Event Log: June, What Lies Beneath

[faileas]

Event Log: June, What Lies Beneath

Down, Down, Down The group leaves on the morning of the 16th, a band consisting of Mirrorbound, Theodore and Sowilo from the Coven, and one of the two returned Wilders to lead the way. The latter three will only be present for the first leg of the journey: from the North Gate to the Northern Outpost by teleporter, then a few hours' hike to the site. A tunnel yawns open, fallen rocks built up around it in mounds. Everyone is offered enchanted lanterns to light the way, and their guide takes them perhaps a mile down before he and the pair from the Coven must part ways with the Mirrorbound. The poorly-lit tunnel leads steadily downward. The way is marked by their gracious hosts to be, with arrows drawn in softly-glowing algae painting the walls so there is no mistaking which way to go; a good thing, because the deeper the party goes, the more tunnels branch off of the largest one, twisting and turning into the dark. It takes some hours to reach a familiar cavern lit with algae and glowing crystals, a herd of the velvet wormipedes idly milling about the small lake and stream that led into town in the dream. Much nicer long boats are set up and waiting to take them deeper, along with respectfully quiet Monster guards to steer them. They take a slightly different route from the dream, but before long, they reach the curtain of grayish green moss that dangles down into the water, stretched across the wide tunnel exit like a membrane. It parts on its own as the boats pass, though beware if you are infected by the Cwyld - it will not allow passage, only reach out long, tough tendrils to try and envelop you, the touch of it burning acid-bright where it is harmless for those uninfected. Past the curtain of strange moss, the cavern city opens up before them, vast and spacious, dimly lit with more algae, crystals, and softly glowing orbs of magic. It's like being plunged into an eternal twilight, somehow soft, cast in gentle colors. The boats bypass the markets this time, drifting farther down a branching stream into the city proper, to dock next to stone platforms. The winding streets and flowing canals branch out all around them with no rhyme or reason, the city sprung up around the natural layout of the caverns rather than the other way around. Buildings are carved out of tall stone spires, the windows and doors covered in fluttering silk, many of which are pulled away so that fascinated locals can peer out at the scene unfolding. The Matriarch herself comes to greet the group, ringed at the back by spear-carrying guards, all Monsters. A tall, long-limbed Arachne woman bearing battle scars and stark white hair, she looks perhaps in her 30s, and speaks with a booming, commanding voice, amplified by a charm. As she speaks, ten Wilders are released from silk rope bonds and nudged to join the Mirrorbound; they're a little roughed up, perhaps, and shaken, but none are seriously injured. A few Monsters also make the rounds, placing copper tokens in the hands of ten individuals. "Welcome, travelers! This meeting was foretold and so it has come to pass. During your stay you will be treated as our honored guests. You may come and go as you please, but we ask that you use the same tunnel you entered through; we have not yet re-secured the other entrances from Cwyld nor the tribes. I would hate for danger to befall you while you are under my care." Her smile is wide, her eight eyes bright, and her teeth are very sharp. "We have prepared temporary residences for your use. I hope you will stay for the celebrations. I look forward to meeting with some of you very soon." Notably, she does not mention the surface where from the Mirrorbound came, and those around her do not ask.

I. The City The Mirrorbound receive mixed reactions from the Underground. Some are fascinated by these visitors personally invited by the Matriarch and allowed past the markets; others are wary and suspicious, believing them to be wolves in sheep's clothing. In the city proper, most passing Monsters are armed, but this doesn't seem to be anything new. Still, step cautiously - plenty do not take well to even unknowing offense and will pick a fight, or may see these guests as easy, weak targets to pickpocket or mug in the dark corners of the twisting streets. The guards only step in if things take a turn for the worse or if the fight is very obviously imbalanced - they step in more for Witches being attacked than Monsters, because they feel Witches require protection more. Still, not all are so unscrupulous: more citizens are delighted to talk, even if they still seem skeptical about a whole world up above. Mirrorbound, as guests of the Matriarch, are given nearly free run of the city, allowed to explore such locations as the marketplace, the library, the shops, the schools (the Arena for Monsters and the Academy for Witches), and the tunnels and caverns outside the protective moss barriers. The only places they (and most locals) are expressly barred from are the Matriarch's audience hall, the upper level of the library, and the guards' barracks. a. The Marketplace The marketplace is much larger than previously thought - it rings the entire city, and stalls spill onto the streets of the inner city as well in a lazy sprawl. There are some shops with actual buildings, but they're fewer and more expensive: alchemy and apothecary shops, a couple of restaurants, a weapons shop or two, nice clothing shops. Most, though, are independent merchants who set up and take down their stalls every day and night. Any number of Underground-sourced foods, clothing, weapons, trinkets, and more can be found at the stalls; they barter, or exchange chips of precious metals and gems, but they'll take cune coins with fascination. The marketplaces are the liveliest areas of the city with Monsters and Witches alike, from all walks of life, mingling and sharing gossip and idle talk. Those who lost items to the burrowing hyenas at the Northern Outpost some months ago should keep an eye out: the hyenas are fairly common down here, serving the roles of pets or working dogs for Underground citizens, and a few merchants deal in more interesting goods. The missing items can be found scattered across some stalls, and the merchants will gleefully tell perusers that these things come from the surface, aren't they fascinating? Don't you want to buy? Luckily, it shouldn't be too hard to get your things back. They'll take all manner of interesting trinkets in trade. b. Library The library is bound to be a popular stop. Monsters get some strange looks if they enter the spire just off the courtyard from the Academy, but they aren't barred from entry; most just feel that reading is for Witches. The building is only two levels - one closed off at the top, guards keeping everyone out, and the rest is just one very tall floor ringed with a spiral of platforms and stairs to access the honeycomb-shaped shelves built into the walls. All their books are written on scrolls of silk, and the librarians bark at patrons to be delicate with them, some are very old. If one has endless time, the scrolls can offer a look at life Underground: historical accounts of past Matriarchs, brave warriors and battles against nomadic tribes or hideous beasts, their history as they know it, scrolls on offensive and defensive magic for Witches, fighting techniques for Monsters, information on their unique flora and creatures that can be found outside the city, and even plenty of fiction - sword and sorcery novels all set in the tunnels and the city. It's just a bit difficult to find what, specifically, you're looking for, because if there's any kind of organization, it only makes sense to the deep-dwelling denizens. Maybe make it a team effort! You'll also need some simple translation spells, because their system of writing is quite different to the common system in Aefenglom; even then, it may not be accurate on older scrolls. c. The Guest Villa Those who choose to spend several days in the Underground are given modest accommodations in a tall stone building. These guest chambers boast gentle lighting, wide beds, backless sofas, potted decorative fungi, and stone furniture. It's... cozy, with humble individual rooms and larger common rooms for gathering. The algae grows in delicate patterns across the walls, pulsing in soft colors. They've gone out of their way to provide what comfort they can, but there aren't enough rooms for everyone to have their own - everyone will need to share with one or two others, so choose someone you can get along with.

II. The Tunnels Mirrorbound are not restricted only to the city. There are many entrances to the cavern where it resides, the openings all covered with sheets of that same gray-green moss; some wider tunnels obviously see more use than other, narrower ones, and the footpath of many Underground denizens is easy enough to trace, the stone worn smooth. The path to the velvet wormipede cavern is one of them; they're raised as livestock, all at once food, transportation, and producers of silk and hide for clothing. This is much the same as the dream. Another well-worn tunnel leads upward to an agricultural center, though, and still more lead out into the wild. They're warned, but not hindered, before they leave for anywhere other than the farms or the livestock cavern; dangers abound in the Underground. Those who do much wandering may notice something going on as well; the guards stationed at each tunnel mouth can often be found talking to each other in low voices about an unknown red algae that seems to be growing on the protective moss. It can be found primarily around the lesser-used tunnels so far, starkly bright against the dull green, and this seems to be a point of concern... a. A Botanist's Dream It's a short walk down a wide, inviting tunnel to reach the place where the city grows fungi and underground plants for food and medicine. Large rats and hyenas both are present to keep opportunist creatures and insects from demolishing the carefully-cultivated beds of rock and soil, and small blind fish swim about in the large pool of shallow water, in which grows something like seaweed. One of their primary sources of food, besides bug and rat, are mushrooms of many sorts - all the types that grow in the farms are edible, though some may be an... acquired taste. The Fauns and Witches who tend the beds are happy to offer samples of anything that can be eaten raw; they're most enthusiastic about a type of spherical mushroom whose cap opens up to reveal what tastes and feels like savory cotton candy, and a type of flat fungi that tastes sweet and fizzy and offers a heightened good mood for an hour after. b. The Wild Underground The lesser used tunnels are a different story. A mile out from the city, Cwyld runs in thick black veins through the stone walls, infecting the sparse plants and many creatures that live out there. Careful not to touch. Infected and uninfected creatures both are highly dangerous to explorers, including stone-burrowing moles with wicked teeth and claws that can cut through metal like butter, vicious white wasps that carry lethal venom, and berserker vampire bats that survive on the blood of other animals and people alike. Some infected fungi give off blindingly-bright flashes when disturbed, while others will cause rashes and blisters on contact. Explorers are warned not to touch anything if they can help it. As well, the nomad tribes roam the less-civilized tunnels and caverns. These are small bands of usually Monsters of different types in mixed groups, though some can be found dragging humans along with them. Nearly all of them are some degree of feral, and plenty bear Cwyld infections in different stages of seriousness. They don't stop to ask questions before they'll attack anyone, including each other, in hopes of robbing them blind and leaving them for dead. As vicious and quick as they are, perhaps it's no wonder they value strength in the city?

III. Graduation Day (21st - 23rd) The Underground does not have 'Litha' as Aefenglomites know it, but come the 21st, they do have a major celebration. They simply call it the New Year, or Graduation Day, depending on what festivities are asked about, because the three days serve as both. At this time of year, with more magic in the air, the algae and crystals glow much brighter, cycling naturally through different colors that cast beautiful rainbows across the imposing stone structures. This display is how they mark the start of a new year, and it coincides with the graduation of young Monsters from the Arena and Witches from the Academy. The New Year is a time to celebrate Bonding, partying, and showing off one's skills in the hopes of attracting a new Bondmate or romantic partner. Tensions can also rise high as rivalries are settled, and small brawls in the streets are common; the guards don't interfere, again, unless things get too dangerous. They're content to let citizens work out their own issues, but unfortunately, this means Mirrorbound may get dragged in on occasion! Small fights are also a tried and true tradition to show off one's abilities around this time of year. It serves multiple purposes: attracting a Bondmate, establishing a place in the unspoken hierarchy of the city, and working out problems with others. Monsters are more likely to start brawls than Witches, though it isn't wholly uncommon to bear witness to two rival Witches throwing spells at each other in an alleyway over their grievances. They're more likely to be stopped, as magic can be quite destructive. a. A Matching Pair The un-Bonded should take precautions during the New Year celebrations. These fascinating newcomers are bound to draw the eye of curious locals, and they may put on a violent or flashy show trying to draw your attention in return! The most common way to show that you're already taken during the celebrations is with face-painting: several stands set up around the marketplace with cosmetics and brushes, and two (or three, or more) people painting matching designs on their faces and bodies signify them as a set - either Bonded or intending to Bond. That doesn't mean there won't still be competition for your heart, but it will lessen significantly, especially if you're a Monster-Witch pair already. b. Exhibitions Primarily intended for the graduating classes of Monsters and Witches, the exhibitions are an official stage set for their coming-of-age; this year, however, the Matriarch has decreed that Mirrorbound may participate as well, in the interests of getting to know one another! They're interested to see what these strange travelers can do, especially against some of their own. Mirrorbound are encouraged by excitable locals if they seem reticent, but of course, no one is forced. (Just don't be surprised if you're called a coward for refusing!) At the Arena, a massive sunken ring with stone benches for spectators ringing the whole of it, young Monsters learn combat skills, with and without weapons, and how to harness their unique physiologies in the dangerous world of the Underground. Their yearly exhibition fights take place all through the three days of the New Year, and young Monsters battle each other til first blood to the cheers and jeers of citizens (and more importantly, Witches) come to watch. The longer the battle, the more impressive it is - and Monster Mirrorbound will have no shortage of eager opponents wanting to test their skills against the unknown. Generally, the fights result in bruises, small cuts, and little else, but rivals for the same Witch might take it farther on purpose before they're wrenched away from each other by the teachers. Meanwhile, at the Academy, the tallest stone spire building in the city, young Witches learn magic from a young age. It isn't exactly the same as magic taught at the Coven, but many concepts are similar - barriers, evocation, enchantments meant for weapons or shields, healing, most of the magic they're taught at this younger age is for combat, protection or practical purposes. They only learn more frivolous magics after graduation. Much like their Monster counterparts, they give solo or duet shows of their flashier and more impressive magical skills in the courtyard, with many citizens coming to watch and take stock of the new generation. Mirrorbound Witches may find themselves being cajoled into putting on a show of their own by curious locals wanting to know what kinds of magic are taught elsewhere.

IV. Aefenglom - Litha (21st - 23rd) Meanwhile, for those who have chosen to stay above-ground or those who have left early, Litha comes once more to Aefenglom, bringing with it beautiful pink and purple skies, a far departure from last year's red tint. It has the city in a much cheerier mood for the celebrations. While they know that several Mirrorbound left for a while, they don't seem too aware of the actual mission, and have very little to say on the matter - they'd rather have a nice Litha, after last year's bad omens! Many of the activities from last year return, better than before, including the brothels opening up their doors (showing off all the wonderful new styles in lingerie!), collecting flowers to put under one's pillow in order to dream of future partners, and wandering the hedge mazes that have been magically constructed in certain parts of the city. Seeing off ships happens regularly as well, citizens setting floating candles into the harbor and river to wish them luck. a. Love Boats A new attraction for Litha is being rolled out this year right on the River Temese! Near the gate, an enterprising Faun has set up a few small boats, each just big enough for two and shielded with fine gauzy curtains for privacy. Couples are invited to buy a ride down the river together, assured it will certainly set the mood. Those who have no partners are offered (or cajoled) to be randomly paired with someone, because perhaps it's fate! The boats drift lazily down the river and stop on their own next to a small dock right before they reach the Harbor. Unless you're willing to swim, hopefully you like your boat partner, because you're stuck with them the whole ride. b. Predictive Pools One bathhouse in the Entertainment District has laid an enchantment on one of their semi-public baths for Litha. When two people stand in the water together, bare, it will begin to glow and take on one of a handful of colors that they say will predict the pair's compatibility level! Sexually, romantically? Well, why not both? The only thing is, they've lost the instructions, and cannot seem to remember what color means "most compatible" and what color means "not compatible at all"... As a reminder, all sexual content should be clearly marked in comment headers, or else moved to a comm-locked log or personal inbox! Be good to each other.

Welcome to June's Event Log, What Lies Beneath! The Underground will be open until mid-July at minimum, and possibly longer. Characters can come and go if they're willing to make the trip multiple times. As always, please direct your questions here! The NPC threads will take place here. Aaand, the Action Tracker is right here! Make sure to let us know what your characters have been up to, good and bad, by July 7th, as this will help determine how Mirrorbound-Underground relations might proceed in the future!

Comments

[petcromancer]

I'll be cautious, but I need samples of the infected algae, too. It's too hard to get it back into the city, so I'll have to smuggle it out of here and take it to my research hut outside the walls.

[It's a science shack! Full of weird experiments. This is what you envisioned with this partnership, right?]

I think it's an important lead to follow. So much of known medicine comes from plants. It we're to find a cure for this blight, I think it lies there.

[towards_okeanos]

I doubt they will let you into this city with anything infected either.

[Don't get eaten by the weird gate moss, Hector. He likes you.]

I doubt they should.

[As long as you keep your toys outside the city walls, he doesn't mind. The goal is to stop this plague not help it spread.]

A good lead. I know enough about spells and fire now to know they do not scale well. If we're to end this plague, we need something that does.

[Hector could be Hypocrites reborn and Iskandar wouldn't tell. He had physicians to take of such matters, he's not specialist himself. He will however shield Hector from frowning natives as long as it's needed.]

Just don't get caught doing anything illegal. We're still on shaky ground here.

[Guests and diplomatic mission and all. He didn't say don't do anything illegal. Just don't get caught.]

[petcromancer]

I'll be careful. [He gives Iskandar a smirk.] I wouldn't be here if I let myself get caught with my riskier experiments.

[The consequence at home for that would've been being burned at the stake, so he's been highly motivated to move stealthily and surround himself with powerful friends.

Besides, all that's at risk here is some political nonsense and raising the hackles of someone at the city customs. Relatively low stakes for the scale Hector is used to working on.]

If anyone questions me, I'm just a dumb monster.

[towards_okeanos]

Good, then I trust your judgement.

[Having powerful friends always helps. Even if said friends are only capable of making your enemies lives excruciatingly painful. ]

One has to be blind to believe you're just that. [Iskandar shakes his head.] But keen eyesight is not exactly the speciality of the locals here. At least, not on matters that challenge their view of the world.

[But that's nothing surprising. All humans would contort themselves in twists and knots just to avoid confronting things that put their beliefs in question. It was true in Macedon thousands years ago, it is as true in this different world they are now living in.]

I'll share with you what I'll be able to find here. IF I would be able to find anything in this chaos.

[This library begs for a librarian with good organisational skills. Gods only know what live-saving knowledge is buried under tons of adventure novels here. Not that there's anything wrong with adventure novels. They just... shouldn't mix with medical texts. Or at least that's his opinion.]

[petcromancer]

Well, it makes sense that an underground society would evolve to rely more heavily on their other senses at the expense of their eyes.

[Just throwing some evolutionary biology shade over here.]

It's a long shot, but we can both try. This was just to be a stepping stone for my research, so I wouldn't have to start from nothing.

[But if that foundation can't be established here, he'll just start from the beginning. More time consuming that way, but not undoable.]

[towards_okeanos]

[It's a real shame Iskandar died two thousand years too early to truly appreciate this marvellous jab. He would laugh so hard if he understood it. But he doesn't so he just shrugs.]

You're the natural philosopher here.

[Iskandar looks around. Now, that they are sitting together and careful to keep their voices down, nobody bothers them. He sighs. There are so many books here...what would he give to have a fraction of this collection on his conquest.]

Books were rare in my time. I would have killed for half of what they have only in this room.

[He looks back at Hector. Something tells him that knowledge was equally scarce, difficult to get or even dangerous to possess, where he comes from.]

You know what is worst on a long campaign?

[petcromancer]

It was the same in mine. It didn't help that people didn't want to learn, and the church discouraged it.

[Others from his time might be more charitable about the cause of that, but Hector has no love for the church.]

You had to be very powerful, as an organization or as an individual, to have a library like this.

[Hector can't say he would've killed for this, but he certainly would have made some questionable alliances to gain access.

He looks up from the text he's been scanning to look at Iskandar.]

What? I have a feeling you're not going to say blisters.

[towards_okeanos]

[There are certain things that Iskandar just cannot comprehend. As a student of Aristotle and as himself.]

Discouraged? Why would anyone discourage learning? [He scratches his chin. This is most odd. He is more used to complaints about people not wanting to learn that wanting to learn too much.] There were a few philosophers I remember being rather unpopular but that was because of their political views, not their philosophy.

[Iskandar laughs earning himself another condemning look for the librarian that almost forgot about their presence.]

Ah! Then your feeling is correct. The worst thing is boredom. Nothing makes people do more stupid things than being bored.

[He can tell. He was guilty of it himself too many times to count.]

[petcromancer]

Stupid people are easier to control.

[That's an oversimplified explanation, but it's not wrong.

Iskandar's laughter booms across the room, and Hector puts a hand on his arm to remind him- calm, so that they don't get kicked out.]

That's...probably true. I did make some of my more creative experiments when my life was otherwise too quiet. But what's that got to do with this?

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar shakes his head. If once were to make a list of things that separate men from beasts, their mental faculties would be one of the first items.]

Control, maybe. But definitely harder to rule. It is a foolish king who denies his citizens education. He'd pay dearly for foreign craftsmen, strategists and administrators when he could have had his own. It is in the best interest of both the governed and the government to understand the common goal.

[The concept that there must be a discussion, a dialogue between the ruler and the ruled was such a fundament of what Aristotle has taught him about kingship, that Iskandar has trouble imagining things happening differently. It just feels weird.]

Ah, not much. Only that lack of something to read was always my complaint. It is both a blessing and a curse that I read fast and in that, I find myself way too often without something to read.

[Yes, yes, he'll try to stay quiet.]

[petcromancer]

Maybe understanding that is why you had a wide-reaching empire and the leaders of my era ruled over tiny, fractured nations.

[Trust Hector, you did not miss out on anything by not being a part of the Dark Ages.

He squints his eyes at Iskandar, then snorts.]

So, you're enjoying this, you mean? Having too much to read? Maybe you can be the one to sort through all this and get this library properly organized.

[towards_okeanos]

It may indeed be so. At least, one of the contributing factors.

[Sometimes the rulers themselves are at fault. He didn't have to look further than his own country and how it fared before the reign of his father.]

Oh, I do. Not everything there is worthy of my time but I admit, it's nice to have a choice.

[To his credit, Iskandar doesn't laugh out loud this time. Still, he cannot stop himself from at least a chuckle at Hector's reaction.]

Oh, no! I truly doubt they would let me. Clearly, they have no trouble finding things they themselves are seeking. Only we, foreign barbarians that we are, have any problems with. No matter how nonsensical this arrangement, or honestly lack of any, seems to us I don't see anyone admitting there's anything wrong.

[He had only to take one look at the stern librarian to come to this conclusion.]

[petcromancer]

I suppose you're right. Unlikely as it may seem, they do appear to know their way around here.

[Perhaps their 'organizational system' is like the layout of an old medieval castle- deliberately baffling to keep intruders from gaining entry.]

I think I'll ultimately have better luck researching in the field. If these people knew how to stop the cwyld, they presumably would have done so already.

[Or so Hector has to tell himself, to keep from fretting that the key that will unlock the cure is somehow hidden away in these ancient scrolls, just out of reach.]

a good place to wrap? (if a little ominous considering the future red algae invasion)

[towards_okeanos]

True. If they did they wouldn't be hiding underground thinking the surface is long dead and inhospitable.

[Iskandar came here curious about what he might find. He wasn't expecting such a treasure trove of a library.]

Should our mission here succeed, we may yet get a chance to unravel the mystery of how it is organised. Who knows what the future will bring. In time, maybe even the strict guardians of this place would warm up to our presence enough to share the secret.

Sounds good to me!

[petcromancer]

Maybe they're psychic and their vision of the surface just hasn't come true yet.

[He's joking. Necromancers' sense of humor tends to run morbid, don't mind him.]

It'll be a long time for that. I'm pretty sure if looks could kill, that librarian would have both our blood on their hands.

[But perhaps it's possible. Stranger things have come to pass.]