#Harrowing 31CLE
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Theydies and gentlethems, folk from all over, it’s happening once again! The Piltover Harrowing Festivities are almost here, and we’d be delighted to have you visit our fair city-state and partake in treats, tricks, and all manner of fun and games! The rest of the world may tremble in fear, but Piltover’s clerics, mages, techmaturgists and other protectors have been working hard to ensure safety and wellbeing at this, the most uncertain time of year. Please, come join us! The more the merrier! Hoo hoo!
Schedule:
October 15 - Opening Ceremony
Fireworks, opening of the faire
October 16 - First of the Airs
Zeppelin flights, air show. Piltover City event: Robot Wars semi-final
October 17 - First of the Harvest
Apple bobbing, archery competition, ferret races
October 18 - Day of Partial Eclipse
Livestock shows, petting zoo, eclipse viewing
October 19 - Day of the Steeds
Polo matches, horse racing
October 20 - First Pumpkin Day
Pumpkin carving, The Great Piltover Bakeoff, pie-eating competitions, food art
October 21 - Day of Faces
Nation-wide masquerade, costume competition
October 22 - Second of the Airs
Hot air balloon flights, automobile show, invention displays
October 23 - Day of the Flames
YASP Science Fair, bonfire night, fire dancing and ember rituals
October 24 - Day of Feasting
Nation-wide feasting; fairegrounds and businesses closed for the day
October 25 - Diwrnod Cysgodol
Hayrides, starlit poetry competition, lantern walk
October 26 - Last Sparks
Magic shows, art displays, musical performances
October 27 - The First Frost / Day of Remembrance
Grave visits, release of witchlights, snow-watching
October 28 - Diwrnod yr Arwyr
Feats of strength and courage
October 29 - Wisps' Beckoning
Haunted maze, trick-or-treating
October 30 - Prizegiving Ceremony
Piltover City event: Robot Wars grand final
October 31 - Harrowing Eve/Day of Total Eclipse
Lunar observation, religious observations and rituals
November 1 - Closing Ceremony
Pumpkin smashing, fireworks
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/ Ending Beginning /
For once, he doesn't feel a pulse, or a heartbeat. He feels, instead, a wave of sheer absence. It's cold, and it pushes through his senses like a wind. He looks up from his books, peering through the window of the library, and is horrified to see smoke. Billowing, broiling, spilling out across the sky. Vladimir leaves the tomes and moves towards the glass for a better look, feeling his stomach drop as he realises just what he is seeing.
The Harrowing Mist is early this year. It is reaping the birds from the sky, the beasts in the fields, and the people in the streets.
He feels sick. People are dying and he can feel it happening. Even from up here, in the Bastion, he can feel people's hearts stopping and their bodies going cold; he can see them getting to their feet again, but he knows there is nothing left in them that one could call 'alive'. The smoke is clambering, climbing the walls, reaching and lashing like malicious hands. Vladimir has never seen the Mist like this before, and the soul-lights of the Hungry Lost are far too numerous. It's like an army has descended on Noxus--
A hand clamps down on his shoulder, and he almost screams. But he exhales the nervous sound into a wheeze of a laugh, instead, as he recognises the perfume, and the heartbeat, of the woman. "Matron."
She says nothing. Her grip stays tight. Vladimir's smile - risen during the embarrassed moment - fades, then drops entirely. She isn't saying anything. She is watching the chaos unfolding outside with a stony expression. Her eyes are grim, and unflinching.
There are few things Vladimir knows for certain about the matron, his mentor and patroness and much more besides. But in this moment, as she grips his shoulder and watches Noxus being lashed by death, he learns two new things: she had known this was coming, and she was afraid.
"... Matron?"
He keeps her eyes on the window, watching the armies below as they fight the smoke, and then their own comrades. Her grip tightens, her nails digging into the fabric of his coat. Her face turns to him, and the last part to move is her gaze, which snaps from the view to his face. "We're leaving, dearest one." Her voice has none of the soft, smoky teasing to it that it normally has. Now, her words are low, and crisp, and there is such quiet force behind them.
She sounds as imperious as a queen.
The last time she had made this insistence, he had been forced to resurrect Sion, to power the behemoth's heart and flood the dead man's veins with loyal servants that had been rendered to fluid. He had resisted, then, and he had been punished for it, and forced to obey. Now? Now he doesn't dare think about second-guessing her.
It will not be long before the Mist climbs the Bastion. He will not be safe without her.
"... Yes, Matron." He doesn't ask where they're going. He doesn't ask about the rest of the Trifarix. He doesn't even ask about his servants, who are wide-eyed behind him and looking to him in panic, in plea. There is death everywhere, and she is here to save him, that is all that matters.
She is afraid. He can read it in the beat of her heart. She had known this was going to happen, and so she knew she was going to be afraid, but even so there is fear in her. She has never been afraid, but now she is. That frightens him more than the Mist.
He says nothing, letting himself be steered towards the nearest mirror. The silvery glass ripples like water, and the Matron's tight grip turns to a push, forcing him through to the shadows on the other side, before she joins him.
He hears Marie and Jacques scream, and he tries to turn back, tries to save his servants, but the Matron links her arm through his and pulls him, striding into the dark, leaving him no choice but to follow.
#prompted#the matron's student#leblanc#Harrowing 31CLE#or pre-harrowing 31cle really#hail to the queen#is it really witnessing the apocalypse if you immediately turn and run away#probably#swain's fine i'm sure#and darius probably also#draven's dead? crab rave!#hemomancy#Other magic#ruined king llc
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The Day of the Flames is one where traditions about fire and light driving off the darkness come to the fore, though perhaps not in the way that many of our guests may expect.
The day begins with the YASP Science Fair, demonstrating more of the scientific marvels that had been shown yesterday, but a step up... and, of course, there will also be demonstrations from the Yordle Military, where munitions will be detonated. Things can and will be blown up for science. With science, too! Hoo!
And then in the evening - not just in Bannerstone but throughout Piltover - bonfires will be lit for the night-long warding against the dark. Until sunrise, there will be fire-walking, fire-dancing, fire-twirling, fire-riding, and all manner of brightness and glory and rituals of ember and spark.
Come and join us for the fire and the flame!
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Welcome, welcome! Tonight, as the sun sets, the sky will be alive with colour and sound and the smell of gunpowder. Fireworks have traditionally been meant for rites of protection and purification, and it seems fitting to open Piltover’s festivities with a bang, as locals and visitors alike come together in this dangerous time of year not out of fear or desperation but for joy and celebration. In this protected place, warded by silver and sky-fire, this time of year is one indeed of celebration. Fling wide the gates of the fairegrounds, and welcome one and all, to the Harrowing Celebrations!
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The Second of the Airs is a day for people to relax a little after the flurry of activity of the last two days. Hot air balloon rides are available for all and sundry, a sedate floating over the landscape. Breakfasts and brunches in mid-air are popular, if you don’t mind getting up early!
For those who would rather keep their feet on the ground, it’s time to witness some of Piltover’s technological progress, and get a glimpse at what gizmos and gadgets are going to be available in the year to come. Those who own automobiles are encouraged to bring them, to show off their magnificent machines, while students, inventors and businesses bring out their latest wares and show off some technological marvels.
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From midnight to midnight, Piltover’s Masquerade fills the street with music and colour and perfume. All that is familiar is veiled, and all are strangers in this vibrant city. It is a wonderful time of year, the highlight of the season. Everyone has put in plenty of effort to their costumes.
She is hooded and cloaked, her colours piebald black and white, a cat mask across her face. A highwaywoman, it seems, a dashing rogue with a feline flair. She dances with another hooded and cloaked feline, one who seems to have stolen starlight in the inner lining of their cloak. ‘Dance’ perhaps is generous. They are perhaps only swaying together, no mind for the crowds or the music or anything that isn’t each other. A clowder of two.
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Tonight, look up to the Partial Eclipse, a shadow falling over the moon in a prelude and a warning to the darkness that will fall across Runeterra in the weeks to come. Whether you see silver and darkness at war, holy light and void’s deep darkness opposed, or the natural forces of nature versus the unnatural forces of undeath and corruption, there is no doubt this vision overhead speaks to us all about power beyond our control or understanding. It’s a grim time, and a quiet one, but it will pass. Gods willing, it will pass.
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Today’s a day for the showing off of Piltover’s finest creatures: hoofed, horned, furred, feathered, and even finned! Come and see the pride of the farms, dens, flocks and herds from around the nation on display, and try and guess which ones will take home the ribbons this year!
And between the showing of high-quality animals, why not take the chance to spend some quality time with animals? Guests from Piltover Zoological Gardens, as well as visitors from various farms, will be available for meet-and-greets throughout the day. Come cuddle a chicken or a wallaby! Come pet a python or a rabbit! Come feed a goat, a pony, or a baby rhino-saurus! Fun for all ages!
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The cold has settled into Piltover by now, with every morning crisped with frost and one’s breath visible with every exhale. Today, Wisps’ Beckoning, recognises that the lights that were released on the marshes might be coming back, that tricksters and ghosts might abound if one is not careful. Piltover might largely safe from the Mist’s encroach, but the effects of the Harrowing are still felt here. There are old powers stirred up by the Ruined King’s forays, after all. Jealous powers.
From the old traditions of leaving out offerings, children go from house to house to collect sweets and other gifts until their baskets are full. The yordle community has taken to this particular tradition with aplomb, both in terms of giving and collecting the treats. Those who do not give proper gifts are often the victim of pranks - paper, egg, snowball and ink, mostly - as punishment. For those who aren’t planning on collecting sweets, there is still plenty to do: the faire is still open, live performances still are staged, tours to museums and art houses are discounted… until the sun goes down, and all goes to rest.
Then the only things open are the mazes. The only lights provided are hand-lanterns and the gleaming grins of the carved pumpkins placed all over the fields and paths, a rite of terror and courage that honours the darker parts of Piltover’s history. Under starlight and moonlight, guides with lanterns and torches will guide visitors across Piltover’s wide landscape, showing the sights that - by daylight - were sweeping vistas of green, now shrouded in shadow and mystery, and telling tales of the darker parts of Piltover’s history: the witches, the werewolves, the wandering spirits, the King and his Court.
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Diwrnod yr Arwyr, the Day of Heroes, is a time of feats of strength and courage. In the fairegrounds and throughout Bannerstone and Brigham Point, there are activities designed to challenge those who are strong of arm and body.
The Mechanical Bull stands ready to defend his flag. Red and Blue rosters await their teams for Tug-Of-War. The Harrowing Car is ready to be lifted. Measures of timber are cut and cleaned and ready to be thrown long distance in the caber arena. There are also wrestling arenas, races, and weapons demonstrations from re-enactment groups who show off Demacian, Noxian, or Rakkori battles of the past.
Many use this time to enjoy the brisker weather at the fairegrounds, or to grab themselves a cup of mulled wine, honey mead, or hot chocolate to watch others flex and fight. Otherwise, by all means... test your might.
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Soraka proudly presents her "Banana Pie", which is so stuffed full with celestial magic that it gives off a slight glow even at daytime. People coming too close to it seem to suffer from hallucinations caused by the smell, claiming to see animals made of starlight and constellations among other things that appear to be impossible to properly articulate in any mortal language. Soraka meanwhile claims that this is all just a coincidence and that her pie is totally normal.
There is certainly something in the idea of 'normal' for mortals being nothing like the 'normal' of sidereals.
Caitlyn quietly tests for magical and narcotics before allowing this pie to be distributed amongst the rest of the judges.
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‘Tis the First of the Airs! While you attend the fairegrounds and play your games to win your prizes, don’t forget to glance skywards now and then! Witness the Yipsnakes and other aerial troops performing feats of breathless ballet in flight! And of course, if you are interested in the view from above, today’s the inaugural day of the zeppelin flights, with loops of the countryside being performed in these slow and stately crafts. You can enjoy from the ground or from high above! Hoo hoo!
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She has been checking passports and greeting dignitaries all day. She is exhausted.
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Today’s the day, folks, hoo, we grieve and say goodbye to the Harrowing Festivities for another year. Thank you one and all for coming and for taking part in our grand events.
We’ll end our Harrowing the way we always do: throughout the day, we gather up all the empty pumpkin shells that served as lanterns for the year - every single one! - and smash them. Breaking them apart by any means necessary, as tradition dictates, and throwing them into Bluewind Bay, also as tradition dictates. Don’t let a single lantern be forgotten! They must meet their fate in the sea!
And then, as the night falls, once more the fireworks will light up the sky. We close as we opened, with light and colour and sound and the smell of gunpowder. Thank you, everyone, for coming, and we hope you had fun. See you next year, hoo hoo!
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The Day of the Total Eclipse is a day when all and sundry take the time to see to old rites and traditions. Even a city of progress, reason, and innovation has room for faith still, and many temples, churches, shrines and houses of worship are filled as people come to renew their vows, to make new pledges, to offer up prayers, and to seek shelter and solace from the horrows that the Harrowing visits on the world.
At night, the total eclipse will snuff the moon from sight ... or turn it red, as crimson as fresh-spilled blood, as it has begun to do in the last few years. There are signs in the skies tonight, so cling tight to beads and candles and incense and loved ones.
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