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Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part 1
Event Log: January, The Salvation of Geardagas: Part 1
The Evergreen Circle
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.
 Cillian Alder
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.
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.
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[ 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! ]
no subject
Having this conversation without giving in to the little traitor urge to run away screaming (and drag Viren with him) will require it.]
Mmm--truly, to be expected, given how long they've lived with the idea of it as a mortal threat.
[(It's a relief, really, that more people are not that easily persuaded.)
He cants his head to one side with a jingle of his antler-charms, half-winsome.] Did you meet any hopefuls, at least? People who gave you more than a brush-off?
[(Writhing to use this kind of calculation with one of his own, but if Viren had names he intended to pass on--well, much could be made of that.)]
no subject
[ affirmed with something akin to excitement; that myr links his arm with his instead of recoiling away is incredibly heartening - too often, he's accustomed to friction, seemingly particularly from those he treasures. viren pats his arm, letting his hand rest there. ]
They did share their interest, and some received a pamphlet of his teachings... [ he means that of which the wealthier of mirrorbound have already received; he has only but a few at the moment, safely tucked away into a pocket for later dispensing.
though he doesn't yet share any names, he does pull out one of the pamphlets, which is apparently an idle action as he considers. he still wears a smile, but his eyes do narrow as his gaze slides to his bonded, inquisitively, ]
And what of you, Myr?
[ --how he interprets that inquiry, well. it's open-ended for a reason. ]
no subject
Saying as much doesn't change how it feels to know he's lifted his Dragon's mood.
He lays his own fingers over Viren's, the contact brief but fond. (This will end. Some day soon, Maker willing, and Viren will be as he had been before he'd gotten involved with the Evergreen Circle.
Right?)]
Mm? My own efforts, you mean? [Open-ended, indeed; that's uncomfortable. Myr is not accustomed to subterfuge, though a Faun's innate instinct for danger does cover somewhat for his lack of native paranoia. But what to say, what to say...] Not so successful as yours, I fear; they're certainly willing to talk with me--debate, even--but I've yet to convince anyone to come to a meeting.
[Had he really been trying? No.]
I fear, [he sighs,] they're treating it like an intellectual exercise rather than a matter of life and death.
[His smile takes on a somewhat melancholy note; his ears lift and he tips his head back, like he could look up at Viren. (He's a little off-angle.)] I think it hasn't even sunk in for me, you know? Everything Alder says makes terrible sense--but after catching the Cwyld myself, the once...
[He's afraid, of course. And revealing a little of that fear might be useful.]
no subject
We hadn't discussed it,
[ he hadn't asked - most people presume the cwyld to feel terrible (which was also wrong, so he's learned hearing from the others) nor do they typically specifically ask if one's recovered from the blight. he ducks to more easily look myr in the eye (blindfold), narrowly avoiding tangling their antlers and horns. his gaze is searching. ]
what had it been like, being infected?
no subject
The fur on the back of Myr's neck ruffles as Viren leans down and puts them face-to-face. This is a gesture that's usually got a pleasanter context-- where the scent of smoke on his Dragon's breath is the fun kind of danger. Now it's too redolent of wildfires and devastations and forests burned to quell the Cwyld.]
We hadn't-- [It's almost a question--but, no, he doesn't think he'd ever mentioned it to Viren. That had been on the boat to Dorchacht, before they'd ever been close.] Ah,
[Breath in, breath out. Subterfuge is not his forte; a purely Faunish, ridiculous instinct notes he's in a very good position to distract his Bonded with a kiss.
If Viren's capable of being distracted right now. Myr wagers not.]
Truth be told I hadn't time to really explore it-- I was bitten by an infected Merrow on our way to Dorchacht--and as soon as the Witches there saw the infection, they dragged me off to their Coven to cure it.
[He doesn't have to feign the disgust and upset that clouds their Bond when he speaks of that. He'd had his memories tampered with and blood magic used on him--to say nothing of how he'd felt Everett's fear and anxiety through their newmade Bond.
He also...doesn't have to talk about that part. Let Viren interpret what he feels how he might. (Maker and Andraste forgive me.)]
But while I'd had it... [His voice trails off. There's a very good model for him to follow here: The Circle's own glowing descriptions of their (he suspects, half-imagined) experiences. But...]
I was afraid, [he admits, shamefaced, ears held low,] too afraid to consider what it might mean for me other than the awful death they tell us to expect.
no subject
I'm relieved you're all right from that.
[ —he is all right, isn't he? physically, yes, he knows. and if viren weren't so one track minded, this might be a concern to delve into further.
[ instead, ]
You do know better for next time, though, yes? [ -there is a flicker of irritation through their bond, that he should feel the need to ask of such a thing. ] Rather than allowing for fear to cloud your judgment, but instead taking to properly considering it.
no subject
But, physically, he's all right; it's had more than a year to heal.
Mentally... He'll not exam that too closely. Not right now, not before someone who can sense it--someone who under ordinary circumstances he would trust with that vulnerability, but right now...
His hand tightens on his Dragon's arm; he lifts his chin and manages a brave smile. The expression's a signifier for an emotion that has nothing whatever to do with his words:] I do, and I will. Next I get the opportunity, I'll keep my heart and mind open. There's nothing to be gained from terror.
[The Cwyld's not the taint, after all. People could be rescued even weeks or months after catching it.
He can rationalize going that far with the Circle's madness if he thinks about it this way and doesn't go any further with that comparison to the taint, to a Blight, to the Archdemon that instinct tells him must be behind all this...]
You've not caught it yet, have you? [He likes to believe he'd know, but he also thought he'd have known the exact moment the Circle managed to set hooks in Viren and...he missed that.]
no subject
[ overcome by it, the dragon ducks to press a very fleeting kiss to myr's forehead, before straightening back to a proper posture. ]
[ then with a shake of his head and some barely perceptible disappointment (though otherwise very obviously there, context considered), ]
No. Never. Not yet.
[ he blinks, and thinks to amend, ]
Should that happen, in the future, a possibility which is difficult to discount... [ speaking as if one is merely talking about preparing for a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms. ] Then it is something, of course, to remain carefully controlled.
no subject
Myr's brave smile trembles as Viren leans in to kiss him. It's...fortunate, that he hasn't got eyes any longer or he might weep for how this tears at his heart. (He'd be hard-pressed to explain why such tangible evidence of his Dragon's love moves him so, though to have obtained it under false pretenses...)
He swallows, hard, against the difficult emotions that evokes, and against the relief (quickly concealed) to hear that Viren hasn't contracted it yet. Did that get through?
He manages a laugh, half-born of his own nerves.] A shame--but here, I thought you'd gotten ahead of me! Maybe we've a chance to explore it together, still.
[His ears flick at carefully controlled, at how Viren's usual--Viren-ess is still somehow there even when altered by the Circle's intentions. That hurts, too, to recognize.] Because I can think of no one more careful in that respect, and you know I'll always take the opportunity to study with you.
[Softly, then,] Speaking of--what d'you make of the rumors of folk using the Circle's work to enrich themselves--or just for pleasure?
no subject
[ thankfully, with it, he's missed the relief through their bond. ]
[ and so he scoffs, nose wrinkling with distaste, yet almost smug in his certainty. ]
Ludicrous. Rumors that are nothing more than — slander [ he has been Personally affronted, thank you. ], meant to destabilize Sir Alder's influence.
no subject
...And set him up for another piece of deception, though if it works...]
I'd thought as much myself, [which was not untrue; he'd judged Alder too dedicated to the cause to indulge of much of that, nor suffer it in his followers,] but you've seen more of the noble sorts who associate with the Circle than I have.
[Also literally true, given Myr hasn't...seen...any of them.] You can't always trust that they're in something out of pure selfless interest, you know? Look--
[He digs in his satchel, coming up with a carefully folded piece of newsprint. He offers it up in his Bonded's direction.] --though, they're even publishing broadsheets on it. At least--that's what the woman who gave this to me said it was.
[This is also true: It is a rather scandalously lurid account of certain activities supposedly taking place among Alder's inner circle, rife with juicy details and anatomically improbable illustrations. (Forgive Myr, Viren: No one had described those to him.)
It is also enchanted with a spell meant to shatter Dorchacht-style mind control on touching skin. Lacking a concrete idea of what the Circle was using, Myr couldn't tell the Witch he'd hired exactly what counterspell to write, but he hopes...]
no subject
[ irritation flickers through their bond at myr's words. out of pure selfless interest -- acidly, ]
Do you really think I'm that naive, Myr?
[ but it's a snappish response that doesn't account for what, yes, he dearly hopes: that this is all borne of some pure selfless interest, and that nothing could reasonably tarnish the integrity of the circle. he reconsiders. even if this account were true
so what? ]
Who was the woman that gave this to you?
no subject
Well. He's known his Dragon long enough to know that objection was coming, and why, and it has nothing to do with his own simulacrum of interest in the Circle not bearing scrutiny. He deserves the irritation for getting carried away in his own faux-naivety, he thinks,
and gives his Bonded a sweet smile that's suitably abashed around the edges.
(Covers, suitably, for the moment of grief that the spell hadn't seemed to work. Though what had he been expecting for evidence of that...?)]
Never naive, dear scholar; just hoping for better from a disappointing world. [As Myr tried so hard to do himself; little wonder they'd end up together.
Though their disparate responses to that disappointment--ah. Now Myr feels a frisson of discomfort anew at Viren's question. Whatever his affection and his own hopes for the man, he isn't (ha!) blind to his Bonded's methods, nor what pragmatism might drive Viren to do.]
I don't know her. [Entirely true, fortunately.] She handed it to me and moved on without even noting I couldn't read it.
You're thinking she's a threat?
no subject
[ what he hates less, but still dislikes, is how easily myr pinpoints his thought process. that does show how much he knows of his bonded. disliked, likewise, is the apparent inability to supply the identity of the woman - he believes that much, anyway, as he glowers at where myr's eye sockets would be if they weren't obscured by a blindfold. ]
I think the dissemination of inaccurate information, or unfounded accusations, is a threat.
[ so - yes. his eyebrow arches. ]
[ pointedly, ]
Where, then?
no subject
While Myr knows very well that lying and subterfuge have their place in warfare (and all things like it, love included)--and has even bent or obscured the truth in his time--actually directly lying to one of those he loves is beyond him.
Which is, really, why he should never have taken this on.
Well. Keep playing the hand you've been given, Shivana, and pray you're not about to draw the Angel of Death.]
It certainly shows intent to harm, [he murmurs; reputational harm's worth killing over in certain places he's lived.]
Western Residential. Down near the riverfront. But if you're going to find her, I'm going, too.
no subject
[ not the spoken agreement in demonstrating an intent to harm, nor the location of where he'd cross paths with the woman, but the plan of action. viren may think alder to be wise and righteous, and thus can spin his own tale of likewise sharing those traits in the name of his word, and therefore justifying himself - but he also knows myr. funny, how much he can otherwise willfully explain away. ]
[ so it's not the first time that viren assumes he's been on the receiving end of this particular sentiment, nor does he dare think it would be the last. still, there's a certain coldness lancing through the bond. his tone isn't necessarily accusatory, but flat, as if simply stating an objective fact, ]
You don't trust me.
no subject
I know your zeal and your dedication, to, [and he nearly chokes on the words but they are, at least, not a lie even if they are wrong,] Lord Alder and the Evergreen Circle. And even if I haven't seen her writing, I know this woman means to heap slander on him. To provoke his loyal followers.
[A small part of him wants to scream and despair; Viren shouldn't be but the counterspell didn't work--
He stuffs it down.]
I do worry.
no subject
[ he could also allow him to come. he isn't his king, who he would wait for permission from before doing his worst - even if he's still dear. his hand slips to myr's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. ]
I'm sorry, that you feel you can't.
[ the apology rings hollowly. it's still a 'well, that's a pity' type of sentiment. there's ways to circumvent this promise, which he's also entirely sure that myr already realizes. in a way, if he hadn't been lied to instead, then the problem's already been resolved. ]
I won't go, then.