INTERLUDE: SEA GIANTS

[abraxasmods]

Interlude - Sea Giants

Having received a message from one of the commune's own Summoned, Solvunn has agreed that it would indeed be a good idea to make a more public appeal to the gods for guidance.

Although this incident will impact everyone similarly, characters in Solvunn will have the additional experience of observing the ritual.

The Offering (Solvunn)

As the year draws to a close, on December 31st, in the early morning, residents of the Primary and Secondary settlements gather at the Tertiary Settlement by the shores of the Hydra Gulf. The Summoned are invited to join. A portal will be open, and wagons are available to take attendees the rest of the way to the shore.

The event will be solemn, but hopeful. An array of salted and pickled fish are laid out on a small table. The offering is small due to the omens destroying the fish in the ocean, but the gesture is noteworthy and indicates Solvunn is looking forward to a more prosperous catch next season thanks to their recent fishing agreement with Thorne.

Once everyone has gathered, the Elders will form a circle. A shrine is placed atop a small wooden boat. All those in attendance are encouraged to add their offerings to it. When ready, the boat is pushed out into the water. As it floats away, the chanting will grow louder and the shrine will begin to smoke, then catch flame. The water beneath starts to bubble - and a giant whirlpool will form that sucks the burning ship beneath the waves, burying it.

Visitors in the Night (All Factions)

Late that night, when the moon is roundest, the ocean waters will begin to broil across the entirety of Abraxas. Those who are out for a midnight stroll near open waters will notice surging waves, dark clouds gathering above, and a seabirds flying inland as though fleeing from something.

Come morning, the shores of Thorne, the Free Cities, and Solvunn will each be covered by one of the ocean's sea giants, having unfortunately beached itself from an unusual disturbance. Sometimes lumped in with the more dangerous and teeth-filled "leviathans" by the natives, sea giants are the leviathans' gentler cousins. The creature will appear to be in great distress, and does not seem dangerous. Since they're important to the ecosystem, officials will want to save these creatures by attempting to push them back into the water rather than harming them.

◎ Borrel (Thorne) has been visited by the moonlit sea turtle
◎ Aquila (Free Cities) has been visited by the electric sea jelly
◎ The Tertiary Settlement (Solvunn) has been visited by the great yawning shark

To safely return these majestic creatures back to the ocean, conservationists are asking for assistance from the Summoned. This is the first time anyone has seen these animals up close. While rescue efforts are the primary concern and will be underway quickly, scientists, artists, and curious bystanders will all try to gather to take a look at this strange sight.

Quest objectives are not limited to helping the creature back into the water. Characters who prefer a less physically strenuous task will also have the option to hand out food and water to volunteers.

To participate, characters can sign up to take part in the applicable Quests available.

Fish Population (All Factions)

In the weeks following the beached sea giants, reports of a surge in fish in the ocean begin to come in from each nation. While this doesn't last forever, and the fish shortage is not entirely resolved, the modest boon is a welcome surprise to all.

Solvunn has not formally stepped forward to take credit. However, they have not hidden nor discouraged word of their ritual from spreading, and have stated that they believe it was the will of the gods for the nations' (relatively) successful mediation among each other. It seems Solvunn would like the rest of Abraxas to know who was responsible. They simply don't want to overtly claim it, deeming such an act one of arrogance.

Notes

As with all interludes and preludes, this is not a formal game event! Rather, players can use the details described as inspiration and incorporate it into any threads or CR plans they may have. You can handwave as much or as little as you want regarding this occurrence. If you'd like, you can use this OOC post to plot with each other.

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!

How much can be learned from these creatures? Can characters collect samples or study them?

Characters can study them from afar, or if they happen to be close by while helping, but otherwise officials ask people not poke and prod at these delicate creatures.

Relevant details to the quests are provided in the quest information regarding each creature, but anything beyond what's been given is otherwise not known and little more can be found.

How long will it take to return the sea giants to the ocean?

Roughly one week! Once the process is complete, volunteers will be congratulated, and the spirits of many natives are lifted. It appears helping these creatures have brought people together and given them something to feel good about.

Can the sea giants be seen or found again?

For the time being, no. They will disappear deep beneath the ocean and return to their natural habitat undisturbed. Henceforth, though, some sailors will claim they've glimpsed one of the creatures from afar during a voyage. These claims are never proven.

Are the sea giants in any way related to the marine life that appeared in Nocwich?

Possibly! The ocean is vast and unknown. In terms of common belief, characters in Nocwich saw what the natives of Abraxas generically refer to as leviathans, as well as typical whales and jellyfish.

Will there be an event post for this?

There will be no event post! Players are welcome to use the details outlined here to flavor interactions in their personal logs and threads. Our upcoming event will be in February.

Comments

Questions

[abraxasmods]

[assembles]

Hi mods! Since these quests are taking place outside of the major cities in each faction, is it safe to assume that there will be accommodations (inns, etc) that the Summoned can patronize while there for quest reasons?

Thank you!

[abraxasmods]

In all 3 factions, portals will be provided for ease of travel back and forth, similar to how helping in Nott and Libertas works.

In Thorne, the Castle will expect the Summoned to return at the end of the day. If characters wish to stay overnight or longer, they'll need to have a reason for why they want to do so. You can reach out to us about it if that's the case!

In the Free Cities, Aquila has always been open as long as characters are willing to make the trip. Currently, the trip will be much faster with a portal, and they're free to stay at the variety of inns available so long as they have the money. Aquila will be happy to have the Summoned stay longer and will encourage them to shop at the marketplace.

Those in Solvunn are encouraged to return home, since many would have duties and such to attend to around the Primary Settlement. That said, they can stay for a night or two if they find a family willing to take them in. They'll be put to work around the farms in exchange.

[assembles]

Great, this is very helpful info, thank you so much!

[familysucks]

Hello, mods! For Summoned in Solvunn that accept the invitation to join the ritual, would the name of the god(s) they are hoping to reach with their offering be mentioned? Would they field respectful questions before/after the ritual about the role of this god(s) in the pantheon? Strictly to better honour the gods in this moment, of course.

[abraxasmods]

The ritual performed is not geared towards a specific god but any and all gods of the sea. However the mages would welcome any questions or interest on their practices. They would explain that especially when dealing with gods who control such temperamental elements, it is best to include as many as possible as not to anger any particular deity. Small villages and settlements along the coastline may have specific gods they pray to, but in this instance they called to all in a show of reverence and strength.

[stations]

Hey guys! I'm going to have Jack sign up to help out the Thorne Turtle! While he's assisting, are there any interesting memory flashes he might get like he got from Admiral Chuck?

(no pressure, just if u want any lore drops around it, Jack will put it in a blog post on the network com!)

[abraxasmods]

If Jack delves into the great sea turtle's memories, he will find flashes of a familiar-looking, much smaller, turtle enjoying the following pleasant moments alongside his larger friend:

- Observing the fish swim by together deep under the ocean.
- Sharing some seagrass among the coral reef.
- Chuck, climbing ever-so-slowly aboard The Arcanis. The giant turtle watches him sail away from afar.

[stations]

MODS WHY WOULD U DO THIS TO ME

Re: Questions

[blackeyedprince]

Hi mods!
I have two questions for Thorne Turtle Rescue mission.

1) If someone (Kell) would like to take a look at those warships as part of his marine life rescue effort? For purely educational reasons. Would it be possible? What he'd be able to learn if it was?

2)Would loud noise be enough to scare off the birds? As an alternative to catching them. Lound noise as if Heracles and the Stymphalian birds loud. If so, then for how long?

[abraxasmods]

1) Kell would not be able to get very close to the warships as they do belong to Thorne's military. But there is nothing remarkable about them from a distance, they appear to be standard ships used for battle that are currently docked and guarded.

2.) Loud noises would scare the birds away for a short time, but they would come back swarming in greater numbers.

[blackeyedprince]

Excellent!

Thank you mods!