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

[outofthebreach]

[ His head had fallen back against the bars of his cramped cage, eyes closed as he tries to block out the sounds of the partying around him. The scents of so many strangers. For someone who's been kept in near-solitude for weeks now with only brief and infrequent - and often unpleasant - interludes, the sudden change of surroundings is disorienting and overwhelming.

Especially when he doesn't have full control over his senses at the moment. His instincts. He's quickly losing the strength to draw them back under his firm grasp and he wonders if that, too, had been their intent. Their captors' games so far had ever been manipulative and subtle - except when they weren't.

The sound of his name, however, has golden eyes blinking open in narrowed suspicion, however. For a moment, Ignis might get the sense of a predator peering out from behind those eyes as his wolf stirs close to the surface but another blink and its Brennan staring back at him. Albeit in great exhaustion. ]

Yes.

[ His voice is hoarse and strained. Raw-sounding and tired. It looks like it takes almost too much energy to manage even that. ]

You shouldn't be here.

[claritatis]

[Oh, he sees it, though he has little to fear with the bars between them and the somewhat sickening assurance that any violent actions by the captives will be swiftly dealt with by any nearby cultists. But it's gone as soon as it flashes across Brennan's eyes, and Ignis crouches down beside the cage.

From the outside, he looks like nothing more than another over-curious party-goer, peering at the merchandise. Not a thought he enjoys, but one he'll take if it protects him from retaliation.]

I'm not going to argue with you, there. [Ignis replies a little dryly.] But neither should you.

[He glances offside for a moment, making sure he isn't being overlooked.]

Something there are plans to remedy. Don't lose heart.

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan gives a low laugh, although the sound chokes into a cough and when he's done, there's the faintest hint of blackness at his lips. He shakes his head. ]

They... they want everyone infected. S'a trap. Whoever's making your plans... you need to warn them. It's too dangerous for you to be here.

[ And as for getting infected... well, it's a little too late for him already, isn't it? He's trying not to give up hope, but he's also not sure how much longer he can hold out against that creeping darkness. The hallucinations that flicker at just the fringes of his vision. ]

[claritatis]

That's been taken into account.

[That it could be a trap, that is... not the exact nature of it. Of course the cult would assume that people would come here to try and rescue their friends. Though not always united in common cause, the Mirrorbound (and people in general) do seem to band together against threats like this one.

But wanting everyone infected... That one was a given, but he should have seen it coming that they would use their own people to do it. He quiets for a moment as he mulls it over.]

Do you know how they intend to achieve their aim?

[outofthebreach]

No.

[ His voice is a low rasp as he shakes his head. ]

They weren't very forthcoming with their plans... other than wanting to see the infection spread to everyone. They had different methods - in the food, in our cellmates.

[ He winces, looking away. ]

Don't trust anything or anyone here.

[...Even the captives. ]

[claritatis]

[One corner of his mouth twists in a wry, humourless smile. It's only for a moment, but the expression is there.]

Not for a moment. [He replies, shaking his head.

Some of them were obviously brainwashed, but others..? They could be plants. There could be something in the food and drink - in fact he would put gil on it - or in the air. He'd been feeling the oppressive magic pushing on him since he walked in.]

I can't stay much longer. [People will start to get suspicious.] But you are getting out of here alive. I give you my word.

[outofthebreach]

[ It draws his gaze back to the man for a long moment, but there's something tired - almost resigned - in Brennan's gaze. He hasn't given up hope, not in that way, but it's clear that he doesn't have the energy to muster to be optimistic about his chances here.

He's not sure there's enough of him left to bring back after this. Not with the hallucinations dancing at the corner of his gaze, growing more real by the moment. The deep pulsing ache of the Cwyld spreading through his veins. How much longer will he still be himself? He'd seen too many lose themselves completely to this blight already...

Now it would be a race to see which came for him first... the infection or a rescue.

But he doesn't voice that, just gives the man a tired nod, acknowledging his words. It won't do for any of them to be noticed now, or raise suspicions. Their task would be challenging enough as it is, outnumbered as they no doubt are. ]

Good hunting.