· 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

[lightkeeping]

For hunting.

[Said like it's the most obvious thing in the world. What else would you use a bow and arrow for? Aloy isn't going to force him to learn archery, but she can at least attempt to make him take it more seriously.]

What's your weapon of choice? If it's not available here, you might as well learn to use something else.

[cobrakais]

Lover not a fighter.

( in other words — he's not telling. he doesn't pick up any magic from her so he doesn't think a demonstration is in order so he just plays dumb. )

I guess I could probably throw a punch if needed. Maybe even pick up a gun and fire it but that's definitely not my favorite thing.

[lightkeeping]

I'm guessing you're not a farmer either.

[And yet, she'd be willing to wager they have him tilling fields and watching sheep. That's the whole point of her own choice to live in the woods--she's much better suited for hunting and patrolling and protecting people, instead of wasting her time doing chores.]

No guns here. Have you seen what's out in the woods? You'll probably want more than just your fists.

[cobrakais]

It's true, I am not a farmer. I missed that class during my upbringing.

( along with many other classes but hey, wasn't his fault. his family hated him so they kicked him out of their little clan. )

But, I do know all the worlds to Old MacDonald. Think that's enough for me.

( still, what she says intrigues him and he raises an eyebrow. )

What's out in the wood?

[lightkeeping]

Well, we're all learning new skills today.

[Said with a tight-lipped smile that indicates she's not necessarily pleased at having to be the person who teaches new things. But she isn't going to force a bow into his hand, figuring that this is a situation that will take care of itself, sooner rather than later.]

Animals. Monsters. Things you're not going to be able to punch to death.

[cobrakais]

Hm.

( okay, that does sound like something he should probably not go face to face with unless there was someone nearby with magic he could take. )

And a bow and arrow is going to stop them?

[lightkeeping]

Yes?

[Of course it will, provided one knows what they’re doing. Aloy knows what she’s doing, thanks, and she’s felled machines much larger than anything out in the woods.]

Not these—these are practice bows. But a compound bow, in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing? [Implying that she knows what she’s doing.] Sure.

[cobrakais]

If you say so.

( he doubts but he's also from a place where a bow and arrow is only used in video games. )

Guessing that's your weapon of choice, then? Is it hard to shoot?

[lightkeeping]

I've been shooting one my whole life, so I might be a little biased.

[Insofar as how difficult it is or isn't. Easier to learn as a child, but if Kai can fire a gun, she has faith that he'll be able to figure this out, too.

She gestures at the target.]

You can always see for yourself.

[cobrakais]

( hm, this feels like a trap. because he really has no idea how to shoot a bow and arrow but he doesn't want to just outright admit that. )

Fine, let me try. I'm sure I'll hit the bullseye centerpiece target thing and then I'll be the world's foremost expert in archery.

( that wasn't going to happen. )

[lightkeeping]

All yours.

[Ordinarily, she might offer some instruction. Show the person how to position their hands or distribute their weight. Instead, she takes a step back, gesturing for Kai to have at it.]

[cobrakais]

( oh, is that how it's going to be? she's not even going to give him a little advice?

he laughs and takes the bow and arrow and tries to remember how she'd been holding it. he cocks the bow and then tries to reach for the arrow which means he let's the bow loose and it snaps, pinches at his fingers. )

Ow. What the hell, man.

[lightkeeping]

[Not even a little advice! She steps back and waits for the inevitable to happen, though to her credit Aloy doesn't laugh at him when he snaps the bowstring against his fingers. After letting him have that moment, she steps up and gestures for him to give her the bow.]

Here. Like this.

[Aloy presses it back into his hand and nudges her foot against his, adjusting his stance. Only when his weight is properly distributed does she gently move his wrist upward, straightening his arm and then indicating how to pull back.]

Just hold it there for a second, get used to how it feels.

[cobrakais]

( he probably deserves that after talking shit about archery. he needs to watch his mouth and he knows that but will he?

nah. )

It feels like I'm going to break the string. Am I going to break the string?

( he doesn't want to break her bow and then owe her a new bow because he doesn't know how to shop for a bow. )

[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]

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.

[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.

[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?

[lightkeeping]

I’m not here to be motivational.

[But Kai probably knows that already. Sharing knowledge is not necessarily encouragement, and Aloy most certainly gives off the vibe that she expects people to take her lessons and practice.

She will, however, clap him on the shoulder, though it’s difficult to tell whether or not it’s out of pity.]

It will not.

[cobrakais]

All right, so be honest with me here —

( he glances over at her, a curious look on his face. )

Have you had to use this a lot? The bow and arrow? Like is this place made for picking off bad guys from far off places?

[lightkeeping]

If you're living in the Primary Settlement, probably not.

[That is, if he doesn't go looking for trouble, he should probably be fine to not learn how to shoot a bow. But Aloy has seen too much and been in too many close scrapes to not want competency in one weapon or another.]

I'm comfortable with it because I grew up using it. I don't expect everyone else to feel the same way. I could train you with a spear, instead.

[cobrakais]

But if I decided to go exploring, then there's a possibility that I'd have to get my fight on?

( which, okay, he can do. he doesn't necessarily want to do if he can't siphon but still.

he nods. )

What's outside the Primary Settlement?

[lightkeeping]

More likely than not, if you don’t know what you’re doing.

[Aloy is a proficient tracker—she knows what to look for and the signs of something big and mean in the area. Often it’s a matter of steering clear, or making herself undetectable. She doesn’t really expect most people to have that knowledge.]

Farms on the outskirts. Lots of wilderness. Stick to the roads, if you get nervous.