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

[cryptsleeper]

It's llke a vampire's compulsion. Remarkable, if terrifying.

[Truly his father's kind, just as plants. That's sobering to consider, and the comment about doing damage gets only a hum of acknowledgement from Alucard. He instead focuses on the nearest group of pine trees and begins to make his way over.]

I would consider taking not the vines then, but one or two of the flowers themselves. If you can isolate the working chemical compounds, or else distill the petals to create a variant of rosewater, you could yield a matter worth studying.

[The vines need to be left be, as far as he's concerned.]

...I'll go get a bucket.

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes... though honestly, I wonder if I can not grow them. [Worth thinking about. She takes a moment to steady herself, then... walks forward. Yeah, she's gonna be obstinate about this until she gets what she wants, but she makes quick work of slicing the flowers off.

The Wilders are mostly gone by now, with their ailing member, so she decides simply to carry the flowers with her for now.] One of the students left their packs... [Sigh. Well, it's one of the generic ones that they hand out en masse to all the Wilders, and upon investigation just contains the typical exploration kit. She decides to put the flowers in the spare pocket for now. She'll get them to water, soon, and then pads off after Adrian. She'll just meet him wherever he finds the bucket. Maybe she can find a second somewhere.]

[cryptsleeper]

That seems a hazard within a city. That's all.

[Never mind that. Alucard's noticed the pause, and so he shuts himself up and starts to actually do the work he intended to.

It feels a little childish, stuffing pine needles into his coat pocket, but Alucard doesn't let himself dwell on the thought. He instead gets the thing done, and then moves on to bucket location. Being where they are means that there's been a small encampment set up, and so a bucket is readily available after a little bit of poking.

From there, it's just a little bit of water and the needles going in. Heating the bucket is the important part, and Alucard gives himself a moment's pause. The bucket is metal, He has some fire to him now and--

--yeah, he's gonna just heat the bucket with his hands. Very quickly, causing the scent of pine to fill the air. To drown out the lingering scent of the roses.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[She has a bunch of fragrant flowers. A couple homicidal roses will fit in wonderfully with the house and the inhabitants.

While Alucard gathers the pine and gets it ready to help clear the scent, Maria sets the pack on the edge of the encampment, then goes to attend to where the rest of the would-be Wilders are. A more experienced Witch is casting healing spells over the injured Wilder as the rest gather their belongings to begin the trek back to the city.

Maria kneels to check on him, and doesn't let up, until she smells the sharp, distinct smell of pine. It's fragrant in its own right, and she appreciates it in a way. Hide the stench of Beasts with incense, and all.] Bring that closer here, let's try to clear his mind up a little if it will so he can talk to the medics.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard keeps a careful eye on the bucket once it reaches a boil. It does no one any good to have the thing overflow, after all, and all the good in the world to have the scent flourish. He's quiet for a few moments, breathing the stuff in himself.

He's centered again. No more lingering memories. Only the present, and Maria's voice firmly anchors him.]

Very well.

[So he walks over, bucket in hand. There's no need to keep the stuff at a boil anymore, only to let it steep so the essential oils can be released into the water and thus hit the air.

The bucket is set down beside the Wilder, and there. They'll see how effective a cure this is.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[And Maria settles herself back, as she watches him bring the oils over. The Wilder is barely conscious - dazed and a little unfocused, though she's not really surprised. Anemia does strange things to people; Maria knows this as well as anyone.

Though, if anything, it just seems to make him relax a little, to want to sleep. She squints, then looks at the more experienced Witch, who looks back with a nod. Right, sleep is probably good, they'll watch him, they'll get him home.] I think it worked, more or less. Or it gave him something else to think about than whatever had drawn him to the flowers in the first place.

I think, perhaps... [She looks over the small procession.] We should all probably head back, at this point. We can try again tomorrow, now that those who are unaware of the dangers of the Wilde can realize even the plants are harmful.

[And with that, she looks back at Adrian, and nods.] Thank you for your assistance. [Hey, no one can ever say she doesn't have some manners.] I think this will be an important lesson for all of them.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard's quiet as he watches the scent work on the fledgling Wilder. At watching him relax, well, that's a relief. He breathes out, tension in his shoulders releasing. Alucard had barely realized that they were there.

At Maria's words to dismiss the whole adventure, Alucard only nods. It has been a day.

When the group starts to walk ahead, Alucard does hang back. Enough to speak to Maria out of earshot of the others.]

It was the very least I could do. And you have a way for fighting through the scent of the things now.

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes, I suppose I do, if I wish to come back out here. Which I very well may. [She has those cuttings in the pack she has slung over one shoulder - the one not covered by the half-cape she wears normally as part of her Hunter's attire - and she has every intention of investigating them. Seeing if she cannot grow them at home.

It comes with inherent risks, but she prefers to do that and learn what she can rather than play it safe. Nothing was ever gained by being too safe. Though, weighing risk for outcome was never a strong suit of many of the Byrgenwerth scholars. She can only imagine the state of Yharnam after her death.] Now I'm simply curious about if it's possible to extract the effect of the scent from the flowers. I suppose I have nothing but time on my hands here. So much of this little... adventure has been sitting idle.

[cryptsleeper]

Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. If you'd like me to make more of the pine water before you head out, please let me know.

[Alucard isn't surprised by the cuttings in Maria's pack or her desire to go right back out and see if she can learn more about the plant. It's very Belmont in it's way, and....he has a type of friend, doesn't he?

At the thought of extracting, Alucard hums thoughtfully.]

Water and oil extracts both have different properties. Then there's distillation. That requires far more equipment than just extracts, but it's all quite possible.

[whomthebelltolls]

Hm... it would make an interesting gin, though. [A mildly hallucinogenic one, at that. Good job, Alucard, you gave her An Idea, and that's never a good idea.] One that could even double as a potent anesthetic, even. [She's not entirely serious, but... she might look into it.] I prefer brandy, but I wouldn't mind a nice rosy gin.

I think I will be alright for now. Though I'll keep it in mind for training future Wilders. These ones are young and eager to prove themselves. It's a recipe for them to do things like this again in the future, when they forget the danger.

[cryptsleeper]

I'm not sure that alcohol needs to have any more effects on the body than it already has. [Is that disapproval in his voice? Sure is. Alucard sighs.] An anesthetic would be more worthwhile.

If you'd like, I can write down the instructions for the brewing that way you can shove it at them then force them to make it in say, two or three minutes maximum.

[whomthebelltolls]

You never know what might catch on with the masses. [Even if it's dangerous, or bad for them. Disapproval doesn't get anyone very much of anywhere with Maria, but she does note it. It simply means she can not bring it up much in the future.] They use poppies to numb pain, I think it could work as that, as well.

[She quirks a not-quite smile at his offer.] I think if they can't figure out a simple recipe for pine tea, they have no business being in the wildes. You need more survival skills than that to last very long... even if these ones are... unpolished at best.

[cryptsleeper]

I still draw a personal line at alcohol with those capabilities. [Yeah just. Keep him ignorant and don't let Trevor have any.] But that's worthy of follow up.

Perhaps they don't. But a small wilderness guide to have on hand, when the mind panics, is not a bad idea either.

[He smiles a little, then shakes his head.]

I'm only here to make buildings and sometimes stick my nose into the wilderness. I'll abide by your observations in the end.

[whomthebelltolls]

If all you were doing was building, what brings you this far out into the Wilde? [Suddenly, she's curious about it. And yeah, she's curious on main, that's more important than mildly hallucinogenic rose gin.] You couldn't have heard the cries for help over the wall from this far out...

[cryptsleeper]

I can't need a break every so often?

[The question is almost a joke based on Alucard's tone.]

[whomthebelltolls]

Strange place you have chosen to take a "break", though I suppose if rebuilding things is without enough risk for you... [She motions around. Yeah, definitely A Place to take a break, but then, Maria can't do many things she finds to be boring, so that's why she's even out here in the first place. Keeps her out of her own mind.] Or if you wish to destroy, rather than create.

i think we can end here?

[cryptsleeper]

It's more doing a very different set of tasks to try and clear out one's mind.

[Alucard's almost smiling.]

Let's follow after them, hm?