 1. HOME IS WHERE THE BASE IS
 A. A NOTE FROM LUCRETIAIt's been a week or two since you've returned from Thay, and since the Wellspring, the very source of magic itself on Faerun, was destroyed. And a few of you have even climbed back aboard the roster of Reclaimers, returning from wherever it is that you've been. And at some point, however, you'll receive a message from The Director. It comes in the form of a text, a voice message, or in person — if you happen to be out in the Quad while she's sharing it: I don't believe that there's anything I can say to change how you feel right now.
I am not sure it's even my place to.
What I can say though, is that you — all of us, as a collective — are far more powerful than you seem, or how you might view yourselves. And when the mechanisms of the world crumble, then I've always found that the best practice is to begin looking at mechanisms outside the world.
That's how I found all of you, after all. And — I know this is a bit of a wild idea, but hear me out.
Some of you who might have found your way in the Restricted Section one way or another may have encountered it. It's a means of transport. The ride we'll use to, eventually, face the Hunger head-on. And its engine doesn't run on traditional fuel, or even magic as Faerun and its people understand it. It uses a sort of energy that can't be torn apart like a wellspring.
It's the energy of your bonds with each other. The memories of the people you love, and the ones who mean everything to you. There are all sorts of writings speaking about the power behind a person's connections — this ship's engine takes that idea quite literally.
I firmly believe that if we are capable of traveling on board a ship that runs on the energy of our bonds alone, that same energy can be used to restore magic, a very way of life, to Faerun.
That's all. Take these few weeks to focus on the people you love — and the people you haven't figured out you love just yet. My door is always open.
And Merry Candlenights. B. CANDLENIGHTS With that in mind, you can expect this Candlenights to pass quietly — as quietly as a holiday spent in a base that used to orbit the planet can pass, at least. There are celebrations both on board the Moon Base — Ground Base? — and in New New Aspen, though, if we're going to have an opinion on it, the town that makes ornaments as its most sacred tradition puts on the best version. The citizens of New New Aspen rely a little less on magic than other towns, so while there's an air of unknown and a sense of fear lingering in the breeze, the focus has — for now — shifted to Candlenights. Here are a few holiday things you can do: New New Aspen
○ You may carve an ornament of your own, and place it on the Candlenights Tree in the center of town. This is the most sacred tradition of a town that values this time of year most.
○ You may snuggle one of the many guards of the town. They're cats about the size of small horses.
 ○ The absolutely giant fir from the Bureau's very first mission, curiously, remains absolutely giant. Feel free to give it a climb — the view's great! Just watch out for any swooping shadow vultures.
○ Chat up a spider! They are large, not hostile and live peacefully alongside the humanoid residents of New New Aspen. Their Matriarch enjoys discussing tea, books and weaving warm blankets.
○ There is Candlenights celebration itself — you would expect the town to go all out on this day, after all. You can immerse yourselves in the festivities with party games, chatting up whoever happens by, and of course, the feast itself: New New Aspenites particularly like frying up shadow vultures and serving hot chocolate, hot apple cider and apple pies during the holiday season. Henrik Hollyweather will also give a lively, slightly cider'd retelling of the story of Santa Claus.
○ THE GIFT EXCHANGE: This is a small, cozy corner of the town square where you can exchange Candlenights gifts with the people who mean most to you.
The Base
○ As mentioned earlier, the simulations run on tech, not magic. They are available for any training you'd like to do.
○ Bender's menu hasn't changed, but any magical effects will not work on this log.
○ Without magic to heal anybody who was injured in Thay, Dr. Tank could use some help. He'll pay 50 gold to anyone who can barter webbing off of the New New Aspen spiders, and will teach them how to it into durable bandages
○ If you're the sort who loves giving gifts and has a long list, the town is offering heavy discounts on gifts. That also includes Fantasy Costco.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with keeping to the Base this month as well. The month is yours to spend as you see fit. |
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balance_logs2019-12-15 07:52 pm
no subject
Nana takes a bite out of the hot coacoa happily.]
Aaa, this is great!
Oh, Nana doesn't mean that it's weird that we haven't met... Nana means it's weird that we haven't met AND that you know how to make Nana's ideal hot chocolate! Are you a psychic or something?
no subject
[She pauses, watching the girl drink-eat her hot chocolate, relieved to see that she seems to be enjoying it.]
Based on research and my own observations, I concluded that this is how humans would enjoy hot drinks. I was told that marshmallows were a popular addition, too.
[Which is why... she added half a bag to a single mug...]
no subject
She taps her fingers on the mug nervously. What to say?
Although Nana was enjoying the concoction, she knows that it's not the standard...}
Aha. W-well, Nana isn't a human, you see. Nana is an alien from Planet Usamin! We love an overabundance of sweets there! Other hu- I mean, humans might not enjoy this as much as Nana does. Ahaha.
no subject
[It's almost spat out in surprise. This is the first time she's heard about aliens being here, and as much as she'd like to believe this is different, she still has to be cautious. Her stance goes from completely relaxed to careful, and she takes a step back.]
What do you mean by that?
[Look, it's hard to be trusting when the aliens were the entire reason that humanity fled to the moon...]
no subject
Aahh, don't get so creeped out please! Nana is also a magical maid idol heroine! And this is Nana's true form, too! Nana's just like a human... but an alien! Ahaha!
no subject
It was the aliens that created the machines, and chased the humans away to the moon.
no subject
Wh-what? You've met real al-- I mean, you've met other aliens before?
[Nana's eyebrows rocket to the top of her forehead as she comes to another conclusion.]
And they're the reason our base was on the moon?!
no subject
[To both questions.]
The aliens were long gone by the time my squadron descended on Earth. They were destroyed by the machines they created. I'm not sure why we're here on the Moon, but I don't think this is the same one that I know.
[Trust her, she was confused about that when she first got here. It didn't make any sense then, and it still makes very little sense now.]