⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 4

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone, anywhere in Portland.
When: October 22nd - 31st, 2017
Where: In Portland, for the last time.
What: The seasons change as the Winter Court seizes a surprise victory, claiming both the Tree of Life's pendant and the blood catalyst needed to take control of the Severing Ritual. Meanwhile, interdimensional problems are about to get more weird. Check out the conflict results for the attack on the Circle as well as the Beast's attack on the Summer Court here.
Warnings: Individually marked!

DAYS OF WINTER↴ As the end of October nears, so does the grasp of winter. On the night of the 22nd, it will freeze overnight, and the temperature will drop for the following days. As the night grow long, world-wide magic slowly reaches it apex, set to reach it on the night of Halloween. With so many factors at play, knowing what to do with that moment of power may be a challenge. ► FULL CIRCLE: The Angels succeed in their planned attack on the Circle, managing to get to the living quarters of the Council members with the help of Ashleigh Mischief. The plan goes without much resistance from the mages or from the demons attempting to claim the ritual object for their own. Of course, when the fae make a surprise attack on the Angels after they flee the scene, it has the surprise result of the Winter Court ended up with the pendant in their talons. Threads for this attack can be done in this log. If you need mod direction at all, let us know, but otherwise feel free to NPC demons, angels, or random Circle members as you require. ► THE QUEEN'S GARDEN: Realizing that the Rose Queen is distracted with attempting to claim the pendant, the Beast will summon her co-conspirators to raid the Queen's gardens. The ultimate plan seems to be to get the Beast far enough into the gardens to kill the Queen, while also rescuing as many changelings as possible along the way. As it turns out, this doesn't go well. While they do manage to penetrate the gardens with Childermass's help, the Rose Queen, Ignatius, and Nightshade happen to all be there. Seriously outnumbered, even by the Beast's terms, it will take everything the group has to just make it out alive, sustaining heavy injuries as they go. In the end they will manage to rescue Greg universe and four additional changelings that were imprisoned there, but any damage done to the Summer Court itself will be negligible. Threads for this can also be played out here! ► REFLECTIONS: As the ritual draws closer, the line between this reality and the one you came from will also be becoming less clear. Regaining memories is not required, but it will naturally become easier to occur, especially if you're already started receiving them. It's a good time to start making connections, while you still have the chance. ► THE SEVERING: One way or another, the Severing is going to make an impact on both this world and the lives of those trapped inside of it. The Angels are going to be making an attempt to interrupt the Winter Court's ritual, as will the Summer Court and Anath's forces. Whoever comes up on top will be the ones to decide what to be done with it. Yet, with news that the Severing continuing could cause irreversible damage to the planet's spirit, it could feel like there are no perfect options. There will be an event header put up for this by the mods closer to the end of July. (NOTE: canon powers will returning while the ritual is in progress, so keep that in mind for planning - both sets of powers will be active.)

Comments

[small_reservations]

Axel turns, fast as always, and flicks the fireball into her path. He's not aiing for her directly, he only needs to interfere. The grass lights unenthusiastically, but it was a lot of fire, and it spreads like napalm, sticking firmly to the plant matter it hits - and Rita if she's in the splash zone.

"You're not going to get past me. Just go. For your own sake. I'm not working for Ignatius, I don't have any interest in capturing you. Go!" He's starting to get mad, but he doesn't intend to hurt her if he can avoid it.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita knew an attack was likely coming, and when it does she stops, rolling to the side as the flames fly past her. It was worth a shot, trying to run through... but it sounds like Axel isn't kidding.

Standing up straight again, she looks back to him, determined. "Watch me. The Rose Queen's going down, and you're getting out of here, even if I have to drag your ass with me!" With that, she swings an arm out, and with a quick incantation, sends a fireball at him. It'll burst before reaching him, releasing a powerful wave of hot air. Maybe it'll knock him down... but then, Axel might be stronger than she knows.

[small_reservations]

If he hadn't had his wings spread, it might have only knocked him down. With them out, though, he sails backwards, colliding with a rose bush. It's not fun or comfortable, but he pulls himself out, frustration burning in his eyes. "What do you think you can do against her? You'll just get yourself killed!"

... Actually they both might be in trouble. The fire Axel started is no longer just a wall, it's spreading, slowly. He attempts to regain control over it, but it's too late to stop it growing further, though he manages to slow it down.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita feels right at home with an inferno at her back, even as it spreads, blocking her path and growing closer, the heat licking at her skin. Unless it's Ignatius' own flames, she won't be deterred by fire. No... right now, even if Ignatius himself shows up, she has to be prepared to push forward. This is her only chance.

"I'll do something!" she cries, defiant as she conjures more flames. "I won't sit around and wait to be captured! And I won't let her keep doing whatever she wants with you!" She thrusts the flames into the space between them, where they burst, raining sparks and smoke to hopefully mask her movement while she makes another dash, trying to get around the encroaching fire before it completely cuts off her route to the inner gardens.