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avalonmods ([personal profile] avalonmods) wrote in [community profile] isleofavalon2021-09-22 01:13 am

EVENT ✨ Fall Equinot


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SUMMARY: In the days leading up to the fall equinox, geese intended for eating escape and cause havoc around town, people share techniques to preserve plants for the winter, and Camelot's citizens compete to make the best light shows with traditional wax candles to draw spirits peacefully into Camelot.


With all the harder preparations gathered for the Fall Equinox, throughout the month people will notice that decorations start going up around town. The colors of fall seem to seep throughout Camelot, but more than that, so do more traditional sights and smells. In the days leading up to the equinox, traditional acts such as the sacrifice and consuming of flesh are performed. Well.. normally they would be. The fattened geese that are normally eaten in preparation for the equinox have escaped and are causing havoc around town. Geese are running around causing trouble for everyone-- stealing glasses, opening gates, putting up toilet seats when people try to sit down so they fall in the bowl... all kinds of madness! Even if you weren't intent on eating geese and were going to settle for the vegetarian option (pumpkin and nut soups are frequently served using the gourd itself as a bowl), you have to agree the general public needs to be rescued from these menaces. If you have the stomach for it, you are welcome to keep one of the geese you capture for your own table... but otherwise, please return the birds to the farm where they can be handled accordingly.

Birds are not the only sacrifice made to the autumnal equinox. As the flowers begin to reach the end of their life, there is a strong tradition of gathering flowers and herbs and preserving them for the upcoming winter, either to protect their beauty, scent, edibility, and sometimes magical properties. The simplest form of preservation is, of course, drying and pressing-- a technique you don't need magic for, but some of the locals will happily teach you. A more advanced technique can be learned to enchant glass bell jars to suspend the lifeforce of any living thing within its grasp for up to a year, if no one opens it. It's a technique used to preserve important or rare plants that may otherwise die out during the winter, such as herbs used in your favorite spell.. or dish. The glass bell jar will protect the plant, but each time it is picked up, a single petal or leaf will fall off of the plant. If all the leaves fall off, the plant becomes unrecoverable, and come spring the caster will find themselves cursed with a touch that wilts any plant they come in contact with. So if you choose to use this, be warned that there are consequences for misuse and a wide number of horror stories from people who have tried to use this spell for anything other than plants. Any type of mage can pour their magic into a bell jar to enchant it, and the type of magic will be reflected in a glass design that forms around the rim and handle. (An elemental mage may have glass flames form, or frosted etchings of your favorite animal may appear if you're an animal mage, and so on. Feel free to get creative.) Green mages may find this magic a little useless, since they can just replenish plants with their own magic, but it's still a good technique to know.. just in case!

Perhaps the most beautiful tradition that takes form leading up to the autumnal equinox is the candle pathway. Every street in Camelot will be lit up with thousands of candles for two nights leading up to the autumnal equinox, as a guiding light to help the spirits find their way to Avalon. The way the streets in Camelot are mapped out, the lights will form a path to the square where the fairy coins are being held until their release on September 22nd, the same area where the guardian egg ceremony had been performed. Some people get very creative with their lighting displays, which can sometimes result in beautifully lit streets and magnificent structures of flames. Accidents are quickly quelled by volunteer elemental mages throughout the city to prevent any structural damage. Some people might be compelled to make their own light display the most outstanding on the block, and it becomes a bit of a game to compete with your neighbors to see whose section of the candle pathway is the most extravagant.


SUMMARY: The autumn equinox ritual is interrupted by a huge earthquake caused by a Stone Giant bursting out of the Ash Mountains, bringing the closest Ash Mountain and Lestari to the ground. The purple dragon erupts from the ruins to attack Celliwig. The survivors of the collapse need help desperately. Characters must choose where they go to determine the fate of Avalon.


Calm and mundane preparations are a nice break from the sometimes stressful lives of Camelot's citizens and otherworlders, who often are asked to embark on life-threatening adventures and tasks. It's probably a good thing most of the month has been relatively peaceful, as things need to go a little bit differently this year on the fall equinox itself... but not as differently as they actually do.

In the town square, elaborate celtic-similar symbols are carved out into the ground and filled with mysterious glowing liquids. All of those who gained guardian tattoos and their attendants were asked to attend a ritual to release them on the night of the 22nd, along with anyone else who would like to witness. Everything is ready and as the witching hour approaches, several individuals dressed in flowing robes with their faces painted like skeletons approach. As the leader raises his voice to explain why they've come and what to do to make this night a success, a sudden shock-- Avalon itself shakes with the might of an earthquake... or at least, that's what it seems like for the first few minutes as everyone gathers themselves until they hear mass screaming in the distance. Though it's hard to see what's going on... there are still some very, very obvious problems.

A stone giant rises from the first of the Ash Mountains, crumbling the mountain around it as if the ancient being were holding the very mountain itself up... and it was. Those who visited Lestari will have seen its giant feet within the underground city. The former city. Lestari is now buried beneath the mountain, along with many of the other creatures living on and around the mountain. A huge storm of mixed weather forms above the giant's head, blizzard and lightning raging around it to no avail. As the people of Camelot watch what's only visible at a macro distance, they may not be as quick to notice that all of the fairy coins have begun glowing vibrantly, then suddenly burst out of the jars they've been held in, shattering right through them to fly off en-masse toward the stone giant. They embed themselves in it, fueling the giant with enough power to both begin to walk away from the rubble and for the spirits that have begun gathering in Avalon to head toward it, rather than where they had been intended.

As if that were not enough, after the Stone Giant takes two large steps through the Land of Rot, the gargantuan cloud of dust covering the ruins of the first of the Ash Mountain range rather suddenly lights up with a vibrant, ultra-violet burst of flames that illuminates the smoke. The gargantuan purple dragon that once took up residence in the mountain clambors out of the dust and shoots straight into the sky, enraged and furious, and able to sense where the magic came from that raised the stone giant. The reason it immediately begins flying toward Celliwig with the intent to raze it to the ground is likely not immediately apparent, but it is quite odd that it bypasses the much closer target of Camelot with its rage. As does the Stone Giant, though it does not head toward Celliwig and instead seems to absorb the souls of the dead that were intended to be guided by the fall equinox's rituals as it lumbers through the land. If someone does not stop it, it is headed for the Forest of the Felled.

King Arthur is immediately on the emergency broadcast system to implore people to join one of three groups:
  • Investigate and stop the Stone Giant

  • Slay the dragon and save Celliwig

  • Rescue survivors of Lestari and the Ash Mountain


  • The success of each of these missions is dependent on character participation. See the poll for details about how certain character types may affect the outcome of the missions.

    Please refer to Event Poll Notes for information about aftermath of this event and additional event info > Event Outcomes.
    lastexit: (407 - Moonlight and Magic)

    Maya Matlin | Degrassi | Lestari

    [personal profile] lastexit 2021-09-25 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
    1. Sunday Bloody Sunday - Start of Mission
    Maya did not belong here. Whatever power decided she was worth becoming a hero, that she should be here was wrong. She should have begged for them to send her back to the sweet abyss of frozen time that was her world, and wait for it to end.

    But here she was.

    Her hands weren't shaking, she was still and calm as she ever looked. In that fugue of hers devoid of but the tiniest specs of expression. As she and her familiar started into what was Lestari. A strange cavern town that she liked, it was gorgeous in its strange, and it felt nice.

    And it wasn't here anymore.

    But the people were, some of them. Less if she didn't act, less if they had one less pair of hands, as useless as she was, to help find and heal the survivors. Although she wasn't sure how helpful she'd be, her head was spinning as the got near the rubble. That song in the back of her mind, the constant hum of her surroundings growing too loud, too vibrant. For her to concentrate. And it was coming from the ruins.

    Probably could use a pep talk, she's a bit young for all of this, after all.
    2. Paint it Black - During Rescue Operations
    Maya pretty quickly was covered in a thin layer of dust and grime, no hesitation getting herself dirty if it helped others. She'd figured out what that song was, playing in her head. The constant thrumming.

    Blood.

    It sang in her mind like a strange radar system. Opened to her by just how much of it there was. It would be overwhelming except she could focus on where it moved. In this case, survivors. And, also... "I need someone to come with me, there are survivors buried over there. But there's also some animals heading that way too. And I can't do much about that."
    3. Wake Me Up when September Ends - Aftermath
    Maya sat on a small pile of rubble on the edge of Lestari, staring at what was parts of the town. Shattered into a million pieces never to be put back together. It wasn't changed, there wasn't any building of something new here, it was just gone. And as she understood it so was Celliwig. Two places she touched, two places gone forever.

    And, well, it had to be her fault. She touched two places, and they were destroyed in her wake.

    She didn't bring her headphones, so she sat there, on the rubble, listening to the chilly absence of life, and the fading song of dried blood around her. Covered in a mix of dust and blood that would take an hour to wash off. And she was pretty sure she'd look like this in her dreams for a while. She wasn't crying, but even her faded expression couldn't hide her sorrow at all of this.
    resistetmords: (Lier)

    [personal profile] resistetmords 2021-09-25 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
    Oh, well their fat. It's quite useful in cooking.

    [Anyway!]

    But yes, quickly, if we can heard them into a closed space we can round them all up.
    chatwithdeath: YouTube: babygirl91580 (How peculiar)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-09-25 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
    [She's not even going to say anything to that. Setting aside a few growing pieces herself, she notices he's struggling and moves over lightly to help him move it further.]

    A kinetic mage would be wonderful to have right now...
    resistetmords: (And forced to tell the truth)

    A

    [personal profile] resistetmords 2021-09-25 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
    Mm, that's all you really need to do.

    [Having green magic this all seemed a bit redundant. But potentially useful still! They just might make good decorations too, now that she was giving the jars a proper once over.]

    I bet they could be useful for storing dried herbs.
    chatwithdeath: (So that's it...)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-09-25 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
    "That's fine. My secondary magic isn't much for combat, and I'm not trained to fight either."

    She had some, but not for a situation like this. And she didn't want to waste what limited ammunition she had. This was a favorable set up.

    "Now then..." Pausing for a moment, she scowled. "First patient coming up. Head trauma, conscious, but fading. The second patient has a rib fracture. No punctured lung, but the pressure isn't helping."

    And digging a little more, they would uncover their first survivor shortly - a teenager. Since Naomi didn't see signs of the second person yet, this one might've been attempting to aid the first individual.
    grimaoire: (031)

    [personal profile] grimaoire 2021-09-25 06:10 am (UTC)(link)
    Flippant and forced, which makes Robin wonder if it's a defense mechanism or empty words from a girl who genuinely wants someone to push past all of that. She is going to hope it's the latter.

    "I'm sorry you have had to live that way. No one should feel they need to shoulder so much so young."

    She has some misgivings about this place Musse calls home, if that's the life she's been made to live. It isn't fair, and it's hard for Robin to keep herself from seeing similarities to a certain nation from her world. Honestly, she isn't impressed.

    "But you're more than just a dead Duke's daughter," She continues, taking a small step forward. "You're more than the unfair expectations that have been placed upon you. I firmly believe that--and if you do not, I hope the fact that someone believes in this will help you see it as well."
    forgeabettertomorrow: (Nani the fuck?!)

    2 [VIDEO]

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-09-25 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
    [Darin is already en route to Celliwig.]

    Hey! Flayn, was it? Name's Darin! I'm on my way to Celliwig now!

    I'm gonna do my best to try and stop people from using lethal force! I know that dragon! He's upset but...maybe we can talk him down or...something!
    forgeabettertomorrow: (Nani the fuck?!)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-09-25 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
    Okay, that helps a lot!

    [With the force of the wind parted to help him make the climb, he makes much more progress much faster.]

    [Nearing the dragon's talons, Darin slows down.]


    Where do we go from here?? Got anything else in your bag of tricks??
    forgeabettertomorrow: (nope nope nope nope nope)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-09-25 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
    You're telling me! I can't believe I let one get the drop on me so easily!

    [DARIN THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM HERE!]

    [But at least he's pulling his pants up and holding them up as he chases the goose around in circles.]


    Maybe you should get indoors??
    forgeabettertomorrow: (Face tomorrow)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-09-25 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
    Yeah, about that. What's his deal? I've met people who'd prefer to die in battle. That there was glory in it.

    That wasn't what that was.

    It's like he's looking for a fight because he wants to die.
    reloves: (♀ I saw your dream)

    [personal profile] reloves 2021-09-25 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
    [ She nods. Minako isn't anything anywhere close to a doctor, but she figures any idiot can carry out the lighter part of first aid. And she's already grateful enough that this guy is here to do the more intensive things - it means they can actually save this person. Every single individual they can save is so important.

    So she just moves to grab some bandages from the bag, ready to wrap up some of the smaller wounds people have that aren't bleeding too much. Just enough to get them to somewhere safer first. ]


    .. thanks. [ She says, glancing at Makoto as he's still helping that first person. His bedside manner really is something else - with the way he's gently smiling and all. It'd probably put anyone at ease, Minako thinks. ] You showed up just in time.
    bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14423)

    [personal profile] bright_moon 2021-09-25 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
    It's a nice sight, and he admits to himself that Xue Yang's hair is just as soft as he'd thought it would be, once clean and brushed out.

    He doesn't let himself hover, choosing instead to clean up the medical supplies and various other cleaning supplies he'd pulled out to tend to this gremlin of a man. Only a fresh bandage is left out, for that poor left hand.

    "Yes. Nicer. I hope...happy, too."
    sapphirecontess: (037)

    [personal profile] sapphirecontess 2021-09-25 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
    Musse stands silently for a moment, quaking despite her best intentions.

    "There was one, but he is gone now. And all I have left is a terrible duty to fulfill."
    Edited 2021-09-25 07:16 (UTC)
    reloves: (♥ as we shined together)

    [personal profile] reloves 2021-09-25 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
    Yes, she's most certainly never going to let that go. Part of her is forever going to think it's true, no matter how much he denies it!

    But other than that.. well, it's not like she's got any reason to say no to his question, so Minako just shrugs and moves to sit down with them.

    "Are you sure you need more help?" Minako glances at the woman, and the way she's putting all those flowers in his hair. "It looks like you're already getting plenty done here."
    cultivatingsin: (But I'm locked out and it's my fault)

    [personal profile] cultivatingsin 2021-09-25 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
    "This place could be better." he offers, his back turned to Xingchen. There are scars - whip marks and gashes - here and there along his spine and, when turns, there are scars from being stabbed on his abdomen...his shoulder. Yet, even with all of those old injures, he is strong, his muscles firm as he stretches and moves around the room.
    angel_of_death: (Scrutiny)

    [personal profile] angel_of_death 2021-09-25 07:37 am (UTC)(link)
    [Having set out towards their destination early on, Walter is already within the forest itself. However, he isn't so far in that he can't double-back to meet up with his collaborator on their mutually self-assigned task.

    After reading the text, he types out a response. It takes him a moment to do so; he pays more attention to his surroundings than the screen, and pauses between each sentence as a result.]


    We are. Have you been through it before? I'll give you a basic rundown if not.
    notquitetamed: (human form 018)

    [personal profile] notquitetamed 2021-09-25 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
    [The bird thinks for a moment. This really isn't his to explain and he also has to recall what Darin's had revealed openly. This time he's not going to broadcast it so even Hawk can hear while still out of it.]

    If he wanted that, he had a perfect chance against the slime.

    [Darin might recall Hawk's comments about how it was just a pathetic slime. That's definitely a lot different from how he spoke of the dragon.]
    bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14928)

    [personal profile] bright_moon 2021-09-25 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
    More signs of a harsh life. Xingchen doesn't find them ugly, they are signs of surviving.

    Xingchen has no similar signs, between his sheltered upbringing and the strength of his cultivation, any mark that might have clung to him has long since vanished. His movements are without waste, and Xiu vanishes without a sound - off to do something, obviously. She's not needed at the moment.

    "Yes."
    angel_of_death: (Night patrol)

    [personal profile] angel_of_death 2021-09-25 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
    "Then let's go. Are you any good at horse-riding?"

    Because Walter is not. Perhaps he should learn. He's never had a need to before, but with all that's happened tonight, it certainly seems like a good idea now.
    cultivatingsin: (He would always laugh and say)

    [personal profile] cultivatingsin 2021-09-25 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
    His core has never been anything to brag about, unfortunately, and so it takes him awhile to heal. But he keeps himself active to make up for it, using his body as a weapon.

    Ying follows Xiu, curious about her, and Xue Yang makes a soft, amused sound.

    "So is that bandage for my hand? Are you going to do the honors?"
    forgeabettertomorrow: (If Only I Had Realized Sooner)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-09-25 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
    ...He wants to die by someone he deems worthy enough to kill him.

    [He sighs and runs a hand down his dirty and sweat stained features.]

    ...Real handful, this guy...
    bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14928)

    [personal profile] bright_moon 2021-09-25 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
    What Xue Yang has managed with the core he has is, frankly, incredible. He'd kept up - kept a step ahead of - Xingchen for months, after all. Not an easy feat.

    Xingchen smiles at the questions and picks the bandage up with a nod. "If I may? Keeping it warm and supported will help the cramping I expect you get."
    cultivatingsin: (liberate souls)

    [personal profile] cultivatingsin 2021-09-25 08:09 am (UTC)(link)
    He did it through hard-work, mainly, because the hard-work was fun. Being chased by someone so lofty had excited him and even when he was caught, he hadn't regretted it very much.

    "I'm in your hands~" he holds out his scarred hand, "You know, my Jiangzai is special. I had it made so I could use both hands with it. Maybe I'll show you later."
    reloves: (♀ and at once if you're ever)

    [personal profile] reloves 2021-09-25 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
    There's not much time here at all, but Minako tries to analyse the situation as well as she can anyway. The other girl obviously has trouble with the idea of going too far here - that much is obvious. Minako has too much experience with this sort of thing to not see that with even just one look into the other's eyes.

    And it's not like Minako really likes the idea either, but.. they have to be practical here. This is an emergency situation. Lives are on the line, because it's not like they can just run away and leave these people here, still buried under the rubble, to die.

    There's a last glance between the cougar, stuck in the cage of light, and Steph.

    "I'll do it," she says, steeling her voice. If the other girl is so reluctant, then Minako doesn't want to drag her into it. "You just try to free those people, okay?"
    bright_moon: (mdzs_e10_14928)

    [personal profile] bright_moon 2021-09-25 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
    His gaze drops shyly at that comment, at how Xue Yang holds that poor hand out now with much less hesitation. Already there has been progress made and he's proud of this battered man.

    He gets to work, hands still just as gentle as before as he wraps the hand up in such a way that Xue Yang can still easily use each remaining finger. But that it's supported, too. "Mm. I remember how beautiful it is. And how skilled you are in using it."