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

[faithlikeaseed]

[Have faith, and well, wasn't that one of the things Myr was so very, very good at? Having faith in the Maker and in those around him, in the idea things would work out if only he persisted in his course... Or in staying out of the way, in this case, and letting them resolve as others had so-capably planned.

It all makes so much sense. It will all be so much easier than struggling and worrying about what he must do when it seems one of their own might not be so trustworthy as he hoped.

He is so thoroughly under the Naga's spell it takes him a moment to realize he's being told something he needs to acknowledge. He gives another jingling shake of his head, rousing enough to speak coherently:] Of course--it's been a pleasure--you're always welcome to come talk with me. I--appreciate the reassurance, messere.

[A slow breath in. (He is always so helpful to those he trusts--)] Is there anything else--you need? I can do?

[turmoiling]

[Going too far seems a danger of its own. Yes, he could advise Myr to take direct action against interference, to help with the Circle's kidnappings. But not everything can be predicted (as he knows all too well), and Jin Guangyao would rather not see himself too directly implicated in anything -- just touch lightly and suggest to push events in the right direction if he can.]

No, not at all. Reaching an agreement between us is quite wonderful, as is your company besides that. If there is anything further we need to talk over, you are always welcome to come to me as well.

[He replies pleasantly, slowing the quiet whirr of scale against scale. Jin Guangyao decides to ease back out just as smoothly, in hopes of leaving his magic in place after he's gone, rather than risk a jarring effect with his departure. Gradually letting go of the taste of that hypnotic spell, he lets his voice, though still calm and mild, slowly return to a more natural cadence.]

I half think we should have all Council discussions out in the community garden, after all of this. The atmosphere is calming, even when the subject is a serious matter indeed.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Light as Jin Guangyao's touch is, it nevertheless rests on something deep in Myr's psyche that longs to let someone take command of a conflicting situation. Self-directed as the Faun was, he'd always known his place was safely in the middle of any hierarchy. Back home, it would be a Templar's job to untangling a knot like the Evergreen Circle; it would be Myr's to take direction. Aefenglom had robbed him of that fundamental structure, and for all he's learned a certain amount of independence...

He's also screwed up an awful lot since coming here.

It's comforting to fall back into the old patterns and have someone say things will be taken care of if you only do your part.

He ducks his head in a nod of acknowledgment; yes, he may yet avail himself of the Naga's time, if there's something else they must speak about.

It's strangely easier to find his own voice as the sound of scales rasping together recedes from his ears.] Should you put the motion forth, messere, I'll gladly second it. Even on days like this, [cold, and miserably wet, as they'd both agreed,] I'd rather meet in the garden than be cooped up in our little room.

[His bright smile comes easy, now, with the weight of worry off his heart.]

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao's smile is warm in return, watching Myr's every little movement even as the last of his hypnotic magic fades, no longer tickling the forks of his tongue.

All seems well enough, so far. Normal, like nothing at all had happened. Lan Xichen hadn't recalled it when he'd lulled him to sleep some months ago either.]

Perhaps one of these days I will.

Ah, but I've kept you long enough, dwelling on such dreary things, haven't I? Besides which, I'm afraid I do have to attend to work soon, so I should be on my way.

[It would be nice to linger longer, to be sure of everything. But he would also rather not be seen too close by, were any of Myr's Bonded to come home right about now, in case something seemed odd. Small visits, that seemed ideal.]

[faithlikeaseed]

Hardly long at all, messere! [Protesting is part of a social dance, a pro forma thing that Myr's good at, but there's not a bit of a lie to it--he honestly enjoys the Naga's presence and time really did seem to fly as they were discussing...

...

...

...whatever it is they discussed. (He surely committed anything important in it to his memory tower, so there's no need to worry that he can't immediately recall it.)]

If you'd let me walk you out, at least--I've something I'd like to give you in return.