this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
saturnalia: the traditional ten-day festival ending the past year and beginning the new one. each day within the festival is centered around a different theme, with the first three-days for remembering the past year, the middle three-days for celebrating continued life, and the last three-days for ushering in the new year. the final day sees the end of the festival and the official beginning of the new year.[break][break]
there are many customs and events associated with each day, differing across each town and location. sundial, in particular, has long-standing traditions that it proudly celebrates, citizens from all walks of life putting aside their day-to-day life to take to the streets and make merry. decorations are strung up, fireworks released, temporary stalls set up, games and food prepared - there are many who refer to the ten-day saturnalia as the happiest time of year.[break]
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
welcome to saturnalia! this is a major event spanning from january 15th to march 15th. each event ‘day’ will be approximately 6 days irl, with a different theme and various activities associated with it. these activities will differ: some days may include an event thread to participate in, some days may see you making your own event threads, and some days may require you to make a social or mission associated with the event lore. [break][break]
this event will take the place of the january, february, and march bonus weekends. instead, each 150+ word event post you make will net you 1 point - at the end of the event, you can spend these points on a point-buy list here. there are some pretty fantastic rewards, so post often! [break][break]
participating in and completing event threads will also have additional rewards. kiki’s shop will also routinely stock limited event items and scrolls, with discounts and specials on certain days, so check back often! as something to keep in mind: your actions, participation, rewards, and/or items bought in previous saturnalia nights may or may not have effect on future nights.[break][break]
if there is interest, there may also be a saturnalia lore night held sometime during february. in the meantime, if there’s some lore you want to add in, feel free to DM me or ice! [break]
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] the days and their themes
day 1: endings / history / stories / remembrance
day 2: family / familiars / friends / love
day 3: spirituality / gods | gifts / giving
day 4: colour / games
day 5: performances / skills / music
day 6: food and drinks
day 7: inventions / creativity / new places | love / friends / relationships
the first day honours the departed and the past, stories and histories and legacies writ in blood. there are two parts to the first-day events: during the day, a giant bonfire is constructed in the middle of town, and citizens burn what they wish to let go of in the new year. storytellers and plays are common throughout town, telling stories both true and fiction. as dusk falls, people gather around the fire to tell the personal stories, reminisce of sadder times, happier times, times long past. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] the bonfire
the bonfire is lit at the dawn of the first day, starting small but growing larger with each new contribution. it is tradition for everyone to burn something they wish to let go of in the new year, whether that be a literal material thing, or a representation. in the recent years, people have begun burning paper tokens with the more intangible concepts written on them; some burn effigies and tokens of their deceased family and friends, symbolically letting them ‘move on’ - this is generally done during the eve rather than the day, out of respect. [break][break]
the bonfire burns well into the wee hours of morning, with the event ending at the next dawn, but it is kept alit until the end of the third day, when the first three-day feste ends. many mages are employed to keep the bonfire burning, but also to keep it from becoming wild, ensuring the safety of the city’s citizens. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] the nightingtales
the nightingtales begin as soon as the sun dips below the horizon. people of the town gather around the bonfire, now giant and blazing bright; a professional storyteller traditionally begins with a recounting of the tale of jahr, the mayor follows with a brief retelling of the city’s founding, and then people break up into smaller groups to share their personal stories with each other. some covens will organise for their members to tell of their coven history, their founding, their exploits; children will gather around heros and elders for their tales. old fables will be told, passed down from generation to generation via oral history, new ones will be invented right here this night. some may also gather to remember the exploits of those recently deceased, honouring their name and deeds.[break] [break]
in some places, young witches have taken to burning paper with their ex’s names written on it in order to fully and completely ‘let them go’
on an unrelated note, lux uni surveys have discovered a strangely significant increase in break ups happening on this day
[break][break]
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
there is an event thread that you can participate in. for the first 3 days irl [jan 15th - jan 18th], the event thread will be dedicated to the bonfire. after that, there will be a staff post indicating the start of the second half of the day - the nightingtales - which will last another 3 days [jan 18th - jan 21st]. posting 4 times in this thread will count as a complete day 1 thread. [break][break]
if you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day - some examples and inspiration are listed below. these threads also count as event threads for day 1, and must be completed by the end of the overall event period to count as a finished thread for saturnalia - with at least 6 posts per character. please mark your day 1 threads with [s1] in the title, and update your rewards claim post here.[break][break]
keeping an eye on the bonfire, making sure it doesn’t become too wild, also making sure it doesn’t burn out, and that people are burning things safely (fire, water, or wind witch, apprentice/novice)
weather control: no storms or strong winds or rains (adept+, weather control spells)
general patrolling, making sure people are safe, breaking up rowdy drunks, etc (fledgling+)
setting up varies temporary stages and booths, helping people gather things to burn
storytelling thread
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note: you may start a day 1 social or mission thread at any time during the overall event period. participation in the bonfire/nightingtale thread, however, is limited to the day 1 event period.
the second day of saturnalia is centered around family, friends, and love. people often take the time to reunite with family and hang out with close friends, holding gatherings and luncheons and often elaborate dinners. there are no organised events, but some families may take this time to go down to the bonfire together and remember those family members they’ve lost, especially if they died this last year. most people will have their familiars manifested this day. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
some covens, mostly smaller ones, will gather together and celebrate the second day of saturnalia as a found family. jester’s den is the largest coven to do so by far - they hold a day-long party with snacks and board games aplenty, and at dusk they trek down to the bonfire to remember the jester witches who have passed away that year.
not all familiars stick close to their witch. there are actually some places that can be rented for familiars to hang out only. it is well known that said familiars generally gather to complain about the idiocy of their witches. their motto is ‘we’re the brains and the common sense, they’re the brawn’.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
this event day will last for 5 days irl ( 24th jan - 29th jan ) and is primarily intended for social threads inspired by the lore of this day. these threads count as event threads for day 2, and must be completed by the end of the overall event period to count as a finished thread for saturnalia - with at least 6 posts per character. please mark your day 2 threads with [s2] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
you may start a day 2 thread at any time during the overall event period. however, completing a day 2 thread within the day 2 event period will result in an additional reward.
The third day is traditionally centered around spirituality and gods, though some towns with less cultural weight on religion have instead begun celebrating it as a day of giving. The bigger shrines will host a public service during the day, and even the smaller shrines will see a lot of activity. Many people will seek out a priest, priestess, or diviner for a blessing, a protective talisman from nian, or a reading of the future. At night, there is a lantern festival as people gather in the streets to release glowing lanterns with prayers attached to the bottom. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] the shrine
At dawn, the shrine sounds a gong that signals the start of the ceremonies this day. Seven priests and priestesses will surround the shrine grounds and perform a ritual of purification. People are welcome to enter the grounds at any time; incense is given at the entrance, while small groups of people at a time go into the shrine to pray and give offerings. People may also ask a priest or priestess for a blessing. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] the lantern festival
As dusk falls, the people of Gale Valley step out into the streets with paper lanterns in their hands, of all shapes and sizes and colours. There is a contest held for the most impressive looking lantern, judged by the mayor himself; meanwhile, citizens mingle and exchange lanterns, some with strangers, some with friends. These lanterns received should be hung outside one’s house and left to burn until daylight. and at midnight, everyone will light a red paper lantern with a prayer attached to the bottom, and release them into the sky. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
Salem in general is polytheistic - that is, believes in the existence of multiple gods, goddesses, and spirits. There are many different pantheons, none of which particularly outshine the others.
Regardless of whether a person personally believes in deities or visits the shrine in their day-to-day life, there is a general cultural acceptance and practice of ceremonial traditions such as this.
It is said that a natural diviner’s ability is greatly magnified this day, sometimes catching glimpses of the past or the future without meaning to scry. There are also people who swear that they see ghosts on this day, or have been temporarily possessed by one. (Note: Natural Diviner characters may treat any of their observational diviner spells as passive for the extent of their Saturnalia Day 3 non-mission threads)
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is an event thread you can partake in, which will last for 10 days irl ( 21st jun - 30th jun gmt ). The event will be dedicated to the shrine ceremonies for the first 5 days, and dedicated to the lantern festival the last 5 days. Posting 2 times in this thread will count as a complete day 3 thread.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 3 threads with [s3] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
You may start a day 3 thread at any time during the overall event period. However, participation in the shrine / lantern festival thread, is limited to the day 3 event period.
The fourth day begins the mid three-days where life is celebrated and festivities abound. This day is all about colour and games, with the main event being a city-wide paint war that lasts from the morning until dusk. People form teams to battle for victory, the streets are covered in a cacophony of colours, and vendors line the plaza to sell items that add to the chaos. at night, fireworks dazzle in the sky as the winning team is announced, and then an unofficial parade starts through the city with colourful dancers and music and firecrackers. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] the paint war
The paint war of Mirrorlight Metropolis begins at 9:00 in the morning, starting from the city center and rapidly expanding outwards to cover the entire city. people join forces in teams, each with an official colour, with the goal of covering the largest area in the city with their colour by sundown. Paintballs for each colour are provided by vendors stationed across the city - the paint used dries very quickly and will dissolve into nothingness at the touch of water. There are also usually quite a few stalls selling glitterbombs, fireworks, and confetti balls to add to the chaos. It is traditional to wear head-to-toe white, and young witches have recently begun to dye their hair in their team colour. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] the parade of colour
The paint war ends at sundown, announced with a gong sound ringing through the air and the setting off of the first round of fireworks for the night. Everyone gathers at the city center to hear the winning team announced - fireworks of their colour are released in their honour. Then begins the parade: dancers in colourful costumes lead the way, traditionally accompanied by drums and firecrackers, followed all the participating teams, floats, and various other performances. fireworks are released periodically, and people change into crazy and colourful clothes to add to the chaos. this parade winds through the city and typically lasts until the wee hours of morning, serving as a seamless transition into the next day. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
Jester’s Den started the Paint War during the first year they formed, and has entered a coven team every year since. their colour is light blue and their leader has been Valerus Blaze ever since he became a novice. They are widely regarded as the team to beat. However, due to Val's disappearance this year (and as a nod to his chaotic spirit), a coven-wide agreement has been made to split into random groups and use any color except blue.
The Helios Knights and Silvertongue (officially speaking) think it is beneath their dignity to participate as a coven-group, but there is usually an unofficial team for each, regardless of their coven’s heavy disapproval.
For as long as written history has recorded, it has never rained over a major city on this day, thanks to the collaboration of strong weather-manipulating witches.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is an event thread you can partake in, which will last for 3 weeks irl ( october 6th - 26th est ). The event will be dedicated to the paint war for the majority of the event, with a nod to the parade of colour near the end. Posting 4 times in this thread will count as a complete day 4 Saturnalia thread.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 4 threads with [s4] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
You may start a day 4 thread at any time during the overall event period. However, participation in the Paint War thread, is limited to the day 4 event period.
After the often busy third and fourth days of Saturnalia, the fifth tends to be a more relaxed day for the general population. As a day of music, dance, and other performances, it has become an important day for the entertainment industry and small street-side performers alike. The streets are packed with performers, who often collaborate with each other on this day, and there is usually a musical event with big-name stars in every major city. Though, this day was originally a celebration of furthering one's own artistic expression and getting it out there for the world to see, this aspect tends be be overshadowed in modern times. [break][break]
By far the largest and most popular venue on this day is the open-air concert in Mirrorlight's central ring devoted to the most popular musicians and eye-catching dancers. Due to the Paint War the day prior, the city is already drenched in color and packed with people, usually making this the largest musical event of the year. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
Eclipse Town has very traditional activities on this day, including a slew of religious dances and sacred performances. It is not a popular spot to visit except by those deeply invested in its culture or spiritual practices.
Sundial City has its fair share of performances as well, but they're usually geared more towards plays and less mainstream genres of music.
Gale Valley, due to its proximity to and lack of protection from wraiths, tends to be a less popular spot. They celebrate in a more homespun fashion, with plenty of small-time performers and swing dancing. They do, however, have a decently large country music concert on this day.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is an event thread you can partake in, which will last for 2 weeks 3 weeks irl ( october 27th - november 9th 16th est ). The event will be dedicated to Shatterglass Concert. Posting 4 times in this thread will count as a complete day 5 Saturnalia thread.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 5 threads with [s5] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
You may start a day 5 thread at any time during the overall event period. However, participation in the Shatterglass Concert thread is limited to the day 5 event period.
The second most commercialized day of Saturnalia following day 5. Restaurants will often prepare specials specifically for this day, and those which take reservations are often booked weeks to months in advance. [break][break] Traditionally, though, it is a day to share meals with others, meant to be a day for giving to those in need and sharing with loved ones. Soup kitchens often have some sort of event to raise awareness of those in need and provide a public opportunity for people to donate. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] The Great Feast
A large, outdoor feast in Sundial City (though many other towns have adopted the practice themselves) sponsored by an amalgamation of covens, soup kitchens, and some food-centric businesses. Tables are set up through the residential area (including the hovel) to serve the public. Though technically free, there are donation jars set up along the tables meant to compensate the chefs and support charitable causes to feed the hungry. It can get quite wild later in the evening (in large part due to the Jester's Den providing alcohol), though is usually civil at the start of the meal. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
The Sun Cafe often sells special treats available this day only, making it much busier than usual. They also take part in the Great Feast, and have tables for the feast running through the cafe building.
Alchemy shops tend to have special events on this day, extending the meaning of "drink" to mean potions as well. There have been some incidents in the past where mischief-makers slipped potions into the Great Feast drinks as a prank.
Bars and high-end restaurants across Salem tend to be packed with customers on this day, even if they aren't running any specials. Some people hop from restaurant to restaurant, tasting as many things as they can from the city they live.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is an event thread you can partake in, which will last for 2 weeks irl ( november 10th - november 24th est ). The event will be dedicated to the Great Feast. Posting 4 times in this thread will count as a complete day 6 Saturnalia thread.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 6 threads with [s6] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
You may start a day 6 thread at any time during the overall event period. However, participation in the the Great Fest thread is limited to the day 6 event period.
The first of the last three-days, a celebration of the new. Educational institutions such as Lux University will often hold demonstrations of their students' and professors' new research discoveries, while creator spaces such as Kai's Synthesis Workshop will encourage people to come make something new with discounted materials. Many people have a tradition of visiting someplace new, or making a new friend. (Many people also find themselves with a new lover, considering the drinking and eating from the nights before…) [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] Open Workshop
Kai's Synthesis Workshop brings in experts on the creation of magical items, hosting demonstrations and offering discounts for the day. They often promote smaller and lesser-known creator spaces, as well as the professional services of some of their regulars. It isn't uncommon for people to line up outside with odd magical items that were passed down in their family to let the experts have a look. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
The Eluvian Mirror transportation centers are often exceptionally busy today, with so many people visiting cities which they don't normally go.
Some athenians and news reporters delight in reporting on the antics that go on at the Workshop this day. It's often discovered that revered family heirlooms are little more than cheap tchotchkes.
Lux University's innovation fair is generally a 2 day event -- the first focuses on new items created, while the second (on day 8 of Saturnalia) focuses on new spells and techniques.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is no event thread to partake in for this day, but interacting with the synthesis workshop in the month of November and/or December will earn you Saturnalia rewards. Creating, upgrading, or analyzing any single item (or 4 limited use items) will earn you participation rewards for the day, and doing all 3 of these actions will earn you completion rewards for the day. Each workshop activity after the first will earn you +1 Saturnalia point to spend on rewards.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 7 threads with [s7] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
You may start a day 7 thread at any time during the overall event period!
A day for exploring one's own magical abilities, and learning about other, less familiar affinities. Lux University opens up its lecture halls on this day to let witches make speeches, hold workshops, or have tutorials on their specialities. They also continue their research presentations from the day prior, though the ones on this day tend to veer towards spontaneous spells rather than prepared ones. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] Lux Uni's Consortium of Magical Research
Presenters from a diverse spread of magical fields come to Lux University to share their knowledge with people wanting to learn. Lux's lecture halls and classrooms are opened to the public, and have a schedule full of lectures, practical demonstrations, and hands-on activities. It isn't uncommon for famous witches to hold a lecture or two of their own (nor is it uncommon for a magical fire or two to break out before the day is over). [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
Bailey Renico, the head of Lux University, has held a lecture every year since his employment at the university. He always seems to fill the lecture hall, even when he's scheduled to talk about less popular subjects, like weaving.
Magical researchers will often use the opportunity to demonstrate a new spell they've written. Teachers and other professionals will give feedback before the spell is formally published.
Other magical schools hold similar events, though Lux's is by far has the largest turnout.
Covens will often hold magical duels and demonstrations among their members. Silvertongue and the Helios Knights tend to get fairly competitive about it.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is AN EVENT THREAD you can partake in, which will last for 2 weeks irl ( november 24th - december 7th est ). the event will be dedicated to the Lux University activities of the day. Posting 4 times in this thread will count as a complete day 6 saturnalia thread, though please note that there may be increased rewards for more than 4 posts.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 8 threads with [s8] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here.[break][break]
You may start a day 8 thread at any time during the overall event period. However, participation in the the Lux University event thread is limited to the day 8 event period.
The city is cleaned up, and booths are packed away. The most extravagant of the celebrations are over, and this day is to help return the cities to business as usual and help withes unwind from the excitement of the celebrations. In Sundial, as well as many other cities, weather witches traditionally manipulate the skies to have a light rain starting at dusk to clear away the various paints and satisfy the plants which have been deprived of water since the start of the celebrations. Everyone goes out into the streets, getting wet, starting water fights, and having fun. [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
Fashion designers make a mint by offering clothes that change colour or shape when wet, or just waterproofed clothes in general.
Many people sleep in today, treating it as a day of rest.
Some stay up late to celebrate the coming of the new year in their own way.
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is AN EVENT THREAD you can partake in, which will last for 3 days irl ( december 10th - 12th est ). The event will be an open thread for everyone to express what their characters are doing over the course of the day. Posting just 1 time in this thread will count as a complete day 9 saturnalia thread.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 9 threads with [s9] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here. Please note that only 4 posts per character are needed in socials/missions for this day for completion.[break][break]
You may start a day 9 thread at any time during the overall event period. However, participation in the the staff-posted event thread is limited to the day 9 event period.
Legend says Jahr comes to town this day… [break][break] Most of the celebrations ended the night before, at the cutoff between the old year and the new. Even so, many towns and city communities will have a parade to visually retell the story of Jahr, or set off fireworks in celebration of the monster's defeat. Some will stash away a bag of gold and some food in memory of the sacrifices their ancestors had to make long ago. [break][break] But this year is different... [break][break] There was no warning. The earth did not shake, the skies did not crack with thunder, the winds did not scream. There was simply a tear in the sky over the Blackmoor Swamp, towering so high that it was visible from Sundial to Mirrorlight at the break of dawn. The start of the day was spent in confusion, with people wondering the nature of the dark stripe. Some are worried, but there is little urgency, at least at first. [break][break] But, then the story breaks from terrified scouts and athenians: the dark stripe is a rupture, and from it Jahr has returned. [break][break] Some of the small communities of Blackmoor Swamp have fully sunk into the earth, unprepared for the monster's return overnight. Other communities remain, including the controversial Akwa Village with their sacrificial practices and lizard-centric theology. [break][break] Jahr, a giant, coiling mass of shadow has since begun to travel north, through the Forest of Percival and towards Eclipse Town. Plans for celebrations are canceled, as updates on the wraith's movements consume the cities. Military forces, mercenaries, and the strongest witch covens are called to action in Sundial and Mirrorlight, preparing for a fight if it should come to the worst. Leaders organize a plan of defense, and somewhere in the chaos a question raised -- why should we sacrifice an army when they could simply sacrifice one person? [break][break] And from this, two philosophies emerge. The first, is that the largest cities should have the most protection to try to save as many people as possible -- the Helios Knights announce that this is the path they will officially follow. The majority of their forces will stay in Sundial, and use eluvian mirrors to travel to Mirrorlight Metropolis depending on the monster's course. The second philosophy, is that as many forces should converge towards Jahr as soon as possible to defeat it quickly. How it gathers strength is not well understood, but if the legends are true, then the more sacrifices it receives, the stronger it becomes. A large portion of Jester's Den voices this belief, and is sending their strongest volunteers to Eclipse Town to help. [break][break] The Eclipse Town eluvian mirrors can hardly take the influx of witches, and the looming figure of Jahr draws near... [break][break]
[attr="class","stafftempsubtext"] additional lore
A few backwater communities worship Jahr, believing it to be a god which would one day return to collect the offerings which it is owed. Such communities select a human sacrifice in advance, and pray the next day if the person's life is spared.
Many people didn't believe that Jahr was anything more than a mere story, its last alleged sighting being multiple millennia ago.
(The bestiary entry for Jahr has been updated with its classification as a wraith.)
(The board Akwa Village has been unlocked and received an updated description for the course of this event.)
[attr="class","stafftemptitle"] how it works
There is AN EVENT THREAD you can partake in, which will last for 3 weeks irl ( december 15th - january 5th est ). The thread will follow the events of Jahr's arrival in Eclipse town (and, possibly other towns depending on the course of events). If your character is in Eclipse town itself, the thread will be death enabled -- if they are watching a recording of it from another city, it will not be death enabled. Posting 4 times in this thread will count as a complete day 10 saturnalia thread.
[break][break] If you would rather participate in other aspects of the day, you may start social or mission threads inspired by the lore of this day. Please mark your day 10 threads with [s10] in the title, and update your rewards claim thread here. Please note that only 4 posts per character are needed in socials/missions for this day for completion, since it's the last one.[break][break]
The end of day 10 is the end of Saturnalia overall -- so please be sure to finish everything you want to by January 5th.
