the embers of the white oak had all vanished . the smoke no longer clung to the night sky . a month has passed since the horrors of the kal'thera coven . a month where everyone has gone home , licking their wounds , searching for answers , building alliances and sending bats with letters to the council who once more , want a crownwearer upon their pedestal .
as time passes and the quiet settles in , the fanged small creatures arrive once more at the doorsteps of our nobility . upon their small backs comes the invitation . an invitation to travel to heliophra . for once more we will try , once more we will see who is worthy of the crown of nocturnia and it's heaviness . are you prepared little velkynar ? to again stand in the room with friends , lovers , enemies and the like ? for you have no choice , for when the council call we all go .
preperations to leave for heliophra had been made in sheer castle for the past week . the ruling lady eager to see the dark sands and night sky , the son already headed on the road due to the council's summons . ruling lord looks out over his beloved hollow , once more anything but enthusiastic to leave the safest place for his family behind . the carriage of the vassal house is ready and as his wife comes up to comfort his glum mind , a kiss of affection is given . tinted rose cheeks of beloved gives him strength and resiliance and his mind prepares for battle once more . forbidden bat came to him about a week ago . elegant handwriting of unlikely ally has given hope to ruling lord once more . his goal is within sight , the truth will be revealed .
wife leaves for the carriage and ruling lord tosses his secret letter into the hearth , turning it into ash . for a moment he stands there , wondering what glee he will feel when goal will be reached . however , as he stands there the sound of swords clinging , echoes into his ears . within seconds ruling lord is out in the courtyard of his home , within seconds his onyx hues darken as wife stands with dagger gifted by him covered in crimson , clutching her abdoment at the seven assasins . why ? who ? when ? where ? action comes first and ruling lord unsheathes his sword , attacking the ones closest to his wife , his beloved wife . heavy breathing echoes after a few minutes of battle . onyx hues are filled with beasts unleashed and as he turns to find his beloved , fright envelops the ruling lord for the first time in his life . upon the courtyard ground she lays as if sleeping , in a pool of crimson . chaos errupts within the ruling lord and as he clutches his wife to him , covering himself in her death , the scream which echoes into braxigar is soul wretching . the ruling lady of house garramoth , has been murdered .
meanwhile in heliophra , in elaris keep .
a glass of crimson is lifted by old hands . hands which has survived years of mischief and deceit . " it is done . " the words echo in a room filled with few yet secured by many . the words spoken are different than what everyone knows them for , what is expected of them . " the deed is done and it did not succeed . " annoyance comes forth , the whispers had been recieved but the news they wanted wasn't what was needed . " we murdered the wife , we have cut off perhaps the only thread holding him in check . we've now made an enemy of someone who could destroy us all . " ruling lord aether elarion looks at his accomplices , angered by the failed mission . " has he found anything real ? " lord altan altinsoy says from a corner of his home , as much a participant in the murder of lady garramoth . " we do not know . " forth steps ruling lord yohan malaric , covered in drakatharian clothing . three men of betrayal . three men with one task . to protect what exists , to ensure the world stays as it should . for what are they afraid of ? and what has been found ? the world is spinning , turning and while greed and power makes men lick from a bowl , everything is set to turn . everything , will come to light .
hello my friends ! i hope you are all excited to go to heliophra . some of our characters might not be too happy * cries in house garramoth * . however , we have a lot that'll go down in this event . firstly , as soon as everyone arrived in heliophra , everyone was told who had applied for crownwearer . it is now public knowledge and the council are preparing their statement in how they will choose a crown wearer . ( in reality , the choice will be given to you writers as we'll make a poll where you can vote for one of our contestants . you only get one vote , so pick carefully who you as a writer wish to see upon nocturnia's throne ) now , for the basics read down below :
all former threads from the month in the hollows are to be finished .
this event will go on for a month unless we see the need to extend . there will also be a council announcement when the time to choose is approaching , for now we will have everyone arrive in elaris keep and connect with each other across the borders .
as always we love closed threads but we love opens even more . now everyone can also write with everyone , so let's please try to write with both old and new members .
the tags this time is : nocturnia.eventthree , nocturnia.open & nocturnia.theforgottenworld
the poll for your vote will be up in discord when the time comes to vote .
the three who created the assasination on our lady garramoth is something we only know ooc , none of the muses will know they have done it . however , their crimes will come to light sometime hopefully ?
any questions or need of understanding can be sent through a ticket or in our " open questions " section in discord .
the ashes of the white oak have settled over vallarion . the wounded have been tended to and those who have been lost have been burnt upon a pyre , far away so no smoke can remind others of what has been lost . the air feels heavy , the velkynar gathered in celembron feel unease spread amongst them after everything which has transpired . the council has taken their time with their decisions but now they are ready to speak .
veltheron caldrithen has brought the nobility to his great hall , himself seated upon a chair made from blessed wood of a white oak long gone , perhaps a sibling root to the tethalune coven's former home . old age is catching up to him and everyone expects the old man to perish into the unknown within the next five to ten years .
the gathered crowd have a curious look upon them and they all are eager to know what comes next . " dear nobility of nocturnia . thank you for listening to the summons of the council . " the withered man sits upon his seat , allowed to sit instead of stand when announcing due to old age . " a terrible thing happened in the kal'thera coven , something so cruel and horrid , we will search for the culprits with the council's soldiers and power . no such act should go unpunished . " he pauses , trying to catch his breath . " the matter of house tethalune has been decided , their home is gone , but they will claim land not far from their former home . " whispers and murmurs come forth before a guard takes his spear and bangs it against the stone tile , asking for silence . " nyraethis castle has been vacant for centuries , no one knows what story the castle holds but it has always been kept in best of conditions by the council , should it be needed - " the murmurs come forth again but it is evident that some burdens from the tethalune household disappear . they might've lost a home, but they are offered a new one , a great gift by the council , or a ploy for support ? " it is yours and the kal'thera coven can continue to prosper. "
a servant comes forth , handing the caldrithen ruling lord another scroll . different news , different tasks ? " now , on to what we recieved . a note was given to the council by the tethalune heir , a note containing a threat . we are all safe , but time is now dire . " the note in itself is not given towards the noble , they are left in the shadows of it , but no one has the time to even think of it as veltheron speaks again . " we need a new crownwearer . " the room goes completely silent . orbs sparkle with greed and enthusiasm , others with worry . " you will all depart back home to your hollows , you will all consider your positions and any that may want are allowed to send a bat with their participation for the crown to the council ⸻ no chosen few like always , no dance .. send your interest and when the time comes , you will all be summoned to gather again . " he scans the room looking over vallarian's , braxigarians , heliophrians , morkhulians and drakatharian velkynar . " you all go home and you do not leave your hollows , until the council calls upon you . " strict and clear , the scroll is given away and the ruling lord struggles to his feet . " let us pray to the unknown for better times , for those who wish us harm to be caught and for our world to prosper. " the ruling lord takes his leave with that , leaving his grand hall in silence before talk begins .
upon the day of leaving , a few velkynar make different choices than what they would upon arrival . luz solkarith is nowhere near her family or the braxigarians in formation behind their ruling vassal . she's amongst the heliophrians , standing next to hiran tripathi . a choice has been made , a choice which will forever make the braxigarian banished from her home and perhaps hated in her new ? two drakatharians have their fingers entangled together , leaving vallarion with promises upon their lips . to both joy and hatred . the heir of house malaric and the third child of house thanachalerm seem to have found their way back to one another .
so the journey back home begins and the wait as well . for while home where they all feel most comfortable is where they wish to be , the shadows whisper and those who wish to hurt , begin to sharpen their blades too .
and there we have it ! the council has given their announcement alongside a little snippet at the end of happenings which will impact some lives . now , for the future after this announcement we will have a time period where everyone will stay in their hollow . this means we can only write muses who are from the same hollow . i'll give some pointers down below :
as stated , everyone will stay in their respective hollows . no contact with other muses , not even through letters and bats . there's a ban currently on any interactions outside ones own hollow given by the council , who knows why ?
this small event will be for two to three weeks , depending on how admin team and members feel .
everyone has to make at least one open starter before making a closed thread with someone . please do interact with these .
those who wish to send in their application to the council for a chance at the crownwearer seat can check the questionnaire which will be posted in the discord .
all former threads needs to be closed or finished .
any questions can be sent in the discord either in " open questions " or in a ticket .
you can all tag the current stage with : nocturnia.hollows
remember to have fun , to take care of everyone and include everyone . big kisses from your admin team !
at the outskirts of the white oak , the nobility of nocturnia have gathered . a silence floods the environment and nothing can be heard , not even the screams of the wind , wanting to breach the silence . it is finally here , the ritual is about to take place and with utmost anxiety and anticipation , the world of nocturnia , the world of the velkynar stand still .
all of nocturnia's nobility , every hollow and every velkynar are prepared for what is to come . standing in a circle upon the ritual site , they are gathered for the evenings grand ceremony . by hollow they stand together , preparing themselves . every velkynar is offered a sacrifical blade curved and small with one simple intention . to draw the smallest of droplet , to sacrifice to the moon above , the sardonyx moon which has become so beautiful looking directly upon it is not adviced as the sun feeds it it's glow . house tethalune stands in the middle , the ruling lord artheleon smiles in his old age , brimming with confidence not seen the last ten years of his life . behind him , his wife and children stand prepared , excited and without a doubt honored . with a voice which reaches the masses , he begins . “ welcome to the sardonyx moon ritual . we are gathered here in celebration of the unknown , of the moon and it's powers , of the blessings it may bestow upon us . ” a sigh of relief leaves the ruling lord as his hands lift up . “ it is not often every hollow can be represented and my daughter - ” the ruling lord turns to look at seraphyna , pride and love shining from the man , “ has predicted that the moon will bless us , as she through prayers have seen that every velkynar upon these grounds gave what they normally wouldn't ⸻ a secret from their depths good and proud enough for the moon to bless . ” turning back to the masses around him , he picks up his sacricial knife , encouraging everyone else to do the same .
the ritual site consists of chalices standing close to every household , the chalices are hollowed and follow drains which all lead to the center , where the blood of the hollows and houses , will mix into one , then be given to the moon . “ together , lift your sacrifical blades , together cut your palms and give what is most precious . through our blood we unite , through our blood we survive and through our blood , we will be blessed by the sardonyx moon . ” his voice vibrates in the silence and for the first time throughout the night , the wind whisps around , giving it's blessing for what is to transpire .
no sound is made , no shriek or pain is given as every individual in their order , from ruling lord to youngest child gives blood to the moon . the crimson liquid flows through the ground , as if lifted by invisible powers as if the moon is so hungry for what it is given that the power of it makes the blood flow towards it's destination . there's a sense of union in the ritual . every velkynar looks eager to see if the blessings will be given , eager to understand if this might be it ⸻ if this is the path back to glory , back to who they used to be . has the moon been their salvation all along ? has this ritual been everything they needed for retribution to come back to them ?
as they stand in union , gathered together but nothing as a people , as the velkynar , the moon begins to shine even brighter . a certain amount of horror breaches into the calmness of the people watching , until they feel warmth upon their flesh , until they feel a sense of calm and beauty grace their skin . the ruling lord artheleon stands with his arms stretched out , his wound still bleeding as he cut deep . just like the rest of his household , just like the rest of the velkynar who held their faith to the moon and it's powers . and then the wounds begin to heal . the warmth sweeps through them , the sardonyx moon shines so brightly that the people of nocturnia finds themselves in light they would normally burn alive in . but no , this is the blessing , this is what they have asked for . faith is restored , their wounds within their palms healed and together they all feel as one . “ oh sardonyx moon , thank you for your blessing , thank you for restoring our faith in you , thank you for being the light in our darkness . ” the council members stand in awe , believing the ritual to have been a false one , yet they as well now believe in the glory of the moon . faith is restored and a certain amount of power seems to swim into them all . is this it ? are they saved ? will they be allowed to see the sun come morning ? “ friends , lovers , family ⸻ the moon has given it's blessing , come morning we will know it's outcome .. now , please head back to the oak tree and enjoy the grand feast prepared . ” the ruling lord laughs in his happiness and as every hollow seems more at ease than ever , the house tethalune stays behind , to give more , to accept that the ritual has been accepted , that they now stand perhaps higher than ever before .
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as house tethalune are circled together , holding hands in union for a succesfull ritual and blessing , tears are shed amongst them . the grattitude the close knit family have to their sacred home and rituals feel more important than ever . as they break from one another , they begin to head back to their beloved home . seraphyna and lathander walk holding hands , their parents right behind them embracing one another and showing affection now that everything soon goes back to normal .
and then it doesn't . smoke is seen in the distance and as emerald hues of the heir of house tethalune looks upon it , fear spreads through his body . his fingers untangle from beloved sibling and strides are taken quickly . “ no , please no . ” desperation comes forth and the heir begins to sprint . locks of gold rush in the wind , the smell of smoke and burning wood hits his nostrils and as he break free from the trees horror comes forth . below the look out point , the white oak is in full flame .
screams echo in the wind , flames lick at the ancient tree and branches fall from top to bottom , crushing the houses below . panic has ensued and nothing is going according to plan . house tethalune rushes towards their home , towards what they hold sacred ⸻ yet it seems too late . the fire has errupted , a blazing inferno covers the sky and everything has turned so dark , the blessing no longer in the minds of anyone .
within the grand tree the nuwa siblings struggle to move . the eldest have gone blind from the embers of the fire , the youngest try his utmost to move his brother to safety but with a broken arm for lian their struggles are difficult . however , through sheer will the nuwa siblings are able to get out , to get to safety as the flames lick at everyone's wounds and dreams .
some of the drakathar hollow's houses have managed to escape the flames , their party consisting of varyn , amarei , chantara and vaelor . the unlikely group has somehow gotten out , vaelor in the forefront along side the miretorn heir . the party tries to help out those they can , finding servants trying to dose the smallest flames to an entrance . in their work of trying to calm the flames, the youngest mirethorn appears , cuts and bruises covering her torso , adding to her already scarred body . with heavy breaths , the mirethorn's embrace one another , finding solace in their reunion and safety .
another party emerges from the flames , lead by evandris elarion , covered in soot from the branches , yet in a strong manner , showing courage in the time of need . he is followed by varik malaric who helps elizabeth kelindorr who seems to have wounded her shoulder , a gaping fire wound sizzling upon her skin . behind follows miharu usami , unharmed by the flames , breathing in the toxic smoke .
within the flames , hungry to take lives , arun tripathi stands , holding a door which is about to collapse open . he stands steadfast as several of the noble houses rushes out towards safety , amongst them elowen tenelith is being helped by diya as she has sprained her ankle and struggles to breathe , the smoke filling the tenelith womans lungs . behind follows nayara , isolde , brannon , silas and efigenya , all who seem to have found their way out safely before anything could happen to them . however , the tripathi stands tall , sweat piling , his lungs about to give out and his vision begins to blur . he wishes to continue , to get as many as possible out before life gives out . somehow , it seems he is willing to sacrifice himself for the others , to die amongst the flames as long as others survive . his vision begins to blur and soon enough , he will fall . but before he succumbs to darkness , well-known arms holds him up as his elder brother , carries him to safety .
the tenelith daughter screams for aid as she cannot find a way to escape , thankfully cai elarion hears her screams and comes to her aid , embracing her in his arms and carries her out of the burning room , to safety from fires and dust . as cai run's through the fires and tries his utmost to stay away from the flames , he meets up with hiran and a passed out arun . a dead end before them , no way out for any of them . the flames lick at their skin wanting their souls and as they believe all hope is lost , luz solkarith breaks through the fallen debris . the fingers on her right arm have all broken in the attempt to get her friends and loved ones out . she looks at the people she now saves , pride filling her as she meets her sword masters eyes , pride shining both ways . they rush out of the tree , bringing those who have passed out to safety and get healing .
theano eluwe weeps in silence as she believes her end is near . her vision has begun to blur and she decides to accept her fate of perrishing within the flames . however , as she struggles to breathe , brown locks flow into her vision . elysande garramoth picks her up upon her back , finding strength to carry the other out of what could've been both their graves . the garramoth breathes heavily , swiping coal from her cheeks as she screams into the fire , for her son and husband . the son of house garramoth finds himself underneath a burning branch , his breathing is heavy and he begins to lose himself . he keeps on trying to break free , but his leg has been broken , a woundin his thigh is gaping and bleeding crimson upon the oak tree as tears fall . death is so close , so when out of the shadows ran solkarith comes , he weeps in thanks , being saved by the shadow assigned by his father , passing out from the blood loss as he is saved , making the solkarith his rescuer .
onyx hues search frantic for his family , unable to know if son and wife has gotten out . banging upon a door is heard as he searched , sweat running into his onyx hues . wrath consumes the ruling lord of house garramoth and as he walks up to the door , he breaks it down with the intention of murder . behind it , doe eyes , a foxes eyes look at him . her breathing is ragged , her form about to pass out , so before the young woman can deny his aid , lord garramoth knocks lady lenore out , lifting her up and carries her out to safety , where he leaves her to the medics thinking she's passed out from the horrors she experienced . loud yelling for son and beloved can be heard , until the ruling lord sees his wife , running and wrapping himself around her , kissing her forhead and thanking the unknown .
tradgedy has befallen house tethalune . their home is in full flame and the fires do not stop before the sun wishes to come forth . upon the hill side of the kal'thera coven , loud song of cries can be heard , the weeping of those who lost their homes and the nobillity which mourn the dead and the survivors . nothing is certain , nothing is given . however , before the sun can take them all , house caldrithen speaks up , saying sanctuary can be found in their home . the path to celembron is a sad one , filled with unmistakable horrors , crimson and tears . there is no words which can describe the loss of tonight , the knowledge and homes which will never be hole again . the tethalune household are silent , invited to stay in celembron for how long they wish to . can the white oak be lived in again ? has their home been forsaken completely ? the world has turned dark and no one knows why . as seraphyna and lathander once more walk hand in hand , covered in coal and tears , a servant walks up to them . “ my lord , i am so sad for our loss , but i believe this should be given - ” within his hold is a scroll one covered in sot and burned edges . the tethalune heir opens it looking upon the words and eyes wide . “ who gave you this ? ” the servant looks scared , perhaps a little out of place . “ someone wearing a black cloak, their hood covered their features , i do not know who they are . ” lathander brims with wrath and horror , his fingers clutch the scroll . “ search the white oak when the sun goes down , contact the council . ” the scroll is given to seraphyna , her fingers tremble as she holds it , opens it and reads the words upon it . “ for malrith we rise . ”
welcome to our end to the sardonyx moon ritual !
how are we feeling gang ? this was a rollercoaster no ? so all our muses are now headed for celembron , to stay with the caldrithen household after the aftermath of the white oak burning . i'm going to add a few guidelines below which you all should follow and read through :
the muses who got the most hurt are muses which was sent in with either wishes to be wounded or accepted wounds . not all muses have been written about - but i have tried to pick at least one or two from each writer unless the questionnaire was not answered . those who are not mentioned did however get out safely from the fires .
the muses which fell unconscious , you can either have be " out of play " for a while , or you can write them waking up in the hospital ward of house caldrithen . ( or die if you'd like , gasp )
the muses who are wounded can suffer from their wounds / broken bones and struggle with their everyday life after this , or you could all have them recover fully
all our muses will now be staying in celembron for a while , until we do a new timeskip . i'm thinking we stay writing the aftermath for a month or so .
there will also be a statement given from the council before a new timeskip .
we would like all current threads to either be finished or switched out with new ones , we after all had a rather big happening occur .
new threads can be tagged with : nocturnia.sardonyxaftermath and nocturnia.open for open threads .
heavily encourage a few open threads this time instead of only closed so we can all have interactions .
any questions can be sent into the "open questions" in discord or in a ticket .
hope you all enjoyed the plot drop , it was a blessing to write and i'm excited for our future !
as the nobility of nocturnia were guided to their quarters , the council members stood in the grand hall , watching the families of the fallen weep , break and find wrath within their hearts , diving into loss like an open lake inviting them to partake . it was easy , to let them say their goodbyes - it was worse when they were told they could not retrieve their dead just yet .
it has been a week since the nobility was allowed back outside , it has been a waiting game consisting of worries , threats , heartache and what can only be said to be either the rise or downfall of the power of the lands . as they all are gathered once more in the courtyard , the task of speaking the councils announcement has fallen to the ruling lord of moira castle . aether elarion steps forth , his facial features so different from when everyone arrived , from when he laughed and sang like everyone knows him to , to now this - a man who is a shell of himself , hollow like the bodies with no souls no more . elderly hands clutch a scroll and before speaking , the lord takes a glance at those gathered , as if it builds courage and gives him enough faith in himself to deliver the councils words .
" dear nobles of nocturnia . " it has begun , and even if his voice is unsteady , the man holds himself up high . " the horrible acts which transpired during the opening of the chosing of our next crownwearer , are unforgivable .. the council do not accept such an act and will do it's utmost best to find those or what was behind these cruel and pure evil acts of defiance . " his fingers clutch the scroll lightly and his old eyes try to be as fierce as he wants to be . " with the help of lord chae jiwoo , the bodies of our fallen have gone through specific care in hopes of finding answers , but medicine do not always hold the answers . the slashes upon the dead are from an unknown source , it hints at fingernails as sharp as claws and a poison black as night , which we have never seen before in our time . " silence follows and then he speaks again . " the bodies are to be given to their respectful families for the rites of passing . however after lord chae check the bodies the council performed their own research , during the process of finding what did this - the bodies have begun to decay , their skin has turned grey and as if .. " for once the lord holds his tongue a little too long , his eyes turning ever so slightly to nobles from braxigar . " as if preparing to come back twisted and cruel , as if their souls are lost but the body still holds a task . the council has therefore given a guard to each household bringing a body with them back home , along with instructions to burn the bodies within arrival of their homes . this means no passage of rite will be conducted by house noxerian , their souls will not be lost , even if not given the proper burial , our safety comes first . we also give our deepest condolences . there is however no need to worry , for they are not alive , our loved ones are gone and will never come back . " whispers can be heard through the crowds and then the lord of house elarion speaks again .
" everyone is to leave for their hollows , not to interact with other ones for a while . the council have their suspicions as to what might have gone down and will at the next celebration all hollows are gathered , speak up about this matter again . we have also decided , that the next chosing of our crownwearer , will be different .. " murmurs once more , different this time , perhaps hopeful ? as if the news of the dead meant so little . " anyone who wishes to take upon themselves to carry our crown , can now nominate themselves and the council will look through all applications - this means , the council members will this time not choose , but if you believe yourself fit , you come forth when asked in the future . safe travels home , friends and may whoever bloodied our wonderful night , burn in the sun . "
hello friends , here is the announcement from the council . as stated in the discord , this announcement is right before everyone leaves . so no new threads will be created after this - we are going to work on closing the ones we've created up until now and then we will embark on a new journey beginning next week. i'm excited for the timeskip and to hear what everyones been up to in the past month . new event and setting will come ask said on the 24th , excited to go on our second event then !
goblets filled with wine , laughter bleeding through the crowded grand hall , feet gliding across polished floor and fingertips brushing against known and unknown had been the evening’s pleasures and indulgences so far . the nobility of nocturnia found themselves filled with enjoyement , in company of friends from far and wide beyond their hollows . a splendid evening , a grinning ruling lord elarion slouched upon his seat , three or four goblets too many consumed . it seemed a night destined for remembrance not only for the choosing of the next crownwearer , but for the people of nocturnia as a whole .
halfway through the evening , the curtains of every balcony draw closed over their entrances , the chosen escorted away to their chambers for preparation and adornment . the council return to their seats and a fragile calm settles over the previously ravenous grand hall . divided into their hollows , they stand ready to witness the dances , to watch the younglings step toward unknown fates . the partners of the chosen , selected by the council , come forth . seren tenelith , lenore kaelvorn and cian garramoth amongst them , stepping forward to take their places next to the chosen for the official dance . for a long while , they stand unmoving , waiting for the chosen to emerge .
the two story doors to the grand hall groan open and in walk the chosen of house almara , the chosen of house malaric , the chosen of house dagdelen and the chosen of house noxerian . they take their positions opposite their partners , shoulders squared nervousness felt upon unknown futures . whispers flutter like nervous wings , the silence fracturing as the chosen of house verathorm , lady ophelia , is nowhere to be seen . has this occurred before ? has a chosen ever failed to appear at the dance of the chosen , leaving their partner abandoned , eyes cast downward in humiliation and unease . lord veltheron caldrithen rises from his council seat , his chair shrieking against stone as the old man pulls himself upright . there is something sharp within his eyes , a resolve that ripples through the velkynar nobles . " morkhul's chosen is not here , she is therefore disqualified from the crown and morkhul will not hold the crown . " stern , ancient , and so revered that none dare challenge the weight of his words .
however , while the nobles ready themselves for the dance to begin , distant cries for help and desperate fists pounding upon a door echo through the abandoned corridors of moira castle , muffled by the celebrations .
as ruling lord veltheron settles back into his seat , a lone violin begins to weep , soon joined by others that follow the melody , a song heavy with ancient tones , born of a time no living velkynar remembers . the silence dissolves , every gaze drawn to the remaining four , the chosen who bear within them the future king , queen or liege . cian garramoth takes the hand of the chosen of heliophra , their movements strained , perhaps the garramoth son wilting beneath the unforgiving limelight ? seren tenelith smiles upon the noxerian chosen , graceful and precise , every inch the daughter of vallarion . lenore kaelvorn falters in their steps but the malaric chosen guides them steadily with precision . the dance has begun and the council watch with quiet satisfaction , their selections flawless , all worthy , all obedient , all - perfect puppets upon unseen strings .
the hall watches in reverent silence as candlelight shivers across the four couples , each pouring themselves into the opening of the choosing ceremony . everything is as it has always been , everything moves precisely as it should - until it does not .
from nothingness a violent gust of wind announces itself . black curtains lash , dragging the wind inside and suffocating every flame . absolute darkness surges forth , a darkness so complete that even creatures of night are rendered blind . an alien stench floods the air , stinging as fine grains like sand slash against everyone’s eyes . murmurs ripple into panic , confusion blooming as the crowd wonders whether this horror is sanctioned by the council or if something has gone catastrophically wrong .
then comes the sound of blade sinking into flesh , skin tearing open and something wet striking stone . ragged breaths , gasping , heaving , involuntary sounds are heard . panic erupts , dread claiming its dominion as the golden hour of the velkynar celebration collapses into ruin . when ruling lord elarion finally commands his castle knights to raise the torches , it is already far too late .
the chosen of house almara , the chosen of house malaric , the chosen of house dagdelen and the chosen of house noxerian lie broken upon the polished floor , dead . a pool of crimson spreads greedily as the bodies of the chosen grow cold . amidst the carnage , seren tenelith , cian garramoth and lenore kaelvorn stand drenched in scarlet , splattered with the remains of shattered lives . horror devours their features , limbs trembling for reasons beyond thought . panic curdles into pure terror and as night drags itself toward dawn the velkynar of nocturnia stand frozen before the atrocity . no one speaks , no one barely breathes , the wind alone marking the passage of time . until ruling lord garramoth surges forward , clutching his son’s face , forcing his gaze upward . words are hissed between them before the former council man turns upon the assembly he so deeply despises . " this is an attack upon everything we are , upon the council , upon the hollows , upon the world we have built . will you accept this council members ? will you accept for these lives to have been stolen by who knows what ?! " his voice crashes through the grand hall , his feet soaked crimson as the pool continues to swell .
ruling lord yohan malaric steps forward , cheeks drowned in tears as his youngest child lies lifeless upon the floor . " let me take my child and not let this wound rot further , my child deserves more than the stone he has died upon . " trembling and broken , the man alongside his wife nereena staggers toward their youngling , taken far before their time . the council members rise together , unified , synchronized , their voices merging as one . " every noble is to return to their chamber , no one is to speak to one another and no one is to step outside their door before the sun has gone down . what has occurred here tonight is nothing but tragedy and those responsible will be found , upon the old god we swear . "
silence reigns once more and as the velkynar scatter to their chambers , those who lost their children weep into the bleeding night , bodies cold and light extinguished . everyone departs , yet no one forgets . this night , no god guarded the velkynar , no shadow offered refuge and the darkness claimed its lovers freely .
welcome to the first plot drop of nocturniafm !
so .. did this go as you all expected or have you been fooled ? the predictions which was sent in can be found in our discord now so we can all look at them together . now , for what happens after the attack on the chosen . the council told all velkynar to head back to their resignated chambers , which had everyone locked up for 24 hours before coming back into moira castle , allowed to roam it but not leave it . for the remaining time of 2025 , we will have our characters still stay in moira castle , writing the aftermath , emotions and horrors of what is to pass now after what's went down . we will be doing a timeskip at the beginning of 2026 , but when that is is not decided yet - for now we write threads for the aftermath of the slaughter . underneath are some pointers which are nice to remember :
24 hours have passed since the attack in all threads .
no one is allowed to leave moira castle or morkhul at this time , the gate to moira castle has been closed and will be so until the council let's everyone travel back home .
old threads are recommended to either timeskip or be made into new ones .
self - para's of the reaction to the slaughter are encouraged but not needed .
you can all tag new open starters or threads with : nocturnia.aftermath
what date we will go into something new after this will be decided on the new year . thank you all for sticking around and any questions can be sent in the discord open questions or in a ticket .
