Rush Week Party

[strixmod]

RUSH PARTY

As students spill out of the Biblioplex's grand hall following the pledge ceremony, a new buzz of excitement rolls over the campus like a tidal wave. It's time for Felisa's Rush Week Party. A longstanding Strixhaven tradition, this party is held in a different location every year, and freshmen students are left to their own devices to find it. The hint Farrow received leads the freshman cohort to Witherbloom campus in the early evening. From there, the group makes their way towards Sedgemoor, where they find the upperclassmen congregating near a massive Treehouse, building a bonfire and slinging spells around to form a cordoned-off mud pit. No surprise ambush here, but the mud wrestling competition is absolutely real.

Though the party is centered around the residence of the Witherbloom seniors, Sedgemoor looms large in the distance. While the upperclassmen warn freshmen that Sedgemoor is home to crocodilian creatures, giant spiders, and brackish trudges, they also spend a good chunk of the evening joyfully recounting their many adventures there. According to Felisa, there are plenty of valuable herbs and spell components to be found in the swamp, along with the occasional bit of abandoned adventuring gear.

At the end of the evening, older students escort the freshmen back to central campus for their last night at the Inn before they move into their own homes tomorrow morning.

REFRESHMENTS

Meticulously crafted by one of Felisa's Prismari underlings, the spread of savory appetizers and sweets is impressive. There are cheesy lava buns, blackberry pies, and an assortment of craft cocktails available. The Spider's Kiss is a black cherry and vodka drink which leaves your mouth feeling numb for several minutes. The Witches' Brew roils like it's full of dry ice, although it never stops (you might even be burping up little puffs of fog). And, of course, there's a classic Zombie, which are made especially strong.

THE TREEHOUSE

The home of the Senior Witherbloom cohort, the Treehouse is a sprawling and gravity-defying construction which rests on the edge of Sedgemoor swamp. Tonight, it's lit by dozens of cantrip faerie lights, and the common spaces are open to partygoers. The bonfire is built in a central courtyard of sorts; all the upper levels of the house are illuminated by the blaze. Several rope ladders lead up into the living room and kitchen spaces, and a winding staircase wraps around the trunk of a particularly large tree, leading to the private rooms of the cohort. The interior is warm, cozy, and lit by floating lanterns which cast spooky flickering shadows on the walls. The living room features seating in the form of loose pillows and poufs, and hammocks which serve the purpose of chairs and sofas. The kitchen is large and well-stocked, and features a panoramic window which looks out onto the depths of Sedgemoor.

Witherbloom senior Dinah volunteers her bathroom for anyone who wants to shower off after mud wrestling. All she asks is you clean up after yourselves!

PLAYLIST

Special thanks to K for curating this playlist! You can also find it here if the embed isn't working.

LOCATIONS

WHAT'S UP?

For arrivals, outfits, and general attitudes.

THE BONFIRE

Sedgemoor is quiet and still tonight, and the pool of warmth and light provided by the party bonfire feels safe and small.

THE TREEHOUSE

Inside, students play spin-the-bottle and help themselves to the refreshments.

MUD WRESTLING

To participate in the mud wrestling competition, either post your character under the "ROUND 1" header, or reply to an open challenger. Once matches are made, each character must make a strength check. Higher check wins; ties roll off. If you win a Round 1 match-up, you may proceed to Round 2 and so forth.

EAVESDROPPING?

These short scenes between NPCs can each be overheard by one freshman student. Just reply to the scene you want your character to have observed!

SEDGEMOOR

Wandering out into the swamp may result in curious finds or unfortunate encounters.

OOC CHATTER!

Questions, comments, concerns?

(CODE)

Comments

EAVESDROPPING: Dinah and Killian in her room

[strixmod]

Late in the evening. Many students have headed home or fallen asleep in the hammocks downstairs. The door to Dinah’s room is just ajar enough to peer through. But she's clearly not expecting anyone else to come up to borrow her shower tonight: Killian is sitting on her coffee table, shirtless, and she is fussing over him, partially obscuring him from the eavesdropper’s view.

“Hurts,” Killian comments through clenched teeth.

“I know,” Dinah whispers, barely audible. “I’m sorry. I’m almost done.”

The soft glow of green magic illuminates the room as she moves her hands over his shoulder.

“What kind of monster did this?” she asks, sounding a little pained herself. “I’ve never seen anything like it…”

“It wasn’t a monster,” Killian says, but he doesn’t elaborate. The magic dies out and she steps back to examine her work. “You’re mad at me,” he continues after a long moment. She sighs, a deep breath she’s clearly been holding in for awhile.

“I’m never mad at you,” she says. “I guess I just thought…”

She turns away from now, and heads over to little cabinet to procure a roll of cotton bandages. Her brow creases in thought as she looks at the bandages in her hands.

“I don’t know,” she says, turning back to him.

“That I’d be more careful?” he asks.

“Something like that,” she says, and sets about bandaging his shoulder. She makes quick work of it.

“Can I stay here tonight?” he asks at length.

“Of course,” she says, sounding a little defeated as she stands up. “You can take the couch.”

Killian stands up, crosses the room, and shuts the door.

EAVESDROPPING: Dinah and Killian in her room

[helmineblackwater]

Helmine isn't above eavesdropping even when she's sober, so when she finds herself in the Treehouse at the end of the night (and what a night!) and sees a door left invitingly ajar...well. Who is she to deny her curiosity or an invitation from fate, really?

She spies silently while the upperclassmen talk and only steps back from the door as Killian approaches to close it, trying to play it cool so she can go unnoticed. Just looking for that thing she lost earlier! Nothing to see here! Byeee!