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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.
    amakakeru: (this is goodbye for now)

    [personal profile] amakakeru 2021-10-03 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
    "It may not be on the same scale, but...It's significant enough for you. No one can expect you to overcome it in an instant."

    As for her question, though, he shook his head.

    "...No, I don't hear it."

    But it didn't sound like he disbelieved her, either. After all, he'd recently learned he could hear animals talk, why couldn't someone else hear a buzzing?
    friendsallover: (3)

    [personal profile] friendsallover 2021-10-03 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
    Good. Wouldn't want to have to carry you home or something.

    [He says that, but he would.]

    There's always a worse. Not sure I'm ready to think about what that would mean.
    chatwithdeath: Official Art (Consider the facts)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-10-03 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
    [Snake back on her neck, Naomi walks over and scowls.]

    Did you really? Right now? [But yes, this was going to be a problem. Skeletons were reanimated purely by magic.]

    We may have to manually take them out of town.
    chatwithdeath: (Alone in the dark)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-10-03 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
    Naomi will escort him then.

    "Good to know you're volunteering to keep up the search for survivors. I'll be back."

    If he's going to stay and groom himself, it's the least he can do.
    chatwithdeath: (My next 'patient')

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-10-03 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
    Freed enough, the man did move albeit slowly. Eve had done so much healing, but the older man would still feel lingering pain in his chest. He grunted, placing a hand over his right side, but managed to rise.

    "Thank you. Ah... do you mind helping me down?" Though he was out of the rubble pile, both of them were still on it; and it was fairly uneven, shifting ground.
    mayoninofukucho: (Well-Rested for Once)

    [personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2021-10-03 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
    The underground... that adds up.

    [That's where skeletons are supposed to be, right?]

    I'm Hijikata. if you've got any questions I may be able to fill you in; I've been around for over nine months already.

    [Damn, that time just flew by, didn't it... but he made a lot of headway! He'd never have imagined being able to hold a calm, casual conversation with a skeleton.]
    flapsin: (adjusting hat)

    [personal profile] flapsin 2021-10-03 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
    Of course I did, it's a superhero thing! [At least it is in this guy's book! He takes in her suggestion while the skeletons continue their advance.]

    What do you mean by that? Just, pick them up and carry them away??
    mayoninofukucho: (Unimpressed)

    [personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2021-10-03 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
    [Hijikata snatches the hat, but doesn't sheathe his sword, instead pointing it at the honking bird and glaring daggers as it keeps struggling in Ryouma's arms.]

    Do you want me to finish it off? It's destined for someone's oven anyway. I'd say you've earned a nice roast goose for your trouble.

    [If the damn goose could understand him it'd probably promptly behave in hopes of averting that fate... or maybe not. Geese are chaotic creatures, after all.]
    chatwithdeath: YouTube: babygirl91580 (How peculiar)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-10-03 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
    ... Why? [That's something she never understood.]

    Yes. Break them apart and scatter their pieces elsewhere. It'll force them reconstruct themselves away from our efforts.
    flapsin: (glad)

    [personal profile] flapsin 2021-10-03 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
    Wh-why? You can't just ask 'why' of a superhero like that! It's a trade secret. ...But it does help to keep down the tension and stress of a situation!

    [He does seem eager as he hears out the details of her plan.]

    Ooh, now I get it! Now that's a pretty clever idea. I'm surprised I didn't come up with it first! Okay then, now for a new round!

    [He rushes towards one skeleton to blast it apart - and to start collecting and scattering the pieces!]
    resistetmords: (Default)

    [personal profile] resistetmords 2021-10-03 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
    Mm, pretty sure they're just regular geese?

    [Has Maribelle never seen a goose before? Or know of their terror, and horrific deeds????]
    notcethleann: (satisfied)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-03 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
    [Her smile warms.] Thank you. Simply hearing that is a great help in itself. I shall be careful, and I urge you to do the same. I and the other Golden Deer are always behind you.
    resistetmords: (We’re outgunned and few in numbers)

    [personal profile] resistetmords 2021-10-03 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
    Well then that's good. I'm sure things aren't as bad as they might look on the surface.

    [She propped herself up against the wall, loosening her grip on the sheets. Still smiling and nodding her head. She was absolutely keeping herself in good spirits. Worse could always happen!]

    ...But how are you doing?
    notcethleann: (somber)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-03 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
    [Flayn watches Claude through the trees, as though she could memorize him in this instant between moments before everything falls apart. He is beautiful in the moonlight, of course, and she fondly recalls the dragon whose blood was shed to create the Crest oF Riegan and whose bones form the weapon Claude wields with such skill; they were a lover of moonlight as well, always flying through the starry sky at night.

    But Claude is wholly unique; she thinks that there has never been anyone like him in the world's long history. Yes, if anyone should decide her fate after her part in such a terrible event, it should be him.

    She steps out from the trees' shadows, hands folded behind her back, speaking quietly.]


    Indeed, it did. What are you doing here, Claude?
    beewulf: (Default)

    [personal profile] beewulf 2021-10-03 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
    Had a cracked rib.

    [One day the Beast will be unleashed, and Avalon will burn. But the keyword he said there was had. There was also a joking (for him) grin on his lips.]

    Got annoying though, so I glared at it and told it to heal. Still hurts though.

    [Okay, so he might have been joking... and he might not have been.]
    beewulf: (03)

    [personal profile] beewulf 2021-10-03 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
    Reveals his reverse Uno card!

    "Mm, no. For you to be my "girlfriend" I'd need to know you better."

    A joke, he was joking. Just look at that smile as he goes ahead and moves to plop that crown on Minako's... well, crown. Also, you might be a touch too young missy!

    "But hey, glad you like it all the same."
    patchricide: (183)

    [personal profile] patchricide 2021-10-03 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
    It alarmed her, sometimes, how much this woman reminded her of Zarkon's witch. As if both women had allowed themselves to rot from the inside out by their dark magics, numbing what disgust they should feel in their own cruelty. The only true difference was that Caster had not become a gaunt-faced hag, which only suggests she had not weathered the same thousands of years of time.

    Regardless, this sick dread in her stomach was the most familiar part. That someone could exist like this, that would lay worlds to ruin just to spite her enemies.

    "They deserved it? For what?! What possible crime could they have committed that made any of this just? They lost their homes — and many of them, their lives...!"
    notcethleann: (yearning)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-03 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
    Hello, Darin! I am so very glad to hear that you agree. I, too, am currently traveling on the road to Celliwig. Did you meet the dragon during the snowstorm, as I did? I do not suppose you managed to learn his name? I unfortunately did not. There were many questions I wished to ask him.
    reloves: (♀ my first love)

    [personal profile] reloves 2021-10-03 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
    Minako nods. She's not going to contest the matter, believing that the other is more than capable of taking care of herself when it's necessary.

    "If there's an emergency, call me. I'll be there." Sure, there's a chance she might miss it in the middle of all this chaos, but Minako vows to herself that she'll pay a little bit of special attention to it. "Good luck. Let's see each other once all of this is over."
    reloves: (♀ with all our hearts we talked)

    [personal profile] reloves 2021-10-03 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
    Minako lets out a breath, but it almost sounds like it's a small, amused sound.

    "Hey, I have two hands! I've been using these here as much as I can." .. though it might not exactly beat the power he just used to move all the rubble at once, but.. you know. Minako is well aware that sometimes you just have to work with what you are given.

    Especially in a situation like this, where every little piece of work could mean the difference between life and death for someone.
    patchricide: (I never authorized this.)

    [personal profile] patchricide 2021-10-03 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
    "I know the feeling," she responds to Jade, as she takes a position to start lifting with her legs. "At times like this, I would gladly trade your blood magic for my cognitive..."

    But she's not helpless. Not merely because she's in outstanding physical shape, either — but because of her secondary magic, which she's charged up in fighting off earlier monsters, and which now tingles and burns as it pulses through her muscle tissue and reinforces it.

    Perhaps there's similar ways in which blood magic can be applied. Something to talk about when this is all over.

    "On your signal, we lift."
    Edited 2021-10-03 07:30 (UTC)
    angel_of_death: (Idiots don't ever learn)

    [personal profile] angel_of_death 2021-10-03 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
    [At that, Walter gives an obvious snort.]

    Only a little.

    As a people, they don't have the same issue with panicking when confronted with the presence of the undead as humans do. But the wards they put up are weak. They don't actually keep the undead contained, but mask our presence from them when they are inside and we stay outside.

    And it seems they're easily broken, too.
    troubadamsel: (You Can Do It!)

    [personal profile] troubadamsel 2021-10-03 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
    [ listen, she just knows avalon is messed up. ]

    One can never be too cautious in this place of madness.
    leicesters: (045)

    [personal profile] leicesters 2021-10-03 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
    Flayn! [He turns from the spirit with a start, though that surprised expression is soon replaced with a relieved smile when he spots her.]

    I could ask you the same question-- I've been looking all over for you. Are you all right?

    [He looks her up and down. She seems unhurt, at least outwardly, though he's sure that doesn't tell the full story.]
    emet_sulk: I have lived a thousand thousand of your lifetimes (73 look at me!)

    [personal profile] emet_sulk 2021-10-03 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Emet-Selch can't hold his breath whilst wrestling with a goose. He's forced to use one hand to cover his nose, but this gives him far less purchase on the pouch. The goose manages to steal the whole thing with a triumphant (muffled) honk and starts waddling away quickly, trailing the light, dusty powder in its wake. Emet-Selch runs after it, yelling over his shoulder. ]

    Take care not to breathe it in and you should be fine!