isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

Entry tags:

EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

QUICK NAV: LOGS ⚔️️ NETWORK ⚔️️ MEMES ⚔️️ OOC ⚔️️ NAVIGATION

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're still human. Especially right now. Just like Kratos.

[ He doesn't like bringing up Kratos as a good example of anything, but he happens to be one right now. Either way, it's a strange way of thinking... Mithos never stopped calling himself a half-elf after bonding to his crystal, and neither did the others he traveled with. Zelos and Lloyd, too, he always thought of as human. Enhancing one's mana was just another method of harnessing one's innate strength. It could go far, but it was all magic in the end. ]

I guess right now I am. Without the Cruxis Crystal's abilities.

[She can't even fly. At the least over time here she has adjusted with needing to eat and sleep and such again. That she can feel again. It's just something she's been insecure about and well aware that she was different because of her transformation. Given she is unaware of Lloyd having wings himself and all at this point still. And this even prior to her finding out about her condition later on.]

When I first got here, I didn't realize that either. It's taken a little getting used to. Needing to eat and sleep again. Feeling again.

[ Ratatosk leans his weight to one side, tone calm as he explains. He's realizing that no one has educated Colette on this properly. Now's not the ideal time, but it will have to do. ]

Not sleeping or eating is useful. Those tactics were used during the Kharlan War to advantage. But outside of battle, some bonded to Hi-Exspheres still choose to experience their body's functions and sensations.

[ Emil says it's enjoyable; things like snuggling under soft covers at night, eating a warm meal... Ratatosk is still finding the appeal himself. But he knows Colette shares Emil’s thoughts in this regard. ]

Ultimately, it's a form of magic to manipulate one's own mana. You should think of it as wielding a weapon or a spell. It's a strength granted to you to utilize when you need it.

I know in some cases it might be an advantage. It's just. Adjusting. To it back home and then here where I can do all that again.

[She wasn't aware if people could choose like that. Whether that had been an option for her given her situation as the Chosen. Being prepared as a vessel for Martel and all. There were perks and drawbacks to it really. It did take some adjusting to and made her feel weird, so different to the others as she lost more and more of her humanity.]

So that's how you look at it?

Of course. [ Said confidently, as if that's the only way to look at it. Humans have such odd views of things.

This discussion seems to have had the effect he wanted in undermining the reflection in the mirror. Now, like he did with Emil, he simply has to keep her focused on their goal. ]

You must still be confident in your strength if you barged in here. I assume you’re looking for the delegation party?

I just figured, if they were in trouble, maybe I could help.

[She may not have her usual abilities here, but she's getting the hang of her Light Magic more. And slowly getting more practice with her Green Magic. Colette, really, as always, just wants to try help if she can somehow or other. If there is something she can do to help out. To be sure Arthur at the rest were alright. Given that warning, that woman had seemed so worried something had happened.]

[ Ratatosk hovers on the verge of a sigh. He'd expect nothing less of Colette. Although he can’t approve of her recklessness in this particular situation, her determination and self-reliance are things he's come to admire. She will see the mission through. But they have to be careful in moving forward, as so many things remain unknown. Emil doesn't want to be hasty, either. ]

Since we don’t yet know what happened, stay alert. [ Regarding the cold darkness of the place, he adds, ] For now, why don’t you cast a light spell so we can see?

Ah, right! Yes!

[She gives a nod, agreeing and holding out her palm in summoning a small orb of light to hover there. As much as she is aware the other remembers her from later on back home, it's still something she's adjusting to in some ways in how well he and Emil know her. Just in adjusting to that on her end in her not being so aware on what they might know about her already, what impression he might already have of her from things she has yet to experience and remember for herself.]

Is that better?

[ It's enough light to reveal their surroundings, but not so much to be blinding with all the reflections. With a satisfied closing of his eyes, Ratatosk returns to observing, and Emil comes back with a smile and chipper voice. ]

That’s much better, thanks!

[ Whew, good, it's nice to see those mirrors as just mirrors. There are a lot of them. But looking around, the arrangement doesn't seem random. ]

If I use my magic to float up, I can probably see where to go. Can you lift the light higher?

Higher? Ah, sure!

[She gives a nod, taking a moment but getting the orb of light to hover higher. A foot or two above her for now. She could always make it go higher if needed, she isn't sure quite how high -- Emil? Emil seems to want to go yet exactly. But she could adjust it once he gets higher to see.]

There? I can get it higher for you once you go up.

[ Trusting her to match his height, Emil takes a breath and focuses, feeling the space around him and his presence in it. And then he lifts himself up, first floating a foot or two with the light orb, then higher, until he’s above her head, and waits for her spell to reach him to light the area.

Unfortunately, there’s no clear exit that he can see - not even the doors they came through; the darkness gets impenetrable at a certain distance. (Tenebrae would love this, he can’t help think.) But he can clearly make out a wall to their right, and behind them is a cluster of mirrors that doesn’t look promising either. ]

I think going straight or left is the best option for now.

Straight or left then. At least we know we ruled out the right.

[Colette answers, optimistic as ever even as she tries to hover the orb of light with Emil as he ascends and comes back down, waiting for him before she brings it back down to her again for them to see with both of them on the floor.]

So, straight then? If we don't find them that way, we can come back this way and try to the left.

I hope it's that simple.

[ Emil gives a nervous smile on landing. He's been through enough of these kinds of places to know it's usually not that easy. ]

I'll have to go up a few more times to keep us on track. For now, yeah, let's head straight and see where it goes.

Just let me know when you want to go back up and check again and I can make the light follow you so you can see.

[She says as she makes a second light so they each have one. Making one follow near Emil and the other near her, though they were both really walking alongside once he lands back on the floor again.]

It's worth a try though. To see.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject