouted a suitable camping area—safe, near water, with lots of space—and has cleared out debris or any obstructions that will make it difficult for people to pitch their own tents.

The Summoned are, of course, all very explicitly invited to join, and they are to disguise this congregation of too many like minds with extending the invitation to children, teenagers, and young adults in the Primary Settlement.

The individuals of the Primary Settlement are, after all, familiar with the majority—if not all—of the Solvunn Summoned. Though cautious as the natives of the commune may be, there is familiarity in the work some of the summoned ones have done to integrate, help, teach, and entertain the younger inhabitants.

And so, for two days, they will continue to integrate, teach, and entertain those who decide to join.

A. WINTER CAMP FUN

Delightfully, Solvunn doesn't suffer from having incredibly cold winters, but it is still chilly and wet enough to make camping a test of wills. However, they're lucky to have Aloy working behind the scenes to get something going.

She will be assigning chores to Summoned and Solvunn natives alike: getting water, gathering firewood, organizing supplies, pitching up tents. Additionally, since this could be new to many, she will be offering instruction in all these things, including how to build a fire, preparing wood for lean-to construction, basic traps for small game like rabbits and fish. If anyone happens to be particularly intrepid (and is not squeamish about it), she can teach them how to prep and cook said small game. Older kids and teens are asked to mind the younger children, and there is always adult supervision around the corner.

Also, maybe check first with someone before eating those mushrooms, and don't go anywhere alone. Use the buddy rule.

It's not all chores at camp, though. Some activities are available to pass the time, from the usual team-building ones to survival to improving a fighting skill. An archery range has been set up, a tightrope for a test of skill and balance, and a drum circle for a moment of singing fun and rhythm blazing are among the activities. Additionally, scavenger hunts in the near vicinity of the forest are set up, with the opportunity to run around and solve puzzles. For those who prefer quieter activities, there is always the small lake to swim into (it's cold! but nothing like a shock to the system—), collecting pebbles from the shore, or simple bird watching.

Of course, every Summoned is welcome to bring their own idea of a fun time to the camp, and whatever spin of an activity they may want to share with the others.

B. CAMPFIRE CHILL

After a long day of running around, jumping into the freezing lake, quiet meditation to garner favor with the gods, and getting energy depleted with the other activities that took place during the day, there is nothing better to end the day with than to have a big, roaring campfire to huddle around while holding onto a delicious, steaming bowl of creamy soup. All ingredients have been locally sourced (with goat cheese and bread available as sides), and now is the time for everyone to wind down. The younger children sleep first, but for those who are older, there is always a drink or two to pass around, stories to tell, and perhaps one of the Summoned will delight the group of Solvunn natives (and other Summoned) with a story of their big feats of heroism (or otherwise) back in their world.

Musical instruments will be made available, should anyone want to break into song. Games like charades will be an interesting concept to introduce the Solvunn natives to. Stargazing is another activity to indulge in should one walk a little ways away from the bonfire to look up at the night sky.

The fire blazes with life with every log of wood thrown into it, and marshmallows roast at the end of branches (some may burn), and the night really winds down the energy of the group, with people going into their respective tents, wanting to build the energy for the last day of camp, full of activities.

C. THE SUMMONED

Obviously, the Summoned are not expected to be, nor stay, during the entirety of the camp. Some can arrive on the last day of, ditch when it's time to set up or put everything away, or simply walk off if they feel bored.

They will, however, be expected to be there for the very first night.

As darkness covers their surroundings, illuminated solely by the light of campfire and torches, and once all Summoned who have decided to attend are in the clearing they had used for the bonfire, Wanda will step up and unfurl her Chaos Magic. With it, she will create a small hex, covering the perimeter of the camp, from the tents to the clearing the Summoned sit at. From the outside, nothing will look amiss: everyone sleeps, the bonfire dwindles as times passes, and from the inside, the Summoned can move about without having to worry that their movements or words will be noted outside of the Hex—an illusion with six walls and a roof, which, from the outside, gives the impression that things are still and without movement, just another night out in the forest.

No one can leave nor enter it, however, without her first bringing the Hex down. Those who are intuitive with magic will take note of the complexity of the spell, but nothing about it will neither change nor modify physical and mental traits of those within it. Its purpose is to solely give them a space to speak while the natives of Solvunn sleep, and remain asleep.

Wanda will have reached to a select few during the camp—those she's aware of magical prowess and mind control abilities—to aid her during the night to make sure the Solvunn natives remain asleep throughout their discussion, and to keep curious ones trying to get into the camp to turn around and return home without getting too close to the Hex.

Here, they can speak freely.

Before the end of the night, and when they have finished talking, she will wait for everyone to return to their tents and bring the hex down with little fanfare. Mind control or other magical trappings are no longer necessary at this point.

( OOC This will take place in one starter thread HERE. It's preferable that it can take place in an e-cats format (quick, short and snappy tags to move the story along), with no order as to who intervenes in the conversation at any given time. As different characters have different information to provide, feel free to start a thread within the starter pertaining with whatever information shared/discussion your character wants to share. Feel free to jump in and branch off, too! It's going to be a little chaotic, but we can suspend disbelief for the sake of info-sharing.

Feel free to assume that your character has heard all the information being shared in the different branching off conversations! No need to respond to claim that they have. If you want to hit a serious or emotional beat, do feel free to write as much as you want; that's fine, too! But be aware that the purpose of the conversation is for it to move along quickly. Feel free to write your own, separate post-conversation threads if you'd like. )

Comments

[satanicpanics]

[ Honestly, despite his rather brash personality, Eddie has never had much more going on his life outside of music and D&D. He’s devoted most of his concentration to those two things alone, and closing himself in his room to figure out the newest Metallica tune or working on his next campaign always just seemed just a little more appealing than anything else.

He knows he’s good. Not good enough for a record deal, but good, and it’s nice to know that he didn’t permanently alter his fingerprints for nothing. When he’s done and the last chord has echoed into the trees, he offers an awkward half-bow and beams. ]

And you wanted me to play Kumbaya.

[ He snorts. Kumbaya will never get its dues, not from him. ]

What do you listen to back home?

[cobrakais]

So, I'm gonna date myself when I say this and you can't make fun of me because I'm confessing something very personal to you but —

( he leans in, almost conspiratorially and murmurs: )

Eighties music. It's so bad but so fun. Gets the feet moving. Does that make me incredibly uncool?

[lightkeeping]

You're not going to break the string.

[A training bow is likely not built to handle the sheer poundage of an actual compound bow, but it's a usable weapon and will take some effort to actually damage. He should be more worried about his grip, lest he snap his fingers again.]

Don't let go of it, either. Put it back slowly, get a feel for how hard you need to pull.

[cobrakais]

Don't let go of it?

( isn't that how you shoot the arrow? god, who knew that archery was so complex. not him. but, he tries to do what she says, pulling it back slowly and wincing because he half expects the string to snap and whip him.

he let's it go and then pulls it back again and waits, glancing over. )

Like this?

[lightkeeping]

[She shrugs, an indication that Steve doesn’t really have to thank her—-it’s not like anyone else is waiting for this seat. The tension in his shoulders doesn’t go unnoticed, and Aloy tilts her head a little in curiosity.]

Not a fan of parties.

[She’d physically escaped from the last one she attended, and that had been thrown in her honor. Predictably, it hadn’t gone over well. Steve’s willingness to play along, however, doesn’t go unnoticed.]

But someone’s got to make nice with the locals. [And lose at charades, apparently.] Just glad it isn’t me.

[lightkeeping]

I don’t know. I don’t talk to them.

[They’re her kidnappers, all things considered, so she has no real desire to fraternize. Hell, she lives in the woods to mostly avoid being roped into their dealings, though with activity around the shrines and rumors of missing villagers, she knows it’s going to come for her sooner rather than later.

Eddie seems to have no such compunctions if it gets him access to what he’s looking for, so she shrugs.]

I just know they do all kinds of offerings to their gods. You probably just need to ask.

[Fake being interested in said rituals, maybe.]

[lightkeeping]

Not yet. I want you to learn how it feels.

[The weight of the weapon in his hands, the pull of the bowstring in his fingers. Once she’s satisfied with the fact that he seems to be slowing down and paying attention, she inserts herself once again.]

Fingers here, and here. Arrow slots into the rest. Then you can pull back and aim.

[cobrakais]

( miracle of miracles, he is actually listening to the advice because he never knows when he might need to use a bow and arrow, right? maybe he'd become an archer, build a new life on that and leave the old one behind.

but probably not.

still, he does as she says and moves his fingers to where she indicates and pulls back again, closing one eye to aim. )

Okay, okay, I could see this as being a good weapon especially from a distance. Get a good arrow shot when they least expect it.

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie snorts and runs a hand across his face, chuckling softly. Normally he’d have something to say about a comment like “it’s so bad” (though, some of it is pretty bad), but Kai’s Big Secret is so absurd, he can’t not laugh. He’s learned about the weird time discrepancies between himself and other Summoned already, but it’s sort of different when he’s in the middle of it. ]

Yeah, no, you know what, man? Where I come from, that makes you very hip and modern. Unless you’re into Air Supply? Then, uh…hate to say it, but there’s no hope for you.

[cobrakais]

I don't even know what Air Supply is so —

( so hey, that makes him cool, right? right. he'd had a lot of time to get acquainted with the music of the eighties and every other decade when he'd been locked away. )

I like a good eighties rock song though. I don't have the hair like you do but I can toss myself around and get into it.

[lightkeeping]

[Probably not, but at least Aloy can say she contributed to slightly less chance of Kai getting killed out in the woods. Provided he picks up a bow and arrow again, of course, though she gets the sense that he might be coming around to it.

Maybe she looks a little proud.]

Keep practicing. Maybe you’ll hit something.

2

[postocular]

[ Being around the campfire as a group makes him feel a little nostalgic, thinking about how many times their groups had done this exact thing as they tried to find the next safe place to call home. Cans of beans or some roasted squirrel that was freshly hunted shared across a fire.

Sometimes there was a guitar, but there was never the Batman theme song. It was mostly gospel music or whatever anyone could remember. It was always nice and put on an air of safety. ]

Okay. Uh... Do you know any David Bowie?

A

[postocular]

[ When the idea about the camp was first pitched to him, Carl definitely made a face. Being forced to live out of a tent and really rough it was already something he'd done more than enough for one lifetime, thanks.. But the prospect of spending time with the other Summoned and having more of a 'summer camp' vibe sounded pretty good. He'd never been to summer camp growing up, but he had gone on a few camping trips with his mom and dad.

So far, it's been pretty fun getting things set up and keeping the kids entertained. Even if he was garbage at balancing and archery. He's working on the second one at least. Guns are just so much easier than a bow and arrow because there doesn't always need to be accuracy. Maybe archery just isn't for him.

He's busying himself by picking up stray branches and dry sticks to use for the fire once the sun goes down when Steve's huff of aggravation stops him in his tracks. Unable to help himself, Carl comes over and peeks down at what Steve is doing and clears his throat. ]

If you're trying to light a fire with that, [ He points at the pile of bigger sticks ] you'd probably have an easier time just using your heat vision.

iii;

[postocular]

[ Carl doesn't know that much about Alloy despite being another Summoned and someone who is just damn good at things when it comes to survival. Watching her through the day in making sure everyone was doing their part and doing it right and the way she quietly commanded attention reminds him so much of the people he misses so dearly it hurts. Her presence and the way she steps in to help is so much like Michonne and his dad. It kind of solidifies in his mind that coming to the camp was a good idea.

There's not a lot of time to socialize until later, but he can't help but notice the tension sitting around the fire or the quick fleeting gazes toward the dark beyond the fire's light. He's no stranger to constant vigilance, but the stoicism and the way she slinks away for solitude is all Daryl. Some people are just solitary and that's fine, but everybody needs a little quiet company, so when she leaves, he quietly follows.

When he catches up to her, trying to be quiet as he walks into the woods, she's laid out and looking at the stars. ]

Is it okay if I join you?

[cobrakais]

That's not very motivational, you know.

( but considering the way he'd been down on archery, the fact that she's helping is probably something.

he brings the bow down and works his jaw back and forth. )

Guess it wouldn't work as well if I just threw the arrow, huh?

[hairington]

[ it is a little weird, but at the same time, pretty much everything steve's been dealing with these last few months has been weird. he'll take nice weird over the alternative. thus, as his fellow near-stranger-summoned scoots over, steve only pauses for a moment - looking at jerry with a what? sweet cheeks? kind of look - before he shakes his head, shakes it off, and goes ahead and takes his spot in the newly free space. ]

I feel like I've seen you around, but we haven't actually like, met met. I'm Steve.

[ and, you know, like a good neighbor steve takes hold of the pipe - hesitating only a second - before he takes a very long drag and hands it back. he doesn't choke on it (he's too cool for that, thank you) but he does look like he's about to cough for a couple of moments. ]

[hairington]

[ whether or not he meant it, steve does laugh a little at that. ]

If it makes you feel any better, I don't see any sheen. But I might be blind to it since I probably have some of my own.

[ new kid club? even if steve's not super super new. just. new enough. ]

[carmesi]

[who this dude? wanda doesn't look like she recognizes him, but she saw him mingling with the other guys earlier.]

Did you catch onto any names?

[ofthesword]

[Man, maybe he has been hanging out with Geralt too much. Or -- what really has happened -- is he's sort of annoyed by this whole thing. That they have to sneak around like this, that Wanda's had to put so much damn energy into the thing just for a bit of secrecy. And he's cooped up in here, 'cause he promised he'd keep the place safe, ward or no ward.

So he's wound up with nothing to do. The least he can do is get a kid to stab him a few times.

Nero offers him the stick-spear, tipping his head towards a bit deeper in the woods. Still under Wanda's hex, but outta the way so no one's gonna get between them mid-stab.]

He's asked me to teach you a bit. More than you can learn in in the Horizon, I guess. 'Cause I'm awesome at this stuff. [Or, more likely, Geralt decided he'd be a safe teacher since Steve couldn't accidentally kill him. Nice of him.] And you weren't too bad at helpin' me last time. [Nero gives him a look over, considering. He's not exactly scrawny, but he's not big, either. Geralt must've seen a reason why.] A mace's not a bad idea. You handle something weighted better?

[cobrakais]

Oh yeah, you still pretty new too?

( hey, he has company. high five or something like that. maybe there's a secret handshake that he gets to learn. )

How long you been here?

[hairington]

Oh...really? Not at all?

[ steve knows people who don't like parties, but it always comes down to finding the right type. right? part of him doesn't think it really matters.

still, he watches some of the other older locals settle in around the campfire, takes notice that there is a definitive separation between them and the summoned. he's not sure what to make of that, but he shakes himself out of the thought a moment later. ]

They're not bad, actually. From what I've heard of the other factions, I'll take- [ he gestures at the party around them. ] And I'll take the games, so you don't have to. [ a small smile. friendly? bonding? maybe? ]

[hairington]

[ steve can sense that much from him. or, rather, he might not know that nero is pent up and frustrated, but there is something tense and restless about him that steve has seen before. something that could have been a more drawn-out, confused back and forth, that is now - instead - a little more ready.

nero offers the stick-spear and points them into a spot still under wanda's ward and steve considers the weapon, turns it in his hands a few times, as he walks over to the spot. ] He told me to find someone in Solvunn to help me in person, but I didn't know he already asked you.

[ it's the I'm awesome at this stuff that has steve's eyes going from the spear to nero, brows up. not incredulously, or even disbelieving, but more oh, huh, cool. ] Is that what you did back home? Fight with weird medieval weapons and shit? [ also, wow, steve is not scrawny thank you very much. it's called being toned. it's also called he hasn't actually been in sports or consistently worked out in about a year, give him a break. ]

Honestly? I don't really know. [ steve spins the stick in his hands a bit like a lacrosse stick, shrugging. ] We used what we could find, so it was a nail bat, since I used to play baseball, or an axe - molotov cocktails too, oh and firecrackers - but I don't really know what I handle better.

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie doesn’t know a single gospel song, nor would he deem to play one if requested, but he has a pretty big catalogue to draw from in his head, and Bowie is pretty firm knowledge. He shoots Carl a look; something that clearly reads somewhere between “do you even have to ask?” and “why would you even doubt me?”

He doesn’t make any disparaging comments, though. He merely snorts and looks amused, strumming a couple chords to busy his fingers. ]

Yeah, I think I know a bit of Bowie. You have a preference, or are we making it dealer’s choice?

[satanicpanics]

Well, good news: there’s hope for you yet.

[ It makes him…closer to cool than he might have been. Eddie still needs to do a bit of digging before he can officially deem him as Truly Cool, but he’s getting there!

And he grins, because yeah, he knows his hair is an actual masterpiece. ]

Which bands are we talking? I mean, there are some people who think Lionel Ritchie is rock— [ Excuse him while he gags ] —so you’ll forgive me for my hesitation.

[marlbro]

Duh. Obviously, dude.

You can't sing Bohemian Rhapsody alone. That'd be insane.

[ He looks around eagerly, trying to spot anyone else who looks interested or like they know what's even being referenced. ]

All right, who's gonna join us? Any takers? You don't even have to know all the words, just make shit up, half of the lyrics are nonsense anyway!