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abraxasooc2023-10-13 10:00 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2023-10-13 10:00 am
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EVENT #15: THE NETHER - OOC POST
Event #15 - OOC Plotting
Recently, the Summoned were given an important decision to vote on. All faction Conclaves have voted to negotiate for additional resources on their nation's behalf.
Characters will be invited to stay in the Nether from OCTOBER 16 - OCTOBER 26 to carry out their tasks as determine by the vote. They'll have the opportunity to interact with the Draconae and the dragons, aid the Nether with their ecological devastation and declining population, and ultimately help find a cure for the dragons' sickness caused by the rifts that opened in July and August.
Characters will be invited to stay in the Nether from OCTOBER 16 - OCTOBER 26 to carry out their tasks as determine by the vote. They'll have the opportunity to interact with the Draconae and the dragons, aid the Nether with their ecological devastation and declining population, and ultimately help find a cure for the dragons' sickness caused by the rifts that opened in July and August.
Characters will not be able to go in and out of the Nether. While they can return home early, they will not be able to re-enter once they leave. The factions are concerned a constant flow of traffic could cause what's contaminating the Nether to escape containment.
The Nether
The Nether is a northern island next to Endsmuth. Above ground, the Nether's territory is a frosty tundra. Ancient dragon bones and abandoned settlements can be found scattered across the land, suggesting a time when the surface was habitable. These days, it's devoid of life except for a handful of migratory birds and hardy insects.
Due to the disappearance of the dragons leading to a loss in food source and extreme temperatures on the surface, the Draconae have been driven underground. The volcanic activity often causes the earth to rumble.
Read more about the Nether here.
Due to the disappearance of the dragons leading to a loss in food source and extreme temperatures on the surface, the Draconae have been driven underground. The volcanic activity often causes the earth to rumble.
Arrival and Stay
The factions will set up a portal that allows the Summoned to enter the Nether's territory and will give each of them the same portal stone they received during the Feywilds trip. The stone is one-time use and will let them return to their residing faction when ready.
Characters will be welcomed to the Nether with minimal fanfare. The most challenging part of entering the volcanic city - called the Obsidian Heart - is the precariously spiraling walkway. The Draconae will assure their guests that it's perfectly safe, though any who are especially nervous can be carried down by another Summoned or a helpful Draconum warrior.
Characters will be welcomed to the Nether with minimal fanfare. The most challenging part of entering the volcanic city - called the Obsidian Heart - is the precariously spiraling walkway. The Draconae will assure their guests that it's perfectly safe, though any who are especially nervous can be carried down by another Summoned or a helpful Draconum warrior.
Accommodations
Guests will stay in the Hieran Wing of the Citadel. Along with its many simple but cozy rooms, the wing consists of a library which contains only fiction, a dining area with firepits for grilling, and blue magma pools for bathing that contain unusual company. For meals, the Draconae will only provide ingredients. By default, the Summoned are expected to cook for themselves and are encouraged to hunt or fish. Characters who enjoy the culinary arts can cook for their friends, of course!
Each room accommodates 2-4 occupants. The Summoned will need to seek roommates. Rooms are not assigned. Characters are welcome to move around as they like. There are no locks for the rooms, and many have curtains in place of a door. The Draconae are fierce fighters from a young age and believe in an eye for an eye, meaning genuine altercations can cost life and limb. As a result, serious crimes are practically nonexistent in the Nether. Most have a mutual understanding with each other not to go there.
Each room accommodates 2-4 occupants. The Summoned will need to seek roommates. Rooms are not assigned. Characters are welcome to move around as they like. There are no locks for the rooms, and many have curtains in place of a door. The Draconae are fierce fighters from a young age and believe in an eye for an eye, meaning genuine altercations can cost life and limb. As a result, serious crimes are practically nonexistent in the Nether. Most have a mutual understanding with each other not to go there.
Dragon Hatchlings
Overwhelmed by mounting troubles, the Draconae could use a hand taking care of their wily hatchlings who live in Dragon's Glass. Young dragons are prone to getting into trouble and are incredibly intelligent. They appear to understand spoken language and enjoy a good story or song. Characters can feed, bathe, and put the dragons to sleep. Their nests may also need to be fluffed or repaired. They can also be taken on "walks," though they should be returned within a few hours to rest.
A few days into the event, one baby dragon will escape. Naturally curious, it'll get up to all sorts of mischief including stealing shiny trinkets or snatching food. In particular, it'll disrupt grilling competitions held frequently in the evenings and cause an unusual (but harmless!) effect to those who come near. The Draconae need your help to catch the hatchling and return it to its home in Dragon's Glass.
A few days into the event, one baby dragon will escape. Naturally curious, it'll get up to all sorts of mischief including stealing shiny trinkets or snatching food. In particular, it'll disrupt grilling competitions held frequently in the evenings and cause an unusual (but harmless!) effect to those who come near. The Draconae need your help to catch the hatchling and return it to its home in Dragon's Glass.
To see if your character can catch the dragon, submit for a roll HERE. Submissions will close October 18 at 11:59 ET. Results will be posted on October 19 so players can account for their success or failure.
Submissions are open to one per player. If you have multiple characters, please choose one to submit for.
Submissions are open to one per player. If you have multiple characters, please choose one to submit for.
Grill Masters
While casual activities such as lava fishing and shopping are available, there is one key activity among the Draconae that draw large enthusiastic crowds: magma grilling.
Considered an art form for their people, competitions are frequent and intense. Arguments can explode over a difference of opinion in sauces, spices, or side dishes. Unlike their other secrets, the Draconae are willing to share their knowledge on barbecuing, primarily because the ingredients and techniques are impossible to achieve outside of the Nether.
Characters will be invited to watch, eat, and compete, either against the natives or against another Summoned. Participating in multiple competitions is possible since challenges are informal and occur often. Small prizes are available!
Considered an art form for their people, competitions are frequent and intense. Arguments can explode over a difference of opinion in sauces, spices, or side dishes. Unlike their other secrets, the Draconae are willing to share their knowledge on barbecuing, primarily because the ingredients and techniques are impossible to achieve outside of the Nether.
Characters will be invited to watch, eat, and compete, either against the natives or against another Summoned. Participating in multiple competitions is possible since challenges are informal and occur often. Small prizes are available!
We will not be moderating this, so players may determine the outcome amongst themselves.
The Cure
Curing the dragons consists of two aspects: negotiating for additional resources from each faction and visiting the perilous Ashlands to retrieve ingredients that the Draconae can't on their own. Characters part of the negotiations can also visit the Ashlands, as the meeting won't take up more than a day.
Negotiations and Meetings (Rank 5+)
Delegates have been voted on. Characters not selected as delegates have the option of meeting with one of the two other NPCs for a brief conversation.
Presenting Terms
Characters selected to represent their factions at the table are as follows:
All three faction Conclave meetings will take place concurrently on the second day of arrival. Delegates from opposing factions will not get the chance to talk to each other about their outcomes until the negotiations are completed.
The Draconae are desperate to save their dragons, but are also a sharp and highly independent people. They may reject those who ask for too much in an attempt to take advantage of the Nether's weakened state. However, delegates who operate with the Draconae's interests in mind will have their gratitude.
◎ THORNE: Kyle, Rhy MareshA section for the meeting will be provided on the IC Event Log. Players can tag in with their character under the correct faction heading. Meetings will be held with both characters in their particular faction. In other words, Thorne's pair of delegates will arrive together to meet their assigned NPC in a 3-person thread and so forth. They will not be individually meeting with the NPC.
◎ FREE CITIES: Claude von Riegan, Nadine Cross
◎ SOLVUNN: Himeka Sui, Wanda Maximoff
All three faction Conclave meetings will take place concurrently on the second day of arrival. Delegates from opposing factions will not get the chance to talk to each other about their outcomes until the negotiations are completed.
The Draconae are desperate to save their dragons, but are also a sharp and highly independent people. They may reject those who ask for too much in an attempt to take advantage of the Nether's weakened state. However, delegates who operate with the Draconae's interests in mind will have their gratitude.
OOC THREAD PLANNING
You must SUBMIT key points in the negotiation thread before the thread begins. This is to help keep things running smoothly! Players will know what terms are going to be accepted or rejected beforehand.
If you're assigned as a delegate with another player, discuss with each other the following:
You must SUBMIT key points in the negotiation thread before the thread begins. This is to help keep things running smoothly! Players will know what terms are going to be accepted or rejected beforehand.
If you're assigned as a delegate with another player, discuss with each other the following:
- Choose at least one demand from the factions that is non-negotiable. We've presented two options you can choose from in the corresponding faction comment below. Delegates can try to negotiate for both or they can attempt to push one over the other for strategic purposes. Negotiating for both will be more difficult.
- Decide the terms (resources and assistance) you will offer the Nether on your faction's behalf. 2-3 bullet points is sufficient! In addition to healing efforts, other key resources that characters can try to secure for the Nether include enchantments, wards, portal ability, vegetation, grains, and water.
Meeting the Draconae
Any Rank 5+ character can meet one of two NPCs available, provided they were not selected as a delegate instead. Unlike the selection process for the negotiation table, Rank 5+ in this instance can be for positive or negative actions. As long as the character holds sufficient rank, a meeting will be granted.
Characters who meet an NPC outside of the negotiation table will have the benefit of talking more freely and asking questions beyond political terms. The NPCs won't have much time, though they're happy to engage.
Characters who meet an NPC outside of the negotiation table will have the benefit of talking more freely and asking questions beyond political terms. The NPCs won't have much time, though they're happy to engage.
There is no character restriction per player for this section. As long as your character was not selected for a delegate and are Rank 5+, they may all talk to one of the two NPC options.
Aiding the Dragons
The Ashlands consist of areas in the Nether that succumbed to ruin after the death of the dragon which sustained it. Survivors of these territories have long fled. Here, the Summoned will find that their presence temporarily restores patches around them - thus allowing, for the first time in decades, the gathering of ingredients once thought lost forever.
Characters who are especially connected to the Singularity or the Horizon will find their restorative aura to be slightly larger and persist for one or two minutes instead of fading behind them immediately. Along with faction resources and magical or medical knowledge, characters can create a restorative elixir for the dragons and the eggs.
While protective enchantments will be given, the Summoned will soon discover it isn't required. Since the immediate area around them is automatically restored, they'll have natural protection against extreme temperatures or unbreathable air. How your character discovers this is up to you. Word could spread, or their enchantments might suffer a failure that's not as catastrophic as they feared.
Characters who are especially connected to the Singularity or the Horizon will find their restorative aura to be slightly larger and persist for one or two minutes instead of fading behind them immediately. Along with faction resources and magical or medical knowledge, characters can create a restorative elixir for the dragons and the eggs.
While protective enchantments will be given, the Summoned will soon discover it isn't required. Since the immediate area around them is automatically restored, they'll have natural protection against extreme temperatures or unbreathable air. How your character discovers this is up to you. Word could spread, or their enchantments might suffer a failure that's not as catastrophic as they feared.
Areas to Restore
Characters will have 3 areas to restore and explore. Each area contains a unique environment and an ingredient they must gather. More details will be provided on the IC Event Log, but we've summarized the areas below for plotting purposes.
◎ Cinder's Core is a desiccated jungle made of dead tree husks and fossilized bones that form a jagged floor. This area will require characters to navigate obstacles to reach twisted heights and avoid the organic traps that spring to life when the area around each Summoned restores itself.
◎ Featherhive is a land filled with a poisonous overgrowth that continuously threatens to consume the rest of the Nether. While the poison won't affect characters, the area contains shadow birds that will echo a person's memories, acting them out and parroting lines like a bizarre, incomplete puppet show. Memories can be superficial or much deeper. The birds can say as little as one line from the memory repetitively or demonstrate a longer exchange.
◎ Aetherie is a sealed village consigned to oblivion after its dragon passed away and a noxious gas swept through. Since the bodies couldn't be retrieved, the dead were left behind...and may not be as dead as one might think. Characters will confront what lurks inside and may even be able to help the Draconae find closure. Please note Aetherie will only be open for one IC day near the end of the event. OOC, players may engage with it any point.
Creating the Elixir
Characters whose strengths lie in research and experimentation will have an equally important role. They'll be granted entry into Dragon's Glass, where they can work alongside The Flame and her apprentices to create not only the final healing elixir but any interim potions that can soothe the dragons or slow the illness's spread.
The Draconae have an alchemy lab that contains basic alchemy books for anyone unfamiliar with the process or if they need a quick reference. Experimenting can result in unintended consequences such as mild hallucinations, moderate ill effects, or small combustion fires.
Multiple batches of ingredients will be required before the correct combination and measurements can be achieved, so every trip into the Ashlands is valuable. Characters are encouraged to visit multiple areas as long as they're willing and capable.
The Draconae have an alchemy lab that contains basic alchemy books for anyone unfamiliar with the process or if they need a quick reference. Experimenting can result in unintended consequences such as mild hallucinations, moderate ill effects, or small combustion fires.
Multiple batches of ingredients will be required before the correct combination and measurements can be achieved, so every trip into the Ashlands is valuable. Characters are encouraged to visit multiple areas as long as they're willing and capable.
Notes & Details
Setting Information
In addition to the OOC Plotting Post and the IC Event Log, important details for the Nether can be found on the following pages:
◎ Setting
◎ NPCs
◎ Bestiary
Event Schedule
To allow room for players to get things started, the event post will be going up a little before the actual in-game date the event occurs.
The IN-GAME EVENT will ICly take place October 16 - October 26
The EVENT POST will go up October 15 for players to participate in.
The WRAP-UP POST will go up October 31 for players to view.
Plotting Form
You can use the plotting form below to make plans.
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!
- Are weapons allowed in the Nether?
- Yes, personal weapons are allowed! The Draconae do not have active restrictions since many are openly armed themselves, but for the purposes of the event, please be reasonable about the amount of weapons and type of weapons your character brings. A sword and a pair of daggers are acceptable. An entire armory is not.
- What about all the heat and fire?
- The Obsidian Heart is hot but not more than a summer's day. While submerging yourself in the lakes of magma is ill-advised, flames and small pools of lava won't burn you (although it will burn organic materials and dead organisms). One can reach into a fire with a bare hand and emerge with little more than some reddened skin. This is likely due to the dragons' magic and is what allows the Draconae to continue to inhabit the Nether.
- What if my character falls in the lava?
- They won't burn up right away, but they'll receive the equivalent of 2nd degree burns if they're lucky enough to be pulled out immediately. Any longer will result in death. Try not to fall in!
- Can the negotiations result in failure?
- Our goal is to have each set of delegates be successful. This will be the angle we approach all OOC submissions, so we will make sure the terms given are approved ahead of the IC thread, and ask for revisions if required. However, if you decide you want your delegates to actively fail, please let us know and we can work out the conditions in which that occurs. Note that this will result in consequences for the delegates, the Draconae, and possibly the faction itself.
- Will characters be aware of the dragons' role in the Nether?
- Somewhat! The Draconae don't speak of it openly, but they'll discuss it if asked and eligible characters can also have more in-depth conversations with the NPCs. Generally, they'll learn that deaths of many dragons resulted in much of the devastation around the Nether and resulted in some loss of life. The dragons' magic is known for keeping harmful and toxic effects at bay like extreme heat and poisonous gasses. The Draconae fear that should the remaining dragons die, nothing will be left to prevent this unknown sickness from spreading to their population.
- My character isn't a fighter! Could they have something to make them feel safer?
- The Draconae are protective of their guests, and anyone with ill intent wouldn't want to tangle with others who would stop them. However, if characters require more assurance, they'll provide a guard for anyone who asks.
- Will we need to coordinate research efforts for making the elixir?
- There will be a section where players can comment with discoveries their character has made, but there's no need to worry too much about continuity. As long as your character participated, they'll have made a notable contribution to the overall cure.
- My character has a personal set of potions, healing ingredients, and equipment. Can they bring this to help?
- Yes, of course! If characters own personal equipment and ingredients, they can bring those items to the Nether. They cannot bring resources that belong to the factions.
- How many baby dragons are there?
- There are five hatchlings and three eggs. Each hatchling has a name and unique ability. We'll reveal this on the IC Event Log.
- What determines the strength of a character's connection to the Horizon or the Singularity?
- The more a character engages with the Horizon, and the longer they've been doing so, the stronger their connection will be. Interactions include making regular changes to a domain, creating or keeping sustained life such as animals or pets, and having a domain that's inhabited by other Summoned or receives regular visitors. Using Abraxan magic such as learning new spells or making use of their Horizon/Event gains would also contribute to this strengthening.
Generally speaking, most characters who interact with the setting to some degree and have been in the game for a few months will discover an increase in strength. Very new characters may even discover their aura strengthening if they begin to use more magic or enter the Horizon a few times during the event itself. We'll leave this up to players to determine at their discretion!
Geralt of Rivia | The Witcher | Free Cities
Faction: Free Cities
Influence Rank: 5
Vote: Geralt voted no to faction involvement. He's bluntly mistrustful of people in power and he'll make his opinion known if it comes up. HOWEVER. He's very into saving the dragons. Dragons are also going extinct in his canon and he helped save a dragon egg once. He just thinks it's more dangerous for the Nether long term if they're hooked into a desperate deal with the factions.
On top of that, the potential extinction of a species is a deeply personal subject to him given Witchers were nearly eradicated and are dying out back home. He doesn't talk about this very freely, but if the conditions line up it would probably come out, and I'm interested in that! Especially if your character has a similar experience.
Healing Efforts: Geralt's not a healer, though he does have solid alchemy knowledge. It's just more specific to Witcher physiology. He is good at gathering and exploring. He goes in and out of the Horizon, but doesn't much use this world's magic, so his restoration aura is probably...average. Nothing special.
Activities: Hunting for sure! Maybe some fishing. He's not bad at grilling so if you just want some basic meat on a stick for dinner or a stew, he can make that for you. I'd like him to babysit at least one baby dragon! He will not volunteer for this, but he might get handed one against his will. I'm also obligated to toss him into the magma baths.
General plans: I'm mostly just here to get Geralt meeting new people and deepening any CR he already has! He's got his set of people he'll room with so no roommates needed, but feel free to accidentally crash in his space or find him somewhere unexpected since he'll end up rotating around wherever Ciri, Julie, Nadine, and Jaskier can be found. Happy to write ppl closed starters!
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1. lost baby dragons are trying to steal their meat
2. on a super chill fishing trip
3. making a little dinner on the grill
depending on what you are up for?
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Crane is busy doing research so he can just give Geralt a list because at least he knows he's competent.
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i'm thinking crane can get a little taste of either parental abandonment or the trials themselves...both would be good, the former for just a personal history and the latter bc obv. crane eventually diverges towards that human experimentation aspect. im also down for geralt learning about crane only as well! up to you how you wanna play it, if you wanted an exchange or if it just went one way
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If nothing like that suits I can pick something to match what you want to explore, no problem.
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It could be interesting for sure. I think getting them to glimpse each other's lives could throw a fun twist in how they interact.
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If not that, perhaps just teaming up in Cinder's Core or Aetherie as well if you're up for it!
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For something altogether different, a reason for them to babysit a baby dragon together is another possibility.
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if you're up for that lmk!
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I love some good angst, and depending on what it is he sees from her, he'd be willing to share a similar experience out of Empathy, since Claire just has that vibe that makes people open up a bit. Esp if she's looking sad.
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idk if you're canon familiar, but it would be her going back to her time, if we went with her memory! (Hopefully that links to the right time near the end of the video!)
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I'm happy to have Geralt pass her a few tidbits of his memories, too, but I'm equally here for it just being Claire.
On a side note, I initially did plan to hit Claire in her Horizon, but I fell a little behind and couldn't get to it as fast as I wanted - is it okay if we do the event as their first meeting? I would love for him to pass by her Horizon afterwards tho for a follow up in November or so.
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If it feels right for Geralt to share, I think that would fantastic, she's just as good at listening as she is at angsting, lol.
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