Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part II

[faileas]

Event Log: February, The Salvation of Geardagas: Part II



CW: This plot has a general content warning for kidnapping, torture, experimentation, violence, drug use (incl. aphro), infection/disease and potential death. This is entirely opt-in.

Spirited Away, Part 2 i. Hypothesis One moment, you were free. The next, you wake up in a cold, dark room with eyes on you and the cloying smell of decay all around you. Characters who have been kidnapped are being kept in the lower floor of Alder's estate, which is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors. Without exception, the way out is always either locked or heavily guarded. All kidnapped characters have been infected with the Cwyld (sometimes by proximity to botanical materials, sometimes by being directly exposed to the violent Shades they already have imprisoned) and are being used to further the Evergreen Circle's research into the nature of the plague. The details of these tests is expanded on in the plotting post and, needless to say, their capturers have very little interest in their wellbeing. They're needlessly cruel, often pitting victims against each other and forcing them to infect newer arrivals as they turn up. Subjects are allowed a few hours of sleep at a time and a small meal- assuming that they're not being purposefully deprived of either- and are locked together in cramped cells. ii. Alternative Theory Some characters, however, escape this particular cruelty in favour of something else just as dehumanising. If a member of the inner circle has taken a liking to someone, they'll take them out of the pool of tests subjects and move them into their households. Servitude is ensured by a strong enchantment that scrambles memories and replaces them with the false knowledge that they've been working there all along. These brainwashed servants might also be forced to participate in the torture and testing of the others.

Initiation The night of the initiation party is here. If you've managed to ingratiate yourself with the cult- or at least a member of rank- you'll have already received an elegant envelope with an invitation and all the details. Or maybe you stole one or put together a convincing forgery. Alder's estate is handsome, with a small courtyard lit up with strings of lights and servants at the double doors to greet guests. Inside is just as grand. The hall and ballroom are impressive spaces with vaulted ceilings painted with elaborate star maps and broken up with marble columns that wouldn't look out of place in a palace. Drinks tables are lined up against the walls and there are several smaller drawing rooms off to the side, all of which are full of guests. Throughout the first hour or so, Alder himself flits from person to person, congratulating them and making smalltalk, but he seems different somehow. Excitable. Eager. Of course, there are other ways one might get in; while the front entrance is closely monitored, the side one leading through the kitchens isn’t. In the hustle and bustle, you might slip through unnoticed. i. Cavorting and Cruelty It isn't long before things take a turn. Alder takes to the head of the room and, with his signature voice amplifying enchantment, addresses his audience. He greets everyone and gives a fairly standard speech thanking guests and welcoming initiates to the Evergreen Circle proper- and then it happens. Servants begin to wheel in cages and tanks, all containing individuals infected with the Cwyld at various stages. Some look to have been drugged, others are wide awake, but the regulars seem delighted by their presence. They whisper and titter and applaud. Some of the more docile victims are even taken out to be showed off like animals at a fayre. "Tonight, let us enjoy the fruits of our labour! Witness the progress we've made and share our blessings among yourselves! Fear will only blind you to taking the next step. Indulge, open your minds and take the first step towards your salvation!" What he means by this quickly becomes apparent. While they're not discussing or mocking the imprisoned witches and monsters, the other guests are partaking of vice the party has to offer. The drinks flow freely and there's a manic energy in the air. Those with sharp senses might recognise that some of it has been artificially crafted by enchantments. Furthermore, if you're looking for missing loved ones, you'll no doubt spot them among the "test subjects" or servants. Good luck trying to snap the latter back to reality, though: their memories have been tightly sealed and it might take some work. One of the drawing rooms has been half curtained off and a woman at the door skittishly offers the curious an aphrodisiac-laden draught, though some might have accidentally had some already. Within, guests are draped over every surface in varying states of undress, though there are partitions up to allow for more privacy. What better way is there to spread the Cwyld and strengthen bonds than intimacy? ii. Midnight Show Things reach a fever pitch around midnight. Once more, Alder calls for everyone's attention. "There's one more thing. I know all of you are loyal, true believers- but everyone must be tested," he says, gesturing to several larger bodyguards, "and we have to protect ourselves. There are those who don't understand us and seek to undo our work. Therefore, we need to tie up loose ends." One by one, the least aggressive Cwyld-infected subjects are dragged from their cages and any remaining individuals are brought out, all restrained. One of the bodyguards is carrying a large ceremonial dagger, which he presses to the vampire at the front’s throat. "Rest assured, their deaths with not be in vain: we have learned much and they will make for the perfect offering to the beings who gave us the Cwyld's blessing!" The knife flashes, ready to cut already decaying flesh- - a blood-curdling scream echoes through the room and glass shatters as a Shade breaks free from its prison. It ploughs into the guests, howling with rage as it tears into anyone and everyone that stands in its way, and others soon follow. At some point during the chaos, Alder appears to realise that he’s been caught. He, along with his inner circle, set to work trying to cover up their actions, setting the basement floor alight and using magic to bring down supports to block doorways completely. If you want to gather evidence, it has to be now, else you can focus your efforts on a rescue mission or chasing the cult leader himself down.

[ ooc: More information about the event can be found on the plotting post along with comments for questions, and an IC vote concerning Alder's fate! ]

Comments

[magisterium]

I wouldn't dream of asking you to do it all on your own.

[In better circumstances, he might have bowed or gone for some over-the-top flourish to sell the sentiment, but now is hardly the time. Instead, he nods in agreement, glad she seems to be interested in at least taking it into consideration.]

Any body we can get out of this place without allowing them to suffer further harm is a victory, however small— I'll gladly guide and help them along if you can provide cover, or as much as you're able.

[Nobody's magic is limitless. She'll need to rest before the well runs completely dry.]

[darkestbefore]

[ She nods in agreement, already reaching for her magic to taste its strength and depth. ]

You're right. The sooner we get them away from this place, the safer they will be. And the faster they can be seen to. The healing needed for those caught here is far beyond the magical knowledge I possess. [ Although she'd tried her best so far. ]

I will follow your lead as guide, then?

[magisterium]

[He gives another sharp nod before he starts to move, beckoning for her to follow.]

This way.

[Even as he gestures, the spears of ice holding the cultist he'd assaulted in place begin to crack beneath their prisoner's weight, and the cultist himself crumples to the ground in a non-threatening heap. Really, if not for Yona, Dorian may well have done much worse to him, but now that his focus is on helping prisoners to escape, the urge to do as much damage as he possibly can to those that caused all this has been curbed— for now.

They quickly reach a row of cages that have been left locked with their captives still inside, perhaps meant for the second wave of 'offerings,' but it only takes a single wave of his hand for Dorian to conjure enough fire to melt the locks off of the three nearest before he reaches to tug their doors open.]

Come on, on your feet, we've no time to waste!

[darkestbefore]

[ She follows him, but can't help but take a moment to marvel at his control of his magic, the preciseness and strength with which he'd used fire to melt the locks - and nothing else. She's seen many impressive casters and witches in her time here, but she finds herself impressed by that simple show of power all the same.

But they have captives now to see to and she kneels next to one of them who looks too wounded to stand. Reaching out, she lightly rests her fingers against his leg, being careful to avoid any visible spots of infection, and lets a tendril of healing magic shoot into him Enough to get him up and out the door, at least. ]

Here, can you stand? [ She offers the prisoner a hand, trying to help haul him to his feet. ] We're here to get you out of this place.

[magisterium]

[The captive she reaches out to is a partially-shifted turnskin that lets out a soft whimper as healing magic pulses through his leg, aggravating the pain that had already settled in long before their arrival, but it does seem to help— he tests his foot against the ground and is able to shamble to his feet when she offers her hand, giving a feeble nod.

"I th-think so... thank you, it's been awful—"]

They'll pay for what they've done.

[Dorian's tone is sharp even as he turns to survey the rest of the room, ensuring that they're not being immediately pursued.]

These crimes will not go unanswered.

[darkestbefore]

[ Yona flicks a gaze to the man at her side at those words, searching his face, even as she helps steady one of the captives against her side.

There's more than just a sense of justice underlying that declaration. This sounds personal. ]

They took someone important to you?

[magisterium]

My Bonded.

[The answer is firm, immediate, and he casts her a quick, sidelong glance as he offers a nod of confirmation. This is, indeed, personal to him, in more ways than one.]

A close friend, as well. Even had they not, what they're doing here is—

[He shakes his head slightly, letting out a disgusted noise that sums up his feelings better than any words could.]

It is anathema. I was intent on doing my part to dismantle them even before they took my partner. In doing so, they have only damned themselves further.

[darkestbefore]

[ Her lips press into a thin line and she nods in understanding. ]

We'll stop them. [ There's surety in her voice and a flicker of angry defiance in her gaze. ] Come, let's get these to safety - there will be healers waiting outside by now. Then we can see who else we can find.

[ Whether that be more captives to free or these cultists who need to meet their end - she is happy to assist in either. ]