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THIS MISSION CYCLE ENDS MAY 20TH. YOU MAY NOT MAKE NEW THREADS AFTER THAT TIME.[break][break]
*** THIS IS A "SPECIAL MISSION" -- such missions will occur in a single group thread that goes on for the cycle. Learn more in the IC thread for this mission here.[break][break]
Cerberus is not just the most prestigious most powerful coven to exist, it's also the oldest.[break][break]
Having been around since ancient history, the coven has accumulated more than a few quirks, rituals, and sometimes just absolutely insane historical fragments that continue, to this day, as vital parts of the Cerberus witch's experience.[break][break]
Like Hydra (not that they will ever admit it), Cerberus is steeped in tradition: some more depraved, dangerous, and seeped in secrecy than others. *The Will of the Night* is one of those traditions.[break][break]
Occurring every year on the Summer Solstice (or the shortest night of the year as measured by Cerberus's chief astronomer), The Will of the Night is an underground party (literally) of what is often described as
pure degeneracy and hysteria.[break][break]
Not like that stops them.
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Did you know? The Old Citadel is
just as deep underground as it is above -- while the underground tunnel networks are typically closed off, during The Will of The Night the tunnels are opened entirely to the Cerberus witches.
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The party centers anyone from initiate to sentinel, with attendance being optional at higher ranks. It is "semi-optional" for younger members (you MUST attend at least one such party before taking the GATE exam, and one more after you are a sentinel), and functions as an insane, fever-dream-like hazing ceremony.
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Each room and tunnel differs from the next, but the Night typically involves (but is never limited to:)[break][break]
* Horrific humiliating tasks and dares, including ritualized pain endurance tasks[break]
* Probably (read: very much yes) illegal uses of magic, including experiments and banned summoning rituals[break]
* Everyone you know and your superior officer being entirely wasted [break]
* Yelling, madness, and chants that involve
The Will Of The Night![break]
* Networking -- the world's most powerful witches and likely tomorrow's most powerful witches are all gathered here in the heartland of magic: Delphi's Vulcan Highlands.[break]
* Accidentally setting of Cerberus's own security systems or discovering something you really probably shouldn't see in the Underground[break]
* Duels. So many duels. Involving participants at varying stages of sobriety. Yikes![break]
* Sometimes, the ceremony results in injuries, hospitalizations or even (historically a lot less than it used to) deaths.[break][break]
Only one rule:
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No press. No photos. No recording devices of any kind.[break]
(The existence of The Will of The Night is a secret, let alone its happenings)[break]
And whatever happens during The Will of the Night, like the night,
disappears come morning.[break][break]
EXTRA LORE IN SPOILERS BELOW BC PAN IS INDULGENT[break][break]
{Spoiler}
Surviving your first Will of The Night party - a guide by M. Crestwalker[break][break]
(This "guide" is considered a fascinating fragment of Cerberus histroy: clearly written by young and self-assured Minerva Crestwalker in her personal journal published posthumously, who would later go on to be the Cerberus leader credited with the destruction of Hydra, it continues to fascinate new recruits and Cerberus historians alike. Dated 1942, 6 years before the onset of the Great War.)[break][break]
It is June-- the nights will soon stop growing longer, and we will begin the half of the year filled with evil and bad spirits. Or whatever hogwash, who knows!
[break][break]
Ahead of this year's celebrations, I figure I should compile my knowledge and share it with you frightened, starry-eyed initiates, who will one day hold the world in the palm of your hands. For now, it is enough to learn to hold a cup.
[break][break]
Here:[break][break]
* Stay away from newly-minted Sentinels: they are the worst. They've likely just joined a squadron, and are a little too eager to tell you about it, or try and promise you a "spot" only to burn your hair. (Happened to me my very first time, Merlin!)[break]
* Travel with friends -- go anywhere alone and you will never find safety again. If you don't have friends, keep your familiar about. Sometimes, you will need to use magic to defend yourself. [break]
* Never say no to a drink or a duel-- that's pathetic. Build alcohol resistence in the days before or risk embarrassing yourself. If must be, spit it out when no one is looking.[break]
* That being said, stay sober. Tough luck![break]
* Unless you truly embarrass yourself, then scratch what I said before and plan to black out and let it end quicker. There's always next year to make a good impression, I suppose.[break]
* Your superiors will absolutely remember what you told them while piss drunk. Thankfully, they genuinely don't seem to care -- must be that they, too, were once young like us...[break]
* Do as you're told: it's embarrassing and awkward for an initiate to say no to a novice, or novice to a sentinel, etc, etc.[break]
* That being said, don't be a suck-up. Ranks tend to both become distinct and blur at once during these parties. Learn to navigate the in between, and become adored. [break]
* Enjoy yourself! If you are clever, somewhat sober, and charismatic, you will find an endlessly enjoyable night. I cannot count the number of times I've seen alchemic discoveries and new cross-domain collaborative spells come into existence from this madness...[break]
* The less you resist the spirit of it, the more you allow yourself to be taken in by The Will of The Night, the more you will take away from the experience[break]
* Goodluck![break][break]
Your future High Comissioner,[break]
Minerva Crestwalker[break]
Acolyte of Cerberus[break][break]
Alpha Squadron [break]
Squad Leader
June 2nd, 1942
