Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part 1

[faileas]

Event Log: January, The Salvation of Geardagas: Part 1

The Evergreen Circle Something is happening in Aefenglom. A rash of disappearances has finally caught the attention of the authorities, but only thanks to a strange twist: a handful of the missing individuals are starting to turn up again, and not as they should be. It began with a harpy. After a week of nothing she returned, fully transformed into a Shade and too far gone to save. The same happened with a trader the next day. And the next with a witch. All three were infected, albeit to varying degrees, and only one of them was able to be brought back from the brink. Naturally, this is a huge cause for concern. There's little sign that the Bright Wall is damaged and none of the victims were known to have left the city. Questioning the survivor, Owain, doesn't produce any leads either as he can't remember anything before his disappearance. It's only after he's had some time to recover that he notices something off. As the blackening of the Cwyld fades, a small tattoo on his palm that wasn't there before becomes visible. To the concern of the Coven, it's a symbol that's familiar to them as the emblem of a rising spiritual movement favoured by the wealthy called the Evergreen Circle, led by a witch called Cillian Alder. Their purpose, he claims, is to provide hope through interrogating the Cwyld from a scholarly and philosophical perspective. In spite of this, Alder has developed more of a cult-like following than anything. Mirrorbound of standing (business owners, members of parliament, public figures, etc) might have already received one of their pamphlets. Naturally, it's an incredibly sensitive subject. The Evergreen Circle has been entirely peaceful up until now, and with such influential and powerful figures among its numbers, the Coven is reluctant to make any outright accusations. Instead, the task of investigating them has been covertly passed to the Mirrorbound. As outsiders, they stand less of a chance of causing political unrest. However, they explicitly warn against taking any hostile actions for the time being: this is an information-gathering request, nothing more. They can provide basic information about the Evergreen Circle meetings but that's about it. a. Preaching to the Choir (Every Friday Evening, Mid-Ieneuer to Early Feoveuer) Cillian Alder Art by Rachel The hall is buzzing. Though there aren't even enough people here to fill the place, everyone seems to be bubbling with excitement, exchanging loud greetings and introductions. They're particularly friendly to newcomers and are quick to offer up their experiences with the group: "Cillian is a truly free thinker!" "I haven't felt so positive about our future for a long time." "There’s a real sense of hope and community here in the Circle." The meeting convenes at 8 o’clock sharp and silence descends upon the room as a figure takes the stage. With his commanding presence and charismatic smile there's no doubt about who this is: Cillian Alder. A man in his late fifties with greying hair, he speaks with an accent crisp as cut glass and a strong voice, no doubt amplified by some kind of spell to reach around the room. He's hypnotising, those cool blue eyes of his impossible to look away from and piercing in their intensity. "How wonderful to see you all tonight, both familiar and unfamiliar faces alike! You are all welcome. I have only one request." He brings his hands together with a smile. "That you keep your hearts open. How else might our minds grow Evergreen?" Alder's speech is nothing if not passionate. He paces and proselytises, responding to the audience's interruptions and cheers with enormous enthusiasm. Throughout, his message is clear. "Who are we to immediately decry the Cwyld as a curse? Fear of the unknown, of what we have yet to control, can only hold us back! We must instead seek to understand it and be at peace with its presence! This is a test of our conviction! Our will to survive!" It goes on for the better part of an hour and, afterwards, he descends into the audience to receive their praise and questions with the gracious smile of a beloved king. He might even turn that magnanimous presence on you, affording you a few crucial moments of conversation (limited to 2 RNG characters). Will you stick around to find out more or try and slip backstage while everyone is distracted? For such a warm, welcoming atmosphere, there seems to be a lot of security around the doors leading back there so it might take some quick thinking to get through without conflict. Those who are caught will have to face the consequences, but the results might be… unfavorable. b. Spirited Away (late-Ieneuer to mid Feoveuer) Those less inclined to subterfuge won't have any problems finding trouble to get into either. As the month goes on, more and more people disappear, and that might even include Mirrorbound. Whether you're intercepting a kidnapping or fighting off your own, you're more likely to get caught up in it the longer the month goes on. It's easy enough to fight off the attackers but nigh impossible to actually catch or identify one: each is dressed in black and smells of the tell-tale decay of the Cwyld. But even assuming you do manage to apprehend one, they will refuse to talk in anything but vague, confusing comments about salvation and new beginnings. c. Cast Out (mid-Ieneuer to early Feoveuer) Likewise, the number of locals who have been abducted and released continues to rise. The victims, anywhere from badly infected to fully transformed into Shades, require subduing, healing and, in the most dire of circumstances, permanently dealt with before they can hurt anyone. Without exception, they're aggressive, reacting violently to attempts to heal as well as harm them and there are no discernable patterns when it comes to victims. However, the eagle-eyed might spot the Evergreen Circle's symbol on some of their palms if they're not too heavily corrupted.

[ ooc: More information about the event can be found on the plotting post along with comments for questions, and RNG sign-ups for directly interacting with Alder! ]

Comments

[faithlikeaseed]

[And Myr--dear, unsuspecting, kind-hearted Myr--has absolutely no idea that he's the source of that frustration.

He is not so naive that he hadn't been a little concerned to hear Jin Guangyao--a man he respects--making veiled suggestions as to Mirrorbound who might be amenable for "recruitment" to the Circle's cause. But--inclined as he was to think the best of everyone he knew--the Faun also could not rule out that what he'd heard was all part of a pre-arranged plan to slip more Mirrorbound into the Circle's confidences, and maybe, maybe get them closer to Alder's secrets.

He wants so much to trust that's the case, but a Faun's niggling sense for danger won't let him trust it to the point of not acting on what he'd heard. He'd put out a warning to Caster; now it remained to talk to Jin Guangyao...and his victims suggested converts.

Fortunately for the Naga's plans, it is a non-trivial exercise to find someone's watch address with only a name in hand (and no eyes with which to navigate the watch's directory)--doubly so when you're not even certain how such a name might be spelled. Myr hasn't managed to contact anyone by the time there's a knock on the door of the cottage he shares with Caster and Archer; and worried as he is by the whole situation, the search exercise is frustrating enough that he's relieved to leave it aside for a time.]

Coming! [he calls, and is along within a minute to open the door to his unexpected guest. A mostly grown wormipede peeks out from behind his ankles as he faces out the door, ears lifted to catch any sign of who might have come calling.] Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to, serah?

[turmoiling]

It is Jin Guangyao.

[He replies with a warm smile; even if it can't be seen, it can still be heard.

That was the one worry in the back of his mind; when he'd used his ability in the past, he could feel the magic behind tongue and eyes, which would hardly work here.

But other occasions had been in the heat of the moment, quick and intense and desperate. Jin Guangyao wanted to allow himself to have more time, here. Try to ease it into their conversation to allow the hypnosis to take effect; and if a light prodding didn't 'take', surely he couldn't be blamed for an accidental slip. He had only had this reformed body for less than a year, after all, certainly not born a monster.]

I had thought to bring by a Modranicht present much earlier, but I'm afraid the season posed a few challenges, delaying me unexpectedly.

[He adds lightly, guiding the small present to touch Myr's hands.]

Would you mind if I came in for a moment to warm up? I'm afraid the weather is still quite disagreeable.

[By which he only means cold. Even with the tubelike... er.... garment, that his Bonded made for his snake half, the chill of winter still seeps into him far too quickly.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[Myr's pleasant social smile widens to something more earnest at the sound of his visitor's voice. He accepts the present with a glad little murmur, and steps back from the doorway.

The wormipede, satisfied in her temporary curiosity about the visiter, loops back around on herself and pads off deeper into the cottage.]

Of course, messere! It's good to hear your voice. Let's retire to the garden for that--Caster keeps it warm year-round.

[And a Faun is always at his happiest out in nature, or as much of it as could be fitted into a city garden. Myr takes another step back from the doorway and gestures Jin Guangyao into the house. The door to the garden is obvious at the back of the room they're in.]

As it happens, I'd wanted to speak to you about something...

[turmoiling]

Ah, that sounds lovely. [Jin Guangyao replies warmly.] I can only be grateful for the witches given to the practice at this time of year.

[Though he does his best to control more monstrous instincts, his companion's blindness at least lets him be less self-conscious of appearances. Jin Guangyao's black forked tongue flicks out, tasting the air as he slides along beside Myr to the garden door.

After seeing the message on the network, he'd been left to wonder how quickly Myr would start to talk to others. And about what. Either way, he'd rather they were alone for a good while. He turns his head, feeling for signs of heat about.]

Nothing too serious, I hope?

[He says mildly. Of course he always sounds calm and well-mannered, reasonable in Council meetings. But especially today, in preparation, even that faint note of concern is very light on his tongue.]

[faithlikeaseed]

Likewise, [Myr agrees with rueful humor.] It's altogether too cold and wet here.

[No reptile, he, but a child of the desert all the same. Most anything would be colder and wetter than Hasmal, and he's on the record for Not Liking It.

The garden beyond the door is a patchwork of bare ground, dormant plants, and well-maintained greenery--the lattermost primarily food species, though there's a plot of happily flowering cyclamens by one of the garden walls. It is unoccupied by anything larger (warmer) than a cat, and the wormipede seems to be the only heat signature left in the cottage as they step out.

Myr heads with uncanny accuracy for a stone bench set beneath a trellis that would be flowering, were it summer.]

I hope not myself. [The Faun's lost some of his usual cheer, as he stops by the bench.] Though--before we get into that, I'm sorry, I don't think I've ever had a Naga over before. Is there something I can get you to, [sit on, no,] make you more comfortable at your ease?

[turmoiling]

[Ever since the tail started growing in, sitting has been a complicated issue. At least now there it isn't a mess with legs to manage as well. Jin Guangyao simply settles with a squiggle of coil on half the bench, and slides the rest of his long long body underneath, to avoid creating a tripping hazard.

Any degree of discomfort in conversation is to be avoided, so he he only smiles still, soothing in tone as he replies reassuringly. With unblinking stare fixed on Myr, Jin Guangyao allows the tingle of magic rest on his tongue and seep out in the faintest trickle across his words.]

There's no need to concern yourself. I've become quite accustomed to making myself comfortable by now.

Why not sit, and tell me what's on your mind?

[Because his suspicion, in the vagueness of that message he saw upon his watch, is only increasing -- but fortunately he hardly even has to bring the matter up to confirm, it seems.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[Reassured that his guest will be in no discomfort--and maybe, maybe eased along by a hint of magic--Myr takes his own seat on the bench with a leg tucked beneath him in a way that looks frankly uncomfortable.]

It's to do with the Evergreen Circle, [he begins without preamble. Straight to the point, because this has been weighing on him and he wants beyond hope to justify his trust in Jin Guangyao.

But that requires evidence.] I'd overheard you mention the names of some of your countrymen to them, as potentially interested--converts--for the Circle's teachings.

I'd meant to contact them to be sure they were apprised of your plans, [because they must have made plans together, right? ...right?] but you arrived before I could locate them with the watches.

Might I ask what you'd intended with them?

[turmoiling]

['Intended with them'? If Myr had any idea how they would no doubt react to this news... it was a good thing that Jin Guangyao had decided to act with reasonable haste.

Thinking quickly, he continues in that same mellow tone. Soothing, yes. Sounding very reasonable was something he had been quite good at, even before this monstrous transformation that allowed him to layer magic atop already skilled words.]

Oh, is that all it is? Then there's really no cause for worry at all. I'm sure you thought it concerning at first. Of course anyone would, that isn't so unreasonable. But such words really weren't intended for others to hear. Surely you can understand the risk, the more people that are aware of the details in such plans? I ask only that you trust that we have matters well in hand. It has been discussed quite thoroughly already by now, so there's no need to go into it further.

[He glides from word to word, padding his explanation out even as he evades the question.

Were circumstances a little different, he might add the following as a bright interjection - instead, he slides smoothly to suggestion, even as the magic tickles the forks of his tongue.]

Ah, before I forget, why not open your gift right now? It's already rather late, and I do hope you like it.

[The present, in fact picked up on the way over, was a small jar of honey, supposedly from bees that had pollinated iunerberries, according to the merchant. Jin Guangyao had a taste of the berries' effects some months ago - whether or not much of that pleasantly drunken effect was felt, so distant from the berries themselves, was up for debate, but at least a well thought out present would only help improve the mood further.

And... it's another small request, innocuous and oh-so-reasonable and normal. His grip on Nie Huaisang, when last he'd used this skill, had been too fast and harsh, and had broken too quickly. This time he'd guide instead of force. Of course doing this wasn't ideal, but... at least it wasn't as if he was going to harm the fellow. Just keep him out of the way...]

[faithlikeaseed]

[It's very close to the exact words--the exact reassurance--that Myr wanted to hear, and delivered in such a soothing tone. It would be parlous easy to slip beneath the current of the words, except--except--the very cult they're discussing has had him lately honing skills in ignoring the tone of such patter to examine its content.

He wants, very much, to believe (doesn't even realize what's pulling at him, eroding a Faun's native resistance), but Jin Guangyao hasn't answered his question. Myr sways so very slightly toward the Naga--then shakes himself as if from sleep.]

Certainly, messere--it is a risk the more of us know it-- [He fumbles for a moment, trying to think of why it would be so; can't, so shifts to another line of approach.] --But we also risk crossing our plans if we don't know what everyone might be trying. I assume--your countrymen--if they're taken might see into the Circle's inner workings, but if someone else is hurt defending them who could have stood down, or, or-- If we can convince the Circle to study the Cwyld without abducting volunteers, then your plan won't work--

[If he were thinking quite straight, he'd realize how much of a long shot that is, but it has been a fond little hope that this could be straightened out without making a martyr out of Alder and his followers. He thinks about that for a long moment before his attention's distracted by the suggestion of the gift.]

...Oh, the gift! Of course--and thank you for bringing it... [He turns it around in his hands to find an edge to fasten on and open with meticulous care. Not for him to tear into a present like a seven-year-old on his nameday!] --Ah, is this...I think I recognize the seal...

[It's a merchant he's dealt with before for selling his own honey, he thinks.]

[turmoiling]

Ah, perhaps you would. Please, do ahead and take in the scent and tell me what you think. I am hardly such a connoisseur as yourself, I'm sure, but I hope it matches your palette.

[He says serenely, humbly. It's gratifying to see the effect of the hypnosis starting to take hold in part -- and at least even if it's not far enough to say things a little less reasonable, Myr doesn't seem to have caught on to what's happening.

Of course, he's unable to lock gazes with Myr to assist, but he can lean into the sound aspects instead, shifting the tip of his tail back and forth under the bench in slow movement. It's subtle, only a quiet rhythmic whisper of scale on scale to lull his words against as he continues on to ease the fellow's concerns.]

These are all valid points you raise, with the sort of wisdom I would expect from a fellow Council member. [He reassures smoothly.] If the Circle can be convinced to do otherwise, ah, well, I think we would all welcome that, and we could forget the whole thing without issues... but such a thing will not be easily accomplished, I fear.

In which case, there should be a backup plan, shouldn't there? And to avoid such issues you mention, it would be best to coordinate, to ensure no one interferes with those particular abductions. Do tell me, are there any among your own acquaintances and bondmates planning anything of their own?

[faithlikeaseed]

[Far be it from Myr to turn down so reasonable suggestion. He gives an agreeable bob of his antlered head and breaks the seal on the jar. The garden's warm enough it doesn't take long for the scent of the honey to permeate the air; the Faun breathes it in with an expression of happy concentration.]

Ah--this was from a berry crop, wasn't it? [Hang on a minute, he'll get the exact scent... Fauns are resistant to iunerberries as they are any other intoxicant, but it's still sufficient to take a little edge of his wariness.

Though any inclination he's got to simply...fall into that, and the seductive sound of scale on scale...is jarred loose when Jin Guangyao speaks again.

A fellow Council member. Caster had been alarmed to hear someone on the Council had been spreading names of Mirrorbound to kidnap, and Myr had reassured him, but the worry was important, wasn't it?]

Mmm. Maybe this is something we should've agreed on, in Council. Your plan, and the...back-up plan. [He absent-mindedly starts to screw the lid back on the jar, then stops, ears flicking.] To ensure no one interferes--there's not another option?

I... [He takes the lid back off the jar; he's fidgeting.] We're all investigating, as the Coven asked. As far as I know--any coordination on what to do with the Circle will come after we've reported back. I think, though I've got to pass word on--you understand--if any names come up for abduction. Light and L...they're interested in Alder and they'll have out the names of his collaborators, if they can. And what they're doing with the Cwyld... I think Hector's starting to go over to them. Viren, as well. I've got to get them both back. Everett's working on that, too--but we need something to break any hold on them, and once we've done that the Circle will know what we're about.

[A brief pause.] I don't think it's safe to let them grab anyone else, messere. No matter what you've planned.

[turmoiling]

[Ah, a personal investment. And entirely too many other Mirrorbound involved here and there. There's just too many moving parts to this operation; one can only hope to skim along the surface and keep one's traces light, adapting quickly.]

Perhaps we should have discussed it. I do apologize, but secrecy is so important. Not everyone is capable of handling such things well, and even for those who are more circumspect... alas, if as you say, Lord Viren is turning to the Circle's side, his foreknowledge would spoil all plans.

All I ask is for you to put your trust in me. If others are taken, or swayed to the Circle's side, have no doubt that we will rescue them. I will be there alongside everyone else. Alongside you.

[He sounds so sincere; there's a note of truth to it in that he has every intention of turning on Cillian and that crew as soon as the few people on his mind are incurably infected. It will be unfortunate if a few others might be harmed along the way, but it's a small price to pay for the security he'll gain.

The restlessness is hard to pin down as a reaction; is it a good or a bad sign? This power has been a tricky one to experiment with, more dangerous than testing the strength of his venom in many ways. Jin Guangyao risks a little more; a gentle shift to move a little closer to the faun's ear so he can speak more softly and sweetly.]

But for now, it takes a little time to set things in motion. Please, stay your hands in this matter, if only for a while. Those of your friends, as well. It will not be so long, I'm certain of it. Then, once this business is over, we will all rest better.

WHOOPS; shoulda had "Linden" instead of "L" in my previous tag

[faithlikeaseed]

[There are surely other reasons to object to what's being said, but Myr cannot find them beneath avalanche of reasonable explanations poured out in his ear. Yes, there are risks to this--terrible risks--but they were known, calculated, accepted by all involved. His speaking up or insisting on being in on the plan clearly would jeopardize everything they were taking those risks for...

The Faun's hands fall still on the jar; he dips his chin nearly to his chest, the little charms on his antlers jingling. There's a heady closeness in how Jin Guangyao leans in close to him; this is a kind of seduction, in the end, and Fauns are oh, so very weak to those who can prey upon their desires.]

Yes, [he finally murmurs,] all right--I'll trust you in this, messere. I'll be silent about it...even if I keep my ears open. I won't do anything to interfere.

[turmoiling]

[With what seems like a final acquiescence, Jin Guangyao can't help but liken it those moments of restlessness to the throes of a poisoned animal, desperately trying to function still. full flow of hypnotic magic at his call, he repeats his message again to let it sink in.]

That's good. You just need to have faith, and it will all work out in the end... Refrain from interfering until I give word... There's no hope of stopping them so quickly, and easily after all... We must wait, and let everything fall into place... then everything will be fine...

[Jin Guangyao coos gently, uttering further platitudes and reassurances -- all the while thinking of all the other factors that might need to be handled. Not the least of which might end up being his own Bonded partner.

But that's a bridge to cross later. He only needs to ease himself out of this situation now, and ensure it holds for as long as it needs to. Though he assures Myr it wouldn't be long, he can't help but think that such an indirect approach could be weeks, at least. Maybe more -- it's only a suggestion, and his words might not carry as much as he wishes until after initiation, whatever that entails.]

I'm so glad you let me speak to you in confidence on this issue. Of course, I trust in you as much as you trust in me. I should come by more often, for these little talks, shouldn't I. [He suggests, planting the seed for repeated check-ins.] We can discuss more pleasant things too, since we've already spoken so much on dreary Council activities and concerns.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Have faith, and well, wasn't that one of the things Myr was so very, very good at? Having faith in the Maker and in those around him, in the idea things would work out if only he persisted in his course... Or in staying out of the way, in this case, and letting them resolve as others had so-capably planned.

It all makes so much sense. It will all be so much easier than struggling and worrying about what he must do when it seems one of their own might not be so trustworthy as he hoped.

He is so thoroughly under the Naga's spell it takes him a moment to realize he's being told something he needs to acknowledge. He gives another jingling shake of his head, rousing enough to speak coherently:] Of course--it's been a pleasure--you're always welcome to come talk with me. I--appreciate the reassurance, messere.

[A slow breath in. (He is always so helpful to those he trusts--)] Is there anything else--you need? I can do?

[turmoiling]

[Going too far seems a danger of its own. Yes, he could advise Myr to take direct action against interference, to help with the Circle's kidnappings. But not everything can be predicted (as he knows all too well), and Jin Guangyao would rather not see himself too directly implicated in anything -- just touch lightly and suggest to push events in the right direction if he can.]

No, not at all. Reaching an agreement between us is quite wonderful, as is your company besides that. If there is anything further we need to talk over, you are always welcome to come to me as well.

[He replies pleasantly, slowing the quiet whirr of scale against scale. Jin Guangyao decides to ease back out just as smoothly, in hopes of leaving his magic in place after he's gone, rather than risk a jarring effect with his departure. Gradually letting go of the taste of that hypnotic spell, he lets his voice, though still calm and mild, slowly return to a more natural cadence.]

I half think we should have all Council discussions out in the community garden, after all of this. The atmosphere is calming, even when the subject is a serious matter indeed.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Light as Jin Guangyao's touch is, it nevertheless rests on something deep in Myr's psyche that longs to let someone take command of a conflicting situation. Self-directed as the Faun was, he'd always known his place was safely in the middle of any hierarchy. Back home, it would be a Templar's job to untangling a knot like the Evergreen Circle; it would be Myr's to take direction. Aefenglom had robbed him of that fundamental structure, and for all he's learned a certain amount of independence...

He's also screwed up an awful lot since coming here.

It's comforting to fall back into the old patterns and have someone say things will be taken care of if you only do your part.

He ducks his head in a nod of acknowledgment; yes, he may yet avail himself of the Naga's time, if there's something else they must speak about.

It's strangely easier to find his own voice as the sound of scales rasping together recedes from his ears.] Should you put the motion forth, messere, I'll gladly second it. Even on days like this, [cold, and miserably wet, as they'd both agreed,] I'd rather meet in the garden than be cooped up in our little room.

[His bright smile comes easy, now, with the weight of worry off his heart.]

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao's smile is warm in return, watching Myr's every little movement even as the last of his hypnotic magic fades, no longer tickling the forks of his tongue.

All seems well enough, so far. Normal, like nothing at all had happened. Lan Xichen hadn't recalled it when he'd lulled him to sleep some months ago either.]

Perhaps one of these days I will.

Ah, but I've kept you long enough, dwelling on such dreary things, haven't I? Besides which, I'm afraid I do have to attend to work soon, so I should be on my way.

[It would be nice to linger longer, to be sure of everything. But he would also rather not be seen too close by, were any of Myr's Bonded to come home right about now, in case something seemed odd. Small visits, that seemed ideal.]

[faithlikeaseed]

Hardly long at all, messere! [Protesting is part of a social dance, a pro forma thing that Myr's good at, but there's not a bit of a lie to it--he honestly enjoys the Naga's presence and time really did seem to fly as they were discussing...

...

...

...whatever it is they discussed. (He surely committed anything important in it to his memory tower, so there's no need to worry that he can't immediately recall it.)]

If you'd let me walk you out, at least--I've something I'd like to give you in return.