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.
    chatwithdeath: (Is that her fate?)

    [personal profile] chatwithdeath 2021-10-18 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
    It takes a little effort on Naomi's part, but she does see Allura leaving her body - but then stops paying attention for a moment to keep an eye out. Without her familiar - and with Allura's doing... whatever it was - she has to keep guard. Still, when nothing appears present that is hostile, she focuses again.

    ... And now what's Allura doing? Sinking into the ground? She could just walk through the rubble unabated and search without worrying about going through the floor. Or maybe she's making sure she doesn't go through the ground. Huh, that would be a problem taking on an incorporeal form she guesses - and perhaps more so when done via magic unlike dead spirits.

    Stopping her powers again when a voice echos in the back of her mind, Naomi turns her head.

    "... Seems our familiars may have located something. Try searching by them."
    notcethleann: (satisfied)

    [personal profile] notcethleann 2021-10-18 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
    [It's a bit strange to see Claude so relieved by something that seems to her like it must have been the most obvious thing in the world. Could he have thought she would not love him, somehow? She has felt as though it's been apparent - much too apparent - but if he truly thought there was a chance she might say no...

    That thought trails off entirely when he leans in to meet her lips with his. She had absolutely enjoyed their first kiss, at the party, and what she told Lorenz was true - it was quite meaningful to her, even if it was just a silly game to everyone else. But this...

    This is so much more. And it isn't the fairy tale Claude thought she was looking for; it's real, so very real. The last week or so has been such an overwhelming flood of emotions that she has needed some sort of catharsis. Here, in Claude's kiss, in its slow and tender warmth, she feels like she can finally begin to relax - to melt, if she's being entirely honest. To let her heart be at rest, at peace.

    She opens her eyes when he pulls back just a little, and the wonder that was there when they started is all pure affection now. She speaks softly.]


    I am grateful as well for all that you have done. For all that you have been to me, since we first met. In all my many years, I have never met anyone else like you. Ah...I hope you do not think me uncouth for asking, but may I kiss you again?
    tantailizing: Artwork by: Unknown (Oh yeah?)

    [personal profile] tantailizing 2021-10-18 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Sure! What's your name?"

    Because that would help him either contact him or just remember this for later. And that would be the river coming up. Good start, but they're still off from the bridge.
    mayoninofukucho: (Uniform)

    [personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2021-10-19 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
    Don't mention it. Fending off menaces is part of a knight's duties.

    [Honestly, this isn't so much gallantry speaking as just him appreciating the opportunity to chase down one of those damn geese, even if Ryouma saved its ass from his wrath. He gives him a sloppier version of a bow that's closer to a simple nod... sorry Ryouma, he's still a country bumpkin at heart, despite everything.]

    Take care, Rider.
    friendsallover: (3)

    [personal profile] friendsallover 2021-10-19 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
    I've been through enough to imagine what it smells like.

    Anything coming from this pile specifically?
    friendsallover: (Default)

    [personal profile] friendsallover 2021-10-19 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
    Certainly would make a lot of my job easier. Guess we're lucky in this place that way.
    patchricide: (277)

    [personal profile] patchricide 2021-10-19 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
    The voice comes through to Allura, but soft and distorted, with most of the sound absorbed by the rubble itself. After all, her astral self hadn't left with just her sense of sight, but all which could conceivably still apply to an incorporeal body.

    In fact, the disconnect with her physical body is great enough that rather than reply verbally, she finds it easier to send her response telepathically:

    "All right. Let me go take a look."

    It's again quite a strange experience, moving through so much solid matter again. But she takes that option anyway, since it seems conceptually easier than having to go up and then back down. But before she can see what the familiars have found (or much of anything, really), she discovers it herself by finding something that she can't pass through.

    After all, an astral projection cannot possess other living things.

    And so, it's only shortly after that she breaks the astral projection, briefly reeling back as if her spirit had slingshotted back into her body. "There's someone in there. They're trapped, but it shouldn't take long to uncover them." As she explains, she rises to her feet, and makes a beeline towards the location to start removing the top pieces.
    morganknight: (looking at you)

    [personal profile] morganknight 2021-10-19 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
    He was probably more comfy than the ground, and she was welcome to use as much of him as a mattress as she wanted.

    "I'm glad I found you." Really glad, because who knows what shape she would've been in if he hadn't?
    ichoosefight: (watched in sleep)

    [personal profile] ichoosefight 2021-10-19 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
    She probably would have fallen asleep in that corner, and woken up either with a terrible crick in her neck or under attack by monsters. This is much better.

    The only response she can manage is a quiet hum, and then she's fast asleep. Within an hour she's half on top of him and wrapped around him like an octopus.

    She means to sleep for just 2 or 3 hours and get back to work. She doesn't so much as stir for the next 8.
    feralhumanity: (A fascinating question)

    [personal profile] feralhumanity 2021-10-19 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
    Be glad your human nose can only imagine.

    [Nanaki hums, taking another whiff.]

    ...blood, and iron. And... I think ash. And...?

    [He pauses, leaning in to sniff deeper.]
    dragongrrl: glaring haughtily at the camera (grump grump grump)

    [personal profile] dragongrrl 2021-10-19 08:56 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Lucky for him Barbara is here, then. She has so much knowledge of that!]

    Bleeding serious. Bleed too much, fall asleep, die.

    What parts bleed?
    dragongrrl: hair over face looking away not happy (you mean I have to THINK about PROBLEMS)

    [personal profile] dragongrrl 2021-10-19 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Ah. So Darin made a mistake. A terrible mistake, and one that Barbara surely would have made herself were she in his place then. To stop someone from making a sacrifice like that, one that would have saved a city... yes, she would have done it if letting it proceed would have meant the dragon's death.

    And when she spoke to the dragon with Ardenbury, well. No, of course he didn't care that Darin saved him. He didn't care that the fae revered him. Humans, mortal creatures, those aren't lives that matter to the dragon.]


    Barbara talk to dragon. With Ardenbury.

    Dragon not care. Not listen.
    dragongrrl: hair over face looking away not happy (you mean I have to THINK about PROBLEMS)

    [personal profile] dragongrrl 2021-10-19 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Wheeze... okay. That arm is in fact quite helpful. Between Ardenbury's support and the support of her lance, Barbara keeps on her feet long enough for them to reach a sort-of shelter, a few trees that have been severely buffeted by the dragon's wake.]

    Dragon... not listen. Not care.

    [she is not used to this. not at all.]
    sighsheavily: (pic#14667796)

    [personal profile] sighsheavily 2021-10-19 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
    Clearly. [but matters of draconic disposition will just have to be tabled until after the greater population is saved from imminent immolation.

    after helping Barbara sit:]
    Am I safe to leave you here? I can't linger long, you know.
    morganknight: (thinking)

    [personal profile] morganknight 2021-10-19 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
    Morgan turned out to be a pretty aggressive snuggler too, especially in Avalon, especially after all of this. And when he woke up, six or so hours into their repose, he found himself fiercely startled when she was still there.

    And grateful. He'd expected, and planned, for her to sleep poorly and then try to make a break for it a couple hours in. He'd anticipated a rather sharp argument about taking care of herself. But instead... he just got to get more sleep. So he tucked his head back against hers, shut his eyes, and went back to sleep for a couple more glorious hours.

    Strangely enough, this might be some of the best sleep he'd gotten since his arrival.
    cantgetanyworse: (006)

    [personal profile] cantgetanyworse 2021-10-19 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
    Ah... all right.

    [Hmm. Time to be a little bold, then. Jane straightens her shoulders up in a clear indication that her mind is made up as to which direction she's going.]

    Don't get yourself into trouble on my account. [Then she smiles up at him.] But thank you. Let's go in.
    forgeabettertomorrow: (son of a...)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-19 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    ...This is payback for the poisoned chalice thing isn't it.
    forgeabettertomorrow: (I don't really get it but...)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-20 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
    [Hearing that someone actually managed to talk with the dragon causes Darin some surprise and he looks at Barbara with alarm. Whatever he was feeling...Barbara must have been feeling so much worse.]

    [He moves to her and puts his hands on her shoulders.]


    ...Are you okay? It's not your fault. If you couldn't make it listen, no one could...
    emet_sulk: (11 the faintest smile)

    [personal profile] emet_sulk 2021-10-20 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
    [ He allows a little smirk to spread slowly across his face as he idly strides closer, the pouch now secured once more to his belt - and in hopefully such a way that another goose cannot sneak up and take it.

    The muffled honks and muted thuds from the barrel beneath Darren continue. ]


    Not at all. But aren't you glad that I decided to save you?
    forgeabettertomorrow: (you're kidding me)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-20 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
    [Oh no you didn't]

    Oh, every day.

    Every morning I wake up and thank the gods above that my good friend saved me from the clutches of death brought on by me trying to get through his gloriously thick skull how good life can be~
    forgeabettertomorrow: (My alternative facts are still right)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-20 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
    [Darin stares at the cat with a little bit of disapproval.]

    Who are you? Some ghost of Celliwig or something? What does it matter to you how I cope? What does it matter to anyone if I let this consume me? I'm not some beacon that people rally around. Only a handful of people would be affected by me giving in to this.

    So, what's the moral here? What's the point?
    forgeabettertomorrow: (Don't fail me now beautiful wings)

    [personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2021-10-20 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
    [Darin nods and watches as his friend takes to the air, completely unaware of the choice he'll be forced to make in the coming hours.]

    [And the devastation that's soon to follow.]


    Yeah...it's a promise.

    [With their roles decided, Darin rushes to catch a ride or a mount or...something to pursue the dragon. They had a long night ahead.]
    amakakeru: (his way into his hat)

    [personal profile] amakakeru 2021-10-20 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
    That's the spirit! [ Ryouma practically beams as she perks up, patting her shoulder. ] I'm really good at getting myself out of any trouble, so don't worry about that, either.

    [ The bar itself is...nothing special, aside from a half-assed nautical theme where the only good thing on display is an interesting-looking ship's wheel. This time of day, there aren't many customers inside at all and the bartender barely acknowledges their existence.

    Ryouma takes a seat at the bar and pats the stool beside him. ]


    The usual, and whatever she wants.

    [ "The usual" being something cheap and strong, something Izō has gotten him used to, for better or worse. ]
    amakakeru: (and go-kart mozart)

    [personal profile] amakakeru 2021-10-20 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
    If you say so.

    [ There's something ... charming about that lack of refinement, if he were to be honest. ]

    And you as well, Hijikata-san.

    [ From one country bumpkin to another. ]
    icastsword: (curious boy)

    [personal profile] icastsword 2021-10-20 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
    Okay!

    [He observes the hissing and lunging contest between the woman and the goose. It's not surprising when the woman backs down - geese are freaking scary.]

    Um. But how? I only have the one bell.

    ...Had. Had the one bell.

    [That bell belongs to the goose now.

    Now that it has asserted its dominance over Barbara, the goose stretches its neck upward as far as it will go and opens its wings, clearly gloating.]


    Do you think it'll go after food? But what do geese eat...?