The Golden Tether

It's cold in Guildereim. Really cold. Really really cold. So cold in fact, that it's snowing. Although the very peak of the island's mountain very rarely sees a few specks of snow.. the entire island has been covered in a bitter cold. It's fun at first.. but things are starting to get worse.

The facts we know:
-Since the beginning of the month, the temperature has been rapidly decreasing. Things are getting chilly. Although it's not quite cold during the daytime, sweaters are almost required. The evenings definitely require sweaters.
-The temperatures have been easily dipping below freezing even during the day. In the wee hours of Sunday morning, a very light snow has begun to fall.
-Hot drinks and food are served with discounts at the bar.
-Limited amounts of warm clothing are provided to unowned/Tether owned slaves.
-Several people been turned into a living ice statue! Encased in several feet of magical ice, right in the middle of the main hall.
-Rats have fled indoors. Some may be lurking amongst pillows in the harem.
-A patron has already died from hypothermia.
-Naga and Kaoe'i have fled their homes to move closer to the warmth the volcano provides.
-The snow is thickly blanketing the the island, and inland ponds and water features are freezing up.
-Reports have come in stating that just a few miles away from Guildereim's shores, the weather is tropical, and overwhelmingly warm for mid December. It was made very evident that the Tether's winter storm was very magical, and encasing the entire island only. Help is being asked of those with magical abilities to aid in locating the source of this destructive winter.
-The storm is still worsening. Temperature dropping to -40c/f.
-A woman named Annastazia is the prime suspect, and a manhunt has been called for her to be found and captured.
-There are magical ice serpents that come with the storm. Incredibly dangerous, and have caused very severe, life threatening injuries. Do not touch them.
-The ice mage Annaztasia has been killed, and her staff and amulet destroyed.
-Those trapped in ice blocks have been unfrozen.
-A massive avalanche has entirely buried the Tether. Access in and out is impossible.
-Tunnels from each of the exits are being created for access indoor and outdoor.
-The Tether has sustained large amounts of damage from massive falling rocks during the avalanche. The docks have been for the most part exploded, and the garden has been flattened.
-The majority of the fires have been located to the underhall and the forge, where heat is most easily retained. Patrons and slave are advised to linger there.
-The storm has worsened still. Temperatures dropping to -60c/-76f.
-Venturing outdoors without magical protection from the cold is very suicidal.


Current Rumours:
-It's time for the holidays ! The Tether is gearing up for some winter festivities.
-Whoever was in charge of creating snow for the holidays seriously messed up.
-There is something seriously wrong here. A foul, evil magic perhaps.
-The eggnog is cursed.
-The top corner seat of the atrium's chair island is cursed.
-The enchantment on the living ice sculptures could possibly be broken by eliminating the source of magic.
-Annastazia is causing this winter.
-The source of Annastazia's power is some sort of artifact.
-The source of the winter is a massive dragon, or demon..
-A man was teleported into the main hall only a second after having been eviscerated by the alleged winter dragon, ranting of what it was.

What can my character do to help ?

Slaves
-Ensure patrons are well supplied with hot drinks and food.
-Fires and braziers should constantly have fresh supplies of wood.
-Everyone with magical abilities are being asked to help investigate this magical winter to locate the source, or any information at all.
-A manhunt for a woman named Annastazia has been called. Any information is to be passed along to Tether Staff. Slaves are permitted to detain the woman in question.
-Shoveling snow to create tunnels from indoors to outdoors.
-Chopping broken furniture and pieces or the broken docks for firewood.
-Aiding in creating ballista, and other weapons capable of injuring a massively large dragon.

Patrons
-Clothing merchants are encouraged to bring out their winter stocks.. if they have them at all.
-Those with magical abilities are being asked to further investigate the living ice statues to learn more about them.
-Aid in finding out just who is responsible for this weather.
-Everyone with magical abilities are being asked to help investigate this magical winter to locate the source, or any information at all.
-A manhunt for a woman named Annastazia has been called. Any information is to be passed along to Tether Staff. Free people are encouraged to detain the woman in question and bring them promptly to the Rah.
-Shoveling snow to create tunnels from indoors to outdoors.
-Chopping broken furniture and pieces or the broken docks for firewood.
-Aiding in creating ballista, and other weapons capable of injuring a massively large dragon.

FAQ

I need more information !
All the information you need to know will be posted on this thread, and the corresponding RPR event. However there is only so much a post can tell you. The best way to obtain in-depth information is to ask ICly.

Do I have to participate in this plot ?
No. However this is a dream wide plot which is intended to involve and effect everyone. If you are not interested in roleplaying with the plot, we kindly ask that you take your lack of plot acknowledgement out of the main hall, and to more private areas instead.

What was just emitted ?
Look at the up to date list of recent emits Here

Announcements:

Dec 3 (morning)
Tropical islands typically don't get cold, even during the winter. But this morning and afternoon might very well be described as cold. Although the sun was bright, the wind was chilly. Dressing in layers is advised.

Dec 3 (6pm fst)
A particularly chilled wind would go whipping across the island, and through the Tether itself. Extinguishing a few outdoor candles. The evening temperatures almost threatening to dip down to freezing point.

Dec 4 (3am fst)
The night was cold. Freezing in fact. Blazing fires across the island might be noted, as Guildereim's locals tried to keep warm outdoors. A few extra braziers had been added to the main hall, and hot drinks came with discounts for late night patrons.

Dec 4, 11.30 am
With the temperatures dropping so low last night, the Tether would find itself waking up to a layer of crunchy frost covering the island. Things weren't any warmer this morning. Extra braziers have been added to the halls, and hot drinks came with discounts. Warmer clothing is almost required at this point, rather than simply suggested.

Dec 4, 12.00 am
Guards have reported that more rats than usual are seeking refugee in
the underhall. Slaves are expected to be careful as not to get bitten.

December 5th, roughly 9AM FST.
"The first victim of the sudden cold has been confirmed, as an unnamed patron is rushed to the infirmary to be treated for severe frostbite after ignoring all warnings from staff to keep warm."

December 5th, 12:53pm!
[#] With the combination of the cold weather and the rain from last night, the island wasn't getting any better! There were nice patches of ice here and there, and the island's flora were getting the worst of it. Don't slip!

Dec 5, 8.30 pm
A particularly frigid gust of wind went whipping across the island. Ruffling anything that was not solid. Despite being freezing, the few ice crystals in the air were at least pretty in the evening sky. If this kept up, there might very well be promises of snow on the morrow. Hot drinks and foods carry discounts at the bars. All unowned slaves are being provided with much warmer clothing. Patrons as well are encouraged to purchase Coats, cloaks and thermal underwear.

Dec 6, 9.00 am
The rat population in the underhall increased the past days due to the cold, and some of them have
been spotted to migrate to the harem pen, taking refugee in the plush cushions in search for warmth.

Dec 6th, 3:45 FST
Two birds, one stone. With the abundance of rats in the underhall and now in the harem cushions, rat is on the menu for slaves indefinitely. Flambé, roasted, and occasionally, for well behaved and harem slaves, a thick, hearty, warm stew to drive away the chill. Ill behaved and unbroken slaved may simply be served a dead, half frozen rat. Patrons on the lower end of the financial spectrum may get a taste as well!

Dec 6th,
Sugizo got turned into an ice sculpture in the main hall !

December 7th 2am
The snow had begun to pick up outside. Several dockworkers had begun retiring for the night with loud complaints over it and very sniffly noses. Oh, and not to mention there was also a frozen slave decorated with tinsel in the atrium.

Dec 7 (10.30am)
The snow from yesterday drifts on today. Only just sticking on the ground outdoors. The edges of jungle ponds, and the garden fountain seemed like they were starting to freeze up. The rest of the week was promising to be a chilly one.

Dec 10th, 9 PM
A fierce breeze of cold air and snowflakes blasts into the main hall, chilling slaves and patrons alike. Seems like the doors weren't closed all the way. . .

Dec 11, 11.30am
The snow was thick this morning. Blanketing the island in thick fluffy layers. It seems like the naga and Kaoe'i have for the most part fled their jungle homes to move closer to the heart of the island and the whatever warmth the volcano brought. Patrons and slaves alike had been frozen into living ice statues. It was cold. Well below freezing, and downright dangerous to linger outside. Still water in ponds around the island are freezing up, and all signs indicated this winter will continue to worsen.

Dec 12, 12:00 AM
The doors of the mainhall have been closed, and barred by huge planks made of oak, to keep out the chill.
Those that wanted to get inside or outside - the latter not being recommended - had to talk to the guards.

Dec 14, 11am
With the cold failing to recede, the docks have begun to freeze up. Idle slaves have been ordered outside with long poles to keep the ice broken up. Daytime temperatures have been dropping to -20c/-4f. Thick blankets of snow cover the island. Naga and Kaoe'i have all but disappeared. Many local animals, birds and plants have been found dead from the cold.

Dec 14 12.30am
A freezing naga was rather forcibly removed from it's slow slink towards the warmth of the fires in the main hall. Wild animals were not allowed. It was cold outside. Although it was significantly warmer indoors, warm clothing is required. There were even rumors floating about, that slave meals would be significantly rationed in the coming days, due to the fact plants and animals on the island were quickly dying, and food was becoming scarce.

Dec 15 12:22am
Hunting and fishing was not going well for the island. A group of hunters can be heard mumbling as they cross the atrium towards the bar about their catches for the day. Seems all they managed to obtain were a few half starved rabbits. The winter is growing harsher.

Dec 18, 1:30 PM
Winds are picking up, the temperature is taking another drop. Something's amiss. Horns sound to warn anyone foolish enough
to have wandered outside. House slaves are standing by to board up the doors at the very last minute. A blizzard approaches!


Dec 18, 2:30 PM
The blizzard is getting even more furious, piling up heaps of snow outside, and rattling the barred
doors harshly while some of the houseslaves and a few guards try to keep the doors barred.
Through some cracks in stones, the wind howls through the hall, bringing in some of the cold.

Dec 20. 4.45pm
Icy cold winds swept over the island with a gale like force, pounding away at doors and windows. Venturing outdoors would be particularly dangerous in this frozen storm. Even the sun seemed faint, and despite it still being mid afternoon, it was overcast and quite dark. Miserable, really.

Dec 20, evening-
A massive blast of cold ripped through the doors of the main hall, breaking them. From the damaged doors came what appeared to be several ice serpents. Roaming about the main hall and doing large amounts of damage, injuring several, and turning a man named Viro into an ice block.

Dec 20, evening-
A hunting party was lead out of the Tether to raid a naga camp and retrieve supplies. They were successful.

Dec 22, 5pm fst-
A large mob gathered outside the door of the room belonging to Annastazia. Upon entering the room, the mob was assaulted by an explosion, and several ice serpents. Doing a large amount of damage and causing severe injuries.

Dec 26, 7pm fst
The woman named Annastazia made an appearance in the main hall. Promptly confronted, a large fight broke out. Much magic was involved, though with the help of patrons and slaves combined, the mage was overcome and killed. Winning the day and-- [see following announcement]

Dec 26, 10.30pm fst
The battle in the main hall had been won. The mage responsible for this magical winter lay dead in a heap of ash and clothing in the atrium. The day had been saved ! The winter was over ! Or was it.. Not moments later, those with particularly keen hearing might pick up a faint growl in the distance. A wind more frigid than the Tether has ever felt before went ripping through the establishment as a howling ice storm very quickly picked up outdoors. Those with magical abilities would likely feel a rather terrifying presence of evil creeping it's way across the entire island.

Dec 29, evening-
[#] Anyone glancing outside from the Tether might be privy to what looked like an avalanch on the mountain. Followed by a loud, low rumbling like something very large was stirring.

[#] With a loud rumble that may very well have been an explosion off in the distance, another rumble would begin. If the small avalanch outside earlier hadn't been noticed- large amounts of the mountain itself were now sliding rapidly towards the Tether. Shaking the entire establishment.

[#] The rumbling of the avalanch grew deafeningly loud as it neared the Tether. Massive boulders smashing into the docks, ripping them clean away from the building. Several others flattening garden features. The entire island shook, as huge rocks slammed into the Tether itself. Likely knocking the majority of occupants off their feet.

[#] Only moments later, the roar of the avalanche would fully descend upon the Tether. Massive amounts of snow washing over the establishment to entirely engulf the building. Fully sealing any way in or out. Burying it deeply in massive amounts of frozen white bull****.