PRELUDE: WHISPERS

[abraxasmods]

Prelude - Whispers

Around SEPTEMBER 8, another strange phenomenon begins to surface across the territories.

Unlike the Heralds' influences, this one is a much quieter and subtler affair. Most of it comes from rumors and claims from children, who are summarily dismissed by their elders. Parents and adults blame it on overactive imaginations spurred by the season. After all, Eifstide, the annual autumn festival, is just around the corner.

Yet, as the days go on, some of the adults begin to admit that a strange murmur has gripped the air.

This prelude is related to this month's Quests.

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The Phenomenon ⦁ Notes ⦁ Questions & Answers

The Phenomenon

The whispers will affect each territory slightly differently. Characters can simply make note of what's going on or they may try to help, whether incidentally or formally as part of a Quest.

Thorne

In Thorne, Eifstide tradition sees the children Roam, seeking "Blessings" - treats or trinkets handed out by adults. The most popular blessings are handstitched dolls that usually contain a surprise piece of candy inside. These dolls are frequently prepared ahead of Eifstide night: shops will sell them for the upper class while the peasant class (especially in Nott) will band together to sew them and share them amongst each other as needed.

This year, however, the following events take place:

◎ Children who kept their dolls from previous years have started to tell their parents and nannies that the dolls have come alive. While their guardians have assumed this is just a child playing, a few have stated that their children are behaving strangely...including using spells they weren't yet taught, acting out during their lessons, and abandoning their other - formerly favored - toys for the dolls.

◎ Adults who have procured some dolls or who are making them have reported an unusually high level of theft of these dolls. When city guards investigate, they find that there are no signs of forced entry. With defeat at their heels, Thorne is not especially concerned with investigating such a small problem. As a result, the guards haven't put effort into the cases other than filing a customary report. Shopkeepers are especially distressed, however - the dolls are a major source of income for them during the season. As far as anyone can tell, the dolls have simply vanished...as if they've gotten up and roamed away themselves.

Free Cities

In the Free Cities, Eifstide tradition is that of a celebratory nature and another excuse for a party. Having won the Battle of the Badlands, the mood in the Free Cities this year is a particularly festive one. While the main celebrations don't occur until the month of Eifstide itself, youngsters will use any reason to break out their spirit boards as soon as the weather turns chilly and the skies begin to darken earlier.

This year, however, the following events take place:

◎ Most of the youth who play with spirit boards believe it's just fun and games, though a handful might feel like there's more to it. Generally, though, nothing ever really happens beyond the usual frights and tricks played on each other...except this time, the boards begin to genuinely whisper. Reports of lights going out, mirrors shattering, and voices following them home are abundant. Concerned parents are assured by doctors that this may be a result of the recent turbulence in Abraxas, causing the young folks to be especially sensitive to their imaginations.

◎ Some who sell or make spirit boards for the season claim that the board's separate pieces keep "walking away," moving to locations or boxes they weren't placed in. Very few of these reports are filed formally. Most shopkeepers dismiss it as a silly lapse in memory or concentration. Nonetheless, it's occurred frequently enough that it's being spoken of in several unrelated shops and stores. Indeed, the museum itself - which has ancient spirit boards on display - say that their displays have started to occasionally "move" overnight. The staff believes it's a prank by one of their new hires.

Solvunn

In Solvunn, Eifstide is a solemn affair involving intricate rituals and preparations meant to ward the commune. Masks must be worn after dusk during the week leading up to Eifstide. Residents take the masks very seriously, especially after the Heralds caused strife and division amongst their neighbors. Even newborns wear natural paints on their face to form a mask of a kind.

This year, however, the following events take place:

◎ Classes in the Primary Settlement during this period involve teaching children to make their own masks. They'll usually create multiple masks throughout the month in order to study different styles and weaving methods. When the children take the masks home, it appears to disturb the animals. Sheep, chickens, and goats will avoid the many schoolchildren carrying finished or unfinished masks on the way home from school, which has never happened before.

◎ Adults who are preparing the paints, used to obscure the face directly or to paint on the masks, have been facing unusual troubles with pigmentation. The colors are either turning muddy or the oils in the paint are separating in ways that make the paint itself unusable. Not all of the paint batches are affected, but enough of them are to cause concern. After all, without the correct paints, it won't be possible to uphold the vital tradition of Eifstide.

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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.

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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!

Can we investigate what's going on?

Certainly! There may not be any firm answers for now, as this prelude will lead into the next event. However, if there's something you're interested in having your character do, you can let us know here or request so when signing up for the related Quests.

Are the citizens concerned or disturbed?

It depends on the citizen! As with most reports of "hauntings," characters will receive a mixed bag in terms of reception: some are more superstitious while others will come up with logical explanations and dismiss the strange activity.

How are officials responding?

Officials are fairly preoccupied with diplomacy, the economy, and war strategy, so this won't be a priority for them. However, they'll dedicate a small amount of resources to dealing with the problem to keep citizens calm.

Can my character be affected?

If you like, provided they fit the criteria! For example, they may be examining a doll, turn around, then notice the doll has mysteriously vanished. Or they may spot something in the museum moving out of the corner of their eye. However, effects that are mostly limited to children and so forth would not affect the Summoned.

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