isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ Fall Equinot

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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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, Jane isn't in much of a better state herself. Her hair is half tumbled out of the bun she had it secured into that morning and her clothes and face are smudged with dirt. There's something dark that looks like blood under her fingernails and ingrained into the creases of her palms.

It's because she's just as distracted as he is that she walks straight into the back of him and then squeaks at the sudden impact, quite promptly shocked out of her reverie.]

Oh, Rider! [She tries to smile but it doesn't quite make it to her eyes.] No, I'm-- I'm quite all right, just distracted.

[Understandably distracted, she thinks.]

Are you? Um, all right, that is?

[ He'd be lying if he said he was; it's plain as day he's not. Even aside from his dirty clothes, his level of distraction is beyond that of his normal, somewhat dreamy self. No, he's thinking about what he should've done, what he could've done differently to have a better outcome for everyone.

Things never worked out that way.

Ryouma gives a similarly unconvincing smile and shrugs. ]

I'm alive. I suppose you could call that alright. [ He gets a better look at Jane and his tired smile turns to concern. ] ...You were in Lestari, too, weren't you?

Edited 2021-09-27 22:22 (UTC)

Ah... is it that obvious?

[Those of them that were there do seem to be carrying a unique kind of weariness. Or maybe it's the blood under their fingernails. Jane feels like she's worn right through after stretching her magic as far as it could possibly go.

She tucks a stray wisp of hair behind her ear with deliberate care, to avoid displaying any tremors of exhaustion in her hands.]

Yes, I was. I don't think I saw you there. [Then she smiles, a little wanly.] But I suppose I wasn't looking.

[ Stretched thin from use of his magic and use of his body. It's not like he enjoys using the fighting skills he spent so long honing, but when it's necessary, he will do what he must. ]

I didn't see you, either...But I'm glad to see you in one piece, Jane.

[ Something, anything to get his mind off of what he'd just been through. ]

Do you feel up for grabbing a drink with me?

[ ... If any place will serve them looking as they are now. ]

I'm glad I'm still in one piece, as well...

[It's the first time since the excursion into the Archives that she's launched herself into anything that might be considered truly dangerous, and she wouldn't say she hasn't been absolutely exhausted by it.

His question surprises her and she looks up quickly, then her expression softens into a smile and she nods.]

I think I'd like that. Where shall we go?

[ Oh, that's a relief. Drinking with company is far better than drinking alone. He takes a moment to look between the two of them, then gives a quiet little laugh. ]

Well, given our current states, I think our options are limited. There's a place I've been to with Izō that I've come to like.

[ Which means it has a low bar for its customers and the drinks are cheap. ]

It's not too far from here.

[Jane doesn't ordinarily drink at all but after the last few days she's had, she's beginning to understand what people mean when they say they 'need' a drink.

She nods in agreement to the suggestion and makes a vague attempt at brushing dust off her skirt. It doesn't do any good.]

I must look quite a sight. [She laments with a sigh.] I hope they won't mind.

When Izō and I went, we'd just rolled in the dirt for awhile after a run-in with a goose. [ Don't explain, just continue. ] I think we'll be alright.

[ It's a mercifully short walk, at least, to a somewhat shady if nondescript bar. No one's going to question their appearance here so long as they've got the money to pay for drinks. ]

You see what I mean?

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?

[ He notices, of course, and gently places a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. ]

You've got nothing to worry about. No one will pay you any mind. There's probably no one here this time of day -- can't say this place is too popular.

[ Which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. ]

If anyone does give you a hard time, I'll get them to leave you alone, alright?

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.

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. ]

[She does hope he can get her out of that trouble too, but that seems to be implied.

Jane has rarely stepped inside a bar and never one like this one, and despite her - somewhat forced - confidence she does make sure to stick close to Rider's side until they get to the seats. Then she hops up onto the one beside him and rests her forarms lightly against the edge of the bar top.]

Ah, I'll have a vodka, thank you.

[Cheap and strong, indeed...]

[ There's something to be said for the quick service, at least. Their drinks are served and the bartender returns to ignoring them. Ryouma, practically laying on the bar already, lifts his glass with a tired smile. ]

To...surviving, I guess.

[ For whatever that's worth at that moment. ]

[She picks up her own glass and tries not to examine it too closely, then looks over to her companion with a weariness in her smile that matches his. Jane lifts her glass in turn and nods.]

To surviving.

[As far as she's concerned, it's worth a good deal.

She swallows the vodka in one and coughs as it burns on the way down, making a face and shaking her head quickly.]

Wow. I'll have another.

[ He'd intended to just sip is, but...bottoms up. One down, a shudder, and he makes a sign to make that two. ]

Didn't think you'd just down it like that. [ A laugh. He's impressed, really! Jane is full of surprises and he likes that. His mind is a little more at ease already. Another round is placed in front of them and he toys with his shot glass for a moment. ] Do you mind telling me a little bit more about yourself? What did you do before you ended up here?

[That is how one drinks vodka, is it not? Jane's knowledge of it is a mixture between its popularity as a woman's drink in her era, and her limited experience with 'modern' bars. Either way she thinks she managed that quite well.

Enough that she shoots Ryouma a bashful smile when he compliments her. She doesn't down the second one immediately though and just toys with the glass much like he does as the soft buzz from the first shot begins to sink in.]

Oh, no, I don't mind... I'm a zoologist, in fact. I study animals. Something I'm looking into taking up again while I'm here.

[ He perks up when she's willing to entertain his question. It's a simple joy, but he really does like learning about other people. It's also a good distraction from the situation they both just experienced. ]

Ah, is that so? Are the animals here different than where you're from? That must be exciting for you.

Oh, some of them are the same.

[The birds and general wildlife, mostly. She's seen a good many animals that are familiar to her.]

But there are so many that are what I would have called 'cryptids' back home. That is, animals that aren't believed to really exist. And then there are the fae, who I hesitate to call animals, but they fascinate me regardless. [Jane smiles brightly.]

It's terribly exciting. I'm going to start writing about them soon. Perhaps I might even see if I can charter a boat and go out on the water.

[ The mere mention of boats is enough to get him to perk up even more. Ryouma is someone that wears his enthusiasm on his sleeve and it's kind of cute, really.

Down goes his shot and of course he orders another round for the both of them. Money be damned, this has really helped his mood. ]

Really? If you need someone to captain that boat for you, I'd be more than happy to do it! [ Composure, man. ] That is...If you wouldn't mind that, I mean. I've done some naval training and quite a bit of sailing in my day.

Oh, how wonderful! I'd love to have you along. [She beams brightly at him. Well, that does fix a problem for her that she hadn't even thought of. It doesn't occur to her just yet that Ryouma's enthusiasm about boats likely matches her own enthusiasm about animals, but as soon as she realises this...

Well, she's likely to encourage him in it.]

I'm quite hopeless at sailing, but perhaps you can show me a thing or two about it?

Of course I can! I can tell you about how the ship works, how to get it going, how to navigate...Anything you can ask, I probably have an answer for!

[ He's like an excitable child, it's cute. ]

I can't make you a sailor, but we'll at least make sure you've got your sea legs so you can do what you need to.

Marvellous!

[She sounds genuinely pleased about this, and the giddy gesture she makes almost results in her spilling her shot. Jane picks the glass up and shakes her head - can't be having any of that.]

Now, this is much better imbibed than knocked over. [And she lifts the glass up cheerfully.]

Cheers!

[Again, she manages to knock the shot back with barely a cough needed to clear the burning in her throat, though her voice does sound a little tense when she speaks immediately after.] And I insist you let me pay for the next round.

[ Ryouma can't help but laugh, bright and clear. ]

Kampai!

[ And down goes his drink. Yes, this has put him in a much better mood -- a couple shots and good company will do that for anyone. ]

Sure...I ain't gonna say no t' a free drink.

[ He's also a cheap date. The self-control over his accent is the first thing to go when the booze gets a hold of him. ]

[Jane gets them another two shots immediately, and the sound of her voice piping up over the general noise of the bar has a few heads turning. She does sound far too prim and proper to be hanging around there.]

Barkeep! I will take another round for me and my friend here.

[And as soon as the full glasses are in front of them again she pulls her own to her with an airy giggle.]

Goodness, if daddy could see me now he'd be terribly shocked. [She shakes her head and that smile doesn't fade.] I can trust you to make sure I get home safely, can't I, Rider?

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