empatheias_ooc | Night of Selenium 2019: Details & Plotting

— NIGHT OF SELENIUM 2019: DETAILS —

This year’s Selenium will bring both traditions new and old to life: the rediscovery of traditions upheld by Piphron’s people in the past have not been forgotten, and will be an important part of the annual occasion for years to come. The usual candles and lanterns will also be present, and while the greater part of the celebration will be in Theasthai, those who would prefer to remain in Verens will also have festivities to attend. Of course, those who would prefer to observe the Night of Selenium in their own way are welcome to do so, as well. Most of the event log will be self-explanatory, but here’s a quick rundown on what to expect this year!

» WHAT IS SELENIUM?

First thing we should touch on is to once again explain the meaning of Selenium itself. Selenium is this world’s version of All Souls Day. Everyone takes the time to send their respects (or grievances) to the dead and on the evening of the last day of the month, they release floating lanterns. The candle symbolizes the departed souls, and the act is to help any lingering spirits to pass on. It's both a solemn and celebratory affair as while there is grief, the goal is to also send the departed off with joy of the lives they lived.

» EVENT DETAILS

Time Frame: ICly, this happens during the last two days of the month. OOCly, it runs from January 25th through January 31st. As always, you are free to tag in late and tag for as long as you need to. Because this event will be taking place during the last week of the month, threads from this log can be used for either January or February’s AC period. As usual, threads started during the last three days of the month cannot be used for the current month’s AC.

Location: Similar to the last two years, there will be a small festival in Verens, but the larger celebration will be in Theasthai, which has been decked out for the occasion. People are welcome to use either the teleporter or the provided hot air balloons, and those who choose the latter will be treated to a scenic view of Euda Mountain as they descend.

Opt-In: As always, this is an opt-in event. It's also true for locals, as some may stay behind to do their own private observance of Selenium.

Activities: While there will be an overall festive atmosphere, there will be certain items and activities that characters can focus on.

Candles of Remembrance. These candles are freely handed out to those who may want one and are for personal use, not the lanterns. They are made with the petals from the Tree of Memories, and what makes them unique is that when lit, both the flame and the smoke will create a reflection of either a deceased or sorely missed but alive individual. It's tuned to draw in good memories of the departed, but it is possible for a negative image to appear instead, especially if the person lighting the candle has mixed or complicated feelings about the person they’re honoring. This image is viewable to all near it. The only real effect this will have is to evoke emotions regarding the individual, but the act of lighting a candle in honor of those who have gone is one of the core Selenium traditions. Stronger emotions may cause these images to manifest as spectres, so that people may visit with those they have lost for a short time.
Floating Lanterns. As always, lanterns will still be lit and released. As in years past, everyone writes the names of their deceased or deeply missed loved ones, attach it to the lantern, light the candle, and release it. While some pre-made lanterns will be readily available, people will also have the opportunity to make their own paper lanterns, as well, for those who would like the process to be a bit more personal.
Honoring Bonds. As they were last year, the ancient Selenium traditions of Piphron’s people are being incorporated into the festivities, courtesy of Daimonia. Those attending the celebration in Theasthai will be encouraged to bear torches up to the top of Euda Mountain, adding them to the brightly burning bonfire that serves to commemorate the bonds of trust and affection that connect us all, including the bonds shared with those who are no longer with us. Glasses of spiced juice (or wine, depending on your preference) will be provided, and just as ordinary crystal glasses, when filled with liquid, will sing out beautiful notes when tapped, these glasses will release the voices of those who are missing, so that the conversation around the fire might also include echoes of those who are gone.
Crystal Mirrors. On the way to the top of Euda Mountain, characters may come across structures composed of mirrors that have been infused with nostalgia and grief, and if they make their way inside they'll re-experience a strong memory, reflected in the crystal for others to see. Though illusory, these memories will be vivid and incredibly realistic. However, these rooms are unlike the candles in that they're not designed to pull forth only good memories— unpleasant ones may very well make an appearance, as well, giving grief its due.
Vigil at the Wall of Names. Selenium has long been an occasion for upholding old traditions, but in the wake of how this world has changed over the last few years, it seems high time to institute a new one. It’s not unusual for Otherworlders to honor those who have come and gone from this world using the Candles of Remembrance, but given what an integral part of this world Otherworlders have become, it’s time to give them their due. A vigil will be held at the Wall of Names, with candles lit to honor all of those who have left Empatheias behind. Those who choose to visit it will be encouraged to light candles of their own, but also to share stories or well wishes for the friends they find themselves separated from. Otherworlders are as much a part of this world as the natives now, and those who have left Empatheias behind ought to be remembered.

The bonfire atop the mountain will burn strong throughout the evening, and only when it becomes a pile of glowing embers will the festivities truly begin to wind down. As the night comes to an end, the sky will be filled with the glow of lanterns that have been released by natives and Otherworlders alike.

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That's it for now! If you have any questions, feel free to ask here. You are free to use this post for plotting.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Elliot has his whole family to mourn for, and most of their deaths were close enough to his fault that he takes responsibility. There will definitely be stuff with candle(s) and/or lanterns for them. Memory-wise, several people in his life who were still living have previously been here, as well.

Some "good" possibilities:
- Six-year-old Elliot trying to secretly stalk Gilbert and Vincent (and being horribly obvious about it) because he couldn't figure out why the rest of his family hated them.
- Any of the important moments building his relationship with Leo. Particularly because they almost always end up really embarrassing for him sooner or later.
- Anything with Oz even though Elliot's a stubborn jerk for a lot of that.
- Playing piano.
- Times he "secretly" was playing with cats.

Bad (well, the worst actually):
- Hearing Ernest and Claude plotting to kill Gilbert, Vincent, and Leo then Elliot proceeding to kill them (and they knew it was him) under mind control and forgetting about it.
- Vanessa just being in big sister-bear mode and him mind control killing her (instantly, very briefly aware of what hit her) and immediately forgetting it.
- His mother about to sacrifice Leo and him mind control killing her (and in two stages like his brothers so she also knew it was him).
- His own untimely death by self-sacrifice.

And if you know canon and are interested in doing something based on a thing I did not list, we can discuss that!

Night of Selenium 2019: Details & Plotting

Elliot Nightray | Pandora Hearts