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

THE TREEHOUSE: Adrian & Open

[profundity]

Adrian is overdressed for this party and generally uncomfortable. Now Velvet's also wandered off with her friends, which he supposes is a good thing. Part of the reason his father had wanted them to attend Strixhaven was to make the same lifelong connections that had served him so well.

But, in all honesty, Adrian isn't really sure how to make friends. His upbringing in Park Heights had been fairly sheltered, and all his friends had been selected for him by his mother. He already likes several of his classmates here more than any of his friends back home, but he's floundering to make connections the way Velvet seems to do so easily.

Still, the bar in this kitchen is well-stocked, and he knows something about college parties.

"Can I make you a drink?" he asks the next freshman who wanders into the kitchen.

THE TREEHOUSE: Adrian & Ned

[underhandling]

Whatever the consequence of the mud wrestling in the end, Ned had lasted far too long in the ring, and is wandering around dead sober looking a little dazed and a lot worse for the wear. Still thrilled to be there, generally. He's not sure how to behave at a college party, either. He rarely, back home, goes to places he's welcome, or invited. No point in looking for corners to hide in or knick-knacks to steal. He's supposed to be normal, here. He has no idea, unfortunately, what that means. So he's starting by just wandering into every new room with a far too confident grin and hoping he'll figure it out from there. Hasn't killed him so far.

He doesn't recognize Adrian Flyte from New Capenna, who has a campus building named after his great-uncle or whatever on sight, or likely he wouldn't have started the more normal part of his evening here. Right now, though, a freshman offering drinks is a beacon, and he grins, twisting his cap free of the (not) last bit of mud before slapping it with a hopeless flop back down on to his head.

"Ah, mate, thanks, I'd kill for one." He tips his head to one side, amending to not be weird, "Figuratively. Y'got something that won't make m'ears fog out?"

THE TREEHOUSE: Adrian & Velvet

[sanguinario]

Velvet walks into the Treehouse and makes a beeline for Adrian. The boy always stands out in a room, but especially now, looking like he neither belongs here nor wants to be here. She is clean, unkissed and completely sober, but despite eschewing this evening's offered entertainments, her eyes are bright with excitement.

She folds her arms on the bar and leans in close. "Do you want to hear some gossip?" She knows the answer already; she just wants to hear him say it.

THE TREEHOUSE: Adrian & Velvet

[profundity]

Velvet and Adrian do of course have their differences, but their undeniable love of gossip and mess is one thing they have in common. Secrets are currency in New Capenna, and while college drama isn't as serious as political intrigue, he still finds himself a little pleased that Velvet is willing to share something with him.

"Of course I do," he says, and sets about making her a drink.