· 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

A.

[ofthesword]

[It's not with a lot of grace that Nero finds the kid squatting in the dirt, fumbling with a bunch of sticks, in a way that almost has Nero worried about him. Yeah, yeah, he knows the whole thing is some weird front, and it's a hell of a wild idea. This isn't exactly Fortuna culture, and the Order wasn't taking any knights-in-training to sing kumbaya out around some trees.

(Nero mostly volunteered to go since someone had to watch the kids. And protect what Wanda couldn't keep her attention on.)

At first, he doesn't even know what the kid's trying to do. Like. Pick-up sticks? Do kids still play that?

Instead of easing into it, Nero just knocks Steve's foot with his own boot. Not hard. Just catching his attention.] All right, kid. Enough playin' around in the dirt. It's time to learn.

[He stabs what appears to be a large stick sharpened into a spear in the ground next to him. No, he's never mentioned Geralt told him to teach the kid swords. Just seems like a good time now, especially with Wanda's fancy little ward.] How much has Geralt taught you about fighting, anyway?

[hairington]

[ he is not playing a game, nero, he is trying his best to actual master some kind of survival skills here. what with the current state of the place they're living in. but it's also not going well for him at all, so at the chance of being distracted to do just about anything else, steve will be quick to drop all progress he may (or may not) have made. ]

Huh? Okay... [ steve pushes up to his feet easily enough, watching the spear-looking-stick for a second before his attention turns back. nero has never...mentioned any of this, but the truth of it is that steve knows nero knows what he's doing. knows a lot more than him. so at any mention of 'learning' with the addition of a kind of weapon...well.

plus, he's met with geralt a few times now, learned some of the basics of footwork, how to hold a sword, and what he is definitely doing wrong every time he shows up. it's something that clicks with steve - the practice, the footwork, the way it comes to play. he was in too many sports not to draw the connection, but articulating that is the hard part. ]

Um. A little. How to hold a sword, some basic steps and stuff. We mostly spar, [ and geralt kicks his ass] and he tells me I should use a mace or something instead. But it's not my first rodeo, either. Why?

[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?

[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.

[ofthesword]

Probably 'cause I've saved his ass at least twice, and he knows I'm not just talkin' it up.

[Which, yeah, he puffs his chest up about a little. He just has the feeling no one's saved Geralt's life a lot. Doesn't really matter that shit was in the Horizon, either, 'cause it's exactly how it'd go down out here, too.

Medieval? Man, is it the white hair? Again? Nero shrugs a shoulder, spinning on his heel to face Steve with his adorable little spear. But it's the best he can do with out here without asking Wanda for something more substantial, and he doesn't really want her asking why he's going around giving kids swords.

They gotta learn somehow.]

Maybe if you consider a double-action revolver medieval. Modified by yours truly. [Unfortunately, Blue Rose's not here to show off, even if she is a gorgeous gun.

Nero tips his head, raising his brows with an audible huh. His arms cross over his chest, considering a little more.] What the hell were you takin' out? Zombies?

[hairington]

[ steve makes an impressed sort of huh noise. yeah, that would be enough for geralt to send his recommendations. at least he would think.

part of steve feels a little weird about all this, if only because now he's worried about what geralt might have said. how this was all presented. the idea that with how huge this place is, everyone can someone still know each other reminds him a little bit of home, but he doesn't know if that's a good or bad thing.

nero shrugs, spins to face steve, and mentions something about a double-action-revolver that has steve giving a visible sigh of relief. ] Oh thank christ- no, guns make more sense. Can you make them?

[ because 'modified' and 'make' aren't that huge of a difference, are they? steve's mind if already off on all the various firearms he's seen in the movies, plus all the ones nancy likes to tote around herself, before he realizes nero's asked him a question. ]

No, more like monsters. Weird sort of dog-creature-human things. Fire's the only thing that really works, but we don't have a lot of flame throwers just hanging around where I'm from, so we used what we could. [ that's when steve kind of spins the spear around like he would his bat, before his brows go back up. ] What about you? If you're toting around a revolver like that.

[ofthesword]

I mean, if I had access to a modern gunsmith's shop, probably. But Solvunn's still working with sticks and fire.

[Not to say they're stuck in the dark ages but, uh... shit, he'd really like to have a gun again.

He raises a brow.]

Monsters, huh? [He kicks a rock out of his way, clearing a bit of dirt for the two of them. Kid talks about it like it's nothing, so he must come from somewhere where it's a common sight... or it became common.] Too bad. Flamethrowers are sick.

[He gives Steve a smile. So he does have some skill. Geralt saw the potential for a little ass-kicker.] Monsters, too. Demons, if you wanna be specific. I was raised killin' em. [Nero scoops up another stick with his boot, catching it with a hand. He mimics the twirl.] All right, then. You can show off, but I wanna see your speed. Try an' stab me.

[hairington]

Well, yeah, but is everywhere like Solvunn? The other countries or whatever? [ steve tries not to sound super disappointed, cause honestly it hasn't been all that bad of a time here, but...having a gun would be really nice. ]

Yeah. [ and nero's not entirely wrong with the 'became' common part. or at least, it had to become common if steve was going to hold onto any semblance of sanity he had left.

he ends up trying to walk around the small space and help clear more of it as they talk, following nero and pushing out any other rocks or sticks or anything that might trip them up. he looks back just in time to see nero smile at him, and steve does end up smiling back - see? he's not totally useless. ]

Demons? Really? That's...kind of terrifying, actually. [ steve's brows lift and he ends up nodding, a kind of sure, okay, why not reaction as he comes to a stop across the space from nero, watching him kick up another stick and mirror steve's twirl.

steve's stance shifts ever so slightly then, now that he knows they're starting. it's not his first little lesson, and geralt is usually a lot less talkative the few times steve's met with him, so steve just ends up nodding once and will just. go for it.

which doesn't end super well, as the concept of stabbing with a spear is not something that steve's all that versed in, but he does do his best - one step and then another and then lunging forward trying to get a stab in. ]

[ofthesword]

Far as I can tell. No one's advertising exportin' guns over here, at any rate. So pointy wood things it is. [Unless one of your friends is a super powerful witch who makes your favorite sword from home, but he did promise not to bring it. So Red Queen sleeps alone at home. Maybe if he likes Steve enough, he'll even show him. Maybe ask Wanda for him.

But he doesn't volunteer her yet.]

I mean, yeah. Kinda the point of demons. [He sighs.] Let's just say it runs in the family.

[He pauses after that, like he hadn't meant to say it -- or hadn't really thought of what that means. When "family" comes up, it isn't Dante or his father that come up first. It's the couple that took him in. Raised him in the Order of the Sword. Kyrie. Credo.

Makes sense. That's who taught him to take out demons. Not anyone else.

Nero doesn't move much. Doesn't prep for the strike. He doesn't need to; it's nothing on Steve, but the guy's basically cold molasses in comparison to a Chaos demon. Nero just takes a step back, ducks to the side out of the way, and flutters his fingers in a come on motion.] Keep it comin'. If you're gonna go melee, you gotta throw your weight around. Push things back. Keep on the offensive. Every step forward, take another strike.

[hairington]

[ the worst part is that whole steve can - objectively - understand the use and importance of having those more modern weapons, if he was given the chance, he’d probably ask for something a bit more lame. like his walkman and a few tapes, maybe just his car. it’s not something he’s really thought about, and he probably won’t.

still - he’d probably think the sword was really cool. maybe not as cool as eddie would think, but hey, steve’s working on his appreciation of this sort of stuff. ]

What do they look like? [ which might be a weird question, but he has a point. ] Like- real big red guy with horns? Or something weirder? I have…no idea what demons are even supposed to look like beyond whatever shit they showed us in sunday school.

[ the runs in the family doesn’t stick out quite as much as nero’s pause after. steve pauses too, watches him like he’s waiting for something else to be said, and when nothing is steve just ends up shrugging. i mean, if demon fighting was going to come from anywhere, running the the family would make sense, right? right? (he has no idea, but he can at least keep moving)

and he tries, and he doesn’t miss so much that nero is much faster. much faster. the lunge he made has him needing a step or two to reset, a nod and then he’s trying again, this time going pretty exactly as nero said - each step, another strike. he keeps his feet settled enough for balance, and after a couple more misses, he tries to strike faster. tried adding in a couple different moves which are closer to the sword strikes that geralt’s been teaching him.

to little to no avail. steve is getting frustrated, obviously, but it’s pretty harmless. ]

Shit! How are you that fast?

[ofthesword]

[He snorts. Gotta respect the kid's curiousity, though -- monsters and demons don't really narrow it down to anything specific. And demons, man. Demons come in all shapes and sizes. The only thing that ties them together is that they're from the Underworld.

Or created. But that research is locked down, and it shouldn't ever be let out in the world again.

Nero catches the spear before it nicks his arm, then releases it so Steve can take a breath.]

Comes natural. Gotta be fast so you don't get killed. [It's weird, the lack of reactions he's gotten for people finding out what he is, but Steve is... he's just getting the feeling he's more human than most of the people Nero's been hanging with. Go figure that he's gotten used to people with tails (and having his own.)]

They look like all sorts of shit. Big, stinking trolls. Giant, razor-sharp lizards. Panthers. Birds. Blood-sucking bugs. Skeletons. Lotta skeletons.

[Wouldn't be a bad time to show him, if they pop into the Horizon sometime. Give him a tour of the Bloody Palace and all the demons poking around inside.] Guarantee you whatever they taught you isn't even close.