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abraxasooc2024-05-12 07:38 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2024-05-12 07:38 am
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INTERLUDE: STRATAGEM
Interlude - Stratagem
By MAY 10, the Summoned will have returned to their respective territories. The storms began to abate while the Summoned were in the emergent reality, and have calmed completely by the time they emerge. The skies are clear once more, and the Horizon has also returned to normal. Although some characters might begrudge officials for the act, it's hard to deny that it worked.
Repairs will take time. Characters can spend the next few months aiding the locals if they wish, though it seems the territories are starting to get things under control now that the storms have ceased. Authorities will not request or suggest they volunteer. They understand the Summoned have been through a difficult time and will avoid adding fuel to the fire.
Repairs will take time. Characters can spend the next few months aiding the locals if they wish, though it seems the territories are starting to get things under control now that the storms have ceased. Authorities will not request or suggest they volunteer. They understand the Summoned have been through a difficult time and will avoid adding fuel to the fire.
This interlude will serve as the Wrap-Up for Event #18 and the backdrop for Event #19.
We have some crucial new information for players regarding the impact of the Singularity following the event. There are also new developments in all three major territories.
Plot Engagement is now open again.
We have some crucial new information for players regarding the impact of the Singularity following the event. There are also new developments in all three major territories.
Plot Engagement is now open again.
Jump to section
Aftermath
The events you experienced leave you with a lot to think about. Who or what caused the reality to manifest? How much can you believe the things you witnessed? Were you meant to learn something important? In the Horizon, a final message awaits, scrawled somewhere on the surface of your domain: a table, the ground, the ceiling. The previously playful tone is absent, though the communicator is undeniably the same one from before:
Or maybe the long centuries that stretch ahead frighten you. Do you fear what you became in that vision? Do you fear what others became? Still, not everyone experienced what you did. A number of your colleagues were relatively unchanged or settled into a contented, benign life. You might be forced to question what made you different. After all, each of you is similarly connected to the Singularity. So why were you corrupted when they weren't? And if you had to do it again, knowing what you do now, could you change your fate?
We are you, and you are us.
You are not theirs.
Theirs, you ask? You might consider the people who occasionally - and quite recently - behave as if they own you. You remember the freedom of wandering the world, untouched by mortals who once claimed you as their Summoned. You can't help but consider if that's an achievable path, your road to breaking free of kingdoms and rulers who seek to use your status.
You are not theirs.
Or maybe the long centuries that stretch ahead frighten you. Do you fear what you became in that vision? Do you fear what others became? Still, not everyone experienced what you did. A number of your colleagues were relatively unchanged or settled into a contented, benign life. You might be forced to question what made you different. After all, each of you is similarly connected to the Singularity. So why were you corrupted when they weren't? And if you had to do it again, knowing what you do now, could you change your fate?
Contact with the Singularity
One thing is indisputable: you are already more divine than not. And with it comes a certain awareness you now recognize after having seen the consequences of misusing your connection to the Singularity - or when attempting to reject it.
To have encounters with the Singularity, please use the PLOT ENGAGEMENT before proceeding. Each character's interaction is based on their circumstances and actions. We will present a custom response for you upon discussion.
How it Works (IC)
Your strengthened tether to the Singularity is the most tangible evidence of your connection. This tether isn't new. It was always there and is the connection you reach for when entering the Horizon. Now, it feels weightier...the inception of your powerful connection to the ancient relic as a God. Should you decide to mentally "touch" it, you will feel a strong tug towards the Singularity in the Horizon. You sense the Singularity wants to "hear" from you. You can follow it and visit the Horizon's Singularity any time. What you receive from the Singularity is unique to you - and you won't know until you get there.
If you ignore it, the tether will recede into the background. It won't disappear - the option to awaken it will be there forever - but there's no need to acknowledge it if you don't want to.
If you ignore it, the tether will recede into the background. It won't disappear - the option to awaken it will be there forever - but there's no need to acknowledge it if you don't want to.
How it Works (OOC)
Players can decide to engage with this mechanic at any point, but you must discuss with the mods first so we can let you know the Singularity's response. Developing a connection with the Singularity will take time and repeated "visits" to it in the Horizon. Given an extended period (6+ months), characters can progress to the point where they can reach and connect with the Singularity outside of the Horizon, similar to when they were Gods.
New arrivals will have the option of awakening the tether by default upon receiving their first reward gain - either from visiting the Horizon or for participation in an event. However, characters must enter the Horizon at least once regardless, or else they will have no access to anything regarding the Singularity.
Additionally, characters will sense that they are inextricably tied to the Singularity through this tether. Any distress or damage to the Singularity could upset their connection and may consequently impact the environment or others around them.
New arrivals will have the option of awakening the tether by default upon receiving their first reward gain - either from visiting the Horizon or for participation in an event. However, characters must enter the Horizon at least once regardless, or else they will have no access to anything regarding the Singularity.
Additionally, characters will sense that they are inextricably tied to the Singularity through this tether. Any distress or damage to the Singularity could upset their connection and may consequently impact the environment or others around them.
Territory Movements
Important events are taking place in Abraxas in the three territories:
◎ In THORNE, an influential visitor has made several staff changes in Castle Thorne. His wife has also become a presence in the surrounding city.Read below for details!
◎ In the FREE CITIES, soldiers are mobilizing. Portam Hall is hosting a naming contest for a new building (Summoned participation is encouraged!)
◎ In SOLVUNN, the Council stirs with clandestine rituals, and a new figure has arrived to join the Elders. Rumors surrounding the current Head of Council circulate.
Kingdom of Thorne
When characters return to Castle Thorne, they'll notice that Admiral Rudolph Sidwell, the Queen's uncle and a respected naval officer, has been in the castle over the past 3 weeks - the time that the Summoned spent at the crater.
On the surface, life in the castle proceeds as usual. The Admiral is a close family member of Queen Ellya, and given his high rank and experience with leadership, it's reasonable he's here to support Thorne during this turbulent period. Sharper-eyed Summoned might notice the following, however:
On the surface, life in the castle proceeds as usual. The Admiral is a close family member of Queen Ellya, and given his high rank and experience with leadership, it's reasonable he's here to support Thorne during this turbulent period. Sharper-eyed Summoned might notice the following, however:
◎ Sidwell is accompanied by his own entourage and soldiers, distinguished by their insignias representing the Royal Navy as opposed to the Royal Guard or Royal Army.
◎ Gossip from low-level staff (gardeners, cooks, apprentices) is that Sidwell has "cleaned up" the dead weight around the castle. Several guards have been released from duty for inadequate performance, three were arrested for plotting treason, and a few apprentice mages have been returned to Hayle. Jeffrey Cress is one of them. He was sent back to Hayle a week ago for being a waste of Crown resources - something anybody who knew him would agree with.
◎ Jolene Sybell has returned to Hayle at the Duchess's behest. Hayle has also closed its borders to tourists and visitors. Both developments are presumed to be a result of the storms, but there is no word as to when Hayle will reopen.
◎ King Brydan is rumored to be unhappy with the sudden dismissal of some of the castle staff. Further talk suggests he was not consulted, and that the Queen and the Admiral arrived at this decision without him. Publicly, he is in support of the Crown's formal judgment.
◎ The Admiral's family, consisting of Lady Lia Sidwell and their two young sons, ages 8 and 10, have arrived from Borrel. They're living temporarily in a manor outside the castle. Despite her station, Lady Sidwell is seen around town helping commoners with their daily routines and troubles. She often delivers hot meals or medicine in the mornings and minds the children in the evenings while their harried parents run to the market or cook dinner.
◎ Lady Sidwell gets along famously with King Brydan Galdwin. They ride the trails together and have long chats in the evenings over tea...without the Queen present.
Admiral Rudolph Sidwell is available to speak to. Since he's a busy man, you'll need a bit of influence to approach him or a good IC reason that will catch his attention. You can contact us through Plot Engagement with your proposal.
The Free Cities
In the Free Cities, training exercises have increased among the soldiers, and an additional outpost has been established in the northwest quadrant of the Badlands, near Lake Circinus - where Thorne is finalizing its new naval base. There are also reports of soldiers mobilizing towards Aquila. Curiously, they don't appear stationed around the city. Most believe they're in one of the underground facilities in the northern mountains, but these are only rumors.
A new hall has also been built in AQUILA, thanks to the efforts of Aleksander Klingel and the Summoned-led Arts Restoration Committee. The building was an old Thornean castle that's now renovated into a rental space for events. The first event will be a Relief Fundraiser to raise money for victims of the storm, hosted by Fallon Marsh himself. The Summoned are, of course, welcome to attend. The event will take place MAY 29 and feature the usual refreshments, entertainment, and art expected from Aquila.
Finally, to lift morale, Portam Hall is presenting a naming contest for the constructed space above. Citizens and Summoned alike can submit their suggestions, after which Portam Hall will select a few to be voted through a city-wide poll.
A new hall has also been built in AQUILA, thanks to the efforts of Aleksander Klingel and the Summoned-led Arts Restoration Committee. The building was an old Thornean castle that's now renovated into a rental space for events. The first event will be a Relief Fundraiser to raise money for victims of the storm, hosted by Fallon Marsh himself. The Summoned are, of course, welcome to attend. The event will take place MAY 29 and feature the usual refreshments, entertainment, and art expected from Aquila.
Finally, to lift morale, Portam Hall is presenting a naming contest for the constructed space above. Citizens and Summoned alike can submit their suggestions, after which Portam Hall will select a few to be voted through a city-wide poll.
Free Cities players can ICly SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS for the building's name. One submission per character, please!
During the June Conclave, Portam Hall (the mods) will pick 3 of the suggestions and put them up for a vote in the Conclave. In-game, other citizens will also be voting, but OOC, we will consider the Conclave vote as the formal decision.
During the June Conclave, Portam Hall (the mods) will pick 3 of the suggestions and put them up for a vote in the Conclave. In-game, other citizens will also be voting, but OOC, we will consider the Conclave vote as the formal decision.
Solvunn Commune
In the Solvunn Commune, while repairs are underway, the Council has been holding closed-door rituals in one of their protected forest sanctuaries high up on the mountains. These dangerous rituals are off-limits to anyone not part of the Council or the inner circle of trusted Elders.
Additionally, Edda Hagen has arrived in the PRIMARY SETTLEMENT. Known to the community as a traveling healer specializing in curing livestock, Edda has served Solvunn for as long as anybody can remember. Although reclusive, Edda is as warm as she's sharp. When she isn't staying with a host family in return for her services, she lives alone deep in the forest. No one is sure of her exact age.
Edda is in the Primary Settlement to aid with recovery from the vicious storms. However, she can be spotted having regular meetings with the Council and Winifred Bordeaux, the current Head of Council and a well-respected teacher in the community. Hushed whispers have begun to circulate that Winifred is planning on making the surprising decision to retire from her teaching position. Over the past month, she's begun closely mentoring another teacher to take over the school, though such rumors are unconfirmed.
Additionally, Edda Hagen has arrived in the PRIMARY SETTLEMENT. Known to the community as a traveling healer specializing in curing livestock, Edda has served Solvunn for as long as anybody can remember. Although reclusive, Edda is as warm as she's sharp. When she isn't staying with a host family in return for her services, she lives alone deep in the forest. No one is sure of her exact age.
Edda is in the Primary Settlement to aid with recovery from the vicious storms. However, she can be spotted having regular meetings with the Council and Winifred Bordeaux, the current Head of Council and a well-respected teacher in the community. Hushed whispers have begun to circulate that Winifred is planning on making the surprising decision to retire from her teaching position. Over the past month, she's begun closely mentoring another teacher to take over the school, though such rumors are unconfirmed.
Edda Hagen is available to speak to. Since she's a busy woman, you'll need a bit of influence to approach her or a good IC reason that will catch her attention. You can contact us through Plot Engagement with your proposal.
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.
Nocwich will reopen in June and will be available again on the upcoming TDM this month. There are no quests this month, but players may use their characters to assist with repairs and other items post-storm to earn influence.
Nocwich will reopen in June and will be available again on the upcoming TDM this month. There are no quests this month, but players may use their characters to assist with repairs and other items post-storm to earn influence.
Questions & 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 there any prerequisites for interacting with the Singularity?
- Characters will need to actively choose to engage with the Singularity and the Horizon frequently to make progress and uncover lore. Like all plot engagements, we do expect players to have in-game threads demonstrating these interactions! We can go over the details with you when you submit your plot engagement request.
- Will Hayle open again in the future?
- For now, Hayle will remain closed. OOC, we want to narrow our focus on the locations in Thorne that are more explorable to better facilitate satisfying character-driven discoveries. Please note that in exchange, we have plans to open Borrel permanently, so stay tuned! Once open, characters will be allowed to visit freely, stay a few days, and take up jobs or tasks in the area - including options to engage in combat involving beasts from the ocean or forest.
- What if there are still things I'd like to discover that might be in Hayle?
- Not to worry! While Hayle contains a wealth of knowledge, many graduates of Hayle University are sent to Castle Thorne. Castle Thorne contains an impressive library of its own and the surrounding city also has its share of bookshops and experts. Characters can still explore the Singularity, the Arcana, and other magical topics by engaging with NPCs and research through the castle.
- How does Queen Ellya react to the Admiral's presence?
- She is quite pleased to see him! While they've had the occasional friction, by all accounts, she is his favorite niece and he is her closest family member after the death of her aunt (his first marriage). There does, however, appear to be a bit of tension between the Queen and his current wife, Lady Lia Sidwell, but they are courteous in public.
- Wait, so who do the Sidwell children belong to?
- Formally, Rudolph Sidwell's firstborn son is from his first marriage and thus carries both the Galdwin royal bloodline and family name. Typical of all such families, though, there are rumors Lia was his mistress while his first wife was ailing in the final years of her life. Such rumors have never been substantiated and are further squashed by the fact that Queen Ellya has expressed unwavering support for her uncle's loyalty.
- So we can submit any name we want for the naming contest?
- Yes! As long as the submission is done IC, your character can put down anything they want. They must be willing to attach their name to the suggestion, though. Anonymous submissions will be automatically disqualified. Otherwise, have fun with it!
- Can we get a little more information on the new landmark building?
- The building was once an old castle from when the Free Cities was under Thornean rule. It has since been reconstructed to align more closely with Free Cities' aesthetics and contains a few subtly tucked-away pigeon designs in the tiles and ceiling. It has a fabulous view of the Aquila mountains and beautiful indoor lighting aided by magic. Its purpose is to be a multi-use hall for various events like charity balls, lectures, art shows, and so on.
- Would characters in Solvunn have heard of or seen Edda before now?
- Possibly! Edda likes her privacy but is an integral part of the community. To respect her wishes, her neighbors don't gossip or speak of her in detail. While characters could have heard of or seen her in passing, it would not be unusual if she's gone unnoticed.