isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

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EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

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This is the event log for IC comments only! Ask OOC questions/plot/view event notes HERE or use the FAQ for general questions. Click here to view top-level comments only.

SUMMARY: King Arthur needs to go meet with Queen Elphame. Celliwig holds a tournament to invite other people to come with during the communication and celebrate their newfound friendship. A temporary barrier was put up so the river is currently mostly impassible.

After the departure from Celliwig last month, the people of Celliwig have been working hard to make the area around their town safe again from the angered specters. For now, there are makeshift barriers that are preventing anything from crossing the river, dead or alive, except over the Pure of Heart bridge. It will, at the very least, prevent more from coming over and overwhelming the land surrounding Celliwig again.

The city is open and, while the Elphame traders have stuck around to help train people in the proper use and treatment of mounts, the safest way to speak to Elphame is through Celliwig's hall of mirrors. King Arthur, Merlin, and a couple of other members of the royal court entered to speak to Queen Elphame directly in order to find out what information she knew about the Calamity and to begin discussion of what it would take to reclaim Excalibur. With the magics of Avalon having recovered significantly enough to not be at risk of falling apart if some of the otherworlders leave while still maintaining the barrier to keep Avalon safe, they need to begin discussing action.

At the same time, in celebration of King Arthur's arrival and a royal wedding within Celliwig, a tournament is underway! Celliwig's tournaments work a little differently, however, and focus on a little more than just combat skills-- a modern tournament for the modern person. (Though there is fighting as well, of course.) Celliwig's Top Talents Tourney hasn't been held in a good many years since it's been closed off, so everyone is invited to participate. Invitations have been sent to all of Camelot's residents. The tournament categories are as follows:

Cutthroat Cooking - For the chef's out there! Compete against other chefs to show off who has the best culinary skills. All contestants start with 2,500,000G which will be theirs to lose through the course of the tournament. This money can be used to purchase sabotages to use on other chefs throughout the course of the competition.

Vicious Vocals - Singing competition. Anyone may participate, there are no auditions. Each contestant will compete solo first, then have to do a competitive duet with another person who moved onto the second round. The final round involves performing and singing at the same time, so you may want to go find friends to give you tips between each round and help you come up with an awesome set-up that will wow the judges!

Speed Sculpting - This one's for the artists! Celliwig is really big on art, in particular sculpture. Any decent sculpture can be sold whether it wins or loses. Sculpture form can be made with anything you want-- glass, sugar, and ice are popular choices in Celliwig because of the city's aesthetic, but any materials are possible-- plants, stones, clay, chocolate, fabric, whatever you want as long as it stands on its own after you're done creating. (You can use your magic to sculpt if that's what you want.)

Melee Mania - Fight your fellow competitors one-on-one. Weapons and magic are both allowed. Healers will be paid generously for assisting after combat is finished.

Familiar Feud - Let your familiar have a little fun and combat each other! They're the star of the show here and otherworlders are only there in a support role.

Mario Party - It's literally a series of Mario Party games. If you win your block, you move onto the next round and so on. 4 max players per game. If you don't rage quit at any point, you get free energy drinks throughout the day because this party isn't stopping.

Silent Assassin - This competition will take place throughout the course of the tournament. All competitors are kept confidential, but required to wear a hidden body cam so that the experience can be shared online for audience viewing later. All competitors are given fake weapons (paintball guns, rubber knives, and so on) with sensors in them and have to find and "kill" the other competitors throughout the tournament period.

Anyone who shows up to either participate in or watch the tournament will receive 50% off a hotel room and a single (Potion) Counter-curse.

How the tournament will be run is a little different from an OOC standpoint. Any characters can participate, but in order to determine a winner, we will need anyone who thinks their characters skill is great enough to win to comment to the name of the tournament they are entering HERE! If your character would have canon advantages in a category, write +1 advantage in your comment. (So if you are from an idol series, you'll have a leg up on singing, or if your character is a skilled assassin in their canon, they could gain a +1. It won't guarantee they win, but it will give them a leg up so we're not ignoring their skill!) If you do not think your character has any chance at winning, please do not comment. (Someone who's never cooked a day in their life isn't going to magically win the cooking competition, you know?) If you think/want your character to lose even if they may have skills, we do not need your information. This is only an RNG for potential winners. We will RNG the winners from those who comment for each competition as linked.

ICly, anyone who wants to thread any part of it out, go for it! You can thread out watching, you can thread out participating, interfering, anything you want! Thread out having an intimate moment with a healer after a battle, a tearful failure and hurt/comfort consolation, buying a round of vodka flashes for your fellow losers. Whatever you want! Just have fun.

SUMMARY: King Arthur & Co. are still in chambers. A woman shows up and claims they're in danger, argues with Glwelwyd that she saw it despite that those abilities are not possible right now. Players voted to determine the next course of this prompt. (This section may be skipped for prompts now, but is still posted for reference.)

The day after the end of the tournament days, all seems well and peaceful as usual within the city of Celliwig. The mirror hall that King Arthur's party had gone into is still closed shut. The Hall is guarded by a 7 foot tall man with a long, scraggly beard and huge rippling muscles named Glewlwyd IV. (You may have seen him around at past events.) None may enter until negotiations are completed, and it is his sacred duty passed down by his ancestors to ensure that none shall pass his guard. Most in Celliwig won't even try, knowing the futility of such an action, which is why it is particularly peculiar that Gwion can be found yelling outside of the halls that they need to be let in. After an argument and a call to action, some other worlders chose to find Gwion and ask questions.

	"Listen to me, there's something wrong, you need to let someone in there! Look for yourself! I saw it!"
	"Time is frozen, the future cannot be seen. A dream is but a dream, not a prophecy. Disrespect from the people of Celliwig interrupting a meeting of the fae and King Arthur's party would spell much more certain fate.

After one more failed attempt to get past him, the woman stomps off to a nearby bar to blow off some steam, and ends up posting to the AOL Network instead.

The King's party is in danger. No one is allowed in or out, but they're going to die if you don't work together to get past Glewlwyd. You can ask how I know, but it's a real long story and we're real short on time, so I'm kind of going out on a limb here. I'll be at Celliwig's bar if anyone wants more details.

SUMMARY: A very close battle ensues in front of the Hall of Mirrors, with the doors eventually being forced open to reveal a dark, possessed hall. Reflects prey on characters' deepest insecurities and anyone who falls victim to them are trapped within the reflections. King Arthur and the Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul Mirror used to communicate with Elphame are possessed by angry specters trapped on Celliwig's side after the river barrier was put up.

After the drama caused by Gwion's warning, the city of Celliwig is rather unsettled. There's an air of tension thick enough that you could hear a pin drop, and enough people who thought it was more important to protect the integrity and wishes of the fae than to worry about the unlikely chance that a seer had a vision while time was stopped. A large number of people have shown up to stand by Glewlwyd's side and defend the Hall of Mirrors, a show which will not be forgotten by the people of Celliwig... However, the strength in both numbers and battle goes to those wishing to enter the Hall of Mirrors. The battle is strenuous, a mixture of both Celliwig citizens and Camelot's otherworlders, and anyone wishing to play out part of it should put either defense or offense indicators in their prompt title to clearly attract those wishing to play out the fight.

Those who manage to break through the line will make it into the Hall of Mirrors. The first and most notable thing once the door is open is that it's as dark as night. Not at all conditions for a meeting. And it's cold, condensation and fog forming at the door where the freezing night of the hall and the summer heat outside. It is not at all like it was the first time visitors were allowed in to place their Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul crystals in the mirror to communicate with Elphame. There is absolutely something going on, and those on either side of the battle may want to redirect their attention to the Hall. None of the party seems to be seen. Those who dare to venture forward into the hall will find themselves rather quickly at a loss for where the door went. There is a dim light still visible from it, highlighting the other people in the room and the edges of glass and mirrors throughout the hall.

An eerie blue glow reflects through the number of the mirrors, but it seems to move about as if passing impermenantly. Those who try to chase it will find themselves further lost from the entrance, until they find themselves face to face with a reflection that doesn't seem to follow their own movements. This reflection will begin to speak with the character's voice, then immediately target the character's deepest insecurities. Every bad thought that they've thought of themself is fair game. If the character can remain calm and keep moving forward, then they will not fall victim to the trap. However, should they react with a burst of emotion, argue, or be unable to move forward when faced with their own insecurities, they will find themselves trapped in the mirror, replacing the reflection.

Those who manage to pass the mirrors will find themselves at the Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul Mirror. The communication is still open to what appears to be an ornately decorated, natural throne. The Queen is long since gone, having been escorted to safety to keep her safe from the cursed mirrors. Notably, every crystal lining the edge of this mirror seems to have been infected by the blue, almost spectral color. Approached, a chilling laughter echoes from the possessed mirror, but the laughter is finished by King Arthur himself, back turned and facing the mirror. He turns around and wields his sword, ready to defend the mirror, eyes filled with the same blue as the mirror. As more people approach, reflections of Arthur seem to walk out of the mirrors as well to fight more and more people. It's hard to tell which is the real one, so can you really kill him to get him out of the way and get to the mirror? Fight the small army of King Arthurs and gather enough death mages to exorcise the spirits out of the mirror.. or maybe just smash it. Did you think this was the last choice you'd make this week?

Please refer to the plotting post for any additional plotting needs and to check added notes for the third prompt. Timeline-wise, the new/third prompt doesn't start until the 23rd. The poll for it is here.

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[Good- Izuku is actually glad that the bullet goes off. Just as Emet-Selch predicts the air will ignite just like an incendiary. Instead of an explosion it will flash and explode into a large detonated cloud of black smoke. Like a smokescreen.

Izuku will run in low. With the haze of the smoke in the air, it should cloud Emet-Selch's vision just enough. Or he hopes, he's not sure how fast the man is. But he's coming in fast and his broadsword is flickering with alchemy as it changes from a blade to a literal iron baseball bat. Which he's going to swing at the man hard.]

[ He expects the sudden attack - how could he not when he deliberately sets off the obvious trap? - but the form of the of Izuku's weapon changing from broadsword to bat is a pleasant surprise. He had toyed with the idea himself, eventually concluding that such a style is not for him.

Instead, he has chosen a different approach.

Poised to bring up his own sword to defend against a strike, he quickly switches to evasion instead and pivots away from Izuku's swing. Several large spikes immediately shoot up between them in response to one of many minuscule alchemy runes etched on his blade, aiming to drive the boy back. It's followed up with several shots from his weapon - and this time the bullets do aim squarely for the arms and legs. ]

Edited 2021-07-29 02:55 (UTC)

[He had a feeling Emet-Selch was better poised for fighting than his first impression. The old man has some moves in him.

Izuku has to jump back when the spikes erupt near him and effectively puts space between the two. He lands and braces for another attack. He can feel the alchemic energy starting to mount between them like a storm starting to build up.]

Gnnnhh!

[Bullets are fast. Izuku only has so much time to stamp the ground and alchemy shoots slabs of metal upwards to deflect them. Unfortunately one hits his leg. Not bad enough that he might not walk but in the muscle for sure.

He'll need time to counter, for now, his hand moving down to his leg to change his pant fabric to a tight tourniquet.]

[ Although the tourney rules do not forbid contestants from killing each other, Emet-Selch will never deliberately aim to kill. But that does not mean he will not press his advantage: turning the spikes back to dust moments before he charges towards Izuku with his blade swinging forward. ]

Is that all you have?! [ he goads. A leg injury is nothing to scoff at. How will the boy handle that and his opponent's obvious advantage in weight and height, he wonders? ]

[It's a tough situation to be sure. But Izuku is not about to back down from the fight not even with a bullet wound in his leg. He's had worse- unfortunately- but it's come with being a teenager with the aspirations to be the best hero in the world. His life attracts fights.

He just has to think. An opponent who is taller than him and has a weapon with both ranged and close combat capabilities. With the added advantage of alchemy that Izuku also wields. They can form and create anything they need to do.

This is why Izuku does just that. He looks up. Eyes glowing sharp as he brings his shield arm up. He chants a word and it appears to block. The ornate shield sprouts from the bracelet on his wrist.]

I'm not stopping here!!

[With the distraction and protection of the shield Izuku suddenly stomp the ground. Green alchemy sparking at his feet and flickering upwards to create a sudden tripwire at Emet-Selch's feet. If the tripwire works it'll snap and whip up to also bind Emet-Selch's legs.]

[ No Eorzean has ever wielded magicks like this. It makes it difficult to flow into the usual sword stances as he's interrupted, this time, by Izumu's tripwire.

Down he goes with a grunt. But he quickly rolls to the side in case the boy follows up with a smash from his bat or the shield. He uses that assumption to lash out with his blade as he rolls away, hoping to catch Izuku's flank. ]

[That's exactly what Izuku tries to follow up with. Dashing forward to slam down his sword like a giant club. Since Emet-Selch rolls away it slams hard into the ground, cracking up the stone ruthlessly and displaying Izuku's odd amount of strength despite being a seemingly skinny nerd.

He has to block the slash with his shield. But after that, he says a word that makes the shield vanish again. Instead, going on the offensive with about overhead smash of his broadsword-turned-spiked-bat! Keeping the pressure on Emet-Selch and not allowing him to get up easy!]

[ Damn this kid, he thinks with some grudging respect. For one so young, they seem to have a good instinct for combat.

He chooses to slap the bat aside with the flat of his weapon, although the resulting ring of metal causes him wince inwardly. He can only hope it hasn't damaged any of the glyphs carved on its surface. He had been careful to place them in spots which rarely see contact (such as close to the hilt) but...

In the brief opening, he creates a quick-rising pillar at his back to boost him quickly to his feet and lunges at Izuku with a rising slash - except his physical blade is nowhere near enough to strike Izuku physically: instead, it's a narrow rush of blue fire.

Following right behind it though is Emet-Selch himself, this time with every intention of swinging his blade down upon Izuku's head. ]

[There. An attack that Izuku can use as a counterpoint. It's hard to keep his momentum but as soon as that blade comes down at him after getting badly singed by the rush of flames Izuku lets out a guttural noise and brings his arm up and chants a loud word. And suddenly a shield forms from the bracelet on Izuku's wrist just in the knick of time to block the incoming slash.

Thank you, Uraraka-san! For the gift!]

Gnnn!!

[But Izuku can't drop his guard now even with burning skin. So close. The crowds are cheering loudly now. As Izuku deflects the weapon and with his other hand now holding the hilt of his weapon he fluctuates its shape again with alchemy and out juts metal to smack Emet-Selch hard in the torso or gut.]

--Gh!

[ He stumbles back, doubled over as pain spirals out from the point of impact. It's been a long time since he's been in a physical fight and stars above, does it hurt. He can remember learning to shrug off such pain in his early days in the Garlean military, but he has grown softer since then.

Sucking in as deep a breath as he's able, he focuses on the ground just behind Izuku. The 'protrusion' glyph glows briefly and out shoots a blunt pillar to knock into the boy's back and hopefully send him sprawling - right at Emet-Selch's feet. ]

[~~Softer or Older?~~

Emet-Selch is no joke to trifle with, though. Izuku does his best to keep his guard up and his wits about him. But as an Alchemist he knows how spur of the moment they can be. How they can change the tides of a fight with a single creative decision. And well- it proves it right here.

The glyph is seen but Izuku grunts as the pillar knocks into him at high speed. He gets thrown up and falls to the ground with a roll. He'll need a moment to recover!

But he is taking precautions, his hand slapping on the ground and uprooting the ground at Emet-Slech's feet by changing it into uneven sand.]

[ His attempt to follow up is impeded by the unexpected change. He toe stubs into a ripple of sand and he has to jerk aside at the last moment to avoid impaling himself or the boy on his sword.

For all that it's billed as a fight to the death, he cannot bring himself to maim a child.

Thrusting his off-hand out as he rolls on the ground, he creates a knee-high arc of sandstone spikes between them to buy himself time to recover. ]

Edited 2021-08-25 23:24 (UTC)

[And of course Izuku knows this is only a tournament as well. Fighting to the death seems kind of over the top. Knockouts are perfectly fine and what he prefers.

He can tell the both of them are starting to wear down. Izuku braces a foot on the ground and stomps again to shoot up more of those metal poles upwards from under Emet-Selch.

Keep the pressure on...!

But he does have to stumble backwards and dodge out of the way of the sandstone spikes! It breaks his concentration and the metal poles stop! The arena is quickly filling with so much sand, spikes and meal poles! True to a battle between to alchemists!]

[ A few of the metal poles strike his side as he's rolling away. He hisses sharply, the numbing, throbbing ache making him slow to rise to his feet again. Thanks to both of their alchemy, the field has become quite a hazard to navigate. It's unfortunate that his second magic has limited use here. He doubts there are any corpses buried beneath the arena. ]

Not bad, boy...

[ Breathing hard, he assumes a ready stance with his gunblade. The initial fire has gone out by now but there's more where that had come from. He pulls the trigger and the blade is immediately wreathed in blue again. This time he draws an enormous X in the air - one almost as tall as he is. A thrust of his weapon into its centre sends it shooting towards Izuku at alarming speed. ]

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EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

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