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

[bloodwit]

[ ah - it's not the first time that viren's been questioned as to his seriousness. which ... is an interesting phenomenon, if he were to take the legitimate opinions of others more into consideration. alas. monsters have always been treated as the less educated of the lot, and even if true in some circumstances, it's difficult now more than ever to ignore. these poor, silly, misguided monsters. ]

Which part, Eren?

[ because he hopes that inquiry serves as an answer that he's deadly serious, despite the short, humorless laugh that threatens. ]

But that's right, what I said hadn't been... entirely accurate. [ coupled with a self-conscious grimace, as if feigning shame. ] Sir Alder would have much to benefit if he could tailor his teachings toward children.

[autotome]

[ ................ he wants to punch sir adler's face in. but, eren is a grown man. he'll refrain. ]

That's thoughtful coming from you. [ and what gets eren to confirm his assumed red flags. he could cut this conversation of completely, which . . . wouldn't do much for a converted mind (if that's what he could call it?). he just didn't like the smell of this. it was like distant rot all over. ] How'd you start following?

[bloodwit]

[ he's wondering if he should be offended by the coming from you part, mister! of which is met with a twitch of his eyebrow. but the question has his thoughts rerouting - to dwell upon that is much more welcome. ]

I went to one of the gatherings of the Evergreen Circle. First, with the intent to do as we were requested, to investigate....

[ which somehow seemed like an age ago, like he's always been at home there; it's remarkable to reflect that it's been less than a week, really. ]

But it's no wonder that the Coven is so concerned. [ his fangs grit in a sneer; one would think he's talking of petty jealousy. but returning to speak of alder, his expression lightens, and his voice becomes stronger, ] His message is moving. He preaches of hope, of a destiny filled with promise, and assures us of a path forward.

The Evergreen Circle holds our future. All of these people [ he gestures, to those visible about, and to eren ] - need to join us.

[autotome]

Is that why you look like that?

[ that, follows a gesture to . . . probably all of viren. it was strange, and the word need definitely makes eren's draconic greed for the notion of one's liberty stir into an untold boil. his lower eyelid jumps just a speck with the lift of his lip— which he accommodates over his teeth.

it's not worth arguing over, in this case. something was wrong. ]

I've only seen you this way as a dragon.

[bloodwit]

[ viren discoloered tail twitches; he considers the question, how to best address it. why had several answers available. he's quiet a moment. but viren leans forward a touch, a corner of his mouth pulling it into a smile. ]

Yes.

[ his threads his fingers together, like he's reflecting again with the gesture. ]

I thought the Evergreen Circle might appreciate my appearance. [...] I hadn't been wrong.

[autotome]

[ a brief glance toward the woman and children he's accompanying to make sure they're still around and confirming they still had their things to do has eren pausing, contemplating, then flatly remarking: ]

Wow. Tell me more.

[ it's a little boring and he lets it show— but there's something else he's interested in. ]

[bloodwit]

[ ah..! ]

[ irritation immediately flashes over viren's face with his notice of the tone. boredom entails a lack of proper attention, which is something he so loathes... his fangs bite into his lower lip in the beginnings of snarl, ]

If you are so uninterested, then why bother asking??