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

EVENT ✨ Fall Equinot


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: 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.
    tantailizing: Artwork by: SG2119 (I'll do my best to kidnap you)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-10-01 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
    Haha, that's what I said! Anyway, while we were trying to get her, she was running away from the castle. She planned to stowaway on our airship and we ran all around until we got there, and she realized I was from the airship.

    Then she did everything proper like introducing herself before requesting if I could kidnap her, and so, I swore to her I would.
    forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-01 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
    ...Damn.

    You sure had one interesting journey.

    Must be nice that she showed up here. Maybe she'll keep you out of trouble.
    tantailizing: Artwork by: Unknown (So what?)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-10-01 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
    [Zidane stares... but it's kind of obvious he's trying not to laugh.]

    Sure, she might drug me again. That'll work!

    [Get a girl that can be ride, die, and/or taking the wheel.]
    hitokiri: (003)

    [personal profile] hitokiri 2021-10-01 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
    [ izō is surprised at the question because that wasn’t what he’d meant to say. he was trying to make a point! he’s also made ryouma laugh but it’s not at him and it leaves him with odd feeling. izō appreciates the sound — and always has, if his fondest memories are any indication — but why notice that now?

    he scowls for a moment but it’s as short-lived as the rest. dumb drunk idiot. he sighs audibly. ]


    I—..I dunno yer probably jus’ gonna pass out anyway, arentcha? How’d I end up bein’ the responsible one? Askin’ for trouble…
    forgeabettertomorrow: (I'm about to do something awesome)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-01 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
    ... ... ...

    Is she taking requests?
    tantailizing: Artwork by: Hira (Otemoto84) (What the heck?)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-10-01 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
    No.

    [Darin, don't even think about getting her to drug him.]
    forgeabettertomorrow: (this Lance guy sounds alright)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-01 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
    Huh.

    Might have to figure out a way to get on her good side.
    tantailizing: Artwork by: Unknown (Oh yeah?)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-10-01 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
    I mean, you can come by for a visit. We don't mind.
    beewulf: (Default)

    [personal profile] beewulf 2021-10-01 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
    [Who knows, maybe Ritsuka's actually a beast berserker in disguise. What with the wheelbarrow threat.]

    No, mostly just on bandaging, setting bones and the like. Though by the look of things you've already gotten the hang of most of it.

    [His chin rests itself on a hand as he inspects her handiwork.]
    angel_of_death: (Standing firm)

    [personal profile] angel_of_death 2021-10-01 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
    "I have." He actually finds them easier to talk to than the living, most of the time, but refrains from articulating this particular point.

    Continuing towards the river, he thinks of the souls trapped in Loch Manor. Did they escape the pull of that enormous golem, he wonders? Or were they dragged in like the rest?

    "And you? Make any interesting bargains?"
    chatwithdeath: YouTube: babygirl91580 (How peculiar)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-10-01 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
    ... You're welcome.

    [She didn't mean to intimidate him. Maybe she'd been too dismissive.]

    No harm done. I'm Dr. Kimishima. It's nice to meet you too.
    patchricide: (192)

    [personal profile] patchricide 2021-10-01 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
    Her heart twists a little at the thought.

    "I believe that they're capable. I truly, sincerely do. ... but... by dividing like this, our strength has been stretched to its thinnest. And yet, it sounds as though the plan is for both teams to fight back with brute force. I can only hope they have sounder tactics prepared..."

    But not being sure is enough to doubt her own choices. After all, she knows a lot about leading a small team against a tremendous enemy. Even on the way here, she was discussing the larger situation, and formulating the best strategy in her mind to protect both locations.

    Sure, she's pulling her weight here... but would she have been more useful on another team? It's not something she wants to dwell on. Those doubts would always be there, no matter which choice she made.

    "Regardless, the most we can do now is keep our faith in them, and stay focused on our own mission."
    patchricide: (This is my Keith impression)

    [personal profile] patchricide 2021-10-01 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
    Allura follows where Jade is pointing, and catches sight — and takes a different route, keeping balance as she steps from an uprooted tree to a thick door torn off its hinges. This way, the two of them can distribute the weight, and reduce the chances of triggering any sort of collapse beneath their feet.

    But getting closer confirms her worst suspicions that she had from a distance:

    "There's not enough of a gap to pull them through. And if we try to widen it, the whole wall might fall apart..."

    She takes a moment to survey the entire wall, checking to see if anything else is leaning on top of it and weighing it down. Because otherwise, the next suggestion would be out as well:

    "We might not have a choice but to lift the whole thing!"
    notquitetamed: (Monstrum form 006)

    [personal profile] notquitetamed 2021-10-01 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
    Unless someone takes them away we do. Still get the experience even if I don't remember it all.

    [Because yeah, he's missing memories even from this time around and only has 15 years of memory currently.]

    Keep this shit quiet though, okay? No need for anyone to get any bright ideas regarding this place's alchemy. Already been there and done that back home.
    Edited 2021-10-01 11:59 (UTC)
    amakakeru: (it will come)

    [personal profile] amakakeru 2021-10-01 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
    Prolly...Maybe. I 'unno.

    [ The answer is yes, he is absolutely going to pass out once he is horizontal. Until then, though, he's going to be a bit of a pain in the ass. As they stumble into the inn, he just looks at Izō with a warm, dumb smile. ]

    If I'm askin' for trouble yer th' one I wanna get into it with.

    [ Dumb drunk idiot, indeed. ]
    morganknight: (nervous?)

    [personal profile] morganknight 2021-10-01 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
    Look, he wasn't even gonna ask about sleep. He figures if he can get her to slow down just a bit, her body will do the rest of the work.

    "Then you need a meal, and so do I. Let's see what we can do towards finding one, huh?"

    And privately, he sure hoped she didn't think to call him out on how he's now pushing on through tiredness and a need for a rest to take care of her, because he didn't really have a good answer for that one!
    hitokiri: (144)

    [personal profile] hitokiri 2021-10-01 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
    Uh-huh. I believe ya...

    [ he does not.

    izō also takes one look at that smile and keeps going because as soon as they get back to the room, the sooner he won't have to deal with it happening directly in his face. as patience is concerned, he thinks he's done very well for himself. ]


    Maybe I'll remember that the next time ya try an' make a fuss over somethin'.

    [ which is just as likely to be an empty threat because it's always debatable how much he'll recall in the morning. when they finally get to the door, izō reaches out and sets a hand on the doorframe to lean on. now he can relax a little while he waits for ryouma to let them in because he assumes that much is obvious. assuming anything right now is possibly a mistake, but he never claimed to be smart. ]
    amakakeru: (I bless the day you walked)

    [personal profile] amakakeru 2021-10-01 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
    Maybe ya will.

    [ It takes a moment for him to get the coordination necessary to unlock and open the door. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the moment the door opens, Ryouma loses his precarious balance and falls over while still trying to hold onto Izō. ]

    Aah!!

    [ Izō was going to kill him for this, wasn't he? ]
    dottedline: (The Actual Fuck?!)

    [personal profile] dottedline 2021-10-01 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
    Unless you can ruin soup, feel free. We need more.
    ichoosefight: (okay concussion let's make some noise)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-10-01 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
    Luckily for him, she's too out of it to think of asking just now. Food shouldn't take too long, and then she can restock on supplies and head back to work. Maybe an hour or two of sleep by the ruins. She hasn't been able to sleep much more than that at a time since the mountain fell.

    "Okay. I've got granola bars in my backpack, but that's it."
    ichoosefight: (sweet but veiled)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-10-01 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
    Under normal circumstances it would be strange, but considering how hard Steph tried to come up with an excuse just now she can't really judge.

    She smiles wryly.

    "I'm okay. If there are any more mountain lions I'll just trap them."
    troubadamsel: (You Can Do It!)

    [personal profile] troubadamsel 2021-10-01 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
    Are we sure these are regular geese, and not magical ones...?

    [ the horror, the horror! ]
    beefaroni: (Default)

    [personal profile] beefaroni 2021-10-01 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Berserker."

    As always, he must correct it.
    ichoosefight: (wary)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-10-01 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Of course," she answers easily. Rope and a pocket knife, two things you should never go without. She bends down and digs into the backpack at her feet, coming back up to hand him a loop of rope.
    inevitablerest: (062)

    [personal profile] inevitablerest 2021-10-01 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Ah, well...

    It worked at least? Not without a certain comedy to it that Thanatos did not expect. He watches, holding the goose quite still until Hijikata may least expect it, then he releases the creature to flee the scene letting out several loud honks of alarm.

    Thanatos looks like he might laugh for a moment, pressing his lips together and shaking his head. He pushes his hands into his pockets and approaches, watching the retreating tail of the goose as it runs off down the street.
    ]

    You looked like you could use the help.