Vanora's posts

It's tradition to hang red ribbons and bells up on trees to help guide the spirits of our loved
ones back home. You'll know when you hear the bells chime in the wind, that they have returned.
Then, when the tree you have adorned returns to flourish brilliant colors in spring: That is their
thank you for remembering them and welcoming them back to a familiar place.

It's a comforting story we tell the children to help honor and commemorate those lost and is a
time of closure for many. We invite you to private message Vanora with the name of someone dear
to you, who is no longer here. You can also include a brief paragraph stating their importance.
Vanora will publish those entries anonymously here for us all to share in the warm memories
of our loved ones here in our hearts. This can be anything from a pet, friend, relative, or even a celebrity
no longer with us, that you found inspiring. In the thread please do share some of your warmest memories from the past!
Let's discuss traditions from our individual households if you have them!

RAFFLE 1
By submitting a name and a brief paragraph sentiment for a departed one,
you enter yourself into a raffle for the orb of your choice!
There will be up to three random winners.
You're allowed to submit as many ribbons as you wish,
but you will only be entered into the raffle once.

RAFFLE 2
Posting actively in this thread and sharing your memories/traditions will automatically enter
you into the second raffle. Up to three random winners, will receive the common orb.

Contest
Submit photographs. They can encapsulate anything from winter or celebrating whichever
holiday that you do, etc! Maybe your dog has a great tree sweater! Or a local snow storm
painted a beautiful white landscape! You have until January first to submit. Up to two
winners will receive the yet to be revealed January Crate Item.
Please submit photographs DIRECTLY in the thread!


The raffle winners to be announced on January 2nd.
The Photo contest winners will be announced on January 12th.

You were midst collecting materials to decorate your home with holiday goods from Valentina’s shop. Hoarding spools of thread,
fabric cuts, lightbulbs, cardboard and other miscellaneous things; your eye catches the brilliant purple flicker of Vanora's hair swaying
several heights above you.

She stands shakily on the top of a ladder reaching her arms out as far as she possibly can to tie a ribbon around a branch, but she loses her footing and begins to fall sideways downward! She screeches out in panic and you instinctively close your eyes knowing the inevitable outcome. However, no crash rings out, only a gasp and then: ”Oh! Vyctor! I’m so sorry!”

You let out a giant sigh, relieved she is okay. Vyctor had barely caught her to help break the fall. He stumbles a bit but swiftly plants her back down to earth, crossing his arms in concern. “What are you doing this all alone for? Where’s Viv?!” He spins around searching, only to see you and gives a wave while also gesturing for you to come help.

Vanora beams at you brightly as you place the ladder back up while she dusts herself off. ”Vivi insisted she had to be alone today to pick up my Solstice gift she ordered. Besides, this is totally my own personal little project I like to do this time of year.” Vanora opens up the tan braided satchel at her waist revealing hundreds of ribbons and bells. You look up at the tree and notice she has already substantially covered a majority of the branches at the base and mid section of this giant tree. You feel inspired by her hard work and dedication, feeling inclined to offer a helping hand.

”Might I make a suggestion to make this easier, Viv?” Vyc grabs a small handful from her satchel, and takes a needle from his pocket. ”Anyone have some thread?” Your ears perk up and you immediately hand him spools from your bag, you're grateful to carry less bulk.
”How convenient, thanks!” After nodding at you with an appreciative smile, Vyc ties the end off, and then slips the thread through about a dozen ribbons, making a collective garland of jingling bells. ”Oh! Vyc,! Dude you’re a genius! This will make it so much quicker!” Vanora leaps up for joy and Vyc smirks at his own wits. You join them in a crouch and offer to help decorate this massive tree with ribbons and bells to welcome home rekindled energy from spirits of the past.

Day 5: Vanora’s eyes are determined, she knows her line is one of the bigger ones in the song
and she has spent many nights perfecting this part.
On the fifth night of Solstice, Panthalassa gave to thee:
OLDEN WINGS!
Before she can say anything, Vivienne snuck up and jostled her with a surprise hug.
Vanora pecks Vivienne's lips and the two happily giggle as compliments flood in about
Vanora's singing voice.

---

[A fire safe was one of many things found floating in a sea of debris, making its way ashore ages after the fall of the forgotten realms…inside a report by a gentleman named Edgar Von Dryden]

Introduction: This will be my final report in which I describe the real tide changer in this war. It is my duty to sit here and bear witness to this catastrophe for the sake of objectively informing future generations of the truth. I’m sure the realms that are aware of this monstrosity- would want it buried forever. By guardians luck, this reaches the proper hands..someday.

The change: When the the southernmost realm collapsed back into the sea, most of humanity was shocked. My and my brethren more so. They had about as many resources as Metal, and prioritized defense among all else. All of their governments taxes during this war was poured into protection, even cutting off socialized emergency services. Had I known my home would plummet I’d never have enlisted to serve an ally realm. For years it has haunted me, wondering my sturdy homeland could plummet overnight. Everyone I love and knew swallowed into a black abyss. The reports came back saying a gun did it. I call bull. Today, I think I am witnessing the real answer. Today, I see out my window, the ugliest guardian I have ever seen.
That’s right, you read that correctly. A guardian...of sorts anyway.

The Guardian: His true form is a flying reptilian species. Dare I say dragon? What realm he protects I have no information to confirm, but must be from one of the enemy territory. Five wings, scale colors of midnight tinted with a shimmering reflection of prismatic colors off the rays from dawn. Looks as if he had a sixth wing at one point, torn off perhaps? Some of his bone is exposed exposed from what would be the joint connecting the sixth wing to the body. Good. This verifies to me, he isn’t invincible. Don’t get me wrong, I know our death is secured. The guardians in this land have fallen. The statistical likelihood of survival would be similar to our ability to verify the existence of Panthalassa- improbable.

Discharge: Lieutenant Commander Obritch sent me here on discharge after news of my home. Guess I couldn’t hold a weapon the same after knowing my family is missing and most likely dead. Now I fall with our ally. I am honored to have served both realms, and may future generations not make the mistake in assuming that the guardians we so heavily rely on bear any more morals than us humans.


My darling daughter….gorgeous wife...whose pies I still smell and whose smile I still see out the corner of my eye….I hope...it was quick...because...it won’t be...for me.

I’m already chugging the bottle, deliriously laughing. Can’t wait to see you cuties faces again.....soon.

It's ok Vivi! *hugs*
Mine should last a second longer!