Open Chronicles Where The Autumn Leaves Fall - Halloween Costume Party Event!

[IdlingMuse]

The Balance of nature shifts in rhythmic motions once again. From the scorching heights of Summer to now, now toward the slow freezing and stillness of Winter. Whether one took to the energy and heat of Summer as inspiration and light, or considered it overwhelming and uncomfortable- or saw the placid stillness and beauty of Winter or considered it a numbing, slow death- the Seasons turned all the same.

But between these two extremes when the frenetic edges of Summer heat abated to a breeze-swept warmth, when the health and vibrancy of green leaves plumed into a panoply of orange-yellow hues, the Balance of nature took on an altogether different perspective beneath the watchful eye of the Autumn Court. For in this time where nature itself cooled the abatement of nature’s own vibrancy gave way to celebration and festival in the less extreme weather. Crops were harvested from the fields, food flowed in abundance, and what excess could be spared in the wake of Winter was put to task in balancing Nature’s cry for subdual and stillness with mortal life rising in celebration before the cold.

Mortals in service to the Autumn Court, at the behest of Prince Lorcan, have arranged for a festival to be arranged in the north of the Ixchel Wilds. Near enough to the Portal Stone there to allow for convenient attendance. Any and all who receive one of the magical invitations dispersed throughout Arethil will see that the party is themed, requiring all in attendance to don some sort of costume or ensemble. To guise themselves in the countenance of another being, specific or general, so as to enjoy the revelry and show their creativity in equal measure.

A spectacle of floating lanterns and nature shaped just a bit to resemble civilization will await any who decide to attend. The raw wild of Ixchel and the safety of civilization held in perfect harmony for all to enjoy.

The festivities include a grand feast held within an ancient tree, its insides shaped to be both hearth and home for any wishing to partake in any of the delicacies available. A series of games and competitions ranging from attempting to catch wild animals, to bobbing for apples, tying contestants together for a two-legged race, and much more! A stage is also present for various songs, plays and dramas to be enacted at the whim of the guests!

Last but certainly not least!

A panel of judges at the Prince’s behest will be judging the costumes on display (Polls to be held) for the following categories!

The Most Unique Costume!

Scariest Costume!

Cutest Costume!

And lastly: The Most Colorful Costume!​

 

[Vaezhasar Drakspae]

The stone archway that served as the portal gate had stood dormant for the better part of the day, its surface rippling occasionally with faint prismatic disturbances that suggested the thinning of dimensional boundaries on this particular night of festival and masquerade. Now, however, it blazed with sudden purpose.

The air before the portal shimmered and crackled with energies that defied casual nomenclature. What emerged was not the expected reveler in costume, but rather something altogether more ambiguous in its provenance.

The conveyance appeared first: a disc approximately six feet in diameter, hovering some three feet above the ground with the serene confidence of an object utterly indifferent to the terrestrial concept of gravity. Its surface displayed an enormous eye wrought in turquoise and cobalt, the pupil a dark cosmos unto itself, complete with what appeared to be stellar formations. Golden horns, each inscribed with intricate spiraling patterns, projected from the disc's perimeter at cardinal points. Flames in shades of crimson, amber, and rose-gold writhed about the construct's edges, though they generated no detectable heat and consumed nothing. Lightning in violet and white cascaded across its surface in patterns that suggested either profound purpose or magnificent accident.

Upon this improbable vehicle stood its equally improbable passenger.

The figure commanded immediate attention through both stature and appointment. Robes of deep cerulean flowed about a form that stood perhaps seven feet in height, the garments trimmed and accented with gold that caught the ambient light with uncomfortable enthusiasm. The being's head was crowned with an elaborate helm from which fingers, yes, fingers, rose like gold-plated antlers, their points curling in patterns that hurt the eye to follow too closely. Where a face might be expected, there resided instead a visage that blended bovine and draconic features, with one singular slit indicating an eye that glowed the same unsettling blue as the flames crowning its head.

Four arms extended from beneath the layered robes. One hand grasped a staff topped with additional blue flame, another held what appeared to be a grimoire bound in materials better left unexamined, a third wielded a lantern that cast prismatic light through its ornate cage, while the fourth rested upon a large dagger whose pommel bore disturbing familiarity to the eye-motif of the transport disc. Various arcane implements and artifacts hung from the figure's belt and person, each humming with its own particular frequency of power.

The being surveyed the gathering with the air of one who had arrived not fashionably early, but rather precisely when intended, and who remained uncertain whether the destination merited the journey. A cape of darkest burgundy, almost black, billowed behind the figure despite the notable absence of any breeze.

Whether this represented an extraordinarily committed interpretation of the evening's costume theme or something rather more authentic in nature remained, for the moment, an open question.