abraxasooc | EVENT #12: INVOCATION - COORDINATION POST (PART 1)

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EVENT #12: INVOCATION - COORDINATION POST (PART 1)

Event #12 - COORDINATION (1)

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Where & when: Near the end of Week 1, in a meeting house in Luna territory
Purpose: Jaskier requesting a collaboration of aid for the Lost from Quilleth of Libertas and Sten of the Lunae

THREAD START

[To be honest, Jaskier is not entirely sure what he's after except as much help from every source as he can muster. He has only received scattered, half-illegible messages from Geralt and Ciri, and all that technically tells him is that they are alive, day by day. And day by day, his anxiety launches higher through the roof of their quiet office, with Alucard's anger growing, and Rinwell --

He knows she's afraid. And so is he.

Quilleth and Sten both come to mind as reliable sources of help. Both powerful, leaders of their own people. People he trusts, even as a Summoned.

The casual shirt, wrinkled and rolled up to his arms, displaying the ragged scarring up his left arm shows exactly how little energy he's put into his own appearance at the moment -- which is hardly deliberate, or normal of Jaskier.

He is nervous. In a strange, new way. A way he never is. All these nevers as of late, they keep coming up. Don't they?

So when he squeezes Nadine's hand, waiting for the meeting to begin in an unfamiliar home, it is far too tight. Funny how the last thing on his mind is the possibility of his being assaulted again, or that he should have brought a guard with him. At least Quilleth had such foresight he lacked.]

I can't thank you both enough for coming to meet with me, especially at such short notice. This is an emergency I don't think we had any chance to be prepared for. [He gives Quilleth a glance, then his gaze moves to Sten.] I can fill you in if the people of Nocwich have yet to hear, but there have been reports -- and mountains of evidence -- of a concentrated scheme against both the citizens of Abraxas and we, as you call us, the Summoned, as scores of our number have been spirited away by unknown assailants.

[And what he can offer Sten and Quilleth is a small pile of papers: very precise sketches of the masks he saw from the assailants as they took Ciri away, and the written dialogue -- as little as it was -- he received as they took her away. Small tidbits of information he has been able to collect from Sam's amalgamation of writings, and his own observations. The locations of disappearances, the reach of these people -- every faction, from what he can see -- and possibly their ability to use portals after their victims have been detained.]

Edited 2023-02-25 08:05 (UTC)

[Once more, Nadine feels a bit out of her wheelhouse. She's no diplomat, she doesn't have Jaskier's skill with words or any deep grasp of politics. But she is aiding Jaskier in this whole endeavor and she's a medical representative of the Free Cities Summoned. If the subject of medical supplies comes up, she has a list already prepared.

She can't imagine the taken among them will be in good shape.

But mostly she's here to support Jaskier. He's been running himself ragged - as so many of them have been - and she knows how worried he is about Geralt and Ciri. It's taking a toll on him and she knows just how important this is. How seriously he's taking it and how much a weight all this responsibility is to him.

After a polite greeting, she'll simply sit beside Jaskier, occasionally laying a hand on his arm in encouragement, unless directly addressed or the conversation veers into territories where she has anything to offer.]

[ Quilleth welcomes Jaskier and Nadine without her usual easy smile. ]

Few would argue this is anything but a national emergency.

[ Arguably one of the most personable of the Free Cities's Parliament, her laid-back demeanor is replaced with a heavy brow and a concerned look on her face. She exchanges a glance with Sten. ]

Sten and I had a few minutes to go over what we know.

[ She shuffles through the papers and pauses on the sketches of the masks. Her frown deepens for a few seconds, then she passes the notes to Sten. ]

[ The room is modest and comfortable with a wooden table which seats the four of them. Stationed outside are two Lunae guards. While typically as relaxed as Quilleth, Sten looks considerably troubled right now, too. ]

You can't imagine how very sorry we are to hear about this. I'd rather hoped our next meeting would be under a brighter moon.

[ He examines the notes and studies the masks carefully. ]

We've had our share of disappearances over the months and years, but no unusual surge in the past two or three weeks.

[ Unfortunately, folks do vanish once in awhile. The Lunae live rough, adventuring lives both in the forests and on the high seas. ]

Do you believe they have a goal? Have they sent any message to say what they're after?

[Though Jaskier has made it some sort of point in his life to not be this deeply embedded in politics, certain his frame of mind had shifted with the last year of his time on the Continent. And though he did not mean for anything different to happen here, in Abraxas, it is the thought that this place being his home now that drives him to improve both it and himself.

And so it is here he tries to identify every minute expression on the delegates' faces. To see if they see something he doesn't. Thoughts he has not had.

As the days go on and the time between Geralt and Ciri's disappearance grows longer, he grows more desperate.]

As far as we have divined, there has been no communication from the group that has done this. No demands, nor anyone coming forward to lay claim to the disappearances, either. From discussion with other Summoned, it appears disappearances have been happening for at least a few weeks, if not longer, in other factions outside of the Free Cities. I don't know if they're related, but they seem prevalent enough that they bear mentioning.

[He runs shaky hands through his hair, taking a breath. A goal. He has tried to consider it, but what sort of goal requires so many bodies? If it was only the Summoned, perhaps, he could claim it was a concentrated attack, or a chance to study their connection to the Singularity. Jaskier does not know why the native citizens are included. Even one of his favorite men in their Committee, Jensen, has no magic power, and as far as Jaskier knows, his talent lay specifically in drinking an ungodly amount of mead and maintaining sobriety.] I can only guess their goal. In my experiences, such a grand need for bodies comes only as a cost for war. But I do believe this is done with some grave intention. Have you ever seen these masks before?

Travelling between the Cities has always been dangerous.

[ Quilleth agrees believing that it accounts for not an infrequent amount of disappearances. ]

But bandits and thieves aren't fools. They would know who to target to draw the least amount of attention.

[ Quilleth reexamines the sketch of the mask but shakes her head. ]

It is an interesting design, but no. I've never seen anything like it.

[ Sten gives a nod to confirm. The Summoned are held in high regard and rare. Certainly, the people who took them must realize it would be noticed quickly.

He holds the drawings at a distance. ]

Afraid not, my friend. I'll tell you now, Solvunn wouldn't know a thing about these masks or sigils, either. They hold to the traditions of the Arcana. Altering it is unheard of.

[ He returns the pages across the table. ]

This must be the work of some faction completely unknown to us. If they're willing to take such glaring risks, they must truly believe in their cause.

There's also this.

[Nadine pulls out one of the withered flowers Hilda had given her to inspect and lays it on the table.]

This was found at one of the sites where a Summoned was taken. I don't know exactly what happened to it, but it wasn't natural. This happened quick. But I'm not a skilled mage and I'm only an herbalist. Someone with more knowledge or abilities may be able to tell more.

[Jaskier deflates a little. The mask was the best lead he had, as he hadn't seen many others who escaped their own kidnapping (though he had not done much to save himself.)

He looks up quite quickly at Sten. Altering the Arcana? Fuck. He has not really considered their symbols in all his maddened attempts at looking for information. He had not even recognized what was staring in front of him. Alucard, he thinks, may have some insight into this. If the two of them can look for someone else who may have that knowledge -- if anyone in the Free Cities does -- or has heard of an art involving altering Arcana...

He quietly folds the sketch back up, placing it back in his pocket.] Thank you for the insight, regardless. Both of you.

[If the sketch of the mask leads nowhere, they can continue on. He sits back as Nadine offers the flower, which Jaskier supplies:] Lupine? [He may have laughed at the irony if he didn't feel much more like crying at most moments. Lupine. Wolf. In the hands of a wolf, being offered to another. As they search for a wolf.] Outside of the city. I believe I can attempt to bring a bit of life back to it, if that may jog either of your memories.

[But it seems much more the intelligent move to allow the dead bit to be looked over first. He allows the others to look over it while he continues. There's no time to waste, and every second counts.]

Nadine does lead me to my request, and why I have called this meeting. I am hoping we can come to an agreement and preserve a safe space in Nocwich, whether in Oleuni Square or otherwise, where the Summoned from all factions can meet and bring items with them through the portals without interference. If we are not relying on simple word of mouth for any evidence we come across, we can solve these disappearances quicker. And bring everyone home.

Edited 2023-02-28 04:37 (UTC)

[Disappointment appears on Sten's expression, too. He wishes he could deliver more heartening news. When Nadine produces the flower, he takes it with a frown.]

I see. Was this found in the soil or already harvested? High Magic draws power from selected offerings... but it doesn't steal from the earth around it.

[As the subject moves on, he looks back at Jaskier. Here, he brightens somewhat.]

That we can do. Now, we can't speak for your governments.

[Here, he looks at Quilleth.]

But on our side the Square's closed most of each month. We're glad to lend it to you. What'll you need? Tables and tents?

[ Quilleth recognizes the plant but not its purpose and defers to Sten as the expert on the matter.

She brings a hand to her chin and leans on her elbow as she listens to Jaskier's proposal. Quilleth nods to Sten. ]

Tables, tents and a few trusted men to help keep watch. If everyone is on board, we will want to make sure that only the Summoned are making their way through the portals. We don't need these masked assailants to make this an easy target.

[ Quilleth gives a short chiding smile for her own remark in Sten's direction. ]

Not that I think you would make one.

[ She turns to Jaskier and Nadine. ]

I'll need to speak with the Prime Minister for formal approval but you have the support of Libertas.

I was told they were in the dirt when harvested, but there were fresh petals on the ground.

[Nadine kicks herself for not asking how many flowers were in this condition, Hilda hadn't specified. Enough that she has a couple of them, at least.]

And thank you. If I could...I'd like to use one of those tents at the square for healers and medical staff. I have equipment I can lend that might honestly be more helpful in the hands of someone more experienced, like who maybe may have been able to learn more about those flowers than me. And it would probably be a good idea to make sure everybody knows basic field first aide, since we don't know what we're up against or what shape our missing will be in when we find them.

[There's no 'if' as far as she's concerned. They will be found and brought safely home.]

I have everything we'd need, I can set it up.

As Quilleth said. I do trust the Summoned, and your people, but I want there to be no mistakes that this is to be used for anything other than aid. [His smile is tired, but very real.] Thank you, Sten. That is an incredibly helpful offering.

[It isn't only the Summoned, after all. There are good Abraxan people he has lost, too. Even that adorable little baker they live under. Jaskier means to find all of them, no matter what it takes out of him to try.

He cannot stomach more failures of saving those who need it.

He nods to Quilleth.] I can speak with Marlo additionally if you need it. Thank you, truly. [If they needn't rely solely on spoken word, this really could lead them somewhere. It will take some time to safely set up the square, but...

He sits back as Nadine speaks, giving him a second to scrub his hands over his face, push hair out of his eyes, and look somewhat presentable again.] I can help you set that up. I can agree that whoever we can find, at this point they're sure to need healing, if not food and water. Simple supplies we can keep on hand if we find any of our lost.

[They have granted him much already. Yet Jaskier has never been someone who did not push limits where he knew he should stop.]

Sten. I would also like to make a personal request, and order additional supplies of braerium for our uses. Considering the people I know who we have lost, I suspect our foes are using strong magic to nullify the Summoned's natural abilities. If -- when -- we find them, I feel it would be a suitable advantage they may not be prepared for. I am prepared to trade whatever the Lunae may need in return.

[ Sten nods at Nadine. ]

Then it's as I thought. The spellwork relies on draining organic life. Sounds like a corruption of High Magic if you ask me, but I can make sure the folks in Solvunn take a look for you.

As for basic supplies, we've got some to spare. You'll have what you need.

[ He pats Jaskier reassuringly on the shoulder. Then he exchanges glances with Quilleth. The subject of rare materials is often a contentious one even among political allies. ]

I can't give you an answer right here, but I'll tell you what: let me talk to my people- and you'll hear from me before the week's out.

[ Quilleth nods at Jaskier. ]

I'll let you know if I need the additional support.

[ Quilleth has the fortune of a good number of her proposals making Marlo's desk.

A corruption of any form of magic is something to note. Quilleth doesn't comment but she does file that away to share with Marlo along with Jaskier and Nadine's request. She does nod at Sten in a show of solidarity with his promises on behalf of them all. ]

It sounds like we all have our barking orders. The sooner we move the sooner we'll have our answers.

[ To Jaskier and Nadine. ]

Let's take the portal back together? You can share any other specifics of your investigations if you'd like and I'll see what Libertas can do for you.

[ And lastly, to Sten. ]

Sten, I'll be in touch with you too.

[Without the company, Jaskier may have kissed Sten for such a simple promise. But for now, he only smiles at him, clasping the hand that falls on him and kissing the knuckles.] You are a true prince.

[Not necessarily literally. Only -- he has the qualities one needs.]

Thank you, both of you. This meeting, I feel, will be invaluable. And -- as you say. We have plenty of work to do.

[He nods at Quilleth's offering, knowing that while this information will surely make its way to Marlo, the firepower of the Free Cities may be needed, in time, if they're willing to share it. At this point, he will already take what he can get.]

I'll send a letter if anything else should arise. Please, do stay close. We'll all need each other if the situation escalates.

Jaskier will receive a short letter as promised, detailing the use of the braerium as agreed upon:

1. The Summoned must obtain it from the Lunae directly in Oleuni Square
2. They may not sell or trade it for any reason, nor deliver a surplus to their respective nation's governments

The letter wishes the Summoned well in their undertaking, and hopes that this offer will aid them. It's signed and sealed by the Lunae Circle, represented by Sten.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT #12: INVOCATION - COORDINATION POST (PART 1)

Closed to Quilleth, Sten, and Nadine

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