☆ Event: Fright Night

[moustre]

Event Log: October, Fright Night

I. The Mist It starts in the middle of the night. As the bells chime for 3 am, a slow fog creeps across the city from all four cardinal directions, swirling low to the ground, shining purplish in the light of the twin moons. It goes without notice for a while, an oddity, easily brushed off as too much rain and the changing temperatures turning it to mist over the cobblestones. The first ones to get caught up in it are the night workers, the drunks leaving the bars, the sailors returning to their ships, anyone out on the streets when it begins. In most cases, the effects are not instantaneous - it takes a little time to sink in before… a. The Transformations Even if you don’t find yourself out on the streets in the middle of the night, the mist creeps its way into buildings through cracks and openings, until exposure is almost guaranteed for everyone in Aefenglom, and even some just outside the Bright Wall in the Outer City. Though a lucky few, Mirrorbound and citizens alike, will find themselves wholly unaffected by the substance and will retain their physical forms and their own right minds, many more find themselves bent to its whims, changing in ways that could never have been predicted. There is little rhyme or reason to what changes occur or how - some simply wake with new parts, uncomfortable, while others run from their homes, panicking as wings tear painfully out of their backs or claws burst forth from their hands. The mist does not discriminate. Humans and Witches find themselves gaining the parts of Monsters, or even creatures that live outside the Wall. Monsters gain parts that don’t match up to their species - Arachne with wings or gills, Turnskin with antlers and Merrow tails, Puca with the teeth and claws of predators or the horns of unicorns or the scales of lizards, such strange sights become more and more common as morning approaches slowly. Mirrorbound may find that they can even gain the features and mannerisms of creatures from their home worlds. It all seems to happen wholly at random. These parts may not even last; plenty of citizens lose their new additions after just hours, only to gain new ones in the meanwhile. In the dark, wee hours of the morning, the city erupts into chaos. b. Widespread Chaos There’s no chance of peace tonight. Some may be lucky enough to escape the mists or its effects somehow, but the vast majority of the city hasn’t -- and it’s telling, from the sounds of people in the streets, that no one’s particularly happy about the turn of events. Many are in pain, many are blind with panic and upset. How could this happen? What’s going on? Many of the shouts attribute blame to the Coven allowing the practice of at-times experimental magics, while others turn it into anti-Monster sentiment, claiming the Monster population wants them all to suffer the way they do. Other tinfoil-hat-ists spread their conspiracy theories loudly, laying the blame squarely on Dorchacht - retribution for the Monsters the Mirrorbound stole from their city. This is an attack, they shout! The actual truth remains to be seen, however. There are plenty who don’t care about the truth and pay little attention to the rumors. They’re opportunists at heart, and a city in chaos is good for lining pockets. Some less-affected and less-moral citizens take to the streets of the Shopping and Aristocratic districts, throwing rocks through windows, banging down doors, looting shops and the houses of the wealthy of whatever valuables they can carry with them. Even a gang of kids from one of the orphanages in the Harbor District, sporting their own mismatched new features, can be spotted roaming the city, looting stores and homes, stealing from people incapacitated in the streets. They can’t pass up an opportunity when they have so little to begin with. c. State of Emergency Parliament, in contact with the Coven, is quick to declare a state of emergency in Aefenglom. A magical announcement rings out all through the city, loud and impossible to miss. Those who can keep it together are called upon to help find some sort of order before things devolve too badly and more damage is done than can be fixed. People will get hurt if things continue like this, they could even be looking at casualties. Those who have learned healing magic are asked to report to makeshift first aid stations scattered around the city to help those dealing with more violent, bloody transformations. Anyone with prior law enforcement experience are tasked with helping contain and stop the looting and the muggings. More still are called to try and figure out some way to get rid of the mist, or reverse its effects. None of the assignments are mandatory, plenty are unable to assist as they deal with their own afflictions, but any help is greatly appreciated.

II. Damage Control The chaos of the first night dies down somewhat by noon the next day. The air of forgiveness and cleaning up for the new year that was present at the beginning of the month is gone as the violet mist still spreads, wreaking havoc with the citizens of Aefenglom. Human citizens take it worse than the Monster half of the city, but one of the side-effects hits the Monster community harder. It quickly becomes apparent that the effects of this never-before-seen magic are not only physical. Fights break out over anything from minor slights to things worth fighting about, blossoming from a few thrown punches to all-out brawls that spill into the streets. Anger and agitation increase in most affected citizens, and you can cut the tension in the air with a knife. Relief efforts have to be redirected. Some can keep it together just enough to go about their daily lives as best they can with their new ‘additions’, but others rapidly start to lose their minds in ferality, even those with strong Witch-Monster Bonds. Miss Nessie is quick to whip the Coven into action to help preserve the peace as much as possible. There isn’t enough room to contain so many feral citizens, but they try to make do. All available Mirrorbound, Witch and Monster, who are able and want to help contain the people of Aefenglom or each other are taught a simple knock-out spell, or given slips of paper enchanted with the same, to literally knock some sense into the ferals. It won’t hurt them in the long term, but it will give them a time-out and help pull their minds out of their pits of animal instinct. Plenty of citizens will be thankful for this. That doesn’t mean everyone is happy to see the Mirrorbound around town. They may notice that they get more scowls while they’re out and about, more whispers and dirty looks. They come from humans the most, but especially the wealthier people of the city, dealing with their own share of terrible transformations, who mutter under their breaths words like, “Knew they would bring trouble with them. Knew it right from the start.” Known Mirrorbound may find themselves being kicked out of higher class shops in the Shopping District, or even spit on in the streets. Poorer citizens, especially Monsters, see things differently, however: they’ve seen the refugees from Dorchacht, they know what was done for some of their kind. They’ll admit that the Mirrorbound have brought trouble with them, but a little trouble isn’t always a bad thing - sometimes you’ve got to shake things up and disturb the status quo. Though they’re dealing with bizarre changes and an increased risk of going feral, they have faith that the Mirrorbound will help solve this problem. Of course, this difference in opinion just means both sides argue louder and fight harder.

III. The Refugees For those who’d found themselves rehomed, mostly Monsters and what few Witches came with, this is not what they had expected from a “full moon”. They’d been warned that certain urges would be stronger, that magic could wax and wane like the moons themselves, but this? This rampant disorder, the odd turning present in so many citizens and Mirrorbound alike, the Coven and Parliament’s bid on attempting some sort of damage control--? Is this what they left Dorchacht for, from one far too controlling city to one that didn’t seem to have any control at all? They aren’t in chains, at least. They can choose their Bonds if they’d like one. But it’s put them on edge enough that some linger by the docks, both wanting to leave to someplace “safe” in their eyes and wishing to stay. The latter wins out in most cases, seeking to help the Mirrorbound as they were helped themselves, though they may be suffering from the mists themselves... oddly, they seem to be more aware of themselves in a way that the natives are not, likely learned behavior leftover from Dorchacht to keep themselves in check; the compulsion spell had only helped compulsion, after all, there’d been a genuine want to remain secure and safe in their minds even with the situation as it was. Unfortunately, there’s plenty of locals who see the refugees as part of the problem -- before the Mirrorbound, before Dorchacht, Aefenglom had been fine, and in continuing these thoughts, they’re not... the friendliest to outsiders. Some are more likely to retaliate violently with new-found additions to their physiology and skillset when the refugees attempt to help, with whispers, conspiracy theories, and nasty rumors all the while spreading at a rapid pace. As bad as Dorchacht had been, maybe they had a point about the strange, suggestive magic used across the city. Maybe it’s something Aefenglom should look into too, during the fuller moons, should this be the beginning of something worse as the new year rises at the end of the month. But hopefully -- and this is the hope of all -- it simply remains a one-off, freak happening at the end of the year, and they pray the new one fares better.

IV. The Aftermath Thanks to quite a bit of Mirrorbound assistance, the city is still largely in one piece by the end of the day after the full moons. The mist, an unstable alchemical compound, eventually breaks down into nothing after a day or so, and the effects all fade or reverse, leaving everyone in their normal bodies and feeling clear-headed as the moons start to wane again. There are issues of property damage, stolen goods, and political discord to deal with, but the hardest to handle is perhaps the guilt of those who went feral and attacked their friends and loved ones. Samuin preparations continue with an unusual gloom hung over the city as clean-up and reparations commence. While before, though, humans and Monsters could often be found on the bridge over the River Temese, making amends with one another, the activity almost entirely ceases, leaving the bridge empty most days from now until Samuin.

Welcome to October's event log! This event takes place ICly on the 12th, 13th, and 14th. The Questions thread can be found HERE! Please help us and other players out by putting the subject(s) of your questions in your header! Investigation briefs will be going out soon on the OOC Sign Ups thread to the teams who were chosen by RNG, so keep an eye out for that. And as always, while we do encourage you to use this log, you can feel free to thread things out on your own log or elsewhere.

Comments

[wordsinthesoul]

[Thancred grits his teeth- still angry, but acutely aware that if he lashes out now- he'll just be proving that point. And given what Dorchact was like- he has to do his best to restrain himself from doing more than glowering.]

Were I to take an outreached hand, it would hardly be yours.

[Well. That reaction is something, at least.]

It seems to be able to reach very deep. Particularly if it could affect someone like you. What is it like, to feel that that magic is now a part of you?

[Hm. Catlike- a turnskin, perhaps…?]

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch does have to give the smallest point to Thancred for not giving in the bait. It was the absolute minimum level of acceptability, as far as he was concerned, but hey, he passed it, good job.]

Ah, so cold, even now.

[Faux-disappointed, though he turns the level of smugness down a level or two, into a more generalized arrogance. The question gets an odd- and for a moment, slightly amused- look, before he sighs dramatically, shaking his head.]

...It's certainly a different experience. I can't say I see what all the fuss is about.

[wordsinthesoul]

[Well, he wasn't really expecting very much, so he'll take it.]

I doubt either of us would have expected this to be a warm encounter.

[That seems to fit well enough. Though watching that look, he tilts his head, curious- one long ear twitching slightly.]

No? I'd imagined someone of your lineage might be curious about magework. But then- you brought magitech to the forefront, correct?

[Which… might have worrying implications in this land. Lovely.]

[unsundered]

Perhaps not, though I try to leave room in my heart to be surprised.

[His own ears twitch in response. This is where it got slightly trickier. He resented his new magic, of course, if for entirely different reasons.]

Yes, I'm certain Garleans in the past would've been most eager to wield the barbarian magics of our old oppressors. But my magitek has more than evened the odds, don't you think?

['Rediscovering' magitek that he'd been partially responsible for developing in the first place, back in Allag. There was a certain symmetry there that he appreciated.]

We've surpassed your primitive arts with technology. Why would we want your powers now?

[wordsinthesoul]

I'm sure.

… I'll agree there's no small amount of firepower to it. [That doesn't seem beyond the point of reason, though.

Everything old comes new again, perhaps.

He frowns.]. Even if it didn't matter- for the sake of having it, perhaps. Having coveting power, to take everything that there is.

[unsundered]

Even the Eorzeans in my armies rely on our superior technology. You've been replaced.

[The familiar rhetoric. The eras, the names changed, but the content stayed the same.]

And power for the sake of it...? Well, everything is for the glory of Garlemald, after all. [Casual, as if stating some fundamental truth; complete nonsense, though, on all levels.] If we must tame your magics as a part of this, then so be it.

[wordsinthesoul]

Are you exactly offering the opportunity to use aught else?

[As much as he's sure- well, knows, from what he's seen- that Garlean workmanship is good. He'd rather not admit to that.

He frowns, tilting his head again. It's what he'd expect to hear, and yet- it something off?]

Everything…? I suppose you have a plan, then.

[unsundered]

Well... no. Of course not.

[Unapologetic. It would've done strange things to Garlean morale to have to fight alongside barbaric magics.]

Plans, certainly. Though they've changed quite drastically upon my arrival here. [A flicker of that deep-set irritation again, though it's mixed with a certain amount of disquiet. With what he's learned about his future, he's not as certain what to do now.] Perhaps I shall start a new empire after all- unite these dissatisfied nobles against their monstrous invaders? Usher in a new age of peace and prosperity, crushing all who lie before us?

[Something he had absolutely no interest in whatsoever.]

[wordsinthesoul]

Hm.

[Well. He wouldn't have expected anything else, really, but it's still aggravating.]

I imagine being uprooted would do that. [Well- he's had some experience, really…. He straightens sharply, teeth showing- sharper than before. Whatever else is going home- that hits a little too uncomfortably.]. They live here as much as anyone- hardly invaders. And surely you've looked at what lies outside the walls of the city. Can there be peace if the Cwyld threatens the people?

[unsundered]

Yes... I've heard something about that corruption. Though I could ask almost the same thing- how can we fight it without being unified? And unity only comes by crushing the dissenters and agitators.

[Oh, what sharp teeth you have there, Thancred. Emet-Selch tilts his head slightly, observing him with a slightly different sort of consideration. His tone shifts slightly as well, more lightly-teasing than outright mocking.]

Would it be better if I sided with the monsters instead? To be honest with you, it matters not to me. This star could burn for all the difference it makes.

[wordsinthesoul]

Is that so? Or is that simply how you would have it?

[After all- the Wilders usually advise for people with Bonds to go out there.

All the better to try and warn. His wings give a little flick, before settling back into place- he's still displeased by this, but thinking.]

It might make a measure of rebalancing. [A frown, as he considers Emet-Selch.] For the fact that it is not our own?

[unsundered]

It's the way of reality.

[Sure, occasionally peaceful methods worked- but force was both more effective, and more efficient.]

You could say that balance is an interest of mine. [As amusing as this pretension was, it was probably about time to end it. His manner shifts, just slightly.] But not here. Why bother redressing the issues of a star with no purpose? As you say, this world is not ours- not the Source, nor any of its vain reflections.

[wordsinthesoul]

Still- people can find it within them to come together.

Indeed? How did you come by that? [Oh? He frowns- just a little, trying to make sense of this.]. We have ended up here, for one reason or another. Should we not at least see if we can help the situation? [Reflections- he tilts his head.]. …I'd not realised such was known in Garlemald.

[unsundered]

A natural inclination- or years of habit, perhaps. [He sighs, shaking his head.] But no, I think not. You are most welcome to try yourself, of course. I may not assist, but I won't interfere.

And I'd say it's not common knowledge anywhere. But then, very little of my knowledge is common. You truly don't remember who I really am, do you?

[A look that nearly borders on the friendly- if it weren't quite so self-satisfied.]

After we'd grown so close on our adventures on the First.

[wordsinthesoul]

Hm. Certainly I would think you must have some. [Even though- surely the years ought to weigh more heavily…? Another twitch of his tail- just what is this, exactly?] Well. I'm sure I'm glad to have your permission, for whatever weight it holds here. [Only what others choose to give him- or so he estimates, at least.

But those words put him less at ease, his feathers shifting again.]. Ah. For one who sits about it all, then, is it?

[Mm. No, he doesn't like that- and the First? A Shard apart from their own… His eyes widen for a moment, before he flicks his wings- wariness in his voice.]

Doubtless they were quite stirring, if we travelled together. But I cannot help but doubt that it was as close as that.

[unsundered]

[The first part gets Thancred a faint, dismissive shrug. What he wanted to do for the world wasn't remotely one of Emet-Selch's concerns.]

Well... mayhaps not that close. [He allows, almost cheerfully.] But there may have been one or two moments where you weren't glaring at my presence, hand close to your blade- I count that as progress.

[In contrast, the Ascian affects a look of complete ease, though he could tell his tail would be twitching if it were free, and his ears are definitely more alert than relaxed.]

But I suppose I'll have to introduce myself again. Do try to remember it this time. And though I've carried many identities over the years, including that of Solus zos Galvus....

[He couldn't call up the mask this time, but ah well. He half-bows, politely.]

Emet-Selch. Ascian, as you may have surmised.

[wordsinthesoul]

[That's fine- and about what he'd expect, really.]

Ah, I see. I suppose that would count, given where we're starting from.

[He would very much like to see that- if only for the greater ease of interpreting Emet-Selch's moods.]

Should I forget, I'll be sure to have a good reason for it.

[He doesn't remember learning it in the first place, and that bothers him- if not quite as much as knowing, for certain. His feathers rise, and he wracks his brain, trying to remember if he'd ever heard the name Emet-Selch before. Gods- all that time, and he can't make it useful now…]

Well. I appreciate the confirmation. And so, then- the Empire serves your ends.

[unsundered]

Ah yes- you have a certain history with Ascians, don't you? 'Tis no wonder you're cautious.

[Granted, anyone who knew anything about Ascians would be wary of one, though actually being possessed by one was an entirely different level.]

And you could say that the empire was designed from the start for our ends. It's not my best work, but I'm quite proud of it nonetheless- a fine source of chaos. I should thank you Eorzeans for that; without your treatment of the Garlean population, driving them to the wastes of the north, all due to their inability to defend themselves with magic....

Well, they never would have been so resentful, so eager to become the oppressors rather than the oppressed.

[wordsinthesoul]

You'll have to forgive me if I don't invite you for tea, then.

…a plan long in the making. [Perhaps. It seems an incredibly long time, and yet- since as far as they've been able to work out, the Ascians have existed since the first Calamity… perhaps it's not so surprising.]

So you've used that centuries-old grudge to prod them forwards.

[unsundered]

Fair enough. I can't say I would trust it anyway.

[Centuries of planning ended up amounting to not much time at all, when projects were measured by millennia.]

And every group has something that will motivate them, and theirs was simpler than most.

[wordsinthesoul]

[…well. He looks thoughtful for a moment, and then shrugs.]. Well, I wouldn't have promised anything, besides.

Revenge, and retribution. I suppose the human heart offers all sorts of ways for you and yours to prey upon them.

[unsundered]

It certainly does, and whose fault is that, hm? [A casual shrug, and shake of the head.] If you mortals were less petty and violent, Calamities would be far harder to provoke. We may give you the tools, yes, but every time you choose to use them.

[wordsinthesoul]

[He twitches- there's no point in denying that there isn't ill history and blood in Eorzea's past- certainly not between the city-states and the tribes, and yet-]

…Is that how you hold yourselves superior to us? That you are not the ones to do the deed, even as you, zos Galvus, encourage men to war?