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

preachin

[noblegarnet]

[There had been a few people between Ferran and Styx during the faux-sermon, though it didn't mean that he failed to notice the larger man at first. It wouldn't have made a difference for Styx, either, who's never actually seen the Fae—although it's hard to tell he is one at the moment, with the way his glamor has hidden all traces of scales or wings.

It does mean, however, that now that those people have left, Ferran is the one left to answer. He looks up from the brief notes he's taking of the final points of the speech when he's spoken to, a focused, serious expression on his face at first. Once the question registers, though...

There's a certain exasperated weariness in the pursing of his lips and the raise of his brow, along with a hint of something like pity.]

Styx, [he says quietly, with an air of long-suffering that probably doesn't help the old impression the man already had of him,] go home.

[Three words isn't a lot to get much familiarity out of, especially when they've only had one verbal conversation. Whether the guy will even recognize him is a gamble, but it hardly registers as a concern in the Fae's mind. He's more concerned about the safety of everyone involved.]

[tothemetal]

[...uh? it takes him a moment, each laborious turning of the gears in his mind visible on the giant's face, but Styx actually does manage to struggle through the necessary steps required to grasp the fact he has not actually given this man his name before now. not that it helps very much; the process was so exhausting that there's absolutely not enough remaining mental energy to get him to connect the vague sense of familiarity from this man's voice and Ferran's identity.

one out of two's not the worst in the world though, right?]

Sorry, um...uh, sorry? [nice.] Is the whole thing over?

[try as he might, the drummer just doesn't have the courage to ask the man if they've met before. it's just way too intimidating when he's already being stared at as if he'd just dropped a hundred dollar bill through a sewer grate.]

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran has to wonder why he's encountered this kind of situation again—essentially making sure someone in the same dangerous situation as him isn't going to get themselves hurt due to their carelessness. At least he has experience.]

Alder's done speaking. You could talk with the others, but you'd be at a disadvantage.

[That's the softest way he can put it without outright saying what he's thinking—that Styx isn't going to do much here if he can't even stay awake. Ferran glances over his writing before closing the notebook in his right hand, tucking it and his pen into his coat.]

I'm sure you want to help, but you should know your limits.

[tothemetal]

[his limits..? oh. rather than look discouraged Styx laughs, shaking his head gently as if it could chase off the misunderstanding. that must be where he's met this man (whoever he is) before - it's obvious now that he's a fellow mirrorbound.]

Oh, uh, you don't gotta worry about that or nothing! 'm not trying to...uh, you know.

[he gestures vaguely with his hand, trying to indicate 'infiltrate a possible cult that's super murdering a bunch of civilians in their quest for the ultimate taint or whatever' without actually saying that. it might not be the drummer's quest, but clearly Ferran was here with both intent and skill. no way was he going to ruin that for the guy.]

But I kinda figured I should still check it out? ...I wanna know what the hell they're thinking, to do that.

[and it's here that the big guy's smile falters, dropping into a soft frown. he's seen those branded people, both the ones they've been able to save and those beyond help. what could a person believe to look at that and think they were doing good?]

Guess it's all shit over my head, though. Not too surprised.

[noblegarnet]

So you just came because you were curious, huh...

[That's a little concerning, perhaps, but not as aggravating as failing to focus while being there on something like a mission. Ferran is curious, too—although more about how their organization is managing this and how to dismantle it rather than the justification behind it. He's cynical enough to automatically assume it's a mixture of lust for power and brainwashing. As someone who's had his mind influenced in a similar way, he can't forgive that... no matter what their reasons are.]

Well, are you religious at all?

[tothemetal]

Me? Uh, no, not really.

[his mother certainly hadn't been, and while his auntie had been raised in a faith her family had never been particularly strict about it, judging from the stories she'd tell him. even if they had, she'd never wanted to press that upon someone who wasn't a blood relation...he should be free to find his own truths, she'd always said while stroking his hair.

in truth, he hasn't really thought about god in any meaningful way since juvie. was that something he should be ashamed of? the drummer's unsure, and there's nothing in Ferran's expression that gives him a clue.]

...is this what it's like at a church?

[noblegarnet]

Hm, well...

[Ferran doesn't plan on calling them a cult while right in their midst, even if he wholeheartedly believes that's what they are. He's not religious—never has been, never had reason to be, and certainly doesn't trust gods, spiritual beings or charismatic authority figures now. He taps his chin in thought.]

I'd imagine there are some similarities. Some higher authority promising peace and happiness, and people who want to believe in that, no matter what. Here, they promise that the magic plague isn't actually something to fear... sounds nice, doesn't it?

[Ferran would certainly prefer not to be afraid of the Cwyld, but as a Fae and a person who doesn't exactly want to die a painful death, his self-preservation wins out.]

[tothemetal]

[Styx tilts his head to the side, hair falling across half his face in a curtain as he considers the question. it's difficult for him to engage in discussions like this - not so much because he can't form an opinion, but because he has absolutely no faith in those opinions. if he thinks it then it can't possibly be correct...generally.]

Well, yeah, 'course. Got that part before I fell asleep, 'nd uh...I dunno, maybe they explain it better later but I thought -

[he cuts himself off with a soft frown, shaking his head.]

I seen shades though, you know? 'nd the people who got infected real bad. That's not...'s not living.

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran's closest and first encounter with the Cwyld was being on the adjacent block as one of the infected when they reemerged, and he would very much like it to be his last. Perhaps it makes him a coward to avoid the idea of it as much as he has, and not bother to question how dangerous the illness really is, but he has no intention of changing that anytime soon.]

They didn't show any concrete proof, if that's what you're looking for.

[He has absolutely no reason to question Styx's judgment on the matter. If anything, it just solidifies his reason for being here.]

They just ask for faith in a better future, past all the suffering. I don't know that I'm suited for it, even if I'm curious about this future they're so invested in. [Namely, how many bodies they're willing to trample over to get there.]

[tothemetal]

You don't gotta play around with the Cwyld for that.

[it surprises even Styx, how quickly that answer leaps from his mouth. but it was the truth, wasn't it? the mirrorbound and the Coven, people living their lives here in the city and out in the Wilde...they all held that same hope in their hearts. if they all worked hard enough, pushing past their limits, then surely better days were just on the horizon?

that's the way the drummer has always looked at it, right from the start. the idea that there were people who needed to dip their hands into a manifestation of suffering - to force others to experience that taint - was equal parts incomprehensible and maddening.]

If it's hurting people then it can't be the right way. 's that simple. Um, 's why you're here too, right? 'Cause you know that.

[because Ferran was suited for that - for compassion. even without realizing he was talking to a fellow mirrorbound right now, Styx believes that wholeheartedly.]

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran may not always agree with the reductive mindset, but luckily, he does in this case. Subjecting people to a deadly disease because they're seen as disposable, just for the sake of "learning"... well, he paid attention in history class. It's horrific.]

Well, I'm interested in ending the suffering, if at all possible. [If anyone happens to be listening, he wants to have some plausible deniability—he can't just outright say he's here to infiltrate right in the middle of their meeting space. He needs to keep things relatively vague.] The more information we have on how to get to that point, the better, don't you think?