⇨ GREYSOL

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 155 - Day 169
Where: Greysol
What: The carnival resumes its tour, this time heading to Greysol, a city tied deeply into the fabric of the multiverse. Here, everyone has an animal companion from birth that is the second half of their soul - and thanks to the Ringmaster, so do you. (Remember, joysweeper is our guest event runner for this location, and location specific questions should go to them.)
Warnings: Individually marked!

THE CITY OF GREYSOL↴ The carnival arrives in a manicured park in the center of a big city that sprawls out along where the river reaches the ocean. It’s spring, early enough that nights are chilly, warm enough in the days that people and their souls savor the weather, and sometimes shelter together from the rain. Greysol was designed from the bottom up to accommodate the human-dæmon bond. Go out and see! ► THE SHAPE OF YOUR SOUL: The dæmon-forming spell kicks in at about four in the morning. Most characters will wake up with their souls in some small form, curled against them. Even if they were awake, they became dazed and unfocused while their souls were being drawn out of their bodies and have little memory of how it happened. Until that evening every character's dæmon is able to change shapes, and children and some teens will continue to do so. Most will settle on their permanent forms by evening. Characters without dæmons will just look on, and the few who are thousand-pound bears have to handle being really big. ► IT’S GOOD TO SETTLE: Elaine Tavis Aracari, sixteen-year-old daughter of two actors and a moving pictures sensation herself, just ‘settled’ - her dæmon Tavis stopped changing shape - as a stunning blue peacock. Settling is a major coming of age milestone and celebrated as such in different ways all over the world. She and her family are throwing a massive party in the central park and inviting the public to join in! Enjoy easy access to free catering, live music and showings of moving pictures, and displays of mostly trivial magic. There are also form readers from across the country setting up booths, happy to accept a small fee to inspect your dæmon’s settled or most favored forms and tell you what they mean. Is there anything to these analyses? Eh, maybe, but they’re flattering and fun. ► WITCHING HOURS: Characters who are clearly witches for this event will often be assumed to be in town for a lover, and people, witches and not, may want to know who that is. Humans usually regard them with wary respect and interest. Real witches living with their human families or on business quickly suspect that something’s up, but without clear and present danger take a relaxed wait-and-see attitude. Wait for long enough and any possible decision will come around again, they believe. There isn’t time to learn much witch magic, but witches, real and carnival-made, have an inherent power: the ability to fly using branches of “cloudpine”, an attractive soft-needled tree common in the park. Witches usually ride large branches as if they’re steeds but can use even short sprays, and you’ll probably see the few witches in the city coming to the park to do so. Why not try? ► BEAR PUN: Human-panserbjørn relations have historically been troubled, but have warmed in the past century. It’s the 65th anniversary of the breaking of the Siege of Bertin, a much-mythologized time when Spectres flooded Greysol and a company of panserbjørn arrived and directed efforts to get the survivors out of the city. A statue is being erected and many florid accounts of the story are being told. If you’re in a panserbjørn shape for the duration of the visit you will probably get thanked and celebrated by people trying to hide their nervousness of you. Expect someone to ask if your dæmon would be a human - it’s a common supposition. ► KERNER ISLAND: From the harbor you can see a wooded island. Although there are no rocks to speak of it sports a tall lighthouse, and nearly all boat traffic avoids it carefully. On a clear day someone with binoculars or a particularly sharp-eyed soul can see loads of trash, birds and various other animals that don’t seem local, and… children? Adults and settled teenagers will see tall vague shapes moving about too. When asked about it the most important thing adults will tell other adults is don’t go there. They’ll hold their dæmons close and tell you that on that island are things that eat souls. They may also admit with mixed pride and shame that it’s been a source of wealth and innovation for the city. There’s a facility there that can open windows into other worlds, and the children who can reach it can cross through and bring things back. Many of the children are recruited by research and development teams on the lookout for items they can use, but there are also kids out to have adventures or who’ve run away. More on this later.

Comments

I mean you were pretty darn close with that guess

[kingsroads]

I think she's more than that.

[ After all, they've only been together for a day or so but Strange can already tell there's something important about this seal. The brief moments that they were apart felt wrong, like someone was tugging at his soul itself. He doesn't want to repeat that. Almost unconsciously, the seal scoots a bit closer to Strange, resting her head against his leg. It's soothing in a way that very little else is. ]

And yes, this entire thing is rather odd. She changed shape for a few hours after her arrival before stubbornly settling on a seal. I tried to convince her that a form like a raven or a cat would be more acceptable--

But I like being a seal, [ Siobhan sasses back. The two frown at each other for a moment, before Strange shrugs and drops the argument. ]

What does yours look like, by the way?

[chronosynthesis]

I've never seen a creature quite like her before. [Some that shared similarities if he thought about it, but that face is something new.

On the subject of his own, though...] Oh, well it--[Flutters its wings and comes sailing down from behind Strange to land forcefully on Syrlya's shoulder, causing him to double over.

It's a great grey owl with dark purple tipped at the wings, and it looks at them both with a steady gaze. Syrlya slowly straightens himself up, unconcerned about jostling the bird.]

This thing. [The owl pulls in its wings.] Amser. Hello.

[kingsroads]

Now there's an animal more fitting of a magician, [ Strange can't help but tease, giving Amser a little nod. Because that's just the truth! A magician having an owl makes sense--a magician having a seal, not so much.

He's not entirely certain how this works, but if the owl can talk, then the owl at least deserves the basest measure of politeness. ]

Pleasure to meet you, Amser. I am Jonathan Strange. The seal is Siobhan--and as for the last introduction, this man [ said as he gestured to Syrlya while looking down at the seal ] is Syrlya.

[ Did daemons know the people their other halves knew? Hell if Strange knew! So, politeness it is. ]

[chronosynthesis]

Is it--[Amswer leans forward, shoving its wing in Syrlya's face as it leans forward and bows.] Of course, though in a sense we have already met.

[Syrlya shoves Amser aside.] Well met regardless, Siobhan.

[Politeness it is!] I assume this is all some result of wherever we are going, unless this often happens without cause.

[kingsroads]

It is, [ Strange admits, with a nod. ] More often than not we aren't physically changed. Instead, the Ringmaster puts a glamour over us to hide our more inhuman features. The fact that we've all been changed so suddenly and so quickly shows the importance this world places on... [ and here he struggles for a little bit, trying to remember the name Siobhan had used earlier. ]

Daemons, [ the seal helpfully chimes in. And, almost instantly, Strange picks up where he left off. ]

The importance this world places on daemons in the first place.

[chronosynthesis]

['More inhuman features' get a wry grin from Syrlya--so, all of him, basically. But this concept being so important that they have to go beyond a simple glamour is curious.

Strange doesn't look any different, Siobhan aside, so he can only assume his new fangs are, in fact, fae magic additions. He'll have to get used to that.]

If that is the case, I should see where it is we are connected to as soon as possible. We can now, right? [He arrived in the middle of the Summerlands, so he isn't totally up to speed what the delay is in accessing a new 'world' from the carnival.]

[kingsroads]

I believe we can. [ And now it's Strange's turn to give a wry grin to Syrlya. ] Shall we explore?

[ It's obvious he wants to go ahead and explore this world. Strange is chomping at the bit to leave the carnival, to walk around and see what all this world has to offer. ]

[chronosynthesis]

I think we should, out of duty--and simply because I am curious.

[He shakes Amser off his shoulder, the owl flapping in the air for a few minutes before flying to a nearby ledge to perch. Syrlya gestures for Strange to follow before turning to leave the big top and navigate straight to the gate--and then Amser pulls up the rear of the group about ten feet behind

[kingsroads]

[ Siobhan is hanging out with Amser, partly because seals are quite slow on land, partly because that way she'll get good gossip. And it's because of the 'seals being slow on land' thing that Strange finds himself setting the pace: slow enough that he can keep that distance between himself and Siobhan and not go any further. ]

For the more dangerous worlds, the Nightrunners are usually called in a day or so in advance to scout things out. Truth be told, our numbers are so small that it seems mercenaries serve as scouts more often than we serve as mercenaries.

[ Something that Strange is not complaining about! ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Two daemons, gossiping about their other halves outside of earshot. Syrlya has to be mindful and force himself to walk slower, but he adapts to Strange's pace.] Does that make most places safer than expected, or merely twice the work?

[Not that Syrlya's complaining either--it's nothing he's not used to doing for weeks on end in the field.]

[kingsroads]

Twice the work! More places turn out to be more dangerous than expected. [ Though Strange can't help but take all this in stride, talking as if it's no problem. Danger happens! No biggie! He's not worried! ]

The carnival has a knack for trouble. Even in the world that was an eternal party, we managed to end up in a fight and forcibly kicked out.

[chronosynthesis]

Hm, perhaps the Ringmaster should consider an ambassador as well... [Or just anyone with any remote sense of diplomacy.

He absently grinds his teeth together, because the shape of the fangs is still a bit discomforting.] But yes, I did get the impression from your previous announcement that things may go rotten. We should exercise particular vigilance, particularly if we are in a state of... [He trails off, gesturing back behind them at the daemons.]

[kingsroads]

I think it all depends on what the rest of the carnival's look like. If we've all manifested smaller animals, then I imagine a crisis situation would be easier to handle.

[ says the man who's daemon is currently 400 lbs. At least Strange realizes the irony of his statement. ]

Of course, I've manifested a seal and my roommate manifested a lion, so there'll be some awkwardness no matter what.

[chronosynthesis]

I think 'easier to handle' is far too late. [Considering Strange is a mercenary, if one of the fighting force has a vulnerable daemon...]

Will that get in the way of our spar? I assume you still wish to do that.

[kingsroads]

I doubt they'll get in the way and I do wish to spar. Of course, it would be best if we spar on carnival grounds.

[ Only because Strange hasn't yet figured out the level of magic this world has. It wouldn't do to throw around magic in a ridiculous manner if nobody in Greysol was used to people being able to move elements or create rain or what have you. ]

Perhaps we should spar first and then explore? I'm sure sparring will have work up an appetite and I do want to see what sort of food Greysol has.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya stops and puts a contemplative hand to his face.] Oh, that is an excellent suggestion. I have seen Elementalists in combat before, but I admit I am curious how differently you will handle the elements.

[He turns to Strange with a smile.] Luckily there are already training swords I can use... you wouldn't happen to also be adept with physical combat, would you? Or are you very strictly a mage?

[kingsroads]

I've had about a month and a half of combat training, specifically knives. [ So no, he is not adept at physical combat. ]

Truth be told, if you have physical combat skill of that sort, I'd like to spar with that as well.

[ Because as much as he enjoys Lambert's company and finds the practice sessions useful, it is amazingly disheartening to repeatedly get your ass kicked by somebody who was literally made to be a murder machine. Syrlya probably has combat skills as well (otherwise he wouldn't have asked) but surely he wasn't as good as Lambert, right? Maybe? ]

[chronosynthesis]

Oh? Daggers are a common choice for Elementalists in Tyria as well. [Unfortunately, Syrlya is also a years-trained murder machine. Good luck Strange.

Syrlya turns to direct them to the training course instead.] I'll be very interested in seeing how you handle them.

[kingsroads]

[ Badly. That's how he handles them. Still, Strange gives Syrlya a smile like he's perfectly confident in this outcome and nothing will go wrong whatsoever! He follows Syrlya as the two head off towards the training course. ]

What shall we do first? A match with magic, a match of physical combat, or a match of both?

[ please say magic. ]

[chronosynthesis]

Typically I fight with both. A sword is also an excellent focus for more offensive magic, and Mesmerics do not have the same... force as hitting someone with a rock or poisoning them, but we are masters of misdirection and have learned to be very crafty with it.

But if you would rather focus on our magic capabilities without being beat with a sword, I have a staff.

[kingsroads]

[ A sword as a focus? Perhaps that's something he can do with his knife. Already Strange is entertaining new ideas of what he could use his magic for. ]

Truth be told, I'd prefer focusing on our magic capabilities first. I still wish to fight knife-to-sword, of course. But perhaps we could save that for after I've already made a good impression with my magic.

[ He's teasing, but there's also a bit of seriousness in Strange's voice. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya smiles wide at that. Make a good impression, is it?] I'd like to see it. I will gather my staff from my trailer. Will you meet me on the grounds in... oh, five minutes or so?

[kingsroads]

Five minutes it is--and I'll grab my knife as well. I shall see you then!

[ And so, Strange and seal head off towards his trailer...probably slower than Syrlya and his owl do because again, seals don't do well on land. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya will be present at the training area quickly, his sword resting in sheath of to the side while his staff is leaning against his shoulder-- it's a bright pale wood, carved with mastery in the motif of columns and flowers. There's a rainbow curl of magic wrapping around it, and Strange can probably tell now that it's the same magic that Syrlya manipulates for his magic, pre-concentrated around the focus.

He waves to Strange as he approaches. Amser is perched on the dummy near his sword.] Shall we start on your ready?

[kingsroads]

[ Surprising no one, Strange arrives after Syrlya. He's got a slower daemon and there aren't any mirrors or puddles around here for him to just pop in and out of. He's also taken the opportunity to leave his coat back at the trailer. Granted, this means he's still got his cravat and waistcoat on so he still looks amazingly 1800s, but at least he can move easier now.

There's a dagger at his side, in a makeshift holster. The dagger is made of an odd bluish-green metal, certainly not from the carnival. As he spots Syrlya, Strange grins. ]

There's a raised platform over there, [ he says, gesturing to a platform surrounded by a moat of water, ] or an open space on the other side of the obstacle court. [ And this time he gestures at said open space, an expanse cleared of trees and shrubs. ] Truth be told, I'd prefer the latter, but it's your choice.