OPEN ↠ HARING EVENT

[faderifting]

WHO: All
WHAT: WINTER IS HERE
WHEN: Haring 15-Wintermarch 1
WHERE: The Gallows, Kirkwall
NOTES: You can use this post as an event-style mingle log, or just use it as background information for your RP elsewhere!

It's been a chilly month already, but in mid-Haring the temperature suddenly plummets. One day it's merely cold, and the next morning the Inquisition wakes to frost on the inside of the window panes and an icy draft whistling through every crack in the tower's masonry. Downstairs, the pipes that feed the bathing chambers and the kitchens creak in the walls, loud enough to be heard even out in the courtyard, where they run beneath the stones, and around midday, when the sun has failed to raise the temperature above freezing, a blocked pipe finally gives, cracking open to spill water across the central court and send it running down side passages. The whole area floods several inches deep and almost immediately begins to freeze, presenting at first a gigantic, treacherous slush puddle and, after a few hours, a sheet of sheer ice.

Melting a safe path from door to door and laying down sand or wood to keep it from becoming slick again is a simple enough undertaking, but before the entire courtyard can be thawed, someone appears with ice skates—and that’s a better idea, surely, for at least a few days. Anyone who complains about the frivolity can be assured it’s good exercise, not to mention good training for a force that may have to travel or fight on ice in the future.

Temperatures remain cold enough that even some parts of the harbor begin to freeze, first just at the calmest edges of the shoreline, and then the more protected nooks and crannies of the bay, inlets and the spaces between piers and beneath docks. It snows most days--not real storms, just a couple inches here and there--little enough for the window to blow most of it off the icy plain of the courtyard and other wide open, paved spaces, accumulating on branches and in alleyways, and creating growing drifts in corners and against walls.

After a week or so actual chunks of floating ice begin to fill the narrow channels of the harbor, threatening smaller and less-sturdy vessels, and the situation in the poorer parts of the city begins to grow dire. With the Viscount's blessing, Inquisition teams (particularly mages) are called in to help. Some are assigned to the docks, to clear ice that makes landing and unloading treacherous, others to help escort ships into harbor by melting a path ahead. Others are sent into Lowtown to clear ice and snow and to provide warmth and medical attention where needed. At least one mage is sent with each team, and while many neighborhoods are pleasantly surprised and grateful for the quick work fire glyphs make of cold hearths and frozen streets, a few are unable to overcome their distrust, and refuse the teams entry, determined to take care of their own without the help of dangerous outsiders.

In the last week of the year, a true blizzard strikes, snow falling steadily for more than a day, blanketing the city at least three feet deep. Digging out the Gallows will be a group effort, and most non-essential trips outside the base will be cancelled for a few days until travel is less difficult, while those who reside in the city or elsewhere may be encouraged to stay a night or two in the fortress so they might continue to work without traveling through the storm. But on the first day of Wintermarch the First Day feast goes on as planned, with modest but plentiful food and ale served in the Gallows' dining hall for anyone who wishes to celebrate the new year.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

"Yeah, I don't think the raging blizzard gives a shit what we want." Korrin kicks at a pile of snow, then heaves a sigh. "So what do you recommend when you're trapped in one of the creepiest places in Kirkwall? Do you have a good stash, at least? Because I'm not too proud to invite myself."

[in_death_sacrifice]

“Hmmph.” She’s right, of course, but being stuck here is the absolute worst case scenario. Sure, he has a place to stay, having claimed one for times when work kept him around… but he would almost rather be snowed in at the cave, and dealing with the challenges associated with that. He sighs, but then considers. “Most of my really good stuff is back at the cave, but I believe I have a few expensive or well aged drinks which might be to your liking."

[gatheringstorm]

"Good. Let's find a spot by the fire and at least complain next to some actual warmth. Maker, I hate the south sometimes." This would definitely be one of those times, so she'll wait for Kain to lead the way. At least it's better than standing in the courtyard and slowly freezing while the storm takes its sweet time in passing.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain scowls once more at the weather, but it’s showing no signs of letting up. They’ll have to just deal with things as they are, for now. He nods, and then turns to start heading inside, definitely eager to be somewhere warmer now, even if he’s not too pleased with being here, in the Gallows.

“I’ll grab a few things, then we have a good selection to choose from.”

[gatheringstorm]

Following, Korrin is prepared to clear the way but fortunately no one really wants to test a scowling horned lady's patience. She nods, darting a glance his way. "Anything from the north? If I'm going to be nostalgic, it might as well be all the way."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"It may as well be. Hm... let me think. How far north are we talking? I definitely picked up a few selections in Nevarra... but I also have some Antivan wine and a Rivaini liquor available, too." He tends to be picky and get all kinds of weird speciality drinks usually, when traveling, things he might not otherwise find.

[gatheringstorm]

"Nevarra isn't bad, but I'm itching for some good Rivaini liquor. The Free Marches aside, that's where I have the most affinity and they know how to make their drinks right. None of this southern pisswater." Korrin cracks a smirk at that. "I found an interesting item in Llomerryn's markets, a stone that when put into a liquid makes it three times more potent. With that, I bet human-made stuff can actually affect me. If we get hammered, it won't matter if it's snowing outside, right?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

"You and your high standards... Then Rivaini it is. " Kain has that Warden habit of taking and throwing together all the drink he can get his hands on and keeping it around, so he doesn't have a huge affiliation to any one area. Although he still does think fondly on some Orlesian wines, mostly because of nostalgia and being around certain people, drinking it. "I'd have even paid good coin to see that happen, so now this must be done. It'll certainly make the time pass more... interestingly."

Kain has definitely seen her in her cups a bit but full blown drunk on the other hand, this would be pretty fun to behold.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin smirks a little. "You're always so straight-laced yourself; if I use it on myself like that, I expect it from you, too. Fair's fair, after all." Except it's slightly unfair, because her greater size means she can still pack away more, but shh.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Consider that a deal. I may even out-drink you this time..."

Well, stranger things could happen, right? He at least always tries to convince himself he even has a chance. Nothing can quite match the stubbornness of Kain, though.