❪ event ❫ harvest valley

[natha]

THE GREAT HARVEST     While change is inevitable and those on El Nysa have always been adaptable, it’s clear that some things do not change. Citizens in both cities have began finding ways to return to a sense of normalcy, and most have done this by partaking in seasonal traditions and celebrations. With the heat of the previous months finally simmering down, the cooler air signifies the passing of the summer and the start of the great harvest. Though many crops were destroyed in the battle that preceded this event, those that have survived seem to have grown healthier in light of their hardships, and many believe this to be an unspoken blessing. In Wyver, festivities begin earlier in the month. Copious amounts of food are prepared from the first, and refugees will find that the people of Wyver are always hungry. The daily contests of strength are easily turned into contests of appetite. Not partaking, like many things in Wyver, can be taken as a sign of weakness. Losers will find themselves expected to do the bidding of those who win one of these contests. But it's all in good fun, right? Outside of contests, Wyver is keen on creating a festival-like atmosphere. Throughout the month there will be multiple food stalls open featuring food made from the harvest and game available to the city. Due to its popularity, many of the stalls will feature Shanrian’s favorite meat jellies. Refugees will be encouraged to assist in preparing delicacies for the stalls and will be rewarded for their efforts by being given specialty ingredients. When consumed, these foods can heighten one's senses for a period of time, so they're perfect to eat before heading on a quest or hunt. I. With their emphasis on cooking enormous portions of food and gorging themselves for days, it should come to no surprise that a lot of the age-old Wyvern traditions revolve around the act of eating. Particularly, of dining beside their scalier brethren. It isn’t uncommon to see the people of Wyver feed from the claws of dragons, or to mimic the act of a dragon eating on all fours— often sharing the same game (not always cooked either!). The trick to this is knowing how hungry the dragon is and finding the appropriate timing to take a bite without offending the creature. Some dragons are known to be a little more disciplined in this regard, while others are loose cannons. It’s important to be able to gauge this, and the people of Wyver are more than delighted to teach the refugees the tricks of the trade! The bigger question is... does everyone have the stomach for this? II. Maybe from all the eating they do and all the grooming, the dragons tend to avoid people during this time of the year, but some also start to look like they need a bit of help. During this time, native Wyvers use their free time after the steady and grueling days of harvest to maintain and care for the dragons. They help wash them up, take a look at their claws, and even pull some decayed teeth. However, precisely because this is such a tedious process, there's always a need for a helping hand or two to get the job done. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Wyverns are extra keen to grab a refugee or two for the job. They say pulling teeth is easy, the trick is simple after all! Don’t get bitten and don’t let the smell get to you! Seriously though, they advise that the work goes more smoothly in pairs. One person is typically in charge of making sure the dragon’s mouth remains open, while the other does the actual dirty work. While experts can mix this dynamic up a bit, or even work between those roles, it helps to have a starting point at least! III. These months are crucial to the people of Wyver as many of their dragons lay eggs in the later half of winter. In preparation, they believe now to be the most essential time for establishing bonds and building on pre-existing relationships, either between one another, or with the dragons. As they are a people who are proud of strength, Wyverns often display this in every aspect of their lives, including their blood exchange ritual. During this process, they will physically show the closeness between themselves and their companions by using a ceremonial knife to cut into their flesh. The wound they make on one another is meant to act as a symbol of the impact they have in each other’s lives. They are then meant to smear the blood of the individual they cut and mark some part of their body with it. Due to utilizing the specially crafted ceremonial blade, this streak of blood will stick to their skins for the duration of the month— a constant reminder of the bond they’ve formed. There are some variations to this, and there are no rules to how deep the incision must be… some Wyverns are known to take this a little too far, and so this ritual is certainly not for the faint of heart. In Olympia, the celebrations will begin a little later than they do in Wyver. The focus in Olympia seems to be their fruit liquor. Considering their newfound interest in “Thesaens,” it’s no surprise that refugees will find themselves target #1 for trying these various flavors. Additionally, as this act of liquor-making is often experimental, those brave enough to try it will find that the vintages' tastes and their effects will vary in extremes. As these fruits are produced from a vine with magical properties, it won’t be unusual to discover oneself overtaken by a series of strange inclinations that typically amplify whatever positive emotions the drinker is feeling. If they're feeling open and friendly, for example, they'll find themselves oddly handsy and affectionate. If they're feeling inquisitive, they may find themselves oddly invested or overly fixated on something— maybe it's that stray hair on that stranger's face or their unusual eyebrows? But, while the city is full of life and action, this is also a period of time that Olympians celebrate some of their oldest myths. According to their ancestors, this season marks the time of reunion and connection with those who have passed on. It’s said to correlate with the appearance of the constellations that best fit their most notable heroes. For Olympia, this is a time of coming together as a community and displaying a sense of gratitude for the harvest and the people of the city who make it all possible. I. One staple of the season is wine sharing. A form of showing closeness and intimacy with ones’ companions, people often will share a drink together, though, not exactly in an orthodox way. As an icebreaker for joining in a number of gatherings (especially those near temples), people are often seen transferring beverages mouth-to-mouth. The act of swallowing shared wine is meant to display acceptance and tolerance. Even rivals and old foes occasionally partake in this ritual to show mutual respect for one another. Declining can be seen as offensive, however with everyone swiftly becoming intoxicated, it may be easy for the more reserved individuals to bluff their way out of this. II. Food isn’t the only thing harvested during the season. The special magical vines that thrive during this period of time can be utilized as a material for weaving protective accessories. These accessories are traded between friends and lovers all throughout the month. They have a small energizing effect and will permit the wearer to exhibit a little more strength than they normally exhibit. The only catch is that the accessories must be tied on by someone else and be kept for at least a week. When the wearer feels the effects fading, the vines must also be removed by the same person who tied them on. If anyone wears the accessories past this period of time, they will find that they often feel restless and be prone to experiencing sleep paralysis and night terrors. Some Olympians claim that during that state, you can sometimes hear the voices of loved ones from beyond the grave. But, that’s probably just an old wives' tale... THE (IM)POSSIBLE MAZE     Midway between the cities, a vast maze of corn has been erected. Its purpose is twofold — to demonstrate a camaraderie between Olympia and Wyver and to be harvested by each side at the end of the celebrations. Both the Olympians and the Wyverns agree that the first maze of this kind was created in recognition of a treaty from long ago — decades ago, when the treaty was first signed, representatives from each city went into the maze together to demonstrate that they could work in tandem, but instead of emerging victorious, dead Wyverns were found on the Olympian side of the maze, and dead Olympians were found on the Wyvern side of the maze. Depending on who you ask, the specifics of this slaughter vary — some claim that those found dead were killed in self-defense, while others insist it was merely a misunderstanding, and others tout the theory that the truce was deliberately sabotaged. What the people can agree upon now, however, is that with the Thesaens among them, perhaps they can try it again and bring in a bountiful harvest together. Locals are charged silver to enter the maze, but refugees are allowed in for free to experience the tradition for themselves. I. The maze itself is long and winding, with overgrown stalks that block out most of the sky. It is, the promoters insist, not an easy trial to overcome. Those who enter the maze are given sparklers to signal their position for extraction should they become hopelessly lost — but if you manage to make it through the maze, the sparklers can be surrendered to those waiting on the other side for a modest sum of 30 silver each. Team up with someone to make it through… and don’t get lost! II. While this is a time for celebration, there are always some hooligans who don’t quite get into the spirit of things — or who, perhaps, get too much into the spirit of things. Unofficially, some of the locals have taken it upon themselves to sneak into the maze in costume and chase the participants through it. The motivations behind this vary — some are in it for a laugh, some insist that they’re doing it to help strengthen the bonds between the people they chase, and some claim that they’re doing it to prove a point: that the Olympians and Wyverns will turn on each other at the first sign of adversity, and they will even draw blood to show it. Will you make it through the maze despite these unexpected setbacks? Or perhaps this sort of mischievous thing is right up your alley…? III. Of course — and unfortunately — there are also those who get in over their heads. Midway through the festivities, on both sides, parents begin to notice that their children have gone missing… and that there are some decidedly child-like screams coming from the maze. It seems the kids have decided to sneak into the maze themselves and now require some rescuing — luckily, there are plenty of Thesaens around to lend a hand. FINAL OOC NOTES     As a reminder, REP will now primarily be given for completed QUESTS that are available throughout the month, and will not be offered through this event log. Additionally, as stated in the monthly outline, Nadril will still need the assistance of the refugees and there will be an IC call to action for that later in the month. Then as a final note, our Test Drive Meme will be up on October 24th! Thank you! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs ● bestiary taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp ● quest bulletin calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[mollymocked]

[There's the unnerving sound of a metal goblet hitting stonework, splashing wine like spilled blood, and then pinging down the steps as Molly lets go of it the second Caleb's mouth is on his. He hadn't even had time to register anything beyond "oh Caleb is moving pretty fast, his social anxiety must be getting the better of him, guess I better rescue-"

And then that happened.

Molly who had become a proven pro at this ritual over the course of an hour, suddenly swallows too hard and comes away from the kiss coughing.] I did not think you had that in you. Dear gods, man. [He's simultaneously bewildered and and a bit shaken. The Mighty Fine were a lot he wouldn't kick out of bed on any day, but Caleb he always figured was too mentally unhealthy or otherwise prudish to try anything, so... This is a lot.] Do we need to try that again? I feel like you may have caught me off-guard there.

[It's half joking, but also... Seriously, could they try that again without him choking on a mouthful of wine and his own tongue?]

[breadmuffs]

[The transfer of wine is definitely...inelegant. Actually it's really not fit to be called a transfer, since that takes a certain amount of grace and skill and really Caleb just mashed his lips against Molly's with no warning. Still. It is...hopefully enough.

He pulls back as Molly does, wine dripping down his chin. It immediately hits him what he's done and Caleb flushes very impressively. His face is nearly as red as his hair and it is a very total flush. Awkwardly - and with his gaze definitely averted - he wipes his mouth off on the sleeve of his coat.

Molly's words don't really make it any better.]

I don't-- My apologies, there was a young woman who was very offended that I had not shared anyone's glass yet. [Well. ""Glass"". You know.] And you were offering.

[It's absolutely just that and not because Molly had been the safest recourse in a sea of strangers. Really.]

Surely that was enough, though.

[Actually there are definitely a few Olympians giving them an impressive side-eye. Between the fact that the wine was barely exchanged and the whole thing where Molly dropped his goblet.

And yes, there is a young woman standing off at a distance with her arms crossed, her eyes slightly narrowed.]

[mollymocked]

[The goblet has found itself at rest about two steps down and Molly very cautiously retrieves it mostly to avoid looking directly at Caleb for a second. He's hardly ever embarrassed or flustered and he is neither of those things- just surprised to the point of being flabbergasted. He's deeply unused to being caught off-guard like that.]

Maybe. Possibly. [He brushes the goblet off on his coat and peers over Caleb's shoulder to meet the eyes of the affronted and slighted woman. It gives him something else to focus on rather than the shock that Caleb Widogast Did Something Unpredictable. He may be provoking her with that cheeky grin, but he doesn't care. That is Molly's brand of predictable. And you can't call dibs on people, darling. Better luck with another ginger.]

I'm apparently very chivalrous tonight. I don't know how I feel about that. [He and Juno had joked about it and now he actually did, however inadvertently, save Caleb from being casually accosted by a stranger.] Guess I have to lean into it. C'mon. Let's get you away from here before you burst a blood vessel in your face.

[He places a hand on the small of Caleb's back and guides him down the stairs. Focus on anything else, Tealeaf. Don't focus on the triceratops in the room.]

[breadmuffs]

[Caleb's pretty biddable at the moment, following Molly's guiding hand. It's primarily because he's still shocked at himself for having done what he'd just done. In the split second before, it had seemed like the best possible option. And it did save him from something...potentially worse. But now that he's thought about it for more than that split second he...can see so many ways it could backfire on him. Molly is already too much at times.

(Somewhere in the back of his brain, he's registering that at the moment, Molly is...not too much? Not right now.)

He doesn't quite acknowledge the thing about Molly being chivalrous but he...sort of does, in a roundabout way. The blushing hasn't gone away, and he's still not actually looking up but:]

Thank you, Mollymauk. I, ah, appreciate it.

[mollymocked]

No, thank you. D'you know hard it is to pleasantly surprise me? I was starting to think this whole situation was delightfully predictable and then here you come with your uh... [He waves the goblet in some kind of wild gesticulation as he struggles with his words.] ...Spontaneity. You should do that more often.

[Double meaning implied... Well, sort of. Molly is well aware that Caleb is in no good place to be in that kind of situation, and kissing him as opposed to risking it with a stranger (gods forbid- Caleb would die on the spot) was an assurance that it would never progress or have expectations- trolling aside. Still, he liked it, and that is a little complicated.

He'll uncomplicate it later when he's not drunk and particularly affectionate and utilizing all self-control he has left not to just drape on this poor wizard.]

[breadmuffs]

...I'll think about it.

[No. No he won't.

As they get further away from the crowd and further away, temporally, from the moment that Caleb kissed Molly, Caleb's blush starts to settle down. Faintly. It's going to take a while to go back to completely normal, but he's starting to settle back into his regular level of discomfort, rather than the heightened one he'd partially caused for himself.

Once they're properly on the outskirts of the party - not too far away, because he doesn't want to absolutely leave Nott to her own devices - he stops and makes himself look up at the tiefling.

Because, speaking of surprises and spontaneity...he can think of another way to thank Molly for...suffering him. And for leaving a party (even temporarily) that Caleb knows he's been enjoying. He's actually had the thing in his pocket for most of a day, but he's been waffling back and forth about...actually giving it to Molly. Now seems like a good time.]

I...have something for you, actually.

[He's reaching into his pocket and fidgeting with the bracelet, but not actually drawing it out yet.]

[mollymocked]

This day just keeps getting more interesting. I'm gonna miss this when you're miserable and hungover tomorrow. [There are a lot of things he could have said to that, all of them prone to making Caleb blush again, but he doesn't deserve that right now. Still, being Too Much about things is a service that Molly provides.

He waits and then gingerly coaxes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet like if he peers over enough he can see into Caleb's pocket. He's a child. The delighted, childish tone he takes doesn't help.] What is it? What'd you bring me?

[breadmuffs]

[Honestly Molly's excitement makes him even more hesitant about actually pulling the bracelet out. For a moment Caleb thinks about not going through with it but...no, in the end, there's a reason he's doing this.

As he takes the bracelet out, though, he mutters:]

I haven't had anything to drink yet.

[Which is to say, he can't be hungover later, this is just.....him right now. Though maybe after this he'd like to get drunk. He's already 'shared' one glass they can't make him do it again can they?]

Here. I made this for you... They're supposed to be exchanged among friends.

[Holding out the vine bracelet. It's actually pretty neatly woven, because Caleb is very used to having to be precise with his fingers.]

[mollymocked]

You should really watch what you say. [See, Caleb, if you had just let him think you had maybe had a few, he would have left it alone and now he's just going to have to find another drinking contest somewhere that they can win.

But as mischievous as he looks, both at the prospect of a gift and the hope of finding something entertaining to do later, the simple vine bracelet gives him pause. It's not gaudy or ostentatious and it certainly doesn't really go with his aesthetic, but it's nicely made and it's quite pretty.]

You made that? ... For me? [That takes actual effort. Caleb is a firm supporter of the group, though a distanced one and Molly's pushed himself firmly into the cracks of whatever Gordian Knot he and Nott have so he doesn't end up abandoned, because he's always had a suspicion that Nott and Caleb were with them for convenience, not affection. Not yet. So... this is an interesting step forward, and it puts everything else out of his head.

He rolls up his sleeve and presents his dominant wrist, so the bracelet can form a little collar around the two snakes.] That's actually really sweet of you. I'm impressed. I didn't think you had a saccharine bone in your body.

[breadmuffs]

[It's absolutely still convenience, or so Caleb tells himself. He and Nott were only really just surviving on their own and now...well, their group is much smaller but three is more than two. Mollymauk is a known quantity now. He accepts Nott and Caleb and he's not likely to go gallivanting off on his own. Caleb knows this, that he and Molly are probably the ones who most want the group to function.

But now that they're in a new situation....he just wants to make sure. That Molly doesn't decide there's another strange group of people he likes more. Because Caleb knows that he and Nott are...unconventional traveling companions. Not always pleasant, either.

Molly holds his wrist out and Caleb goes to tie the bracelet around it. His head is bowed over as he focuses on the task.]

I think 'saccharine' is an overstatement. [Halfway to a mumble, because this is all a little too complimentary and Caleb does not do compliments.] It was just....friendly.

[mollymocked]

From you? It might as well be rotting my teeth. I expect the bare minimum of kindness and then one big step back into that giant coat of yours like you're a bloody turtle who dies inside every time he gets attention drawn to him. This took effort and thought and I'm wondering if this or kissing me is more embarrassing for you.

[Once it's tied on, Molly flicks his wrist flamboyantly to see how it looks in motion. Something about the flex of his arm feels different. Stronger. It's a little weird, but a good weird.]

I'm gonna run out of things to tease you about in a second, don't worry. [He gingerly touches it with his other hand, only to realize that it's not just some piddly little thing like a flower crown. It's rather strong, actually.] Thank you.

[breadmuffs]

[It's like Molly is actively trying to trigger the very behavior he's talking about, since Caleb is getting increasingly uncomfortable about having himself described to...himself.

It's been months, but he still halfway lifts a hand towards his shoulder as if to skritch or pet Frumpkin and then drops it again. Mmmm. Right. He clasps his hands together in front of him, thumb worrying back and forth against his palm. His shoulders are slightly hunched. This is the worst.]

I am glad you like it.

[He's speaking in that soft, slightly uncomfortable tone he sometimes takes.]

[mollymocked]

[Molly reaches up and claps him on the shoulder. The intention was to be gentle, but it's only just now hit him that he doesn't just feel stronger, he might actually be stronger and it's never more clear than when what was supposed to be a light pat is more like a slap.

To say it's startling is an understatement and if Caleb is surprised by accidentally getting mildly assaulted, Molly isn't in a much better state.]

Shit. Did that hurt? I feel like that really hurt. [He flexes his fist experimentally.] Did you put a spell in this?

[breadmuffs]

[You'd have thought that Caleb would have investigated a bit more about these bracelets' properties, but he hadn't really been...given enough information to investigate. Oh, he'd been told that it was tradition and that they were there to 'strengthen the bonds of friendship' but nothing about any particularly magical qualities.

So. When Molly's hand lands on his shoulder with an unusual amount of force, it takes Caleb by surprise, enough for him to jump slightly. So does the pain. Perhaps not as bad as if Beau or Yasha intentionally or unintentionally punched him but...not quite good, either.

He winces. Did it hurt? Yes. Yes it did. He can't...quite feel...his arm...]

I...I don't....know any spells like that....

[OW.....]

[mollymocked]

[Molly, despite being the sort of person who might put things in his body that are not neccesarily healthy, has a genuine respect for his lithe tiefling form, because it has some particular properties he doesn't understand- like magic blood and markings that won't take ink. That being said, things regarding said body just happening have been known to send him into a mild panic.

He swallows it down, mostly because Caleb looks like his arm just went dead and they can't have both of them losing it. Still, he sounds edgy.] God, I hope that's just a thing with the bracelet and not a... you know what thing. I don't want to punch things for a living. That is not my brand. I can accept the other things that come with all of this [he points accusingly at the eye in the peacok], but that's my line.

[He holds up the bracelet to his face and squints at it, but he has minimal intelligence and does not even know what he's looking at. Does he feel like he leveled up? He just doesn't know.]

[breadmuffs]

I can...

[Caleb starts to reach into his coat pocket to pull out the pearl he uses to cast Identify with the arm that isn't potentially dead. But then he tries to move that arm too and...ah.

No go.]

Scheisse. Give me a few minutes, I will tell you if it is the bracelet and what it does.

[Unfortunately for Molly's attempt to be the collected one, Caleb is fairly perceptive about expressions even if he often...has a hard time dealing with or relating to them. He can tell that the sudden strength bothers him.

...It probably is the bracelet, but now Caleb feels bad. As he should, of course. Everything he does is a little bit shit.]

...I don't think it is...you, though. That would be very sudden.

[mollymocked]

Yeah, well... That first time I made my swords glow was pretty bloody sudden too, but... At least that was an actual fight. [Instincts hitting him in a fight is one thing. This is a bit too much of a coincidence to be anything but the bracelet, but he'll be more comfortable when he knows.]

I'm still into it even if it is magical and making me extra punchy. [Because he's not a dick. Just because Caleb didn't do all the research into his little friendship bracelet does not make it any less of a nice gift, thank you very much. He'll just have to mind his strength... Or get involved in a barfight.]

[breadmuffs]

[Caleb starts massaging his dead arm gingerly, looking at Molly for a few moments before he looks off down the street. It's too late, he feels stupid and a little bit like an asshole for not knowing more.]

I hope that is all that it is.

[He shrugs with one shoulder after a moment though.]

I suppose you could always take it off, if it proves to be unwanted.

[....He hopes. Unless there's a spell that binds it on or something. That would be just Caleb's luck.]

[mollymocked]

I will most certainly fucking not, sir. [Molly looks mildly offended at the suggestion.] When Caleb Bloody Widogast offers you a token of his socially awkward and deeply stunted friendship, you own that shit. [And honestly, if Caleb managed to fuck up a friendship bracelet this badly, it would just be Classic Caleb and it would only make it more endearing.]

Besides, if it sticks, I can see what happens when you slam a hill giant into the ground face first. Is there a Victory Pit here? I'm feeling lucky.

[Now he's just overplaying it. He's not a dick. He'd rather Caleb didn't feel like he done goofed just because Molly got surprised briefly.]

[breadmuffs]

I don't think that's the best idea.

[But Molly's overblown statement seems to be doing its job. Or at least Caleb is pretending like it's doing its job, one of the two. Because his tone is that dry 'I call bullshit' tone mixed with an expression that is not...amused...but at least more neutral than his voice. For anyone who is getting used to reading Caleb Widogast, it's pretty much the closest he comes to having a sense of humor without an actual sense of humor.

When enough time passes that he can feel his fingers tingling again, Caleb pulls out the pearl with one hand and steps closer to Molly. He curls one hand around Molly's wrist (really, around the bracelet) with the pearl held against the bracelet with his palm. The other traces through the air in intricate circles as he mumbles the correct arcane phrase. He's focused on Molly's wrist.

The spell takes effect.]

...Ja. It's the bracelet.

[His voice is a little distant as he processes the information that the spell allows him to glean.]

While you wear it, you will be a bit stronger and you will tire less easily.

[That...seems to be it. Caleb blinks and steps back, letting Molly go.

And patting him on the shoulder a little awkwardly.]

[mollymocked]

[Molly goes still at the hand around his wrist, because you can't really separate bracelet from skin regardless of how much you try. It's not a thick band, by any means, so the skin on skin contact is like a sudden bloom of oxytocin that reminds Molly that he is still a little bit intoxicated and the effects of the alcohol are a kind of endless loop of seeking affection, getting it through the wine sharing process, and then repeating it as the wine's effects bloom fresher. Broken from the loop of casual kisses and shared wine and a little bit of indulgent draping and cuddling, he feels a sudden spike of wanting to inch closer and invade Caleb's personal space like an overlarge cat expressing gratitude.

That's what the wine says. Molly's good sense says plant your goddamn feet- you'll scare the poor man. Caleb is a broken teacup and Molly is a bull in a china shop. That goes nowhere good. The kiss was nice and all, and he's still feeling a weird buzz against his lips that might be the wine or might be the shock of Caleb doing what he did, but it was pragmatism. And so is this hand on his wrist.

So he holds there for a moment until Caleb lets him go. He flexes his hand a little experimentally and a slow grin creeps across his face.] Oh, that's nice. I'm into this. [And when Caleb pats him on the shoulder, he deems it permissible to step closer and plant a kiss on his temple and give him an affectionate pat on the face. He had to find a compromise somewhere and that's just so belligerently Molly, there's just no meaning to it.]

Thank you. And if anyone else tries to molest you, just come find me. I'll be... Somewhere. [And he flounces off to rejoin the raucous party back on the temple steps, feeling invigorated and in dire need to channel some of this restless affection on someone who isn't Caleb.]