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

[castintoflames]

He is likely to always react poorly to the mention of dragons, but he contains himself, busying his hands with freeing his foster-son.

"You are not the first to prefer slightly unhinged companions."

[tar_minyatur]

"His name is Charis, she has the room on the other side of ours, Adalia assures me he is not evil, and so far he behaves more like a cat, don't kill him or you'll make her cry." Elros rattles off. "He's little and white."

[castintoflames]

Little like a cat. He gives his bright head a shake, drawing Elros into his arms once he is finally free.

"Charis has no need to fear me." but if the dragon breathes fire, he will be suddenly absent from his presence.

[tar_minyatur]

"I told him not to go near you or Maglor or Fingon without warning, but I'm not entirely sure how much he understood, either - he certainly shows no evidence of the cunning of the dragons of our world, and by her words, I would say Adalias' dragons are similar to the ones here - beasts only, if intelligent ones. He is only freshly hatched, however - I will be careful."

[castintoflames]

"He is no threat as a babe, surely, though I do not know if Lady Adalia is up to the task of training him? Is that what she seeks to do?" he guides them away from the mistletoe, keeping one arm around Elros's shoulders.

[tar_minyatur]

"I don't think so." Elros agrees.

"And she thinks so - I will keep an eye out, of course."

He doesn't protest the affection, nor the guidance.

[castintoflames]

"She will have a mountain to climb as he grows." Maedhros has some bloody knuckles from the plant bites, but he pays them no mind, holding Elros close to his side, "You will keep her safe, I know."

[tar_minyatur]

"Adalia seems quite capable of looking after herself!" He laughs. "But I can certainly try."

[castintoflames]

"With her magic, yes, she has very little to fear." he looks at Elros, brow furrowing in concern, "You will be careful around her if she is calling forth lightning?"

[tar_minyatur]

"I will, worry wart." Elros rolls his eyes at him. "You act as if you expect me to stand thhere and ask her to hit me with it!"

[castintoflames]

He does not look entirely convinced that Elros won't do exactly that.

"You are reckless."

Hello, pot meet kettle. Maedhros lowers his voice:

"If she singes any part of you, I won't be pleased."

[tar_minyatur]

Please, does he look that stupid?

.... Don't answer that.

"Only sometimes! And you can't deny I've usually been right! I promise to be careful."

[castintoflames]

No, he is entirely too handsome and wonderful for his own good. Maedhros could sing his praises day and night if anyone would listen, but tough love is better in the long run. He doesn't want Elros to veer too far off the safe path. As if such a thing exists!

"Being right doesn't exclude you from being careful."

[tar_minyatur]

What is the safe path? Sounds boring.

"You were the ones who taught me to seize my chances!"

[castintoflames]

The safe path is any path that doesn't get you killed prematurely. Or get you tortured.

"Seize them wisely." he taps Elros's nose, "Don't repeat our mistakes."

[tar_minyatur]

Boooooooring.

His eyes cross and he laughs. "Sure! Plenty of new ones to make."

[castintoflames]

"Unfortunately." he grins and ruffles the Man's hair, "I hope you avoid them, but if you do encounter them, learn from them."

[tar_minyatur]

Elros leans into the hand happily.

"I will do my best! Just like you taught us."

[castintoflames]

"I trust you." it is only when his love causes him fear that he seems to...not trust. Maedhros has that failing and he has had it since he was a child.

[tar_minyatur]

"I will make you proud." Elros promises.

"Just wait and see!"

[castintoflames]

"You already have, yondo." he smiles warmly, without reservation.

[tar_minyatur]

Elros beams, so pleased to hear that that he hugs him.

"Thank you, atto!"

[castintoflames]

He catches him and gives him a tight squeeze, grinning.

"Atto? I thought that was Kano's role!"

[tar_minyatur]

"You are both my atto's." He laughs. "Am I not fortunate? I have three!"

[castintoflames]

He flushes and cups Elros's face between his hands.

"All three love you. All three wish to watch over you. I fear only one succeeds, though Kano can hardly compete with a star."