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Entry tags:
- *event,
- borderlands: rhys,
- bungou stray dogs: chuuya nakahara,
- dirk gently bbca: dirk gently,
- dogs b&c: giovanni rammsteiner,
- dragon age: lavellan,
- dragon age: morrigan,
- dragon age: zevran,
- emerald city: lucas,
- eureka seven: anemone,
- fairy tail: juvia lockser,
- ffxiv: alisaie leveilleur,
- ffxv: ardyn izunia,
- ffxv: prompto argentum,
- fire emblem: clair,
- fullmetal alchemist: riza hawkeye,
- got: asha greyjoy,
- got: jon snow,
- got: theon greyjoy,
- guilty gear: venom,
- homestuck: jade harley,
- jjba: ermes costello,
- kingdom hearts: demyx,
- loz: mipha,
- loz: zelda,
- mcu: peggy carter,
- mcu: peter quill,
- merlin: merlin,
- metal gear: adamska (revolver ocelot),
- narnia: edmund pevensie,
- outlander: claire fraser,
- overwatch: lena oxton (tracer),
- owari no seraph: crowley eusford,
- persona: yusuke kitagawa,
- resonance of fate: leanne,
- rune factory: dylas,
- saiyuki: genjo sanzo,
- shadowhunters: alec lightwood,
- star wars: jyn erso,
- taz: magnus burnsides,
- taz: taako,
- the 100: clarke griffin,
- the legend of heroes: gaius worzel,
- the vampire diaries: elena gilbert,
- voltron: keith,
- voltron: lance,
- x-men: marie d'ancanto (rogue),
- ygo: yusei fudo,
- yuri!!! on ice: jean-jacques leroy,
- zero escape: aoi kurashiki,
- zero escape: junpei tenmyouji,
- zero escape: light field (snake)
❪ mini-event ❫ OLYMPIA QUESTS: 1
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It isn’t easy starting life in a new place. It quickly becomes apparent that you are in dire need of two very important things: money and a good name. In addition to full-time jobs, certain people in Olympia will reward handsomely for helping them with tasks. Submit any AC eligible thread of participating in this log's prompts for One (1) Olympia REP point HERE. Threads involving your flora/fauna submission may also be submitted, even if your submission is not made official game canon.
FOR THE RECORD  It’s time to put on your hiking shoes. Characters will be approached by both Evras and Lysa at separate times. Both individuals are interested in recording species of plants and animals-- El Nysa is bursting with all sorts of life, after all! It is impossible to chronicle all of it without help. You will be provided with a journal to chronicle your findings. Each submission pays 100 silver. OOC: We need YOUR help in worldbuilding the area in and around Olympia and The Outlook! Create a creature or plant and submit it HERE by August 31st at 11:59 PM EST. ONE entry per character only. NOTE: If you have accepted a job at The Sanctuary or Simwe Institute, you MUST submit your entry to your boss to maintain your position. You may assume a character got the job if they established contact, even if an official offer hasn't been extended yet. Although an entry will net you TWO (2) Olympia REP points no matter what, we will be choosing a maximum of 20 entries to include in the official bestiary for future encounters. THE BIRDS AND THE BEES
Along with the request to record traits of a certain specimen, Evras and Lysa independently ask for more quick favors. Certain species, due to their unique natures, aren’t as prone to procreating as one would hope. They need your help. The directions for these requests, provided by Evras or Lysa, are simple. You will be provided a small amount of heavy aphrodisiacs (and a mask) to spray in a particular region. Because the natural aphrodisiacs of the island run a bit thin there, the wildlife has been less... willing to comply. Each species you help will net you 50 silver. Three species in particular are in need of a little help.
Note: There will be a mask provided. Forgetting it may mean you start to feel some of the effects yourself. You may also be immune. Please put appropriate warnings in threads if applicable.  Xlarix, also commonly referred to as the love bug. Found in MURKWELL HOLLOW.  Sepht, found in EDRATHE RUINS: Both shy and antisocial, it’s no wonder these little marsupials don’t have much luck in the mating department. They prefer to live in isolation, and are much more concerned with hoarding everything they can get their hands on. This includes stealing anything you may have brought with you. As a warning, they are incredibly strong. They can also fly, so good luck catching them after they’ve made off with your stuff. Let’s hope you can get back that magical sword or enchanted necklace of yours.  Cinjaw, found JUST OUTSIDE OLYMPIA. Domestic animals kept by local farmers in the outskirts of Olympia. These guys are just really, really lazy. Too lazy to care about things like passing on their genes. Honestly, if it weren’t for the efforts of humans and the fact that their meat is too delicious for the Olympians to allow these creatures to go extinct, they would have been wiped out years ago. HELP A NEIGHBOR
Being new is tough in any given neighborhood. This is especially the case when you’re a newly arrived refugee. Though you’ve been welcomed here, you haven’t established a lot of trust in the community. Your neighbors don’t know a single thing about you, and that name tag fiasco doesn’t count.
Fortunately for all of you, the rule of this game is simple. There is no monetary payment, but isn't it priceless to feel good about being a good samaritan? Make yourself helpful. Did you neighbor mention wanting to take their pet chicken out on a walk? Offer to do it for them and they may pay you back in a meal or a small gift. Did one of them mention needing help with rearranging their collection of thousands of cat figurines? Well, who better than to ask but you! You over there, why not help your fellow refugee by doing this task together? It never hurt to do some teamwork. Or maybe your roommate is the one taking that chicken out on a walk, and you’re just ready to judge. Complete judgment. But hey, that’s fair. BLOOD BANK
CW: Needles, Blood
One of the things that quickly becomes apparent about life in Olympia is that all citizens are welcome, including those who may possess unique dietary requirements. The Blood Bank is an institution that has stood proudly for many years, and in addition to providing meals for some of its citizens, the supply is invaluable for care in The Sanctuary, research in Simwe Institute, and for use in certain types of magic. They're offering you a special today, for your blood in particular! You just look so... healthy and able-bodied. Donate a few pints, and you'll earn an easy 200 silver. Unfortunately, the center is so busy today that they've had to call on volunteers, and depending on who you've met so far, your particular volunteer may look familiar. It's... another refugee. Wait, are they even qualified?! How did they even get roped into this?! Qualified or not, the job pays well for both the refugees donating, and the ones drawing the blood (much more for whoever's donating, though. Fair is fair.). A blood drawing set inclusive of clean needles, antiseptic swabs and a blood storage kit, will be provided. Sticking a needle into a vein isn't as easy as those people in the Sanctuary make it seem, though. You may not always get it the first time, so try, try again! And if you still can't hit the bulls-eye? A rogue-looking Olympian "volunteer" approaches and hands you a knife. Apparently, cutting right into the vein and collecting the blood in a saucer also works; the staff would only need to sterilize the blood with a spell afterward. And about the gaping wound you'd cause? They always have healing potions on hand for when things go wrong (but just like the potions from before, they have been known to cause some nausea). You'll do anything to help your fellow Olympian, right? OOC
There are a total of 3 OLYMPIA REP POINTS possible to earn in this log. 2 from OOCly submitting a flora/fauna above in For the Record, and 1 for submitting any AC-length thread for any of these prompts. You may do one or the other, or both. Submit a flora/fauna HERE and submit an AC-eligible thread HERE by AUGUST 31st 11:59 PM EST.
The results of The Birds and the Bees will be submitted to whoever you submit a flora/fauna entry to. If you do not submit a flora/fauna entry, submission to either one may be handwaved. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. 1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR.
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no subject
That's where it gets complicated, as it usually does when there's religion involved.
[The breeze changes direction then, and a familiar scent wafts past. Zevran glances toward a different building, this one much closer than the tavern, and he glances up at Merlin as the thought strikes. He also points to the building, for emphasis.]
Merlin, do they have coffee in Camelot?
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Coffee...? Not unless they've been calling it something else. [But he's never seen a cafe before this city and he doesn't seem to recognize the scent of coffee, so - please, introduce Merlin to caffeine. Please.]
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Come then! This is something you really must try.
[There's also a selection of delightful pastries if Merlin should desire. Inside, it's a good deal dimmer than on the street, but if Merlin follows that patch of blond, he should be good. Just in case, Zevran keeps one hand near his sleeve. Mind the tables, Merlin, till your eyes adjust.
Zevran slides into a booth on one side of an empty corner table, and directs Merlin to the other. While they wait for the waitstaff, he'll start to explain, tone conversational but voice lowered. They are indoors after all.]
Where to start...You'll forgive me, I hope, 'tis a bit of a long story. Circle mages are kept in one place so that the Templars can keep an eye on them. It's not as bad as it sounds! It's just that mages have a habit of getting possessed by demons every now and again.
[Except that is every bit as bad as it sounds and worse. Then the waiter walks up, and his attention is on the other man.]
Yes, two black coffees, please, and some cream. Oh, and a pitcher of water if you will? No ice. Thank you.
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That's—oh- [He doesn't have to order? Okay? So he'll just nod and look friendly at the waiter until the man leaves. There he goes.] I think that's exactly as bad as it sounds in more or less every way. Just having magic doesn't make someone dangerous.
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Actually, it does. At least, in Thedas. [Sorry to be the one to tell you that, Merls.] Not only do mages have the power to rain destruction on their enemies with the elements, they are the only people who can consciously cross into the Fade. And since the Fade is where all magic and all demons come from, and demons desire to possess mortals...[He spreads his hands at that, trailing off in a sort of 'ipso facto' argument. Merlin can see where that leads.]
Especially considering that they are ever at the mercy of their own sleeping minds, and demons are very, very adept in tempting mortals. Even mages.
So, theoretically, even the most pacifist healer is an inherently dangerous individual--ah, thank you. [This is said with a smile to the waiter, who returns with two cups, the cream, and a pitcher of water. The man smiles back, nods and walks back off. Zevran turns back to Merlin.] At least, so the Chantry says. And that's not even getting into the Malificarum, the blood mages.
The honey is here, and this is the sugar.
[The last is said as he turns the glass sugar dispenser so that Merlin will look at it. Then he picks up the honey.]
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It's fine that he isn't familiar with the magic of this other world, necessary - Fade, Chantry, blood mages - all those terms he doesn't understand don't actually matter to him once keeping everyone magically inclined holed up in a schoolhouse somewhere is pretty firmly established. He blinks in surprise at the return of the waiter, as if perhaps he already forgot about this coffee thing.]
The—ah. [Yeah, okay, he can hardily dump too much sugar into his coffee as he speaks. He didn't even taste it but it smells like he won't like it without some liberal sweetening, so here he goes.]
No. No, that's ridiculous. That's like saying that a child who talks to a stranger is dangerous so we ought to lock up all the children until they're of age—that isn't— [He stops with a frustrated noise, now furiously stirring the coffee. Ugh.] Any man can be dangerous, frankly, so unless your Chantry is locking up the whole world based on something that might happen, I think they're all a bunch of cabbageheads.
[Which he could be more venomous about, but they are in public. He looks down at his coffee, still frowning.] It isn't the magic that has done anything wrong.
no subject
...Maybe best not to mention that bit, just yet.
He pours a dollop of cream as he listens and when Merlin finishes, he spreads his hands again.]
Exactly this! Any fool can kill someone, it does not take magic or demons to do so, a simple knife could do the trick. What would one do, ban all knives? And yet the fear persists.
[He stirs his own drink a bit, the teaspoon ringing quietly against the cup.] It has something also to do with Tevinter, I think. Mages rule there, and the result is...not nice. At least for those who are not mages.
[To say the least.]
And so others swing too far in the opposite direction. But this is only the Circle mages, there are many who live outside the Circle; apostates, the Avvar tribes, the Dalish.
[Setting his spoon aside, he takes a sip.]
But you speak of magic as though it were a person?
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A few selfish people damning the rest of them to living in poorer conditions on the assumption that they're all that bad? He supposes at least a school is better than execution, but it's still... reprehensible.]
You mentioned apostates earlier... [He shakes his head though, ready to talk about The Magic Itself before he moves on to more questions about what each of these new vocabulary words mean.]
Magic isn't... a creature, you know, with a beating heart. But it is the heart of everything—even those who disdain magic can have an aptitude for it. It isn't the magic that makes the laws. And something without a beating heart can't misuse itself.
[He shrugs, sitting back and lifting his cup but not taking a sip yet.] I told you I was born with magic; I'm not sure what I am without it. For better or worse, my magic is mine to use.
["magic doesn't kill people, people kill people" - anyway, now he'll drink this monstrosity of sugar he made, and he makes a face.] —bitter.
no subject
Apostates are simply any mage that lives outside the influence of the Chantry. And since they have no supervision by definition, no one can be sure that they haven't turned to blood magic.
[He shrugs.] And since no one wants to take the chance that they might become a blood mage's puppet, everyone distrusts apostates. And it's not an unfounded fear: people are people, and some people care not at all for the well-being of others. They're perfectly willing to take someone's free will or life if it serves to gain them more power, arcane or otherwise. [And he takes another sip. It's a damn fine cup of coffee.]
Not everyone does. But because it has happened, people always fear that it will.
no subject
People. Some people. Magic has nothing to do with that—a tyrant with a crown can subjugate hundreds of people just as easily as a sorcerer who's lost his way.
[He's back to stirring this cup obsessively. Hmm.]
I'm more worried about people who are so eager to pass judgment.
no subject
Most of the people I've met are simple folk, wishing only to prosper in their simple lives. They think little about the way that things could be, and most are content to believe whatever they are told. It's not intentionally malicious. Most lack even the slightest thought that they may have some measure of control over their own destiny.
[Then, much quieter, over the rim of his cup, Zevran stares into Merlins eyes with a hint of intensity.]
I've known of many a crowned tyrant, and have had a hand in bringing down a few. [The cup is set down.] The very powerful need the illusion that they are untouchable. I assure you, they are not.
[Change of subject! Zevran glances out the window onto the street, watching said little people go about their lives, before turning back.] Of course, there was some unrest when I...left. A great many of the Circles had disbanded. The Templars declared all mages apostates.
We were in the middle of a war. I think that is all done with. I hope so.
no subject
There's a spark of something in his expression when he hears the word destiny, but he leaves it alone. It doesn't matter now, unless—well, unless. The rest of this... story, about Templars and a war...]
Oh, it must be. It isn't there at all, isn't that right? [He shrugs, like casually dismissing all those Storm-eaten worlds is just how the way they have to go about their lives now. One day he'll tell himself that and he'll even believe it.]
Well, it doesn't seem like practicing magic is much of a problem here, as of yet.
no subject
Wars are made by people, who carry them with all of their memories. But I hope, at least, cooler heads will prevail. My own community is small yet and shows no sign of carrying over that hostility. Here's hoping others will follow suit, when they, ah, arrive.
Given that everything seems to run on steam or magic, I highly doubt Olympians would have trouble. And refugees are so diverse, if one gives you trouble, you can avoid that person. [Shrug!] No loss of community.
no subject
The steam... things, now those are interesting. I've never seen anything that didn't run on a bunch of horses pulling it.
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Does that include your mills? [He's...mostly joking.] The dwarves of Orzammar created quite a number of wonders that run on neither magic nor animal power. Some, I'm sure, operate by steam.
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Steam, though. [isn't it wacky???] It would be much easier to just run everything on magic, if you ask me.
[Which is why no one is asking Merlin, but nevertheless. Watch him drink this coffee that's now 70% not coffee.] Never met a dwarf, either. They don't have magic?
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[And he will observe the coffee consumption. He has yet to realize just how much it's going to affect the young man, and honestly? If they're adding magic into this mix at some point, it may not have been the best idea.
Live and learn.
But yes, dwarves.]
That they don't. They don't even dream.
no subject
I'm not sure what a volcano is. But that's... certainly they have some magic. Magic is in everything! I've already said that.
[when that coffee hit]
I suppose they could have some problem getting to it, but surely there's some. [He nods, like he's just made this decision himself. Surely.]
no subject
Yes, but we're talking about two different systems of magic, as well. The one I know of comes from the Fade, the realm of spirits and dreams. If your sleeping mind cannot touch the Fade, you can have no dreams, and therefore, no magic.
There are benefits, though: it makes the particularly resistant to the Fade-metal lyrium. No one else can work the metal quite like dwarves. Even holding pure lyrium would cause you or I to become mad or poisoned.
[Finally, he pauses, taking a drink and then resting with the cup between his hands, feeling the warmth through the thin china, his thumb and forefinger gripping the handle gingerly. Then he tilts his head to the side.]
Are there no volcanoes near Camelot? Hot springs, geysers, anything of that sort? ...How far have you been outside of your city, anyway?
no subject
He also makes a face in the middle of Zevran's explanation, a little scoff and the smallest hint of a smirk, like he definitely believes if he got his hands on some lyrium he'd totally handle it. Don't let him touch anything, ever.]
I've been all over— I suppose. Pretty far from Camelot. [Although the most advanced transportation he's got is still a horse, so "pretty far" is pretty small from certain perspectives.] Camelot is... woodsy? Bit of a permanent chill in the air all around?
[Anyway tell him more about the fascinating "systemic magic" thing he thinks is fake-] Fascinating stuff, though, metalwork. A friend of mine's the daughter of a blacksmith, very interesting, why do your dreams come from the realm of the dead?
[subtle, like a sledgehammer's gentle touch]
no subject
So, like Ferelden, then. Does it also frequently rain and smell of wet dogs? [This is accompanied by a genuine, teasing smile. Then, more seriously: ] Is it landlocked, or by the sea?
The spirits in the Fade aren't the spirits of the dead--sure, the Chantry believes the souls of the dead will pass through the Fade to... [vague hand flap] wherever it is departed souls go, but Fade spirits are... Hm.
[Zevran takes a sip, looking off into a corner of the booth at nothing, really, trying to think of the best way to phrase it.]
They are chaos incarnate. According to the Chantry, they were the Maker's first children, but they lacked free will or imagination, so He made humans instead. [Setting the cup down, he smirks dryly.] No word on where elves come from, of course.
And Fade spirits, craving knowledge of mortality, visit in a person's dreams, trying to tempt one into being possessed. The line between "demon" and "spirit" is a bit hazy.
[Finally, he leans in on the table, letting his chin rest on a palm and smiling. his eyes almost light up as Merlin has his full attention.]
Now, tell me more of Camelot. [Like a kid on Christmas.]
no subject
He makes a face, though, not quite affirmative but enough-] It does rain, but I like to think parts of it smell nicer than wet dogs. Certainly not the kitchens in the castle...
[Never mind that. What does he say about Camelot? Um.]
I can't believe you're going to tell me all of that- stuff about demons and spirits and souls and then ask about Camelot. What do you want to know, besides the smell?
no subject
He shrugs lightly.]
Anything? Everything. It seems to be the key to knowing more about you, after all. And you have yet to really tell me much about your home.
no subject
For now, he's completely blanked on Camelot, all of a sudden. It's only slightly surprising that someone actually wants to get to know him; he's spent so much time purposely not drawing attention to himself that he almost expects it to keep happening here by default. But, hmm...]
Well... I miss it. [He looks down at his half-drunken coffee, a little more sobered than his weirdly feverish magic babbling.] Suppose that's strange to feel about a place that would have me hanged if anyone knew what I am—but I can't help it. It was home, even with the rain and the dog smell.
[Camelot sits heavy in his chest not for its problems or its kind of crap weather but for everyone in it, and for the kingdom it could have become—no more of that, now or ever.
But moving on!]
The woods were pretty, even if they were full of bandits. Couldn't really go more than five paces without being ambushed, now that I think about it. Hm.
no subject
It's sounding more like Ferelden by the minute.
[He lifts his cup but pauses.]
Though that was during the war and the Blight. If you tell me next that they were also full of giant spiders, I'm going to start to think these coincidences suspicious.
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