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

[tothemetal]

[there's a fair amount of physicality going on - oftentimes Styx has to allow the turnskin to briefly gain the upper hand in order to avoid slicing claws - but even empowered by corruption as the creature is its body can only withstand so much pulsing current before it simply gives out. it's a mercy that the witch happens to be on top when his adversary collapses, or else they'd have a bit of an issue pulling him out from beneath similarly prodigious bulk.

he'd been cursing pretty steadily throughout the fight, but as he looks down at his felled 'enemy' all the drummer feels is emptiness. they'd had no other recourse, but it still hurt to know he'd done this. in a way he almost wishes the turnskin had done greater harm to him.]

...'s good now, I think.

[well...'good'. Styx is rolling off the turnskin now to make way for Alice and her restraints, his massive hands still gripping tightly to the monster's own arms. just in case.]

[adventageous]

['Good' enough as they can hope for, at any rate.

Alice moves in, kneels next to the patient, and starts the unpleasant business of tying the turnskin's arms down. Occasionally, she'll ask Styx to help with moving the unconscious body around so that she can get the rope around its bulk. It doesn't take her long - they've gotten this part down to something of a science. As much as Alice hates to lead with tying someone up, it's for everyone's safety that they do so.

Once that's done, Alice soaks the handkerchief with the potion and places it on the monster's face so that they stay asleep while she tends to healing. Unsurprisingly, Styx has done a number on them between physical brawling and electrical currents. But from what Alice can tell the worst still seems to be the infection, and for that she's relieved. The rest will heal with some magic and time.

With that assessment, Alice starts with some first aid in the form of magical healing as she looks up at her fellow witch.]

There doesn't seem to be any permanent damage.

[At that point, she gets a good look at his face. Styx hates this, moreso than she does, and Alice finds herself wanting to reassure him.]

I know this is cold comfort, but we really are doing the right thing here.

[tothemetal]

Yeah...I know.

[he's grateful for the reassurance, really, and it shows in the earnest expression that Styx flashes his partner; there's never been any saving him when lies were involved, however, and so his dead tone still betrays the unhappiness roiling inside him. how many more times would they be forced to do this? how much closer would he dance towards the edge without knowing? he doesn't want to cause real damage...but all it takes is one moment of distraction.

...ah. some of the turnskin's hair had been jostled in all the movement. without thinking, he clumsily presses it back into place.]

How's the Cwyld looking on him?

[adventageous]

[Alice gives Styx a small smile in response before returning her attention to the turnskin. It's not like she expected her words to suddenly turn his mood around. But they're important to say and remember, all things considered.

When he asks after the infection, Alice starts inspecting for that rather than for injuries. It's difficult to tell in the shadows, but it appears that at least half of the bear fur covering the creature has turned black and matted.]

Not good. It's beyond any capacity I have to heal by myself. We'll have to take them to the Coven and see what they can do.