abraxasnet | TO: EVERYONE [mid-july]

[ The message arrives to the Summoned in two distinct styles of handwriting, indicating that Alucard and Thancred are coordinating the transmission of this important missive in tandem. ]

Apologies for the interruption, but after some time of investigating, Thancred and I have found some interesting information related to a remaining mystery that dates back to the first time many of us experienced the eternal night of Nocwich.

Alucard is granting me far too much credit, please know he’s the one who uncovered this. But yes, for those of you who were here back then, I’m sure you’ve been wondering who was truly behind the attacks on the three Summoned delegates. It’s certainly haunted me, especially given that it led to the attack on Libertas and the subsequent retaliation against Nott.

It turns out that those responsible were a Nocwich faction of Josselyn Creed’s cult, who skillfully were able to manufacture equipment that appeared to originate from the Free Cities, thus appropriately assigning the blame.

It doesn’t excuse the Queen’s lack of a proper investigation before she made assumptions and mounted her attack, but it does give us all some closure. We can’t be entirely certain what the cult’s motives were, but we can speculate.

It is worth noting here that Josselyn’s cult has roots in a more established faith here, one associated with the concept of a New Day and the Page of Pentacles. I first heard the phrase when we were invited into the realm of the Fae, and it concerned me given how much it sounded like something that could be a cult. As it turns out, there are a number of branches throughout Abraxas. Josselyn was able to turn branches towards her own ends, which in turn explains how so many of us were taken when she executed her plan.

To add another branch to this winding tree, a small village associated with Nott called the Old Emberwoods still practices this faith, and there are other similar hamlets scattered throughout Thorne and Solvunn. While they appear to be harmless and practicing an untainted version of the faith, a few of us will be keeping an eye on them all the same out of an abundance of caution.

On top of that, a mage named Oliver is apparently from Old Emberwoods. Only a few of you may recognize that name, but he was one of the mages who helped a group of Summoned escape Thorne about three years past. Beyond that, all I have been able to learn is that he is older than he looks — about a century, all told.

This information was likewise shared with Sten, who some of you may know from Luna. He was kind enough to keep an ear to the ground, and eventually found an old flyer for one of this group’s meetings. When I visited the location in Ikorr earlier this month, I was able to find another flyer that had the impression of a strong hand writing on top of it. Making rubbings revealed the plans as we have just outlined them, thus bringing this information full circle. From the looks of the location, this branch of the cult has not been active since.

We realize this is a lot of information to take in, particularly for those of you who are more newly Summoned. Feel free to ask questions and we’ll answer to the best of our ability. With any luck, this cult will never again rear its ugly head and we have the answer to a question that has been plaguing some of us for quite some time now.

Likewise, we realize that this information may seem pointless given that this faked attack and the responses it garnered offers uncomfortable parallels to our current moment. There’s no true connection between them, and we are sharing this information for the sake of knowledge and closure.

(( ooc: In case it’s not clear, blue font is Alucard and black font is Thancred. Responses will come from one or both of them, and threadjacking is encouraged as there is a lot to discuss here! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'll weigh in, first with I don't think we really have any reason to believe one way or the other. He appeared once three years ago and hasn't been seen or heard of since... it's very mysterious. And we have several mysteries around here.

Still, I am grateful for what he did to set us free and spare Relena's life. Strong as she was, the marks it left on her even after in Solvunn were still there. She was so young.

[ Himeka misses Relena quite a bit. She'd become like a younger sister or daughter in the months they spent together. ]

But I agree we don't know how or why he did it. I like to give the benefit of the doubt, at least. I will say no one in the village that Wanda and I have been monitoring have mentioned him by name.

I'm the suspicious sort so when I see an important name thrown around connected to another thing, makes me wonder if something isn't a coincidence. Doesn't mean it's true. I am a paranoid sod though.

Well, I've been told more than once I should exercise more caution, so mayhaps I should follow your lead.

I agree that I doubt it's a coincidence. Few things seem to be around here.

There's probably a medium ground we could find between paranoid and trusting.

Who has the luxury of levelheadedness these days?

Certainly not me!

Anyway it seems unlikely we'll be able to find the fellow and ask, but it's good to at least have the information around.

I agree. There are so few of us left who remember those times, too.

I had wondered if that, mayhaps, the intent was for the other nations to be able to summon, not just Thorne.

And how long would it have taken Solvunn or Cadens to figure out the Summoning ritual if it weren't for our escape? But it does seem that they had an inkling of their own regardless of our arrival, from what Winifred told Estinien.

I've heard about it from some of you oldbies, I arrived a few months later, during the peace summit.

They were probably working on it but perfected it with you lot there.

Either way, it does make sense that the attack may have stemmed from the same cult or group that caused shite for us later.

That was some time ago as well. Time here feels like it passes so quickly and yet!

Yes, that's what it sounds like. So mayhaps that theory doesn't hold much weight after all.

Well, let's hope this is the last of it. I think we've all earned a break.

It was three years last month, yeah?

If they come back, we'll just make sure to finish the job this time.

Something like that, yes.

Will you lead the charge?

Oh I would be happy to. These guns aren't just for show!

I believe it! It would be my honor to cheer you on.

Or prepare a Fire IV if need be.

What's Fire IV? That a spell?

Yep! The most powerful pure fire spell you can cast. At least back on my star, as far as I'm aware.

Badass. And you can do that?

I can! A friend of me showed me how.

[ Although Y'shtola definitely questions her technique. ]

I taught Nero how to cast fire as well, when he was here. So if you ever want to carry on a long-held tradition for at least...3 or 4 years.

I'll always want to learn new magic. Any chance to get more badass, and I'm already that.

(no subject)

aquaveiled - 2024-08-25 02:34 (UTC) - Expand

itookashot - 2024-08-27 17:36 (UTC) - Expand

aquaveiled - 2024-09-08 00:54 (UTC) - Expand

itookashot - 2024-09-08 01:23 (UTC) - Expand

aquaveiled - 2024-09-09 04:55 (UTC) - Expand

It's specifically the Old Emberwoods village that he's connected to, then. As far as I understand, that's where he grew up. I'll see what else I can learn.

So he's from Thorne? Then his actions may simply be disagreeing with what the crown had been doing, which seems...not too difficult to imagine considering everything that's followed.

Then why not reappear as the situation worsened? It's odd that they completed that one act for the Summoned and then vanished without a trace.

Not that I expect more help than what was given, but it does make me wonder at what their motives had been. Perhaps it was their final way of telling Thorne to sod off before they went to become hermits or some such.

Very odd, which makes me think there WAS another motive behind it, but I would rather give the benefit of the doubt.

[ Which is just her default state, but...questioning things! Is improvement! ]

I can name several people who would love to hermit their way into retirement.

I suppose all we can do for now is speculate, but I'll see what more I can learn. It does feel very much as if they don't wish to be found.

It wouldn't be the first mystery that you've had to crack. If anyone can do it, it's you.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, as always.