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abraxasooc2022-06-30 10:16 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-06-30 10:16 am
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EVENT #8: MÆRE - WRAP-UP
Event #8 - Mære (Wrap-Up)
go to the IC event post or OOC info post
Following recent events, some questions might be on the minds of Summoned: how were faction officials able to discover that the Summoned were suffering from Entity-spawning nightmares? What do those flashes in the Horizon mean?
And why is it that the effects from the past few months bear a suspicious resemblance to powers that some of the Summoned themselves may hold? Maybe it's a coincidence. The Singularity itself is extremely powerful, after all.
And why is it that the effects from the past few months bear a suspicious resemblance to powers that some of the Summoned themselves may hold? Maybe it's a coincidence. The Singularity itself is extremely powerful, after all.
Disturbances in the Horizon
Although the nightmares appear to be over, the glitches inside the Horizon will continue.
The more characters enter the Horizon and spend time in it using its creation magic, the more they will continue to glimpse the image that appeared to them during the event and the clearer the image will become. It may not happen every time they go in, but it will occur now and again. The Arcana emblazoned inside it will never change, as though the image itself is inextricably linked to a specific Arcana sign.
Eventually, after a few weeks, these impressions will become less frequent...for now. It's unclear what's going on, but it would seem this phenomenon is related to the Horizon in some way. Those who do not enter the Horizon or enter it infrequently may find they don't catch any further glimpses of these images - or perhaps never see them at all.
The more characters enter the Horizon and spend time in it using its creation magic, the more they will continue to glimpse the image that appeared to them during the event and the clearer the image will become. It may not happen every time they go in, but it will occur now and again. The Arcana emblazoned inside it will never change, as though the image itself is inextricably linked to a specific Arcana sign.
Eventually, after a few weeks, these impressions will become less frequent...for now. It's unclear what's going on, but it would seem this phenomenon is related to the Horizon in some way. Those who do not enter the Horizon or enter it infrequently may find they don't catch any further glimpses of these images - or perhaps never see them at all.
Movement in the Factions
Though the danger has passed, concerns from officials have not. Day by day, it would seem that there is some noticeable activity within the borders of every territory. Despite February's attempt at displaying peaceful relations, the Singularity's unexpected bursts of power and discoveries regarding its geological movements, among other things, has caused the factions to grow especially wary of each other. Events might've been accidental this time - but what happens when the enemy learns to exploit the Singularity's power to manipulate the Summoned's connection or worse?
These concerns are not contained to government officials. Among the natives on the streets, and in shops and taverns, rumblings can be heard. Much of the chatter isn't any different than your standard political gossip and debates. Everyone has an opinion, naturally...though few are willing to include the Summoned in these discussions and will often change the topic.
These concerns are not contained to government officials. Among the natives on the streets, and in shops and taverns, rumblings can be heard. Much of the chatter isn't any different than your standard political gossip and debates. Everyone has an opinion, naturally...though few are willing to include the Summoned in these discussions and will often change the topic.
◎ Thorne
In Thorne, mages have started reinforcing wards around not only the castle, but the city borders itself. The kitchen has some bustle, as well, with staff checking the pantry and food stores, as if taking inventory for the possibility of having to ration supplies. Some are also researching better spells or potions related to preventing food from spoiling and healing.
There are also rumors that Queen Ellya has made a recent trip to Borrel, where Thorne's military base is stationed - and whose uncle happens to be the Captain of their forces. She left with a few close guards and her assistant mage, Grigory Janus. They remained for about a week before returning via portal. She will not speak of her trip to anyone, dismissing it as a routine meeting. However, those who wander near the borders of Castle Thorne may notice that at key points, there appears to be an increase in soldiers who were not there before, rather than the typical Thornean border guards.
There are also rumors that Queen Ellya has made a recent trip to Borrel, where Thorne's military base is stationed - and whose uncle happens to be the Captain of their forces. She left with a few close guards and her assistant mage, Grigory Janus. They remained for about a week before returning via portal. She will not speak of her trip to anyone, dismissing it as a routine meeting. However, those who wander near the borders of Castle Thorne may notice that at key points, there appears to be an increase in soldiers who were not there before, rather than the typical Thornean border guards.
Characters who want to assist in researching improving spells or potion making are welcome to do so. This can be anything from taking notes, retrieving books and scrolls, gathering ingredients, following directions for mixing brews, and more.
If you feel your character is especially skilled or knowledgeable in magic and would like them to uncover or develop something significant, please reach out to us on the Plot Engagement post with your proposal and we'll workshop the idea with you! Depending on what it is, their work may have an impact on future events.
If you feel your character is especially skilled or knowledgeable in magic and would like them to uncover or develop something significant, please reach out to us on the Plot Engagement post with your proposal and we'll workshop the idea with you! Depending on what it is, their work may have an impact on future events.
◎ Free Cities
In the Free Cities, there is increased activity in the barracks and outposts. This includes equipment coming and going, more recruits, and new training exercises. Characters who are not well-known to the soldiers for coming and going in the area will be watched more closely, although they will not be stopped or hassled unless they deliberately draw attention or cause trouble. Gates at the border and trade routes will also see an uptick in patrols, with merchants complaining that their wares are being searched - or even confiscated - more often than usual. This is especially true for merchants whose routes take them particularly close to Thorne's borders.
Word has spread that city representatives Fallon Marsh of Aquila and Quilleth Kaur of Libertas have taken seemingly unplanned trip to Cadens to speak with Prime Minister Marlo Reiner behind closed doors. It's impossible to tell what they spoke of, but following their departure a week later, Portam Hall will see longer lineups as it seems whatever is going on has caused an unprecedented clerical backup. Additionally, researchers and professors at some of the larger academies seem to be scrambling for more assistants, with an air of eagerness, as though long-awaited projects that were previously delayed or lacking funding are now finally able to move forward.
Word has spread that city representatives Fallon Marsh of Aquila and Quilleth Kaur of Libertas have taken seemingly unplanned trip to Cadens to speak with Prime Minister Marlo Reiner behind closed doors. It's impossible to tell what they spoke of, but following their departure a week later, Portam Hall will see longer lineups as it seems whatever is going on has caused an unprecedented clerical backup. Additionally, researchers and professors at some of the larger academies seem to be scrambling for more assistants, with an air of eagerness, as though long-awaited projects that were previously delayed or lacking funding are now finally able to move forward.
Characters who want to volunteer to assist with researching may do so, even if they are not actively attending the academy, so long as they demonstrate reasonable competence. Depending on their skill level, they may be assigned fetch-tasks such as grabbing books from libraries across the city and transcribing notes, or they may be allowed to do minor tasks in a lab setting like observing experiments, organizing materials, and keeping the lab tidy. Combat-inclined characters are also, of course, always welcome to enlist in the army if they so choose. With enough work and time, characters can begin to earn their own rank within Cadens' military.
If you feel your character is especially skilled or knowledgeable in science and research, weaponry, or combining magic with any of those things, and would like them to uncover or develop something significant, please reach out to us on the Plot Engagement post with your proposal and we'll workshop the idea with you! Depending on what it is, their work may have an impact on future events.
If you feel your character is especially skilled or knowledgeable in science and research, weaponry, or combining magic with any of those things, and would like them to uncover or develop something significant, please reach out to us on the Plot Engagement post with your proposal and we'll workshop the idea with you! Depending on what it is, their work may have an impact on future events.
◎ Solvunn
In Solvunn, Elders in the Commune and respected mages with close ties so the Council have begun to hold more frequent closed-door meetings. It will not be possible to observe these meetings, but the Elders and the Council will be seen exiting and entering one of the main halls in the Primary Settlement. One or two of these people may be carrying an old wood-carved box, decorated with bones and animal teeth. Additionally, the Summoned might notice everyone preparing offerings with even greater care than usual. The villagers may put aside more quality crops for the gods rather than selling them at the market or they may make extra trips to the shrines.
While upkeep of active shrines have always been important to Solvunnites, some have started venturing deeper into the woods to clean and revitalize some of the older shrines that have seemingly been left to nature for some time. Others have taken to checking up on the shrines more often - almost a neighborhood watch, to make sure these shrines are not being disturbed.
At one point, a small group that includes a few children will decline any assistance for one of their trips, and after a lengthy stay of a couple of weeks, they will return...short one member. If asked, they will say the gods chose their favor and that the man - an elderly gentleman - suffered a pain in his chest and passed away in the night. They will explain that since his family was already with him at the time, a ceremony was simply performed at the shrine itself. The children appear saddened about the passing, but nothing seems out of the ordinary in their behavior.
While upkeep of active shrines have always been important to Solvunnites, some have started venturing deeper into the woods to clean and revitalize some of the older shrines that have seemingly been left to nature for some time. Others have taken to checking up on the shrines more often - almost a neighborhood watch, to make sure these shrines are not being disturbed.
At one point, a small group that includes a few children will decline any assistance for one of their trips, and after a lengthy stay of a couple of weeks, they will return...short one member. If asked, they will say the gods chose their favor and that the man - an elderly gentleman - suffered a pain in his chest and passed away in the night. They will explain that since his family was already with him at the time, a ceremony was simply performed at the shrine itself. The children appear saddened about the passing, but nothing seems out of the ordinary in their behavior.
Characters who want to volunteer their time will be welcome to do so. They can help organize or deliver offerings, tidy up the shrines by weeding or cleaning them, or escort Solvunnites making their rounds or those who go deeper into the woods. While Solvunn tends to be relatively safe, there are still wild animals or a beast or two in the forests.
If you feel your character is especially skilled in magic or botany, or would be keen on making a greater sacrifice to the various shrines that goes beyond crops and bones, and would like them to uncover or contribute something significant, please reach out to us on the Plot Engagement post with your proposal and we'll workshop the idea with you! Depending on what it is, their work may have an impact on future events.
If you feel your character is especially skilled in magic or botany, or would be keen on making a greater sacrifice to the various shrines that goes beyond crops and bones, and would like them to uncover or contribute something significant, please reach out to us on the Plot Engagement post with your proposal and we'll workshop the idea with you! Depending on what it is, their work may have an impact on future events.
Questions and Answers
If after reading these you're still unsure about anything, or your question wasn't covered, please feel free to hit up our Questions thread below!
- My character doesn't have skills that fall under the ones listed for their faction, but I still have an idea for them to contribute in a notable way. Is that okay?
- Yes! The participation options listed are only suggestions to help guide players in developing ideas based on what the factions are generally interested in. If you have a proposal of your own, please feel free to reach out to us at any point on the Plot Engagement post.
- If my character wanted to research more about these glimpses, what would they find out?
- There is no recorded information about the Horizon or what occurs inside it. The Summoned of Abraxas are at present the only ones who know anything about the Horizon, via their own personal experiences. Perhaps they should start comparing notes!
- How clear will the image eventually become?
- At its clearest, characters can see the whole image in its entirety for a brief second or two. It will still only be visual. Sights, smells, and sounds will not be transmitted.
- Can my character investigate more about the Singularity's instability or the Entities?
- They certainly can, but much like the Horizon, these experiences are unique to the Summoned and as a result are not recorded anywhere. Anyone can begin gathering their own firsthand research notes, however, to start putting details together.
- Are the Entities still a threat?
- At this time, it appears the Entities have vanished and the nightmares that birthed them have also ceased. The Singularity has returned to its usual state and is no longer exhibiting any unusual behavior. Whether that holds true for the future remains to be seen.
- Will attitudes towards the Summoned change as a result of this?
- The Summoned may be the subject of more discussion, but the general consensus among natives and officials is that the Summoned remain important for what lies ahead. Their efforts to contain the Singularity at the expense of their own wellbeing is appreciated. Any wariness appears to be focused on what the enemy factions may be planning - not on the Summoned themselves.
- If my character visits the shrine in Solvunn where the group went, what will they find?
- They'll find flowers and offerings placed at the shrine, and evidence that a small ceremony was indeed held there for the elderly man, as stated. Those who attended the ritual during the event may notice that this particular shrine is en route to the area where the ritual was performed, but the Primary Settlement isn't especially large and many roads and paths are interlinked.
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Would this be better to discuss over on plot engagement? This is kind of related to my other question there, and I don't want to rush you, but I did want to throw something out there about it since he'd definitely be curious!
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For Thancred, if he is not already aware, he would hear that Queen Ellya spent some time visiting family in Borrel. One family member in particular is her uncle, Borrel's highly-decorated military captain. The two appear to be close.
He would also be able to see Thorne's naval vessels in the harbor. While these vessels have always been there due to Borrel being oceanside, he would notice that workers seem to be doing a large amount of loading on and off the ships.
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