Agenda | December 2018

[khuimods]

✽ DECEMBER 2018 Hello Dreamers! Happy holidays and year-end celebrations to all! We know that December can be a busy month, and the same is true for Aifaran. A storm is brewing...  • CITY DEVELOPMENTS •   The year is coming to a close, and although the tense standoff between workers and law enforcement continues it doesn't erupt into anything truly violent. A few scraps here and there lead to arrests of both civilians and Sentry members (who are soundly reprimanded for setting a poor example). The Sentry gets more egg on its face when investigations into Chihuelan smuggling point to some of their own members; a call goes up to root out corruption across the force, and it's getting support from both city officials and Alliance legislators. Amid that turmoil, the nine races of the Alliance and the influence of Dreamfolk past and present have built a rich foundation of year-end traditions. Each formerly autonomous country has at least one major celebration that has been preserved through the centuries, and shades of smaller or less well-known ones continue to be passed down. The details of the traditions are as wide and varied as the people themselves, and there are plenty of opportunities to join in on the festivities. The cooler temperatures of last month continue into December and stabilize - it's sweater weather at worst. For the first few weeks, skies are clear and although the days are short, they are bright. A stiff wind does begin to pick up by the second week, blustering through the streets and occasionally carrying away anything light that isn't properly secured. A sunny year-end seems to be in the cards - until the days just preceding the winter solstice. A storm of the century is coming for the archipelago.  • JOB OPENINGS •   Aifaran's economy has strong pillars in both monetary and barter systems for work, and as such there are always a wealth of opportunities for temporary work both inside the city and in other locations around the archipelago. While these positions are not strictly geared toward Dreamfolk, and anyone can take them up regardless of whether they already have steady employment elsewhere or not, new Dreamfolk in particular find them helpful to help get their feet under them. Some of this month's temporary work positions are: SINGING TELEGRAM - December may be the season of giving gifts, but sometimes those gifts aren't physical. Several companies and a few charities are offering the gift of voices! This may not always involve singing, but will involve knocking on doors and delivering messages (some of which may be embarrassing or completely opaque in meaning). The positions are paid by commission, and if you have a good voice you'll get a little extra. Be warned: costumes are required. SAND, MEET BAG - While the city has adequate systems in place to handle steady rains, the heavy storms will quickly overwhelm them. Many of the low-lying neighborhoods near the bay are at risk. The flat plains outside the city habitually keep the worst of the flooding at bay with levees and protective sandbag barriers, and those need significant reinforcing. Volunteers are shuttled out to the affected areas before the storm strikes and as the fierce weather allows, and Dreamfolk with earth-sculpting skills are in particularly high demand this month, whether through natural abilities of through the use of their Talents, but regular workers needed to fill and haul the heavy bags for use in the city are critical as well. The work itself is on the harder and more labour-intensive side, but volunteers will usually receive an abundance of home-cooked food while they're on their breaks, and the appreciation of those they're helping. RESPONSE UNITS - With city resources spread too thin by the storm, emergency volunteers are being tasked as area response units. These individuals will be a designated point of contact for everyone on their street, apartment building, or similar. They will disseminate information provided by city officials and report back on flooding, resource access, and any dangerous situations that pose a threat to life and limb. If possible, they are also to record the less predictable elements of the storm but not engage with them. Dreamfolk may also be asked to disperse to locations around the city to lend their innate abilities and learned Talents to the disaster efforts.  • UPCOMING EVENTS •   ✽ SHARDS OF CALADBOLG   { Throughout December } Caladbolg is a living magical greatsword gifted to Trahearne by the Pale Tree, which he used up until his death in his home world. Driven at first by rumor, Trahearne and several other Dreamfolk investigated on a trek outside the city and found the sword in a shattered and powerless state. After recovering the broken Caladbolg in last month, Trahearne will be asking for help in tracking down the other pieces of the sword, which have started popping up around Aifaran. The search begins as the year comes to a close. Note: This event is part of a player plot, and will have a player-posted log and/or network broadcast available for threading. ✽ YEAR-END TRADITIONS   { Throughout December } Rather than one large festival, the month of December is dotted with the rich culture of the Ioduan Alliance. Markets offer a bounty of specialty foods and gifts, and there is a determined effort to raise cheer in the city. The sea-loving Castians engage in fishing and sailing competitions, the latter of which include high-speed races that are able to advantage of the steady winds this month. While you may be allowed to enter a race, you will be encouraged to stick to the sands and watch so you don't get injured. Many individuals from races formerly of Tavimbi (Igheeri, Sinayg, Muin, and Kin'nal) and many Bresilykians took a liking to Yule traditions of Dreamfolk, as they herald from frigid lands. Roaring fire pits (or fireplaces, for smaller gatherings) are the ideal setting for sharing food, wine, and good stories of the year. Have a seat among strangers and they'll quickly become friends (for the night, if not longer), intent on teaching you their favorite solstice and drinking songs. These are among the rare occasions when any remaining friction between the four Tavimbian races evaporates. Ugly sweaters tend to be a grand equalizer. Speaking of ugly sweaters, there are ugly sweater competitions! No one really understands where this came from or why it's so popular, but it's one of the favorite events regardless of origin. Knitters vie for top marks in categories based on species (after all, what fits a Castian will not fit an Igheeri), creativity, and the coveted overall prize for Ugliest Aifaran Sweater. The Ban Om hold a special ceremony dedicated each year to Tu Vishan, who dove between the planes 566 years ago. Prayers are offered for his success and safe return and each person receives a green, turtle-shaped token for luck. Held at the central temple, all are welcome to attend. These are just a sampling of the events and traditions taking place this month - there is something for everyone, and if not then you'll be encouraged to start a new tradition! Happy Solstice, everyone. Note: This event will not have a mod-posted log available for threading. ✽ SHAKING THE ROOTS - STORM OF THE CENTURY   { Dec 21 - Dec 30 } The winter solstice brings with it not only the darkness of long nights, but of thunderclouds. As the year comes to a close, a massive storm gathers abruptly on the horizon and climate scientists raise an alert that it is on a direct path to make landfall. By the 21st, the storm grows large enough to shroud the entire archipelago well beyond the protective barrier, and slams into the islands with the force of a hurricane. Rain and wind lash the city and surrounding lands, causing heavy flooding in some of the low-lying areas. The piers are quickly closed and frantic calls put out to assist with the securing of boats and ships, made difficult by the roiling waves. Although the days should soon be growing longer, it's hard to see the sun; clouds and fog block out the stars and cast an ominous shade over Aifaran. Sentry, city, and Alliance officials are overwhelmed as they attempt to manage the emergency as smoothly and effectively as possible. Shelters and emergency medical services are arranged at the Ioduan Academy, the Dreaming Bridge, and several other large community spaces. Religious temples above the flood zones fling open their doors to refugees. Anyone with the ability to influence water or weather, or with healing skills, are requested to provide assistance to mitigate the damage. By the 23rd, it becomes clear that the storm isn't going anywhere - and that it is no ordinary storm. Trees spring up where lightning strikes, whether they are rooted in soil or not. Scattered reports from other cities indicate they are under blizzard-like conditions, complete with thundersnow. Eddies form that enhance or neutralize powers, sometimes encompassing an area the size of a house. They linger for a day at most, but their effects last for up to a week. Rumors abound that some eddies lead to other worlds connected through the Dreaming; people speak in hushed whispers of spying black glass, crystal, and alabaster. On the 31st, the storm begins to clear in random patches, allowing columns of blinding sunlight to break through. The clearings grow in size and frequency as the rain tapers off. Stars gleam brightly again when night falls, the moon a white sliver in a now-cloudless sky. But as dawn rises on the New Year it lays bare wounds sustained all across the archipelago, and there is a new mystery on the horizon... Note: This event will have a mod-posted log available for threading.  • AFFINITY RANKS •   Remember to check out your character's AFFINITY RANK for the various areas of repute within the city! This month's Affinity Activities can be found LOCATED HERE.  • OOC INFO & MOD NOTES •   December AC As part of our preparation for next year, December will be check-in AC with a survey component. We will be working on outlining overarching metaplot and will be presenting elements of this structure for consideration by the players. To ensure we get enough responses, we'll be including the survey response as a required part of December AC, so keep an eye out for the survey early in the month. Use this post for plotty purposes if you'd like, brainstorm what your character might be interested in doing, laugh over your affinity ranks, anything you want - this post is yours!