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

h.c. andersen | witch

[manlet]

I | A TARNISHED REALITY
[How could Andersen resist the allure of Dorchacht's offer? Come see, they say. We've changed. And though he hasn't experienced the horrors of Drummond's Coven firsthand, he is undeniably curious to know how people are living in the aftermath. It's his natural itch as a writer, as someone who must know the ticks of a story for better or for worse.

He shows up in attire much more casual (in his view) to his usual fit. If one is going to a city to gauge its spirit, one has to be in the right attire for it. That's his mindset, anyway.

Andersen arrives at Dorchacht on Ieneur 6th and will be staying until Ieneur 11th. He doesn't want to spend the money for a longer "vacation."

He spends some time at the old Coven-turned-museum, with his leather-bound journal tucked beneath his arm. He walks what grounds are open with a solemn air and, near the end of his stay at Dorchacht, he goes and buys flowers so he may lay them at the shrines.

At the current Coven, he joins the lessons. In his eyes, it's a waste of time to teach himself combat spells. He's always been a supporter, first and foremost, and if he can aid efforts into purifying the Cwyld, he'd be more than happy to. Andersen focuses on plant magic and defensive spells. If your character happens to be learning as well, he'll edge slowly into your space, his hair dotted with flower petals from his failed (read: exploded) spells.]

How are you doing that?

[And, of course, there's the storytellers. Andersen slips into their company as easy as anything. He laughs and drinks with them, and is in extremely high spirits. At one point in the night, he'll slip into the seat next to you and cheerfully say:]

We ought to take some of these bards back. A collaboration with Aefenglom's artists would be fantastic!

II | BOND PRACTICE
[To hear about the people secondhand is all well and nice, but Andersen knows that some subjects are best seen firsthand. Which is to say: he goes to the public seminars to see how the Monsters have been faring in the aftermath of... well, everything. And as it turns out, he winds up netting the company (and temporary bond) of one very quiet sheep faun, whose hairdo is kinda. Wild. They stand right behind Andersen - they kind of hover, actually, silent and unknowable.

Andersen grabs you by the sleeve and lowers his voice.]

You look tough enough. Come with us.

III | BACK AT HOME
[Andersen returns home and goes back to his usual routine. He continues to take lessons at the Coven, with a special focus on healing and enchantment - if you're injured or you're looking for someone to practice their questionable magical medical skills on you, Andersen's your man.

He frequents DiplomaTea for the drinks and at night visits the Dulcet to watch the performances - sometimes, you'll see him trying to sweet talk his way into the backstage, though he's usually turned away by exasperated bouncers.

But the tension in Aefenglom is twisting tighter and tighter. On his way home one night, Andersen is bowled over by a pair of young vandals fleeing the scene when he turns the corner. His bag goes flying, the books inside flying out.]

Hey, you brats! Watch it!

III

[integrous]

[ .. geez.

Asahi may think Andersen is.. kind of weird, and that's putting it very, very lightly. But all of these tensions are putting her firmly on the side of her fellow Mirrorbound, no matter her opinion of them. So when she spots the guy - kid? tiny grandpa? - getting knocked over, she's already jogging over, her wings spread in tension. ]

Hey, are you okay?

[manlet]

[The danger's passed, the punks long gone. Andersen sits up, rubbing his bruised arm.

... ah, it's Asahi. He's needled her from time to time but he doesn't mind her company. It's more that, when she's around, he can't help being a little brat to see her reactions. But he's in a mellower mood - more mature, in this instant, perhaps? - and he greets her with some grumbling.]

I'll be all right. My books--

[Most of them are all right, but one of them had their pages smeared in the snow. Andersen crawls over to it, handles it gently.]

I'd almost rather they stayed to pick a fight. We could give them a piece of our minds.

[Eh? Why is he roping Asahi into this imaginary scenario?]

[integrous]

[ That's kind of the same thing she's wondering. Although she doesn't necessarily mind, since she's been wanting to give some of these punks a piece of her mind for a long while already.

Although in a moment of - surprisingly for her too - rationality, she sighs as she moves to crouch down and help pick up some of his books. (Slightly less delicately than him, sorry, pal..) ]

I'd love that, but it wouldn't help much in the end, right? It's not as if there's just a few kids turning on us in this place, it's like almost everyone hates us recently.

[manlet]

I'm surprised they were as accommodating as they were to begin with.

[He isn't an optimist when it comes to humanity's nature. It'd been a pleasant surprise to have the Coven so openly accept their presence, for them to have offered shelter and all else, but these recent turn of events falls in line with Andersen's expectations.

He takes the books from her.]

We are outsiders, after all.

[integrous]

Outsiders my foot. [ Not that he's wrong. She's not even saying he's wrong, really. It's more Asahi's personal annoyance at anyone being treated differently just for a reason as simple as not being from the same place as someone else, hence why she frowns. ]

We're the ones being inconvenienced here to begin with, right? We got taken from our own worlds where we all had sorts of things going on only to be dumped into a dangerous place like this. And then I keep spending time growing things out of my body I never asked for.

[ She was already busy going through puberty, thanks! No second monster puberty needed on top of that! ]

[manlet]

[She isn't wrong. Not by a long shot. But Andersen has always been the sort to play devil's advocate, a person who insists that he's cold of heart when really, he bleeds too much for all parties - for better or for worse. He brushes off the remaining snow from a book as he responds.]

And the people here never wanted us to come in the first place - or to have us meddling in their affairs, for that matter. It's akin to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. [A pause.] You've heard that story, haven't you?

[Different universes and all...]

[integrous]

[ She nods, putting down a few books she's already piled up for him in front of him. ]

But she had a choice. She could've just ignored the house. I don't know about you, but I never got a choice as to whether I wanted to go here or not. If it was up to me, I would have been back home with my friends all this time.

[manlet]

We share the same mindset. I'm involved in a contract I can't afford to ignore, but here I am instead!

[He flings out an arm, looking comically dramatic, given his tiny height.]

Suffering in the snow, being bowled over by young hooligans who're the product of social unrest! While I don't hold a grudge towards the people here as a whole-- [he huffs as he shoves the piled books into his bag] --I despise it here, even if we must learn to live together.

[integrous]

...

[ Asahi was about to turn and see if there were any more books strewn about when he started that little spiel. And it has her full attention, since it's so (unnecessarily) dramatic that it totally catches her off guard.

Then again, isn't it so like what she's seen of Andersen already so far? ]

A kid like you has a contract? [ Yes, apparently that's what she's chosing to focus on.. And calling him a "kid" despite the fact she's already starting to doubt that status with his odd grandpa behaviour. ]

I

[showsnopiety]

And where would we put them? Your closet?

[She's been listening of course. She wasn't here for the upraising- the nightmare had been too etched into her, and the fear of committing wanton murder had been close to mind. He's still cautious here, which shows in how she drinks tea instead of spirits, despite offers from native Witches and Monsters alike. It's been a lively evening, and she had been relaxing from a full day of work.

It seemed people really wanted her lessons.

Interestingly enough, Caren was wearing his gift that night.]

Besides, you might find some among the refugees.

[Storytellers that is.]

[manlet]

[Though Andersen doesn't have his Human Observation in this world, his eye is still well-trained to pick up little details. What Caren orders in the merriment (tea, no alcohol), the comb (which makes him a little happy) and he comes to his own conclusions about how she feels regarding Dorchacht. And who can blame her? He saw the way the diplomats were questioned. Tensions like that can't be easily erased.

But she's comfortable enough to chat, so Andersen will chat with her. It's what he lives and breathes for - a fun conversation - and what he came looking for in this city.]

Kings of old used to offer housing for talented artists. Were I a king, I'd do just that. Art is about differences, Caren! Each pair of eyes wields a different palette. Yes, yes, I can find storytellers with the refugees, but I want to sample all echelons of Dorchacht until I burst.

[showsnopiety]

[They were actually quite a bit nicer to the diplomats then they were to the first representatives honestly. But that's a story for another time, especially when he's so cheerful.

(She wouldn't be surprised if he got into the drink, honestly. She's not going to scold him. Let him have some fun while he can, since who knows what tomorrow will bring).]

You're only a king of literature, and that does not come with much.

[She couldn't help but observe, and dryly at that. ]

Are you thinking of writing a new novel?

[manlet]

[The remark seems to tickle him and he chuckles to himself.]

But of course. What good am I otherwise? Would you like a part in it?

[showsnopiety]

[She reached to ruffle his hair once, like he was a child.]

Fool. You have more then just your ability to write.

But no, no thanks. You don't need to write about me.

I fear if you did, you would most certainly place me in a terrible role.

[manlet]

[Being treated as a child makes him roll his eyes, and he swats at her hand once she's done. Leave his head alone!!]

Terrible is subjective. I may pen primarily tragedies, but I'm known to churn out a good comedy once in a while. If you wish it, I could make you a heroine, a clown, and a tragic villain all in one.

[showsnopiety]

[Never!!!]

All of the above? That sounds like it would be quite a complicated plot. I couldn't ask you to write such a thing- it's too much work.

I'm not saying it's beyond you, just that it would take too much time. You could base it on someone you truly admire or care for.

If you truly have anyone in such a category.

[manlet]

[He scowls.]

Our time in this world is unique. It's a once-in-a-millennium instance! To be in a different dimension where the foundations of the World don't exist, where perhaps the Root is something else entirely... oh, perhaps time is against me, but every Mirrorbound in Geardas is a ripe subject for my pen, Caren.

[It sounds just a tad maniacal, but he's always been that way. Servants of the arts were always obsessed with their craft.]

How can I not engorge myself on the material before me?

ii

[bloodwit]

[ tough enough. viren allows a passing scowl at the smallish person that delivers a tug to his sleeve, the look hardening at the request that follows (accompanied by a mean look at the faun). he doesn't care to speculate on the meaning behind it, with his tail flicking behind him and remaining steady where he stands. ]

[ coming here, truly, he had only intended to observe and then duck out. ]

Excuse me?

[manlet]

You see my young charge here?

[Andersen gestures at the gangly faun who continues to retain their silence, though their ears do prick up.]

I'll skip the boring exposition and tell you straight out that they want a fight. Just a spar, mind you, I don't want to be scolded for having a kid hurt on my watch. But they want to see just how much a Witch's magic can enhance their abilities.

[bloodwit]

... Just a spar.

[ he confirms. viren doesn't often just spar with people, not without a weapon. he doesn't think he's awful at it, but he does know he's not among the most adept at anything hand-to-hand.

(alas. he might already be underestimating this gangly specimen.)

unfortunately, after a moment's deliberation, he can't sincerely think of a good reason as to why he should refuse. beyond time management, he supposes - ]

I wouldn't have this take too much time, then.

[manlet]

[At that, Andersen smiles. That's the answer he wants to hear and - judging by how the faun's ears are flicking - it's what his student wants as well. He folds his arms over his chest.]

Your time is much appreciated, sir...?

[What a pompous way to ask for someone's name.]

[bloodwit]

Viren.

[ a flash of a smile, his mouth curling at its edges only briefly. ]

[ he waves a hand; the gesture would seem almost dismissive, if he weren't inviting this prompting this individual (and his temporarily-bonded faun) elsewhere. ]

Lead the way, then.

[manlet]

A pleasure. I am Andersen.

[He presses a hand over his chest, then gestures at his student.]

And this is scrawny mop of a specimen is Uan.

[Uan gives the slightest inclination of their head, the barest of acknowledgements. But if one looks closely, they can see their tail shaking like an excited puppy's.

A spar is only practice, nothing more. But Andersen has always a taste for theatrics, and Viren's invitation is a welcome excuse for him to nose out what may be the ideal backdrop for this test. There's an open spot beneath some trees, a little off to the side, which is pleasing to his artist's eye. As he leads them there, he off-handedly asks Viren:]

Well, Mr. Viren. Are you a Witch or a Monster?

[bloodwit]

[ viren is almost impressed with the faun's subsequent reaction after being called a scrawny mop of a specimen. but he's quiet at the introductions, giving the other monster little more than a glance and a shallow nod of acknowledgement as andersen continues. ]

[ but then, the question. viren's not sure if he means to make fun of him — his scales, tail, horns, claws and teeth and all — or if that's somehow intended as a genuine inquiry, what with the variety of mirrorbound that find themselves trapped here. regardless, eyes narrowed, he leans forward a touch. ]

[ and with a slight hiss (like he's a bit touchy, or something), ]

You don't think that obvious?