There is a gentleness found in iron fists and a cruelty sleeping in soft words
The warm glow of torches and bonfires left an imprint upon the grand plume of smoke towering over the Night Markets, carrying heavenward the scent of incense and magic. Standing silently upon the shore of a grand lake, stars reflected in it’s mirror like surface, the amethyst mare wondered if that ever-growing tower of black was what ushered souls to Caligo’s doorstep; acting as Chiron to the River Styx, carrying the lost and found spirits of Denocte’s children to the safe shores of Elysium, where they were buffeted along by clouds and well wishes.
A beautiful way to go, she presumed, soaring upon wings of smoke and stars, with your loved ones and the hopes of a nation following you into the arms of all creation.
It left room for questions, Cerridwen knew, questions for how her soul would fly once the fragile shell of her body was wasted to dust. Which God would come for her, if any? Would the celestial hounds promised by her own priestesses rain down like so many fallen stars and carry her to the afterlife? Would the Cosmos reach from the earth with it’s infinite eyes and countless hands to crush her and mold her spirit into something new — a fresh mound of clay? Or would she simply sleep and never wake, at last having served the universe long enough to earn the endlessly desired eternal rest?
Life left much unanswered, but it created such colorful questions.
Terrastellan skies are beautiful, and Terrastellan updrafts are kind,
Terrastellan women are lovely, and Terrastellan boys are just fine.
Terrastella, she sighs long and soft, Terrastella she’s a sight to see,
Terrastella, Terrastella, she holds me aloft,
Terrastella, she sings me to sleep.
Despite whatever reputation the Kingdom of Dusk may have for kindly ways and the healing arts, not many spoke on the quality of the nation’s booze. Dipping and wheeling over the sea, great black tipped wings spread wide, Raglan hummed the song he had learned while swaying shoulder to shoulder with a crewfull of drunken sailors. With the capitol proper standing only a stones throw from a shipyard, an equine would be hard pressed to turn a blind eye to the many taverns and pubs littering the lower districts.
Only a few streets from bustling squares and quaint cafes, one could find an almost endearingly seedy bar. Indeed, the inn that Raglan had wandered into mere hours before was complete with sticky tables and the stench of ale so old, it had began to ferment once more in the crevasses where it had been spilled. It hadn’t taken long before the Silvertongue had made fast friends with the bunch of seafarers haunting the booths and found himself sloshing ale and slurring songs with the best of them.
So here he was, generously tipsy with legs soaked in salt spray as he flew over the jagged cliffside and raging waters, dancing over the sunset rays like a child. It was the first time in a long time that he had felt such ease, and part of him prayed he was not merely intoxicated by ale, but was drunk off contentment as well.
Terrastellan waters are plentiful, and Terrastellan shores do gleam,
Terrastellan drink is lustful, and Terrastellan drunks do lean,
Terrastella, she fills my sails, and Terrastella my ship does keep,
Ho, ho, Terrastella! Terrastella sings me to sleep.
She’s a sight to see, Terrastella, and Terrastella sings me to sleep.
This flaming guardian could be your worst nightmare...
Sol gazed at the peak, standing at the base and wondering why he felt the draw that was nearly overwhelming him. He had intended to meet with Bel, to go off exploring with her. To spend time with the mare that he had finally settled in as nothing more than friends. Their last meeting had been intense as he had figured out who he was and what he and Bel meant to each other. So much had changed in the last year and a half, the joys of each of them growing into their own being and figuring out who they each were.
Stretching out his multi-hued wings, he tucked them against his dark grullo roan body. It was bright enough that the slight variations would be visible to the eye, though he was still dark enough that many would dismiss him as solid black. Using the lesser telekinesis that each being in Novus was gifted, he quickly braided his mane to keep it from his face as he waited for Bel. No matter what, he wanted more time with the mare.
While waiting, he gazed at the mountains with his golden eyes, feeling the pull once again, each wave getting stronger as he stood in close proximity to the path up. It was like a golden thread wrapping around his heart, a tether that was tugging at him. His massive head, accented by golden markings around his eyes and a striking white star that most never saw, lifted toward the sky. Watching the cotton clouds as they drifted through the pristine blue sky. Blue that was reminiscent of Bel's eyes. Breathing slowly, he felt like the world disappeared around him. Faded to shadows around him as if the teather had decided that he needed to touch the sky rather than the earth.
"Speaking"
@Below Zero Notes: Member Written Quest for Sol's Magic <3
he game is straightforward. Kottabos is a drinking game where a pair of individuals quickly drink a tankard of wine and then toss the empty tankard at a marked target. Whoever hits closet to the "center" of the target is marked as successful and moves on to the next round, whereas the other member must go to the back of the line, or forfeits. If an individual consistently wins, they rack up points (+1 point for each round won). Whoever completes the game with the most number of points "wins."
In order to enter, reply to this thread with an IC reply your character joining the game. The first two characters will then receive a dice role between 1-10. The member with the number closet to 10 will "win" whereas the other member will either 1. Go to the back of the growing line or 2. Forfeit and occupy themselves elsewhere. The character who "wins" will move on to the next round. After the Official Night Account replies to the "pair," a new character may enter the game with a reply. Although characters are encouraged to observe/watch the competition in other threads, please do not reply to this thread unless you are participating in the game.
Between April 1-3, , reply to this thread with the number of times your character won in order to receive a winning prize of 300 signos.
There is no limit on the number of participants. The "winning" character of each round may be challenged/replied to by any other character. The "line" therefor is ever changing and you may write a reply any time the Official Night Account has rolled for the previous winner. The character who "wins" will move on to the next round and go again, until they lose. Remember, the more times a character participates, the drunker they will become ICly as a key component of the game is chugging their tankard before throwing it.
Polar North sighed as she walked. There was so much in her mind, her thoughts a chaotic jumble as she tried to understand the words that had come from her sister and those that she felt as she had grown up. She was unsure as to what she was supposed to believe, unsure of who she really was. Was she a member of an alien race that swam in the icy oceans? Sure, but did she really know what that meant? Nope. No idea at all. The idea of the ocean was enough to make her feel the start of her anxiety begin to clench at her form like the tentacles of a octopus. Her muscles tightened to the point where she was forced to halt on her journey. Closing her dual lavender eyes, the reptilian mare focused on her breathing and trying to calm from the panic that was threatening to engulf her like a tsunami sized wave. She was a poor excuse for an aquatic creature, more at home on the soil and in the air than she was in the environment that she had literally been born for.
A soft sigh escaped her maw, the air caressing her sharp teeth and cool lips as it passed through. She had eaten a small meal before leaving home, not wanting to upset her already anxious stomach further. Listening to her sister and the happiness that she felt as she learned more about the world that their species had once called home, Pol felt the need to figure out her beliefs and understand the realm that she now aligned with. The goddess that she had come to love.
Entering the area that seemed like a shrine, she headed straight to the statue of the goddess that she had come to love. Even though she had been born far from the realm of Novus, she had found that she understood the dark goddess. The stories that she had heard about the lady had resonated with her, had been words that made so much sense to the abandoned pup that she had been. Unwanted, unloved... Pushed from those that she cared for. The pain of those memories was like a knife to her heart and it was all that she could do to not curl into the pain at that very moment.
"Caligo... Lady of Night. This has been put off longer than I anticipated. I have much that I need to say, that I want to speak to you about. Much that needs to be dealt with in my past and heart. You might not know my name, as I have been rather quiet, sticking to the background rather than stepping forward in the court, and in life. I am Polar North. I am a Vapor Treader from far beyond the realm of Novus." She began, her eyes closed as she pressed her side to the statue for support, to give her a feeling of connection to the mare that was the goddess of Night.
"I have so much pain to try to work through, Caligo... So much hurt and betrayal... Abandonment..." Her words were broken, emotions wrapping themselves around the sounds from her maw. "They left me to die. After watching my mother die to protect me. Even Bella... Bella abandoned me to the ice and death. To the cold embrace of the lands that we had called home. I know it wasnt her decision, but I still have so much pain where she is concerned. Hatred for Ice Shard for what he did to me. Bitterness toward my father for not even caring that I was gone. Fear of the ocean and what is within it. So many emotions that I fight with every day. I feel like I have lost my anchor, my past is a mess that breaks me when I think too hard about it. I want to help others, but a large part of me is afraid that I am too broken to be of any use to anyone. I need guidance... Someone that cares outside of Bella. I love my sister, but seeing her is still so hard. I spent so many years with the pain and resentment as my only companions. How do I move forward?" Her words were mingled with the tears that were flowing down her cheeks. The stone she rested against felt warm against her pelt and it made her feel connected to the goddess. Rather than leave once she had spoken, the little aquatic mare curled at Caligo's feet and wept.
"Speaking"
@Random Events Notes: This is open if anyone wants to jump in and speak to Pol... She is a bit of a mess XD
he autumn equinox marks the transition of seasons and, more specifically, is one of two days a year where night and day are equally divided. A time of celebration but also of endings, the Autumn Equinox this year is marked by the Festival of Caligo, Burning Horse, and @Ira's coronation.
festival of caligo
This is a celebration that undulates between somber and festive. The members of Denocte flock to the streets for a multi-night masquarade. One of the most definitive features of this celebration is the music that is played nonstop for the entire Carnival. The songs, for the first day of the festival, begin bright and festive; only to become increasingly morose or defiant. The nonstop music in its own way symbolizes Caligo’s one-hundred year darkness. The Festival of Caligo is accompanied by a kind of nonstop fever, an encouragement to drink and refrain from sleeping. The masks worn are unique and beautiful, and many extend them into full-fledged costumes or body paints. A “goal” of the festival is to go unrecognized by all others involved. The masks, typically, revolve around themes of all the Solar Courts. The Festival of Caligo is always ends with Burning Horse.
The Festival, however, comes with a myth; a witch from the woods is known to visit Denocte during this time, and among the festivities drops a very special coin. The coin, when found, is said to transform into whatever the finder needs most.
In order to enter the search for the coins, characters must do the following:
1. Reply to this thread with a link to a thread where the character is actively searching for the coin and interacting with at least one other character.
2. In the thread, the character must keep their identity a secret from whoever they are interacting with.
3. The thread, where the characters are searching for the coin, must contain at least 3 posts from each member.
That said, the "winner" of the contest will be selected from a pool of randomly drawn names at the end of the IC season, as long as all other requirements were met during the search for the coin. The prize, once won, can magically be transformed into one of the following: a weapon, outfit, enchantment for an existing item, or accessory transferred from the Official Night Court account to the winner.
burning horse
The construction of the Horse begins the season prior, and is overall a very work-intensive affair. The final result, however, is truly shocking. The massive wooden figure can be found on Sideralis Prairie, bringing to mind legends of, perhaps, the Trojan Horse. In the myth of Denocte, however, the Burning Horse has no relation to the Greek story of old. Instead, Denoctians come to burn away negative energies or relics. At the hooves of the Horse, woven into straw and drywood, are small figurines and knick-knacks. You might find paintings, or drawings. Or you might find clay figures. You might also find locks of hair, or clothes. The Burning Horse signifies a “letting go,” or a turning of a leaf, but also embodies much more than that. It signifies the depth of Denocte’s community; as well as the strength and might of Caligo. For one night at the end of the Carnival of Caligo, Denoctians banish the symbolized one-hundred year darkness and let go of the thoughts and materialistic items ailing them. They set fire to the Burning Horse hours before dawn, and the dancing and signing continues for the rest of the night. It is also customary to bring gifts; but these gifts are not for anyone specific but, instead, random individuals whom you feel called to.
*Full participation in this prompt (i.e. completing a thread with another character) will earn any Night Court citizen 100 signos.
coronation games
This day marks the equal divide between Day and Night; twelve hours each. The Autumn Equinox also marks the end of the Festival of Caligo, and the beginning of Sovereign Ira’s coronation. The coronation, hosted at the Sovereign’s Keep, includes a feast and several celebratory games.
If Ira were a different sort of Sovereign, his coronation might have consisted of a grand speech and somber affair. Instead, the coronation, offered to the Court, consists of a kind of celebratory affair. All entertainers have been invited to Sovereign's Keep in order to entertain. Musicians, dancers, and magicians offer a variety of "shows." The "coronation games" can serve as a writing prompt or an interactive game.
The interactive game, kottabos, comprises of drinking, of course. Amid the music and festivities of the coronation, a target is set up to the far right of a beautiful garden courtyard. The game encompasses two individuals throwing tankards at the target after drinking the contents. Whoever’s tankard hits closet the center of the target succeeds into the next round without drinking, while the other contestant must go to the back of the line. More information on participation can be found here.
A dark snort in the air, the tone of rich dark velvet. As the stallion paced through the realms with muscular, leonine grace, he tossed his monochrome head and reveled in the stinging caresses of his almost whip-like moonstone tresses. Ebony striping, reminiscent of a python in the shadows, danced along his sooty gray roan coat. White paint markings were like a spotlight in the gloom where he traveled, the moon-kissed limbs glowing as he sauntered toward his destination. Glacial orbs took in the world around him, his mind documenting those he passed with his own silent judgements. He was a being of battle, trained as a warrior and employed as a guard to one of the lesser noble houses. Voodoo found that he took pride in the fact that he was a warrior for hire, though not the mercenary that he would have imagined.
The muscular beast had left his home well before dawn the day before, continuing to walk until he was unable to see the rich flora around him. At that point, he had found a secluded and easily defended area to rest his fatigued legs. It was a longer trek now that he was a denizen of the night court rather than day. It was hard to align himself fully, having been raised in the vibrant city of Solterra and trained in the name of the god Solis. Solis was the god that he still held as his own, though it was more than time to at least try to understand Caligo. To understand that pain that had driven her to the extremes that she had gone through at one point. A frown kissed his maw as he walked, his mind replaying the stories of the gods that he had learned as a colt. There was so much that he still didnt understand, that he probably never would. Not that it was all bad. Voodoo himself had stated that he was not the most scholarly type of equine, rather one fit for warfare and being the muscular wall between beings.
As the path that he was treading started to wind into the heavens, Voodoo flicked an ear and paused. He took the time to seek any that might bar his way, to pinpoint those that might overhear his words to the gods themselves. Alone. Utterly alone. That was the way that the massive, monochrome stallion liked it. He hated speaking from the heart when others might overhear. His mentor had taught him that his words could be used to weaken him in times of trial, that he needed to guard his speech as closely as he might guard his charge. Taking a deep draw of the cool air around him, he once again strode forward.
The top of the path opened around him, his eyes pausing on each statue that he could see. Solis was easy enough to pick out, a creature that he aligned with as a warrior beast. Stepping closer, he took a few breaths to pick out Caligo, the lady of darkness. She would be the next that he spoke to. The one that he tried to understand.
"Lord Solis..." The warrior breathed as he dipped into a bow before the statue. His eyes drifted to the heavens as he settled back upon his powerful limbs. "I have been assigned out of the court, out of the realm that answers to you. No matter where I find that I truly belong, I will always be grateful to you for the teachings that I learned while in your court. For the mentoring that taught me to be the warrior and guardian that I am. You will always be my primary lord." He vowed, turning toward the dark figure that was Caligo. His ice hued eyes traveled over her statue, taking in the elegant lines of the powerful mare.
"Lady Caligo." He began, his dark voice caressing stone ears that likely didnt care. How much did the gods actually care about those on the soil? "I was trained as a warrior, as a guardian. From what I understand, you stand for much the same things, though in a different aspect than Lord Solis. You stand for protecting, for defending those that need it. Your followers are passionate and wary, a group that I can understand as a warrior. I may not have been born in your court, but I will do my best as a member of it now. I will protect those that need it, as well as do my best to learn more about you and what you stand for..." He vowed, stepping back from the dark statue and bowing his head to speak silently. He wasnt sure that she would hear his prayers, but it settled his unease at being part of a new court.
As of Year 506 Fall, two Champion seats have been added to the table: the Champion of Revels, who shall oversee the Entertainers, and the Champion of Wares, who shall oversee the Merchants.
Thus, six Champions will be appointed before the season turns, as all of them stand empty, leaving our noble populace rudderless.
If you believe yourself a worthy candidate for the position of a Champion, inscribe your name upon this parchment.
The list will be sent to the Sovereign by nightfall, upon which he will personally assign each enterprising citizen a task pertaining to the office they seek.
Complete this task to his satisfaction, and you may very well become one of Solterra's esteemed Champions.
So after some thought, I decided that instead of posting a general quest for each Champion position, I'd first see which Solterran characters are interested in a specific Champion position!
If your character meets the requirements listed in the Guidebook (see: Counsel) and are interested in a Champion position, please reply to this thread with this interest form filled out:
There will still be quests! I will be writing a mini-quest "template" for every Champion position, tweaking details in it to provide each interested party—even if they are going for the same position—with a more unique, fun experience. I will be posting separate threads for each Champion quest, and to complete it all you need to do is to write a 500+ word response to it by the deadline (TBA).
If more than one character goes for a position, I will be posting an (anonymous) poll in the Day Court discord channel so that Day Court players can choose which character, taking into account the quality/creativity/effort of the quest reply & the general fit of the character for the position, they would like to see in that role.
It's my hope that EVERY Day Court character who wishes to try for a Champion position is not intimidated by this process, and does indeed sign up for a fun quest!
Think "side quest you go on to avoid doing the main quest" type fun. "Help NPC B find their lost cat who may or may not have been carried off by a fanged cat-napper in the night" type fun.
some final notes...
While I won't be imposing a minimum activity standard for Champions, please keep in mind point #3 in the Laws & Customs proclamation! Every IC Spring I will be checking in with the players of Champions OOCly, and if you haven't been very active ): I'll unfortunately have to move towards installing another character for the position.
Optional but recommended "Champion tasks" will be released every so often to give Champions something concrete to plot around or work with!
The Warden position will be the only position I am appointing personally. This is currently underway!
Champion interest forms will close on Saturday, 2/06
pon her many strolls along the lake, she came across mint. Bunches of mint that she happily gathered and tied by string, tossing the long strand (tied on either end with the herbs) against her back. In time they would dry, and she could preserve them better. They made for a nice and humble tea, soothing. In her homeland, they rarely came across the stuff. Since it preferred the wetlands, marshes and lakes. There were only a few that she recalled from her past. But like any watering hole, any body of water attracted all sorts of folk and beast. It was rarely calm, and fraught with danger.
She waded in the water along the shore. Two strands dangled from her back, having spent most of the day moving in and out of the water. Grabbing mouthfuls near the earth. It grew like weeds, these things; she felt no need to impart a cautious stance – confident that they would grow once more into batches, upon batches of mint in the next spring. With the sun to her back, the work was pleasant. It was simple, meager work; not especially challenging or physically draining.
Naida stopped to pause, clouds on the horizon appeared. Blotting the pleasant sun, graying the sky. And yet the forest surrounding the lake mesmerized her; its vibrant colors showered the shores with all sorts of greens and peachy oranges.
For now all seemed pleasant, content. The birds murmured from within the trees. Rodents and smaller creatures prepared for the coming cold months. It wasn’t as stale as Naida would have thought it would be. It was rather homely, this place and the beginnings of autumn always comforted her.
he day was gentle. The sun had risen quietly in the lands of the night. In the city the birds had sung songs subdued, for even they seemed to favor rollicking lullabies over celebration of morn.
Lovis rested aside the lake. His legs dangled into the cooling waters. He wondered if its waters cleaned him of the fragrances of a kingdom not his own or if it too seeped into his coat and refashioned his scent? Lovis yearned for Delumine. For home. The unfamiliar did much to free his mind, however, it did little to soothe his heart. An unsure, feeble, smile found its legs on his lips.
Outside the night market he had spent a few hours with the falling sun and a few ragtag musicians; who prepared for another night of entertaining passersby for spare coin. From a distance Lovis had listened to their songs. He had not expected them to jeeringly call him over. To ask of him what he thought. To ask him what a scholar thought of their unruly songs. They, in turn, had not expected Lovis to answer with an equally ribald tongue and to teach them a new one.
It had been a bawdy soldier's song that hadn’t touched his lips for a very long time. Even Lovis had nearly lost it to the passing of eras. He had surprised himself by remembering the words and rhythm. How they had teased him for how his face had flushed whilst teaching the song!
The market felt like a strange dream while he sat to bask in the piety of the lake. It was surreal to know that both places bore the same beasts.
He had bought some herbs from the market. They would not be as fresh as what they could have been had he tore them from the earth himself but the merchant had treated and prepared them well. In the quiet he took the herbs out so that he might bunch them together with what he had procured himself.
