[Saoire Event 723] Makar to Woe

[Winston]

Some time before The Gifting

It was the beginning of a new trial as Makar awoke after a long night of dreams. As the world came into focus and the light around them dispelled the shadowy corners of 'the Dream', you spotted something beside your bed.

It was placed delicately atop whatever was usually beside where you sleep and had a bow on top, with a little note that read...

"Me taught yuh might find dis 'elpful far de coming season. Jost make share yuh use dis far yuh gift an don't tell anyone dat dis did nat come fram yuhself. Et will always remain warm."

Included in the box was enough wool to knit one scarf. The ball of wool became warm when touched, regardless of the temperature around them.

The specifics of the item above

The wool/fabric used for the scarf is always warm. Even in the depts of the coldest storms, the material continues to radiate a gentle warmth, keeping the neck of those that ware it warm in all temperatures.

This is delivered at some time that would be convenient for you and the acquisition of the gift you are giving.

I know you might have powers that might prevent people sneaking up on you etc., so please assume that this gift appears in such a way that either it a) does not trigger defences as there's no ill intent or b) only serves to wake them to see the gift (as it's not there one moment but is the next).

Gifting Trial Arrives!

In the run-up to the Gifting, one Winston Millar had all but become a recluse as he spent his trials ferreting away at the preparations for what would come. A great many trials went by as his forge was operated by Cho as the Cadouri was nowhere to be seen. "Yup, dere... Noh, jost to de right a lit... STAP!" He commanded

Smokie

with an excitable energy he could barely contain.

As the gifter and giftie both passed through the doorway they chose to use to get to the Gifting, a world of enchantment was revealed as they stepped into what appeared to be the grand, stone-walled hall of a castle. A kaleidoscope of colors greeted them. The air was thick with the sweet scent of their favorite foods and the gentle melody of ethereal music played by invisible musicians.

For those able to see them, Fairies (Spirits) fluttered all around, placing decorations and plucking at musical instruments in a way that made the music feel like it was coming from the walls themselves.

The banquet hall stretched out before them, a dazzling display of festive joy. Glistening crystal chandeliers made of green and gold leaves hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow upon the room from their luminescent bulbs. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of ancient legends and mythical creatures from Idalos and the Dreaming, making unleavable scenes of heroism and gift-giving.

A long, banquet table stood in the center, covered with a rich, emerald-green velvet cloth that cascaded to the floor. On the table, an array of dishes awaited them. Plates were made of delicate leaves, and glasses were of sparkling daffodil cups with an otherworldly iridescence. The air was filled with the tempting aroma of dishes both familiar and exotic – Beef jerky, enchanted with spices that danced on the tongue, beckoned guests with its savory allure. Meat pies, their golden crusts glistening in the ambient glow, held within them a succulent blend of mystical meats infused with rooty flavors and aromatic herbs.

Cinnamon buns exuded a warm and comforting aroma that enveloped the hall, each bite releasing a symphony of sweet spices, transporting those who indulged into a realm of indulgence.

Nestled beside them, black licorice twisted into intricate patterns, offered a bewitching contrast. Its deep, licorice-root essence intertwined with the festivities, leaving a subtle, lingering sweetness on the palate.

To accompany this magical repast, goblets brimmed with black teas, steeped in the essence of ancient herbs and rare botanicals. The flavors were a tapestry of earthy undertones as the guests savored these extraordinary flavors. The air itself seemed to carry the essence of the feast – a blend of earthly richness and otherworldly spices that made each morsel a journey into the heart of culinary magic.

At the head of the table, a ferret known to some as Winston stood, placing some finishing touches to one of the many dishes.

"Welcome, nobal guests, tuh de Gifting!" he declared, his voice full of a thick accent of the tiny creature's upbringing. "Com-com! Com en! Feast, dance, sit or talk. Dis place es yars totrial, as we celebrate de magic that binds us all and builds relashunships new an' old trough 'giving'." He gestured to the room around them. "Once yuh are done, yuh cun return 'ome, noooh prablem. Ontil den, yuh jost let meh know ef dere es anyting me cun doh tuh 'elp."

The words were undoubtedly practiced

, but delivered with the most genuine joy and intent. He was obviously uncontainable excited to be here, but with that, without leaving the room,

Winston adeptly made himself seem politely busy as his guests meet and greet each-other without his interference

.

Just then, the banquet hall erupted into a symphony of laughter and giggles. The fairies (should you be able to see them) gathered around the table, watching and listening as events unfolded. The air was alive with the fluttering of wings, the tinkling of laughter, and the soft susurrations of a great many playful beings.

As all of this sunk in, a figure made themselves apparent, a very finely dressed butler of impeccable manor bowed slightly to one side. They held a tray with daffodil glasses filled with delightful nectar and bowed.

Shinwa

gestured towards the tray to indicate that a drink could be taken, if so desired, after which he offered to unburden their guests of their coats or cloaks.

!

Message from: Winston

Welcome to your Saiore Gifting Event thread for 2023! How does this work? - So, this is your thread (the two of you) and you can get here via the magic portal, from where-ever you are and will be returned there once you decide to leave (unless I say otherwise! SHOCK! Secrets! AAAAAAAH!). This thread will be eligible for both skill points and knowledge, as long as the usual review requirements are met. It can be whatever you want, of course, but it is a modded event and so I control the surrounding and NPCs, so please don't assume control of them (unless, of course, they are yours). You can bring anything with you that you could reasonably be assumed to carry or BE carrying and of course your gift comes with you You may bring with you any flavour NPCs if you wish, but please either avoid making these a 'mass' of actual physical people (if you have a child or someone that you really feel like bringing, please do). Diri's, Spirits, small creatures/pets on your person, etc. that usually hang around you are also all fine. A 13 foot dragonling or horse, not so much What should you do? - Please post your first post in two sections: 1) "Some time before The Gifting": A section that describes the making or acquisition of your Gift. This can be anything from "Jeoff picks up the gift he made." To a fully fledged description of the shopping/making process. This can/should be a creative and enjoyable writing experience. Write something you enjoy, in any style you enjoy, IF it's something you will enjoy! The emphasis is on FREEDOM not requirement. Don't feel required to make a lenthy section here, but certainly feel free to (rewards will be issued for creative or well crafted gift sections). 2) "Gifting Trial Arrives!": Post your arrival! If you post first, you are there first. If you post second, you can assume you spot your companion on entering and respond to anything they provide for you in their first post. 3) When you have completed this thread, please place it up for review as normal. Once it’s been reviewed, post here to claim your event medal! Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Makar Hollowbreak]

Before the gifting


Didn't know how to react to all this, to be quite honest. A night of dreams followed by noting that Winston somehow entered his abode and dropped someting to be used for a gift. He bit the inside of his mouth as he grabbed the fabric to find it warm...unnaturally warm as he pulled it out of the box. Something he could gift but not tell that it wasn't form him, honestly it felt like he was cheating to do this. On the other hand would his original idea for just a 'regular' scarf be appealing to someone who could probably own a dozen of this fabric? He didn't know, and honestly Mak was kicking that worry out of his brain because there was no point to this.


Also this was a really nice fabric, honestly it was very tempting to keep it for himself. Especially since it was damnably cold around here. Hmmm....

Then Winston would know though, and honestly it wasn't right to use something provided for the gift he was intending for his own selfish needs.

Even though it was very tempting.

He sighed then, getting ready for the day. He would need to find someone to knit this wool into a scarf and alas Mak was not one for knitting. He just hoped whoever he'd get to knit this wouldn't be asking too much about where he got the fabric from. Then again if they do ask he'll just drop Winston's name, there was enough stories about the wily ferret that he sure they'd ask no further... maybe... he hoped.



Honestly he was beginning to wish Winston would have just dropped a whole scarf instead. Talking to people wasn't Mak's forte. Of course he would have to give this gift in person.. to a person, a powerful person. He looked down at the wool again and wondered why he was a part of these festivities once more. Clearly it wasn't one of his wiser decisions.


Soon enough he was out the door, making his way to Francine Devoi's abode and hoped the lady who'm had patched too many holes in his trousers would knit up this wool in a scarf.


At the gifting


Mak was no miser, it need be said. But as he stepped through the doorway that lead to wherever here was he felt.... overwhelmed. There was no other way to put as he looked at all the colors, the grandness (by his own reckoning) and just all the sights and smells. It was no doubt festive and Mak had no doubt it was meant to be so, it just wasn't his thing and added to knot of anxiety he felt welling up inside him. Also there was decartions and instruments being played by themselves and he didn't know he felt about that.

The gift, the completed scarf that would always be warm thanks to certain magical wool, was between his arms wrapped like your regular package in simple canvas. He clutched it tight as his eyes looked around at all of this and the people and the...

He breathed, trying to calm himself and just looked for the person who would receive his gift. Passing by one of the many treats only to pick up one of the sweetrolls before depositing himself at a corner just to avoid and observe and an attempt to escape the cacophony of sensations.

[Woe]

Having done the gifting with Vega earlier on in the trial, Woe knew what to expect with respect to the fairies. He’d not thought of it then, to drown out their general noise and annoying manners, but he remembered that he could simply choose not to perceive spirits not bonded to him at a given time. So this was what he did, to ignore all of the fairies that were fluttering around. It wasn’t purely out of malice or distaste for the Sweetwine spirits, but Woe enjoyed having a clear and peaceful outing, and that was that.

So since he’d been present at the gifting for Vega’s, he knew it was now his turn to receive a gift in turn. Had he been a more materialistic person, he’d pity the person that had a gift for him. But from all he knew about gift-giving customs, it was more about the thoughts for the recipient that matters, than the actual item.

That said, he did think that while he feared not the cold, he could’ve used a scarf to maintain appearances.

At any rate, whatever the gifter had prepared for him, Woe saw that he’d arrived a little before himself, along with Winston who was there to put on a show of bombastic magnanimity. Winston was good, no doubt, at presentation, as the place was well decorated as the setting Vega and he had been inducted into. Albeit slightly different to suit the varying tastes of each participant.

“Hello Winston,” Woe said to the ferret. “Looks like you’ve done bit of redecorating here? Very nice.”

Woe hadn’t come empty-handed to the occasion, as he felt compelled by the spirit of the occasion to also give something in turn to his gifter. It was possibly a breach of etiquette, but he didn’t particularly mind. He had a bottle of his lemon euphoria brew, which he’d devised earlier in the last season. The bottle was wrapped in a little bow, and labeled as just that ‘Lemon Euphoria’, with the special tagline that Winston had suggested.

Got a bit of happy in every sip…

This he set on the table, as he met the gifter, who he didn’t know of. But by appearances he guessed he was a woodsman of sorts.

“Hello, I’m Woe.” He said to the woodsman. “Would you like a drink?”

[Winston]

!

Message from: Winston

I am so sorry for the long delay on this thread. I have reached out to marker and they have kindly confirmed that they will no longer me playing this PC for the foreseeable future and that we should carry on without them. This being so, I decided that since it is so early in the thread and not at all established who Makar is, we will proceed with a Woodsman NPC in Makar's place. For the sake of brevity and simplicity, you should assume there is no change for Woe, just now that the person giving him a Gift is now a transient NPC, created by myself. To thi end I am changing their name also, to Tyrone. If you would rather close this thread off, then just let me know and we can conclude and review what was done, otherwise, I'm very happy to run this thread with just ourselves.

As Tyrone tried to escape the overwhelming environment around him, the butler saw that food and drinks were conveniently within arms reach at all times and Winston simply made sure the man received warm and welcoming smiles. He glanced at the present with pride in the man.

It was, of course, but moments before Woe arrived and Winston knew all too well just how charismatic Woe was... After all, the first time they ever met at the Blacks' wedding, he managed to talk his good friend Tiggy from inside their ball of spikes.

"Oh, yes, Mr Woe Sir, jost a bit tuh make shar we gat wat suites yuh pellet." He said bringing a small plate with some horderves of some suitably delectable nature for Woe and Makar to sample. The spread would be appropriately varied, for Woe's part. Anything he might have thought would be a little too much to have simply seen again, he'd find would have been replaced with something more fitting to vary his enjoyment. Despite his reticence to drop the "Mr" and "Sir" from his address to the man, it was with great fondness that it was said.

The ferret looked approvingly upon the bottle that had been brought. He himself had brought gifts for his own giver, so long ago, and that his monochromally dressed friend had done the same was something that he would appear to approve of greatly. The label on the bottle didn't go unnoticed either as the host's grin spread and his head nodded happily. He said nothing of the bottle or the label, of course, not to steal any thunder that Woe himself wished to wield over it or its delivery.

Their host had no intention of stealing anyone's limelight this trial, but knew that Tyrone would need a little reassurance and probably a bit of coaxing to come out of his shell. So to get things moving, while Woe (who was a master at such things) got the lay of the land, he broke some ice after the two of them had done some quick exchange, or just in case Tyrone did not.

"Mr Jacklebreak Sir is a gud egg. De best kind af gud egg..." He proclaimed with certainty, as if there was a story there somewhere, which he himself was not going to share. "...and 'im 'as sometin' far yuh. Me tink all me...Uhhhhh...'Winstaaaannnieness' es a bit too moch, doh. Sarry about dat. Please..." He addressed the apology to them both.

Meanwhile, Shinwa ensured that empty glasses were available for them should the need arise. Just somewhere conveniently and easily noticeable, but not so much so as to prompt an expectation. The butler was a expert in his trade.

The cautious man looked at the newcomer and nodded, bowing slightly in greeting and offering his gift to Woe with arms outstretched. "I thought you might like thing. Sorry it's not much, but hopefully it will keep you warm?" The package was diligently, if not expensively, wrapped and contained the good+ quality scarf that remained warm in all temperatures.

The woodsman smiled, clearly a little nervous. "Sorry, these events are not really my kinda thing and... Well..." He lowered his voice slightly as he continued. "The Fairies are pretty overwhelming if I'm honest."

He glanced at the table. "The food does smell amazing though. SHall we? I don't useually eat anything that was not cookign oevr a campfire." He admitted with no shame.

"What do you do? I'm a Woodsman and a Hunter from around the Almond area myself."

Meanwhile, known only really to Winston as the other two ignored them, two little fairies were attempting to avoid getting ignored.

"OH! Woe est me! He can't see us!" Said the first.

"What? No, he's Woe, you are Chilly." Corrected the second with a slightly amused tone of voice.

"No-no-no. I meeaaan WOE est ME! You know..?"

"No. Actually I don't know. HE's Woe and YOU are Chilly..." They giggled, clearly amused by their companion's shenanigans. "...You can't just take their name."

"I'm quite warm actually." They replied in a droll tone of voice. "But I AM in almost total dispair that they are ignoring us! Oh WOE est me!"

"Us..."

"Oh WOE est us! What WILL we do?" Asked the first fairy, flouncing around in front of Woe's face and fluttering around as they protected at his ignorance.

!

Message from: Winston

As noted, I'm happy to continue this or you cansign off in your next post or just DM me. Please let me know Consider marking up some knowledges! Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Woe]

“Thank you, Winston.” Woe said to the ferret, as he showed him to the table where indeed some of Woe’s favorite things to eat and drink were on prominent display, along with other items that must belong to the other party.

“Oh, you know each other than. Small world.” The mortalborn looked at the ferret with new eyes. The cadouri surely seemed to get around the world, and various social circles. He was a good one to have on side, Woe thought.

“There’s no need to apologize, Winston. You’re doing well.” Woe tried to put the ferret at ease, and even radiated through his Ezere mark an aura of calm peacefulness that would lend the ferret some assurance. It would be particularly strong, as this was Ziell’s season.

Finally, however, the woodsman appeared, who was named Tyrone. Woe accepted the scarf. While he was quite resistant to cold from the mark of Ezere, having something warm still imparted comfort, so it would be good to have. Especially if for whatever reason Woe was stripped of his mark one day. He had a long life ahead of him, and wouldn’t rule a falling out with Ziell entirely from the picture. Nothing was certain in this life, afterall.

“It’s very nice, and dark gray, my favorite shade.” Woe said, admiring the workmanship of the scarf, that indeed had a warm feel to it. He wrapped it around his neck then, and enjoyed the feel of the well-woven wool.

“Yes, fairies?” Woe asked Tyrone, and suppressed a smile as he noticed the fairies’ antics, but continued to ignore them despite their flailing and use of the word ‘Woe’.

“Ohhh woooooeeee! Why is Woe is woe is me?!” The fairies continued to wail and cry out their lamentations at being ignored. The sadist in Woe almost found it enjoyable, he had to admit. He might just continue the charade for the feeling of putting down the fairies attempts to get his attention.

But he was rather focused on Tyrone, as entertaining as the fairy diversion was at the moment.

“Yes, help yourself. And try some of the lemon euphoria, although mind there’s a trace amount of euphie in it.” Woe remembered his manners, it wouldn’t do to poison someone who might be against the idea of taking a drugged brew.

“Oh you don’t know? I’m the Egg of Egilrun.” Woe told Tyrone, “Although I’ve been considering a change of career lately. Politics are definitely something that interests me, but I don’t think I’m suited to official status. I’d much rather be hands on and in the field, than stuck behind a desk.”

Tyrone nodded emphatically, as the fairies did their dismal dance across and between them, trying to get some glimpse of recognition from Woe. “I can’t imagine being cooped up all day, rather than on the trail hunting my quarry.”

“Tell me of one of the more impressive hunts you’ve gone on?” Woe asked Tyrone, “I wager you’ve seen your share of hair-raising adventures in Almund, on the Scaltoth side of the island.” Woe would know, having been to the Scaltoth a time or two. It was intensely dangerous.

“Oh I mostly fish, but also hunt around the cold area of Havardr. Seals, and the like. But I have almost come close to a Northern Sea Wolf a time or two. That was a frightening experience!”

Woe nodded, and took some of the food, eating the fish baked in tomato and lemon marinade, little by little as he listened to Tyrone.

“Do you hunt, sir?” He asked Woe. “You must have your share of stories yourself, on that side of the island, between the Scalvoris Mountains and the Sweetwine.”

Woe nodded as he took another bite, and then washed it down with lemon euphoria. “Yes.” He nodded, then cleared his throat. “I hunt around the Sweetwine sometimes, and just recently dealt with a rabbit infestation. We had a good haul of the pests, I even made a fine rabbit fur mantle for my son Toutouye.”

Tyrone nodded at that, and tore a bite out of some steak.

“I’ve yet to encounter bigger game, but hoping to make a trip out toward Scaltoth for a big hunt with the Merchant Guild members. Perhaps you’d like to join us when we’re in the area? As an extra hand?”

Tyrone swallowed the meat, and nodded, “Yes I’d like that!”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll talk details when the hunt is scheduled.”

“Whyyyyy won’t he listen or look or even talk to usss!” The fairy cried, lamenting most uproariously. “WHYYY WOEEEEEEEEE OOOOhhhhhh!”

“Chilly!”

“Wooooeee is meee!” Said the fairy, and then it played dead on the dinner table.

Woe couldn’t hide his amusement much longer, as a small hint of a smile played on the corner of his mouth at the fairy antics.

About a break of conversation ensued, during which Woe shared contact details with the hunter, and then turned to Winston. “Thanks so much Winston for all you’ve done this season.” Woe commended the ferret.

“I’m sure your efforts are pleasing to Saoire. Give her my regards, when next you meet? And thank you for the gift, Tyrone. I will carry it with me wherever I go.” He bowed to both of them, and then was soon to exit the Dream.

[Winston]

Review & Rewards

Woe

Feedback

Thanks for getting involved in this cycles event. As the first of it's kind for me personally, I was delighted to have you along.

Strictly speaking you overstepped a little, taking on Tyrone to play here, as I had intended to do that, but you played them well and I have no objection to the narrative you produced.

I'd like to apologize if I was unclear with regards to that NPC.

As always, it's great to see Woe humorous side and as a little apology for loss of your fellow PC, please accept the NPC offer should this be something you would enjoy.

See you next time!

Rewards

• Points Bank: +20 - Participate in, and Complete, a Global Event (Advertised as such on sign up)
• Renown: 10 - For receiving gifts at the Saoire Gifting
• Renown: 5 - For taking part in some fairy antics
• Renown: 5 - For gifting the giver
• XP: 20

Knowledges

• Brewing: x7
• Appraisal: Guessing one’s occupation by general appearance

Loot

• An average quality scarf. The wool/fabric used for the scarf is always warm. Even in the depts of the coldest storms, the material continues to radiate a gentle warmth, keeping the neck of those that ware it warm in all temperatures.
• Gloom: When visiting Sweetwine in future, the fairies that appear around Woe will occasionally take on an Emo appearance, with dark hair and comical gloomy attitudes. The gloom is for show and their mood as happy as ever as these are as friendly and playful as any fairy in Sweetsong, only that they are determined to see a rise from the man as their antics face his discipline!
• Tyrone will attend the hunt, if so invited!
  
  Please feel free to Dev and claim Tyrone as a Personal NPC with up to 200 skill points, no more than 60 and no less than 5 in one skill.
• As Woe made to leave, he is intercepted by Shinwa with a small doggy-bag with goodies. Inside his he would find:
  • A supply of small boiled sweats (of a flavour that he would find very pleasing) that contain the spirit of joy for him to enjoy.
  • Some rainbow crackers (that turn the eater all the colours of the rainbow for a break).

[/list]

Makar

Feedback

Hello Makar,

I have not awarded you for this thread for now, due to your absence, but if ever you return to us and would like to seek some reward for the effort put in thus far, please just FM me and I will sort it out for you.

Regards, Winston

Winston's Catch of the Day is YOU!