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

[zewu_jun]

Percival.

[ This may be the only time Lan Xichen ever addresses his friend so informally. He looks up, a mix of relief and guarded warning in his expression. While the cultists aren't particularly very skilled (they must be recruits with more enthusiasm than actual training), the numbers are always a concern when facing problems. Lan Xichen moves to stand near Percy, his sword drawn to ward off the members of the Circle that are a bit too close. ]

You really should surrender and reflect on your actions. What you are doing has caused suffering for the city. I won't let this continue.

[ It's a pretty announcement, but two witches against a group, even with Percy's ability evident, isn't enough to really shake off the crowd surrounding them. Instead, the braver Circle members raise their own weapons in return.

You think you can take all of us? You're the ones that won't be threatening the city anymore. You're trying to keep everyone scared and blind!
We'll prove that the Cwyld is nothing to be afraid of! ]

[gunsmithed]

[ Percy's eyes flick briefly Lan Xichen's way as he approaches, but his attention is mainly on the robed figures in front of them. With an expression that is shifted more and more bemused as their little speech continues. ]

I don't remember telling anyone about anything of the sort. [ So mild. He's well aware that it's very much not the point, but still. What an odd argument to make. ] Convincing people not to be afraid of by attacking them is certainly one of the odder plans I've heard.

[zewu_jun]

[ Lan Xichen can't even muster up the courtesy to look bemused. He just looks tired, like a teacher that has to face extremely disappointing students. ]

Be careful.

[ That is his quiet warning, in case the group turns out to be more dangerous than they appear. But despite the numbers, they really aren't making much of an impression.

And apparently Percy's indifference doesn't give them confidence. They come closer (but not too close), trying to menace the two.

We're going to use you to show others! Then everyone will see. Their minds will be open!

The group are probably new converts. They really seem to echo more than lead, and the way they cluster together for support says a lot about how they feel about facing the gunslinger and the swordsman. Lan Xichen glances over to Percy and raises an eyebrow. ]

My, the night has gotten warm.

[gunsmithed]

[ There's a moment where Percy goes tense, waiting for an attack. When said attack decidedly fails to come--the figures shift closer as if either of them are going to be any more impressed by proximity--his expression flattens out.

He doesn't even have his guns on him, for the gods' sake. At least do something.

That something, is, apparently, making vague proclamations. Lan Xichen, by contrast, is actually offering conversation, and Percy has to resist the urge towards something halfway between a laugh and a sigh. ]

So it has. [ His eyes flicker back towards the cloaked figures with open disdain. Call themselves a cult. ] Shame some of us aren't dressed properly for it.

[zewu_jun]

[ As far as terrible cults and monstrous threats are concerned, these particular Circle recruits are pretty limp. They seem intimidated by the thought of trying to take on Lan Xichen alone, and now he has back up! It's a sudden new level of challenge that they weren't prepared for.

The few leading members finally draw weapons--swords that really aren't such good quality, probably only meant to scare rather than harm--and some roughshod blunt weapons scattered through the members.

You're coming with us. It's a nervous attempt at authority. Angry and slightly desperate. ]

Percival, I don't want to trouble you, but I think these strangers are in need of our time. I hope you don't mind.

[ He's especially polite as he says that, although his expression remains neutral. ]

[gunsmithed]

They certainly seem like they could use some help.

[ That look of judgement returns at the state of the weapons being held. Swords that look ready to snap under the slightest pressure. He can see the exact weak points he could use to shatter them, if he were so inclined, and Lan Xichen is a good enough swordsman that Percy would wager he can see them too.

Certainly neither of them are feeling particularly threatened. And these poor cultists seem to have no idea what to make of that. ]

Perhaps a lesson in formations? [ So many of them against two. And still they seem hesitant to do anything but bluster. ] Or manners?

[zewu_jun]

[ It's really hard to feel much outside of pity for these overzealous and painfully inexperienced members, even if they are supporting a terrible cause. They probably haven't been involved too long, Lan Xichen thinks. They are too clumsy and easy to pick out. If they were part of the Evergreen Circle for any longer, they would surely have made a scene by now.

They also seem very desperate to prove themselves. Maybe this is a test? ]

Perhaps both. [ Xichen gestures to the nearest attackers, who almost flinch away before they realize he isn't raising the blade any further. He sighs and sheaths Shuoyue. ] If you are coming, then come. Otherwise, you won't be leaving on your own.

[ He gives them a little nudge. These people deserve what they get. ]

[gunsmithed]

[ There's a pause while the group doesn't quite look at each other. Maybe they're all hoping someone else will go first? Clearly not trained to work as a team.

Percy doesn't even has a visible weapon. And yet when he arches an eyebrow, no one does anything except wave whatever they're holding in a way they clearly hope is threatening. Despite all evidence to the contrary. ]

Honestly. How did you all expect this was going to work?

[ Anyone they approached tonight was either going to be a witch or a monster. Even if they hadn't been expecting experienced fighters they couldn't have predicted no return fight at all. ]

[zewu_jun]

[ The whole group is so ragtag and ill-prepared they probably enabled each other into this grand hunt with little idea of what they were planning to do once they found their quarry. While that might be expected from some of the younger, naive members, there are several older initiates that are simply making a mess of the situation, just as impulsive but without the lack of experience to excuse them.

Xichen sighs, this time openly, and shakes his head. ]

You cannot just give commands and expect others to follow them. It may sound appealing to have everyone agree with each other, but such negotiations do not come so easily.

[ And it's Xichen who makes the first move, lunging forward with open palms to knock one of the swords out of a cult member's hand. The surprise and fear ripples through the group, finally spurring them into action--in a panic. They attempt to wield their makeshift weapons to knock Xichen down and push Percy back, suddenly realizing how much real danger they are in. ]

[gunsmithed]

[ The open confusion on the group's faces as Lan Xichen attacks might have pulled a laugh out of Percy at any other time. As it is, he moves after his friend to protect his side from any blows that might accidentally connect.

It's probably for the best that Percy doesn't have his guns on him. He's very rarely prepared for non-fatal fights. Instead he catches a sword with Diplomacy, letting out just enough of a shock that the weapon drops out of it's wielder's hand. Without blinking, Percy flings it over the crowd's head, off somewhere into the distance. It won't be much of a loss to anyone. ]

You could just leave now.

[ He does have to at least offer as he eyes the rest of the group. ]

[zewu_jun]

[ Some of the cultists are seriously considering that suggestion, because now that they are facing these two, it's not nearly as easy as they had convinced themselves it would be. Without any real training or direction, seeing their comrade get disarmed with barely any effort has several of the group backing away and looking for escape.

Although as Percy scares the group back, Lan Xichen moves around to one side, driving some of the outside cultists back toward him. He raises his sword, threatening the group so that they end up boxed in. ]

I don't think it is fair to leave without some lesson learned.