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

[hearthebell]

Did you...? That's kind.

[He suspects it's something bearing the symbol he's neglected so far, and if it is, he's absolutely grateful that she's gone to the trouble. He'd be in a lot more, if he talked to the wrong people and his strange and absentminded mood was read the wrong way. A safe bet, actually, considering how often he's misunderstood as a general rule.

Quickly, he nods, moving over on the bench to make room for the chimera and gathering the ravens into his lap where he continues his odd and precise-looking work. It's a bit of a crowd, but the enchantment makes them amenable to the jostling atop bony legs.]

I'd be glad for the company, actually... I'd just never gone so far as to hope for it.

[Seemed a lot to presume.]

[showsnopiety]

Mm. I've been informed by the other natives that it's the best way to know if the witch is friendly or suspect. Not in so many words but- it seems this was the symbol of the resistance.

[She moves to sit with him on the bench, and there she has the better look at him. And better smell too. Her nostrils flares briefly, but her expression doesn't change.]

I don't know what you've been investigating, but this will make things smoother for you. Even if you don't hope for company, like I do.

[She's not sure what he's doing, but she knows he has a fondness for ravens and crows. He'll tell her if he wants to. If he doesn't...that's fine. Slowly, carefully, she drapes her tail over her lap, even as she pulls something out of a coat pocket.

It's a three star pin, made of brass, but shiny enough to be clearly new.]

Here. Unless-would you like me to put it on you?

[hearthebell]

["So many words" is a bit fraught, if only because, while L has no ill intent toward the city or ire toward Dorchacht's freedom, he's largely apathetic on the subject. Preoccupied with other matters, he hasn't gotten the chance to demonstrate "friendliness" even by his typical paltry standards.]

If you could put it where you think it would look best...

[Oblique, but clear, consent and gratitude. The brass seems overbright and warm next to his washed-out skintone, but it's a thoughtful gesture, and while L would never think to ornament himself, he was always glad to for the SQUIP. Especially for something so practically inclined, why shouldn't it be the same for Caren?

He holds as still as possible so that she can pin it on him, in the place she sees fit, and the birds in his lap sit patiently. Enchantment is handy, that way, even if it's ironic that they're under magic's thrall in a city that has had a bad problem with that lately for sentient members of society.]

You know... my Bonded is gone. The one I was living and sleeping with, so. It's been strange.

[showsnopiety]

Will do.

[And she does. She leans over, and gently sets the pin on the fold of his coat, so it could be easily seen.

There's a moment where she looks up at his face, and her hand raises, as if to touch his hair-but it drops, and she moves to lean away.]

I didn't know that. I didn't even know you'd been sleeping with them.

But if it helps...I lost my Bonded too. It happened last month.

[hearthebell]

[He angles himself to make her effort slightly easier, even trying to straighten out his perpetually curved spine so she's not reaching into a concave cavern to pin the stars onto him.]

It wasn't something I spread around. I'm not really sure why I mentioned it now... I suppose it seemed safe to tell you, and now that it's gone, I wanted someone to know.

[He blinks. He's not sure it helps, to learn that Caren is also minus a Bonded. But in the spirit of sharing, and lessening the feeling of isolation that comes with such an amputation of the very soul...it is actually somewhat useful, for such a purpose.]

I'm sorry. I had no idea, either. Are... you OK?

[showsnopiety]

[Thank you L for making it so she's not accidentally stabbing him with the pin.]

Maybe it helps that of all the people, I don't tend to judge. Yes, I was worried and angry, but that was because of the mist- and too, knowing you were injured. And too, we're very similar people.

[She nearly offers him a tiny smile, but at the question, her expression went back to its nuetral mask-only the twitch of her tail over her lap giving an indication of any inner turmoil.]

You've no need to worry over me Linden. I'm all right. I still feel the effects, but I've learned to live with them.

[hearthebell]

[He nods, not disagreeing on a single point. He'd been judged often for his decision to make his life with the SQUIP, even without knowledge of just how deep their relationship ran. It had hurt him, while infuriating and worrying others.

And he and Caren are like inverted shadows of one another, so very similar. The simple act of understanding is kinder than any smile.]

What was the most difficult part of that lesson, and how did you make your peace with it?

[showsnopiety]

[She's not sure what life was like with SQUIP. She can't really judge. She didn't know all the facts for one- though it had explained, how a few months ago, he had some into the shop and thought his measurements may have been different, thanks to their help.

Or what they thought was help. She had no idea.]

I didn't. I just...took the pain I felt, and let it become mere background noise. It's still there. I just don't give it the attention it thinks it deserves.

[hearthebell]

[It was a complicated situation not fully understood even by those very close to it. Maybe L himself is a little hazy on just what it was, in the end, if there was any meaning or it was all cold algorithms preying on imperfections and insecurities that threatened his way of life in a "normal" society.]

Has it gotten easier to tune out, over time? Or have you just become more determined?

[showsnopiety]

More determined. And tired.

[She sighed quietly, and moved to carefully hook a piece of hair behind her ear.]

And more aware of the thing I do not want to do the most is the most likely cure.

[hearthebell]

[He furrows his brow. Determined and tired are foes, and eventually, one has to triumph and overwhelm the other. Willpower is finite, and eventually, tired wins for everyone. Even for him, and even, he fears, for Caren.]

And the thing you do not want to do, the most?

[That would be dying, for most people. Or the death of someone they cared about more than themselves. Her elaboration matters to him, because he suspects it might be different.]

[showsnopiety]

It's...I'm being melodramatic, but I'll have to get a bond soon.

[She doesn't really care about death to her, not really.]

Which means opening myself up to another person, being exposed to their emotions, their ideals, their affection, perhaps even for myself...and then having the internal snap when they leave.

[She makes a face, staring at the ground.]

I...don't like being left behind.

[hearthebell]

You don't have a Bond at this time?

[He's surprised. Because while Caren might be on the antisocial side, like he is... surely she's agreeable enough to have found someone. If he could manage it, in spite of similar hangups...

...ah. But L's circumstances are rarely easily applicable to the circumstances of others, even those who are strikingly similar to him in motive and manner.

There isn't really a good way to offer comfort in this regard, is there?]

Bonding is a form of trust; you're believing that they won't leave you, to the fullest extent of your ability. And here... leaving is inevitable, very often.

[He's stating the obvious. Spinning his wheels, trying not to make things worse.]

But a Bond with someone you don't feel close to is better than none at all, if it's something you require to keep from going feral. It borders on an emergency, until you can figure something else out.

[He really doesn't want Caren to explode.]

[showsnopiety]

No. Not for a month now.

[She stared down at her hands, at her nails in particular.

It was awkward, wasn't it?]

Your logic is sound, particularly on how leaving cannot be helped. I apologize for being irrational and causing discomfort.

I'm sure I'll find a witch that would be interested if I apply myself.

[hearthebell]

[A month is... awhile, to go without a Bond. He swallows, not considering this awkward, precisely, but... well, his logic is usually sound.]

Logic isn't compatible with every mode of expression. This is an emotional matter and I'm aware that it can't be outsmarted using the techniques I'm confident with.

Do you have the motivation to apply yourself, or do you believe that you require more time before you're ready?

[showsnopiety]

[Yeah It's sound but...well. Well. Welp.]

Sometimes, it would be far easier if logic could be paramount.

But...I don't feel ready. I don't know if I will be in time.

[hearthebell]

You will be.

[That's absolutely true; he doesn't sound like he has a doubt in the world.]

What's uncertain is whether you'll have enough time.

[Comforting, as always.]

[showsnopiety]

I...suppose so. I'm not sure what will change it, but we will see.

But...

Thank you Linden.

[hearthebell]

You're welcome, if it really was helpful...

[He has his doubts that he was, in fact, helpful.]

I actually think you'll have enough time. You might not prioritize survival above all matters, but I believe that you like your life and would prefer to keep living it in your right mind.

[showsnopiety]

[He tried. He gets a gold star.]

I most certainly would. I dislike the idea of...losing my facilities. Going feral is rather...to put it lightly, distasteful.

[hearthebell]

Has it happened to you before? Or someone close to you?

[Asked with something like concern in his monotonous voice, because that seems to be the implication, or at least that she's witnessed it.]

[showsnopiety]

I had to stop a boy once. A vampire.

He was a teenager but...it was when things were bad in the city, and someone was taunting him- threw egg on him in fact.

And he just...tackled him. If I hadn't waded in, he might have been tried for murder.

[hearthebell]

It's fortunate that you were there. Do you still keep in touch with him?

[He knows all too well that there's no guarantee the vampire boy is even still present in Aefenglom. The mirrors are fickle, after all.]

[showsnopiety]

[She shook her head.]

I meant to, but I never got his name. I haven't seen him since.

[The mirrors can be very fickle.]

[hearthebell]

I'm sorry if it sounds strange, but thank you for not vanishing. It's comforting to think of some individuals as constants, when attachments are hard enough to forge without their very existence seeming so tenuous.