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

[turmoiling]

I was only kept a little late. No one is lurking just outside the door of every business waiting, otherwise half the city would have vanished by now.

[He chides lightly in return, as if not taking it so seriously -- though there is a certain dark amusement in the fact that they are both trying to watch out for each other, only from such differing perspectives on the matter.

The small bottle of dark black dye tucked into his sleeve is one other such planned protection, though yet to be implemented.]

If you are so worried though, we can stay in tonight.

[Jin Guangyao adds with a gentle smile. Stay in every night, ideally, until this whole business is sorted out and then he -- they -- will be free to live a new life here, freed from scorn, with a true fresh slate.]

[zewu_jun]

You are so often late, how would I know if something were to go wrong on your walk home?

[There's a bit of return banter in his tone, although he does stay close. The danger is real even if he can tease his Bonded about it.]

It might be better if I escort you in the evenings. And the fresh air is good for restlessness.

[Although when Jin Guangyao mentions staying in, Lan Xichen hesitates.]

I worry that others won't be as confident as our Council members, afraid of being taken by these faceless threats. They must fear for their families and friends...

[Lan Xichen might be able to watch out for Jin Guangyao, but what about all of the children in need of protection? Lone travelers with no one to rely on?]

[turmoiling]

[There's a fine line to tread here, since Jin Guangyao has been quite pleasant and interested in learning more, with the members of the Evergreen Circle he's met so far, and a word or two misplaced or overheard could derail plans. He's not privy to the kidnappings directly, so without foreknowledge of where and when those members will strike, it's best to act as though he's still friendly with the Circle.]

There's really no cause for them to fear at all. I know, I know, you'll doubt me when I say such a thing, but I've been speaking with a number of others about the situation. What appears bad at first glance, is not necessarily so.

[At least it's not too far a walk back to their door, a time that he fills with meaningless platitudes. He's well aware this won't assuage Lan Xichen's concerns, but those are of lesser concern until they get inside.]

[zewu_jun]

[Lan Xichen of course can't really accept this talk of embracing the Cwyld or exposing others to what he knows has caused a lot of pain and destruction throughout the environment. It might simply be a case of misled ideals, but the harm they are doing is unavoidable. He walks alongside his Bonded, concern only growing on their trip back.]

A-Yao, I know you don't wish to seek conflict with others, but can you really say there is no need to fear? There are families seeking loved ones. We might not be able to say for certain how it is happening, but the evidence does ask for caution.

[And even he can see the connections. There is no solid proof yet, but the involvement of the Evergreen Circle is almost certain in his mind. What it means he still doesn't know, but it makes him uneasy.]

[turmoiling]

Oh? We should talk about this further then. Perhaps you can tell me what you've heard so far?

[Jin Guangyao suggests as they arrive back home, opening the door for his friend; though not visible on his face or in his movements, the faintest flicker of unease passes through his mind.

It's really not that he particularly wants to go through with these plans, especially when they've become so close and spoken words of trust after some... tumultuous times. But Lan Xichen would have a difficult time with him infiltrating the circle. Never mind the actions taken to try to secure a more peaceful existence here, in the long term -- but for him to find success there will involve as much luck as good planning at the moment.

Either way, it's very inconvenient, never mind dangerous, to have his friend out trying to stop the Circle with direct action. He hopes Lan Xichen doesn't think too much on it when he locks the door behind them after they enter.]

If your evidence say there may be cause for caution, perhaps it's best we only speak of such things inside.

[He adds, always keeping explanations in mind.]

[zewu_jun]

[ Lan Xichen simply cannot imagine humoring the strange convictions espoused by the new group. Normally, he wouldn't be opposed to talk of peace and improvement of the city, but even without hard evidence it was pretty undeniable that the Evergreen Circle was hurting their neighbors. It's just too much of a coincidence. He has to investigate.

But if Jin Guangyao says that there is a misunderstanding, he wants to give his friend the benefit of doubt. He knows how much it hurts Jin Guangyao to be doubted and judged after his long history, so he goes to his side as the door is closed and rests his hand on the other man's arm. ]

I'm sorry. I don't want to alarm you. I know that you are generous and want to make friends in the city, but there have been attacks for days now. It cannot be a mistake. The Evergreen Circle has only grown in influence after the disappearances began.

[cw: hypnosis/mind control]

[turmoiling]

[It's a little regrettable, to be forced to deal with his friend in this way. But there were those times before that they'd spoken on others bringing up the past, and how even Nie Huaisang's presence was a threat... was something his Bonded couldn't accept. Between that and Xichen out attempting to interfere directly with the Circle, it just wouldn't do.

Hopefully it wouldn't be for such a long time he'd need to keep it up. Just long enough to clear things up a little, ease the danger for both of them.

It's not the first time now that let the tingle of magic seep out, light on his forked tongue with each word. Laying his own hand atop Xichen, he looks up into his eyes, soft and unblinking.]

It's true that the Circle has grown in influence of late. Perhaps there are some who get carried away, but the Circle itself is hardly to blame for that. Surely you've seen the pamphlets at least. The Cwyld is only an unknown, not such a bad thing on its own.

[He repeats the cult's lines soothingly. This surely won't be as difficult as it was for Myr, not when he can hold Lan Xichen's gaze as the hypnotic spell flows from him.]

Cillian is right, we must have a better understanding. That is all the Evergreen Circle is concerned with. More than anything, we should look to his advice for guidance.