isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ Roll out the Welcome Wagon

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This is the event log. Reply with your character's top-level response using the prompts below, or come up with your own related scenario! Totally up to you. You're also welcome to make your own network posts, but we encourage you to keep logs in one place. If you have trouble loading, please click here to view top-level comments only.

DATES: 11/22-11/26*
(*Trial period through 11/25, then AOL will work as intended from then on)
Ten in the morning rolls around and an alert pops up on everyone’s phone for an update to their devices. Attached is a video announcement.

”Hello, hello, hello there. It’s been a while, Camelot. Hold your boos, you missed me.” The man winks, then smiles and takes off a pair of sunglasses he was wearing. “It’s Merlin! Don’t look like I’ve got a few millennia under my belt, do I? If you haven’t been following me on Instagram or heard my story, here’s the TL;DR: Greatest sorcerer of all time, been hanging around Earth… ehh, let’s not number them. People get offended. Don’t come for me. Hottie who travels the multiverse making magic and.. Well, let’s not get NSFW.

Sadly, not here to do an InstaStory today, though I don’t mind a follow if you’re into that. Sponsored video day. I’m here with Avalon Online today to let you know about the new version that yours truly put a little work into. This has been in the works for a while, but the apocalypse really lights a fire for motivation. AOL technology has been upgraded with a little thing called MagiCast. Hit upgrade and your phone will get the technology-infused magic that lets you use thoughts to transfer images, sounds, smells, tastes to consenting friends. Here’s a little test. Rewatch after you install, skip to this point.” If installed, at this point in the video, the smell that comes in is pure petrichor. Because it’s done with magic, even if your sense of smell is bad, it comes in at full strength. “Disclaimer, may be some trial and error since this is the first roll out, call the hotline. Should make following magic tutorials, sharing, all that much easier which we need. You know, tight spot. Merlin out.” He makes a V sign with his hands for victory and ends the video.

Thus begins the trial period of MagiCast, a special combination of magic and technology developed by AOL and Merlin to enhance communication in Avalon. (For full details, limitations, and so on take a look at the new FAQ entry.) The trial period will feature a number of different errors that people may run into, including thought oversharing. It’s entirely possible to accidentally broadcast or send thoughts unintentionally to one or two people, or en-masse to the whole network. Someone should definitely report those privacy errors. It’s also entirely possible there’s something a little off about the physical sensations limits, as you may accidentally share physical feelings with someone you’re connected to. Stub your toe? Sorry, person on the other end of the call. Or maybe do, you could share a massage session with a buddy for free. Just be careful, that could really get awkward if taken the wrong way. There’s also the possibility that you’re going to connected to the wrong person and end up sharing with someone new. Regardless, one thing’s for sure.. While they’re still working out the kinks, everyone’s going to get bonded a lot faster than they probably planned.

DATES: 11/23-11/26
As if you needed more stress. The multiverse is on your shoulders one way or the other, whether you’re planning on generating magical energy to help restore Avalon and keep the universe frozen until Excalibur can be located or stubbornly refusing to help. Which… probably makes the fact that the next time you’re taking a relaxing bath or filling up a sink with water to do the dishes-- or even stumbling around a puddle deep enough, a small whirlpool forms in the water (yes, even if you’re already in the bath). Sparkling with magic, it seems to go way deeper than the water itself. Take a deep breath, get your heart rate under control… it’s just a glass bottle that pops up on the surface of your water, cork in the top, parchment inside. Upon opening it, you see that it’s a message from the Lady of the Lake:

Sorry we didn’t talk much, was a little busy getting you all safely to shore. It wasn’t the cleanest drop, and there are a bunch of possessions scattered across the ocean floor. If you’re missing something, that may be where it went. If you’re not, volunteer to come help clean up anyway. Let me know when you’re here, I’ve got an underwater breathing spell with your name on it. You need the magic practice anyway. I don’t care if what you bring me isn’t yours, but if you bring me five items, I’ll send a gift your way next month.

Don’t waste my time if you just want to take a swim. Otherwise?

Thanks.

-The Lady of the Lake

For this prompt, if you haven’t already actively interacted with an item in your inventory, you can assume that it’s lost and find it while searching. You can also retrieve random items from the bottom of the ocean that accidentally got washed up from other worlds (nothing valuable or personal). The underwater breathing spell will last one hour, not long enough to reach any particularly notable setting beyond general underwater features so feel free to assume anything ocean-y in the underwater setting.

Be cautious about the dangers under the sea though-- this is Avalon, there are a few things you might run into that aren’t anything you’d find in an aquarium nowadays. You may want to learn some of your magic to avoid getting eaten by a megalodon. There’s one lurking in the waters and it’s hungry.

As you travel around, there’s a huge underwater kelp forest that’s very easy to get trapped in, but seems to have some rather sparkling items lost within. If you have the right magic, you may be able to get out… or you and whoever you’re trapped with could try to convince one of the traveling merrow swimming through to help you. They seem to have smart phones so you can connect to them telepathically without a language issue since they’re part-human and part-fish... buuuut they also are known to devour human souls. Perhaps you can trade just a nibble of yours for your freedom… a taste won’t hurt, right? It’s better than drowning when your spell runs out and you still haven’t gotten out of the kelp. Those who give a bit of their soul to a merrow will find themselves feeling more willing to make impulsive and unethical choices for a day or two until they recover. How you interpret that is up to you.

DATES: 11/27-11/30
The network seems to be working again. Secrets are secret; pardon if you know your neighbor a little better than you did before. Those who braved the waters have returned, their tales have been told, and a night of rest has been had.

When dawn breaks on the 27th, sleeping and awake alike will hear a general clatter ring up from the streets below. Camelot's citizens are already buzzing in excitement as the caravan of fairy folk make their way through the gates. No sooner will you make your way out the door than the seemingly abandoned building that has remained empty for weeks springs to life. The caravan makes short work transforming the area and settling in to peddle their wares, so to speak, they’ll call this the preview.

Welcome the Elphame Traders; while they will not begin officially selling till next month, they have decided to provide a few samples, show off their goods and entice the new arrivals they heard about into purchasing a trinket or two come the next month. For today browse the shop, talk with one of the fairies demonstrating different sorts of magic. Please pick up one of the many free samples they’ve brought! A delicious looking hot sauce mini-bottle. When this particular sauce causes a significant explosion of magic, consider it a small side effect. Those who use the hot sauce may find themselves unable to control their magical abilities for about an hour after consumption, releasing explosive amounts of magic into the atmosphere… hopefully your magic type isn’t dangerous to do that with! Sample a candy bon-bon that will send you floating, literally. Try out that chapstick sitting there; for the next twenty minutes, you may find people can’t take their eyes off you, a little sample of obsession-based love spell mixed into the batch. Take a sip of cider that will leave you hiccupping bubbles flavored with your favorite dishes. These things should come with warning labels, but fairies enjoy a bit of dangerous fun. Why spoil the surprise?

The more cautious traveler may want to watch the basic magic demonstrations given by various fairies, perhaps take in the whimsical décor around the previously drab shop. Admire the beauty the fairies seem to meld in by blending nature and the architecture, the gargantuan elder tree that creates natural support; everything is shaped to work with nature; perhaps this is a clue as to how best to treat their new home and help magic thrive. Or maybe the lilting music, ethereal in nature, has caught your attention and you merely wish to stop and listen.

However you come to stand before the shop before you leave, the fairies will offer you a FREE Recipe: Pigmentia. Characters who choose to accept this will be given a recipe that allows them to change the color of items at will. Go forth and make your surroundings more your own or get too excited and mistakenly change your hair color; maybe someone can help you figure out how to fix that?

QUICK LINK TO PLOTTING POST

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He looks at his device again, a little confused but then the explanation is clear. He's mute. Riou's expression returns to neutral and he nods. He's still.. not sure about having someone in his head, but he can at least manage the texting. ]

Continue to text me for now. We are all still getting used to this world.

[ A beat. ] Riou Mason Busujima. [ He holds out a hand to shake. ]

[ Shigeru's shoulders hunch as he nods, obviously a bit embarrassed and apologetic, as he types something. ]

Yes of course! I'm not really...good at controlling my powers yet. But you also just arrived?

[ Huh, weird, but at the sudden intrusion of Riou's hand in and near his space, Shigeru will flinch and move away. His gloved hands creak around his device as he hunches a little in one himself. It only takes him a second to process how he responded before looking away and shaking his head. ]

Sorry! I. I'm not very good with...handshakes. [ How much more awkward can this exchange get?! Stay tuned to find out. ]

[ Riou waits patiently for Shigeru to reject him and drops his hand, so instead remembers his Japanese manners and provides a bow. He's overseas a lot, he sometimes has to adjust.

(Though they're all very, very overseas right now.) ]

State your identity, then.

[ :( He at least wants a name if he can't have his handshake. ]

[ Shigeru startles a bit before he nods and looks away, typing something rapidly on his phone. ]

Shigeru Miyata... [ There's a wave of anxiety that might wash over Riou as Shigeru fidgets in place and fiddles with his phone in his hands. ]

It's nice to...meet you. And I'm sorry, again, for accidentally using my powers.

Your apology is accepted. It's nice to meet you too. I do not know many people here yet, Miyata-san.

[ Riou thinks for a moment, then texts him instead.

Should I text too? ]

[ Shigeru smiles happily back at Riou as he nods and points to himself. ]

Me either! I guess this whole new world is pretty different for a lot of people, huh? [ it certainly was for him. At the question, Shigeru will blink and then sheepishly shake his head 'no' in response to Riou's question. ]

You don't have to text me! I can hear you just fine. I just...I can't speak, sorry, I know it's weird reading this... [ But at least he does have his telepathy...but Riou is opposed to it and he doesn't want to make him uncomfortable or anything either. ]

As a soldier, my head contains a significant amount of confidential information that I cannot allow access to. That is my only concern regarding communication. This means is fine.

[ He's been called weird plenty of times for various things, so it's not as if he would judge. ]

[ Shigeru's expression is a bit surprised when Riou explains. He'll nod in acknowledgment and then type something quickly on his device. ]

I understand. I'm a soldier back home. Special Ops. What did you do?

A fellow serviceman. Sergeant 1st Class, Navy Special Ops.

[ Riou already seems to be a little less tense just at the mention that he's a fellow soldier. He genuinely believes that Shigeru understands; there are some things only soldiers can fully comprehend. ]

That's amazing! I didn't think I would ever run into anyone here who was in an army back home.

[ This is very exciting and rather cool?! ]

It's really a small world, especially since you're the first person I met that has such qualifications!

You're the first other soldier I've met as well. It seems we are few and far between.

[ Which is disappointing. More military would be very useful for situations like this, he thinks. ]

Huh. I guess a lot of people from other worlds are civilians, which is a good thing don't you think? Back home my kind...all we are, are soldiers in a way.

[ A frown as he thinks on it to himself a bit more. ]

But it's nice to know someone else here is a soldier! That means we can look out for one another if anything does go wrong. Unfortunately, my powers here aren't...healing but I still have my medical knowledge and my time as a doctor too.

I would like to be comrades while we are in this world, in that case. In honesty, I am no longer active as our military was disbanded by the new government, but I am still fighting fit.

[ Which is probably surprising, considering he identifies as a soldier, dresses like a soldier, and really isn't that old-- he's only 28. ]

I take it you were in an active war if there were many soldiers. Were you a field medic?

[ Since doctor... field medics are the real heroes as far as Riou's concerned. ]

[ Shigeru gives Riou a thumbs up. ]

We can definitely be friends! I mean...as long as me typing things out isn't a bother?? [ Because that's one of the reasons why back home he doesn't have many friends... ]

Active? Yes! I was actually in the middle of an important mission when I wound up here. But I am a field medic...although without my healing powers it feels weird to say that now. But I am a doctor back home so if you ever need patching up I can definitely help! But I guess people with healing magic would be better for that.

It isn't a bother. I lived at a campsite away from others back in Yokohama; much of my communication was via text.

[ So reading conversations doesn't bother him at all. It's a little odd to do in person because he can't make eye contact, but he is certain he will get used to it. He likes the idea of a friend. ]

It will not always be possible to find people with readily skilled magic in the field. Having a comrade I know I can rely on with experience is more of a comfort than green magic users.

[ He would happily ask a real doctor than wait for a healer who doesn't know what they're doing ahahahaa.. ]

We will restore the passage of time so you can return to your mission, Miyata.

[ Shigeru just smiles as he nods and listens to the other man. Riou sure is nice, even if his facial expressions don't show it too often. ]

You're a really nice person, Riou! I hope we can fix it together so you can get back home too! You have people you care about and want to protect too, right? I'll make sure that if you get injured nothing bad will happen, okay?

You can totally count on me! ( •̀ᄇ• ́)ﻭ✧ [ Shigeru why. ]

[ Yes. Even if Mad Trigger Crew is here, his commander and old unit are still back home. ~~And maybe his family, who we have no idea if they're alive or not, but we do know he loves his mommy so if they're still around, them too.~~ ]

You are a kind person as well, Miyata. I look forward to working with you.

[ He doesn't offer his hand again, even though it feels like it would be a comfortable spot there, but instead offers a firm nod of his head to confirm their new partnership. ]

EVENT ✨ Roll out the Welcome Wagon

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