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

[exsoldier]

[ All of these worries that Jaskier is now letting out as the floodgates open are the same ones that Zack's felt in harder moments. While being a monster means he's already had to deal with his body no longer being entirely under his control, it's not an easy thing to tackle. This is an even worse version of that, with their bodies literally being turned against them by the infection.

Now, how to reassure Jaskier without giving him false hope, or promising things that he can't be sure of? Zack thankfully has a lot of experience doing this. All those years, talking to Cloud even though he eventually wouldn't get an answer other than a groan... ]

I'm sure they're looking for you. Whether or not they can find us is harder to know, but if this cult keeps setting up gatherings like this, someone's gonna pick up on it, right? [ So it doesn't seem so unfair to hope against hope that their friends and Bonded will come for them. The sheer number of missing people would be impossible to ignore, as well.

Then Zack's gaze shifts back to the people wandering around, enjoying their drinks and the exhibition. It's enough to make bile form at the back of his throat, but he swallows it down. ] But in the meantime, we also gotta see if we can find our own way out. These people may think they're too smart to slip up, but there's gonna be an opening. There always is.

[cointosser]

[It was a bit of a reassurance, despite everything. That the Evergreen Circle flaunted them like this, after all this time -- were they foolish, or arrogant? Surely Geralt could not ignore something so obvious. Surely... they could feel him.

As cold as Yennefer and Geralt could be sometimes, Jaskier did not believe, for a moment, they would simply leave him here.

Or, at least, he was fighting the faintest voices, images, that wanted him to believe otherwise.]

Yes. Like your last escape. [That he was caged with someone who had escaped once did bring some comfort. An opening. There would be, of course, but Jaskier wasn't quite sure he had the strength to take advantage. And Zack, no offense, looked and sounded utterly terrible.

But they weren't alone. Other Mirrorbound, other monsters, who had been stuffed in cages. Angry, powerful people. People like Brennan. Like Karin.

He sighs.] Do you think they still feel us here? Our Bonded? Perhaps that's the thread. These people don't seem the type to respect a bond. They could... they could follow it here.

[exsoldier]

You would think so, yeah.

[ Unless there's some magical way to cut off the link between a Bond somehow, but Zack has never heard of such a thing, and there's no reason to come up with additional reasons to catastrophize their situation when it's bad enough as is.

When it comes to Zack's Bonded, he's mainly worried about the distance. Cloud couldn't have known when he left the city for a trip into the Wilde that this would happen, but it's possible he can't quite feel what's going on from so far away.

But it's not like Zack is the only Mirrorbound here, either. There's a lot of them, and most of them probably have Bonds. Someone's got to be coming for them.

Zack shoots Jaskier a knowing smile then. It's not quite as confident as he'd like it to be, and his general physical state ruins some of the effect, but he's making an effort. ]

If they don't respect it, then I'm gonna guess that's exactly what'll end up screwing them over. Geralt doesn't seem like the type to just sit back and do nothing in a situation like this, either.

[cointosser]

[Yes. Of course. It's simply -- hearing someone else believe it, too. So much of his time has been with that horrible harpy and all her promises of his part in some great experiment that involves growing mushrooms out of flesh, apparently.

Despite his fatigue, his shoulders do shake with a laugh. Of course. Geralt's name is already spreading. Not, this time, thanks to his songs, but... perhaps Geralt is finally finding the value in friendship.

Beyond a bard who forced his presence upon him.]

His reputation proceeds him already. [As it's very obvious in a few moments of meeting him. There's a dim sort of calm in him. As if hearing someone else speak Geralt's name ensures he can't fool himself into thinking he isn't here at all.

Yes. Of course he's out there. Looking for him. Like a good friend would.] He'll save you, too. He can't fucking help himself.

[exsoldier]

[ Really, the best way to learn more about someone is by talking to their friends, and it's interesting to hear Jaskier speak of Geralt. He can't help but save people, huh? Which means that the fact that he seems to always be picking up jobs isn't just about the money, regardless of what he might claim.

Zack may not know Geralt all that well, but he'd gotten the impression that despite his prickly attitude, he was a good guy. They'd had some good times together, all things considered. And it's nice to have it confirmed now.

If they're not friends yet, well, they will be. You know, when Zack and Jaskier get the heck out of here. ]

Well, I don't want to put too much on his shoulders. There's a lot of people in cages here. Probably a good idea to divide and conquer.

[ On the other hand, he and Jaskier are in the same cage. For now, anyway. That could change.

Zack thinks about reaching out to grip Jaskier's shoulder, but he's too out of it to even manage that much, so he gives him a brief nudge with his foot instead. ]

Don't worry about me, though. Just focus on yourself, all right?

[cointosser]

[A cold reminder. They weren't the only people here. Of course he's well aware -- he's spoken to a few, and the others, he can surely hear their screams, or see the final results of falling to the Cywld.

It simply burdens the heart even more.]

Mm. How kind of you, Zack. [He nudges him back, a strange ritual that brings a quirk to his lips. It's becoming much easier to ignore this horrid party, so there's that. Even if a few too-loud laughs still makes him flinch.]

Fortunately, my heart is quite able to bear the weight of fear for more than one. [He does move, at least, to pat Zack's leg -- one of the less offensive parts of him, considering the spread of the Cwyld.] I have many new friends to ask my Bonded to help. A very thin silver lining, I suppose.

[exsoldier]

[ Having a heart that can bear the weight of concern for multiple people — that's a problem that Zack understands all too well. The way that Jaskier describes it is kind of lyrical, which makes sense given that he's a bard. Not that Zack knows much about that, but it involves writing and performing songs, right?

That little hint of who he is, something that persists even after they've been put through the wringer, serves as the smallest of boosts to Zack's mood. The nudge and then the pat of his leg draws a brief chuckle out of him, weary but there. ]

If you put too much on his plate, he might get really grumpy. [ He winks and his lips twist into a smile. ] But hey... assuming we both get out of this in one piece, we should go get drinks sometime.

[ An act of friendship or a way to celebrate that they could endure all this, whatever you wanted to call it. ]

[cointosser]

Bah. He's always fucking grumpy.

[He smiles too, and this time, though there's certainly effort in it, it comes a bit easier. Geralt will come. Or he'll be pissy about Jaskier being such a fool, to have found himself in this predicament at all. A bit of nostalgia.

Though the elves back then had treated him much better.

The tilt of his lips doesn't last long.] There's no assuming. Don't use that word. It's so terribly -- [He coughs. Fuck. Maybe it was hitting his lungs soon, too.] Depressing. [In this situation, at least.

Still.] Zack, I would be honored. Please, let us get absolutely knackered after this. I want to fall asleep in a cubbyhole somewhere after.

[exsoldier]

[ Zack might have laughed at that remark about Geralt if he didn't know for a fact that it would set him off with the coughing again, and so he holds back on it.

But Jaskier is right. Better to talk like they're definitely getting out of here, rather than leaving any room for doubt about that. He got himself out of something like this once, he can do it again, and there's bound to be a whole group of people looking for them too. ]

A cubbyhole? [ Zack lifts his head and tilts it just slightly, but then allows his body to slump down again. Even pushing himself up a small amount to look over is taxing. ] Pretty sure we can arrange that. All right, it's a promise then. Just as soon as we come out on the other side of this.

[ In truth, both of them will need time to recover and to be with their Bonded, most likely. But they'll find the time, he's sure of it. If this place has taught Zack one thing, it's that there's no point in waiting on something. Better to just seize the moment, whenever possible. ]