Fall 518 Calendar of Events
With the coming of Fall to Ravok, there is a strange feeling to the air beginning the First Day of the Season. It is as if the entire city is experiencing a light static charge. The feeling begins as soon as one approaches the mainland shore of Lake Ravok. The hair on one's arms begins to rise, the soft bite of anticipation prickles the flesh and when one touches a metal surface, there is a tiny, harmless shock.
Weather
While there has been some rather unpredictable weather off and on over the past several years, the coming of Fall brings with it a return of moderate weather. It is comfortable; an average of 70-75 degrees, sunny with occasions of light rain and slightly cooler temperatures and occasionally light breezes. Extremes in temperature are non-existent.
| 1st Day - Ravok and its surrounds are blanketed in a strange charged feeling in the air. Weather normalizes and becomes pleasant. 5th Day - The City Guard continues the increased activity from the previous season. Noticeably lacking however is their focus on non-humans. 12th Day - An official announcement is made by the Druvin, Maathias, in the Central Plaza, completely ending the focus on discrimination against non-humans. 20th Day - Another announcement is made in the Central Plaza. This one by Druvin Silvas. He puts a name to the strange feelings and mood that has enveloped Ravok and its surrounds, Rebirth. He claims that Ravok is about to undergo a rebirth. 31st Day - Early morning, in the Central Plaza, a man dressed in the robes of The Black Sun, is found dead. His name, Hargin, an Acolyte. Such a thing is considered a High Level Crime. Found in the body is part of the murder weapon. Embedded in his side, the broken blade of a dagger baring the etchings of a Sylirian Knight. The Ebonstryfe is investigating. 38th Day - Two more members of The Black Sun are found murdered, both Acolytes. One, a woman named, Darci, the other a man named, Paulis. Paulis was found with his throat slit. Darci was initially found alive though suffering from multiple stab wounds. Before she died, she claimed she was attacked by a man wearing a heavy cloak with a cloak clasp baring the symbol of the Syliran Knights. The Ebonstryfe continue investigating with little to go on. 47th Day - A pair of heavily robed individuals, one described as a mountain of a figure, the other much smaller, are seen arriving at The Docks aboard an Ebonstryfe ship. They are escorted through the city by Ebonstryfe Paladins dressed in full ceremonial garb. 51st Day - Day of Rebirth - See Details Below 55th Day- A man baring symbols of the Syliran Knights was captured and brought to the Central Plaza where he was openly executed by Gru'tral for crimes against the city of Ravok and its people. Before his death, he claimed he had accomplices. The hunt for them continues. |
Day of Rebirth
On the morning of the 51st Day of the Season, the entire city and its surrounds wake up feeling the urge to travel to the Central Plaza. While this isn't an overwhelming feeling, it is somewhat pressing.
By Midday, there is a huge gathering of people filling the Plaza in front of the Temple of the Black Sun. At the steps of the Temple, a figure eventually emerges. It is someone who is rare seen in person within the city yet his presence erupts in waves across the city. It is Rhysol. Long black hair hangs down over his shoulders, his white eyes gazing upon all. Dressed in brilliant white robes with black flames curling upward from the hem, he carried a smile filled with confidence, power and even joy.
His voice echoes throughout the city, heard by all, "Citizens of Ravok. I speak to you now at this defining moment in the history of this great city. It is a moment that has been building since the departure of my beloved...no, that is not right. OUR Beloved Voice, for she was the voice of all of Ravok. Since the loss of our Voice, the city, the citizens, you, have suffered, I...have suffered. You are my people and through my Voice, we are connected."
Rhysol looked over his shoulder as two figures stepped out to stand on either side of him. The first, immediately recognizable, was Gru'tral, The Ebonlord of the Ebonstryfe, absent from Ravok since shortly after the Djed Storm of 512 and the departure of The Voice. Towering above even Rhysol, Gru'tral was dressed in the armor of his rank and stood with his arms folded.
The second was a much shorter figure dressed in black robes with a hood covering their face. Both Gru'tral and the robed figure stood quiet beside Rhysol as he continued.
"Our Ebonlord, Gru'tral, First of the Druvin, has returned from a long and profoundly important mission. I tasked him with finding something for me. I tasked him with finding my Voice." At Rhysol's words, Gru'tral bowed his head in acknowledgement.
The robed figure pulled back their hood to reveal a beautiful blonde-haired woman with flawless, pale white skin and solid white eyes. She took a step forward and spoke as Rhysol gazed lovingly at her.
"People of Ravok. You have been without a Voice for too long. My name is Sasha Veleer and by the will of our Lord Rhysol, Gru'tral rescued me from the living tomb I was thrown in by a Champion of the very being who nearly destroyed this world, Ivak, God of Rage and Jealousy. I was a Voice once silenced yet now I am heard again. This is a time for Rebirth, a time for a return to greatness; a greatness this city desperately needs." Sasha, her tone exuberant and hopeful, suddenly grew more somber.
"Unfortunately, as you are well aware, there are those hiding within the city who do not share this desire for hope and prosperity. Followers of the evil Sylir, God of Forced Order and Obfuscation, have infiltrated our fine city and is murdering those who spread the will of the great Rhysol. This cannot stand. We as a city will rise up and destroy those responsible for this blasphemy. Ravok has its Voice back and together we will take the city back...take it back for all of you!" The Voice bowed deeply to the people before her and Gru'tral returned to the interior of the temple.
Rhysol remained for a moment longer. "People of Ravok. This is something I never do. Yet, now is not the time to play the high and mighty deity. I offer my apology to all of you for my own absence. Without my Voice, I have myself felt lost. You need me as much as I need you. Things will be different. Things will be better. Trust in me. Trust in The Voice and trust in yourselves." Inwardly, Rhysol smiled as if hearing a joke that only he could hear. And then, he was gone.
There was an eruption of cheering followed by celebrations throughout the city lasting for many days.
What This All Means For the New Season
So this Season begins with a feeling of charged anticipation leading up to the return of Gru'tral and the introduction of the new Voice. There is a bit of general paranoia following the discovery of the murdered Acolyte of The Black Sun. The revelation that the murder and those that followed were tied to the Syliran Knights has people viewing outsiders in an even harsher way than normal.
Now, there will be some seasonal challenges in place for Fall of 518 with potential rewards at the end of the Season. See below for details.
Challenges
* Write 24,000 words worth of threads over the course of the entire Season
OR
* Write 12,000 words worth of threads over the course of the entire Season
* Learn a New Skill and gain 50 skill points in said skill by the end of the Season
OR
* Learn a New Skill and gain 25 skill points in said skill by the end of the Season
See the Seasonal Challenge Thread for more information.
