RP:Yule Celebration 2022
This is a Mage's Guild RP.
Summary: The Mage’s Guild hosts Lithrydel’s annual Yule celebration! There is food, drinks, and a snow sculpture game. Quintessa is crowned this year’s Yule Queen.
Xalious Tree
Nestled at the edge of the southern cliff is an enormous tree. It towers some three hundred feet into the air, stretching outward nearly as wide; the soft sapphire glow of its enchanted boughs filling the vicinity with a soothing aura of metamagical power. The leaves are a rich golden hue with each vein therein shining in brilliant silver contrast; each one having the striking resemblance to a large human hand. Each sun-kissed leaf seems to move of its own volition, slowly writhing and reaching in all different directions to get the best angle of the sun as the daylight passes, then to drink in any soft moonlight that shines down on the mountains. The bark is a rich charcoal black near the base, though taking on a deep brown hue as it extends upward into the canopy. The mighty Xalious Tree, which appeared when the Archmage Xalious died and ascended to assume the divine role as God of Magic, stands in majestic beauty as an eternal symbol of the mortal's ascension. As you look closer into the tree you see an inscription carved deep into the bark. There is nothing else here but a field of carefully kept grass and some of the late Archmage’s followers who have come to bask and worship in this sacred tree's presence. An old and faded note seems to have been posted on the tree's base.
To the west appears to be a merchant's shop. To the north is the town well.
Valrae || A thick carpet of freshly fallen white snow covered the Xalious mountain range. It was no different at the base of the miraculous tree. Surrounded in a world of shimmering white, the Xalious tree rose proud. It was adorned in twinking, warm mage light that blinked festively in its gently swaying branches as cold wind buffeted the mountain side. The lower branches were covered in ornaments of hand tied silver and gold bows, pine cones covered in bird seed and dried oranges that tempted snowbirds and cardinals to rest and sing gentle songs as they enjoyed the winter offerings. The space that had been dedicated to hosting Lithrydel’s annual Yule celebration had been prepared by both magical and mundane means. While heavy snowfall continued to rain plump flurries of snowflakes over Xalious, the area surrounding the tree was enchanted to keep the area warm and dry. There were smaller, bare trees circling the area and covered in twinkling multi-colored lights and ornaments. Tables covered in red and green cloth threaded with silver and gold were heavy with food and drink, spiced wines and hearty harvest foods covered their surfaces in such amounts that it was a wonder they didn’t groan under their weight. The floor’s enchantment made it so that it appeared as a smooth, glassy mirror of ice. There were small round tables with holly branches and white candles for sitting. A dance floor underneath glowing red and green lights had been placed near the small dais that housed the band of pixies. They played upbeat, festive songs and danced in fur lined Yule costumes. Mistletoe hung over an archway of delicately woven pine branches for lovers to crowd around and steal kisses. There was an area of snow partitioned off with red rope and golden bells. A tall mage in silver and blue robes herded people to and from with instructions on how to enter a snow sculpture contest, offering gold coins to all who participate.
Valrae sat at a long table of green, covered with pine branches and ripe winter berries, and siped delicately at her bubbling glass of champagne. She’d worn a dress made of magic as much as silk, a long white sheath that left her back and shoulders bare. Enchanted to look as if she had decided to drape herself in the blizzard itself, the white fabric seemed to be a thick fall of snow that flurried around her ankles and trailed away in the short train. Her shoulders were covered in a shawl of faux fur, tied neatly with a golden ribbon that rested in a bow on her collar. Her hair was an intricate weave of sunny braids that circled her head. Holly and red ribbons had been braided into the golden length of it, giving it the appearance of a festive crown. She sat amongst her peers and made casual small talk as she picked at a plate of slowly chilling squash and roasted potatoes.
Meri is here against her better judgment, at the demand of her darling daughter. There was nothing against anyone hosting the festivities. Okay, maybe Meri is not keen on Lanlan but shhh. Really Meri’s concern was that there has been so many incidents surrounding this Tree, would this party go off without a hitch? But Fleur really wanted to check things out so here the two of them are. Mother and daughter are dressed very differently. Meri is in her usual style of dress, black pants, black boots, etc etc. Fleur is in a cute green that is appropriate in style for a young girl. It's got long sleeves, and it's got silver fur lining the cuffs and collars. Perfect for keeping warm. Since there appearance is going to be a brief one, Fleur is demanding first thing that they find the sweets. Yule treats are so yummy, you know.
Quintessa arrives at the event having descended from the Xalious Tower. It’s unclear how long the changeling has been in Xalious but she has apparently been here long enough to acquire an outfit for the Yule Party. Dressed in black and wine red tartan, Quintessa’s dress is long-sleeved and knee-length, fitted with an unused ebon fur-lined hood and deep pockets in the front. A matching red tartan scarf is left stylishly half-wrapped around her neck, enough to flow behind her when the breeze was just right and caught the light fabric. Upon her head she wears a black fur mink cap, her raven hair pinned back beneath it to show off her long, slender neck. Large, silver snowflake earrings dangle from her ears, matching the ruby encrusted snowflake that hangs from her necklace. On her fingers she wears a ring on almost every one of them, varied and simple so as to not outshine the black-gold emerald engagement ring that rests on her left hand, and on her feet she wears long, black knee-high boots with the same black-fur lining as her other clothes. Quintessa eschews her eyepatch today, opting instead to casually show off the serpentine eye she had acquired some time ago, hidden for some reason known only to Quintessa herself. As she makes her way through the crowd she cannot help but wonder how she will be received. Until very recently she was regarded as a criminal here and she knew word of her true alliances and intentions would not have spread as far as she hoped- Word of her pending trial and her of her current cooperation with Valrae and Lanlan would have only just reached the common people. Quintessa is concerned about this but this wariness and exhaustion was easily hidden behind a mask of makeup, an attempt to hide the scars and fade away the shakeup. However, the warlock would try to forget about all that and enjoy herself the best she could, her guilt left to fester in the gray space between her subconscious and conscious thought, a practiced, artificial smile left stuck upon her pale face as she approaches her peers.
Zahrani || Two felines, one young and one old, make their way towards the Xalious tree, each bearing a staff and garbed in festive yuletide winter robes. The elder, Matriarch Roahin, ‘retired’ terramancer and current Grand-Mother of the Isran Collective, speaks in a feline language to Amir, a snow-leopard lad with icy-blue eyes and a knack for frosty magic. It’s his favorite time of the year; his 13th winter. The teen offers a feline grin to the salt-and-pepper-furred elder, answering with an amused, but respectful tone. The matriarch quizzed the boy on his most recent magical studies while they made their way west form Cenril. Amir’s robe is particularly eye-catching. The hem, hood, and sleeves are lined with a frosted white fur, and the outer fabric itself has an almost crystalline sheen, the textile interwoven with the lad’s own magic. Roahin goes for something more muted, the elder woman less inclined to steal the show. Her robe is an elegant muted evergreen, with silver accents. Amir’s eyes light up at the Xalious tree, and he wanders over to its trunk to bask in the warm lights, waving at any classmates he might see. The Matriarch of the Isran Collective makes her way over to Valrae, a look of admiration at the witch’s dress. “You look lovely as always, my friend.” The black-and-silver feline woman takes a seat, resting her terramancer’s staff against her shoulder.
Cresente was not sure why he decided to follow the event flyers directions to come here. Was it because the mighty Xalious Tree was only a stone's throw away from the avian settlement in the southern skies? Dark eyes scan the festivities, as if searching for someone in particular. He is dressed simply in a thick leather overcoat that conceals whatever weapons might be beneath. Turning his head away from the guests, he takes a look at the empty field of snow set up for the snowman building contest. "Hmm."
Joan had only recently come out from her studies just to catch flyers being handed out about the Yule festival. The scholarly woman had not really bothered with changing into an outfit before coming as she normally was always clothed in a smart two piece ladies pants suit set. In her normal colors of purple, black, white and silver the vampire entered and looked about, a small smile set in place as she milled about, her attention taken once she heard about the contest.
Valrae wasn’t pouting. Well, not exactly. She was concerned though. The Mage’s Guild was hosting this Yule event, Valrae herself had gone through considerable trouble helping arrange it and coordinate the decorating… And yet, Lanlan the Archmage was nowhere to be found. It wasn’t typical of him, either. He never would have missed a moment to commandeer the attention of a large crowd in order to make some grand, self important speech. So where was he? She didn’t know. So maybe she was pouting but only a little. Her smile appears at the sight of Roahin though. “Merry meet!” She greets the Matriarch brightly, dipping her head respectfully. “You look wonderful yourself.” She’s momentarily distracted by both Quintessa and Meri and Fleur’s entrance. She offers a small wave and smile for each of them but turns her attention back to her guest. “How have you been?”
Meri :: After Fleur raids the desert table, with her mother watching the entire time of course, the two both greet Quintessa with a wave. Fleur is more enthusiastic when greeting Tessa, but that should be attributed to her younger age and has nothing to do with any recent dramas involving Quintessa. Next up to be greeted is Valrae. Well, Meri greets Val with a polite wave while Fleur does a lap around the table in search of Val’s son. When Fleur does acknowledge Valrae, it is more of a, “Uh, hi, where is Finn?” Priorities. Finn is more fun to play with. Sorry Val.
Valrae looks up from her already forgotten food to grin at Meri and her daughter, who was adorable in her Yule dress, and waves enthusiastically. “Meri! Fleur! How are you?” She was smiling widely, clearly agreeing that locating Finn was the priority. “Finn is around here somewhere…” It was true, but he’d run off somewhere with his poor Auntie rushing after him. It only took her a second to find him. She located him by the shrill screams of happiness coming from the snow sculpture area. He’d been dressed in his own white fur over a tiny red suit. It was adorable, really. “Ah, he’s making…” She wasn’t sure what the lump of snow he was smashing together was. “A snowman.” She finishes generously.
Valrae || Finn is actually trying to make a very intimidating sculpture of everyone’s favorite Titan’s of Winter Champion, Shishi. He’s doing his very best and not letting his Auntie help him at all.
Quintessa offers a gentle wave of her hand to greet those that had caught her eye, but when Quintessa sees Meri and Fleur she cannot help but make her way directly over to them, almost jogging to meet her aunt. “Meri! Fleur! You’re here!” Quintessa certainly didn’t expect it and her excitement causes her to reach forward to bring each one into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you guys so much… And Magik too. I guess he couldn’t make it?” There is a hint of disappointment in her tone.
Cresente crouches down at the edge of the snow field, giving the substance a curious pat ill-befitting of a grown avian man. His attention is taken for a moment by the fur-clad child making a fairly decent snow-person. "I wonder if you would have liked this sort of thing." He murmurs to the snow. Well, there was little better to do. He just had to turn these into circles, right...?
Zahrani || Roahin dips her head in return, glancing in the direction that Valrae was looking, before turning back to the witch, "It's been a busy few weeks. Amir just turned 13 last month, and the Collective is preparing for its annual Yule parade." Amir, meanwhile, turns his fuzzy snow-leopard face towards the other guests arriving, before making his own way towards the snow sculpture contest area. It seems like something right up his alley. He finds an unused area and gets to work, gathering snow and ice while the Matriarch continues her conversation, "What about yourself? Surely arranging this was no easy feat."
Meri dips her head in a nod to answer Quintessa’s question, “Probably busy doing super important Guardian of Sage stuff, or something.” Or maybe he was just at home, like Meri would ever snitch on her husband. He was totally doing super important things. As for Fleur and Finn, the moment she spots her pal she is off! She will build a snowman next to Finn’s Shishi. The back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back champion is always accompanied by his daughter Orange. Fleur is doing well, but Finn’s is better.
Cresente, despite working with his bare hands, does not seem bothered holding the snow for extended periods of time. Working at the edge of the snow field as to not draw the curious murmurs of the other party-goers, constructs a knee-high statuette of what appears to be an avian woman with her arms crossed in front of her mid-section. There are no bits of coal or sticks adorning it, so the expression on the miniature woman is unreadable, as is the expression on Crescente's own.
Joan had spied ‘Tessa, she was offered a distracted wave in greeting, the others were give a polite nod as she passed by them all on her way towards the beverage table to snag herself a mug of hot cocoa, a small vial was used to spike it with a bit of warmed enchanted blood for the vampire.
Valrae nods to Roahin, “Oh happy birthday! The Yule parade, yes! I’d love to attend this year.” She takes another testing sip of her drink. “I could bring the coven with me, you know we love our Yule celebrations.” She laughs. Her Auntie was notorious for throwing weeks-long celebrations. With the birth of her son falling on the longest night of the year, the tradition had only gotten stronger and possibly more rowdy. Finn seemed to enjoy it though. “I’ve been well. It was no trouble, really. The Guild’s resources and members did most of the hard work, I just had to boss them around a little.” Her tone suggested this was mostly a joke.
Valrae || Finn greets Fleur with a happy jumble of words. It was probably “HEY FLEUR!” But sounded like, “HEFLE” in his excitement. Eventually, both of their efforts pay off. Sure, maybe the nose fell off and the snow sword he added, because everyone knows swords are cool, didn’t exactly stay in his snow hand but the snowman Shishi was menacing if a little lumpy. Maybe the Champ put on a little weight. Still, Finn looks proud of himself and Fleur. Orange was scary, even in snow form. He then wastes no time punching right into his creation as he screamed about becoming the new Titan of Winter.
Zahrani || Amir takes up a large chunk of snow, enclosing his hands around it as it takes shape with a soft incantation. A moment later, the snow solidifies into a singing bowl made of ice in one hand, and a rod of ice in the other. The snow-leopard mageling begins to run the rod across the lip of the bowl, causing it to vibrate with clear, undulating note. As if on cue, the snow in front of him gathers upward, coalescing into a humanoid figure. Packed snow makes up the skin and clothing, while clear ice makes up the eyes, tattoos, and wings. That’s right; wings. The teen does his best to manifest his memory of Brennia upon the snowscape; she had made a memorable impression on the children of the Isran Collective.
Joan had come to celebration to take a break from her studies and enjoy the chilly winter atmosphere, having heard and read about the contest the vampiric healer took long slow careful sips of her blood spiked hot cocoa taken from from the heavily weighted down beverage table, drink in hand the necromancer slash healer made her way towards the rope off contest area. Her mind awhirl while thoughts of what she could possibly make and shape into a snow sculpture for this interesting contest. Now close to finishing her first of many spiked hot cocoa mugs the amethyst hair colored woman made her way towards a small bit of clearing, walking back and forth to try to pack down some of the snow as her work area. The chilled weather already made for a decent snow pack, would she be able to bring her design of a small kraken raising up out of the snow to decent life?! Chewing at the left hand lower corner of her bottom lip with a fang the woman eyed the snow, perhaps the use of food coloring would also help, it might give her planned snow sculptured kraken better chance to stand out. If allowed. Since she just be working with the snow Joan made adjustments to the cuffs of her fingerless gloves, insuring the leather fit snug about her hands and fingers. Needing them to be fitted as she would be making small fine details of the planned tentacles, suckers, and small fangs. She sets to work soon after, her snow kraken taking rather decent shape while the finer details come out rather okay, Joan was not much of a sculpture but she was trying!
Valrae, from her vantage point at her table, seems very impressed with all of the snow art. “Oh, look at those lovely avian women.” She comments, thinking that Amir and Cresente had created magic with a bit of snow. Finn and Fleur also seemed to be doing very well. Well, Finns was slowly turning unrecognizable thanks to his tiny fists but it had looked nice before he chose violence!
Cresente takes note of the feline child making another avian woman, though the little mage's creation is larger and far more detailed than his miniature with the help of magic. With steps that appear not to make an indentation in the snow, he makes his way towards the larger avian snowperson. "A friend of yours?"
Joan wrinkles her nose as she stands back from her kraken snow sculpture, the overall shape came out, but it was her finer details that were lacking. But hey, for her first try it was good enough and for that Joan had snatched another hot mug of cocoa to celebrate!
Meri :: Fleur is working away on her snowman very happily, but as Meri explained prior to them heading out to the party – their stay would only be a brief one. Meri smirks at Finn and his punch at the Shi-man. “A couple more years and a lot of training, I bet you could take him.” Meri takes Fleur by her hand so that the two of them can make their way home before any chaos can hit the party. With more time to work on her snowman, maybe Fleur could have made it better. Anyway, Fleur and Meri wave goodbye to Tessa, Finn, and Valrae. Finn also gets an innocent hug goodbye from Fleur and a quick, “Bye! See you later.” Annnd they are off. Over the river, through the woods. Not to grandmother’s house, though.
Zahrani || Roahin nods in understanding at Val’s answer, before turning her own gaze upon Amir’s handiwork. She sighs, before commenting to Val, “She’s helped shape the fate of our Collective in an astonishing way. Our people have a home in the sky, thanks to her.” Amir silences his singing bowl, his calm icy gaze turning towards Cresente. The teen nods, looking down at the adult man’s smaller sculpture with a calm smile before saying, “I did my best.” He walks around his sculpture, taking in the details of the wings, the clothing that Bre would love wearing in Cenril, and occasionally patching up any signs of cracking or instability in the sculpture.
Cresente looks up at the crystalline eyes of the sculpture, and back to his miniature. "It is a great blessing to have another person in your life that you can trust with your entire heart. I believe your best showcased your feelings for her perfectly." Was that a smile on the older avian's face? He turns and departs to his snowperson, using a discarded feather from his wings to improve upon his own creation and add further details.
Valrae || Finn had puffed his little chest out and looked very proud at that moment. “Yeah! I’ll train forever.” He informs her, very seriously. As if that were possible or his mom would let him. He seems a little disappointed when Fleur leaves but it was cured with more snow punching and a break for hot chocolate and a hug from mom. Valrae was smushing him in her arms and making him squeal with delight and fake protests. She pauses to nod once more at Roahin. “Many blessings for her for that.” Then it was time for her to leave the table and announce the winner of the Yule King or Queen. She leaves him in the capable hands of Auntie Belinda and takes her place toward the center of the festivities. The band reaches a natural pause. “Merry Yule!” Her voice magically reaches around the large crowd. “I have the honor of announcing this year’s Yule queen. Quintessa! Congratulations!” She waits for the changeling to near before placing a crown of juniper upon her head and an magical snowglobe of Xalious in her hands.
Joan wiggles her chilled nose after she finishes up her cocoa, using just her bare exposed sharpen finger nails the vampiric healer makes better define work on her mini snow kraken design, seemly content she then looks about at the other folks and their snow sculptures, admiring the work of the children then those of her competitors.
Zahrani || Amir nods to Cresente, catching the smile as he finishes with his Brennia snow sculpture, the teen staring up at the ice-tattooed face. The expression is more neutral than he remembers, but it is undoubtedly her. The boy sighs, hoping that wherever the Avian woman is now, that she is okay. The feline mage’s thoughts are also with Zahrani, their resident paladin of Cyris. The kraken sculpture nearby snaps him out of his melancholy, a big grin forming on his face at the sheer awesomeness of Joan’s creation.
Joan also cheers for ‘Tessa as she is crowned and given that fancy snow globe.
Quintessa approaches Valrae and removes her mink hat so she can accept her crown. The changeling is already beaming by the time she reaches her. “Yule Queen? I’ve never been a Yule Queen before!” She kneels down for the braided juniper crown and takes the snowglobe gingerly, holding it up for all to see. “It’s beautiful! Thank you so very much everyone.”
Clovelia casually strolls to the crunching of festivities. A snowman contest! Along side, a friend from enchantment speaks cheerily with her arms ladened. If anyone knew the new face, they would know her as Poly. The two teens wand off to the edges of the great Xalious tree, drop their burden, and get to work! Clove creates a snowball, Poly following suit. Together they wink for they believe they have the best idea yet. In their bundle, a flannel shirt, gathered pine needles, a few sticks, and… whats this, a stein from the Kelay Tavern? Is that… Mesthak’s cleaning rag? It appears the girls are pulling one over the ole Keeper of the pub by making him into a snow man. Poly is seen as ready for the Frostmaw wilds. Surely she isn’t that cold for this wintery game. The girls cackle quietly to one another as Poly, herself, tosses herself on the ground to become an animated tavern owner.
Zahrani || Roahin joins Amir at the Brennia sculpture, putting a hand on the lad’s shoulder before saying, “I miss her too.” The young mage offers a smile, before turning back to Cresente and saying, “My name is Amir, by the way. What is yours?” The felines are certainly polite, and with their second home in Schezerade, they would certainly not give an avian the cold shoulder (no pun intended).
Joan said to Quintessa. “Congratulations! By the way could I possibly snag you for a chat about training?”
Valrae smiles warmly at Tessa as she accepts her winning gifts before moving back toward her table with Finn. His eyes were heavy as he leaned on his little chubby hands, clearly ready to head home for the night. Belinda collected him up and the three of them said quick goodbyes before their carriage arrived to take them back to Cenril.
Clovelia bends to start her ball into growing layers across the ground. Poly, who chooses to toss her ball playfully at Clove, snickers, then lays herself upon the ground. She seems like a child having a bit of fun, maybe a snow angel in progress. Who knows. Soon Poly has disappeared around a few trees while she continues to roll. Clove finishes up her ball, now grown into a hefty pumpkin size, and sets it aside in favor of the supplies they brought. There is now a rolling log of snow mimicking a weeble-wabble. One tree *bump*. Another *bump* “Over here!” The log continues to drunkenly (with cheer and fun, we’re sure) shuffle over to Clove. The dryad is bent over, half split for the humor of this snow. She guides her wobbly friend to the submissions for the contest. Next task, toss her ball on the top, the head of her snow man. “Now put your arms out” A muffled giggle escapes the chest of the “man”, then the flannel is tugged on. “Cup.” The hand grabs the stein handle, second with the other hand out, waiting for the rag. “Almost there!” The finishing touches, pine needles and small twigs start being added to the head for hair and beard. “Done!” Clove shoves her finger in a few chest places, creating holes for Poly to see and breath a bit more easily. Between the holes, and the tree bumps, Mesthak is a bit lumpy and the handprints pushing the needles in are a bit deep but hey, who cares, the girls had fun. Poly, rather a snowman, spins for Clove. Clove approves. The two figures walk/weeble a little toward the crowd where their snowman creation starts washing it’s mug and grunting as Mesthak always does about the ridiculous conversations the barkeep hears. An excellent impression until a giggle fit over takes them, causing Poly to fall to the ground and lose part of her coating of snow. Still, the two keep up the light hearted impression for just a few moments more.
Joan gave each of her competitors a happy grin and nod as she wanders pass each snow sculpture on her way out of the area and back towards where ‘Tessa was, the vampire needing to speak with the changeling.
Cresente gives a cursory look back at the matriarchal feline and the young mage before bowing his head in acknowledgement. "You may call me Corvidae."
Quintessa said to Joan "Thank you. I suppose we can *talk* about training but... Did Khitti not tell you? We'll have to wait until my suspension is concluded before I can teach you again, unfortunately."
Joan blinks a few times in surprise, she did get that letter, but she didn’t dwell on contents. “Oh my! I didn’t know it went that far.” Thoughtful for a moment. “Hmm, it should be fine if you give me pointers and assignments, yes?”
Quintessa is very hesitant to answer Joan’s question, she doesn’t want to say the wrong thing. Finally she relents and parts her lips to respond. “I should really speak to Khitti personally regarding it but… I suppose there is no harm in giving you advice. I cannot, however, give you an official assignment. I’m really trying not to get in any more trouble with our guild leader, you understand, and that might cross the line.”
Joan bobs her chin as she listens to ‘Tessa as the younger woman speaks to the vampiric healer. “Yes, you are right, sorry I’ve had my head buried in studies, along with helping Pyde out. And there is the work on my personal contribution to the guild’s library to finish up. All I recall after my testing with Khitti was that I needed to seek you out. It’s my own fault for pushing off coming to you right away. Could we schedule a day and time to meet and catch up?” Joan ask before snatching up another hot cocoa, sipping as she looked over the rim of her mug towards the changeling.
Quintessa relaxes a bit when it appears as though Joan understands why she can’t simply agree to teach her at the moment, and she offers the vampire a soft smile. “It’s quite alright. We both have been keeping ourselves very busy it seems- I can’t wait to read your contributory text either. In the coming weeks I will likely have a free moment we can catch up in my citadel. There are things other than the Necromancer’s Guild I’d like to get your opinion on as well.”
Joan slurps up the last dregs of her spiked hot cocoa in a quite manner, some places consider it rude if you didn’t make enjoyment sounds while enjoying their food and beverages and Joan was trying to be polite. She had a slight cocoa favored foam mustache riding her upper lip that she dab away with the use of a handkerchief she produced from her pants pocket. “Sounds like a plan, send me a letter or note then. And once more congratulations on being crowned Yule queen. Now if you will excuse me, I need to return back to my cottage and bury myself back into my studies.” With that Joan would excuse herself and exit the event heading back to Vailkrin and home. Mordan read the yule note.