vallo

While I am wholly uninterested in Christmas's religious significance, I understand that it is considered aesthetically pleasing. My cursory research indicated no unifying vision for the holiday so much as sub-genres with its own zealots: from natural winter greenery (pleasing, but messy) to something unseemly referred to as 'kitsch' (horrifying).

So. I have less than three weeks to decorate a very large home. I would appreciate your leaving holiday themes, motifs, relevant figures of importance, and suggestions for what makes decorations "feel like" the season to you. I anticipate some of you to have very little taste. I also have learned about the bane of man colloquially referred to as 'glitter', and am aware of its neverending curse. Do not try me.

I am leaning toward sage green and burnished silver as colors. Elegant yet understated, cozy but refined. Thank you for your assistance.

[ Filtered to Blackthorn Manor Frequent Visitors & Guests ]

And, of course, if you have any particular requests, I will happily receive them.

It it strange to think that three months has passed since I first found myself among those now calling Vallo home, and it still feels as though there is no shortage of interesting things to uncover. The sheer volume of books alone, the information stored in this device, it seems endless at times.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone for making this transition into a new world a smooth, and rather pleasant one. My life back home was one that required a certain level of seclusion and covertness for many years, it has been a nice change of pace to speak freely, and if I dare say, embark on friendships.

I would also ask a favour if I could. I am not - entirely alone here in Vallo. Five years ago I took into myself a part of Ultima, a god with rather nefarious designs for my world back home. I have kept him trapped for some time now, and am more than willing to continue to do so. However it is very clear to me that what is possible here may be boundless, and that a more viable solution might be had. With that, I would like to ask if anyone here has had to contain a god before, or part of one, and how it was done. I am, of course, not asking for anything to be done at this moment, or for anyone to take on this task themselves. I had just thought perhaps it time to begin gathering information, to see if there are other options at hand.

Good morning.

I have asked the Department of Outlander Affairs to provide me with a suitable sorcerer of the demon-slaying profession to consider acting as head of a mutually beneficial infernal contract, and they are in the process of fulfilling this request.

If I might ask one thing further: mortals among you amenable to providing years off of your life in exchange for demonic service, so that one person need not shoulder the load, please leave a note here. I've extensive experience in housekeeping, artifact cataloging, assassinations, nannying, general schooling up to the age of 12, footman duties, torture, ballroom dancing, and basic supportive charmwork.

Regretfully my references were left at home, but I will be happy to discuss my abilities of the above subjects with any interested party.

Cordially,

Silas

Hello. Please bear with me I am not at my best. I am recording this by voice. Recently I was poisoned with an iron arrow. The arrow is gone but the damage remains. I believe there may be a piece of the arrowhead left behind. Potentially in an organ. That would explain the--nevermind that is unnecessarily graphic. I am looking for someone with the ability to find and remove it without using any metal instruments that may worsen the problem. I am comfortable with magic, but my companion is bound to my life force and he has a bad history with witchcraft so I would just ask for someone who can be considerate of that.

Right. That is it then.

Thank you.

Oh. And I can pay.




I am exhausted now where is my pillow Eliphas.

This is an official communication on behalf of the Department of Outlander Affairs:

I am dismayed to report that the Amulet of Ashurbanipal, the magical item which allowed him to move between worlds and attack our library, has been stolen from the custody of Prigany Coven. The coven has submitted to outside investigation, and the Vallo police department currently believes that the members of Prigany are victims of a crime, not perpetrators of one.

The amulet is a quite large golden locket, oval-shaped and set with a iridescent green gemstone at its center. It was badly damaged in the fight with the necromancer king, but should it be repaired it will once again be a very powerful magical artifact.

The thief is as yet unknown, and attempts to magically track the location of the amulet have failed. Anyone with information that could lead to the recovery of the amulet and the apprehension of the thief should report that information to the Vallo police department.

Thank you,
Lan Xichen
DOA Coven Liaison

Do you know what goes well with sadness? Looking good.

I realise everyone's in their feelings lately on account of the disappearances, but I've news: 'Reap What You Sew' is officially open for business. Want to add a little sparkle to your daily uniform? Is some adornment from home beginning to fray? I do alterations, enhancements, and repairs on demand.

Distract yourself from your misery! Light up the room with an Astarion original. Pay me gobs of this silly land's currency. There will be other children. But another opportunity to look better than your nemesis? It might not present itself again anytime soon. Who's to say?

(Open Tues, Thurs, and Saturday evenings; drop-off and pick-up is open whenever you want. And, of course, I work in DOA intake Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. So much work! Truly wild.)

That was certainly something else. Thank you to everyone who helped out my younger self, it is greatly appreciated.

THOR.
I am very sorry about Torunn, my friend. I hope you two may find each other again one day.

[tiny baby Wanda voice post in Sokovian, presumably the device can auto-translate]

Pietro? [...] Pietro. Are you on this? I think the orphanage sent me somewhere strange, and I was not even the one who threw the eggs at the building. It is not fair. I am hiding in a closet. Come find me.

Haha, Vallo. Very funny. There's a glitch in the notifications again, nerdy tech people.

Who has eyes on Torunn? James? Grandsprogs?

[ The video cuts in abruptly, it's dark and out of focus as the phone is being picked up by Torgal's mouth. ]

-gal, no! I don't think you're supposed to eat that.

Drop, Torgal.

[ The phone clatters to the ground and a young Torgal looks down at the screen. ]

What did you -

[ Joshua comes into frame, the phone is clearly on the ground with both of them looking down at the screen. Joshua's eyes go wide. ]

It's us! Torgal, look!

Since there are an extraordinary number of immortals among the Outlander ranks, and I have only known literally enough to count on one hand, maybe we can start a group. Prevents us from getting lonely when we become, as Eliphas likes to put it, geriatric.


Also, I'm looking for a replacement couch, if anyone has leads on one that could be free.

I am Harrow the First, the Reverend Daughter of Drearburh, Ninth Saint to serve the King Undying, you cannot keep me in a b I am Harrowhark Nonagesimus of the Ninth House. I appreciate the bed but I shall not need it any longer as I am recovered from my [...] previous ailment.

Just how many of you are dead? This place reeks of it and the thanergenic levels are higher than I would have expected with how much thalergy is here as well.

Is it always this bright?

I had never thought of the complexities of living with both a ferret and a wolf dog before, but my cabin has been chaos ever since Gilly showed up. Maybe I'll be lucky and he'll learn to stop stealing Nighteyes' meat before the two of them manage to smash all my crockery.

All the commotion seems to have attracted yet another fellow. He says seems to be looking for his master. Does anyone recognize him?

( Picture )

[Daud]
Do you care much for brandy? I've managed to acquire some blackberry brandy that is really quite good and I thought I'd repay you the favour of your whiskey while I still have some drinking glasses.

(( NOTE: this is via the plot, a filtered message to whoever wants to receive it, feel free to assume filtered to groups as well if you prefer! ))

It looks like a man with a cadaverous body. It has been observed in turbulent homes. It's said that anyone who sees its true form will die instantly.

Oi! Vallo! What kind of fecking nonsense is this?! Don't go around telling people I'm gone when I'm not! That's rude!

I've been told that this is the best place to go if someone wants to introduce themselves on arrival here. Which I want to say that this is quite an interesting device, though I feel like I've only scratched the surface on what it can actually do. It's like a very complicated sending stone.

Anyway, introduction: I'm Octavia, I'm originally from Baldur's Gate, which I am also told is not here and most people haven't heard of, and I have been here just long enough to sample a hot pumpkin spice drink served by a quite grumpy pixie and something called a pizza cone. Both were delicious, though the latter was exceptionally greasy which I think only added to how delicious it was? Regardless, an interesting change from camp cooking.

That done, I could use some help with some direction? I'm hoping to track down spell components (amber rod, lodestone, glass cone, and bat guano in particular) and something that can act as a casting focus, as mine didn't arrive here with me.

And finally, thank you to everyone who has been kind and tolerant to Astarion since he's been here. You may not know me yet, but I do appreciate.

HELLO THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHATEVER IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW

BLOODY FUCKING MARY WITH HER BLOODY FUCKING CURSE IS UPON US.

ONCE NANDOR RELENTLESS IN HIS STUPIDITY OPENED THE ELECTRONIC MAIL AND RELEASED HER AND NOW SHE HAS RETURNED

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT HILLARY WHO DID NOT FORWARD THE ELETRONIC LETTER AND THEN BLOODY MARY CAME TO HER IN HER PARTY OF SLUMBER AND MURDERED HER IN HER SLEEPING BAG WITH HER EYES TORN OUT AND A MESSAGE ON THE MIRROR THAT SAID 'ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS FORWARD THIS TO TEN PEOPLE'

CURSES ARE NOT TO BE TRIFFLED WITH EVEN FOR ME THE QUEEN OF VALLO VAMPIRES.

MOM? Do you want me to just off this person FOR you???? WHO IS IT????

So that is what kind of Monday it is going to be like, eh? Dragon friend, do not worry, they are all very dangerous and remarkable.

[FILTERED TO ESSEK]

Is there ah- something you wanted to tell me?

[OOC: Posted around 4:30PM Vallo time, an hour after the blackout.]



Hello, testing the network? We've been told that it has been restored, so please chime in if you see this.

In case it's working: from what we've been told, there was a widespread power outage across all of Vallo. Communication was key to restore first, but work is being done to fix the rest of the electricity by the experts. No ETA just yet on when it will be back up, but the word is that it may take some time as the source of the outage has yet to be pinpointed.

We are working on putting together basic supplies to help, in case this goes into the night. Feel free to stop by the DOA, as we've got some candles, flashlights, blankets, easy to prep food, and such here to hand out.

BELLS HELLS

Are you all okay? I guess this isn't that different than home, but I wanted to check in since we've gotten kind of used to modern conveniences and all.

SENDING STONE TO DORIAN

Hey, you okay? Check the network or just let me know here. I know you're probably fine, but you know that I worry. Love you.