Event Log: January, Return to Dorchacht

[faileas]

Event Log: January, Return to Dorchacht

I. A Tarnished Reality The teleporter to Dorchacht becomes operational by the 4th and the ambassadors return to their city with the first open, ceremonial operation of the device - along with any Mirrorbound who wish to join them, and Theodore Rosethorne and Sowilo, who make the trip as representatives of the Coven to ensure that all is well. Those who missed the first teleportation, never fear! Now that both waypoints are functional, Mirrorbound and others may travel freely between Aefenglom and Dorchacht at any point they choose to. Notably absent from the group, though - most of the Dorchacht refugees originally smuggled into Aefenglom. Only three or four are going back with the ambassadors, and they're primarily Witches. The rest have chosen to stay. Upon return to Dorchacht, it's obvious that some major changes have been made with the new regime. The sky is overcast, but it's merely fault of the weather at this time of year - the oppressive fog that used to hang over the Black City is gone, along with its effects on the natural lunar cycle. The auction blocks, damaged in the fires of the event the locals now call "The Rising", have been fully torn down, not a trace of them left to sully the streets. Where the triple stars of the Resistance used to be worn in secret, a majority of citizens now bear them openly (and in many cases, proudly) on pins and on clothing. In fact, any Witches who do not display the triple stars on their person somewhere, are generally regarded with suspicion, disgust, or fear unless they're recognized as Mirrorbound Witches - careful not to be mistaken for a Drummond sympathizer. The Monster citizens won't be outwardly cruel to any Witches, but will be somewhat fearful, hurrying their children along or crossing the street to get away. Recognizable Mirrorbound, those who were there during The Rising and before, are treated a bit like celebrities on the streets, though any Mirrorbound are given a warm welcome, albeit a little less warm for Witches. Storytellers share tales of how diplomats treating one another, Witches and Monsters alike, as equals so publicly and openly within Dorchacht gave them hope that such a life is attainable, or how a band of Mirrorbound snuck into the city under the cover of darkness and helped give their Resistance a leg up in the good fight against Drummond's extremists. Others share stories of being rescued from burning buildings or cruel Witches during The Rising by brave heroes. Many of these tales are shared in the form of song, as homage to those Mirrorbound who brought hopeful music to Dorchacht through the radio, which is still operational and playing a selection of music with a little more variety. Still a bit soft, their speakers and songs are, but as time passes, they grow a little more experimental, branching out from the lullabies that used to be played. Overall, the Black City is much less black these days, a little greener and brighter from the plants left by Mirrorbound before. Where the old Dorchacht could take your breath away with its feeling of barred oppression, many of those barricaded windows have been opened, reinforcements on the doors broken down. Though things are never perfect after a revolution, and it's clear that the work continues. Armed Resistance guards patrol the streets in trios, normally two Monsters and a Witch, to keep the peace. Their first priority is the protection of Monsters, many of whom still seem anxious and scared as they go about their days - not of the guards themselves, who they often greet with smiles, but of the Witches and humans they pass on the streets. In some cases, keeping the peace means breaking up fights between their own and those humans and Witches who do not want to accept Monsters as their equals, and in some cases it means putting Drummond sympathizers in their places with intimidation and force. While they do their best to keep skirmishes out of Mirrorbound sight, it's clear that despite the improvements, Dorchacht is still no utopia, and the road to a true peace is fraught with speedbumps. As noted, characters are free to travel between Aefenglom and Dorchacht by teleporter as often as they'd like! The waypoints will remain open even after this month and travel will be unrestricted; we will note if this situation changes in the future. Dorchacht quests are also now available ICly!

II. A Few Alterations a. The Coven Major changes are still underway. One of the biggest that Mirrorbound will notice is that the new administration of Dorchacht have moved the Coven. The old building is in a state of disrepair right now, doors and windows wide open, the interior stripped of trappings. The library has shed its books to somewhere else. The basement where so many horrors took place is abandoned. Instead, a sign has been erected outside it, stating that this center of Drummond's operations will be turned into a museum to remember their unpleasant history, and to memorialize those who lost their lives fighting for freedom. It's still a work in progress, and not high on the priority list when survival and care of the citizens have to take precedence, but inside, characters may still find small shrines set up in various places to Resistance members who died there. Instead, Dorchacht's new Coven is currently based inside an old manor located just a handful of blocks from the town square, and it's a much more informal affair. Magic lessons have continued with Resistance Witches, though the subject matter has changed instead. They experiment with different types of magic based on their own interests, but many are studying plant magic, medicine, and defensive spells that can be used out in the Wilde. Anything that will prove to be practical going forward. Lessons are also open to Monsters now, so they can see what their magical brethren are learning (and know that the compulsion and control spells that Morgana loved so much are no longer being taught). With the Coven being moved, visitors from Aefenglom are offered places to stay either within the manor of the new Coven, or in various empty houses around the city. Stay as long as you'd like, they say, and apologize that the accommodations aren't nicer - reconstruction is still obviously ongoing all over the city, repairing damages from The Rising and the fighting that happened afterward. They don't really have anywhere as nice as the rooms their ambassadors were given in Aefenglom. b. The Walls One of the biggest on-going projects in Dorchacht right now is removing the Monster control spells from the set of enchantments on their city walls. High on the list of priorities is making sure that Monsters can feel safe again, secure in their own minds and bodies. As the spells are made visible, particular sets of runes have to be ground down and smoothed over. A spell is either cast or provided to soften the stone temporarily, and then it's basically going at it with magitech-powered sanders created by Hilda. The particular runes that need to be gotten rid of will be provided on reference sheets - please don't touch the others, they chide! Those are to protect from the Cwyld, and are still very important. While help is welcomed with open arms and enthusiasm at most sections of the walls, those guards posted at one particular small district, guarded with trios of Resistance members at each entrance and warded with alarm magic to warn of escape, turn Mirrorbound away; these runes are being altered, not removed, to help contain unruly Drummond loyalists, they say. The people who now live in that guarded district are all human, whether they're Witches or no, and all refuse to bear the triple stars. "Troublemakers," the guards will explain grimly. "We have to contain them for now. It isn't a perfect solution, but they've hurt people, or tried to hurt people, since Drummond was run out of town." c. Bond Lessons Bonding is a bit of a tricky subject in the new Dorchacht. Many Monsters are afraid of the idea, as it was once used as one of the collars around their necks, but the Circle of Three recognize it as an important way to wean citizens off the lullabies and calming draughts that prevent going feral during full moons. As part of encouraging others to form Bonds, partnerships at the very least the way most Resistance members describe theirs, there are demonstrations and public seminars that pop up around Dorchacht on the regular. They may be as informal as a circle in what's going to be a park or as official-seeming as a talk held inside a shop or lecture hall, but they have one thing in common. Many of the citizens are keen on getting Mirrorbound in on it -- mostly by dragging them in, asking if they have a Bonded, and if they do, they tell the Mirrorbound to talk about their Bonded. They're interested in the ups and downs (but mostly ups) of having one in order to show that if the Mirrorbound are into it, you should be too! They accept all stories but prefer the happy ones - the aim is to encourage their Monster citizens and help them be less afraid of taking that step with Witches. And for those who aren't in a Bond, or decline to talk -- well, they get what amounts to a "flour sack baby" in the form of a Dorchacht citizen of the opposite role of their own (a Monster would receive a human/Witch, a Witch would receive a Monster) that they must hang with for a day, ensuring no harm comes to them, bound by one of the temporary Bonding potions so popular in the Wilders' ranks. (As a note, for the second option, you have free reign of the NPC; do the personalities you find fun, be they cooperative or mischievous, shy or loud, abrasive to your character or someone they can genuinely get along with. They are all willing - no one is being forced into this. No Fae or Dragons allowed for Monster NPCs, unfortunately, as they are still very much not about.)

III. Ahoy Mateys! With Dorchacht opening up again after the last few months of closed off internal fighting, plenty of trading ships' Captains are ready and raring to go build business relations with the new regime and find a new market for some of their wares. There has been increased interest in finding a shorter route to Dorchacht by sea - the teleporter is useful for small groups of people, sure, but it can't handle much cargo. The only problem? Ships are being turned back, barely halfway there, with significant damage to their hulls. Brave individuals looking for a seafaring adventure are asked to come aboard and help the crew navigate tumultuous waters, hopefully figuring out along the way what's causing the damage to previous ships. It's a three day trip to Dorchacht if the waters are kind, and characters can simply teleport back home once there. On board the various ships brave enough to return to the sea, Mirrorbound find the problem halfway through the trip: a colossal squid that's made it home at this point, thrashing ships that come too close to its den. While uninfected, it does have injuries on its body, which may be the source of its lashing out. The ships are able to bring themselves close enough for longer ranged attacks, and the Harpy on board are careful not to be captured by the churning waves caused by the thrashing, but there's others who want to seek a less violent mean to end this surf and turf conflict. Killing, healing, subduing, or relocating it are all valid options, but getting in close to do any of those will be difficult, as it has a tendency to ink up the waters around it and reduce visibility to nothing. Be careful of any creatures swimming around that are interested in the weakened squid as well, such as various carnivorous fish, sea-plants, and things that appear alike to Merrow, but rely only on instinct. The Merrow cannot be spoken to, nor are they infected; the Captains of the ships will explain that they're "wild", and refer to them as distant cousins to the Merrow that sparsely populate Aefenglom itself.

IV. Back At Home Back in Aefenglom, the stir caused by the Circle of Three's arrival takes time to calm. It's the talk of the town for days - many seem happy about Morgana Drummond's apparent demise. "Good for them," is the general sentiment in the residential areas more populated by Monsters and the Harbor District. They're glad to know that things are on the way up there. Others think this is a boon; should anything happen, now Aefenglom has an ally city to stand with them, one in their debt. Others still don't really care either way, and go about their lives as if nothing's happened. The refugees, in their neighborhoods on the far reaches of the Haven, seem happy to hear news from home and find The Dragon/Starlight/Fafnir freed, and while a few of them choose to return to Dorchacht, having never put down roots in Aefenglom, more still don't wish to leave the homes and families they've formed here, or the Mirrorbound who have helped them so much over the months. Some even doubt that things are as good as they say, and choose to remain for that reason - slavery and ill treatment from the upper class in Aefenglom instilled in them a sense of (well-earned) paranoia regarding the intentions of Witches, especially those back home. They hear that things have changed, but don't necessarily want to find out for themselves. Even still, the mood is upbeat, with a general consensus that if Morgana is really gone, that's at least a solid step in the right direction. In the Aristocratic District, though, the atmosphere is sour. The general sentiment is that they wish the refugees would have left with those ambassadors. The kinder ones think Aefenglom should focus on its own citizens - the people from the Outer City brought in to weather the blizzard have never left, after all, still living in the neighborhoods with the refugees. Those who are more vocally outspoken about the Mirrorbounds' presence in the city think they should have all left to Dorchacht. Let another city shoulder all the misfortune they bring with them! Many of the people grumbling about that are ones who were directly affected by the Mists back in October, either through temporary changes themselves or through being attacked by ferals. Some of the more hot-headed young people try to spread this message - through graffiti, on homes and businesses in the Haven and the refugees' district, though if caught, they're quick to run away and not willing to enter into a confrontation. The graffiti is wholly mundane and not particularly difficult to remove, just unpleasant, telling Mirrorbound and refugees alike to "go home" or "go back to Dorchacht", in so much colorful language. Seems there's still some work to do at home, as well.

Welcome to your establishing post for the current situation in Dorchacht! This log takes place through the entire month; characters can come and go as they please. As always, you can direct all your questions HERE. This month we're also putting up a City Tracker for PC actions, both in Aefenglom's plot later on and Dorchacht's log here. Let us know what your character is doing, good or bad! The cut-off for the tracker is February 3rd.

Comments

[futhark]

That momentarily catches Cú off-guard, as if a heart skipped a beat. It takes a second or three to have it sink who exactly Soren has in mind. A different kind of surprise painted on his face, the speechless one before it transforms into a... short, radiant laugh.

"Smooth Soren, that was so smooth." It was a flawless execution, he's only giving credit where it's due. But it also proves to be a hard bargain. Once again he mentally recounts what Soren seeks in Bondmate, but ends abandoning it. There is no way he can talk about himself in lenses of them, it reeks of arrogance to him. There is a difference in pride and confidence and well, that. So instead, he chooses to just tell it as it is. What he can be confident in, is who he is. Another sip of the ale to clear his throat before he starts.

"About this man, I can tell you that he lived and died, holding close to his heart values similar to those you hold dear. Given word? Sacred. Ultimately, his kin and king, their well-being and wishes always come first. As he never shied away from a battle and was set to live his life in a way that would let him die without regrets" Like a candle burning from both ends. Did it succeed? Almost entirely. Not regrets left but... remorse for some of the things that happened. A resigned one, and this brief silence is telling. Now though, time for some brutal honesty. "That man would not tell a lie, but as you've noticed he is not above omitting things. What he would call bold, others often called reckless. Here, his Bonded are the first true allegiance he has, but Mirrorbounds as a whole come right next— what is there to be made from this 'new life' remains to be seen."

Is there a purpose to be found. It's close to admitting vulnerability and doubts to someone he barely knows. But honesty is a requirement in the subject they are speaking about. Cú sighs, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. Fingers tapping his own cheek, once, twice. It's kind of uncomfortable to present himself this way. Long gone are his teen years where he would challenge world-weary men with a loud yell 'I am Cú Chulainn' to prove himself in rage— in few years from that, he learned what's behind that weariness as well. It's loss.

"Now, does it sounds like a recommendation to you?" A smile returns on his lips, curious one, but also just a tiny bit sheepish.

[silentsavant]

Smooth? How does it feel to be flirted with, Cú? My, the turns certainly have tabled!!!

It wouldn't have mattered much how well Cú fit the criteria laid out for him. All Soren had been seeking in asking this question was more of a sense for who he might have been once upon a time, who he is now that he's given a chance to live again on different terms. If he hopes to tie his soul to another's, he would at least like to know who it is he's bound to.

None of it really impresses Soren: heroes don't, not really. He never grew up on tales of chivalry or bravery, loyal knights or plucky adventurers. For too long a time, he never knew that concepts like valor nor of selflessness even existed, that those were traits people could carry. There is only one hero who could turn his head, and it has nothing to do with how many battles he won or how many kingdoms he's saved. Way before people started calling him things like Patriotic Hero; Radiant Hero; Hero of the Blue Flames, he had been Soren's before any of that. Most importantly, he gave him what he wanted more than the life he had already given up on: to be spoken to like another person. Make him feel like somebody out there wanted him to keep living.

Unattached, he can appreciate admirable qualities for what they are worth, even if he gets the impression of a hot-headed warrior who thrived off of fighting if it were for a principled cause. ...In truth, Ike had been like that. Reckless, especially when he was younger. Always fighting, always driven to seek out worthy opponents with whom to test the sword hand he inherited from his father against. But he always had strong principles that he adhered to. Based on what Soren professed he would like in a Bond, Cú fits pretty well. But again, this was never a test to score how many 'Ike points' someone has. The fact of that matter is still that nobody can replace him. But he needs to open his stingy heart to others if he wants to keep his mind. And so, he keeps locked on this one, who seems like a nice catch, all things considered. It also helps that he seems to take well to Soren — enough to invite him to spend time with him. He's not good at making people like him... which is another reason he can't be incredibly picky, either.

The dragon had already bared the most volatile part of it to him before, back when he'd bared his skin for him, too. The smoldering embers within his icy shell prodded at to flare with furious passion all his own. And right now, he can see some of Cú bared helplessly before him in turn, the way his smile has been affected in a way he doesn't usually see of him. Like he should be afraid of falling short of his expectations after presenting himself to him in summary? Soren isn't sure what he feels beholding him in this light, but it's probably all the ale swimming inside of him with no food yet.

"He seems worth my consideration," Soren replies on a breezy lilt, his forearms now folded over the surface of the table. "Do you think he's open? He seems like he must be pretty popular, after all. Why, just on the way here, a harpy was falling all over him, and I doubt it was just his good looks she was swooning over. Still, I thought I should at least ask."

[futhark]

Time to get that fast recovery and flirt back, clearly.

Mention of Henrietta though... that brings some thoughts to mind. The harpy might be the first person who seemed to want to Bond with him not out of necessity for survival, but simply because— she would want to, and she would want to do that with him. If not for them being so far apart, and Cú having no desire to move to Dorchacht, would he consider agreeing? A good question.

Ultimately, the natives of this world had been Witcher or Monsters for the whole of their lives. They learned how to successfully manage and navigate with alternatives to the Bond. It's definitely a strong boon for them, but clearly not as of dire importance as it is to Mirrorbounds. So he puts these questions to rest.

"I just heard he might be..!" Cú's fingertips brush the glass on the side. "His current Bonds are to a certain resolute chimera and shrewd dragon. That would leave his third spot open and since a man of your charm and cleverness is hard to ignore, he would definitely be willing but—"

Yes, there is a `but`, unfortunately. In cases like this, he opts for direct honesty, so he says how things are. He taps the glass once, twice.

"I heard while he doesn't have a third Bond yet, he is in a spot that he can't make it available just yet. For he has promised a friend, a witch, to keep them safe. Right now it means trying to make them meet another friend of his, a chimera who just happened to lost her Bond. They would be good for each other, but he can't decide whether it works out. But as he treats that promise seriously, and if that arrangement he is trying to make does not work out— I'm sure you understand."

Witches bonding with Witches isn't bad per-se, but for Enkidu it would be their only Bond. Which is why he is pushing for them to find a Monster, like Caren who is in the same problem with his. But as he said it earlier, the word binds him. Should it not work out, he will Bond with Enkidu to keep them safe as he promised.

His open to your proposition Soren, but he can't agree just yet, as unfortunate as it is.

"I will keep you updated on those matters, should you want to be"

[silentsavant]

"I understand. His given word is sacred, after all," he replies, succumbing to a soft and tipsy smile. A fuzzy, numbing warmth fills him down to his fingers and toes, helps to shield him from feeling any bit disappointed about the tentative rejection. There's still hope, after all, and he's right on his way to sealing the deal with another Witch. He's not in a bad position, really. His elbows rest on the table; his pale chin over his charcoal-colored hands, and with a slight cock of his head, adds, "But anything can happen. Should he be inclined to take yet another 'shrewd dragon' to his side, he'll know which one will be awaiting his hand in Bondage." His smile turns wry.

This little lightweight has really loosened up quite a bit.

[futhark]

"Bondage is... a very curious way to put it." Cú can't help but point it out, before taking another sip.

Alcohol does make some things easier. There are idioms and saying about that, probably in every world. Or at least, in every world it exists. And Soren is right in that it's not an outright rejection but more of 'matters are kind of complicated right now'. Though Cú can't help but wonder— if was he Bonded to three Monsters, would it really upset the balance if the fourth Bond was a witch? Because that's what would happen should he accept Soren readily, and his promise to Enkidu needed to be taken to the Bond level.

There is too little known about the potential side-effects, really.

"And the dragon is not only shrewd, but also very smooth" And that's when Cú reaches to run the tip of his finger on side of Soren's hand, exactly where the scales are the blackest— checking for his own how smooth exactly that hand is.

[silentsavant]

Even with his inhibitions lowered, his reaction time slowed, and his mood warmer and fuzzier than his everyday wear, Soren tenses as the hand draws near. Before Cú has the chance to lay a finger on him, Soren snatches it.

"A little too eager to take my hand, aren't you?" he quips with a sigh, then sets their linked hands down on the table to let him go. "Promising, but..." He shakes his head, maintaining a more lighthearted mien that decorates how serious he is about it. "I'm afraid I'd prefer that you settle to look rather than touch with such wanton abandon. If we Bonded, on the other hand... I might cultivate a different attitude about it."