Elements are more than just fire, air, water, or earth. More than just a table of the unseen by weight. Rivers herald change and healing, cleaving through stone bit by bit. Stone remains stalwart, building humanity's great metropoli and the tools to do just that. Fire is inspirational, pushing ever forward. All of these elements are primal, fundamental, and vital and these forces make magic.
Sure footed movements carry Sycamore through the forest, leading the cabal through the trees of the Narthex, until she comes to an especially ancient, grand tree. With a hand to its red bark and a low, golden hum, the wards open up for herself and the group of magi; allowing the Veiled Threats into a hidden, secret world.
It's a secret world populated by men and women, leaders and strategists. One in a Ranger's Uniform, another in casual clothes. A couple of them grin and smile at Sycamore, one calling out to her that they should have sent a search team they were taking too long. Despite their different walks, they all seem to have that in common: strong senses of self and personality, leading the forest.
Angels all know why they hide, to tread between for the Divine. Here, these are Angels of different sorts, with the lay-lines converging on a singular spot upon which a raised dais for the Sunstone to rest itself in.
The stone itself, glows with pride as it nears its place; charged and confident to be back among itself people.
“It's too bad Tyria isn't here,” muses Sycamore, “she's quite a lot of fun during these rituals. We're going to begin, you can join or not if you wish. I do hope you join though, the mead is uncannily good this year.”
OOC Notes
This is more of a Victory Lap, we'll be doing a ritual that echo the symbology of Wood as an element and the primal forces of lay-lines and such, so you can treat it as such. Something to have fun with, I suppose.
Between here and there, they'd come off. First one, then the other, with a good bit of one-legged hopping and arm flailing for balance. Socks were stuffed in each, giving the impression that the footwear was suddenly vomiting cotton. They didn't match. Who's fault is that?
When in Rome...
It's not a light decision. Because hookworms. They're out there, just waiting. Plus some baggage. Maybe everyone didn't always have nice shoes, so shoes are A Thing. But that's a Lie. Nobody's going to join Greenpeace, but there's a connection here. Even if it's rooted in the Lie, it's Life, and Life twining with the Supernal. It's clean air, only polluted by the tang of living and dying flora, and the rich loam that squeezes between toes.
Hands rolled and twirled at
Avis
*, then metaphysical hands reached and spun threads into a weave that would reveal the pulsing world laced with fire. We've Seen True Blue. Now she could see the green and gold that drove their hosts.
"Do you need help? Like, I'm okay at, uh, Prime."
There's other questions, too, but Guardian fishing seems super Bad Manners right now.
*
ASL for 'I show you'
Star casts Life and Prime Sight for himself and Avis, Avis is free to resist/decline
Date
Action
Roll
Result
2016-01-17 19:55:01
Star rolls 43to Bestow Life Sight (Star and Avis -2 Targeting -1 Contagion) (10 Again)
8, 2, 6
1 success
2016-01-17 19:54:12
Star rolls 8 to Bestow Prime Sight (Avis) (10 Again)
3, 10, 1, 5, 1, 3, 10, 9, 10, 9, 2
5 successes
Nimbus in MiniSheet 2. Cloaked spells, no overt magical res. Scrut for deets.
The Anthropologist couldn't have been more pleased with the invitation Sycamore extended. Some of his Sleeper colleagues would normally have to spend months if not years to garner the rapport it took for some groups to open like this to outsiders.
"I'll join if I can. No Prime but I've dabbled in Life." The Enchanter said with no small amount of excitement. Excitement briefly colored with confusion at the association between Tyria and fun as anything but antonyms. The former Curator had been pretty frigid is his limited dealings with her, but the fact that they only dealt with each other at all when there was a problem probably colored both her behavior and his perceptions.
Shelving the negative in the back of his mind, Emrys curiously looked around the interior of the literal tree house. Part of him expected some Taoist symbolism to match Wood as an element, but the house itself suggested the use of local resources and possibly influence. Maybe the copse was here before the West or East touched it directly, or maybe it sprung from the melting pot. One way or another it was rituals now and nagging questions later.
A hand twirls as Arthur lets go of the Will wrapped around himself. Letting both hands fall to his sides the Theurgist quietly chants in the broken language of the aether. As the world truly reveals itself Arthur sighs. Beautiful. Mead catches his attention and Arthur nods with a grin. Catching himself he looks at the other Veiled Threats before shrugging. What the hell once in a lifetime right?
"It'd be an honor. I know a bit of Prime if I can help?" Unless things get a bit firey...then Forces. Fire would kill the buzz though.
Prime Sight
Date
Action
Roll
Result
2016-01-17 23:19:59
Arthur rolls 6 to Sunstone - Prime Sight (Gno+Prime+HS) (10 Again)
5, 10, 10, 5, 9, 5, 1, 2
3 successes
Arthur, Obrimos of the Silver Ladder, SL2 (Slick Smile), Pres 4 (Cocky)
Vulgar: Color drains from the immediate area and depth perception becomes temporarily skewed, everything seeming to draw in uncomfortably close, making rooms smaller and all but distant objects seem in reach.
Vice: Color drains from Avis and her facial features seem indistinct and grainy, as though her identity is growing less defined.
Virtue: Colors appear more vibrant and everything seems to become grander in scale.
Honestly, it was a bit surprising to hear Sycamore say that. She hadn't imagined the Druid as being that sort of person. The kind that would be able to describe Tyria as fun. But, maybe Prymoria was simply better at diplomacy when it came to people outside Sacramento.
"Well, I'll have to take your word for it," she finished, the only thing stopping her from shrugging being the weight of the Sunstone which she helped carry.
"And, thank you for inviting us to join. We do appreciate the hospitality."
For, while Avis hated the idea of drinking any sort of mead, she did wish to show that she was likewise capable of diplomacy. Not that she properly understood the value of the Copse, yet, but surely participating in the ritual would give her a better idea of that.
July was completely out of his element. He was not a mountain man or a tree-hugger. He was more of an urban cowboy, but without the John Travolta and Honky Tonk romance. He followed his cabal as they followed the woman through the woods up to the tree house. "Thank you for the hospitality," he said, following his cabal's lead. He would just swim in his ignorance of the situation and follow the group in whatever may come.
Avis
needs to declare if she's resisting or declining to resist Star. Remember, doing so becomes normal for ALL Resistance calls, not just Star. Also, Avis needs to describe the spell taking hold should it.
“That's right,” Sycamore repeats, surprise in her voice, “fun.”
Earthworms in the soil wiggle and squirm, reaching for a comforting darkness between decaying leaves from Autumns long past. Here, the forest sings and stretches, red against the sky. Here, there is no such thing as East or West; delineations like race, gender, and culture are a lie. The first lie. The lie enforced when Nimrod's Tower fell to the ground.
All cultures spring from Atlantis.
Bread is passed around on tiny little trays, tiny pots of honey following along.
Value means a different thing to different people: strategic, social, general. No one is keeping score. For the Mysterium, they call it Guanxi. Do a favor and get one in return, one day. It might be surprising to learn that for Tyria, the value in assisting the Copse every five years, was more esoteric than tangible gets.
“For a Wraith, Tyria is full of surprises.” It's more a surprise for the Copse that a Wraith has been their best ally. “Now, let's see,” the blonde continues digging up a few bottles of mead. It's more than mead, of course, particles within like seeing into the cosmos sparkles within with those who see Prime. The Cabal get theirs first and then Sycamore collects a few more.
“There's Tass within each bottle, like those infused, flavored vodkas. Prime, of course.”
Men come along and take the Sunstone from the cabal in the meantime, hefting it back up onto its dais. A pulse of energy, great moves through each magi; a feeling of brilliance in the soul.
Vulgar: Color drains from the immediate area and depth perception becomes temporarily skewed, everything seeming to draw in uncomfortably close, making rooms smaller and all but distant objects seem in reach.
Vice: Color drains from Avis and her facial features seem indistinct and grainy, as though her identity is growing less defined.
Virtue: Colors appear more vibrant and everything seems to become grander in scale.
Though Emrys' was the only one not of the Diamond, here, Avis felt like she was the true outsider, here. No matter that she was an initiate of Prime. No matter that Sycamore had been more than hospitable. Perhaps it was that the ritual required the drinking of alcohol. Perhaps it was the fact that an unsettled conflict was clearly enmeshed here. Or, perhaps it was simply the shadow of the cage, the memory of a world confined by bars and walls that made the unfamiliar seem unfathomable and threatening. Regardless, Avis knew her desire to leave was not one guided by truth, but she decided to heed it anyway. If nothing else, to have a mistake to learn from. And to prevent the possibility of a much worse mistake.
"Actually, uh...unfortunately, there's something important I forgot to, ya know, attend to," Avis piped up. "So, if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading back home. Don't worry about me," she added, nodding to her cabalmates. "I'll leave the van for y'all."
If she's allowed to leave...
Once released from the Copse, Avis walked quickly back to the van. The back doors still open, Avis climbed in and shut the world out. She nestled down into a corner of the van, away from the windows, and drew a blanket over herself so that no part of her would remain visible. And then, well, she simply thought of home. Thought of being there. And...was.
3 successes teleport
Date
Action
Roll
Result
2016-01-20 19:25:30
Avis rolls 1 to paradox? (10 Again)
2
failure
2016-01-20 19:24:48
Avis rolls 6 to resist spells (res3 or comp3+gnosis3) (10 Again)
7, 9, 5, 4, 6, 4
1 success
2016-01-20 19:23:19
Avis rolls 6 to teleport home (gnos3+space5-2intimate) (10 Again)
8, 7, 5, 10, 5, 8, 1
3 successes
Avis will try to resist the spells. Also, if allowed, will teleport home. -3 mana, 2 to reduce paradox. If not allowed, will not cast the spell.
Arthur bows his head in thanks as Sycamore gives him one of the bottles. It's held in both hands close to his chest, almost as if in prayer. The pulse of life leaves Arthur's jaw hanging open. So close to the supernal and yet a shadow of it. There has to be a way back to the city. How close is this place to a Ladder? Is that the goal or just a place to revere what will be? Avis's words and departure go unnoticed as Arthur continues to look at the Sunstone and the glory it spreads.
Arthur, Obrimos of the Silver Ladder, SL2 (Slick Smile), Pres 4 (Cocky)
Draft this Post
Status
Star casts Life and Prime Sight for himself and Avis, Avis is free to resist/decline
