· TO EVERYONE ·

[carmesi]

[this message will arrive into the awareness of all summoned. however, given the nature of this content, with both istredd and wanda’s telepath abilities combined, they’ll make it so that the summoned can choose to read it at a later point in time when it isn’t a nuisance to them; an unread message, as it were. they will also telegraph the images linked into the minds of those reading as they read, for ease.]

This is Wanda. Istredd and I have talked about the importance of making this information available to all Summoned.

What we are going to detail here are events that happened a few months back. It has to do with Josselyn Creed—those in Solvunn would have noticed her ashes displayed in the main square of the Primary Settlement. It has to do with the abductions that took place, what happened to those who were taken, and what those of us who stayed behind were able to uncover.

It might not be an easy read, especially for those who were taken. But we think it’s important that we are all on the same page. To be aware of our surroundings and cautious of the intentions of the natives here some more. Any comment or action that may seem a little odd might be worth taking note of.

And… perhaps this can bring some closure to those who are still feeling the effects of what happened.

I can speak from my perspective as one of those who wasn’t abducted. Josselyn was part of it as the representative of the Tertiary Settlement, making her a member of the Council in Solvunn. Before all this happened, she made some… questionable decisions. Acting separately from the Council as a whole.

I went to the Tertiary Settlement at the behest of Rowan, another council member, and found a house shrouded in an aura of corruption. The boy in this house had gone to a nearby shrine in the woods and returned to be haunted by a ‘white-faced demon’. After purifying the shrine, I saw a symbol, and we would later realize it was the same as the one others found after the abductions had taken place. The corruption I found in this shrine and in the woods was present in or near areas where the Summoned and natives were known to be abducted.

This is to say that things were already in motion before this group played their hand.

And then the abductions started. Natives and Summoned started disappearing from Solvunn, and then we heard that the same was happening in the other nations. We were scattered for a while trying to find leads, but eventually it all led back to Solvunn. The borders were open during this time to allow others to help in the investigation here. Josselyn was a point of interest because she was an influential figure and she, too, was abducted.

It wasn’t until later that we found out that she was not one of the abducted, but an abductor. The leader of the movement, in fact.

Her house was a point of interest. There was a door warded with magic that we couldn’t open, and a number of artifacts in bottles and jars that were worrisome. Then there was a book, too. A ledger. I apologize for the details being very general—so much was happening at the time. We were advised to recreate a High Magic ritual to try and open the door by invoking the right god or using the ledger. When we opened the door, what we found was further proof of Josselyn’s involvement, and personal items that would be used to find her. We also found an early base of a recipe that was used to find a cure for those who were abducted.

This is something Istredd could speak of better, but there was a monster in the pit, and while it was anything unlike what’s been seen in Abraxas. I found out the following: Isar Hart, the one who took over Josselyn’s duties in the council, told me that unknown creatures can be made through rituals and magic, typically of the transformative kind and it acts on already existing objects or beings. It’s against Solvunn’s traditions, and only the Old Gods should have the power to choose what new beings enter the world.

The Old Gods, as unlikely as it may seem to some, are real. We saw one in Josselyn’s execution. Cadaevos. We’ve seen some before any of this happened, in visions, and I’ve made a pact with one myself. We can discuss the Old Gods at some later point, though, because that’s another long-winded discussion…

But it’s worth mentioning that there are newer gods. Nikodaemus was one of them. He was responsible for creating the illusions that were hiding those who were abducted. Enchantments were used to make the island and the peninsula appear untouched. There is an illustration of this god in Solvunn’s records, for those interested to see.

This is Istredd. I was one of the people captured. I apologize to the people who will see their experiences written out here, but I will be very general. If you wish to share more specifics of what exactly you went through or facts you think must be shared, please do so.

About half of the Summoned were captured and placed inside of what is called "The Pit" by many of us, a dark cavern without any visible exit, they didn't need to guard us because at that point there was no way out. There was very little food and water so we had to ration.

Any special abilities were dampened by a High Magic spell and they utilized physical and mental distractions so we couldn't focus to reach out on the network or go into the Horizon. There were monsters within the place that some of the Summoned fought off. We found special shrines within that had newly painted the symbol Wanda shared. There was a monster within it that spoke to us mentally to try and be released. We were given access to them from an acolyte who turned against them named Hydnellia, now Lorelai, and tokens found otherwise. We resolved to only let the monster out as a last resort.

The second week, the Summoned were taken and experimented on. I was one of only two who was not taken into the ritual, but I was told the details about it. The summary is that they took people and forced them to eat something. They claimed it was to help them "commune with the gods". This led them to experience lesions, fungal growths on their skin, and a changed mental state with delusions and violence.

This all culminated eventually into experiencing a vision. I believe most people saw different images, but those who talked to me referenced something similar to when the Summoned had shared nightmares last year and images we saw when the Heralds were affecting us. For example, the maze some of us got stuck in during the Heralds. The vision also showed a shadowed man at the very end.

Realizing we were definitely in too much danger to wait for rescue, as more people were put in the ritual and struggling with their sickness, we worked to find an escape. The shrine monster was released and caused havoc within the cavern, destroying much of the ceiling. There were two escape routes with portals, which is why people ended up in two separate locations. One was through the floor as water seeped in and there was enough space to swim, and another through a hole that required people to stay behind to hold open with webbing.

Those of us who stayed behind were placed within an altar room, away from the main area as it was destroyed in many places. We were trapped within and it slowly began flooding. The acolytes started to turn on the cult and help us. While a group from the outside tried to negotiate with them, another one broke their way in, but by that point the cavern was collapsing into the water. The only way we survived was a giant turtle appeared who the Thorne Summoned had helped when beached. Then everyone was rescued and reunited in Nocwich to recover.

Whether you agree with it or not, Solvunn’s customs called for Josselyn’s execution, as a way to right her wrongs. As mentioned, an Old God was summoned for the ritual and she suffered a gruesome end. I don’t think I need to specify how it happened. I know many decided not to assist because they knew she’d be executed.

The acolytes that survived were spared and are currently imprisoned. Two members of the group were rescued, Lorelai and her brother Esmond, and they’ve resettled here in the Tertiary Settlement.

Some of us got to interrogate her before her execution. Her true goal was to have the same ability that we, the Summoned, have to communicate or receive communications from the gods. At least that’s what she believed we could do. She claimed that because some of us have had shared visions, visits from the Heralds, and a powerful connection to the Singularity, that we have a connection to the divine. Ancient texts suggested that divinity could be reached through metamorphosis, so she used plants containing hallucinogens and transformative properties in hopes of providing the right trigger.

Josselyn and her sect were formally put together within a year, but these ideas have been going on for a while, though, and the research is available for anyone who knows where to look. All of her people were captured, and we have psychic assurances of the fact. But that doesn’t mean that other people couldn’t see what they did and think it’s possible to try it again.

We still don’t know who the original shrines were to, or what the shrine monster was–whether it was a god itself or a servant of a god, nor where it is now. Motions are currently being considered to be pitched to our factions requesting access to the island and the ruins to investigate. We don't know if they'll allow us, but we're trying.

It might also be worth considering more people learning High Magic in order to counter this sort of thing. Solvunn is the place where this kind of magic is prevalent, but… I could share what I know with others who are skilled with magic in the other nations so that they can teach it to those around them, too.

We’ll meet at some point–all of us–in the Horizon to discuss what we can and should do next. We will let you know when. If there are any questions or additional information to be shared in the meantime, feel free to do so.

( ooc: this means that now every summoned has ic knowledge of what happened with josselyn and her cult! we will be setting up a mingle in september for characters to get together, from all factions, to discuss things more in depth after some time has been given to digest the information. also to avoid the event log lol )

Comments

Locked to Wanda for now

[cryptsleeper]

I cannot know how relevant this is or is not for your purposes, but I would likewise be remiss if I did not share.

While among the fey, the concept of a new day arriving was brought up with regards to Nocwich and others. I could not determine further details, but the phrasing bothers me.

Share as you see fit.

[earthborn]

Good call. Grim as it is, it's better for everyone if this report is public knowledge.

I know the geographics of it aren't ideal, but I'll get to work on convincing any holdouts I know to look into developing High Magic and working on it. We can't work with tools we don't have. If one or both of you are willing to offer drills and lessons via the Horizon, I'll try and send them your way, if that works for you.

[everybodysterrible]

It's too early in the day to drink and unread this fucking shit.

[takeatrip]

Thanks for putting all of this together. It must've taken a lot of work.

[Probably emotionally more than anything else, but still.]

It might be worth making a copy of this for Istredd's library or wherever else might be good to store information, so there's a record that people could reread if they need to reference it, or point any future new arrivals toward if they need filled in.

There's also a few other things about this whole mess that I think are still unexplained; mind if I mention them here for the record and in case anyone has some insight they haven't shared?

Public to all Summoned

[sleepfan]

I have not been here very long. Please ignore anything communicated if it is not useful.

I am familiar with forcible magical transformations using already existing creatures or people: I have seen several and I have some information about how the triggers work. There is much I don't understand, but I will add what I know to the Horizon libraries.

Have those who were abducted been examined? Magical experimentation of this nature can cause illness and health complications in its subjects. You mentioned a cure for the foreign substance's symptoms, but the effects can hide and not be immediately apparent as an ailment or injury.

I would suggest being very careful about trying High Magic. If the wrong person tries, it may not go well.

If we are all watched so much and the nations are at odds, how were Summoned abducted from each nation?

[aquaveiled]

I was able to make brief contact with one of the Heralds during the blight. I could try again, if only to draw further connections? Admittedly I've thought about it for other reasons...

I would also like to give some thanks to to the Cardinal Diety Vimorskas. He offered guidance while we were searching for our departed friends and helped us find the mushrooms being used. He's been very concerned about the greater effects on the land, though, so any kindness to trees or greenery would make him happy.

locked to Wanda ONLY

[princessvegas]

What if I saw something that I know nobody else did?

[leitstern]

The presence of a cult ensures the blame lies not with Josselyn alone, surely?

One must advise caution of those willing to welcome those responsible back into the fold. I cannot pretend I applaud such witless judgement.

[thedevilwhorose]

YO, any hold-outs that don't want to get that island investigate, get off your asses, you don't have to even go.

But if you maybe don't want your trauma revisited it could, I don't know, maybe be a good idea.

[he is not happy about this potentially still-alive battery]

[ofthesword]

You really think outing Lorelai and her brother was a good idea? Like nobody's gonna be pissed at them? That should've stayed in your drafts. Both of you.

Whatever. Let everyone know they better not bark up the wrong tree with them, or you're picking a fight with me.

[boltaction]

[ this is-- a lot. especially when combined with the replies flooding in from the other summoned who were present. it seems this was a tragedy that both brought people together and drove divisive wedges between others. ]

Thank you both for your transparency. I'm... sorry that this happened to you.

Let me know how I can help if anyone needs it.

[subhuman]

I'm just a little city boy enjoying the good life here the castle, but something is sticking out to me.

Since all this was put into motion by a group of zealots messing with powers they shouldn't, is there any "non-messy" worship of this Nikodaemus? Or is anyone associated with them up to no good?

[mobezon]

If I can make a proposal to think about for this future discussion in the Horizon.

I agree investigating is necessary and everyone's mind should be considered for best results. However, do we know what will become of this island after we are done with it? I propose that if we have a say at all, the final decision should be left in the hands of those who were taken.

🔒 Inej, Wanda, Istredd ONLY

[shadowthief]

[It's... a lot. It pulls up all those things that she's set neatly in a box in her mind to simply not look at for a while. She'd face it all eventually, the same way she's faced every trauma she's been through in some form or another, but this one still felt so fresh and there wasn't a lot she was sure could be done about any of it, anyway.

Still. Information shared among people she can trust will always be something she leans to. It takes her a bit, and she focuses her intent to only Wanda and Istredd when she does.]

I wasn't... in the best of states for most of my time there, but I was involved in releasing the creature locked in that final shrine. Castiel and Louis were there, but I was the one that actually unlocked it and set it free...

I don't know how helpful this is... or even if it was real or simply the ritual toying with my mind, but I swear SOMETHING called to me... it SANG to me... I heard it and I felt it and I was so convinced it was the right thing to do.

[It has always, since her mind cleared, felt like the cultists had targeted her for her faith and twisted it into something else. It still makes her stomach twist to think of it.]

[ramuhed]

Was there any correlation or reasoning behind which Summoned were abducted?

[glaciare]

Thank you for the time and effort this must have taken. And, forgive me if this has already been asked -- who is to say she isn't correct? About our connection with the 'divine', that is. While I haven't been here long -- do we have a full understanding of what the Singularity is?

( she's not saying the woman was right to do what she did, but jill's experience with large rocks with the touch of the 'divine' about them has her unwilling to rule out anything at this point. )

[flagrates]

A connection the "Old Gods"? Why is it always the Old Gods?

And you two think we have this connection?