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abraxasooc2024-03-08 12:09 pm
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2024-03-08 12:09 pm
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PRELUDE: TEMPEST
Prelude - Tempest
In addition to the conclusion of the mystery and the Nocwich conflict, MARCH sees some unusual weather patterns affect Abraxas. It begins as soon as the Summoned return from Ikorr, and will continue into April and beyond, leaving many to wonder if something much worse lies ahead.
For now, the storms aren't too severe. They do cause some challenges, however...and they have an unusual effect on portal magic - as well as the Horizon.
For now, the storms aren't too severe. They do cause some challenges, however...and they have an unusual effect on portal magic - as well as the Horizon.
This prelude will allow players to switch their character's territory originally chosen during the application process.
Please note that this comes with some IC and OOC caveats, which we'll outline below. This decision should not be made lightly, and territory swaps are typically a one-time deal. It is very difficult for characters to defect more than once.
Please note that this comes with some IC and OOC caveats, which we'll outline below. This decision should not be made lightly, and territory swaps are typically a one-time deal. It is very difficult for characters to defect more than once.
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In Ikorr
It all begins here, where the confrontation between Ikorr and Luna is boiling over rapidly. With the majority of the Summoned in attendance choosing to support preserving the artifact, Luna has reluctantly agreed to return the Twin Latchkeys to Ikorr and has returned home. The conflict is by no means over, but for now, things have not yet come to blows.
Ikorr will thank everyone for their aid. While this has strengthened the Summoned's overall relationship with the Ikorrans, the Summoned's alliance with Luna will take some time to recover and rebuild. Luna, who provided aid to the Summoned during a time of crisis last year without asking for anything in return, is somewhat disappointed in the strength of their friendship with the Summoned.
Of course, individual relationships may differ depending on your personal connection with either the Lunae Circle or the Ikorran Pact.
Ikorr will thank everyone for their aid. While this has strengthened the Summoned's overall relationship with the Ikorrans, the Summoned's alliance with Luna will take some time to recover and rebuild. Luna, who provided aid to the Summoned during a time of crisis last year without asking for anything in return, is somewhat disappointed in the strength of their friendship with the Summoned.
Of course, individual relationships may differ depending on your personal connection with either the Lunae Circle or the Ikorran Pact.
Due to tensions, Nocwich will be temporarily CLOSED until further notice.
Characters may still have cross-border interactions through the Horizon.
Characters may still have cross-border interactions through the Horizon.
All's Well That Ends Well
While the outcome is a relief, trepidation may follow you as you walk toward the portals that take you home. Passing through, you see a startling flash. A chill sweeps through you. Your heart pounds, each beat drumming in your ears. When you look down at your hands, they appear that of a stranger's - though nothing about your body has changed. Rather, it's as if for a split second, you forgot that this body is yours.
A discordant rumble echoes from over your shoulder:
A discordant rumble echoes from over your shoulder:
You are awaited.
Turning around, you see no one behind you. From the faces of your fellow Summoned, it's clear you're not alone in what you've experienced.
The Storm
As the Summoned return from Ikorr, clouds gather over the Singularity's crater. The clouds only grow darker and the air more electric. Soon, lightning bolts erupt from the Singularity and spark over the skies of Abraxas, from Thorne to Sovlunn to the Free Cities - perhaps even as far as the Feywilds. Strangely, the lightning doesn't ever strike the ground. It simply sparks through the swirling grey clouds above. Day and night, the flashes continue, and thunder rolls in the distance.
What does hit the territories, however, are strong winds. Beginning roughly MARCH 10 and lasting to the end of the month, powerful gusts begin to pick up. While not at critically dangerous levels, they do cause some chaos.
What does hit the territories, however, are strong winds. Beginning roughly MARCH 10 and lasting to the end of the month, powerful gusts begin to pick up. While not at critically dangerous levels, they do cause some chaos.
Thorne
The heavy winds impact Nott the most, due to its proximity to the water. While Borrel is near the ocean, it has the benefit of heavily fortified wards and dams, which Nott is lacking. Several fishers are lost at sea, and many more fishing boats - docked or otherwise - are broken and beyond repair. Already limited in resources and money, Nott is turning to the Crown for help, a rare decision on Lyle Vela's part.
In exchange for repairs and compensation for lost income, Castle Thorne will be establishing a small naval base on Lake Circinus. Admiral Rudolph Sidwell will arrive in Nott to oversee the project's beginnings, and will be staying in one of the former castles in Old Nott. He will be there for the remainder of March and will make frequent trips between Nott and Castle Thorne, where he meets with Queen Ellya often.
In exchange for repairs and compensation for lost income, Castle Thorne will be establishing a small naval base on Lake Circinus. Admiral Rudolph Sidwell will arrive in Nott to oversee the project's beginnings, and will be staying in one of the former castles in Old Nott. He will be there for the remainder of March and will make frequent trips between Nott and Castle Thorne, where he meets with Queen Ellya often.
The Free Cities
Dust storms aren't uncommon in the Free Cities, but rarely do they break through the city walls...until now. Located nearest to the dunes around the Singularity and the unrelenting Badlands to the west, Cadens is hit hardest by the rolling dust clouds that darken the skies and cast a thick haze over the city. The dust travels as far as Aquila and Libertas.
Low visibility has resulted in missing travelers, lost merchant wagons, and runaway pets. Already struggling farms in the Free Cities suffer damage to their crops and livestock. Portam Hall has prioritized protecting the farmlands first and has issued a warning for residents to keep windows and doors tightly shut. With one of the highest vagrant populations, though, not everyone can stay out of the dangerous dusty air.
Low visibility has resulted in missing travelers, lost merchant wagons, and runaway pets. Already struggling farms in the Free Cities suffer damage to their crops and livestock. Portam Hall has prioritized protecting the farmlands first and has issued a warning for residents to keep windows and doors tightly shut. With one of the highest vagrant populations, though, not everyone can stay out of the dangerous dusty air.
Solvunn
In the Primary Settlement, small twisters begin to form. While not powerful enough to uproot large structures, the swirling landspouts are capable of damaging gardens and delicate crops, and displacing small animals including rabbits, birds, and newborn livestock. The elderly and young children may also be in danger.
Most importantly, with spring on the way, Solvunn is especially concerned with protecting Endrborrin's shrine. Surrounded by flowers and offerings of fruit or seeds, the spring goddess's shrine has been thrown into disarray. Elders in Solvunn have arrived to reinforce wards against the weather, but they could use some help and protection themselves.
Most importantly, with spring on the way, Solvunn is especially concerned with protecting Endrborrin's shrine. Surrounded by flowers and offerings of fruit or seeds, the spring goddess's shrine has been thrown into disarray. Elders in Solvunn have arrived to reinforce wards against the weather, but they could use some help and protection themselves.
The Horizon
Inside the Horizon, a similar storm brews. The same horizontal lightning streaks across the "sky," upending the weather over each domain. Winter landscapes begin to melt while thunderclouds gather over normally sunny lakes or fields. This isn't limited to the outdoors, either. Characters who have a cozy cabin might open the door to find it flooded or covered in snow. Forcing the weather to change will only cause further instability. Try to bring back the sun and the sky might hail instead.
More significant, however, are the gifts that surface (or resurface) in each person's domain. It might appear on a table, on a doorstep, or it might drop out of thin air and hit its target on the head. Regardless, characters are bound to find it.
Try as they might, they won't be able to get rid of any gift. The best they can do is hide it and pretend it isn't there.
More significant, however, are the gifts that surface (or resurface) in each person's domain. It might appear on a table, on a doorstep, or it might drop out of thin air and hit its target on the head. Regardless, characters are bound to find it.
◎ Characters who participated in Event #10 - Affliction will discover the return of a familiar object.
◎ Characters who participated in Event #17 - Epulum will discover a sparkler that will shoot out a simplified but recognizable variation of their Arcanum.
◎ Characters who participated in both events will receive both gifts, either at the same time or at different points.
Try as they might, they won't be able to get rid of any gift. The best they can do is hide it and pretend it isn't there.
Shattered Borders
The effects of the storm continue for the next two weeks, coming and going at unpredictable intervals. There are a few breaks in the wind and dust, but the lightning continues to spread across the sky throughout. Then, suddenly, something changes.
Beginning MARCH 24 and continuing to MARCH 31, the portals that characters have been using to travel between cities in their territory begin to grow unstable. Someone might mean to step into Aquila only to find themselves falling into the middle of the Badlands. Or, they intend to go to Nott and land in the Borrel ocean. The portals won't take anyone beyond their borders, though...unless they do?
Characters who have considered leaving their territory - consciously or unconsciously - may feel a tug when entering a portal. If they reach for that feeling and let it guide them, they will gain the inexplicable understanding that they are capable of forcing the portal to let them into another territory. Should they do so, they can step through and find themselves in the main hub of the nation they choose: the castle in Castle Thorne, Portam Hall in Cadens, and the Council's doorstep in the Primary Settlement.
Beginning MARCH 24 and continuing to MARCH 31, the portals that characters have been using to travel between cities in their territory begin to grow unstable. Someone might mean to step into Aquila only to find themselves falling into the middle of the Badlands. Or, they intend to go to Nott and land in the Borrel ocean. The portals won't take anyone beyond their borders, though...unless they do?
Characters who have considered leaving their territory - consciously or unconsciously - may feel a tug when entering a portal. If they reach for that feeling and let it guide them, they will gain the inexplicable understanding that they are capable of forcing the portal to let them into another territory. Should they do so, they can step through and find themselves in the main hub of the nation they choose: the castle in Castle Thorne, Portam Hall in Cadens, and the Council's doorstep in the Primary Settlement.
While characters may receive the "knowledge" that they can cross into an opposing territory without seeking it, they must deliberately choose to use that knowledge and actively leave their territory behind. Once they do, there is no going back.
Seeking Refuge
Once on the other side, characters will be taken to a private room and questioned. They must explain their decision to leave their territory and convince authorities that they should be allowed to make their new home here. They can lie if they choose, but the decision to stay must be theirs. Authorities will not invite them to stay and will return anyone who does not have the conviction to remain.
The higher someone's influence, the harder it will be for them to convince authorities they should be allowed to stay. This is especially the case for characters crossing from Thorne to the Free Cities or vice versa. Depending on their reputation, they may also face a longer precautionary period. We'll communicate this on a case-by-case basis.
Once a character has successfully pleaded their case, they'll face some precautions that will last 2 weeks:
The higher someone's influence, the harder it will be for them to convince authorities they should be allowed to stay. This is especially the case for characters crossing from Thorne to the Free Cities or vice versa. Depending on their reputation, they may also face a longer precautionary period. We'll communicate this on a case-by-case basis.
Once a character has successfully pleaded their case, they'll face some precautions that will last 2 weeks:
◎ Thorne will confine characters seeking refuge to the castle for the duration. They may explore the castle itself, but cannot leave its walls.
◎ The Free Cities will confine characters to the military barracks for the duration. While they can visit the city during the day, they will be assigned a soldier to escort them and bring them back at nightfall.
◎ Solvunn will assign characters a host family with whom they must stay for the duration. They cannot leave the Primary Settlement during this period.
Make sure you read the OOC information under Changing Territories in the Notes section first.
Once you've decided, you can SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST using the form.
Requests close MARCH 31 @ 11:59 ET.
Once you've decided, you can SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST using the form.
Requests close MARCH 31 @ 11:59 ET.
Notes
As with all interludes and preludes, this is not a formal game event! Rather, players can use the details described as an inspiration and incorporate them 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.
Changing Territories
Players can apply to switch territories using the form provided under Seeking Refuge. Please note the following stipulations:
◎ Only one character per player can move territories.
◎ Characters must restart their influence level when joining another territory. Some exceptions may apply if a character is higher influence (5+), but they would still have their influence reduced to 3 or under when moving.
◎ Newer characters are allowed to switch. Characters who haven't established any outward loyalties or attachments in officials' eyes will be treated with more leniency.
◎ IC, the decision must be deliberate. Characters cannot "accidentally" switch territories, as they will need to consciously wish to leave their borders when entering the portal, and then explain themselves to officials why they wanted to leave.
◎ While we encourage players to switch territories if they feel it's the right decision, keep in mind that you can't change your mind and that moving back will require some in-depth plotting with the mods. While we don't want to say anything is impossible, we do caution that it will be very difficult to achieve and will likely take an extended amount of time.
Upcoming Schedule
April's event will be a larger event. We've provided a rough outline below of what to expect.
This event will not have an intricate level of mod involvement, but will allow characters to explore relationships, possibilities, and powers they otherwise may not. It will require a higher level of planning between players. As a result, players will have 5 days to plot between the OOC Plotting Post and the IC Event Log.
This event will not have an intricate level of mod involvement, but will allow characters to explore relationships, possibilities, and powers they otherwise may not. It will require a higher level of planning between players. As a result, players will have 5 days to plot between the OOC Plotting Post and the IC Event Log.
◎ Sign-ups will be posted in the first week of April, along with preliminary OOC information about Event #18. All characters in the game will be eligible. There are no restrictions in slots or influence, and no limits on characters per player.
◎ We suggest you begin thinking about themes associated with your character, both in terms of their canon and how they've developed in-game since arriving.
◎ While we'll still host the OOC Intro and CR Meme as usual for any new arrivals, be aware that the setting may undergo some notable changes from April onward. You may wish to reserve plans until further event details are available.
◎ April's event will run to MAY 11. While this will not be an official 2-part event, we may post updates related to the event midway.
◎ There will be no Quests in May to allow players time to conclude their threads.
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!
-
The Storm
- What is happening?
- Who knows! Answers might come as events unfold, or it might lead to more questions.
- Is the lightning caused by the Singularity?
- Yes, this won't be in any doubt. Officials will be able to see clearly that the "lightning" is originating from the Singularity crater. Characters will be able to see this, too.
- Is this connected to the windstorms?
- Possibly! While no one can definitively say that the Singularity is causing the windstorms directly, the weather does appear to be responding to some instabilities.
- How dangerous are the windstorms? Should characters be panicking?
- They're not very dangerous as far as storms go. Dust storms, small twisters, and so forth would've occurred in the past as a regular part of the world. The unusual aspect is that they've all occurred at the same time, as well as the strange lightning pattern. They're also reoccurring at intervals over the 2 weeks.
- Will the storms end in April?
- There will be additional developments in April that we'll announce at the start of the month.
- What was the voice speaking to them? Can anyone else hear it?
- That's a mystery! Only the Summoned can hear it. The natives won't hear anything.
- So characters can't leave their territories unless they choose to?
- That's correct, characters will need to make the active choice. They can't accidentally visit or switch territories. This is because characters will have to defend their reason for staying regardless or authorities will simply send them back before anything can happen.
- What happens if my character goes through a portal without intending to swap?
- The portal's instability has a chance of dropping them into the wrong place, but only within the territory's borders. For instance, going from Cadens to Aquila might land your character in Libertas instead. Alternatively, they land in Aquila but fall onto someone's roof instead of arriving at the portal site itself.
- What about areas in the territory that aren't normally accessible like Fomalhaut?
- For simplicity, we ask that players do not choose those locations or any location that would require extended mod involvement.
- I have a character in one territory. Can I bring my second there, too?
- This is allowed as long as the player is confident they can manage the potential overlap in CR and setting themes. While we highly encourage players to spread their characters out, doing so is not a requirement.
- How much time does my character have to realize they can switch and decide?
- They'll have one week. In-game, the opportunity will last MARCH 24 - 31.
- How does my character know they won't be arrested or worse when arriving in a new territory?
- They won't, although generally speaking, the territories have been somewhat lenient with the Summoned to avoid any diplomatic fallout. IC, they'll need to decide whether the risk is worth it. Changing territories is not meant to be an easy decision.
Changing Territories
no subject
(I do not know of any current plans for this to be the case, I'm just curious)
no subject