Leafchange had clothed the Glade in brilliant reds, golds, and oranges, and as the leaves fell they made more space for rays of late afternoon sunshine to pierce through the canopy. They shone like spotlights upon the last of the season's flowers and pale glowstones below. Crickets chirped and bees hummed with the frantic energy of knowing their time was short, seeking mates and food and dodging birds who were doing the same, their brilliant songs echoed throughout the idyllic area and its last joyous celebration of life before Deepfrost's slumber fell over it.

It made the Void Tangleweed huddled in the shadow of an ancient oak even more unsettlingly blasphemous, its tendril-wreathed branches writhing gently as it digested its latest meal. Around it there was a circle of silence that no insect or animal dared to break, but the rustle of its branches as it occasionally shifted and constricted seemed to carry across the short distance between it and the man who crouched nearby atop a glowstone, scowling at it.

Tal was wearing a heavy leather coat and gauntlets; not against the nip in the air - which was pronounced this afternoon - but against the task ahead of him. He gripped a small, glittering star currently suspended from a thin, tough chain in one gloved hand. The other rested on his knee as he measured the distance between him and the Void-shrouded plant and then measured it again, shifting uneasily. A pale dragon, burly and large for a companion, perched in the branches of the oak tree, looking down at the Tangleweed with pupils contracted to mere slits of dislike. A constant, quiet rumble emerged from her chest as two thin trails of smoke emerged from her nostrils, evidence of the internal fires that were only barely leashed for the moment.

Open!

[say]"Since you're back,"[/say] Danta is saying conversationally to Edmund over his shoulder, as they grow nearer to the tangle and thicket of general badness that (apparently) is The Labyrinth, [say]"I figured you could help me check this place out. The Grounds is always so much bigger than I expect it to be."[/say]

Just when he thinks he's gotten to grips with the likes of the Inner Quarter and Jack Tar Landing and all the landmarks in between, here's this fuckin' thing.

[say]"What made you eventually decide to join us here for good?"[/say] he continues, clearly in high spirits despite the spookily-bookily things he's heard about this place. If they get lost, whatever - he's got a gore crow shift for a reason, right?

And it's not as though he hasn't told anyone where they're going, though quite when Kiada will spot the post it he's stuck to one of the bottles behind the bar is anyone's guess.

Dawn was perhaps too early to expect cheerful demeanor from anyone. The air held a chill bite that made for an uncomfortable experience for the Ancient participants, while a lingering mist lent a damp to the fallow woodland that the Halovians might dislike in turn. And if someone despite it all found themself content with weather and time, location and the amassed company in general, their reason for gathering was serious enough to somber the mood all on its own.

Maea Valair was not smiling as she took count of those gathered. It was a motley assortment, some invited for their skills while others had volunteered; all would no doubt prove essential to completing this endeavor in a safe way. While she very much desired answers, the safety of everyone would take priority.

She had brought them outside the entrance to the Spire and watched as assistants handed out individual bags of protective gear, writing tools and a single plain dagger to each guest. Behind her were crates and cages filled with creatures that emitted a nasty aura tasting faintly of purple, and standing so close to them left a sour burn in the back of her throat – doubtlessly also negatively impacting the contingent of armed soldiers, who watched the crates like hawks.
On the other side of the tower another set of creature crates waited, untainted, likewise watched over by guards who nevertheless looked like they would rather be anywhere else.

She didn't blame them.

[say]"Thank you all for coming,"[/say] she began simply, as the assistant stepped back. [say]"I am Maea Valair, Loreseeker and Ambassador of this region. Today we are going to perform a series of experiments in the hope of learning more about the Void infestation. While there is much we don't know, in this instance I want to focus on three questions.

"One; How does the infection spread?
Two, How fast does it spread,
And three, Do different types of magic have any noticeable effect on the infected creatures?

"Before we begin, please be aware that we will be handling infected specimen here today. They are dangerous. Make sure to protect yourselves at all times, wear the gear you have been given, and keep a close eye on one another to make sure no one is hurt. Should anything at all happen that derail this experiment and you don't feel confident in your ability to defend yourself, I ask that you immediately ensure your own safety and retreat into the first floor of the Spire. Should any Void infested creature escape it will be immediately killed; if the situation becomes unmanageable I will authorize the use of the Spire's weapon, as a member of the Hollowed Grounds council, to ensure the safety of everyone present."[/say]  

Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, Maea steeled herself; it was going to be a long and tense day. Speaking in front of so many made her nervous, and her face moved stiffly from the effort of keeping her concerns from showing through.

[say]"Before we begin, please introduce yourself and let everyone know what your abilities are, if you posess any. If you have any questions, now is also the time to ask. I shall begin;

"I am, as I said, Maea. I have a Molten Tiger shift, upgraded Fire magic and basic Disintegration magic. I will function as the head of this project - thank you for cooperating."[/say]

Catching and releasing the gaze of everyone present, she hoped it was an encouraging look; hoped, too, that these accomplished and highly individual persons wouldn't mind leaving her in charge. It was only for this one event.

It's been a long time since Darkeye came here. The place is no longer the same that it once was, much had taken the Flemings here. Many lives as well as people he called friends. Here, he asked Frey for help to save as many as possible. He found it a good place to worship them and ask them for advice. He placed the sunflower at her shrine, which was slightly overgrown with vines. Not many people came here to pray anymore. The place still had the memory of the loss as well as the Voice. [say]"Greetings Frey, it has been a long time since we have spoken. I ask you to give me some advice on how to proceed. And I have this skull from these bears where I think only you can help me."[/say] He said and hoped that she heard him.

Caden hasn't ventured into the Greatwood since the previous year. Being nomadic means going where the coin flows and the trade takes you, and the woods have only recently been taken beneath a guiding hand that provides improved infrastructure. After his conversations with Kallan and Alys alike Caden has admittedly been wondering if the merchant lifestyle is the right one for him, and if hiding his magic is any better.

As such he's rather distracted walking through the village today, head in the clouds and blue eyes distant and far-away. At least until he bumps into a Fae and trips straight over his own feet as he tries to correct himself, falling sideways into the water surrounding the wooden docks with a strangled yelp and an anti-climactic splash.

Phoebe was not a hard woman to find. So long as you knew how to find the Sidhe Village. Which meant either taking a skyboat or walking in circles in the Greatwood for awhile. But she was making her mark on the place, and by now most residents knew the tall, blonde, willowy woman. On this particular day she wasn't doing anything in particular. A rarity really, always a busy bee. But even she needed rest sometimes.

So the demigoddess sat on her porch in a barely there dress to fight off the heat, a glass of fresh lemonade in her hand. Did she look every inch refreshed despite the oppressive heat? Yes. Perks of her glamour magic. She watched quietly as people went about their business, sipping her drink here and there. The Greatwood might not be the most glamourous place to live, but it was tranquil.

That was when someone approached her stoop. She leaned forward and smiled. [say]"Hello. Is there something I can help you with?"[/say]

With FlowerBirth bringing a gradual end to the chill of DeepFrost, Aster flittered about he Greatwood with a renewed vigor as his favorite insects popped their heads out the woodwork in as greater a frequency like they had done in the Celestine forest.

When his wings tired of the cold, he’d rest closest to the sun. Yet, he soon yearned to take wing in the direction of a little cottage in the woods where he knew he’d find a warm place to rest and even warmer company. The image of alighting upon a windowsill and seeing Farrow busy with her hands, was something he wouldn’t mind just watching for a while. Her careful intensity a comfort to behold.

He remembered a few days ago when she let him fall asleep beside the fire after peppermint. The shadows of LongNight terrified him, but as soon as the sun’s rays hit, before Farrow woke up completely, he had shifted into his Hummerform. He shed her clothes and left them on the table, trying to fold them so that they wouldn’t spill over or knock down the couple of lamps that showed up in the night.

He felt a little bad for not saying goodbye, but it wasn’t like he wouldn’t return. He wasn’t one for goodbyes anyway.

As he neared her house’s open windows, his emerald feathers gleamed in the sunlight. He spotted the rosebush she’d planted the first time they met and so decided to camp out there til she spotted him. Maybe he’d sing a little song to get her attention. He hoped she was home.