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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.
    sighsheavily: (pic#14315118)

    [personal profile] sighsheavily 2021-10-13 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
    [she looks over at him with a squint.]

    ...Do I appear to be someone who is apt to keeping vermin? Or to waste your time with petty errands? Truly?
    sighsheavily: (pic#14281458)

    [personal profile] sighsheavily 2021-10-13 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Cecelia feels a small flare of irritation at his words. so, what -- he's just putzing around, contributing nothing to the collective need for magical cultivation? gads.]

    Dismissing such aspects does you no favors, if you were to ask me. Engaging in something of a dialogue with the familiar tethered to you may open up new avenues of thought or innovation previously not considered.
    sighsheavily: (Default)

    [personal profile] sighsheavily 2021-10-13 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
    [right-- that sort of magic can't be great for the stamina, even in short bursts.

    once Cecelia's got her own feet on the ground, she puts an arm around Barbara to help keep her upright.]


    Once I get you to a safer spot to catch your breath. Come along-- [she starts to move, searching around for some outcrop of rock or some trees for cover.]
    cameprepared: Unsure of Source (Made in Heaven)

    [personal profile] cameprepared 2021-10-13 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
    Thanks. I...will do my best to stay out of the way.

    [Fucking Geese.]
    notcethleann: (nope)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-13 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
    ...yes. Indeed we do.

    [They both know that Fhirdiad went up in flames for what appeared to be nothing more or less than a monumental tantrum. And it was that, but Flayn thinks she can understand the reasons it happened better than she would like.]

    There is even more that she has done, more truly horrific acts, but those are not my tale to tell. My purpose in mentioning this is to explain that...for such a long time, I felt as though I did not quite belong with all of you. But you and all of the Deer welcomed me, and did not treat me any differently than anyone else. And yet...having made such a grave and terrible mistake, I must consider the likelihood that it is simply not possible for me to think as humans do. To make decisions on your people's behalf.

    If I live to be as old as Seiros, will I, too, one day consider such atrocities to be 'necessary'? Or perhaps I shall be like my father, so very fearful that I become strict and unyielding? Or like my uncles, who have forsaken the world of humanity entirely? I...I worry that my perspective is not compatible with a life as an ordinary person.
    troubadamsel: (You Can Do It!)

    [personal profile] troubadamsel 2021-10-13 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Why do these things always happen to the pure and beautiful? Siiigh. She tries to, gently move the goose along with her hands. ]

    All right, can't have you wandering around and causing more chaos... Let's go about finding where you're from.
    notcethleann: (somber)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-13 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
    Hello, Byleth. I likewise am immensely relieved to see that you are unharmed.

    [Her gaze lowers.]

    You must be so very angry with me.
    hegemonwings: (I sʟᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴘʟᴀʏ)

    [personal profile] hegemonwings 2021-10-13 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
    ... Is that what this is about?

    [ her brow knits as she approaches, her concern obvious. ]

    I... won't pretend I was pleased, but... Flayn, I...

    [ she lets out a breath, hands falling to her sides. byleth glances about, before spotting a slab of stone placed near the road. she starts towards it, gesturing in its direction, as she moves her horse along to tie it off to a tree. ]

    Will you sit and talk with me? Please.
    Edited 2021-10-13 18:04 (UTC)
    notcethleann: (yearning)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-13 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
    Flayn looks up again, blinking.]

    Oh, I...

    [Her face flushes faintly with shame. How can she sit and speak with Byleth as though she hasn't helped to bring about an awful catastrophe?

    Still, she must face the consequences of her actions eventually, so she nods and moves to sit with her cousin on the stone.]


    Yes, of course.
    hegemonwings: (Iᴍᴍᴇʀsᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴄᴜʟᴛs ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴇᴍɪᴄᴀʟs)

    [personal profile] hegemonwings 2021-10-13 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ byleth nods her thanks as flayn sits, gazing at the forest floor for a long moment. finally: ]

    ... Have I really made you so frightened of my disfavor?
    notcethleann: (unsure)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-13 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Flayn fiddles with the sleeve of her dress, not turning to make eye contact.]

    Not frightened, precisely. But I could not bear to face you after what I have done, and hear that...that you had lost respect for me, or perhaps were so furious that you could no longer accept me as your friend and family, as you could not accept my father.
    leicesters: (089)

    [personal profile] leicesters 2021-10-13 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
    Flayn... I told you about my dream, and you're already forgetting? There's no "your people" or "my people". There's just... people. Anyone at all with power is capable of making the wrong calls, or abusing their positions, or treating others horribly. I lived most of my life in Almyra, where the Church has no reach, so I can say that for a fact.

    I've also said before that I don't understand what it's like to live a very long time. But I do know what it's like to have friends who care about me and support me... and who would chew me out if I ever went astray.

    [He laughs at that last part; he's sure she can guess just who he's alluding to.]

    On the other hand, Seiros wasn't accountable to anyone, so she did as she pleased. Anyone who defied her was killed or had to flee. But as long as you have people around you who care for you, you won't go down that path. You're one of the kindest, most gentle people I know.
    cantgetanyworse: (112)

    [personal profile] cantgetanyworse 2021-10-13 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
    With a--?

    [Actually, no, she's not going to ask. The mental image is good enough without any more unnecessary details. She looks down as she fights against her smile and only truly raises her attention again when they reach their destination.

    ... At which point she immediately, if subtly, shrinks in against Rider's side.
    ]

    Ah... are you sure it's all right here?
    hegemonwings: (Nᴏᴡ I ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ᴅᴇɴʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʟʏ ғɪʀᴇ)

    [personal profile] hegemonwings 2021-10-13 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
    Flayn, I... [ she glances up, trying to meet her cousin's eye. there's a flicker of guilt in her expression, and she flexes her fingers a little nervously. ]

    I'm sorry. I did not say that to draw a line in the sand. I just... I didn't want you to have false hope that I could place everything aside right away, if he were to come here. You are here, and if we have problems, then we can try to sort them out. Seteth isn't. When I said that I could not forgive him, I only meant... as things are now. I don't know what the future might bring.

    [ she takes a breath. ]

    I don't agree with what you did, but I understand it. And I never blamed you for what followed.
    mayoninofukucho: (Smoke Break)

    [personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2021-10-13 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Hijikata sighs... he can't argue against that.]

    Fair enough!

    [He exhales smoke into the air. Thanatos is a fellow death mage, so he wonders...]

    Will you be participating in the equinox ritual?
    colchismagecraft: (Been practicing my evil laugh)

    [personal profile] colchismagecraft 2021-10-13 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    [And as soon as the pants fell, she burst out laughing- wow, those sure were some boxers!]

    Haha...hahahahaha!! Very flattering, Darin-
    forgeabettertomorrow: (My alternative facts are still right)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-13 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
    [He recognizes that tone of voice. He's known that tone for as long as he can remember.]

    [Of course she'd be disappointed with him. And it twists him up inside.]


    No, it's not. Don't patronize me.

    You want me to be more.
    forgeabettertomorrow: (Don't fail me now beautiful wings)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-13 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
    Darin does his best to focus, but his blood magic isn't as trained as his healing magic is. With sweat forming on his brow, he finally gives up the ghost.

    "No, I can't sense anything. I can only stretch my sensory field so far."

    He huffs in frustration, wishing he'd spent more time mastering this school of magic.

    "How about you?"
    forgeabettertomorrow: (If Only I Had Realized Sooner)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-13 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
    ...You know, if I were capable of being embarrassed, I'd be real sour at you right now.

    Seriously?

    [He sighs and gathers up his pants to try and secure them with his broken belt.]
    colchismagecraft: (Do you really think you can win?)

    [personal profile] colchismagecraft 2021-10-13 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    Hmhm, you had the gall to laugh at my nightdress, I think this is only fair~ Haha~

    [Caster, your sadistic streak is showing.]
    forgeabettertomorrow: (GHK!)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-13 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
    Your nightdress showed a hell of a lot more!

    And I didn't laugh at it, I was...

    Um.

    You know what, nevermind!

    [Good save?]
    colchismagecraft: (Soulless Witch)

    [personal profile] colchismagecraft 2021-10-13 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
    Fitting for the equinox...perhaps so. Pomegranate, hm?

    [That caught her attention first, reminding her of the legends surrounding Hades and Persephone. But now that she looked closer, the themes started to come through- more so with the skeletal bones that started to form.]

    ...Or does this have something to do with the spirits?
    colchismagecraft: (Agonising stare)

    [personal profile] colchismagecraft 2021-10-13 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
    It was reassuring, in its own way, to see that she didn't simply back away from her- and as such, the defensive tension in her shoulders lessened when Kaoru took that step closer. And as such, it gave her enough reassurance to elaborate:

    "I was summoned as a Spirit myself, back home... the thought of them being condemned to oblivion that way is uncomfortable, hypocritical though that is of me." The giant was still, now, it's work done. "...Minamoto? A friend of yours, I take it?"
    colchismagecraft: (Anticipation)

    [personal profile] colchismagecraft 2021-10-13 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Perhaps so...but I cannot say that is a thought I like, even if it is hypocritical of me to say such a thing."

    She moved to stand beside him, watching out at the huge Giant. "...Do you really think there can be peace, in such a thing?"
    colchismagecraft: (Do you want me to burn you?)

    Alas poor geese

    [personal profile] colchismagecraft 2021-10-13 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
    [She's gleefully laughing at his yelling- clearly, riling him up was a great source of enjoyment for her. And, well, it didn't look like his sword was proving at all affective against the creatures.

    But oh, what was this?

    Moving her arms in a wide arc, she shielded herself with darkness and pulled back- he might have been aiming at her!

    But no, as the dust clears...there was the smell of freshly cooked goose. Oh, and destroyed, burning nicotine.]


    ...Well. That saves me the trouble of cooking one, doesn't it?