riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

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introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and River Festival
when: The month of August; the bulk of celebration will be in week 1, but there is a party and fireworks display on August 14th.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

river festival

In the days leading up to August 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: The River Festival. This holiday is in celebration of the river and the life that it gives to the city, as well as the heat of summer and forming bonds with friends, family, and romantic partners. The celebrations are marked by a community-wide cleanup of the docks and beaches along the river - particularly important considering the recent acid rain - as well as beachfront cookouts and parties (both private and city sponsored) and beach sports tournaments happening on either open stretches of beach or in special clothing-optional beaches, all capped off with fireworks displays on the evenings of August 7th and 14th.

a celebration of the river and togetherness

Following the hedonism of Carnivale, it's time for something a little more low-key and relaxing. The River Festival happens every year in August, and is geared toward community building through cleaning up the beaches and docks along the river and then using all that freshly cleaned beach to gather on. During the first week of August, there are various lightly-themed government-sponsored beach cookouts and parties geared toward family, romantic dates, or casual all-ages get-togethers for meeting new friends; there are also a few more racy parties at clothing-optional beaches around the city. Many private residents also take this time to gather together friends and family, and have cookouts on the beach with all the typical trappings of the beach barbecue. There are also various casual sports tournaments sponsored by community centers, gyms, and sports teams in the city, featuring prizes ranging from notoriety to sports equipment to big bucks. Finally, there are two fireworks displays, one on August 7th and one on August 14th, with free food, and various live performers beforehand.

i. cleaning up

The holiday starts off on a note that is just a bit more sombre than the rest of the season, with the cleanup efforts following late July's strange fog and acid rain blending into the usual tradition of cleaning up beaches and docks along the river. The cleanup is a group effort, with every citizen who is physically able pitching in to comb the beaches, where they pick up fallen tree limbs, garbage, and anything else that's accumulated during the winter and spring, and then raking the beaches to make them clean and ready to use. The cleanup of the docks is similar, with residents sweeping and hosing them down where necessary. This year, there are a lot of repairs to be made to beachfront structures that might've been damaged by the acid rain, so if anyone has some carpentry or building skills, those would definitely come in handy.

This is meant to be a community building effort, so many businesses in the area, more well-to-do private citizens, and the government have pitched in funding to provide lunches, cold drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks to anyone who's helping out with the cleanup efforts. All in all, the cleanup has a very friendly, welcoming vibe.

ii. cookouts and parties

The main traditions of the River Festival involve cookouts and beach parties. On August 7th and August 14th, the government as well as various corporations and businesses in the city, will be providing funds for large beach gatherings. On these days, there will be booths set up offering wares and freebies from various businesses around the city that have helped fund the party, large swaths of cleared beach where residents can don a swimsuit and catch some rays or swim in the river, massive barbecue setups to provide partygoers with all the standard barbecue fare, beach sports tournaments, dancing and musical performances, and fireworks displays (see prompts below).

The holiday isn't just about these big parties, though - many residents arrange their own barbecues, cookouts, beach camping trips, beach bonfires, and other riverside gatherings and outings. Many riverfront businesses offer discounts on services such as canoe or kayak rentals to go out paddling on the river, jetski or motorboat rentals for tubing, wakeboarding, or waterskiing, or mounts to take romantic rides in the surf. Additionally, there is an adults-only section of the beach where any of these activities can be done in the nude in a clothing-optional setting, including the big city-sponsored parties.

iii. sportsball tournaments

Is your character good at playing a particular sport that could, conceivably, be played on a beach? Chances are that during the month of August, a tournament will be set up for them to participate in. The tournaments are pretty standard, generally sponsored by community centers, sports clubs and teams, gyms, and other organizations and businesses in the city, with various levels of specialization, and levels of skill or competitiveness. The prizes also vary, with everything from plain old bragging rights to sports equipment or passes to gyms and community centers, to large lump sums of cash money. Definitely worth it, for characters with a love for sport.

Oh, and a lot of these tournaments are happening on the adults-only clothing-optional beaches, for those grown-up sports fans who like a bit of an extra challenge.

iv. performances and fireworks

On August 7th and August 14th at the end of the large city-sponsored beach parties, there will be evening performances all along the beach. Not as extensive as the musical performances during Carnivale, there are two large-name performers per night, with various lesser-known groups performing at random off and on throughout the day and night. Areas of the beach are cleared for residents to watch and dance to the music, both on the regular and adults-only clothing-optional beaches (acts will switch off between the two areas so both areas get both performances).

Player-characters who are musical artists, DJs, or otherwise perform are free to set up shop around this party and panhandle or put on free performances for publicity.

After the sun goes down, boats will head out into the water carrying a variety of fireworks, and there will be a beautiful display of exploding color in the sky for residents to watch and enjoy. The fireworks are highly advanced, incorporating old-fashioned gunpowder as well as modern technology that result in really beautiful displays that can take the breath away!

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to meet new roommates, for the purpose of getting to know each other, or hit up one of the mod-posted prompts for each Communal Floor. Or if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during the River Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: credit unknown; image ii: Albert Ramon Puig; image iii: Claudio Pilia; image iv: Alan Philips

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[Perhaps it was something about the other man's stature, or just that he seemed new himself, but Dorian found himself drawn to Thom. On second thought, as he joined the man with a sweating and chilled bottle of water and a friendly smile, it was the strange mantra he was chatting that had so raptly caught his attention.

He offered the bottle as he approached, as a sort of gift, and possibly an introduction.]

Odd litany you have there. Is it a prayer?

[Thom glances up at the handsome stranger and takes the bottle of water, almost acting on autopilot. He presses it against his forehead with a shiver, his list of names finally stopping as he tried to pull himself together.] A prayer? No- [He smiles slightly, a wavering thing.] Those aren't gods, they're superheroes. [He chews his lip, thinking about how best to explain it.] Its a technique? I get sick sometimes and its meant to stop it from happening.

[The angle of the bottle and its perspiration did interesting things to Thom's profile as well, but Dorian could behave, and he had no idea what a "superhero" was.

He nodded, though, at least at the latter.] Ah. I've heard of such ailments, though...they're usually associated with soldiers. Unless, of course, you're speaking of something else entirely, in which case, forgive my assumption.

[And knowing what that term was might help him to understand.] Before I get ahead of myself- [He moved a hand to his chest.] Dorian, of House Pavus. And you are?

[Thom shakes his head sharply at the suggestion because he'd lived with PTSD through his father, a veteran of both 'nam and the Wilson Tower crisis so it was pretty obvious to him what Dorian was referring to.] No its not that... I have seizures sometimes. If I say their names its meant to like... force my brain to calm down and stop the seizure from happening. I think its just all the hard work? And the sun? [He phrases them both like questions because truly, he didn't understand his own sickness sometimes. He probably wasn't even having one or about to have one, it was just the fear that prompted.

At the strange introduction though Thom cocks his head to the side.] I'm Thom... I live in the communal housing. [And he suddenly felt like such a child for living in the dorm when this guy's house had a title.]

Ah, forgive my assumption. [He smiles, shaking his head.] YOu know, I'm coming to realize it's strange to introduce oneself in such a way. Pavus is my family name. Seeing as it holds no bearing here, Dorian is just fine, and I too live in the communal housing, at least for the time-being.

I work for the Magic Research Institute. [He is actually concerned, though.] Perhaps you should take a rest, Thom.

[Comprehension finally crosses Thom's features.] Oh, right... I get it. Then i guess you could call me Thom of house Creed. [He smiles a little, a faltering thing, because it was funny referring to himself in such a way.] You're thinking about moving out already? [Because Thom thus far hadn't had much of an inclination in that regard; he wasn't sure if he was ready for that kind of independent living.]

You do? I work for the Perimeter Guard. [He nods slowly at the suggestion though.] I probably should, I guess...

[He smiles, nodding.] Or Thom Creed, as I'm becoming aware is more common. [He moved a hand to his own chest.] And I am simply Dorian Pavus, Altus Mage of the Tevinter Imperium not withstanding and of little consequence in a Quarantine in another universe. [He then waves that hand as though to say, 'but moving on'.] So little, in fact, that I'll suffice with Dorian. A pleasure. [He rolled his shoulder in a slight shrug, looking thoughtfully back toward the city proper and the Communal housing building in particular.] I prefer to leave myself open to new possibilities.

[He nods, motioning off to the side where there are seating and shade to be found.] Right you are. Off you go, then, and you can tell me more of what the Guard does.

[Because he is actually interested. He hasn't ventured beyond the fence as of yet, and he's curious whether or not he should chance to go alone. It's difficult to get the jump on a mage who's prepared, after all.]

[Thom grins widely.] Yeah that's way more common, Dorian... look at you, learning things. i never guessed how lucky I kinda am... a lot of the people I've met so far? They're not from places that are so different from where I'm from. [Which wasn't strictly true either, Thom's own world had its differences he just hadn't highlighted enough of them yet through his interactions with the people here.] A mage? Is that like a magician? Do you do magic? [Because he was slowly becoming familiar with magic, actually. It was weird how it seemed much more popular here than he'd ever seen.] And its a pleasure to meet you too! [Which was oddly formal for him.

As Dorian motions though he shuffles over to the shade and takes a seat.] Well I mostly watch the perimeter and help anyone who gets injured outside of the walls...I have like... a kind of magic too? I heal things, myself, other people, a plant this one time. [He smiles earnestly.] My main job is meant to be teaching people how to read and write, too I just haven't had much of an opportunity to do that yet.

[Dorian chuckles at that, a deep sound, mirthful and robust.] I am very good at learning things.

[It's been Dorian's experience thus far that, regardless of origin, people are very similar.] Magic? Why yes, I do! Magicians do not. I can do far more than casting a silly little illusion.

[Dorian's olive eyes light up at the mention of Thom's own 'magic'. It sounds rather similar the Spirit school, which is something he can follow.] A healer! Maker's breath, I hope it's not too necessary along the wall. Is it really so bad out there?

You are? My kind of guy then, back home I teach a lot of things... so I'm a huge fan of good learners. [He was also technically a teacher here, although his job wasn't the most active- mostly because he hasn't been given a single student as of yet.]

Wait so a magician is different? [Thom found himself confused, head cocking to the side.] Back home I'm pretty sure the only people who do magic are magicians. [He really has no idea what he's talking about though.] What kinds of things can you do?

[Thom laughs though about the exclamation.] I haven't had to heal anyone so far, well... that's not true I guess I kinda had to heal myself when the whole acid rain thing happened... but that's the kind of thing I can't help.

Oh? [He chuckles slightly.] And what sort of things do you teach back home?

[At Thom's question, he nods.] Well, yes, at least to my knowledge. Magicians are entertainers, but certainly no mages. Magicians don't do magic in your own home either, I suspect. They're illusionists, deceivers. Fit for a circus, certainly, but possessing of no real power.

[And Dorian smiles proudly.] Oh, I can do many things. Would you care for a demonstration?

Ah, yes. That's good to hear. I've heard there are, what, monsters out there? Beasts? Perhaps they're simply other-worldly rabbits and everyone's too shocked to see it as the truth. [He shrugs.]

[Thom probably wasn't even sure that they were even getting close to flirting.] Back home? I teach kids how to read, and write. Not adults though- I'm not qualified enough. [Unless an adult wanted him to sit around reading Dr. Seuss in which case he'd be more than happy to do that.]

Oh- so like Magicians are the same thing I'm thinking about and Mages are something else, right? [He seems to be following at least and nods eagerly.] A demonstration of magic? Sure! [He knew that some heroes' powers came from a place that would be described as magic after all and he's always been curious about other peoples' powers and abilities.]

That's what they say- I mean, I'm new to all this myself so I haven't really got out there much. Not that I'm scared or anything. [He does a pretty close approximation of puffing his chest out.] I'm a hero back home, I'd fight if I had to.

[Dorian, however, is always flirting with the idea of flirting, if you will.]

Ah, I see. Is it that adults are more difficult to muster, or do they take some sort of advanced training?

[He smiles now that Thom's following along.] We are indeed something else.

[He runs a hand over his chin.] Heroes? Well, then. What have you done that's so heroic? Humor me while I think up a suitable demonstration that isn't destructive. It's a bit of a specialty.

[Thom actually frowns at that.] I mean... you kind of have a point, don't you. If you can teach a kid to read you should be able to teach an adult to read, right? I guess most people just don't want to be taught by a kid. [He didn't really know but it seemed like it.]

I don't think we have mages back home, you're maybe the first one I've met. [Thom frowns at the question.] No like, I'm a superhero... that's my job. And I guess you could say I've done some heroic things. I've saved lives, healed an entire burn unit of kids, fought bad guys, stopped a man from being falsely accused of murder. [He smiles.] Small stuff, I'm still in the small leagues.

[Dorian chuckles, raising a hand to his chin to stroke his goatee thoughtfully.] Is that right? You don't seem particularly childlike to me, though there is something adorable about that smile of yours.

[And at that, Dorian laughs, a deep, throaty sound, robust and genuine.] Oh, aren't I special? I'd better make the demonstration worthwhile, then. [But he follows along with Thom's explanation, his own smile waning somewhat.] How is that not heroic? I shall have to find a group of children in need of healing and ask if they would feel someone saving them from their plight was their hero. I'm certain the man saved from execution would agree, at the very least.

[The corner of his mouth quirks upward in a smirk.] Nor would any of them feel it was small.

[The compliment has him grinning again.] You think my smile's adorable? [He blushes a little though, clearly not used to getting compliments.

Thom finds himself enthralled by Dorian's laugh, it was such a nice sound and he was more used to laughter these days from the point of view of it being aimed at him in a negative way.] They might... I mean I'd like to think they would. But I haven't felt really heroic recently. [He scratches at his hair.] But my whole hero career has been cut kinda short anyway...

[Dorian nods at his question.] Yes, quite. It contrasts your jaw, and makes the light dance in your eyes, rather impish, really. [He makes a gesture with his hand.] But the blush helps.

[His tone was light, a slight jest, but nothing mean-spirited and with just a hint of playful flirting in his eyes to get the point across.]

Truth be told, Thom, heroes rarely feel heroic. They often have to do things no one else either wants to or is willing to. It's, honestly, exhausting. Worthwhile, but exhausting beyond measure.

[He frowns at the last, though.] Oh? Why's that?

[Thom just laughs, shaking his head and doing all he can to not look at Dorian.] Right, impish... [He didn't think he'd ever been told that light danced in his eyes so Dorian is definitely winning the charm-offensive award right now.]

I felt heroic a couple of times, diving in, saving the day, that kind of thing. I just don't know if its everything I thought it was gonna be? [Truth be told, Thom had spent so many years idealising the idea of being a hero that it came as no surprise it wasn't the fantasy he'd constructed.

At the prompting question though Thom shrugs, a little bit of sadness in the expression, a heaviness that hadn't been there before.] I got kicked out of the League of Heroes.

[A mischievous smirk pulls at the corners of his mouth. Oh yes, Thom. You are indeed adorable. That awkwardness only makes it more so.]

It certainly isn't. Normally, it's mucky, cold, unforgiving terrain, sleeping with a pebble in the small of your back...but it's worthwhile, and it's the right thing to do.

[The playfulness was missing from his tone at that last, as though he was speaking with a great deal of experience.]

Kicked out? Whatever for?

[Thom frowns at that.] I don't think that's what a Hero is like where I'm from. [He shakes his head, soft smile on his features.] A lot of them sleep at the League headquarters, I mean... we've got beds, you know?

[The soft smile disappears then at the question.] For a couple things, I guess the important one was for not being normal. [There's a sense that it pains him to say it, even now.]

Oh? Do they give you the Hero suite at the inn in your world? Now I'm jealous. [He chuckles.] a hero headquarters. Imagine that. Do they also have porous roofs or have those been patched?

[He thinks back on the keep in which the Inquisition had made its stand. Formidable? Certainly, but in desperate need of repair. Still, for the past three years, it had been home...to the army of heroes Thedas didn't know it needed.]

Why, you seem perfectly normal to me...though I suppose I have an odd perspective. I've been told so, at the very least.

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introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

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