⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 4 PT2

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
When: October 31st, 2017 HALLOWEEN!
Where: The Count of Crow's Underground Realm
What: The displaced carnival members break into the Count of Crow's underground fortress, in the hope of taking control of the ritual and maybe saving Childermass's life.
Warnings: Violence, ritual blood letting, other stuff.

DAYS OF WINTER PT2↴ The night of hallow's eve has come, and there's no more time for waiting. As Portland begins enjoying the festivities of the night, you are tasked with something darker - you must find the Count's realm within Portland's underground tunnels, and fight off those that would stop you. The ritual will be starting soon, and once it's finished the very nature of this reality will be in the Winter Court's hands... the only choice is to intervene.

Comments

⇨ OLD TOWN CHINATOWN

[ringleaders]

► THE CIRCLE'S PLEA: The Circle lacks the organization and manpower to fight at this point, but that doesn't mean they can't try to sway your minds. In the areas surrounding the tunnels, there will be Circle representatives trying to convince anyone isn't a full demon or faerie to leave the Severing in place. They will admit that it was an act done by the Circle years ago to protect the earth from the fae - those involved had come to learn that the faerie courts had intended more than simply living off the land, they intended to annex the entirety of the planet into their own realms. They understand that the spell is causing stress to the Earth Spirit, but they are without alternatives. Whether or not you believes them, they seem desperate, and all willing to speak the truth. ► THE PACK'S PLEA: Representative of the Pack will also be present, asking for the opposite. They understand now what damage has been done to the Earth Spirit, and regardless of what the fae do, this cannot go on any longer. If the Earth Spirit is destroyed, then the world they mean to defend will crumble - as will the cycle of rebirth that the souls of the planet depend on. They can be convinced to help in the struggle, but not all of them are fighters, and only if your intent is to abolish the Severing entirely.

⇨ THE PORTLAND UNDERGROUND

[ringleaders]

► SHANGHAI TUNNELS: It’s appropriate that these tunnels lead to the Count’s realm, given their historical usage for kidnapping workers and forcing them to work on ships as indentured slaves. Knowing that much, you have to wonder – how much of those people ended up on boats, and how much of them ended up as changelings? Regardless, there are a lot of ways to get lost (perhaps supernaturally so) and some particular tricks you need to pull to be able to find entry into the faerie realm. Some of the members from each of the main groups should have been able to figure out the way by now – it’s just a question of executing those pathways successfully, and not getting killed by the demons and fae trying to make their way in at the same time. Crows and other corvids perch on obsolete piping and will be watching you the entire way. ► FREEZING OVER: As you cross the boundary, the tunnels will become increasingly rocky and increasingly cold until you’re found yourself in a network of ice caves. These caves will be filled with a disabling cold, with black feathered, harpy-like creatures waiting in the wings and prepared to attack anyone who attempts to make their way through. Lighting is very poor, and shadows lurk around every corner. Eventually, the caves open up to become and gargantuan cavern, which snows despite the lack of sky. Within that cavern is the fortress of the Count of Crows.

[whattaprick]

Lambert is human. This trip has made him painfully aware of that much, literally so, since he’s still incredibly sore from being flung around during the Rose Queen encounter. He’s never liked the cold, but here it bites into his skin, even through the layers of clothing he’s put on. He grips his poker tighter in his gloved hand, crampons crunching through the ice underfoot as he gingerly makes his way along the tunnel.

He's bringing up the rear with the angel party, occasionally using his poker to clonk the stray corvid that attempts to swoop at him to rake his eyes out. Most of that kind of thing, though, he leaves up to the couple of angels with him. No sign of the Beast around, and he can't decide if he's disappointed or resigned.

The one upshot of the cold is that he’s too numb to feel all the aches in his body. He doesn’t have the connection to the Earth Spirit the way Tamaki or even the werebeasts do, and wherever the hell it is right now, he hopes it's paying attention ... though maybe Strange had a point. This place doesn't look like it could be connected to the earth at all.

[ ooc: Lambert is with Team Angel; angels winging back to check on how the slowpokes are doing, other non-angels bitching about the cold with him, or just jerks wanting to get to the ritual first are welcome to tag in! ]

[moonfang]

What a creepy, cold place. Zangetsu doesn't like it, and he didn't like this place much in the first place. And he isn't happy about all these damn birds, either. One of these damn things had stolen the artifact right out of his hands. He wasn't planning on letting that happen again.

He carries his angelic sword in one hand, its light keeping the tunnels illuminated, along with the other angelic lights in the procession. It's more eerie than it is holy. A crow hops and caws at Zangetsu and his hisses at it. The crow swoops and Zangetsu snatches it out of the air, snapping its neck in one swift motion. This causes the other birds to cry out and flap away.

He turns to Lambert and snarls.

"I am getting real sick of these things."

[whattaprick]

Shouldn't angels be a bit less casual about killing things, Lambert wonders? Well, Zangetsu isn't really any kind of proper angel from what he's seen anyway, assuming stories are at all a reliable indicator of what angels are like. But he has to admit, the light's strangely comforting in this darkness... and so is the homicidal bodyguard (well, not explicitly, but if he's keeping him from dying that's technically what he is) beside him.

"There's going to be a lot more of them where we're going," Lambert says, barely sparing a glance for the broken, feathered body collapsing to the icy floor. "They're going to be bigger, too."

⇨ THE CASTLE

[ringleaders]

► FAERIE FORTRESS: The interior of the icey fortress is gloomily lit, with traditionally gothic architecture - fitting for the Count of Crows. The castle is huge and difficult to navigate, and the ritual area is hidden in a courtyard at its core, where beams of light meet and increasingly bright aberration in the sky. The ritual is in progress. Giant corvids are still trying to eat you. ► POWER REGAINED: Fortunately, this is also where your otherworldly powers will come back! The closer you get to the ritual area, the more they will return. Memories will return more swiftly, too, as your true self begins to reassert dominance over your identity. ► OPPORTUNISM: As it happens, this is also the perfect opportunity for looting! Every so often, I will posting a prompt to this section that anyone present can reply to in order to have the chance to retrieve some kind of artifact they stumble upon within the castle. Some will be bad and some will be good, but I will not be publicly announcing the prompts, so those that pay attention will get first dibs. These prompts are only to be replied to if your character is willing to steal from a True Fae, as that seems like something that could carry consequences.

⇨ OPPORTUNITY

[ringleaders]

A series of bell jars of different sizes line an ornately carved blackwood shelf. For the moment, no corvids are lurking the room, and you are otherwise not being harassed. It looks like some kind of sitting area, with the bell jars used like display cases.

One bell jar contains a pair of intricately designed metal dice. One is silver, and the other is gold. As in, that's literally what they seem to be made of - probably of a high carat, too.

What do you do?

[bananaspeedrider]

[Yugo isn't the greedy sort to think of the value of these things. But the shine of the dice catch his eye and...]

Eh?

[But his head rings with echoes about dice rolls of destiny and having a collection of them. He can't risk failing yet...

Angel investigating the pretty dice!]

[ringleaders]

The bell jar will open harmlessly, and he'll be able to scoop up the dice no problem. They are definitely magical, but Yugo doesn't have a sharp enough eye to tell what kind or what for.

Nothing happens are the moment. Is he going to pocket them?

⇨ OPPORTUNITY

[ringleaders]

Though there are many books on many shelves in the castle, one book stands out particular. It sits on a side table next to a chair, within a comfortable distance of an extinguished fireplace. There is a writing quill laying next to it that suggests that it was being written in.

The cover is leather, and it is carefully inscribed with the image of a raven. The paper inside still seems crisp and clean.

What do you do?

[fortuneglass]

[Carly is, first and foremost, even in her home reality, a reporter. While she would be more inclined to torch everything in sight at this point, she can restrain herself at least long enough to open up this one-with a free hand covered in flame, admittedly.

What does this book say, HMMM...]

[ringleaders]

Inside, there is one blank page followed by thirteen pages filled with incantations - one spell per page. They are written in a language that Carly will be unfamiliar with, though it appears that it could be read phonetically. The writing appears to be done in pristine calligraphy, with ink so black it could be the void itself. The rest of the book is blank.

As of yet, nothing will happen. For all Carly knows, it could just be the Count's notes.

ota!

[kingsroads]

A constant stream of redirection spells let Strange slip through the tunnels and caves mostly undetected. But now that he's here in the main castle, Strange lets those drop. Because here, he can feel the power of English magic returning. The stones, the wood, he could feel all of those opening up their voices to him again. But, most importantly, he can feel the ice. And while the Count of Crows's court is annoyingly devoid of mirrors, there's plenty of icy surfaces that would serve as marvelous substitutes.

He flits in and out of the ice, magically traveling from icy reflection to icy reflection, trying to find his way through the castle. The problem here is that even with his magic back, the castle is difficult to navigate. He hates thinking this because she's been so nice to him even though he doesn't deserve it, he's a terrible plaything and an even worse servant, but couldn't Nightshade have given him a map? Or at least some sort of direction? Honestly, he knows this isn't true, but it seems like there are moments when she wants him to fail.

Strange magically steps out of an icy patch into a dark gloomy room. However, he quickly realizes he's not alone. He can't really tell who's in the room with him in the darkness, but the likelihood that they're with the angels is fairly high, so he should take them out, right? Right! Still remaining quiet, Strange bends down to the floor and starts muttering an incantation, a small smirk of a smile playing on his face. Ice moves from his fingers, across the floor, hopefully stopping right underneath his target who will then hopefully slip.

( ooc: I'm 100% up for fights and Strange getting pushed around, buuuut for continuity's sake, the fights here will end up with him just turning tail and magically vanishing through the ice so that he can be in one piece for the actual ritual. )

[starseedling]

He can't help but feel like he isn't cut out for any of this. He doesn't feel brave, or like a fighter, or like... anything. The idea that there's something better that he could be is daunting to the extreme. The only reason he's here now is that he's putting his hopes in the idea that there's somewhere different, somewhere safer, that his dad and him could go - something free from the her, and the pain they've been suffering.

He'd been with some of the angels, but after having to run away from some crows, he feels like he's lost them. He's growing increasingly fearful, too - this whole castle makes him feel like he's being watched.

He decides to just run ahead and try to catch up - which is the same moment that he manages to slip over the ice that Strange just cast across the floor. He hits the ground hard, the movement jolting his body, still sore from the raid he went on a week earlier. His head spins.

[puddingemote]

Unfortunately for Strange, Tamaki doesn't actually have to walk on the ground and thus, does not slip. But he does notice the sudden encroaching ice on the floor, just barely, and looks around the room, trying to feel out the presence of another.

And he does quickly enough, coming closer slowly in the gloom, ready to flee if it's a demon. But when he gets closer...

He's never seen this guy before, and yet he's pretty sure he knows him. Tamaki stares, and a name comes to his mind suddenly.

"...Merlin?"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya wasn't really far from the angels or his friends. He doesn't really argue, because he knows how unfortunately outmanned he is here, and surviving was more important than proving himself. But the other movement in the room causes him to stop and turn their way. He sees the ice making its way along the floor, and he's about to call out for help before the group gets too far--when he realizes that scruffy form is kind of... familiar.

He doesn't notice when the ice gets under his feet, but he also doesn't move. "Mr... Mr Strange? Is that you?" He sounds--hopeful?

idk if this is going to be a fight or general confusion but HEY witcher magic vs english magic time!

[whattaprick]

As soon as he'd stepped into the castle, Lambert could practically feel the blood freeze in his viens. This isn't a place for humans -- he isn't even sure it's a place for fae, Winter Court or not. It's cold and desolate, feeling more like a mausoleum than a home, and whenever he rounds a corner he expects to see ghosts, or more crows, and he grips the poker in his hand tigther.

More subtly, without realizing it, the Ritual taking effect means power is creeping slowly but surely back into his body. His bones hurt less, and he can square his shoulders more. And for some reason, the gloom of the castle seems a little less dark to his eyes, though he continues to move slowly.

When ice creeps across the floor towards him, he tenses, holding still as he hears it crackle in the gloom. Being the sensible sort, he's not going to take a step forward. It's Strange's bad luck this attack is quite similar to the sort of thing the crow sisters have attempted before, so Lambert's instantly on guard.

"Show yourself!" he snaps, hefting the poker up less like it's a piece of metal and more like it's a sword, guarding himself.

⇨ OPPORTUNITY

[ringleaders]

There are several dressed up mannequins inside some kind of fashion parlor, displaying a mixture of well designed clothing and understated armour pieces. One set of bracers seems particularly eye catching, as well as possible to remove without spending a great deal of time on it.

What do you do?

[diamondsare]

Blue, neither the demoness she currently was or the Diamond she occasionally was certain she would be, was not inclined to steal. But she is inclined to go looking for secrets while everyone else is otherwise occupied. Perhaps the very thing they needed was somewhere here.

What's one demon slinking around where she shouldn't be? Besides, the clothing and armor are rather nice. She'd have to see about getting some when she returned home. ..Home. Homeworld? Her family? The carnival?

She pauses at the bracers. Their use seemed to elude her but they were very ... attractive in their own way.

A gift might be good, for when she got back. (Where? For who?)

There's only a moment's pause to look around before Blue begins a cautious investigation of the display the bracers are currently on. Sure it looks innocent but innocent looking things sometimes came with alarms.

⇨ THE SEVERING

[ringleaders]

► THE RITUAL: Towards the center and in the top-most reaches of the fortress, you will find the courtyard. The area is lit with unnatural brightness by the energy swelling across the cavern's roof, as if a portal is being opened to another world. Ice is collecting on the stone walls at a radical pace - more than seems to be normal. Progressing through the snow will once again become a challenge, as viciously cold wind begins to ravage your path. Ahead of you lies the four remaining members of the Count's family of crows. That is, the two daughters, the Count himself, and Childermass - the last of which is strung up at the ritual's center, shirtless, like a sacrifice ready made. He is bound to a pillar of ice, thickly built and artistically designed, and the red of his blood sticks out vividly against dimming shades of white, blue, and black. His hands and feet are trapped within the ice itself, with his arms supporting most of his weight, up above his head. It's clear that Childermass has already been bleeding a lot, from the fact that blood has stained the side of the pillar, and that the three other members of his family are holding icey bowls filled with his blood. The Count will regard those approaching with vague disitnerest, before looking back to his work. The wind will intensify, and another flock of crows will swarm through the area, making suicidal dives towards Winter's enemies in attempts to literally spear them on their unduly sharp beaks. They are more blades of deadly shadows than birds. At least a few demons that have been scouting ahead will go down instantly, screaming and clawing the still flapping remains of crows that have stuck into them like daggers. [The Ritual will be one large free for all thread, and so there will be no post order. Any character can be assumed to fighting enemies in the general area to aid their teams, but this thread is intended for people who are managing to interact with the ritual specifically.]

[amusicaladventure]

The crow that shot towards Ash burst into flame the moment it touched her wards. More usefully, it also fell to the ground, its momentum drained to add power to the spell. Self-refueling wards were dangerous as hell, but. Well, so was showing up here, wasn't it?

Low notes of solid bass hummed in the air around her, which was weird, but Ash didn't stop walking towards the ritual, flame wreathing one hand, a ball of fire in the other.

"Yeah," she said, "no. No reality for you today."

[npcarnival]

"Oh God," Pru breathes, before spearing a pair of crows on the Hand of God weapon, currently in the form of a rapier. Her wings are jostled by the vicious winds, but an aura of soft green energy is deflecting some of the worst of it. She wants to take flight, but the wind here would knock her out of the air in no time.

"Damien, we're running short time," she calls out to her friend. Then, she gestures to the ritual and cuts down another crow. One of the remaining demon scouts goes screaming past their group, back towards the rest of Anath's troops, which have been momentarily lost back in the castle. "I mean, obviously."

LOCKED TO FOSTER

[tacosgay]

Solidifying their plans over the phone had proved difficult for a number of reasons-- the biggest being that neither of them really had any idea of what the place looks like. So they've put it off, agreeing to meet within the ritual site, once they'd located it, and settle their final plans for approach there.

Taako waits quietly, tapping at some boring game involving cookies that his past self here installed on his phone; it's weird, but he hasn't been able to stop playing this shit since he figured it out a couple of weeks ago. Which super sucks, since he's had some way more constructive things he could've been doing, like actually preparing for this plan of his and Foster's. Tinny music dances off the walls around him, the colorful light of the screen the only thing livening up the icy courtyard.

[control_freak]

Foster arrives more or less on time--it's harder for him to get anywhere, especially in human form, but the more physical energy he spends fighting his way through on the way to his goal, the less he'll have later.

But he gets there. He looks tired. Like he hasn't slept well. Or at all. Possibly in days.

He actually spent several of those hours writing a letter to Amethsyt. It took.... multiple drafts. Multiple breakdowns. It's an apology, kind of. It's a just in case, and also a goodbye. It's a...

Okay. It's a suicide note.

He wrote a suicide note for his sister to find, even though, ultimately, she's not actually his sister. But... she is. In any way that matters right now, she still is.

If he comes home from this, he'll take it out of the freezer and rip it up. Possibly burn it. He might even actually eat his words. But he doesn't have a lot of hope for that outcome.

Just certainty that whatever happens... he will not be going 'home.'

It's in the freezer now, on top of a tub of rocky road ice cream. It seemed appropriate.

".......is that the fuckin' cookie game?"

[tacosgay]

"Cookie Jam, my fella," is Taako's cool response, and he swipes out of the game and locks his phone, tucking it away into his pocket. "I guess Portland Taako tripped and fell into its delicious tendrils just like Faerun Taako now has. So, what's the plan? Any ideas on how we can break into... whatever's about to go down here?"

He at least wants to see if Foster has any ideas going in; most of his plans consist of using the magic he's only recently begun to hone, though using that magic feels... weird here. It's like it's out of his reach, and something that feels much more familiar has taken its place. He might just give one of his old spells a try, if he can fuckin' remember how to use them anymore. It's been a month.