⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 119 - Day 126
Where: The Summerlands
What: Ignatius and Gild portal everyone to the Summerlands, with hopes of appealing to the Summer Maiden for help. Meanwhile, the carnival gets the chance to relax in luxury as only tentatively welcome guests. Here is the location write up from the last time the carnival visited. Since then, of course, some things have changed.
Warnings: Nothing in particular.

THE SUN RISES↴ After taking the time to rest, Ignatius and Gild will be able to pool together their energy to portal the carnival (and the airship) to the Summerlands. Those still in Polaris will be left to their own devices for the moment as Gild intends to ask for the Summerlands aid in relocating them, hopefully as soon as possible. With the effort the carnival put into sorting things out in there, however, they should be fine on their own for a little while, at least. They will arrive in the flowery fields at the base of the mountains, and soon the Summer Fae will notice their presence. Since the last time they visited, however, the atmosphere has changed. ► YOUR ARRIVAL: As the Summer Fae discover the group's arrival, it will quickly become apparent that there is a tension present that wasn't there any of the other times the carnival has visited. The Summer Maiden comes to greet the group personally, with an entourage of armed Summer Fae. They are not at all aggressive unless provoked, but there is clearly a wariness that is new. They seem uncertain about Ignatius being here, and while Gild will be able to do a lot of the talking and smooth things over, the Summer Maiden will deflect having a serious conversation about affairs until the carnival has taken time to 'rest.' It's more likely that the Maiden needs a moment to think over this new information before dealing with it. ► SUMMER CITY: After the Summer Fae become aware of everyone's presence, and the initial uncertainties are accommodated, they will invite you into their city. There are stairs that lead up the sides of the mountains, but thankfully there are also magical means of getting up there as well. The Summer Fae will be willing to help workers with the injured as needed, offering herbal remedies and healing magic to those that want it. You'll also be invited to join them for dinner, but it feels like more of a formality, and no one is obligated to take them up on it. ► SUMMER PEOPLE: The fae here will do their best to entertain these new visitors - but it doesn't seem that much happens here besides day after day of peaceful meditation and relaxation. It is not uncommon to see Summer Fae spent days doing exactly the same thing, whether that be enjoying the weather, listening to music, or dancing - the day and night periods may be similar to earth, but when you don't need rest it can all blur together just the same. Some of the fae work on feats of agriculture or craftsmanship, and while there is no particularly need to work in this place, they take pride in the fact that they do. ► FAMILIAR FACES: One very different thing about the Summerlands this go around is that there appears to be a small settlement built at the base of the mountains, filled entirely with the former residents of the Manor. Alyss and Reyna will explain that they set up a place to live down there with the Summer Fae's help, and that the fae seems to be trying to remain hands off except when they are needed. The Manor folk overall seem to be doing well, though there is some tension regarding their place in the Summerlands - they are clearly seen as refugees, and while the Summer Fae do their best to help them, the arrival of the carnival and the request for even more help with refugee aid seems to be making things awkward. ► OF THINGS TO COME: The Summer Maiden will remain distant for the first few days, but according to Gild and based on personal observation, it will seem that the news that the Ringmaster has been taken and the idea that even more desperate mortals are requesting to come here are putting her at significant ill ease. She's not rude or dismissive, but she seems reluctant to address the situation head on, though she has said that she will hold a meeting with the carnival later in the week to discuss everything in more detail. None of them seem particularly angry or resentful, but they seem to regard the carnival as an ill portent of things to come.

Comments

[chronosynthesis]

"Ah." He can understand the sentiment there, but he hadn't heard about what was done to Childermass.

"That was what was responsible for the situation in Wismuth, wasn't it?" He remembers facing a couple supposed 'harbingers' at the time, at least enough to have picked up on the way it twisted their personality and abilities. "Did the Technicians have a connection to it, or..."

Did it leave a mark on Childermass back then, like the miracles do.

[atouts]

"The Mother of Invention did." So it may as well have been the Technicians, too. "She did some experiments with those of us who'd been touched by Creation or the Void. It had left its mark before. They just made it worse."

[chronosynthesis]

"I see." He circles around a little to Childermass' side. "Have you felt anything else strange besides the penchant for this magic?"

Given the consequence of last time, and the fact that it's a larger center of energy than the miracles. At least he seems less openly physically twisted by it.

[atouts]

"I'm not about to pull off an unexpected costume change and start laughing maniacally if that's what you're worried about," Childermass says, this time with a hint of humor to his voice as he turns his head, tracking Syrlya's movement as he circles around. It's a worry he had before as well but so far, so good.

"If anything, I was suffering from the despair the Void causes... before. Hard to believe as it may be, this has helped with that."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya smirks with amusement. It wasn't exactly what he was worried about, but close enough.

He does remember how disparate he was in Polaris, but that's easy to excuse with the hopeless situation they were caught in. That he might still be afflicted with some magical corruption that made it worse hadn't occurred.

"Glad to hear it." He crouches to reach Childermass' level, folding his arms over his lap. "It may be working out the excess magic in your system from its influence. At least, if it operates similarly to other systems of magic."

[atouts]

Childermass gives pause to that idea, head tilting slightly in a curious gesture when Syrlya crouches down and suggests as much. He then looks down, closing his eyes to reach out and touch that magic again, trying to figure out just which way the magic is going. Out, obviously, if the dead plants around him are proof enough.

"It may be two-fold," he says, considering the spell but not using it, certainly not with Syrlya so close by. "I think I took in all the energy from the life around me as well. I suppose replacing the excess with another energy would make sense."

[chronosynthesis]

"Ah." Syrlya perks up, snapping his fingers. "So it is like Necromancy. In Tyria, at least."

He taps his fingers to his cheek. If Void and Creation are the most primal forms of energy in the universe, they are probably a basis for magical energy as well. That makes sense."

[atouts]

Childermass raises his head again to look at Syrlya, eyebrows going up. Necromancy isn't something to take lightly in England and certainly not something you want to be accused of.

"And just how does Necromancy in Tyria work, Mr. Syrlya?"

[chronosynthesis]

"Ah--" Syrlya raises his brows in return, briefly. He pauses, trying to remember how much about Tyrian magic he's explained to Childermass. Not much.

"Well, to start... magic in Tyria is woven of different facets, that interact with the world in different ways. We use magic by pulling on a facet and manipulate it to fuel spells. As a Mesmer, I manipulate chaos energy."

He makes an idle circular gesture with his finger in the air. "Necromancers use a facet we call life energy. That touches on souls, the afterlife in the Mists and all manner of creatures associated with it. They are capable of drawing it out of living things, much like you have, or from the already dead. Such as necromatic minions, curses--" he waves his hand. "Weakening and poisoning the living, or calling upon spirits."

[atouts]

Not a whole lot. Chances are the magician he's explained more to is Strange, not Childermass, though he's just as interested. He'll tilt his head slightly, listening while Syrlya explains. So the various magicians pull on various forces...

"I see. That does sound like what I've done here," he admits. On the bright side, he doesn't sound particularly uncomfortable with it. "Although I will avoid claiming that in England. They don't look well upon meddling with the dead there." That said, he's curious about these other facets, so he adds, "Is there any fact that shadow magic would fall under on Tyria?"

[chronosynthesis]

"Thieves," he confirms with a nod. Then, realizing how that sounds, quickly waves his hand. "That is just the name of the profession, they are not bandits. Neceomancers have a... shadowy aspect to some of their spells, but true shadow magic is the expertise of the Thief. Including for travel."

His expression shifts curiously. "Is meddling with the dead a particular problem in England, or is it some cultural matter of respect?"

[atouts]

"Cultural," Childermass answers. "We haven't had magic for a few hundred years, though I suspect it'll be an issue that comes up in the future."

If Strange can figure out a spell for raising the dead, someone else inevitably will as well. Though that 'thieves' use shadow magic... That gives Childermass a laugh. Of course, they would be the ones who use shadows. It makes the most sense.

"Strange, isn't it? I suppose I would be one of your thieves were I from Tyria, then. It's certainly what I am in England, for better or worse."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya smiles a little crookedly. "Where, are <>are generally accepted ethics for using necromancy. I would say people in Tyria usually have more reason to be wary of a Mesmer."

At least with a necromancer you know what you're going to get.

"Perhaps it is your experience in life that drew you to shadow magic, then. Your people are only just discovering it again."

[atouts]

"Could be that," Childermass agrees. "I'd already found and mastered the one for turning into shadow back in England, long before any trips with a faerie carnival. I wonder if I'll ever shake it, though. Being a thief."

He went from pickpocket as a child to a bully for Norrell, taking books and artifacts when needed, and now he's right back to it as the Acquisitioner. For all the good even being a supervisor does right now. Oh well. He just shrugs.

"I suppose only time will tell... I take it people would be more wary of a Mesmer because of illusions?"

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya nods. "The Mesmer Collective makes a great effort to handle those who would abuse their abilities, so there is not a significant fear. But that doubt of your reality can become a strong paranoia."

He waves his hand in the air, then smirks. "And we are extremely annoying to combat."

[atouts]

"The Mesmer Collective?" So they're organized. Childermass isn't sure why he finds that so surprising, that other worlds with other magic users have some idea of what they're doing. "Like a council? Just for them? But what of the other magicians? Do they not all work together?"

[chronosynthesis]

"They might. The Mesmer Collective is more of a guild, a... secret society that takes great interest in maintaining integrity of the practice, among other studious endeavors. Well respected and powerful, but truthfully most people, even Mesmers, will never heard a word of them."

He threads his fingers loosely. "A friend of mine is a member, however."

[atouts]

"Then how can they be respected and powerful at all? I'm not sure I would trust any secret society with keeping the peace," Childermass can't help but comment. "I can't say I'd be happy to hear of any forming within my own homeland. It would mean something's gone wrong."

[chronosynthesis]

"Politics?" Syrlya shrugs, pausing briefly. "Their actions and members can speak publicly to a degree, since they are so invested in Mesmeric practice. There are other influential guilds and orders that prefer to work in the shadows of things, all of which have existed long before my people. Some simply work for their own gain, but there are those I have worked with who want the betterment of Tyria above all else." So if it's good or bad as a whole, Syrlya can't say. He doesn't know the far reaching history of it so well.

He scrunches his face a little. "But... after dealing with the leaders of the other races of Tyria, I can see why they might prefer to pursue solutions that do not require the cooperation of their governments."