[hr][hr][center][img]https://s22.postimg.cc/6xwhnyhtt/8feea9672d571d4eceb088fcf045e88c.png[/img][hr][img]https://s22.postimg.cc/m2b5bp74x/tumblr_nten42_Mq5c1qgyarho2_500.gif[/img][hr][@Nallore][@BlueSky44][@FantasyChic][@mnkee][@LadyRunic][@Dragoknighte][@KazAlkemi][/center][hr][center][h3][color=ed145b][b]The Port - Four Months Ago...[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr] "Excuse me, but you are going to die in there," [url=https://pa1.narvii.com/6536/476f1032c8c32deb59154ebd3a8ed71c7df794cb_hq.gif]a little girl with a cute yellow dress[/url] informed the two teens. The older - a towheaded boy with shadowed blue eyes - just scoffed at the girl, motioning for his girlfriend to follow him inside. She was dressed in a faded and worn witch's cloak, likely purchased at a secondhand store, and her hands were covered in various rings. All of them had been promised to her by a traveler to contain genuine [b]Magyk[/b] and serve any budding witch well - but none of them were real. "Are you sure it's still here?" Anathema - called Annie by her friends - asked with curiosity. Her ginger curls seemed to provide just about the only light in the shadowed halls. Terrence - the boyfriend - nodded, snickering at her. "Are you scared, Annie?" he asked, striking a match and lighting a torch. Her eyes were brown, yet they had started to turn blue - ever so slowly. His own eyes had turned blue about two months back, having previously been a boring black, as if his pupils were filled with dead beetles. Anathema punched his shoulder, nearly causing him to drop the torch. "I told you, I'm not scared Terr," Anathema interjected. "So where did it happen - the fighting?" "From what my mom told me, everywhere," Terrence replied. His mother was the head of the Port Authority and never really struck that proper work-life balance. She hadn't even realized that Terrence had been regularly sneaking out in the middle of the night, practicing [b]Magyk[/b] and attempting to summon from the [b]Other[/b] in the old Port Witch Coven house. He'd taken to keeping his hair long, long enough to hang over his eyes and help to obscure their new shade of blue that resulted. "Hey, check it out!" Anathema said, pointing at something that seemed to be stirring upstairs. She ran up the rickety staircase, some of the wood rotten from the blood and about to fall off. The insects weren't helping at all, doing a number on the place. No one would purchase the home due to the history and it had become a property of the Port Authority. "Good eye, Annie," Terrence said with a grin, hugging her from behind and giving her a kiss as they entered what had been Malekith's room. There were blood stains all over the place, but most of the implements Malekith had owned were removed and sold at auction. "This is where the Wendron Witch Mother [i]died[/i]," he whispered in her ear. "Say more horrible things," Anathema replied with a grin. Her eye was drawn to something like dust on the floor. She broke out of her boyfriend's arms and knelt down, running her hands over the dust. It had a strange quality to it - it moved like sand, yet she could feel energy and life coursing through it. "I think I figured out how she died - Jadis," Terrence explained. Anathema didn't look over at him, just running her hands through the sand. She didn't hear a single word that he said, all of it turning into just [i]noise[/i] as she continued to play with the strange substance. "Annie? Are you even listening to me?" Terrence asked, stepping forward and resting an arm on her shoulder. Anathema turned and gave him a smile. "You shouldn't have done that," she whispered, before she gathered up the sand on her palm and blew it at him. As if it was deadly acid, Terrence began to dissolve before her eyes, until he too was reduced to sand. Anathema picked him up, scooping his remains into her hands as she started to play with them, her eyes glowing pink. She too then disintegrated into nothing, the sand swirling around the room before it burst out the window and headed into the night air. "They never listen..."[hr][center][h3][color=ed145b][b]Langatóftir - Four Years Ago...[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr] Nestled within the mountains, there was the village of [url=https://s22.postimg.cc/lsg2yi9mp/image.jpg]Langatóftir[/url]. To the west and down the slope was the sea, allowing many to travel and become traders, selling their wares to various countries - yet the Small Wet Country Across the Sea above all else. To the east, the mountains climbed ever higher until they sloped down into a valley, revealing the seat of the throne of the Land of Long Nights - the city of [url=https://s22.postimg.cc/4rx6q1enl/hyeonu-kim-04-viking-kingdom-day4.jpg]Fljotshverfi.[/url] But Langatóftir's more practical neighbor is Skogarstrond, practically its twin if such a thing were possible for settlements. And while it's proximity to open waters on its western side has been a blessing for those who wish to become traders, today it is a curse. Two hours after the sun has reached its peak in the sky, the [url=https://s22.postimg.cc/x7ck33ytt/blood_of_the_vikings.jpg]Fjándmaðrvǫllr[/url] arrive. They hold no legends and no stories, none recognizing their work behind the destruction of nine villages in the Land of Long Nights. If it were not for their own sense of pride, they would not even have a name to rally underneath. "Herrer, du vet hva du skal gjøre," [url=https://s22.postimg.cc/hads6fog1/https_blueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com_uploads_card_i.jpg]the leader, Grimhild,[/url] said simply. "Ikke la noen historier gå." "Ja, heks Messias," one of the men responded, before the raiders descended upon the unsuspecting village. Unlike movies and films where such attacks are romanticized, it is anything but kind and romantic. Driven on with supernatural strength, as if the gods had meddled in the outcome of the fight, every warrior Langatóftir could produce fell to the blades of the raiders. The women and children were not so lucky. Those with the more merciful fate were simply killed. Others were defiled prior to this, with each attempt to stop it falling upon deaf ears. The Fjándmaðrvǫllr were thorough, ushered on by their leader. Her piercing pink eyes surveyed the scene, as she instructed her men to grab the valuables and torch every building once it had been cleared - regardless if some person was still inside. By the time the Fjándmaðrvǫllr withdrew, holding some of the women as pleasure slaves, the village had been desolated. Unbeknownst to them, Cuyler Eysteinsson had survived. Others returned to the village days later, in order to trade, only to find it reduced to ruins. One of these was the brother of Ravyndra Locke, a traveling bard by the name of Myth the Muse. Eventually, as word reached the crown, King Alvis came to the conclusion that Reykjarholl, a village known to be a respite for the dredges of the Land of Long Night's society, had been responsible for the raid. All abled body men in the settlement were beheaded. And the Fjándmaðrvǫllr remained as less than legend.[hr][center][h3][color=ed145b][b]Present Day - The Castle: May 4th, 12,508 - 9:00 AM [/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr] [color=ed145b][i]No one will be getting a character specific update here this time. I trust you all so you are allowed free reign on how you wish to start your morning. If you have any questions, please reach out to ask. General details have been included below for events of interest. Character specific updates will resume next update.[/i][/color] It was the dawn of a new silver age for the Small Wet Country Across the Sea, with the Castle finally experiencing some much needed stability. After Nera Hawthorn had been exposed as the murderer of Queen Meliscente, ExtraOrdinary Wizard Arya had helped Queen Valda to spread the word about the horrific deeds. The scribes of the Manuscriptorium wrote pamphlets on it, and while public opinion about Queen Valda is hardly the best, they no longer think she committed matricide. Instead, the most common criticism of the new Queen of the Castle is that she is wild, young, and inexperienced - the polar opposite of Queen Meliscente in every way imaginable aside from eye and hair color. Perhaps surprisingly, only the Alchemists seem to have no quarrel at all with Valda, proclaiming her to be a breath of fresh air in these dark times - [i]especially with all the [b]Magyks[/b] coughing up blood left and right lately...[/i] The Port Witch Coven - now reformed as the One True Coven - continues to be a formidable threat to the Castle. More and more witches and warlocks are joining its ranks, claiming that Fleur is the messiah that witchcraft needs now, more than ever. Some gossip that this mysterious [b]Sickenesse[/b] can be only cured by the so called Witch Messiah and will be used for some deadly purpose. Others whisper in low light about the return of the Supreme - and of course, those from the Land of Long Nights look to the heavens, hoping that Nova will come down and cure their loved ones of their ailment, while cursing Halley for this chaos. Today is a special day, however. At sunset (estimated to be 8:30 PM by Mavis Moll, Senior [b]Alchemie[/b] Apprentice to Selesia Rincewind), there will be an open wedding at Wizard Tower, between Myth the Muse and Bruce Banner. The ceremony will be one traditional to the Land of Long Nights and Norse legend, including an exchange of ancestral swords - and a sacrifice to Thor, the God of Thunder. All who wish to attend should be in the Wizard Tower promenade at the end of Wizard Way no later than 8:15 PM. Members of the wedding party should plan to arrive at least two hours prior to the wedding. Bruce's sisters, parents, grandparents, aunt, and great-uncle will arrive before noon and meet the Banner family at their home on [b]Alchemie[/b] Way before the ceremony. Tristan is expected to spend the day in the company of Princess Luna, with the Queen Valda having an appointment with the CHS for approximately noon. It's a routine appointment - more or less a royal check up on one of the Castle's key institutions. Wizard Tower had already been inspected the week prior and the Grand Chamber of [b]Physik[/b] and [b]Alchemie[/b] has been scheduled for an inspection the following week. As for the Eastern SnowPlains, news has reached Empress Astris of Prince Tristan's intent to marry Princess Luna. For Princess Luna to accept his proposal would be aligning the Small Wet Country with the Land of Long Nights in the brewing war - yet to reject it would be, in essence, affirming the side of the Eastern SnowPlains and pledging to follow them in battle. Emperor Taj has cautioned Valda to not make this choice lightly - and that while Luna's heart should be considered, so should the wellbeing of her people. The longer an answer can be delayed, the better...Hopefully, by then, tensions will have calmed down. Skaoi and others skilled in [b]Physik[/b] will likely have their hands full. If it isn't the infirmary at the Palace as it was before, it's now the sick bay at Wizard Tower. It's become overcrowded, forcing a tent to be set up on the Palace lawns - the only large green space with access to the river - in order to serve as a supplement facility for others with the [b]Sickenesse[/b]. [hider=Notes on the Sickenesse][i][color=ed145b][b]Arya[/b][/color][/i]:[list] [*]First Symptoms: March 29th [*]Current Stage: One [*]Symptoms: Minor fatigue, headaches. All around feeling awful but can still function more or less normally. Some [b]Physik[/b] remedies can help ameliorate symptoms temporarily. -1 on all physical checks. [/list] [i][color=ed145b][b]Valda[/b][/color][/i]:[list] [*]First Symptoms: April 22nd [*]Current Stage: One [*]Symptoms: Minor fatigue, headaches. All around feeling awful but can still function more or less normally. Some [b]Physik[/b] remedies can help ameliorate symptoms temporarily. -1 on all physical checks.[/list] [i][color=ed145b][b]Atkin[/b][/color][/i]:[list] [*]First Symptoms: March 12th [*]Current Stage: One [*]Symptoms: Minor fatigue, headaches. All around feeling awful but can still function more or less normally. Some [b]Physik[/b] remedies can help ameliorate symptoms temporarily. -1 on all physical checks. [/list] [i][color=ed145b][b]Fleur[/b][/color][/i]:[list] [*]First Symptoms: March 14th [*]Current Stage: One [*]Symptoms: Minor fatigue, headaches. All around feeling awful but can still function more or less normally. Some [b]Physik[/b] remedies can help ameliorate symptoms temporarily. -1 on all physical checks. [/list] [hider=Documented Stages][color=ed145b][i]Only those with a [b]Physik[/b] skill or who make a successful check will be aware of these stages. Message the GM for a check if needed~[/i][/color] [i][color=ed145b][b]Stage One[/b][/color][/i]: Minor fatigue, headaches. All around feeling awful but can still function more or less normally. Some [b]Physik[/b] remedies can help ameliorate symptoms temporarily. -1 on all physical checks. [i][color=ed145b][b]Stage Two[/b][/color][/i]: Significant fatigue, abdominal aching, nose bleeds, bloody stools. You can get by if you live a sedentary life, but people can tell there's something wrong pretty immediately. -3 on physical checks, -1 on Mental Checks. [i][color=ed145b][b]Stage Three[/b][/color][/i]: Skin turns pale or grey, eyes turn black, veins turn dark. All symptoms of stage two exacerbated. Most have to remain in bed at this point or risk worsening their health further. -5 on Physical rolls, -3 on Mental. [i][color=ed145b][b]Stage Four[/b][/color][/i]: Comatose. All symptoms of stage three are still present. Stage four always advances to stage five within one week. [i][color=ed145b][b]Stage Five[/b][/color][/i]: Death. [/hider] [hider=NPCs - Named][color=ed145b][i]Date listed is when initial symptoms began~[/i][/color] [list][*]Blaise Rowland - February 21st - Stage One [*]Marya and Medea Magnisky - May 2nd - Stage One [*]Bernice - February 21st - Stage One [*]Jarvis Yule - April 17th - Stage Two [*]Constance Langdon - May 2nd - Stage Two [*]Asha the [b]Magykal[/b] - April 28th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest in the Big Wild Land) [*]Badger (Rhys' Apprentice) - April 30th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest in Rhys' Home)[/list][/hider] [hider=NPCs - Unnamed][color=ed145b][i]Date listed is when initial symptoms began~[/i][/color][list][*]Ordinary Wizard - March 30th - Stage Four (Comatose, housed at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Apprentice - February 14th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Apprentice - February 25th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - March 3rd - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 10th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - May 2nd - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - May 3rd - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 12th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - May 3rd - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 2nd - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - April 10th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 5th - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Ordinary Wizard - May 1st - Stage Three (Confined to Bed Rest at Wizard Tower Sick Bay) [*]Young Witch, Age 16 - February 9th - Stage Two [*]Young Witch, Age 12 - February 14th - Stage Two [*]Young Witch, Age 14 - February 5th - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Apprentice - April 19th - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Apprentice - February 2nd - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Apprentice - February 3rd - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Wizard - April 22nd - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 8th - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 26th - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Wizard - April 4th - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 11th - Stage Two [*]Ordinary Wizard - March 27th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 12th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - March 31st - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - May 2nd - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 21st - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - April 1st - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 12th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - April 18th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 25th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - May 1st - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - February 23rd - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - March 6th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Wizard - April 16th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Apprentice - May 3rd - Stage One [*]Ordinary Apprentice - March 17th - Stage One [*]Ordinary Apprentice - May 1st - Stage One [*]Young Warlock, Age 6 - February 2nd - Stage One [*]Young Witch, Age 12 - February 27th - Stage One [*]Young Witch, Age 9 - May 4th - Stage One [*]Adult Witch - February 3rd - Stage One [/list][/hider] [hider=Deaths][color=ed145b][i]Date listed is date of death~[/i][/color][list][*]Death of a One True Coven Witch - February 7th [*]Death of an Ordinary Wizard - April 30th [*]Death of an Ordinary Wizard - March 31st [*]Death of an Ordinary Wizard - April 12th[/list] [/hider][/hider][hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=#9B30FF]Arya Rincewind[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://i.postimg.cc/8CgxRn69/tumblr_m7dqdfq_FWh1rtzlzf.gif[/img][hr][color=#9B30FF][b]Location:[/b][/color] Wizard Tower - 20th Floor[/center][hr] Arya had finished getting dressed for the day, preferring to start her morning with tasks that did not involve [b]Magyk[/b]. To her, it was like trying to walk around without using one's left hand at all. Sure, it was an easy task in theory - but in practice, it was incredibly difficult. Especially since she hadn't let anyone know that she too was feeling ill - to have the ExtraOrdinary Wizard crumble in these times...No, it wouldn't do. She had to put the wellbeing of the Castle before herself. Standing in the kitchen, she stared at the kettle on the stove. She had been using [b]Magyk[/b] to brew herself a cup of tea since she was nine years old and Rowland taught her how to manipulate various appliances. [color=#9B30FF]"Come on, it's just a cup of tea..."[/color] she muttered to herself. Her head was pounding slightly and she hoped the steam would allow her to alleviate her symptoms some. Atkin she was certain would laugh at her, seeing her debating risking her health further to use a [b]Charm[/b] to make herself some peppermint tea for breakfast. She went and grabbed the kettle, filling it with water before she set it in the fireplace. She had seen Atkin do this a million times - it couldn't be that difficult, could it? Grabbing the tin of tea leaves, she looked at them and the pot, before she dumped them all in. Wiping a bit of sweat that had formed on her forehead off, she then took the flint and tried to spark a flame. Nothing happened. She tried again and again, feeling the exertion of even the modest activity and still...nothing. [color=#9B30FF]"Hotep-Ra's anus,"[/color] Arya muttered under her breath. Fueled by her own frustrations, she tried to strike it again, this time getting a spark that caught the kindling - and allowed the heating of the tea water to begin. [color=#9B30FF]"How on earth do people live like this..."[/color] she muttered, shaking her head slightly, only to feel exhausted and sit down in the purple armchair to collect her thoughts for a moment. [hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=#FF0000]Myrus Silvers[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://i.postimg.cc/T1TRt3W8/tumblr_n7gcnq_FIp_Z1tyb6r8o3_500.gif[/img][hr][color=#FF0000][b]Location:[/b][/color] the Palace - Attic [/center][hr] Myrus took a shaky breath, sitting on a dusty old crate in the attic. It was one of the few places where no one ever came looking for him. Up against the small window, there was an old servant's bed and he had more or less claimed it as his own. Ever since [i]it[/i] had happened, he had felt lost and confused - adrift at sea. The nightmares were cruel and violent, yet nothing compared to the knowledge that every time he touched something, there was a chance that it might explode. He tentatively picked up the book in front of him. He had gotten it from [i]Larry's Dead Languages[/i] on Wizard Way in a rummage sale. Wearing cheap clothing and a cloak, no one realized he was Myrus Marcellus Silvers, the only son of the late Queen Meliscente. He became just another boy in the crowd and he found solace in that. His hands continued to shake as he read from the page. While the Castle did not have much of a religious presence, he had become a believer in the legends of the Land of Long Nights - of gods who could intervene in the affairs of man. Maybe, if he prayed enough, they might fix him. [center][color=#FF0000]"Hail Thor, slayer of giants and trolls, defender of Midgard... Darkness gathers on the horizon and troubling times lay ahead. I call to you for strength to face these challenges... Mighty Thor, as you defend Midgard, so too shall I aid you in its defense standing up for the Earth and its people. As you stride into Jotunheim to challenge the giants, may I have the courage to go forth and challenge those I oppose... As you uncover deception and illusion in your travels, may I have the bravery to confront those who seek to harm with treachery... And as you take great risk to fight for Midgard, may I persevere in the face of opposition for the sake of doing what is right. So be it..."[/color][/center][hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=#cc33ff]Antonije Magnisky[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://i.postimg.cc/j50qJXxS/LDZC.gif[/img][hr][color=#cc33ff][b]Location:[/b][/color] Number 40 Alchemie Way - the Basement[/center][hr] Antonije had begrudgingly adjusted to having less freedom than he had been accustomed to - as horrible as Constance had been to him, she more or less neglected him for a good portion of the year. He was able to live on his own, as well as come and go as he pleased. And while it was certainly lonely, Antonije was hardly a huge fan of people. Most people, in his experience, would stop at nothing and spare no one to get what they wanted. The world was filthy and cruel - so why be part of it? However, as he looked at the warm sleeping creature in his arms, there was the hint of a smile on his face. He wondered what Тетка would say - though he had a feeling that Myth knew that Sylvi had spent the night with him. And that it wasn't by any means the first time. He pulled her a little closer to him, closing his eyes as he kissed her forehead softly. It was easy to see why she was born to rule a country - and his Silvija probably was the only person in the world pure enough to rule. [color=#cc33ff][i]Silvija, wake up~[/i][/color] he prodded her mentally. However, Antonije didn't release his grip on her or even move to allow her to get dressed for the day. They had time before they'd need to get ready for Тетка's wedding - though, he guessed it was Bruce's wedding too. Kind of. [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20In-EWFOhc[/youtube][/center]