STATE OF THE GAME: OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

[abraxasmods]

State of the Game

October - November (2023)

Welcome to our State of the Game! Here, you can read about what might be going on in the world around Abraxas and with the characters in it. Every AC period, you can report what your character has been up to and we'll include all relevant information in the next newsletter.

Our Plot Engagement and World Building page are always open for submissions.

The Summoned Conclave is hosted in the comments section of each State of the Game. We'll provide the structure. Players are not obliged to participate, but we encourage you to do so! See here for details.

OOC Notices

Upcoming Festivals | Link

The festival for December across all three nations is based around the Dimming of the Singularity, in which its magic begins to wane during the last two weeks of the month before regaining its full strength by the new year. The Summoned can observe preparations and chatter from locals throughout the month, some of which are described in themed prompts on the Test Drive Meme.

Event #16 will be based around this festival, so stay tuned!

Summoned Conclave

Representatives | Link

New representatives must be chosen this meeting. Any Summoned who want to hold their current positions need to resubmit their bid. New arrivals can submit themselves as candidate if they wish. A bid as candidate can also be submitted on behalf of another character, as long as OOC player permission is obtained.

Motions Sanctioned

No standard motions were passed the previous meeting. However, Thorne, the Free Cities, and Solvunn have reviewed the goals set by the Conclaves in regards to investigating the sunken island used by the Acolytes. A formal excursion is set for the end of December. It will take place as part of Event #16.

Open Motions | Link

All Summoned are encouraged to submit a motion to be passed and sent to officials for consideration.

World Events

All Factions

The Nether | Link

Letters from the Nether were sent to the Summoned Conclaves, requesting help with their ailing dragons, a crisis that threatened to destabilize or even destroy the Dracaone. The Summoned then voted on whether they'd negotiate as representatives of their nations or proceed to aid the dragons alone. Decision made, the Summoned traveled to the Nether to seek a cure...and discovered the unique effect they have on the land.

Thanks to their efforts, a healing elixir was created. The Nether's last two adult dragons are slowly recovering. In exchange, each nation received a something for their assistance.

Plot Interactions and Developments

The Nether

Kyle & Rhy Maresh, Claude von Riegen & Nadine Cross, Wanda Maximoff & Himeka Sui | Link

Ermis, The Keeper; Charis, The Overseer; Orion, The Warden

Two delegates from each Conclave were chosen to negotiate on their faction's behalf.

Various | Link

Anneth, The Flame

Several Summoned spoke to Anneth, the Flame, to learn more about the dragons and their history.

Various | Link

Aster, The Guardian

Several Summoned spoke to Aster, the Guardian, to learn more about the Nether and its people.

Kingdom of Thorne

All Summoned | Link

King Brydan Galdwin III, Rudolph Sidwell

The Maritime Fair was established in Borrel. All Summoned are encouraged to attend the monthly event. The ceremony in November included the promotion of the Queen's uncle, Admiral Rudolph Sidwell.

Rhy Maresh | Link

Lyle Vela

Rhy meets with Lyle Vela to discuss the situation in Nott and a potential position.

The Free Cities

All Summoned | Link

Cauldor Wain (Deceased), Marlo Reiner

Cauldor Wain, accused of orchestrating the attacks in Nocwich two years ago, was publicly executed. The corpse has been hung outside the city gates as a statement.

Solvunn Commune

All Summoned | Link

Isar Hart

Isar Hart, the first Tertiary representative who does not come from the Tertiary Settlement, has formally secured his seat on the Council.

Items of Notice

Horizon

Throughout | Link

Aloy
A robot dinosaur may have been seen flying around the Horizon.

Julie's Domain | Link

Julie Lawry
A Halloween party took place on October 31st.

Kingdom of Thorne

Castle Thorne

Kyle, Prince Wilhelm, Dion Lesage, Kelson Haldane
Additional couriers have begun work around the city of Castle Thorne.

Nott | Link

Kell Maresh, Istredd
Kell and Istredd have repaired Nott's main pier that was destroyed during the rifts.

The Free Cities

Cadens | Link

Sam Wilson, Jesper Fahey
Volunteers are requested to upgrade the Sarstina Inn & Tavern to thank Mag, the owner, for helping them get settled.

Cadens | Link

Hilda Goneril, Jesper Fahey
Hilda and Jesper begin to work on selling clothing items and accessories in the city.

Cadens | Link

Claude von Riegan, Sylvain Gautier, Hilda Goneril
Volunteers are requested to help restore the Red Path.

Cadens

Geralt of Rivia
May have been noticed missing for a few weeks before emerging at the Farhill Mining Camp,, where he stays for 2 more weeks.

Solvunn Commune

Primary Settlement | Link

Wanda Maximoff
May have been seen teaching children runes.

Secondary Settlement | Link

Nanaue
May have been seen consuming a junior leviathan, walking around with the corpse, and making an impression with the children.

Tertiary Settlement | Link

Nero, Rocket, Aloy, Wanda Maximoff, Himeka Sui
A mingle took place at Aloy's home, which involved obstacle courses and a boar attack.

Comments

FORMAL SUBMISSIONS

[abraxasmods]

Use the form below to submit each Conclave's formal proposal for faction officials (the mod team) to consider here. Only one proposal per faction's Conclave will be reviewed each meeting.

Any player can post the motion, but ICly, it will be the voted representatives who approach officials with the proposal.

Soft submission deadline is January 7th at 11:59 ET.

<b>Faction:</b> <b>Proposal:</b> (Briefly describe the proposal being submitted) <b>Notes:</b>(Add any extra details you want us to know)

[assembles]

Faction: Free Cities

Proposal: The Free Cities conclave would like to propose that better working conditions and wage laws be applied to the workers of the Farhill Mining Camp. This comes from concern that child labor is being exploited to keep the mine up and running, but they also understand that most of these kids want to keep their livelihoods at the mine as they may be the only source of income for their families.

If there isn't a better option as of yet for these children and their families, then the conclave reps at least want to ensure that the children (and all the miners) are protected, both in terms of the working conditions (that they're not sent into any potentially dangerous or life-threatening parts of the mineshaft) and financially (raising minimum wage to make sure that they're actually receiving a living wage).

Essentially, they want to work toward a union for the miners.

Notes: While this is proposed formally by Steve Rogers, Claude Riegen, and Astarion, they also consulted with Viktor, Cal Kestis, and Sam Wilson as three other parties who are invested in this issue.

In terms of negotation and adjusting laws, Astarion does have some law-related experience and has been studying law in Aquila. Steve and Claude will also be willing to help with negotiation as both of them have past experience with public speaking, politics, etc.

If any additional law-savvy people might be needed to help with this, Steve would be willing to bring Matt Murdock in as well, as another person with that kind of experience!

Sam supports all of this as well, and can offer any of his influence with arranging meetings, doing paperwork, etc.

Viktor is also working on an automated robot, and while this has in the past been turned down as a help for the mines because the workers fear losing their jobs to a machine, the idea would be that once it's ready, it could be used in conjunction with the workers to delve into unsafe parts of the mine on their behalf, so no human worker risks injury or contamination, etc. This is more something to return to in the future once the automation is perfected, but wanted to throw it out there as something that might come up.

[abraxasmods]

Portam Hall has reviewed the Conclave's proposal. While they are willing to examine the working conditions of the miners, they request that the Conclave return to them with a more actionable item that they can focus concrete resources and plans towards.

As a suggestion, this can include: better or fresher supplies to the general store at the Farhill Mining Town, a dedicated medical clinic on-site, improvements to the structure of the homes, a stipend for sick days, or other items of that nature. Additional improvements can be requested in the future.

They'll need to put it back to a vote with the Conclave next meeting to get the more specific motion passed.

[assembles]

Awesome, thanks for the ideas for where to go with this and I'm sure this will be revisited next time!

[glaciare]

Faction: Thorne

Proposal: Thorne would like to propose a stipend and/or Summoned being paid by the crown for things they help out with around the castle of Thorne. While a stipend would be the most favorable outcome, the Summoned understand that the economy needs to function and would accept some amount of income from the jobs they've taken on to keep the castle running to prove their goodwill and their willingness to work. They may not give up on the concept of a general stipend to easily, but they'll be satisfied with some amount of income -- allowing them to frequent city businesses, shops in Borrel, as well as improving goodwill in Nocwich by allowing them to shop more there as well.

If they are also willing to consider it, a stipend for newly arrived Summoned would be welcome, at least until they are able to get settled.

Notes: The proposal is presented formally by the three representatives, but it was Istredd's idea.

[abraxasmods]

Thorne has reviewed the Conclave's proposal. The crown agrees that the Summoned who have been volunteering their efforts should be paid a fair wage. Since the Crown provides all amenities and necessities to the Summoned, the amount paid will be modest. On average, they can earn enough pocket money to purchase personal items or treats for themselves each month.

Tasks the Summoned can take on around the Castle in exchange for money from the Crown include shelving library books, gardening, assisting in the kitchens, working in the stables, assisting with potion ingredients, or other similar jobs.

Any Summoned who choose to dedicate themselves entirely to academic studies in magic can also receive a smaller monthly stipend. While they would not need to perform any particular task, they should be visibly studying and focusing their efforts on learning. They would only receive this stipend after 30 days in the Castle.

New Summoned would not receive a stipend since all their requirements and additional comforts like wine, good food, and clothes are provided for.

[lightkeeping]

Faction: Solvunn
Proposal: the settlements are many and far in between, and while there already is something like a semi-regular 'public transportation' set in place, it might be beneficial to draw the connection with the settlements even further by putting up lamps in what are considered the ‘roads’ between the settlements. this will not only serve as a guiding light for anyone traveling about, but might also improve safety while traveling. should anyone get lost, they could also make their way to one of the lamps and follow the path to civilization.
Notes: Aloy submits the proposal on Wanda's behalf!

[abraxasmods]

The Council has reviewed the Conclave's proposal. They agree to add the lamps, but warn that the lamps must be regularly fed with magic so that they will remain lit - at least once every two weeks. The lamps may also occasionally be damaged and require repairs or replacement.

The general sense is that the woods are not meant to be lit and lights are disliked by the unusual forces that lurk in the shadows...so placing the lamps could result in unintended consequences in the future. For the time being, however, the lamps can be put up without interference from the Council or the locals.