Event Log: September, The Price of Revolution p1

[faileas]

Event Log: September, The Price of Revolution Part 1

I. The Freedom Festivities Behind the fortress-like walls of Dorchacht, what was once a gloomy, imposing city is lit up for the festivities to come. Septeril brings with it many mixed emotions for the citizens of what used to be called The Black City, though the overwhelming atmosphere is positive - this is a celebration of freedom hard-earned and prosperity hard-fought-for. The triple stars of the Resistance, now the current reigning party, feature heavily in decorations and in clothing: in pins, on hats, golden stars enchanted into fabric to dance merrily across skirts and cloaks. Stars light up the streets in decorative strings hung from lamppost to lamppost, flickering gently over the cobblestones. Mirrors, as well, feature into the decor, tiny round ones hung in multitudes from awnings and in windows like ornaments, catching the light and playing it across the otherwise-utilitarian architecture, lending it a sort of understated beauty. Much of Dorchacht has been rebuilt and repurposed by necessity since the uprising last year, and many new small businesses and restaurants are being featured at the festival - their goods or their foods on display in markets of street-side stalls or on the feast tables. Local handmade wares and crafts are out for sale for modest prices, and every sale helps out both the small business, many of which are started by former slaves, and helps the local economy, which is better these days but still recovering. The festivities go for six days, almost a full week, with feasting and bonfires every evening, and tours and tales of the city by day, as they display the changes for the better they have all made. And then, on the final evening, all are invited to watch a grand fireworks show that will be put on in the skies over Dorchacht, presided over by the Circle of Three themselves. Mirrorbound are welcomed warmly, whether they were present last year or not, and treated much like family - get ready to be pulled into activities and plied with food left and right. a. Join the Fun The children of Dorchacht are out by the dozens during the festivities, excited by all the freely-offered, special sweet treats and the magical sparklers and poppers being handed out by the fistful. The poppers explode when thrown to the ground in bursts of bright colors, completely harmless, and the sparklers are enchanted not to burn little (or big) hands if mishandled. Mirrorbound passing through may find themselves roped into elaborate pretend games of revolution by eager faces: the children name themselves either Resistance members or Mirrorbound, and 'do battle' with their magic fireworks against scarecrow-like constructions cloaked in dark bed sheets as 'the bad guys'. Depending on one's perspective, it may seem dark, but this is what these children have known very recently in their lives, and their caretakers or parents (there are more of the former than the latter, especially for the young Monsters) let them play as they will. If asked, they'll just explain that some of those kids even remember the fighting when it happened; this is just another way that they try to understand how the city has changed. More organized, family-friendly reenactment performances are also common, with several of the orphanage groups putting on small plays about the uprising, or moral plays about kindness and togetherness between Witches and Monsters. This includes a prominent set of performances by the Mirrored Hearts Home for Children - maybe you're helping out with their sets or costumes, or maybe you assisted with their scripts and songs. Those Mirrorbound volunteers will want to see the kids do well, right? They'll be heartbroken if you don't show. Of course, kids aren't the only ones doing reenactments. The newly formed Dorchacht Historical Society, dedicated to protecting Dorchacht's history going forward, puts on several - and may drag in passers-by to play different roles! Only the luckiest are begged to play the role of The Dragon, who valiantly rose up against their cruel former master, Morgana, and helped lead Dorchacht to where they are today. b. Forget-Me-Not While the overall air is celebratory, among the adults who are old enough to understand just what was lost as well as gained, there is an undercurrent of sombre remembrance. Many visit the burned-out Old Coven, left as damaged as it was when the fighting ceased, as a monument to how freedom fighters suffered and fought. Plaques dot the grounds and buildings there seemingly at random, until you realize that each metal plate bearing names is laid where someone died. To decorate these plaques, and homes and businesses as well, there are tables set up in the yard of the New Coven, heavy with a rainbow of small magical flowers called Forget-Me-Nots, and the supplies to make remembrance wreaths. In this new tradition, the flowers are chosen with a dead, missing, or simply absent loved one in mind, and woven together with glass beads, small wooden charms, and a spell written on a slip of paper. The enchanted fragrance of the Forget-Me-Nots allows whoever smells them to witness short, happy memories of the person the wreath was made for - whether they knew that person or not. The memories come from the wreath-maker, and are only short flashes (less than a minute long) or mere impressions, but all are pleasant or warming. With the spell woven in, they'll last for an entire year without wilting or losing their effects, a souvenir from the festival to take home. Mirrorbound are encouraged to join in, and make wreaths of their own, whether or not they lost someone in Dorchacht's uprising. It can be for someone who has disappeared from Geardagas, someone who died long ago, someone living they miss from home, anyone who is not currently with them.

II. The Uninvited Guests On the 25th, the final day of the celebrations, the partying lasts all day. Food and drink are abundant on every corner, upbeat music is played by street performers and over the radios that can be found in nearly every household and shop, and the bonfires have been enchanted to let the flames take fanciful shapes. Drinking games and dancing, storytelling and general partying all last clear into the evening, but once dusk falls, everyone gathers in the center square of the city for the fireworks show. The Three are there - the Witches Bryn and Hilda, and the Monster known as The Dragon, Starlight, or formerly Fafnir - with Nessie and Mhairi as guests of honor, and Hilda is the one to set off the first enchanted fireworks, after a brief speech thanking everyone for coming out to celebrate a year of freedom and independence with them. It's with bursts of colorful light in the night sky behind her that she seems to appear from nowhere: tall, dark and imposing, a sharp-eyed Witch that exudes power. Morgana Drummond is not alone, either, flanked by a dozen rough-worn Witches and a host of others. The chaos that ensues is immediate and violent. "All of this for me?" Drummond sneers. Attacks bounce off her, no matter how powerful - even Nessie's considerable spells. Witches will be able to sense the strong barrier spell close-fit around her body, and the others around her will not let Monsters get close. It's The Dragon who speaks, voice rough from disuse but loud enough: "How dare you return here-" "I built this city in all the ways that matter. I was never going to let you have it. You burned away my Dorchacht, so now I will make sure there is nothing left of yours but ashes." a. To Sleep, Perchance Unreachable, Morgana Drummond's form limns in a sickly violet light, the circle of a spell forming beneath her feet, steadily growing as her power gathers. So much magic gathered in one spot is bound to be felt by all the Mirrorbound, Witch and Monster alike, oppressive in nature as if it could steal the breath from your lungs. Perhaps it truly was a fluke that she was driven from Dorchacht, a happy accident caused by a timely distraction. The spell circle spreads, glowing, until it envelops the entire city, and it pulses once, blinding, before it sears itself across Dorchacht's streets and buildings in burnt lines and symbols. The fireworks continue to pop and burst overhead, casting shadows that seem suddenly sinister. Nothing happens for just a moment - and then all the people of Dorchacht collapse in waves. Next to a stunned Nessie and furious Mhairi, Bryn, Hilda, and the Dragon fall into a heap as well, the final three bodies to hit the ground. Mirrorbound and citizens of Aefenglom do not fall prey to the sleeping spell despite being in its area of effect. It happens in the span of just a few minutes, and then Morgana is gone in the blink of an eye, leaving her people to sow terror on the sleeping city. b. Battle on the Streets While she brought with her only a dozen Witches from her former Coven, she's collected a force in the Wilde. Blank-eyed rogue necromancers, mind controlled the way the Monsters of Dorchacht used to be, storm the streets controlling in turn their dead Monsters and creatures. A few even have with them dead Nuckelavee, which will require multiple fighters to take out. Wilders from Dorchacht gone missing on expeditions in the last year bear the signs of mind control as well - the ones who aren't dead, shambling around the necromancers. Maybe you recognize them, maybe you don't. Maybe you can help them, or maybe you can't. The mind control enchantments can be dispelled with a lot of effort or with the specific spells used often by the Resistance a while ago, for those who still remember it. In the slums of Dorchacht, the people who were convinced of Morgana's return, those who want to return to the days of slavery and terror, break free from the now-sleeping guards and failing wards that kept them contained and join the fighting, manic in their glee. The spell that put the rest of Dorchacht to sleep seems to slip right off them, perhaps sensing their loyalty to terrible causes. It is chaos, as the insurgents set fires and attack at will with magic, claws, weapons, anything they have. Mirrorbound will soon realize that they and the visitors from Aefenglom are not the only targets. The sleeping people of Dorchacht are ripe for the killing, unable to react or defend themselves. The fighting will continue into the night until the invaders are all dead or captured.

III. The Aftermath When the fighting ends, the work begins. An entire city deep in the throes of an enchanted sleep is a worst-case scenario that none of them could have predicted, even those who had a hunch Morgana didn't die out in the unexplored Wilde. Miss Nessie and Mhairi will remain on the scene helping to direct the aid efforts in the aftermath of the battle. Fires must be put out, corpses must be rounded up to be buried or burned, captured attackers must be secured and questioned, sleeping citizens must be whisked from the streets to safety and shelter, and buildings ensured to be safe in the meantime. Aefenglom's Coven are called in to assist, anyone who is available, and Mirrorbound help is more than welcomed. They will need everyone they can get to make sure not all is lost in this tragic attack. Nessie herself will ensure the Three are taken to safety in Aefenglom until the people of Dorchacht can be woken. Action needs to be taken quickly. Morgana needs to be found as soon as possible, and capable hands will be needed to search the Wilde far outside Dorchacht, the most likely place for her to go. More urgently, however, are the sleeping citizens. Nessie announces late the next evening, the normally-bubbly woman gone solemn and serious: "I believe I've found a counter-ritual for the spell that nasty woman used, I have. I will need your help, though, Mirrorbound. Volunteers only, of course, of course, as it's likely to be quite dangerous, though the Dreamers and I will take every precaution we can. Discuss among yourselves, decide if you're willing. Those who are, meet at the Coven at midnight on the 27th. It's not right to just leave them all like that, not right at all..."

Welcome to September's event log, Part 1 of The Price of Revolution! This event will continue in the TDM posted on the 21st, with a foray into purposeful dreamwalking. It will be a hybrid test drive and event that current characters will be allowed to top level on as well. Quests into the Wilde to search for Morgana will currently bear no fruit beyond small clues, but Part 2 in early October will deal with her whereabouts and her final fate. As always, direct your questions about the event HERE! And finally, for those who are wondering what's up with Dorchacht, we have a Setting update for you.

Comments

[sparkstrikes]

Right.

[That's good to hear.

Fang is likely out there somewhere, and if Ursula doesn't go out to find her, then Lightning certainly will. She's a big girl and can take care of herself in the meantime though—their first priority is finding a safe route for these kids to get out of the city.]

You wanna go first?

[sparkstrikes]

Right.

[And just like that, Lightning is off again, taking a step forward to rush into the fray once more, but not before she stops to throw a grateful smile back to Edelgard.]

Thanks for having my back.

[finesseblade]

[ Felix waits, mouthing to the count of ten until he's certain she's gained some distance from this place. Then he reaches for the more beastly half buried inside him, seizing on it and dragging it kicking and screaming to the surface.

It's not an easy shift, and it hurts, but he feels his body shift and grow, and the enchantments on his clothes shift to accommodate.

When he's fully changed, he throws his head back and howls, letting his pursuers know exactly where he is. He leaps to the street, running the moment his paws hit the cobblestones. And behind him—the screeching of the Nuckelavee as they home in on his location.

It's fine, though. His lips curl back from his teeth in a faint grin. The smell of the river is in his nostrils, and he knows exactly where he's going. ]

[shinkunochou]

[It's a nice goal, she thinks, turning it over in her head. She doesn't know ho realistic it is, but who's she to judge that?

Deciding to make things a little lighter again, she nudges Xichen with her shoulder and smiles]

You could still be someone who has answers! No one said anything about them being good answers. It could be nonsense.

[bloodwit]

[ viren's expression falls to something approximating sympathy. this would be one of the few instances in which it's less effortful on his part; despite the lingering warmth, coupled with the scenery, lan xichen's words compel it. ]

[ his tone becomes softer as he hazards a guess, ]

A mother figure...?

[beariot]

Hold!

[ It wasn't her sphinx to command, sure, but she spoke with authority, regardless. She had no intention of killing this man, or allowing anyone else to do so if she could help it. She intended to stick to her principals here, regardless of what anyone, including protective divine beasts, might think. ]

[crowsfeat]

That's not an answer to what I asked...

[ She didn't move, gaze still locked on Mikasa. ]

Do you want me to stay here with you?

[zewu_jun]

My mother, yes.

[ It almost feels strange to say that out loud. In Cloud Recesses, he almost couldn't. Not that it wasn't true, but because it just became uncomfortable to mention her. ]

I think she should have something as well.

[ She never got it before. ]

[unyieldingmarch]

Of course. Thank you for the same.

[She offers a small smile and a quick salute.]

Good hunting.

[zewu_jun]

[ He's so surprised by that answer that for a moment he's quiet, just taking her words in. Nonsense? That is something he has never imagined himself willingly doing, and the idea of a sect leader not trying to give good answers seems ridiculous at first. Then he laughs, the sound escaping suddenly before he can cover his mouth and hide it. ]

I could, yes. I suppose I do not have to have good answers.

[fulgency]

[The sphinx truly possesses only one master and it is his authority that the sphinx will recognize above all others. But because this sphinx is not one summoned as a result of Ramesses' close connection to the king of its species, being born of his magic instead, means that there are others that it chooses to recognize as well. Chariot commands the sphinx to hold, and it does. The scrape of claws against the cobblestone bounce about in the alleyway as the sphinx puts a halt to its own forward momentum, turning to look back at Chariot.]

[Expressionless as all of Ramesses' sphinxes are, it's probably difficult to read the beast's mood based upon its stare alone. But the way its wings flare and claws dig into the ground beneath its feet. It's obviously displeased to be brought to a stop as it's now torn between Ramesses' past directives and Chariot's in the immediate.]

[What happens next is quick.]

[The necromancer takes his opening, hobbling the few steps forward and driving a dagger between the ribs of the divine beast in front of him. The sphinx's roar is warbled with pain, jerking away from the necromancer. It strikes out blindly with its claws in retaliation as it hops further away. Unfortunately for the necromancer, the injury to his leg makes him far less nimble. As he attempts to maneuver around the sphinx to make his escape the sphinx's claws catch him and send him flying back into the dead end. The necromancer hits the wall hard and slumps weightlessly to the ground and he does not move anymore. Fortunately for him, his robes managed to take most of the damage from the sphinx's claws. His skin doesn't look nearly so terrible and close to rotting off as the Witch who still lay in the street does.]

[The sphinx continues with its racket and tries its best to remove the dagger that's still embedded in its side. It should be somewhat trivial to a creature this size and imbued with this much magic, but there's clearly something more to this dagger as the fur around the wound seems to be increasingly paling and the sphinx's movements seem almost as though it were intoxicated with the way it keeps bumping into the walls and stumbling.]

[getting_better]

[ He honestly thought this wouldn't be so hard but when Momo goes to help him, he didn't protest. The silver lining in carrying this dead weight was that he could still see where he was going and and slowly tip toe and maneuver around the other unconscious witches and monsters. ]

There! Put em' in the corner!

[ After setting down the large chimera, and allowing himself a nice stretch, he looks over the number of those around and then at Momo. ]

I'll get to work on opening the house next door. I think they these folks look alright but, I maybe just give them a quick once over just to make sure, yeah?

[stopfen]

[Honestly, yeah. Mikasa was torn. On one hand she wanted to know what was going on with her body, but on the other... Maybe it was better not to think about it. It wasn't as though she'd just dropped dead yet.

It was a good job Mettaton was a robot in some ways. Because his poor spine. He'd almost have to bend at a right angle to meet her eyes, not helped by her slumping onto her crutches as she realised what was coming.

She turns sighing, starting the small plod to the medical tents that had been set up. A weak cover from dust and smoke, but it'd do for him to look at her wounds.

The fae sagged even more. The crutches stuttering on the ground as she stopped.]

Gone. [And that's it, one whole word before she's moving again.]

Maybe...it grew another head like something out of bloodborne

[stopfen]

[The fae still hovered for a moment. The image of it wiggling around was grimmly comical. Especially when it's legs had been completely removed... She'd kept her distance though. Until the turnskin had burned it's head.

Just in case. These weren't titans, they couldn't just regrow a limb. That didn't mean she was getting close until it was clearly unable to get back up again.

Then she let out a ragged breath. Desending down, wings fluttering once she got close to the ground and- Nope. The crutches were slidding along and she's crash landing with only one leg to stabilize her.]

[stopfen]

[There's no hiding the slight frown. In all honestly, yeah. With her inability to fight, she wouldn't mind having someone who knew what to do around.

But there was the coven witches here. And Eileen was an experienced hunter, someone who had more of a chance of finding this woman.]

No. I'll be fine.

[stopfen]

I just wish I knew what walls were strong enough to hold up. [Like the building she'd been hiding in before had been almost wholly stone...Except for the decorative floor and support beams. And once those beams went it was time for her to go.]

Yeah...What type of thing...[Eh, she snorted. Now probably wasn't the time to ask. She'd gotten the earrings cause the enchantmeant could be split between them, and her ears had stopped changing months ago and that it seemed harder for them to fall off on their own.]

[al_bhed]

[Rikku doesn't need to be told twice. She runs to Eileen and takes cover behind the woman's cloak, covering her own head out of instinct. If it weren't for the craziness of the situation, Rikku may have taken a moment to admire the craftsmanship and the way it can withstand the onslaught.

As things are, however, Rikku's attention is on the undead dragon. It seems to be in some kind of re-death throes, flailing around as best as it can given the damage the two have done to it.]

Do you think we've done it? Is it dead? Again?

[bloodwit]

[ viren's expression pinches with the confirmation. he is, admittedly, wary of becoming a touch too intrusive here. it's not as if this is a topic where he couldn't quell his curiosity. his gaze flicks towards the other wreathes that litter the table, many in various stages of assembly. ]

[ but, well, lan xichen continues, and he follows that. ]

Have what...?

[zewu_jun]

Acknowledgment.

[ It's been a long time. He loved his mother and still loves her in a way, but the memories have faded and the details are largely lost. It's an unfortunate truth that even if he were to try to seek out more now, he probably wouldn't be able to learn much about her. It lends him more calm and distance, but he realizes that might not be such a good thing. ]

It might be a small thing, but I hope she would like this gift.

[yesdoubt]

If there's anything that's meant to hold valuable items, like a bank or museum or fancy shop or whatever, try those. If someone's pouring a bunch of money or value into something, they're gonna want it kept somewhere that won't fall down at the first wind.

[Considering Dorchacht is fairly practically built in most ways, he'd be surprised if there were too many buildings with easy construction weaknesses. Clearly they need to find one that's basically just a block of concrete.]

[yesdoubt]

[Momo doesn't bother with the stretch part beyond shaking himself out - he's generally not too inclined towards taking care of himself in situations like this. He stays more in the moment and then worries about if he did his back in later.

And while he doesn't necessarily have an issue with Bishop's suggestion, he does tilt his head a bit as if confused.]

Sure. Is this just for injuries or what? [If Bishop's looking for something other than the potential people got seriously dinged on the way in, he'll have to mention it.]

[sonnestark]

I don't know about that— being used to it, I mean. Memories are powerful things.

[For better or for worse. She shakes her head a little before she gestures to a nearby bench, going to help herself to a seat before patting the spot beside her, indicating that Styx should do the same.]

There's magic where I come from, but even so, I think it would have been difficult to see something so real, to experience a memory like that. Does it— make you homesick?

[She feels like it must. They're all a little homesick to begin with, aren't they?]

[tothemetal]

[he waits until Karin is seated and comfortable before joining her on the bench, making certain that he isn't taking up too much space or unintentionally nudging into her. despite the topic of their conversation (or maybe even because of it, in a strange way) it was nice like this. like...like the friends they were.]

Nothing like this where you're from, huh?

[Styx hadn't known until now that his friend's world had magic of it's own...but it was something he'd never thought to ask. people who looked 'normal', who didn't profess themselves to be dark lords or necromancers or something equally dramatic, he simply...assumed they were from a place like his own. that was rather self-centered of him, wasn't it? the realization causes him to promise quietly to himself to be a better friend from hereon out. he really did want to get to know the woman next to him better, after all.]

Um...yeah. [he laughs, but the sound is helpless.] Think that's why I was gonna start crying. It's like - well, like you dropped something and you think it looks ok? 'nd then a while later you kinda nudge it and everything shatters.

[just because it seemed pristine didn't mean there hadn't been hairline fractures. he supposes even someone as stupid as him couldn't have adapted to another world that seamlessly. even a cool one.]

[sonnestark]

[She nods thoughtfully— his analogy makes perfect sense to her, and not for the first time, she thinks that Styx is a lot smarter than he gives himself credit for. He may not be an academic by any stretch of the imagination, but there are some things that can only be learned from experience rather than books, from having a genuine understanding of people and how they work.]

I know what you mean. You thought you were fine, and then all of a sudden, you were reminded of just how out of place you feel.

[He's been doing well for himself here, it seems like, and she's been making every effort to do the same, to find a place for herself and make the most of the time she's been given, but still... it's not home, not for any of them.]

I miss home, too. I've been trying to pretend that I don't, that I'm okay with what's happening here, but I'm not.

[tothemetal]

[he nods, running a hand through his hair alongside the motion. he doesn't say it, because Styx is almost certain that she's heard it a million times before, but he'd still be thinking that Karin of all people had a right to be twisted up inside over being here. she was a kind woman, and he's sure that if someone had asked her to aid Geardagas she would have agreed without a moment's hesitation - but that was the point, wasn't it? they hadn't. no one had asked her if she'd care to be whisked away to an ailing continent, to lose her friends, to shed feathers and remained shackled to her bed for weeks...

even someone with a soft heart must ache over the things taken from her. maybe even more painfully, with nothing to protect it from feeling those claws but a cheerful smile. he had his idiocy to keep him safe to some degree, but what was there for Karin?

...she had a big arm draping around her shoulders, if nothing else. it sits loosely, easily discarded with nothing more forceful than a gentle tap, but present all the same. the drummer feels a little presumptuous for expressing himself physically, but also that this is the right way to say what's in his heart; it's too important to be tripping over his ineloquent words right now. I'm here. whatever he can give her to soothe some of that ever-present pain, she was welcome to it all.]

Don't think...um, well, that's not a bad thing, I don't think. Not being ok. 's a lot, all over. You keep that kinda thing inside and it's just gonna hurt you worse.

[and the people that were 'lost' to Karin now wouldn't want her doing that to herself...he doesn't need to have met them to be sure of that.]