Intro Log: October 2020

[faileas]

Intro Log: October

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "My goodness. In the middle of the month! We weren't expecting you, we weren't!" The woman smiles broadly, with her Bonded glancing over the newly arrived and those who may have followed them in to volunteer explanations and assistance to the newest addition of their Mirrorbound bunch. "Let's get through the introductions, shall we? This here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament, and of course, my Bonded. And I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven -- but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds with a wink. "I know you must all be tired and confused after all that. We're here to help get you settled, dearest. Let me just..." With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have. We will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to handwave interaction with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. All responses will be summarized answers rather than an IC thread. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are -- namely, if they have magic potential or not -- then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night. Feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make the trek to where you'll be staying. As you're leaving -- with Coven and/or Mirrobound escorts as guides -- you'll be given a peculiar-looking device. It's a very special watch, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament. These watches are passed around to all the new arrivals, who are given a quick rundown on their functions and encouraged to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live, free of cost. The Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra -- like maids, chefs, and so on -- they'll have to pay for them with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services. Much of the housing already has furnishing as well: standard items such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind by the relocated owners for those moving in. Though some are fairly newly-unoccupied, the dust on the floors of other houses suggests they were left long before the new arrivals even showed up -- a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use them for -- so long as the legality isn't questionable, at least on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses -- and even some of the smaller ones, or the shared rooms in the barracks -- the Coven put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven a while back. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It simply reads the information you've offered up yourself -- or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs if you prefer! The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up throughout the month as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the October's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans or if you have any other questions, just let the mods know here!

Comments

[tothemetal]

Nah, nah, 's cool! Everything was pretty hectic in there, huh?

[lots of screaming corpses and collapsing buildings...although maybe that had just been his personal experience. even without active threats like that it had been a harrowing atmosphere, one that Styx wouldn't blame anyone for subconsciously repressing the moment they were given the opportunity to. hell, he's pretty sure he'd do the same thing if he could.]

Wasn't here for this part - long time ago, like a whole year? - but apparently she was like, the queen of the city and fucked with everybody. Didn't treat the monsters like people or nothing.

[dark things. horrible things. he'd believed them when his older friends had told them, but after witnessing the return of her followers firsthand he was now absolutely certain. those were not people with even a flicker of kindness in their heart. he shakes his head lightly, brushing the hair that falls into his faceaway immediately.]

Everybody helped get rid of her, 'nd I think they thought she died out in the forest...but, uh, she didn't. But she's dead for sure this time! Pretty sure, anyway.

[outofthebreach]

[ His nose wrinkles, because he can well imagine what such a place was like. He's seen far too many places similar, and heard even worse. Enslavement, corruption. Desperation. ]

It was, yes, but if it was formed out of people's fears and nightmares, I suppose that's to be expected. None of those are ever a pretty sight. [ He's walked the Fade. He's seen what creatures feed on those sorts of things. There was no way they could be anything but twisted. ]

But good, I'm glad she's been dealt with. The sleepers, they've all been awoken? The magic was... enough?

[ He's not a mage, but he'd understood the theory, at least. ]

[tothemetal]

Dunno if it's really true or not...um, guess it is, or it felt like anyway...but even the planet we're on was having nightmares while we were in there. Crazy, huh?

[it had felt pretty crazy to him, anyway. and...sad. he really hopes that, whatever the world felt about what had happened with Morgana, it had been soothed even a little bit by the things they'd done in the dreamworld.]

...everybody's fine though, yeah. Well, they're awake now 'nd stuff. Dunno if they feel that great about everything else, but...haha.

[outofthebreach]

The... planet? [ Brennan just looks confused now. ] Wait, are you telling me this world can dream?

[ Okay, so that's not the strangest thing he's ever heard, but it's at least up there in, say... the top ten. Did that make it sentient? Or was this something like the strange titan they'd encountered far beneath the Deep Roads?

Then again, he's in an all-new world now. Who knew what strange new beings could exist in a place like this? ]

That's one piece of good news. If they're awake, that means they can recover, at least.

[tothemetal]

Mean, I think so? Dunno if it was for just that one time or if it's always dreaming, but - [and he pauses to shrug, a little helplessly.] - they definitely said it was doing it this time.

[Styx nods in agreement over the city being awoken definitely being a good thing, a soft frown tugging at his lips for a few moments almost despite himself. none of those people should have had to recover from anything in the first place. he knows they couldn't have stopped it, but still - it wasn't fair.]

Kinda glad they were asleep for a while, to be honest. Nobody should've seen that stuff.

[outofthebreach]

[ He frowns slightly at that, crossing his arms over his chest as he considers what he's learned and compares it to what he remembers. ]

It sounded pretty desperate, from what I gathered. Do things like that happen often around here?

[ Or, does this world face dire disasters once a week like it so often seems his own does. ]

[tothemetal]

[Styx runs a hand through his hair and stares off at some speck of nothing above them both, ponderously moving backwards in his memory to settle upon just how long he's been here. it's been...shit, a lot longer than he'd actually thought.]

I mean...I've been here a little bit, but that's kinda the worst I've seen? But uh, I dunno. World's in bad shape, you know? Even if it don't feel like it...'s why we're here, I gues.

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan just nods at that, his own expression thoughtful. ]

I sort of expected as much, honestly. Hopefully, we'll be able to help change that.

But thank you. For sharing this information, I mean. You've been very helpful after all.

[tothemetal]

I mean, I think we can! Pretty much everybody here's real killer, and we all wanna help, so...

[he shrugs, but this time with a smile. this is definitely a serious overestimation of the mirrowbound's population and quality, but it's one that Styx has no idea of. to him, everyone he met has been that amazing. he really does believe that they can help this place.]

No problem, dude! Lot've stuff usually gets by me, so I'm just glad you could use some of it.

[outofthebreach]

[ He just huffs out a soft laugh at that before taking a step closer to the man who'd been so helpful. Reaching out, he offers him his hand. ]

I think you underestimate yourself, but I'm grateful all the same. Thank you. I'm Brennan, by the way.

[tothemetal]

Styx! Nice to meet you, dude.

[Styx takes it with an easy smile, pumping it in a handshake that is at once quite firm but exceedingly gentle.]

Must be kinda crazy seeing this place before showing up, huh? Didn't have to ask about any of that stuff when I got here.

[outofthebreach]

You got to see it before you arrived?

[ Brennan looks surprised by this, then pauses to think about that. ]

Then again, I take it, venturing into the realm of nightmares and dreams might not be a frequent happening, from what I gathered while I was there.

[tothemetal]

Me? Nah...or, uh, don't think so? Don't remember anything like that, anyway.

[he actually had come through before, during the fourth wall event, but...those memories were fuzzy to start with, and after nearly four months here they've basically evaporated in his big empty head.]

That dream stuff was a first, though, yeah! Least since I've been here. Even the Coven didn't really know what'd happen when we did it...probably real hard to pull off.

[outofthebreach]

There must be some pretty impressive mages here, in that case.

[ He looks a little impressed by that fact, and pensive at the same time. ]

But those that were monsters helped out too, right?

[tothemetal]

Yeah, 'course. [he seems faintly confused by the question.] Why wouldn't they? Everybody can sleep.

[outofthebreach]

Yes, but I thought the monsters couldn't do magic. or at least not like the witches can?

[ Did that make a difference? ]

[tothemetal]

Think some of them can. Or, uh, I dunno if it's magic if it's just part of what they are now?

[but then, wasn't that what 'magic' was for witches? part of who they were? his brow furrows as the conundrum grows deeper and deeper.]

's cool, either way! Definitely seen some really cool shit from people who weren't witches.

[outofthebreach]

[ He inclines his head in understanding. Or, at least he thinks he understands. ]

Most of the monsters I've heard about would be considered mythical or magical where I come from, so yes, they might have their own inherent magic ties to what they are. But it would be limited in that way, which I'm given to understand the witches aren't.

[ It was still very weird to not call them mages. Even if he's not sure he's found a difference yet. ]

But I'll be interested to see what that entails, all the same.

[ Even if he's still confused about... what he is, exactly. Not even the Coven Witch who had greeted him could fully answer that, it seemed. Figures he'd show up and baffle everyone from day one. ]

[tothemetal]

Honestly 'm not too bright, so stuff like that still trips me up. Hasn't really made it too hard to get by, though, so you'll probably be fine!

[probably? definitely. but he'd already uttered the phrase, lackluster in encouragement though it may be, and Styx has to live with the consequences. clearly witches were limited in their own way.]

Be kinda like solving a fun puzzle when you figure it out, yeah?

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan can only chuckle at that answer, giving the guy a crooked grin for that encouragement all the same. ]

Fortunately, I have some experience at puzzles, so hopefully, it won't prove too challenging. I'll let you know if I figure it out though, yeah?

[tothemetal]

Yeah, for sure! Uh...if it's too complicated you don't gotta bother explaining it, though.

[he wouldn't want to waste Brennan's time on what would essentially be a fool's errand.]

[outofthebreach]

[ This guy really needs to work on his self-confidence.

Brennan just gives him a smile as he shakes his head. ]

I'm sure I'll be able to think of a way to uncomplicate it for you. It's one of my skills. [ He gives him a wink before starting to turn away. ] Thanks again for your help, Styx. I'll see you around.