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

[alpina]

[ Has Rikku not learned that kidnapping people is wrong no matter what the reason? But in this instance, this girl doesn't know any better and certainly didn't set out on the journey to turn into a believer so maybe Rikku isn't completely wrong this time.

The rather fake and ridiculously happy smile on her face remains as is as she follows her new friend. ]

It's a rather embarrassing story really. [ A small laugh as she thinks about it. ] I was a part of a group of people trying to infiltrate them and find information. I realize how wrong I was now and that we just didn't understand them. If we just open ourselves up to understanding everyone would be much happier.

[ And right now? She does honestly believe this for some reason. ]

[al_bhed]

[No. No, she has not. It's not like anything went wrong with kidnapping summoners until the Guado decided to attack because of Yuna. And she's pretty sure that would have happened anyway.

For her part, Rikku does actually listen to what Tsukuyomi has to say as they walk. It's not really fundamentally different from what Whatshisface Alder has been talking about, except for one alarming detail: she was originally trying to infiltrate the Evergreen Circle, same as Rikku herself has done recently. Sure, the guy is charismatic and has a way with words, but she struggles to believe that the message has been this effective. Something seems Wrong.

All the more reason to push forward with the plan.]

What was it that ended up changing your mind?

[If nothing else, it'll give Rikku warning as to what to look out for.]

[alpina]

[ The smile that Tsukuyomi has on her face is very different to her usual smile and if Ricky ever runs across her friend from back home, he would be able to tell her that the strange puffs of happiness she’s exuding were also very different to her usual self. She generally is never quite so animated about anything and is usually rather calm. Right now, though, it’s like she has found her long lost family. Or better yet, the feeling she would have at discovering the memories she lost a long time ago. ]

I’m not quite sure I can pinpoint a specific event that made me understand the teachings. It was a culmination of everything that has happened since I opened my mind and my heart to the ways.

[ Spoken like a true crazy person. ]

Was there something about the teachings that concerned you? Something I can help alleviate.

[al_bhed]

[Rikku doesn't like how vague that answer is. Not knowing what else to say, she gives the kind of laugh that's more a response to tension than actual mirth. The sooner she can get the pair to Ferran's house, the better.]

I guess my biggest concern is what happens if the infection gets bad? Like, do you guys have a way to stop that?

[Maybe they have some kind of technology she isn't aware of?]

[alpina]

[ For what it's worth, Tsukuyomi is not noticing the apprehension from Rikku. More, this person just needs to be educated about the wonderful ways of faith. Faith and belief. That's all somebody needs to get through things like this right? ]

I haven't been a believer long enough to be let in on all of their ways so I'm a little unsure of what would happen but I'm certain that they have an answer and we just have to believe that things will turn out okay. If they wanted me to volunteer to help with figuring out the cure I would do anything they ask. I firmly believe they have the answers.

[ Spoken like a truly crazy person. true believer. ]

Have you ever been in a position where you know you can just believe?

[ Definitely saying that to the wrong person. ]

[al_bhed]

Uhhhhh. Hey look, we're here!

[That is the very opposite of a satisfactory answer, Tsukuyomi.

Luckily, she can dodge the question with their arrival to Ferran's house. Rikku quickly unlocks the front door and swings it open, waving her companion inside.]

Ferran! Are you here?

[No response. He must be out. That's probably for the best.]

What kind of snacks do you like?