Event | Sinbrilee | Bacchanal

[ironwood]

Characters: Any and all!
Date: August 24 - 30th
Location: Sinbrilee
Situation: An ancient festival of an ancient city, all are welcome at the Bacchanal!
Warnings/Rating: Please label threads as appropriate.

Death and destruction cannot curtail the single most important festival celebrated by the denizens of Sinbrilee: The Bacchanal! The ghosts in and about the city have begun to gossip about high fashion and festivities, sending any that inquire to the Amphitheatre -- a grand, circular structure nestled in the west side of the city.

This structure bore the fall of Sinbrilee and the wear of time with dignity, having lost handfuls of archways and one long stretch of wall to crumbling decay. Despite this, it is obvious that the amphitheatre once hosted many a display and every more festivities than the mind can grasp. This was their solace and safety; here is where the people of Sinbrilee came to find the mind's escape from all that threatened them and their great turtle.

Ghosts have been busy throughout the week, clearing paths through debris and hanging great cloth banners of soft blues and greens to disguise the more blatant signs of its decline. Many hundreds of them shimmer and slid through the area, providing for tables upon tables of food, offering drink, and overseeing competition of sport and skill (some even denying death's non-corporeal curse to enter).

Here, well... Here is where the party begins!

Food & Drink | Music, Discussions, & Dancing | Wrestling & Competitions

Comments

[sophos]

Both? [She's ready to just burst out and start rambling, but she manages to catch herself.] There's a lot that's really similar to the classical architecture back home - and actual classical, not neo-classical or other attempts to copy. Actual Greek and Roman designs and influence.

[Ok that was not as much as she could have said. Good job so far, Annabeth.] Despite the obvious signs of ruin, everything's still fascinating. That - that goes for beyond just the amphitheatre in this place, too.

[depicted]

[Fortunately, Dorian has always liked enthusiasm in others and that fondness for it has only grown with age. He does think it's amusing how she is trying to hold back, however.] I noticed with the general style of the architecture through the city. And it even goes so far as to coordinate its culture with its architecture, if the agora and this little party are anything to judge by.

[sophos]

This thing itself, too. [Vague gesture at the party going on.] It's not really a Bacchanalia, but the name is too similar to be a complete coincidence. It makes me wonder about the population itself. Were they summoned from another place, too? Or were they native, and if so, that's two cultures remarkably close, for being in two different worlds. Parallel developments, maybe.

[Paaaaaause.] Then again, we know Keeliai has a lot of Chinese influence, and the kedan are from another world entirely, too.

[depicted]

If you can get parallel evolution, I suppose you could get parallel cultures, given similar enough conditions. But it still seems—unnaturally close. [He leans back against one of the pillars, hands finding a resting spot in his pockets.] Nothing substantial to go by. It's been, hm, less than seven hundred years, but apparently the city came after the kedan did. Hard to tell if the culture of that city comes from the kedan or the Emperor.

[sophos]

Exactly. It's possible, but still really weird. Maybe it'd be a little less so if some of the names weren't close, too. Why name something a Bacchanal if you don't have a Bacchus? How'd they even get the word?

[!!!] I knew the city came after, but I've heard the kedan took their original culture with them after arriving. Though how much that's evolved via the Emperor's influence is hard to say, too. How do you know it's been less than seven hundred years since their arrival?

[depicted]

[He agrees to her first on a nod, then waves off the second with a hand.]Oh, I don't know it has been, it's just a guess. Asti broke away from the mainland about seven hundred years earlier, wasn't it? I assumed she'd have brought them here after they had gotten away from the rest. Not exactly up to scientific rigour, I realize.

[sophos]

[Small understanding noise.] I just keep hoping someone has an exact number. But no, it's not a bad conclusion for something based only on speculation. I wonder how long ago this happened, too. [A vague gesture at the dead turtle they're partying on.]

[depicted]

Hmm, this turtle probably died of the same thing, and it's away from the mainland, so it might be within that same timeframe . . . [Dorian gives her a wry smile.] More speculation. But don't we have a few scientists around? There must be something they can take a sample of to determine it. Carbon dating, or perhaps some advanced way of measuring beyond even my time.

[sophos]

It was the same sickness, I think. I'm pretty sure this is the turtle the Emperor's sister sacrificed her life to save in a temporary solution. All I've ever heard are stories of Asti breaking way, but that definitely doesn't mean he was the only one. Clearly he wasn't. [She nods.] Tons. Some kind of carbon dating might be possible, if the right tools were available. Even if we can't get anything organic from the remains, some of the ruins could be dated.

[depicted]

Ah, is that what who tomb and mural were about? I'd wondered. [He lifts his eyebrows as he thinks about it.] But the Emperor's own sister? And our fallen friend would be one of Asti's relations, presumably. I wonder if Eshai has visited her sister's tomb while we've been here

[Dorian, of course, doesn't visit where his sister is buried, under Parisian streets and safe from anyone that might disturb her or her dragons. So if Eshai doesn't, well, siblings have their reasons.]

We can at least have one relatively certain date from that.

[sophos]

[She nods, over the first question about the tomb.] That's what Asti told Percy, that her sister sacrificed her life. I trust the turtle more than anyone else here, at any rate. I still don't even think Eshai's acknowledged that she had a sister, at least that I know. It's hard to say if she's stopped by.

Even one date would be useful.

[depicted]

I don't think Asti would have any reason to lie. [It's more forward than the rest of his comments; Dorian has also chosen to put his trust in the turtle. He likes that guy, okay?]

Well, then, we'll at least have that. We can probably do a bit of that from Keeliai too, if a timeline is what we're aiming for.

[sophos]

No, I don't either. I think Asti is the only one we can believe the most. [Which is weird, considering her current less than stellar thoughts on other all powerful supernatural beings.]

I wonder if anyone's started anything like it already. There's really no short supply of scientists here.

[depicted]

It's worth asking them, though I wouldn't know who to ask. [A pause] I don't think I know any of our scientists, actually. How am I not surprised that you do?

[sophos]

[She grins a little.] I'm only mostly on familiar terms with Dr. Bruce Banner, but I know of others, too. My friend Leo's an engineer, but he's definitely smart enough for other sciences on top of that.

[depicted]

Ah, I remember Leo. Never spoken to him, but even on the network, he leaves an impression. [A very distinct one.] And you employ them well, I'm sure. [Because Dorian's conception of Annabeth involves Annabeth acquiring people with skills and then directing them towards helping her get the knowledge she wants.]

[sophos]

[She makes a bit of a face.] Should I be apologizing for him? [And then she sort of almost smirks but not quite. Because corralling people is A Thing.] I can't help it if I'm good at that sort of thing. But I'm good with science itself, too. [Physics!!!]

[depicted]

[He raps his knuckles back against the column behind him.] Architecture, of course. Tell me, Annabeth: is there anything you'd care to say you're not good with?

[sophos]

[She opens her mouth to reply with the obligatory of course not, but hesitates.] Magic. I don't have any powers or abilities. [But she doesn't sound bothered by this. Does it even count as a legit answer to the question?]

[depicted]

[From the way Dorian laughs in response, he does not think that it counts.] I'll accept that, with certain doubts, but it is what you'll admit to, and that was the question.

[sophos]

[She waves her hand, brushing it off.] I'm surrounded by people with them. It totally counts.