avalonooc | PLOTTING POST ✨ Ol' Saint Nic(nevin)

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event

PLOTTING POST ✨ Ol' Saint Nic(nevin)

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This is the plotting post! Ask questions in response to this comment HERE. Click here to view top-level comments only. The actual event log will be posted on November 17th, please use this post to plot with your fellow players and ask questions ahead of the event start.

Everyone is invited to Elphame to celebrate this year's Winter Solstice and take part in Elphame's portion of the Winter Solstice rituals. Everyone was provided a quick-travel totem to get to the Land of Maidens, which now has an open path into the fairy capitol of N

Thanks to the completion of the 9 Sorceresses' tasks, preparations for the Winter Solstice have gone smoothly and, temporarily, the waterfall gorge that leads to the Land of Maidens has frozen entirely. Where the entrance to the Land of Maidens had once been hidden behind the water, a new cavern is formed by the frozen ice. A small pathway of moss and tiny flowers formed by petal-thin crystals leads the way to a door. This one is wood and seemingly carved out of a the cliff at the base of the waterfall. The wood door is covered with vines and moss and red and white spotted toadstools and is quite, quite small. You'll certainly have to get on your hands and knees to pass through or if you refuse, the fae of the gorge will have little hesitation in spreading rumors of your cowardice across the land.
Harsh words like "I heard they only fuck chickens because that's what they truly are" and a good many other crass and sometimes ridiculous rumors (and caricatures we dare not share with you) will spread about the land, even going so far as to come back to Camelot. To have rumors spread about your character during the event, list them here for all to see!
	Enter, and you shall crawl through a small tunnel that seems to get wider and wider (or are you getting smaller and smaller? It's impossible to tell for sure.) until you reach a rather impressively sized moat surrounding what may be the largest tree you've ever seen. There are small boats that will carry two to three people at a time, manned by what look like nutcrackers. Ask their names, and you will find they are called Undante and Redd and they both will speak the same thing at the same time, which can get rather confusing when the other boat is speaking to their ferryman. If you continue to bother them at work, they will send you on a quest that's essentially impossible to complete and a complete waste of time. Don't bother them, they've got more passengers to ferry, don't you have a fairy capitol to explore?
Once you arrive at one of the roots of the tree, you'll be expected to climb up the side of it using vines and thick flat mushrooms that grow up the side of it and knobby growths, since most humans can't fly. There are homes and shops built all along the side of the tree, carved into it but not deep enough to disrupt its growth. Once you get up to the first main district about two hundred feet above the base, the fairies will laugh and show you a staircase through the trunk you could've taken and may use for future reference. You can travel across branches to reach other trees with more homes once you reach another three hundred feet above the shops level, and there is a single staircase that wraps around the tree that unfortunately is not a joke- you really do need to climb another six hundred feet of stairs up to reach the castle of Nicnevin... and even if you do, you'll run into more nutcrackers guarding the door and preventing anyone from entering the castle area. Thankfully, you don't need to climb the entire tree to find the gathering square back on the main district level, which is paved with skipping stones from a pond (or large flat stones? The scale is still quite unclear) and decorated with evergreen branches and winter flowers like poinsettias, winterberry, and black hellebore. Warm cups of soup are being distributed filled with Everwarm (though those who were paying attention may think better of it). Many of the fae from the Elphame Traders who have visited in the past can be found in their home shops here and may greet people who made purchases from them in the past. Speaking to them may be the only way to get food imported from Camelot if you forgot to bring some. The Traders will direct players to an inn tree known as the Everwelcome Inn. Rooms come in standard hotel sizes. 1 queen bed or 2 queen bed rooms will be offered for free to visitors from Camelot, but there are suits available to those who are willing to barter something valuable to them. They do not accept G in Elphame, but they may send characters on quests to fetch various items or defeat certain beasts, or accept personal items (low value) to upgrade to suites with a king bed, hot tub, kitchen, balcony, and an included couples package (learn to make fairy guacamole together, couples platza treatment, and a romantic in-room dinner that looks like it's made mostly of sweets fit for a French King.. if you think that's a good idea). The people themselves don't seem keen on opening up to people yet, so it may be hard to learn about Nicnevin's culture, but it does seem to be home to a wide variety of strictly non-human faeries and creatures... so it may just be hard to get a grasp on as many have their own rules to live by, provided they all respect each other (pranks on humans don't count) and obey the Fae Queen's edicts. However, everyone comes out together on the night of the Winter Solstice to participate in a dance around the base of the tree. As Winter Solstice tradition, characters will be provided with either white robes or be told it's more polite to strip nude. (All of the fairies will be without attire, so as to feel closer to the island.) Once you're out around the base of the tree, you're told to hold someone else's hands in a circle around the giga tree, and step toward the water. So long as you don't let go of at least one other person's hand, you'll find you're able to walk on the surface of the water. All the fae begin to sing, and if you listen to your heart, you'll find somehow you know the tune deep down as well and are able to join in should you choose to. Dance in any way you find enjoyable, then run together with everyone clockwise around the tree. This will coincide with the Solstice Night Run taking place back in Camelot and work in conjunction with it. (Anyone staying in Camelot is welcome to use the Solstice Night Run prompts from last year if they see something that interests them, though everyone is encouraged to head to Elphame using Land of Maidens totems provided for free to them!)

Whether you choose to participate or not, eventually everyone will need to find their way back to their rooms at the inn and will find slumber, even if they're not the type to usually sleep. Something about the way magic is channeled through the fairy kingdom differently tends to make people very sleepy.. which is just as well, as they'll be woken by a visitor in the morning. Mari Lwyd has come a'knocking. A skeletal horse covered in white cloth and decorated with ribbons with ornaments in its eye socks stands at the door upon opening, and begins to slap down some sick rhymes about why it should be allowed to come in. If you are able to get a verse back at it telling it not to come in with, it will return fire with another rap. Return it in what boils down to a rap battle with Mari Lwyd for three verses and it will leave-- from either you, a roommate, or a benevolent passerby, so tag in to save a rhyme! Stop before

mari lywd, a horse skull creature dressed in white cloth andd ribbons and ornaments

reaching three verses, and Mari Lwyd will come in and take the entirety of your food and drink stock, leaving only water. Happy.. Solstice? Complain to any fairy and they will simply tell you oh yes, that's Mari Lwyd, it comes every year. However, you will find that at the end of the day the Mari Lwyd will find anyone who it spoke to and give a Fairy Blessing to them (whether they won the battle or not).

Fairy Blessings

DISCLAIMER: Fairy Blessing Magic Upgrades can only be obtained after your character visits Elphame. If your character does not go ICly, they don't get a boost. They can go to Elphame and obtain a blessing from the Fairy Queen at any point after Dec. 2021's Winter Solstice. It does not have to be during the event. The following upgrades are available to Primary Magic types:

Healing: Area of Effect casting-- cast healing magic across a group. It will do less than a concentrated healing spell would, but you can cast on more people at once to reduce the amount of time needed to heal each member of the party and ability Locking (temporarily limit someone to only using the last spell that they cast. The spell will be boosted significantly in power/skill, but they cannot use anything else until the lock wears off- beginning practice 1 minute, up to 30 minutes max).

Elemental: Control existing elements within the environment. (Ex: Calm fires, push back waves, spin tornados, etc.)

Animal: Transform or partially transform into mythical animals (Non-fairy/humanoid).

Dark Magic: Travel through connected (touching) shadows only to places the character has been before. (If there is too much light, the mage may be trapped and unable to travel.) Cannot stay stationary within the shadows, as there is no shadow realm to hang out in.

Kinetic: Vibrate body at high frequency to be able to phase through objects. (Note: Will only work on self.)

Cognitive: Telepathic conversation (two-way, by consent only- they can't read thoughts without permission).

Alchemy: Fluid animation of elements according to the whim of the creator. (Ex: Toys that move on their own, a scaregrow with the whim to protect fields, enchant a spare key to run away from thieves, etc.)

Light: Full-room, tactile illusions (combination of hard light and illusions). Details require significant practice, but could be used to create entire illusory scenarios. (Must be present to cast, you cannot create illusions and leave someone trapped.)

Blessings are not currently available for secondary magic types. Camelot's officers will be setting up a halfway campsite at the Forest of the Felled for anyone who wishes to stay between the two lands for easy access to next month's events and Camelot. Characters are welcome to stay wherever they would like!

OOC Notes for Added Prompt:

The Land of Maidens and Nicnevin will be added to the locations page at the end of the month. The castle is not yet accessible.
Eating food from Elphame will trap you in Elphame area (above the dividing river), but drink is actually OK if offered.
You can make up Redd & Undante's impossible quests.

Event log will be posted on the 17th, the event ICly starts on the 21st so threads will be forward-dated.

Threaded | Flat

Player: Gore
Contact:

goreo
Character: Drake Mallard / Darkwing Duck &

flapsin
Familiar: A bat
Magic Disciplines: Light/Siphon

Event Plans: I should be top leveling this time!

- Drake should be going through the tunnel without any problems! And he'll unleash his Darkwing prowess when scaling the tree.

- He will take part in the whole solstice ritual! I was pondering him take off the one article of clothing he wears, but I ultimately I feel it will be funnier if he's modest and dons the robe.

- He will absolutely take part in rap battles with Mari Lwyd! He can also contribute verses to help out others!

- I've also been meaning to do something reflecting Darkwing becoming a knight, although that might wait for another post, and I may incorporate some of the illusion stuff from the test drive. I'll see how it works out!

Other Notes:

Player: Nik
Contact: exits#8071

Player: Nilla
Contact: PM or

castforms!

Character: Tsumugi Tsukioka (

tsumtsuki)
Familiar: spectral dog
Magic Disciplines: Cognitive & Green
Event Plans: I'm currently torn on whether I'll top-level or tag out/throw starters for people in my already existing catch-all. But thoughts thus far:

Tsumugi's... not the most athletic... so if anyone wants to help the poor boy climb up the tree, he'll definitely need it lmfao. He also wouldn't pester Undante and Redd himself, but I'm open to him getting roped into an impossible quest with someone else!

He'll take part in the winter solstice ritual, but modestly. Hold his hand and dance with him. All that jazz. It'll be a grand ol' time.

Tsumugi's canonically not good at rapping (evidence: from an event in his future) but I, Nilla, think it'll funny to continue making rap plans for Tsumugi. At least he'll be doing his best? Maybe there will be points for effort? ... probably not.

I don't know if it'll come up in this event or just in the future, but I'm stoked to play around with the cognitive magic boost. There will be so much telepathic communication in his future.

Other Notes: a picture from my real life calendar, added after mare and i did a rap battle way back in august

can't believe i'm going to have to reset this soon... the end of an era...

Player: Mari
Contact:

mariscorner, Mariposa21 #4257

Character: Harry Potter &

phoenixwiz
Familiar: Rose the pink Pygmy Puff
Magic Disciplines: Kinetic / Elemental
Event Plans: It’s off to Nicnevin we go! Harry will try to see if he can learn to fly to get to the city (since it is part of a kinetic mage’s powers), but shenanigans ensue with him failing in that a lot. If all else fails, he will not mind vine climbing instead and he is so not interested in disturbing Undante and Redd at all. I am also all for inn roommate & rooming shenanigans as well.

As for the Winter Solstice events, he will be initially very wary about doing the Winter Solstice festivities again, but encourage him and he will try to lighten up for it in a white robe (but feel free to dare him to get naked in public for once since he is an adult now) and have some fun for once and might unlock water magic while participating in the ritual ~~(and not worry about the Black Knight showing up all the sudden)~~. He will also encounter the Mari Lwyd (and somehow manages to win the rap battle purely by accident; his film actor did a rap like this years ago) and get the kinetic magic update as the result.

Other Notes: Okay, this is the second time I’m showing off this gif:

Edited (Added the audio example) 2021-12-15 19:55 (UTC)

Player: Joy
Contact:

kanetsugu, Joy#8152 at discord, or pms to this journal work fine.

Character: Jade Leech &

mushroomaficionado
Familiar: small sea serpent
Magic Disciplines: Healing and Green
Event Plans: Did someone say climbing? On a giant tree covered in mushrooms and other fun things? He's there with bells on. He'sfairly experienced at climbing, so he'll be happy to help other people on the way up. Possibly no strings attached if he likes you.

He'll also be wearing a robe for the dancing and will be happy to participate in the dance because traditions are important.

Will probably handwave any rap battle on his part (because I'm oocly bad at that) but leaning towards him failing, which oh well. Someone should feed him, even though he eats like a fucking horse.

I might not top level this event unless someone wants something specific from me, but we'll see.

Other Notes: I'm dead right now.

Player: Melissa
Contact: melcat33 (plurk), melcat33#1997 (discord)

Player: Mina

Contact:

madrinabastet or Discord: Millaa Maxwell#1225

Character: Kainé |

pissoffbook

Familiar: Tsukumogami (spirit inhabited book)

Magic Disciplines: Dark and Death

Event Plans: I want to do SOMETHING! Someone show Kainé what a Winter Solstice/Christmas celebration is! She won't care about crawling on her hands and knees but if anyone's behind her they might get a pretty nice view lol! I kinda want her to do the whole dance thing but she will definitely be wearing a robe. Unless someone tells her, she also might get in trouble with eating the food so hopefully someone will stop her before it's too late! The rap battle doesn't really interest me but the blessing does. Most likely, I'll tag around if I can but I'm still healing from surgery and have a lot of tags built up but I want to do something here. If anyone has any ideas or wants to do something with Kainé, feel free to message me!

Other Notes:

Player:
Contact:

PsiYamaneko

Character: Yuber &

eightfoldfiend
Familiar: Bone Dragon
Magic Disciplines: Kinetic/Death
Event Plans: Not sure where Yuber will be. Might not do a top level. Do YOU have anything you'd like to include a chaotic demon in? Let me know! (Keeping in mind he would strip naked for the dance, he doesn't care about covering up)
Other Notes: As usual, no tag outs unless planned.

Player: Usami
Contact:

usamichan13

Player: Schmittchen
Contact: This journal or schmoechen#2732 on Discord!

Character: Toshirou Hijikata (

mayoninofukucho)
Familiar: Crow Tengu (Arashi)
Magic Disciplines: Elemental & Death

Event Plans: After a hectic first half of December Hijikata will manage to get back to Elphame in time for the Winter Solstice. He'll crawl through the passageway without complaints, so no rumours about him, and he'll be exhausted enough to not hassle the nutcrackers too much, so he won't be sent on an errant quest either. I think I'll generally make him available to just be ran into for some downtime and exploration in Nicnevin after he had so much stress to handle regarding his ghost patrol. If anyone would like him to be their character's assigned roommate, let's do it! Also for the dance on the water (he sucks at dancing, but hey, when in Elphame do as the fae do... though he'll opt for a robe)!

The next morning he'll utterly fail on the Never Say Neigh front and lose all his food to the Mari Lwyd (unless a rap-savvy roommate or passerby saves the day for him)! He will, however, be absolutely euphoric about his elemental magic upgrade. Being able to manipulate the elements around him will make him so much more capable!

Other Notes: I just want to thank everybody - our wonderful, creative mods and my lovely fellow players - for making it such a fun 2021!! I love what a lively, magical world our Avalon is. ✨

Player: VG
Contact:

demidemonLove or PM

Character: Zidane Tribal |

tantailizing
Familiar: Moguo the Moogle
Magic Disciplines: Kinetic/Bargaining
Event Plans: I think it's likely I will top-level just to put something out there for interested parties. Zidane'll be exploring of course, and depending, rooming with Garnet. While I would totally be up for neighsty rap battle participation, I the player am not clever enough for actual verses Zidane might through down and eventually send Mari Lwyd on their way. HOWEVER, he's totally up for crawling through the door and a-okay with other Winter Solstice Shenanigans. He might also be one of the few skipping a white robe... unless he's asked to put one on. Hey, the fae folk are doing it so if it's a cultural thing, right? Fortunately, he's got some scars to distract on his torso and chest.
Other Notes: I'd say being naked's new for him, but it's honestly less fur involved right now. Anyway, have a dancing reindeer:

Edited 2021-12-16 00:54 (UTC)

Player: Shannon
Contact:

penguinknitter

Player: Alex
Contact:PM, discord: billbill#6387

Player: Cuyler
Contact:

draconicseraphim Cuyler#7666 @ Discord
Character: Lorenz Hellman Gloucester

silky_bearing
Familiar: Rêve - Adolescent white hart
Magic Disciplines: Light/Green
Event Plans:

Rumors: As noted here, he's... going to get himself in trouble.

Exploration: This boy is as good at climbing as a horse is at going down stairs. Someone help him ~~while he shops~~

Festivities: He will definitely go and dance and not take any food like a good boy. It's bad enough he'll be tripping over himself to keep his name to himself. That said... he might be convinced, after the rumor fiasco, to take the fairies' advice about attire. Or at least maybe, leave the robe loose enough that it's really just to make him feel better.

Blessings: He will bemoan the indignity of abusing his poetry so but the Golden Deer polycule is going to manage this..... which means one might be subject to strolling into a beautiful classic English Tea Garden somewhere there really oughtn't be one? He just... needs the appropriate backdrop to enjoy his tea okay.

Other Notes:

Player: Hen
Contact: PM, Hen#6953, or

benthic!

whoa I have two characters now this is weird. incoming

Edited (so confused by having two characters I didn't pick an icon) 2021-12-16 05:23 (UTC)

Player:Rabbit
Contact:

LUCK33 or ask for discord!

Player: Chips
Contact: This journal or PM

ch1ps0h0y

Character: Emet-Selch &

emet_sulk
Familiar: Shadow Gwiber
Magic Disciplines: Alchemy / Death

Event Plans: Emet's planning to be elsewhere over the holiday period, but he'll probably visit Elphame later after he starts hearing about those blessings. So if anyone would like to see him struggling to drop sick rhymes with the Mari Lywd or comfort him when his food inevitably gets stolen.......

I'm planning to canon update in the new year and will be marking anything Endwalker-related with spoiler tags. It shouldn't affect too much other than (hopefully) chilling him out further.

Other Notes: I've been slow because of the new expansion drop so thank you to everyone for their patience with me. I'll try to tap some of his existing CR later when events start rolling again after holidays.

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Questions

Rumors

no subject

nik.

no subject

Mari

no subject

Melissa | Maribelle + Della Duck + Asterios

Mina | Kainé | NieR: Replicant 1.22...

Yuber | Suikoden

Usami | Amy and Fenton

no subject

VG | Zidane

Shannon

no subject

no subject

Hen

Rabbit | Kazunari + Ichiro

Chips | Emet-Selch (Final Fantasy XIV)