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

[sonnestark]

[Stubbornness is certainly an angle the two of them would be able to agree on. Karin won't allow herself to feel shame or guilt for the actions of others, only her own— she had failed Alice, to be certain, but she's not inclined to take the rest of this quietly, either. She had spent the first days trying to break out of her cage, only ceasing in her efforts when she no longer had the strength to do so. It would come back, she was sure. She would try again.

She could not just accept that this was it for any of them.]

They need you.

[It's a gentle correction, one that's meant to be encouraging, to keep him from selling himself short.]

Do you know— if they were taken, too?

[cointosser]

[He smiles. Did they? It's a nice thought. And he has helped Geralt during his full moons. And he knows... they he would be missed. That he brings something to their home, even if the two of them would probably insist it was only annoyance that he brought.]

I'd hope so. To at least keep the peace in the house.

[It is encouraging, even from a stranger. It's rare Jaskier is morose at all, let alone questioning his own worth. He simply isn't like that. Yet to be reduced to... to this. A human log.

He's known men can be cruel. But this is something else entirely.]

Not for sure, but I don't think so. My Bonds, I didn't... I didn't feel anything from them. And I was with one of them when I was taken. If they were hear, I'd feel it. I'm sure.

[He hesitates. It's always dangerous to ask. To take on someone else's burden.] Yours isn't here, are they?

[sonnestark]

[She nods faintly in response; if they were here, he would feel them, she was certain of that— just as she felt her own bondmate, distant and muffled though her distress had become. That alone was worrisome.]

Yes— her name is Alice. I don't think... she's here, with us, being experimented on. She feels further away.

[She wishes that was more comforting than it actually was.]

I wasn't able to stop them from taking her. If it had been just me, that would be one thing, but...

[Her gaze falls, her brow furrowed. She'd been unable to keep the promise she'd made.]

[cointosser]

[This is why plenty would not have asked. His Bonds feel heavy enough, and his heart has to be strong enough to carry both and control itself, hoping they can't feel too much from him... and now it's all the heavier, knowing someone's Bonded was trapped here with them. A cold shiver runs through him, and he grits his teeth.]

I'm sorry.

[There is nothing else he can offer, and that's the truth of it. How do you bear the burden of a Bonded being in this shit?

(He knows Geralt and Yennefer will be fine. They have survived so much worse.]

They've moved me a few times. If I see her... I can tell her. That you're looking for her.

[Would that help? He doesn't know. Surely they can feel each other.] I'm sure she must be looking for you, too.

[It doesn't make it any better, he knows. Just as knowing that his own look for him makes none of this easier to bear.]