faderift | OPEN | the grand tourney!

Entry tags:

OPEN | the grand tourney!

WHO: All Y'all.
WHAT: It's the Grand Tourney! Like a normal Tourney, but grand.
WHEN: August Now.
WHERE: Kirkwall.
NOTES: Sports... injuries?

Every thousand days, the Grand Tourney is organized in the Free Marches, and all the City States-- and even challengers from farther abroad-- come together to celebrate the freedom of the Marches. This year, the event was intended to take place in Tantervale.

When that, uh, fell apart, the tourney was hastily moved to the relative safety of Kirkwall.

Festivities begin early, with musicians and entertainers coming from all around to entertain lords and ladies as they set up tents. Food vendors complete the picnic atmosphere-- you may not be able to get a seat in the stands, but the hills around where the field where it all takes place makes the event easily viewed by all. Jesters, bards, troubadours, food vendors, all are happy to serve and make the event lively and lovely-- for a price.

The first event is the Joust. The announcer goes through everyone's names, their origins, the part they play, so the crowd knows who to root for and who to boo. Before the individual bouts begin, the jousters are expected to ride around the field collecting favors.

The second event is the Quintain. A similar setup to the Joust takes place, with announcements and cheering, gaining favors, etc. The major difference-- besides the content of the event itself-- is the hastily erected judge's stand, where they can view the skills of each comptetitor. Some scores are met with cheers, some with boos. Some competitors schmooze with the judges before their bout. It's all very classy.

In the intermission guests are invited to play a game of tug-of-war over two large piles of flowers and flower petals. As the loosers will discover, there's a pit of mud underneath the flowers. Hopefully you brought a second pair of clothes, or maybe you just don't care ~~Edgard~~.

If tug-of-war isn't your game, there's drunken archery. Darktown's very best (worst) booze has been generously donated (appropriated) for the event. One shot to begin, and more shots for every subsequent shot of your bow. Landing closer to bullseye garners more points, and prizes can be collected for high point scores. Nothing particularly valuable, it's more like carnival fare-- stuffed toys, shiny gems (they are colored glass), wood carved in various shapes (some lewd). The most expensive prize is a hangover cure potion (it does not work).

The final event is the ever-popular Melee, where several one-on-one matches take place simultaneously, until someone is either undefeated or the least defeated. As with previous events, each combatant is announced to the crowd and expected to walk around the stands, receiving favors. However, they're expected to do this between every match in the melee, as their popularity rises... or falls.

During all of this, the ever-noble Pas d'Armes event is taking place. If you wander away from the event at any time, Gabranth will be there, at a nearby bridge, judging and / or fighting anyone who wishes to pass. Of course, if you wish to pass without issue, he will accept a favor from you. At the end, he'll be crowned with a white wreath of flowers, in a 'peace offering', and that is the sign that the tourney is done.

Not counting the partying into the night. No medieval camping trip is complete without waking up half clothed in a field, right?

JUST TELL ME WHO WON ALREADY.fine, fine, jesus.

THE JOUST

1st Place: Tony Stark, The Iron Man (Erroneously called 'The Man of Iron' at least once by an announcer. Several people in the stands asked if he was made of iron, why he was called that, what is he doing, why.)
2nd Place: Weary Winona of Wycome (Never took off her helm, which was shaped like a woman's face and painted like she was crying.)
3rd Place: 'Sir Sullivan of Bonneville'(Who might just be Edgard in disguise, however legend has it he's actually an undead noble trying to reclaim his family's honor in the joust. This legend was started by Jone.)
Crowd Favorite: Ellis, The Bachelor (He was, at one point, mostly just a mass of favors, which may have been why he didn't rank. The crowd screamed his name repeatedly and at one point threw flowers at him while he was riding past.)

THE QUINTAIN

1st Place: Derrica, the Rivaini Raider (The chant 'carry me home' began during her bout, and continued whenever she walked near the field.)
2nd Place: Derek, Son of Derek, of the Ostwick Dereks (The 'carry me home' chant continued during his bout, as some confusion arose over whether Derrica was a distant relation of the Ostwick Dereks.)
3rd Place: Madame Noir of Hasmal (A ghostly pale woman wearing only a black gown during her match, there were rumors she'd bribed the judges with money or a low neckline.)
Crowd Favorite: Beth Greene, The Lady of the Green (Rumor has it that she was a wild woman who came from the forests just to compete. This rumor was also started by Jone.)

THE MELEE

1st Place: Pierre the Virtuous of Hambleton (On a particularly sunny day, some suspect he only won because the reflection from his bald head.)
2nd Place: 'The Dark Jaguar' (Who may be Erik Stevens in disguise. A nighttime assassin, he appears from nowhere during a fight ~~usually with the aid of a conveniently placed piece of hanging black fabric but shhhh~~.)
3rd Place: Laura, Lady Nightshade (Rumor has it she threw her fight to get third place, but everybody who knows Laura knows she'd never do that... right?)
Crowd Favorite: 'The Acolyte' (A young man of roughly the same height and build as Benedict Artemaeus, the crowd really responded to how nervous, yet trying to be brave, he looked.)

THE OVERALL WINNER OF EVERYTHING:
Ser John 'the Anointed John' Pembroke of Tantervale
...who trained for this every day and is a professional Tourneyman, and whose win for Tantervale really lifted the spirit of the game to a high note, so how can we be bitter, really.
(Note to 1st placers in other events: this means he beat you in your event.)

[ooc Also final reminder that you don't have to have signed up for an event to have your character participate!!!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Really?" He's surprised at the generosity - swooping in and covering for him to not get caught already seems like kindness enough -, but knows that it'd be rude to reject it so he withdraws his hand from his bag, empty. "Oh, well thank you then. I'll have to return the favor sometime."

He grins at the questions, fighting with his own face to not grin so wide that his cheeks start to hurt but he's not very successful. "To the drink - I don't know any illusion magic that affects the senses in that way beyond knowing of them, and if I did I probably wouldn't be able to use those spells here. Of course, there's physiology-oriented transmutation spells which could probably also be used to a similar affect, but without consent they don't work or can--" Oh oops, he's starting to wander a bit with only slightly related information. Back to the question. He clears his throat a bit.

"Apologies, I can get a little carried away. It's sort of a party trick as magic goes, something simple most spellcasters learn when they're starting out - I can make a piece of food or a drink hot or cold, or change the flavor of it." Others have used the spell for more practical applications, like warming up cold tea or livening up bland rations but Allumin? Well, spit-takes are funny especially if someone is rude.

"I don't want to put you off having a drink so let's just say I made it taste very bad."

"Certainly. You'll definitely have the opportunity, I assure you." There are enough taverns in Kirkwall proper, in all its districts, even if there are none on the Gallows' island.

Loki just kind of raises his eyebrows a bit as Allumin launches into an entire treatise about different magic types he's familiar with; and here he'd thought that he'd asked a simple question. "Ah, well. What other sorts of magics can you do? Here in Thedas, I mean, not in general, actually, because they are rather different." He doubts that Allumin hasn't noticed, honestly. Any mage worth their salt would have by now.

The future promise of sharing drinks together tickles Allumin, enough for there to be a smile of genuine gratitude on his face before transitioning into an expression of humor within defeat.

"For now, unfortunately not much." He's not very good at masking his disappointment.

"I was told if I get a staff and train with one with guidance from a native mage I'd probably be able to use stronger spells again. Until then, there's prestidigitation - which has a few other little effects it can be used for, one teleportation spell of mine - but it feels different here-, a repair spell but it doesn't always work... Oh, mage hand! That one is one of my favorites. You can summon a spectral hand and use it the way you would a normal hand, but it can also only carry so much weight if you pick things up with it." There are a couple of others, but he stops there to give space for conversation.

[ Loki frowns a little. Prestidigitation could mean anything, really, though he assumes that's part of the umbrella of 'things that could make a drink taste bad', and 'mage hand' is a new terminology he's never heard before.

Speaking of drinks, he purchases two flagons of spiced wine, and hands one off to Allumin. ]

At some point, you'll have to tell me what you were capable of before. [ Because he's wondering how all this ties into one another. Maybe it doesn't? Maybe Allumin just learned what he could willy-nilly and without structure or plan. ]

[Allumin accepts the flagon with a little bow.] Thank you.

I could tell you now, if you like. I even have my spellbook with me if you want to look - although I don't know how much of it will actually make sense unless you happen to know Sylvan and Abyssal.

[There's also the couple of spells written in the language of the void. He'd definitely be surprised if anyone could read that here.]

[ An incline of his head. ] You're most welcome.

[ Loki nods. ] The Allspeak doesn't work for me, here, so it's likely I won't, but I am interested in seeing your spellbook.

[ Loki hasn't needed one of those in centuries, but also. He recognizes that this is a lot of trust Allumin is having in him without knowing much about him; things can be done with a spellbook, to one, that could have dire consequences for the spellcaster involved. ]

The Allspeak? [oh, his curiosity is piqued] Is that an all the time sort of thing or a temporary spell you can use? Oh! Or an enchanted item you can attune to your person? [He doesn't ask what it is, that seems pretty obvious.]

If we can find somewhere to perch while we drink, I'd be happy to guide you through its pages. [That may have come out sounding more flirtatious than he intended. He can't help being excited to share his transcription process and overall just discuss magic with someone.]

An all the time sort of thing, actually. [ Loki is amused by Allumin's excitement about Asgardian magic; they'll be friends, he's decided, even if only because it will be nice to discuss magical theory with someone who isn't deathly afraid of being possessed at the drop of a hat.

The flirtatious tone? Doesn't hurt at all.

Alright. Perching, then. Loki looks around for a moment before he spots a low but well-supported rooftop to a vendor nearby. ] What about there? [ Pointing. ]

Ohhh, that's amazing - I don't know if there's any creature that's able to understand every language where I'm from! Maybe mindflayers, [he muses] but technically they don't speak to you, they use telepathy so that transcends language I think.

[He looks to see where Loki has pointed out to sit and his eyebrows shoot up.]

Are we allowed to sit up there? [it's sort of a scandalized whisper that he uses to ask, but he's not opposed. The spot's out of the way and has a good vantage point, plus then he doesn't have to be concerned with anyone else being nosy about his book.]

I doubt we'll be the first and certainly, we won't be the last.

[ Loki takes a sip of his spiced wine, nods, and then starts off towards the booth before turning on his heel, walking back to Allumin, and looping his arm through his. ]

Come on. Mindflayers sound utterly horrid, also. Nothing with the word 'flayer' in its name has any business in your brain.

[He is an easy sell, ready to follow along after Loki when he happens to turn around and come back to lock arms again. That Loki does it again in the short time that they've met, and this time it's not to pull him away from getting in trouble, causes him to blush a bit and try to wrestle down the bashfulness in his smile.]

Oh, I don't know - some people are into that. Tall imposing figures with a mass of tentacles for mouths. There's quite a lot of erotic fiction back home about it even.

It's the tentacles, surely, [ Loki says with ease, because he's familiar with... well, with mortal interest in that sort of thing, at the very least. ] It definitely isn't the name, doubtless it is also not in the what one presumes are the horrifying capabilities.

[ Anyway. They've reached the stall pointed out and Loki lets go in favor of clambering up to the slightly slanted rooftop and then extending one rather lanky arm towards Allumin to help him up. A gentleman, or something.

This way they'll be able to see the competitions and also will be a bit sequestered from everyone else at the same time. Win-win! ]

Some people, [ Loki intones, ] are into just about anything. A blessing, really.

[Allumin accepts the offered arm, and upon being helped up Loki may notice that the elf is heavier than he appears (books can be pretty heavy, and he can carry a lot of them).]

A partner who knows exactly what you want and how you want it without you having to say a word out loud is also a pretty exciting thought - the sensuality of being so perceived by something in ways you can't even perceive yourself. I think there's about a 50/50 split between which is the more appealing factor for the people who read it.

[ Are you a strongk young man, Allumin? Curiouser and curiouser. Fortunately Loki is also stronger than he appears, so. Up on the roof they go.

He tilts his head in Allumin's direction once they're sitting. ]

It sounds like you've considered this before. [ Teasing but also curious about it. ] Tentacles and deep perception eh?

[~~Yes.~~ Allumin avoids reciprocating being perceived.]

Well, the books in question were by the most prolific author in the whole of Kezdet - there's a whole series just for Mindflayers, and perhaps I have read at least one of them.

[His face is turning quite red.]

Anyway, it's fine as literature goes but they aren't even my favorite ones by the author. [Ears too.]

[ He's blushing. Oh no that's cute and Loki immediately wants to know how far down it travels, that flushing of pale skin. ]

Fine as literature goes, [ he repeats, smirking a little. ] You'll have to tell me about your favorite, then.

[Oh, just saying that is enough for him to become compromised - the blushing is SO MUCH, and being so aware of the warmth in his cheeks only makes him more nervous. His heart? Racing.

He has a very specific favorite, he doesn't even have to consider which in the vast catalog of books is the one.]

I - wh - it's, um - [oh no he's thinking about funnel cake again, breathe Allumin, breathe. He tries to gain control of himself, clearing his throat.]

It's, well, um, hm, there's - ahem - [it's fine, be cool] some very specific leather attire, [his voice cracks a bit] and safewords. [phew, he's at least said something about it. He likes it more for another reason, but that's not worth discussing. This is enough to share.]

That's rather vague, Allumin. [ But it does paint quite a picture, doesn't it? Loki smirks and decides he'll be nice, for now, but he's keeping that flustered confession in his back pocket for something or another. ] Very specific leather attire could mean any number of things.

[ He takes another sip of his spiced wine and raises his eyebrows at his companion. The desire to fuss with Allumin is too great and so he tucks a strand of loose hair behind his ears. ]

Your ears are very red right now. Show me your spellbook, then.

[Yes, vague, good. Maybe some other time they can be more thorough in this topic of conversation-- oh no, don't think like that, your imagination will get the better of you, Allumin. There's another little throat clear as he just sort of frantically nods.

He's ready to move on from this topic of conversation, straightening out his clothes a bit as he situates the bag attached to his waist to fetch his spellbook... And then there's the light touch of fingers brushing against his ear and his brain fully shuts off for a moment.]

Ah--! [The sound escapes him, and it carries with it so much pent up need for how soft it is before he can clap his hand over his mouth in horror that it got free. He just sits there for a moment, hand hiding his face the best he can before a little glance of his eyes eventually makes its way up to Loki.

That smile of his is dangerous.]

Yes, right, my spellbook. [trying to play it cool as he slowly lowers his hand and pulls aforementioned object from his bag.]

[ Loki's smile is dangerous; he'd be proud of Allumin for clocking it as such, but as it is, his smile goes nowhere. He recognizes the gasp as something needy and possibly touch-starved, and as someone who is at times both of those things he feels pretty good about eliciting such a response.

It's still very cute though, the blushing, the covering of his face. Loki exerts quite a lot of self-control in that moment to not pry that hand away from Allumin's mouth and replace it with his own.

He opens his hands to take Allumin's spellbook from him, fingers brushing the back of Allumin's hand briefly before Loki takes to carefully running thin fingers along the cover and spine of the book now in his possession. ]

Do your people craft their own spellbooks from scratch or are they provided with a blank one to begin with? [ He hasn't even opened it and he has questions. But with that one asked, he does open the cover to the first page inside. ]

[He bites his lip at the touch of Loki's fingers as he passes the book over, doing his level best to stay just that: level. Especially after the previous topic of conversation, it's a struggle not for his mind to wander. His eyes wander a bit over Loki's frame before landing on a metaphorical piece of himself he's surrendered into his hands.

The book is bound in blue leather with metallic paint in the tooling that's worn out a bit over time. The patterns on it are just a bit fancy, with silver stars nestled in gold scrollwork. Inside the cover, the first page has little messages in a curved, swirling script in two differing styles of penmanship that one could guess they're words of love and encouragement from his parents.]

Some do bind their own books while others prefer to commission them from an arcanist. Mine was a gift from my parents when I decided that being a wizard is what I wanted to do with my life.

[ He didn't miss that lip bite, not at all. His gaze shifts from Allumin's face to the book again. Loki runs his fingers across the inked script. He can't read it, but he can imagine the sorts of things one's parents might write in a book such as this.

Well. One whose parents were both proud of their child. He can only presume Allumin's parents were proud, based on the way he says that. ]

How old were you then?

[He takes a drink from his wine as he thinks. It's the kind of long, deep, sifting of thoughts where his lips linger on the rim of the flagon, occasionally sipping away.

The timeline is still a bit fuzzy - the space between his arrival in Thedas and meeting his family again had really been only a little over a week and what a whirlwind it was. Coming here hadn't stopped the slow remembrance of the things he'd lost in his memory, at least. A bittersweet comfort that he might not ever see them again after having just reunited, but at least his past was less empty than it was before seeing them again.]

I think... around six or seven? My mother had previously started going down the same road before she decided to be a historian instead, so I inherited all of her books and such from that time - spellbook aside. You have to take the time to transcribe the spells yourself or they don't work.

[ That's young but also it makes Loki smile, a little. He'd been a similar age when he'd decided that he wanted to be like Frigga and learn magic and it was her books he'd started with. ]

Is it mostly a matter of being self-taught or is there a formal education involved?

[ He turns the pages with care. ]

[The early pages feature an assortment of notes all in the same script as before, but it's clear that they're written by a younger hand than the messages from his parents on the first page. You can see some spots where his pen sat on the page too long, others where the ink ran out mid-stroke, still trying to figure things out. Amidst the notes are little drawings, very childish looking ones at first, that are related to the spells and their effects, along with glyphs housed in different arrangements of geometrical shapes. Some are crossed out, others are circled and then redrawn to be more neat.

There are multiple pages devoted to Prestidigitation alone, because of its various effects. One page has notes with little drawings of steaming teacups, glasses with little snowflakes next to them, another with little sparks like tiny fireworks, another has a crude rendering of a hand with a little unicorn in it and some shiny lines radiating from it. All of the drawings have little notes written next to them.

Following these pages are the pages to another spell that has a lot of drawings of hands with trailing auras grabbing books off of tall shelves, a tiny round-faced Allumin below unable to reach them, pulling levers, acting as an extra hand to carry things - the list goes on.]

You can do either, but the act of transcription is how you learn either way. In part it's mental, training the association of the intent into you as you develop an understanding of the glyphwork that defines the core essence of the spell. But channeling and making the intent real is a different process for everyone, so by doing this, you also learn how you, your body, needs to cast it. What symbols make sense as a conduit? What somatic movement of the hands are needed, or if the whole of your body language is required. Language is also so different and individual for so many people, that even if a person learned a spell up and down but otherwise didn't speak the language of the original incantation it wouldn't work because it's not natural to the wizard.

You tailor it to yourself. That's why you can't use someone else's book. You could certainly copy from one to learn a spell, but you still have to devote the time to make it your own.

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/applies icon keywords directly to this cr, now I need to make a cr chart huh

elmofire.gif

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