#currentevent

— THE BLOOD D R I P P E D AND P A I N T E D CALAMITY

Days and nights blending into one another. Magic has exploded throughout all areas as Witches test their new limits. Vampires roam with more freedom than they've had in decades, consuming all that they can. And with the threat of dark deals rising, and the peace that the Council was trying maintain dwindling, The Queen of the Forgotten called upon the remaining four for an emergency meeting: Axel Reyes, Belgr, Otsana Veyrahdi, and Calixte.

Secluded in the ruins of the Outerworld lies an old, gothic and victorian style home. A once destroyed estate, brought anew by the Queen of the Forgotten, just for the Council to meet. A neutral space where they can discuss present problems and implement future plans. Currently, there are several topics of discussion on the agenda: How do we keep the peace, during and after this blood storm? Does anyone know someone capable of this type of ritual, and if so, who? What are the potential repercussions of the storm? Were any resources destroyed and if so, how will they be replenished? And last, but not least, when should the next Election be, now that there are two less Council members?

The Council must fill the empty seats, even in the wake of such tragedy, to ensure that what the peace they stand for is upheld and maintained. It is clear now that it is a dangerous role to play within the State of Calamity, but you cannot lead the factions to unity in the absence of leaders who speak for them.

Mutterings echo throughout the state, growing louder with each passing day. An unknown, murderous, Admirer is now on the loose in Calamity, which means none of the Council member are safe. There is safety in numbers, however, what happens if those numbers keep falling, one by one?

Peace has been preached long before this treaty was established, but with the reputation that the State of Calamity and it's occupants have, it is unknown how much longer it'll last.

— W H I S P E R S ECHOED T H R O U G H O U T THE STATE

In homes, and street corners. People were vanishing. One here, one there. Rumours of vampiric hungers climaxing, and mutterings of ritualistic theft from the witchfolk. It encouraged gazes in every direction, it provoked a need to look over one’s shoulder.

It wasn’t the kind of Admirer that loved unconditionally. Those who disappeared, never came back.

For some, it was another violent result of existence. For others, it presented a new fear. It was not just mortals, but those who knew death already; powerful, affluent creatures that were noticed. It made the papers. Rumours are as dangerous as the truth, and often, they’re much the same.

When the Council are disturbed, it breaches all rules of the unspoken game.

The Annual Gathering of Speakers had been delayed. No newsletter covered the reasoning and no source seemed to reveal an answer. Just an eerie silence, as beastly affairs of the State continued on. There was only so long that the Council could keep dangerous secrets quiet.

Those among the missing, were two Speakers.

If they called for a meeting, without the Faefolk and the Witch representatives, a new anarchy would be unleashed. They had worked too hard to let the peace fall through so soon. But silence is as telling as a scream. People hear it, no matter which direction.

Those whispers turned into speculation.

With the oncoming Celestial event; Solstitium Aeternitatis, it was important that the laws binding the State were upheld. It was a solstice that occured centuries apart; most Witches would use it to strengthen their rituals and their eternal blood rites. The dead would use it to traverse the State, without fearing the sunlight. With those missing only growing, the theory that someone planned to use it for their own gain begins to rise.

On one of the entrances to the Forgotten, there was a note: I admire what you’ve done.

The State, under the Queen’s order, begin to prepare for the worst.

On the night of the Eternity Solstice — when it reached its apex; a stranger conducts a sacrificial ritual, turning the skies into a raging storm that rains down blood. It washed the world in shades of crimson and enacted a virulent downpour. It disrupts most spells, and unsteadies the natural order. Blood runs through the streets, painting windows red, and staining the sea a deep scarlet.

The two speakers are dead; their blood scented amongst the storm; their sacrifice used to fuel the blood that rains down upon the the State. Ancient, powerful — an artist without a cause.

With the revelation that two of the Council have been murdered, eyes fall to the unknown ritual — and its well-practiced caster. It becomes clear that its effects aren’t just to slaughter; those within the State begin to experience the effects of a storm of blood, and how the solstice has only bolstered its power.

Witches magic — especially that of a sorcerer —is stronger. Crystals that they use to amplify their magic do not need to be used often, if at all.

Werewolves are stronger and faster during this full moon, and whilst the curse of transforming is more painful, it is easier to trigger.

The blood that rains down is tainting the waters of the Forgotten, mixing with the salt water and forming a poison that pollutes every living being and thing underneath the surface. The Queen has commanded an evacuation.

Blood accumulates at the entrance of Myre Grove, pouring into the cave and seeping into the nature. It kills every plant life it touches.

Vampires without ample control find themselves more blood crazed as the substance that they are most hungry for rains from the skies and floods the streets.

Demons find they do not need to consume as many souls as normal, and using their abilities costs them less. They can withstand utilizing their abilities for longer periods of time without depleation of energy.

The Commander of The Refuge has called for a lockdown in the name of safety, to protect his own from their now even more dangerous enemies. Some swear they still see a few humans in lab coats with guards accompanying them outside, gathering blood from the rain in hopes of a new discovery and potential scientific advance.