#ahqevent

Nothing could have prepared young Elio for the chaos and destruction that had ravaged the village of Athos that night. He was a wreck as he rushed to the infirmary, trying his best to hold it together for the others. He had a job to do. There were several wolves that had been badly burned while attempting to put out the flames. Him being one of them. He’d gone to work, carefully tending to his patients in an emotional frenzy. He was shaking, tears welling up in his eyes that obstructed his vision. “I’m so sorry”, he said to one of the patients as he frantically cleaned their wound. It was obvious that his physical and emotional state was preventing him from doing his job properly. He stopped when he felt someone beside him, taking his hand and staring at the large burn on his forearm. “I-I’m okay. Really.” Elio couldn’t bring himself to look at the other because he knew very well that he wasn’t okay. He was a mess and he needed help too. “Please. Just... just let me help. I need to help.”

– ♡ event 002. FOR FAME AND GLORY ( pt. 1 )

The Annual Highwinds Tournament is now open!

Test your mettle against the strongest, the cleverest and the swiftest Fae 

 Prove your worth to the High Courts of Astralis, and become a legend

➤ THE BASICS

The Autumn Court, in an effort to affirm their status as a powerful Court after an early blow against their people, have decided to continue with one of their oldest and most cherished traditions. The Highwinds Tournament is a yearly event hosted on their lands, where in true Autumn spirit, Fae and humans alike congregate to decide who among them is the most illustrious through a series of competitions and events. Overseen by the High Lord of Autumn, the highly-anticipated games of skill, strength, and wit are seen as the height of sportsmanship within Astralis.

Many have attributed these friendly matches to the lasting peace between the Courts, and Autumn takes great pride in its role as a mediator. However, this year’s tournament is rife with tension, and there are more than a few rumours going about that this competition will devolve into something worse. However, the lure of lucrative awards and fresh gossip have nobility and commoners alike flocking to the eastern Court, for the Highwinds Tournament is a most welcome distraction from more troubling developments elsewhere.

➤ ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES OFFERED

Some of the amenities offered at this week-long event will include. . .

- An all-participants-welcome dueling tournament, where ambitious warriors and mages seek to put their skills to the test against Astralis’ finest. The tournament will go on the full duration of the festival, offering many opportunities for the lowborn to catch the eye of a prospective sponsor, and for nobles to establish their reputations among their kin. The prize for the winner is a substantial one- thousands of gold coins and an enchanted artifact of repute, to be presented at the conclusion of the finals.

- Competitions of all manner will be available at this event, including contests of archery, horseback-riding, hunting, magecraft, and aerial races through the steep valleys around the Highwinds Glen. Autumn officials, with representative oversight from the ally courts of Spring and Winter, will see to the fairness of these events.

- The main event of the Highwinds Tournament is known as the Trials of Oberon, allegedly named after the first High Laird of Autumn who was known as an individual of exceptional talent. This is a contest that is not for the faint of heart, for it will have participants test their might against ferocious beasts, head-scratching puzzles, and the final task: an enchanted maze where life-threatening danger lurks around every corner. Each Court has volunteered a challenge for this maze courtesy of their kingdom to test the character, wit, and strength of the champions. To win the Trials is to be considered one of the highest honors to be found in Astralis.

- Guest lodgings have all been booked out for the week, in homely inns and in sprawling estates all over Autumn. Expect loud, crowded, but hospitable lodgings and close encounters with strangers from across the Courts. Those with more amourous inclinations, however, will not find a lack of private alcoves and cabins for their leisurely use.

- The Highwinds Glen, an already vibrant and excitable city, has pulled out all the stops for this renowned tournament. City-wide feasting and full taverns are expected, and the streets will find themselves home to some of the finest buskers available. Guest may also expect to find more than a few ‘unofficial’ gambling operations throughout these taverns, particularly in the form of unsanctioned fights between commoners looking to make quick coin.

➤ CELEBRATING OUR CHAMPIONS

This is Astralis HQ’s first ever “two leg” event. At the end of the festivities, there will be a grand ball to celebrate the victors from each Court and the sportsmanship of Astralis uniting for the Highwinds Tournament. Participants from the Trials of Oberon will be given special favor from the High Rulers for surpassing and engaging in their intricate challenges. This portion of the weeklong celebration will be announced by the admins as we gear up for part two of the event. Part one is strictly for the festivities leading up to the grand ball.

➤ THE HUMAN RESISTANCE’S ROLE

The human resistance has made quite a name for themselves over the past few months, and any information leading to their capture, especially in the Autumn Court, offers a lucrative award to the informant. However, the resistance has no intention of remaining idle during such a prominent tournament. A few agents have entered as participants in the gladitorial battles, determined to prove their mettle in a public setting. However, this is mostly a ruse, for the real threat lurks among the nameless, faceless servants supporting the event. 

- ̗̀  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

➤ CAN I CONTINUE MY NON-EVENT THREADS DURING THE EVENT?

This event is mandatory to participate in--either as a participant, a spectator, or as a representative of their Court. While the event is going on, we do ask that you only start fresh, event-related threads and make them a priority. Inclusivity is also a huge factor in propelling an event forward, so be sure you’re plotting with a wide range of muns for this event!

➤ HOW LONG WILL THE EVENT LAST FOR?

As of right now, the event is set to start on Wednesday, February 3rd, at 9 AM EST and last for approximately three weeks. The first part of the event will end on Wednesday, February 24th at 11:59 PM EST. After this, the group will go on a 4 day activity break to prepare for the second leg of this epic event, during which time the group’s next plot drop will be put into effect. The second half of the event will last from March 1st to March 15th. More information regarding start times for the second leg of this event will be posted in the coming weeks.

➤ WHAT SHOULD I BE TAGGING POSTS WITH?

As of right now, you should not be posting anything (outfits or otherwise) until the start of the event. When you begin posting outfits, starters, threads, etc., we ask that you use ahqevent2 and NOT ahqevent. Feel free to tag the @ahqstart sideblog for all open starters you post for the event, bearing in mind that the same starter rules will apply once there’s more than 4-5 open event-related starters in the tag.

➤ WHAT WILL THE TRIALS OF OBERON BE FROM SPECIFIC COURTS?

Svala had been sure to avoid her brother and leave him to his devices, but once she saw him a smirk came to her voice and she had to take the opportunity to either scare him or slightly embarrass him. She snuck up behind him, straightening her back a little more before booming over his shoulder, “are you enjoying yourself? You’re going to stare holes through them if you stare any harder?” She smirked noticing his eyes a two women. “You should go talk to them.” She smiled, brushing her shoulder against his, “perhaps Tatiana won’t be the only one I marry off this year.” She laughed her brow raising suggestively at him, “or if you prefer something more... temporary.”

– ♡ event 002. FOR FAME AND GLORY ( pt. 2 )

For the latest development see the latest plot drop here...

➤ THE BASICS

As with all ends of the tournament, the Autumn Court planned to conclude the competitions with a glorious and elaborate awards ceremony, where champions would be crowned and coomplishments would be celebrated. As a sign of good faith, High Rulers and their partners were each invited to present an award at this formal event, which would then be followed by a full night of Autumn-style merriment.

However, in the midst of these opening ceremonies, with citizen and soldier alike bedecked in their finest attire, the Resistance has once again emerged from the shadows in a move that is far more brazen than anything ever seen before. Santiago Castillo, disguised in plain sight, managed to land a critical blow on the High Lord of Night, Gabriel Beaumont, with all of Astralis as his witness, launching a declaration of war with devastating consequences.

The Autumn Court, already wounded by the Resistance before, launched into immediate action, turning from amiable hosts into ferocious warriors hellbent on hunting down everyone and anyone responsible for the attack. Winter and Spring, both allies of Autumn, have leapt forth in aid, and the trifecta alliance of Night, the Garden and the Wild Hunt have retaliated in kind. All others have banded together with others of their court, determined to hold their grounds against the tempestuous storm that has borne down upon them. The tentative peace that was built during the tournament has crumbled to pieces, with courts turning against courts in a violent, impromptu brawl.

➤ BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER

Astralis’ second half of the event is combat-oriented, with courts going up against their rival courts and everyone on the alert for another ambush from the Resistance lurking among them. Civilians are banding together as soldiers and warriors charge at one another in a chaotic battle royale. Bedecked in formal attire originally meant for a proper gala, most guests are unarmed, with only their magic, their wits and their allies to protect them.

➤ THE HUMAN RESISTANCE’S ROLE

With the sudden ambush led by one of the co-leaders of the Resistance, the humans have come out of the woodworks to take the fae off-guard. Hunters have launched themselves into the fray, looking for every oppotunity to take out an enemy or steal one more precious piece of intel in the pandemonium. Others, like the spies and recruits, are taking care to keep their involvement to a minimum, circling the fighting with the hopes of an easy win against a vastly more powerful foe.

- ̗̀  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

➤ CAN I CONTINUE MY PART ONE EVENT THREADS DURING THE EVENT?

As with other events, we ask members to interact with this new development! However muns can continue some threads if they so choose!

➤ HOW LONG WILL THE EVENT LAST FOR?

As a reminder, the second half of the event will last from March 1st to March 15th. 

➤ WHAT SHOULD I BE TAGGING POSTS WITH?

The Beaumont-Wren wedding was a celebration to remember. The untold-of alliance between the Night Court, the Wild Hunt and The Garden had brought together an impending sense of something new beginning, along with great uncertainty in its wake. All night, the guests had mingled with one another, watching and waiting to see just who of the many Courts would make their first move in the wake of this new development. Yet as the celebrations continued, they had all begun to relax, increasingly certain that any concerns of war would be put off for yet another day, and that they could continue their revelries in peace.

Given the rare occasion brought forward by the gathering of the Courts, the High Lords and Ladies elected to hold a private council meeting among them. As the festivities wound to a close, the rulers shifted to more isolated quarters to discuss the shifting balance of power between them, while their citizens recovered from their inebriation in the guest rooms elsewhere. As dawn broke through, the Court rulers unsheathed their verbal claws, ready to do battle to protect their interests. Yet wholly unaware to them, there were others with a vested interest in their activities, lurking in plain sight. Watching. Waiting.

But a horrified scream filled the air, as the sound of breaking glass disrupted their murmured discussions.

The source of the servant’s screams had landed with a dull thud as they had opened one of the many balcony doors in the expansive estate their meeting was hosted in, and within the viewpoint of so many guests, there was no hiding the macabre sight before them. A Fae bedecked in the resplendent regalia of the Autumn Court lay staring at the ceiling lifelessly, the jagged stem of a serving knife buried so deeply into her throat that only the handle could be seen visibly. Blood pooled around her, a viciously violent maroon that spread across the floor and stained the moon-touched marble red. 

Guards swamed to the scene, pushing spectators back as they wrestled for control of the unexpected situation. “Step back! Calm yourselves!” Their protests fell on deaf ears as the crowd swelled with unease and panic, looking among one another in uncertainty as the Court security pushed back against them. “This was an accident, surely!” The nobility swelled against it, nervousness taking over rational thought. “Accident? This was murder!” “You told us this would be safe!” “Who’s responsible for this?”

In the jostling, another cry pierced through the murmuring. “L-look up there! At the wall!” The concern shifted to where the body had fallen from, where a guest pointed out the crimson markings peeking out behind the velveteen curtain. As one of the guards pulled the material away, bloodied words written hastily came into striking focus, fear creeping into the hearts of the guests while the human servants, slowly but surely, disappeared from sight. 

‘The Resistance sends its regards.’

– ♡ event 001. A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME 

The Night Court and the Garden cordially invite you to the union of the century. 

                                         Join us for the wedding of

                      Gabriel Beaumont, High Lord of the Night Court                                                            &&.                                Sophia Wren, Nymph of the Garden

➤ THE BASICS

The Night Court will be hosting the wedding ceremony and reception for the High Lord of the Night Court, Gabriel Beaumont, and the Garden’s coveted nymph, Sophia Wren. With the alliance between the Garden, the Wild Hunt, and the Night Court still so fresh and new, the new Triad alliance has reached out to invite all of Astralis to witness this union between high-born fae and nymph. The dress code is formal attire--not costume or themed, but think high couture on par with an event like the Met Gala. All fae who have the ability to glamour their wings are encouraged to do so for tonight’s festivities.

The wedding will take place on the night of the full moon, an event sacred to both denizens of the Night Court and the Wild Hunt. As midnight approaches, the Wild Hunt fae will go through the change and shift into their lupine forms. Heightened security has been added to the event, courtesy of the Night Court’s War General, the Garden’s guards, and the Wild Hunt’s most prestigious hunters to ensure that the entire affair is neutral and goes off without a hitch.

➤ ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES OFFERED

Some of the amenities offered at tonight’s event will include. . .

- Carriage rides through the lush Night Court gardens, drawn by horses the color of midnight and the moon, in steely black carriages accented with silver and sapphire jewels. The ride will take those interested through the gardens and around the side of the mountain leading up to a cliff, where interested patrons may watch shooting stars and constellations dance in the midnight sky

- Guest lodgings and private cabins wedged into the mountaintop will be provided for all guests who visit, and special mating cabins provided with luxury amenities such as plush beds, warm, crackling fireplaces, and enchanted marble tubs will be provided for the Wild Hunt fae who feel the pull of the full moon on this chilling autumnal evening.

- Dancing is a requirement at any Night Court event, and so a live orchestral band will be playing sweet music and somber ballads throughout the evening as guests take to the dance floor to spin their partners around in an elegant waltz. There will be an additional intermission halfway through the reception where the Garden’s prized dancers will take the stage and perform a graceful ballet in honor of the Night Court’s national style of dance to commemorate the union between the High Lord of the Night and the Nymph of the Garden.

- The food will include a classic 7-course meal, provided by the Night Court’s top chefs, including the Night Court’s renowned croquembouche, stylized to resemble a large, festive tree, featured on a glittering table in the middle of the banquet hall. The food portion of the evening will also feature hors d’oeuvres and alcohol carried around on trays for guests to sample in-between meal courses.

- Artists from the Jeweled City will be in abundance tonight, offering music, customized poetry, portraits, and readings for guests who wish to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the Night Court.

- Additional entertainment, courtesy of Brayden Barlow’s renowned pleasure club, The White Orchid, will be provided. Some of Brayden’s most coveted pleasure fae will be in attendance this evening, willing to provide a bit of relief to whomever may desire it.

➤ THE HUMAN RESISTANCE’S ROLE

The human resistance has kept their eyes on this impending union between the Night Court and the Garden for quite some time now. When Celine Dahl was able to procure information detailing the date and location of the event, it quickly spread among the human resistance’s most trusted. The resistance lies in plain sight this evening, pretending to be servants to the various high fae, hired courtesans for an immortal’s glee and pleasure, working the event as a falsified member of staff, or serving as the entertainment. The resistance’s main purpose is to feel out this new alliance and decide who poses a greatest threat to the human territories--and who might make a formidable ally in the impending civil war Astralis faces.

- ̗̀  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

➤ CAN I CONTINUE MY NON-EVENT THREADS DURING THE EVENT?

This event is mandatory to participate in--whether your character was invited, is working the event, or sneaked in is up to you. While the event is going on, we do ask that you only start fresh, event-related threads and make them a priority. Inclusivity is also a huge factor in propelling an event forward, so be sure you’re plotting with a wide range of muns for this event!

➤ HOW LONG WILL THE EVENT LAST FOR?

As of right now, the event is set to start on Wednesday, October 14th, and last for approximately two weeks. We will assess the needs of our group members as the event continues to see if we need to extend it beyond this.

➤ WHAT SHOULD I BE TAGGING POSTS WITH?

As of right now, you should not be posting anything (outfits or otherwise) until the start of the event. When you begin posting outfits, starters, threads, etc., we ask that you use ahqevent1 and NOT ahqevent. Feel free to tag the @ahqstart sideblog for all open starters you post for the event, bearing in mind that the same starter rules will apply once there’s more than 4-5 open event-related starters in the tag.

➤ CAN I POST PICTURES OF MY CHARACTER’S OUTFIT?