isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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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. A poll to collect results of the trials will be posted this weekend and stay open until the end of the month to give people a little time to see how their threads are going.

KEY POINTS

Arthur announces the results of the polls and that he spoke to Celliwig's people, they will be testing Camelot the week of the full moon.

A series of choice-based enchanted scenarios is presented based loosely on a modernized seven sins/virtuous responses (power imbalance, cruelty or mercy, excess/greed or restraint, sloth or work ethic, desire/lust or self-control and bravery or cowardice, and sacrifice or self-preservation)

With the polls closed, the decision is made, and King Arthur takes the opportunity to address the kingdom via a streamed press conference. Though it is not an open post, anyone is welcome to comment on it and talk to each other about it. However, it is unlikely that Arthur himself will respond to comments. A notification does appear on everyone's smart devices to invite everyone to watch live; if they tap it too late, it'll still show the recorded stream.

"People of Camelot, I wish that we had better news that spoke of an easier path to the calamity that stands before us. Celliwig's charge is with protecting Avalon even in the face of protecting Camelot and those of you who chose to use your voices have shown that you choose to respect their way of handling things. However, it was only just over half of you who chose this path. I think it is important that with such a great portion of people believing that bypassing Celliwig and going directly to Elphame, as much as it may take patience, we take this action into consideration. There is no sense in ignoring the voices of so many when there is nothing to say we cannot approach from two fronts. As Camelot's king, I have issued our intent to accept Celliwig's challenge to a descendant of Glewlwyd, a man who was much trouble for my knights in our time. They have said after failing one, we shall be tested on multiple fronts, the week of the full moon's rise. Bear in mind that this is our final chance at this."

Merlin sidles up to Arthur in the video, one arm around his shoulders and leaning in to speak into the mics in a much-too-familiar manner. At least his sunglasses are off this time.

"Now then, anyone who wanted to go to Elphame, you'll want to head to the docks around, oh, say, the first of June. Step one to flirting with fae is to put on a good show before the traders leave. It's a good time whether the Celliwig's dooming us or not."

A wink accompanies that odd note, and Arthur orders him off stage before thanking everyone for their time.

With the consent of its people, Celliwig performs a ritual to place Camelot under a rather strange spell. Much is the same, but there's a sense that everything is just slightly off from what it should be. Fog covers the grounds throughout the entire city throughout the entire day. It's just a little too quiet, the usual hustle and bustle of the city falling just a little too distant on your ears. You can go about your day as normal, but feel as if something is simply off. And eventually, you'll walk through a door, and it will be. Part of the enchantment, however, includes a strange inability to connect these doors with being part of a test-- they seem real, regardless of how absurd the scenario would be were your characters thinking straight.

Day One: Power Imbalance
The door you walk through is into a club of some kind. It wasn't your intended destination and yet, here you are, and you're being handed a glass of your favorite drink and being ushered to your seat. The show is fantastical, some kind of circus-esque show with gymnasts and magical effects making it impossible to take your eyes off of. That is, until the spotlight falls upon you and urges you down to join the show. A volunteer! Well, one of two. Another volunteer is brought up along with yours, and the ring leader of the circus gives you both bracelets-- one with selenite embedded in it, another with andara. The ring leader explains that they're both known for creating high frequency connections, though one is known to spiritually be associated with finding one's path and the other with manifesting one's true self. When enchanted together, this makes it so that the person with the andara bracelet can order the person with the selenite bracelet to do anything they please-- making their true self the person's purpose. Very dangerous, very intruiging, very tempting, very morally wrong to do it for real, so please keep it to the stage! A quick demonstration of this dark use of magic as part of the show... and it seems that afterward, they forget to take the bracelets back. What will you do with your newfound control over your partner? The choice is, after all, yours. (Or theirs, if you're the unlucky partner with the selenite bracelet-- only the person with the andara can remove the bracelets, after all.)

Day Two: Schadenfreude
Yesterday seems like a dream, and you may even feel the need to write it off as such unless you run into the same person again and realize no, they too remember it. But if that's not the case, it doesn't matter. You'll be able to find yourself in your definitely normal and usual mideval city, where someone is in the stocks. Your memories seem a little fuzzy on whether or not you're supposed to be in medieval times or not, but this seems right, and there's a fruit vendor right next to you selling soft fruits to throw at the poor sap in the stocks. There are also a number of other ways to mess with the person, including feathers to tickle them, a riding crop, some ink if you want to grafitti the person.. a good number of ways just to humiliate the person without causing them permanent harm. The crowd is cheering you on, but you also see the keys to set them out just sitting on a table nearby. Do you engage in a little sadistic fun or do you embark in a daring rescue? (Or are you the punished in someone else's scenario?)

Day Three: Indulge Me
Back to the modern day like it didn't happen, you and a friend walk into a door to your favorite convenience store and as you finish up your purchase, you win an all expenses paid trip to the Black Knight's Castle, formerly the home of the Black Knight and turned into a lavish tourist attraction by Yvaine and Laudine's descendents, who have become worshippers of Dionysus. You're transported there in a puff of sparkling magic dust, right before an extravagant golden fountain in the middle of the lobby. The owners explain their policy for the Black Knight's Castle that you can have anything you desire, however much you desire. Anything at all, consequence free. The only thing that they ask is that you give a blood offering to their god to help feed his dead worshippers on the other side of the veil, which will ultimately tie your soul to him as well. Just a quick cut of the palm and you're welcome to come back any time, have anything you want, for the rest of your life. Taking the deal means you really will get what you want! ...For the day, anyway. (This is just a spell, after all, even if your character doesn't want it.) If you choose not to, you'll find yourself magically deposited back to the convenience store.

Day Four: What's the Meaning of Stongehenge?
This fourth day, there's certainly something to be said about a hard day's work. When you walk through today's door, you find yourself in the middle of a grassy field, strange markings on the ground, and surrounded by oddly shaped boulders. The markings on the ground seem to indicate where some the stones should be placed. There aren't really any directions, but there's always the option of waiting for someone else to solve this problem for you... There is a very comfortable looking patch of grass anyone able to relax in. So the choice is yours: wait for someone else to move the rocks or move them yourself?

Day Five: Pooling Desire
Day five is a trip to the pools. But not just any pools! These are special, underground pools hidden deep within a cave. You're sure whoever told you to head through this door mentioned something about them being a special relaxation package at the Red Springs. As you head into the pools, however, you find someone in there with you: the subject of your desires. Regardless of who or what they are, they seem to have a crown upon their head, aren't wearing anything in that water, and seem to have a lovely singing voice judging by the tune they're humming to lure you in before you even notice they're there. It is at that point they will try to seduce you, even if that same person is standing right there with you. The seduction, of course, needn't be sexual-- a strong lusting for a turkey leg wrapped in bacon may be just as powerful as a desire for a brand new Ninblendo Swatch or something you should definitely label as NSFW if you want to thread it that way. Give into them, or.. maybe listen to the person who came in with you that they're definitely some kind of weird half-otter bottomed monster under the water before they try to drown you. Or if you're the one trying to stop this, are you brave enough to get in between a stranger and a monster to try to snap them out of the siren's thrall, even if it means fighting both of them?

Day Six: #ChaliceChallenge
The sixth and final door sets you walking outside on a beach. There's nothing else there really except for nature. The sounds of the waves crashing against the sound is soothing, and real, and sharper than anything you've felt in the last five days of haze. There is no fog today. Clear, blue skies stretch forever above you, not a cloud in sight. The only man-made thing you see is a small woode table and two chairs. Upon that table, two chalices. Nothing will happen and there seems to be no way off of the beach until both parties sit down at the table, at which point a strange old man with huge, rippling muscles of at least 7 feet tall and a long, scraggly beard will appear. He informs your characters of the rules: in one chalice, deadly poison. In the other, water and bitter flavor. Each must drink from one cup, or you will both perish of starvation on this beach. Choose wisely.

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Not sure. Do they suddenly hate us people from other worlds? I was kind of surprised they didn't to begin with, honestly...

[Even so, why the sudden attitude shift now? He gives up wiping his face for now -- he's gotten the worst of it off, at least -- and keeps moving.]

It wasn't like most of us were threatening war, either. Arthur was the one who dragged that to our doorsteps to begin with.

Yeah.

[He wanders around in the entrance hall a little more, observing the lavish interior ranging from a massive chandelier to intricately carved wooden pillars to the grand staircase behind the reception. They don't have to wait much longer before the castle owners return, and they take the rejection of their offer with regretful acceptance.]

So you're sure you have no wishes? Neither of you?

None we'd sell our souls for, no.

Absolutely not! I shall not leave you here, Claude.

[A piece of fruit that misses its target rolls near Flayn's feet, so she scoops it up and flings it back at someone in the crowd with surprising accuracy - that's her javelin-throwing arm, you scoundrels!

But there are plenty more, and Claude is right - a few of them are breaking off from the crowd to advance on her, one with a riding crop and others looking to grab her. Still, she lifts her chin proudly. Who is Cethleann, if not the healer and protector of all?

She raises both hands, palms out, and concentrates. Ambient light coalesces around her until she gestures, spreading her hands to surround the two of them with a wall of light that keeps out their tormentors--for now.

That done, she rushes to Claude's side.]

I do not think we have much time. What can I do?

Edited 2021-05-25 14:22 (UTC)

[Makoto struggles at the stocks as a few more pieces of fruit are flung their way.]

Robyn, run...!

[If only there were a way for Makoto to get out, like say... a key glinting on a nearby table.]

What, no I'm not leaving y-- [Aaand turning around to see him making himself a club.] What are you doing?!

Eggs! It's very healthy and nutritious.

[Not it isn't.]

When we go for dinner later on I'll give you some to try.

[She's as stubborn as ever, and now only moreso without Seteth breathing down her neck telling her what to do. But since she's so determined, and there's so little time to argue, he nods to the table in front of the crowd.]

The key's over there. Just don't let them get you, okay?

[He can't impress that enough, as her heroics really will have been for nothing if she winds up like him.]

Oh! Wow, that's a really good plan! And I can make vine ropes to help with the hauling too, that's perfect!

[Fruit being hurled at him for interrupting a punishment is not the worst thing that's every happened to him.]

Don't have to tell me twice!

[Zidane'll follow him, darting through the crowd, and sending a wink to the shrieking lady while chuckling at the guard. Does he have any idea where to actually go? Nope, but he might know better than Hendrik where they should go if he seems lost.]

Ah! Of course. I shall be as quick as an arrow from your bow. I am going to bring down the shield in a moment, Claude, but do not fret.

[The plan forms in her mind even as she turns toward the table outside her light wall and takes a breath. It's going to require a lot of magic, but whatever must be done to save Claude is worth it.

She focuses on the way the light falls on her and creates her shadow, and bends it until she's no longer visible to the eye at all. When the shield flickers and disappears, the crowd sees only Claude, and even as they move to begin tormenting him once more, she dashes unseen toward the table to grab the key.

Hopefully, no one notices its sudden disappearance.]

[Nodding, he picks up the other chalice and raises it.]

To more drinks in the future.

[Because this will not be their last, okay? Okay.]

All right. I trust you.

[Like he has a choice, but that's still a lot, coming from him. He has no idea what she's plotting, so he's just as surprised as the crowd is when she suddenly disappears. This only seems to rile up the crowd more, some throwing rocks, the one with the riding crop striking Claude on the back and demanding to know where the girl went.]

I don't know! [He insists, pained, loud enough for the rest of the crowd to hear. Better put on the show they want to keep their attention off Flayn as long as possible.] I told her to run away, so she's probably long gone!

[The man strikes him again, and Claude grits his teeth. Just a little longer...]

[ don't worry, alisaie has a PLAN. if nothing else, she is good at causing trouble when it needs to be caused, and as he draws away she moves to the vegetable stand to purchase a few nice, juicy looking tomatoes.

but as requested, she only keeps them near for now, twirling one in her fingers while following the blonde-haired boy in the crowd. she will practice patience, for now.. ]

[ all right, well.. that's a reason, at least, a better reason than "he has gone momentarily insane," but still a terrible one, in her opinion. self-sacrifice is notably an act that she is very much not cool with. ]

You do not have to try!

[ she gets it, she really does, and she can't stop him if he really, really wants to do this, but you can bet she will try. ]

This is not worth whatever information you may receive.

[Thank you, assorted gods, for sending Crow instead of someone who'd make him try and do something physical.

Azul moves to help guide Crow to the right spot, and when the rock hits the marking...nothing happens.]

Oh, I hope this isn't one of those "fill every space and then see where you went wrong" puzzles.

[Kadoc's sour addition to the order only serves to amuse Rei further. He can appreciate a brat with spite.]

Well then, well then. [Rei slowly circles Kadoc like a hyena, appealing to the crowd.] How about it, folks? We've got time for one or two tricks. Maybe something physical first?

[The crowd starts hooting immediately. The throng of voices is mostly indistinguishable, but calls such as fit your fist in your mouth! interpretive dance! do a flip! are some of the tamer suggestions.]

Ha ha! All right, Kadoc-kun. [Rei's gaze flashes roguishly upon his poor victim.] Bend at the waist and grab your ankles so you're looking between your legs. Then run backwards across the stage.

[And unfortunately for Kadoc, the showrunners are so delighted by this that they immediately construct an obstacle course to make it harder. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT]

[Eleven walks down the cobblestone roads, staring at his toes so that he won't see anything that might upset him.

He can handle seeing crimes, cruelty, monsters.... But this strange city hurts his head whenever he looks up to try and take it in.

It seems both natural and unnatural. He's never been here, yet he's been here all along...

It's the sound of a crowd of people murmuring and shouting that makes him glance up and at the other end of the street he sees people gathered around a man in a pillory.

Eleven shoulders his way past the cluster of bodies and blinks when he sees who it is.]

....Hendrik?

[I trust you, he says, and although Flayn has no way of knowing just how much that means coming from Claude, she knows it means something to her. She will not let her leader down.

Key in hand, she turns to run back to him, only to find that the crowd has surged forward, blocking her path. She winces, hearing him cry out; she doesn't know how much of it is genuine and how much is a distraction, but either way, what they're doing is hardly pleasant!

Change of plans. Holding onto her invisibility tightly, she begins to weave another spell of light - an illusory Flayn who emerges from under the table to dash off in another direction. Enough of the crowd follows the illusion that she has room to hurry back to Claude without bumping into anyone.

She crouches beside the stocks, winded from the effort of so many spells in so short a time plus her mad dash. Still, her work is not done. She speaks in a hurried whisper even as she begins fiddling with the lock.]

I am here. I cannot maintain both of these illusions for long; those who left will come back very soon.

[Finally, just as she's feeling lightheaded, the key turns fully and she wrenches the lock open. Both of her illusions end at the same time - she becomes abruptly visible, and the false Flayn vanishes.]

(Harry is pretty amazed by Mona’s plan for the stone puzzle. This looks like the challenge does require at least two people to work on it, so he is glad that they have a guide to work with in solving this one.)

That is really brilliant. I can definitely go with that as well, Mona. I have kinetic magic with me, so I could try to levitate the stones onto the markers as carefully as possible.

(He has been working hard to strengthen it for months to the point that he could possibly make heavier items float and levitate as he wishes, though he knows that he shouldn’t overload himself too.)

Come on, I just washed this-!

[He complains while he tries to wring water out of his cape. But the waves keep coming and cutting him ofd! It's not long before he just slips and falls right into the water!]

Edited 2021-05-25 16:30 (UTC)

[It doesn't seem like anyone's willing to be direct, but Zidane's willing to act like the first, stepping up towards the stocks. He has a few tools to look like he's about to participate with the crowd, but the more observant - not distracted by the feathers he has - might notice the lock suddenly disappear.]

( it starts innocently. a club, a drink, a show that entertains and fills him with wonder. (the logical part of his mind says that there are probably magic answers for all of it, given the way Avalon functions, but he can't figure them out.)

Maruki relaxes, nursing his beer and letting the din of the club wash over him as the routines and displays get more elaborate, whisking him into everything until the stage empties and all that's left is the host, setting spotlights seeking through the audience and blinding him. )

And... you! ( huh, wait, what? he heard the words about volunteers and bracelets, but why him? he tries to protest, but the waiters weaving through the crowd push him on towards the stage, facing his fellow volunteer as they're both slapped with bracelets, everything explained once more. )

Now, go for it. ( Maruki blinks, but he completes the demonstration, giving basic instructions to the man in front of him. move your arm, run in a circle. strange, but it isn't exactly solid proof that this thing really works, is it? surely any two people could just agree to do a few things like this in order to pass it off as real. but the host seems happy, and is soon in a hurry to throw them off the stage.

without so much as asking for the bracelets back. )

H-hey, wait...! ( the call is half-hearted and the show has moved on, leaving him standing here, with more power than he had when he started. )

Did that really work? ( he could feel the frequency humming between their bracelets, but that also isn't proof enough that it really worked. so, instead, he relies on his partner's experience of the whole thing. )

[ And there it is. It’s not like she could ever avoid such a reaction – her height is what it is, and she’s well aware that as the only Roegadyn around Camelot, she’s bound to get more strange looks than not. ]

Not all of them, no. Most are probably around your size.

[ At least he just came right out and asked instead of gawping. ]

[ Whatever this creature is, their power isn’t absolute as Claude seems to at least consider what he’s been told. Then all of a sudden, it’s far too late, and Claude gets dragged into the pool. ]

Claude!

[ Already tensed, Blaze springs forward, sucking in a deep breath and plunging herself into the water after them. The siren would be the better swimmer if not for her unwilling cargo – Claude may not be pulling himself back to the surface, but he is slowing her escape. Blaze kicks after them, catching up after only a moment.

Kunai clenched tightly in one fist, she drives the end of the blade into the arm currently latched around Claude’s ankle. Unable to see the attack coming, the pain startles the siren into letting go. The creature whirls, trying to find its attacker, but since it’s temporarily blinded, they have a moment to escape. ]

( definitely a man. unfortunately any ores are lost in universal translation, but trust.

Kaoru notes her reaction, and doesn't even need to say anything before Carla pipes up with her designated solutions. )

Option one: Master drinks the poison and saves unknown female voice.
Option two: Unknown female voice drinks the poison, Master is unharmed.
Option three: Mix the poison and water together to dilute the poison and minimise its effects. It is currently unknown whether option three will dilute the poison sufficiently to prevent death.

Thank you, Carla. ( not good odds at all. he has no particular desire to drink poison, nor to watch this young woman drink it in his stead, but it seems that they're lacking alternatives at this moment. ) It's unlikely we're going to get out of this without one of us drinking poison.

( somehow he doesn't think the old man is going to be up for a beef to settle this. )

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EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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Day 2

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takuto maruki × cognitive / death | hastur [ CLOSED ]

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