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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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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: 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.
    morganknight: (a little somber)

    Special!

    [personal profile] morganknight 2021-09-27 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
    Quiet and hidden wasn't enough to escape Morgan. A thump and a whump, of him dropping to the ground and leaning against her, respectively; then he slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in tight, providing solace by presence and solidity and warmth.

    "Hell of a day," he said, after a minute.
    themogget: (024)

    ruins take #??

    [personal profile] themogget 2021-09-27 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
    [He hadn't been involved, but even Mogget had been unable to entirely ignore what had been going on in this place. He'd made his way here on the back of someone else's horse, mostly unnoticed, and he watches from somewhere safe as people try to fight against the dragon.

    And they fail, and... Mogget isn't entirely surprised.

    The small, immaculately white cat picks his way through the smoking ruins, walking down the middle of the street with his tail held high and the tip faintly twitching. When he sees Darin, well, he knows exactly who he's looking at. Not by name, but he'd seen the man's actions. He tips his head very slightly to one side and approaches, sitting down a couple of feet away from Darin's shoes.

    His tail lashes lazily against the ground, and he regards the young man silently. Interesting.
    ]
    ichoosefight: (Cass-- what are you doing?)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-09-27 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
    She heard him approach, so she isn't startled when he puts an arm around her. She lifts her head to look up at him with grief in her eyes, then rests her head on his shoulder. The contact helps.

    "That's an understatement."
    ichoosefight: (what if i work this on my own?)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-09-27 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
    Magic blasts, defusing magic items, draining mages. She makes a mental note. Those powers might be useful in the future, though there's not much need for them right now. If she's going to build a network for emergency response, why not start with another mask?

    "Things are only going to get worse once we're done here. Do you have like, a beeper or something?"
    judgementor: (006)

    Camelot A

    [personal profile] judgementor 2021-09-27 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Children tend to be wary of Red Wine. Something about him puts them off - maybe it's the red eyes, or the sharp canines - but it isn't always the case. Sometimes he can charm them, and he's doing just that when he spots Somnus returning the doll out of the corner of his eye.]

    Here, take mine. [He says gently to a young girl he was showing how to fold cranes out of paper, and he gives her head a soft ruffle before she runs off to find one of her parents and show them her prize.]

    That was kind of you. [The next comment is aimed at Somnus, and he tips his head towards where he had spotted the man doing the good deed.] And they need that, right now.
    Edited (i can code) 2021-09-27 18:14 (UTC)
    judgementor: (057)

    candle paths;

    [personal profile] judgementor 2021-09-27 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
    Mm, I expect so.

    [The idea of spirits lingering isn't a strange one to Red Wine, but he doubts they care too much about things like this. Still, he regards the same display Childe is looking at with a thoughtful expression and his arms loosely folded, then he gives a tiny shake of his head.]

    It could be that they believe the light helps the spirits find their way here. Or that it appears differently to them than to us. [He says all of this in a quiet, curious way, his eyes set on the candles.]

    Either way, I doubt it's a matter of 'caring' as far as the spirits are concerned.
    beewulf: (11)

    [personal profile] beewulf 2021-09-27 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
    I do, maybe we can see about getting you out of there.

    [You know, and into an actual apartment or house or something. Maybe he should just have her move in with him.]

    Mm, I'd say you're doing more than just moral support right now.

    [Oh, but that's right. Her sick-ass tatt probably holds no power here. His mind goes towards Kiyohime... Hercules and the others that might potentially show up. Perhaps he should have her move in with him....]
    beewulf: (Default)

    [personal profile] beewulf 2021-09-27 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    The woman in question, though she certainly carried herself as a human and appeared to be one. Had something about her that marked her as being more than what she appeared.

    Bute yes, Beowulf understands it all too well. There's no party like a Norse party, because a Norse party don't stop! Not until everyone is half-dead from alcohol poisoning anyway. "Heh, it is dumb. If you like something, and it doesn't harm anyone, then do it and be open about it."

    There was a small smile directed at her before he starts to pluck some flowers himself and start weaving them into a crown; casting a glance here and there at Minako. "Preserving herbs and flowers, drawing them and taking notes on them. I don't see anything that's not "manly" about it. Or not enjoyable about it."
    morganknight: (looking at you)

    [personal profile] morganknight 2021-09-27 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
    Morgan let the comfort and silence stretch another moment, giving her the chance to relax as much as anyone could, in this situation.

    "We did good," he said, finally, quietly. "And well. Don't forget that."
    beewulf: (Default)

    [personal profile] beewulf 2021-09-27 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
    That was probably good news for everyone! Especially since Beowulf really didn't want to waste any time or energy right now. There were far more pressing matters to attend to right now.

    "Mm, we fight. It's just like the ones we faced in Chaldea." Mindless beings with only a sole goal and purpose to them. "...We need to get it on the ground first. Can't do anything while it's still in the air."

    To try to do so would be silly.
    luciing: (pic#14227455)

    [personal profile] luciing 2021-09-27 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Once the doll leaves his hand, his open palm closes, and his arm falls back to his side. Somnus turns, regarding the young man as he speaks to him, his expression neutral. ]

    The youthful are oft resilient. May they endure the loss of their homes.
    inevitablerest: (015)

    untitled fall game bc Than was off fighting the dragon

    [personal profile] inevitablerest 2021-09-27 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    [One doesn't simply ignore a man running down the street after a goose and Thanatos leaves a shop just in time to watch said bird, pursued by an irate Hijikata, pass by him in a flurry of noise.]

    Hm.

    [A corner of his mouth quirks up into a wry smile. It's not often that Thanatos smiles, but the scene is funny and even he can appreciate that. But he does take pity on the man and makes a small gesture, intending to stop the goose via kinetic magic.]
    inevitablerest: (068)

    c

    [personal profile] inevitablerest 2021-09-27 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    Hm?

    [He hadn't wanted to hurt the dragon while he fought it, only drive it off, but the dragon hadn't been interested in anything but carrying out its goal. There's very little blood on the blade of the scythe laid down at his feet while he rests on a chunk of rubble, and plenty of cuts and bruises on Thanatos himself.

    When he hears Barbara's voice he doesn't realise he's being addressed, at first. He looks up, meets her eyes, then after a moment of thought shakes his head very slightly.
    ]

    I'm not hurt.

    [This is clearly a lie.]
    inevitablerest: (003)

    candle pathway

    [personal profile] inevitablerest 2021-09-27 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    [He's not expecting anyone to bump into him. Being over six and a half feet tall and fairly broad in frame he's not too easy to miss despite not being the tallest person here by far, and the impact of someone into his back makes him flinch visibly.

    One of these days he'll get used to being touched out of nowhere. Today... is not that day.

    But he doesn't seem put-out by it. He turns around, his hands coming out of the pockets of the jacket he's wearing along with the smart-side-of-casual clothing he's taken to donning while he's been in Avalon, and he looks down to Baldr with an expression just edging on the faintly irritated side of 'mild'.
    ]

    ... Evening...
    ichoosefight: (that's just the thing)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-09-27 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
    She sighs, turning her head so she's facing his shoulder and closing her eyes.

    "I know that," she says quietly. "I know." It's what they didn't accomplish that weighs on her mind, even if she knows that's not how this works.

    "It still just... makes me feel so powerless."
    isleofnpcs: PB: Jason Momoa (Archimedes Work)

    [personal profile] isleofnpcs 2021-09-27 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
    Archimedes shoots Merlin a speculative look as they walk. From the expression it's abundantly clear that he does not quite trust Merlin's sudden altruism.

    "No one's expecting me to yet," he corrects gruffly, shaking his head. "Going to need shelters setting up. I'll come and lend help with that."

    Be that help in the form of horses to move supplies, or his own two hands. He doesn't intend to be stingy while there are multiple crises going on. Still, he doesn't have to like it. The large man sighs, then glances across at the wizard and thinks for a moment before speaking again.

    "... Sure you're all right, Merlin?"
    flapsin: (weighing over)

    [personal profile] flapsin 2021-09-27 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
    "A beeper? Haven't had one of those since I was a kid!" he says with a nostalgic laugh.

    "I, um, I don't really have any kind of comm set up yet for when I'm in the mask. If you post to a Darkwing Duck fan account, I'll... probably see it?" he admits meekly. This does really feel like something he'll have to get on! "Or maybe our familiars can pass messages!"
    chatwithdeath: YouTube: babygirl91580 (What to do?)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-09-27 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    [When push comes to shove, at three, Naomi pushes with him. The rock is no match for them, and they're in the clear to finally dig this survivor up.]
    tantailizing: Artwork by: Yuffie (maybe) (Huuu?)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-09-27 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Alright... don't get swarmed by them."

    Because there were still other geese goosing around.

    ... is Berry going to be okay?
    morganknight: (nervous?)

    [personal profile] morganknight 2021-09-27 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
    He leaned his head over, gently bonking his temple against the top of hers. "You came into a bad situation and, just by being there and being you, made it better. Do not for one second lose sight of that. Not saying you should be happy about all of this, but... don't devalue your contributions. You can't fix everything, ever, but you did everything in your power and you know that."
    feisticuffs: (Default)

    [personal profile] feisticuffs 2021-09-27 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
    There's no path to follow, but Jade isn't bothered by the idea of having to scale a bit of rubble— only that it must be done carefully so as not to cause an unwanted landslide, but she and Allura seem to be managing well enough as they make their way deeper into the heart of all the wreckage.

    When the fair-haired woman calls out, Jade sweeps her gaze across the rubble ahead, listening hard for any response— and though the cry for help that comes in reply is faint and strangled, the hand protruding upwards from beneath what looks like part of a wall catches her eye immediately.

    "There!" She points, immediately quickening her pace as she scales a fallen chimney, eager to reach the victim in question before the debris has a chance to shift and cause further harm. "Just a bit further— we're almost to you, sit tight!"
    tantailizing: Dissidia (Wanna run that again?)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-09-27 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Huh... Have any good conversations with a ghost before?"

    Yeah, he already had the right idea of what bargaining magic was like. Zidane would only be verifying that.
    ichoosefight: (on a mission)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-09-27 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
    She chews her lip, thinking. If she'd had more than 3 minutes to think about this she might have some ideas already. She's never been so glad she gave up the cape and cowl gig.

    "They're both bats, I know they don't like daylight..." She taps a finger on her leg, considering her options.

    "It's not important right now. But if you come up with something, let me know. If nothing else you can put a signal in the sky." She draws the bat symbol in light in the air in front of her, just a tiny bit of magic to illustrate what signal she means.
    mycrosstobear: (that never came)

    2

    [personal profile] mycrosstobear 2021-09-27 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
    [She's always writing. The difference now, it seems, is that she's always writing notes. Not closely guarded outlines of plots, or...actually does she still keep a journal? It seems like something she'd never give up.]

    Nah. Safer to just dry everything.

    [An alternative that Wolfwood imagines she's been lecturing people about.]
    bakudan_bambino: (sunny days came)

    [personal profile] bakudan_bambino 2021-09-27 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Gokudera nods along until he's told the mask is enchanted. Then, he's rolling his eyes and dragging a hand over his face. Wow that would have been useful to know.]

    Sounds wonderful. Let's get it over with, then.

    [At least he's not defenseless, even if he is ill prepared.]