video | un: Caster | transmission from Dorchacht

[futhark]

Name: Caster (Cú Chulainn) and Anon
Date: Septeril 21
Format: video

[ Even if most of his face is hidden under the hood, Caster is a man some might have recognized as the one giving Monsters of the Aefenglom (and later some of the resistance members) enchanted tattoos protecting against compulsion.The room is dark, curtains drawn down, barely any source of light. The poor reception and static betray the source is in Dorchacht, it's not Coven guest-chamber though ]

Yo. This is going to be brief, but there's something we wanted to share. Not long ago, I was gifted an artifact for tracking spells and together with my associate we decided to track the Enchantment in the wall.

[ There's some muffled whisper, the associate is set on staying hidden and anonymous though. But the brief pause is clear that some request or a direction is made. Caster nods and returns his attention onto the watch ]

Right— remember the very first rule Coven drills into our heads? Every magic has a price. Enchantments have a long life-span, but they will run out if not charged. No one is charging the massive wards on the wall — yet they must be fueled by something.

The runes on the walls, most of them are to control and subjugate the will of Monsters. And not just that, as the kid and old man has found out recently, there some spells related to affecting memories too. Browse back the network just a bit, and you'll see the details.

Here is what we found out. The source of Enchantment lies in the heart of the city, in the Coven itself. The points are spread out more within but one is the big double doors that were so protected in the Dream. It's not easy to observe the place without that being too suspicious, but we got something: Monsters who broke free of the compulsion influence are often led inside sometimes Witches that do not look like they want to be there. Most of those who come back do so in a daze. And we've heard there are some who have never returned—

[ Not risking to say that they talked with resistance about it, but that should be just clear enough. Because who else they could have heard it from ]

Some of us have been taken there apparently as well. Are we in full set or is there anybody missing? And those who returned; if any of you knows what's behind that door and how to get there— You know, we thought we'll ask before doing anything ourselves.

[ And if they end disappearing there are information left behind. Not that they are considering doing anything. No sir! ]

｢ ooc: feel free to threadjack and all ｣

Comments

Video;

[weirdnecro]

You can't be serious. Are you- are you saying people's memories and minds are being fed to keep up this enchantment?

[futhark]

That sounds like something that would be a potent fuel, no?

Though the conclusions to draw here are pretty horrifying, they are just suspicions.

[ This is magic and mages business they are speaking about tho, he has no illusions that it could be even worse than that. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Then... They are the fuel of their own suppression. Clever. [Maria stop sounding impressed by this.]

It makes an interesting amount of sense. [Really, though. It's kind of genius, in a terrible way.] And it fits with Morgana's... specialties as a Witch, no? A talented diviner and walker of dreams would make such a thing elementary, once it is all set up, if the statements I heard from Nerissa and those who spoke to her are to be believed.

So then, the key to freedom is in regaining their own memories and desire to fight back. [Easier said than done, of course. And not fool-proof, but it is a way to set history on a better course, without picking a fight they can't win. And it'll satisfy all the weak hearted here who cannot help but meddle. Win/win.]

[futhark]

Take away the will to fight and you have an obedient crowd. They can't even depose an unfit queen this way. This is why mages shouldn't rule— [ But that is a tangent. Who and how should rule along with the buttload of ancient worldviews. He thought Dorchacht merely rotten. But that was only the appearance of the surface of the filth.

Dorchacht has to free itself is suddenly a much harder goal to achieve ]

Storming those doors would put our mission under risk. But whatever is in there seems to be that key.

Voice

[fiddlestick]

Thanks for sharing. The thing powering all this being in the Coven makes sense.

It's probably fueling the weather that blocks out the sky here too. Which..whatever it is, it must have immense power to control this much of the city.

[futhark]

Perhaps that room has many uses, and people who enter and leave— [ And how they enter and leave ] their state isn't linked to the Enchantment itself. But it's still a possibility to consider.

I'm not sure if the artifact I have could give us answers about the sky. As one of the requirements to use it is, well, touching the enchanted object.

[ Easy with wall, not easy with sky ]

Video

[hippocarnival]

[The doors--Yuya remembers them from the dream. It sounded awful inside.]

Is that why they can't figure out how to break the spell on their memories? Because they're actually the cost for the spell in the walls?

[futhark]

That would make sense, no? You can't break a seal when there is none to break.

Question is, those of us who entered there. Was something taken away from them too? [ If yes, then it could be a serious business, from the Aefenglom point of view. ]

Text

[rollfordiplomacy]

That's quite the find, Caster.

Our dear Myr has returned recently from beyond those doors. They treated him for injuries, but left him in a state of stupor. He's in my care.

[futhark]

Shit. I thought I saw you, but couldn't be all sure during the commotion. Thank you for this, Everett.

I know it would be best for him to rest and recover but... I have to talk with him when he wakes up.

voice;

[curruid_coinchenn]

So you could make use of it...Good.

[futhark]

You have my thanks for it. I'll do my best to return the pendant.

[ Unless they got themselves into a deep shit and won't return from Dorchacht anytime soon. Sounds like a possibility, unfortunately ]

[niespodzianka]

Fucking hell.

[ Says the old man. And hey, he recognizes that hood. ]

Good work. I remember the doors from the dream, but I couldn't get in.

[futhark]

[ Speak of the devil old man. The credit had to be given when it's due ]

They're not as locked in the reality as they were in that Dream. Though it seems that it's Cwyld infection that functions as a ticket to enter.

voice;

[captenacious]

So there's something in there. Something breakable, maybe?

[ Getting right to the point, here. ]

[futhark]

Imagine if something broke and the wards on the walls stopped working—

[ A short bark of laughter ]

Might be hoping for too much. But something is certainly going on there.

[topslug]

[ Since she's within the city limits, now, the reception on her end is loud and clear. ]

Be careful. If the city's constructed similarly to Aefenglom, then the Coven should still be a center of magical power, and one that's harnessed to Ms. Drummond's will. I don't think their reluctance to let us take a look around so freely is a coincidence. Maybe we could try creating a distraction to draw their attention away from the doors?

[futhark]

[ Gotta love the Mirrorbounds. Moments like these are a reminder of how incredible they are. He just offered some information, and here they are already plotting a group effort to get behind those doors. ]

Distraction, you say? That could work— we don't know how many people are on duty inside, but I imagine not many. If they can't call for reinforcements... gives those inside much more time.

[wordsinthesoul]

…of course. The source was hardly likely to be left out in the open.

[mmm he hasn't been in so. he's just going to listen on that front.]

[futhark]

Still— didn't really expect that.

[ How the hell are these enchantment fueled? Some theories and suggestions have been... concerning to say the least ]

[boneofsword]

Hmph. Surprisingly typical. [like he needs another reminder of his dislike for humanity as whole. But that's not why he's here.]

Are you planning to check it?

[futhark]

No idea, should I? I mean, that could be dangerous—

[ Yeah, he wants to check that. That's like his codeword for action ]

You in, or out?

text

[scatmaam]

Excellent work, lad. I'll owe you a drink for this one.

[futhark]

[ Senpai teacher has noticed him! ]

Once we're back home— pubs in Dorchacht are terrible dreary places. It's not just my work though, there is someone you're familiar with on it as well.

[ Someone who wants to stay anonymous within this post. But this name can be given later ]

voice

[beariot]

[ ... A deep sigh. A shuddering one. Like all of this just unearthed some deep discomfort she'd been trying to move past. ]

Fang and I were in there. That chamber.

[futhark]

[ That's what he's been hoping for. Reach someone who might have been behind these doors. Seems it worked.

The sigh tells him that this story won't be easy to tell— if not for what is at stake they could take time, go slowly. But there is no time. ]

I'm listening —if you want to talk about this.

video;

[princessences]

[ And, yes...people being used as fuel--whether in mind or body--is kind of a sticking point with her. A fresh wound, as far as her own universe goes. ]

...That is despicable. And this treatment of those deemed "lesser" already seems so imbued in their way of life...how long has this been going on?

[ She sighs. ]

I don't know if anyone personally who has gone that far, but I will certainly be vigilant regarding the whereabouts of my friends and colleagues.

[futhark]

[ Had this be any different time, different circumstances, he wouldn't be able to stop himself with teasing and flirting with such beauty showing up on the video feed. Alas, this is a serious case, so he (fortunately) remains courteous. ]

Thank you, my lady. Your vigilance is greatly appreciated. Should you found someone and they are too careful to speak up publicly, let them know I can always be contacted privately. I also take appointments for enchantments— [ Which he isn't saying for bringing up his business, but as a suggestion what could be a convenient excuse for organizing a meeting. People come and go to his room, it's not that strange ]

As for the question "who"— everything points on one person, Dorchacht's truest leader that changed so much, no?

voice

[ua_duibhne]

[This... is a lot. But while it sets his blood boiling and makes him wish he had stayed so that he could find an appropriate outlet for it, he manages to keep his voice steady, betraying nothing of the anger beneath the surface.]

Thank you. Keep in contact, if you can- if anything happens to jeopardise your position I want to know. Or- [No, better to keep the message short. The signal isn't the best.] Stay safe. As best as someone like you can, that is.

[futhark]

[ Ah, right. They have returned to Aefenglom already. Shame, but as much as he would want to fight together alongside the First Spear of Fianna— if they do a good job, there will be no need to fight at all. ]

Thanks, and I will try to. We are not planning on making troubles for Aefenglom. [ It's "we" already. ] Just give a little nudge, a little helping hand. Can't promise to let you know, I'm afraid. In the worst case, the connection to Aefenglom should be erased.

[ Melt the watches, there is too many information floating around. ]

schleps in here the literal latest; assume this happened around day-of; voice;

[faithlikeaseed]

[Myr's voice is brittle and precise.]

They took me back there shortly after I arrived here; I'd caught the Cwyld from a Merrow-bite on the way over.

They've got one of their cursed radios back there to keep their patients compliant. No hiding I'm a Faun, so they put me under something that wasn't a charm, just a suggestion that everything was all right and I wasn't going to mind them using fire on me. They explained everything as they did it. Politely as you please, but as if I were a little bit simple.

When I wouldn't consent to them using my blood to heal the infection they strapped me to the table and went ahead with it anyway. [There's a tightness to his tone there that broadcasts the barest edge of how furious he is about that.] Once they'd sealed up the wounds they let me up.

I'd gone in intending to put everything they did in memory, but I couldn't get any of it back without a diviner's help. Still there, I'd just lost what I put it under. So what that says for the theory they're using memories to power their abominable magic--can't say.

[But having said all he's got to, he's going to turn his watch off and go sit somewhere quiet he can pray for a little while.]

thank you for witness testimony Myr, you did gud

[futhark]

[ So the diviner did their job— and by the gods this gets more and more horrifying. Fire and blood— doesn't matter what he said. It makes Caster's blood boil but he lets this rage turn into a silent simmer ]

Thank you, Myr. It couldn't be easy to return to these memories. [ He wants to promise these people will pay. ]