“TAKING” DORCH — THE PLOT

[usurpers]

hello you guys!! i heard you wanted to go full rebel



a quick summary that prompted this: there have been discussions about the possibility of freeing the city without necessarily starting a war— sometime afterwards, through torturing a poor soul in a bathroom, we've learned that monsters are being bred under the guise of human orphanages (more info here under answer four!).

this has great potential and can be an awesome city-wide chance for characters to get involved in a movement that can give the resistance a huge start to an upper hand over our lovely morgana, so this serves as a plotting post to free the monsters being bred for sale, destroy dorch’s slavery supply and stock and help the resistance take dorch for good*!

*they might not actually be able to take dorch, but we've definitely been given the ok to make a positive difference!

there are plenty of parallel investigations going on such as wall enchantments (that i could think off the top of my head, i know there are more!), and even those can play a part in our final attack, so to speak! what i have so far:

— eren will disclose the locations to the resistance first, then the mirrorbound shortly after in a network message (it'll show up in the log itself as an intro, so no replies or convos to it will happen icly anyway— characters will get further information from the resistance itself).

— people can choose a group that best suits their character that we could have to act together with the resistance (but not limited to, so please feel free to add, these are just a base):

💥 team war horse: these will be responsible for either literally starting fires or just general mayhem/distractions in dorch's most vulnerable points or in and around the orphanages themselves, to get the attention of the black city's army/workers away from their real objective. decoys, if you will!

💥 team dark horse: responsible for getting into the orphanages and ushering the hidden monsters out safely, leading them to resistance tunnels, etc etc. the human children will need some help too!!

💥 team gift horse: our dignitaries might be of use here to show that you do care. civilians and humans alike need calming, guiding and saving as well from the possible chaos that could be caused— baby sitting the orphan kids, perhaps? whatever your imagination can fix up! protect them and keep their minds sound, all while keeping aefenglom’s name clean and monsters in a better view!

💥 team trojan horse: our (mostly) fighters infiltrated in all groups to help with their task and offer protection against counter attacks and douse threats. they could also be tasked with restraining the army from acting against them.

icly, i was thinking that this could be planned to happen close to before the mirrorbound leave, at night (with some magitech sabotage to get rid of any extra light— you won’t need that with fires around). monsters saved that would like to return to aefenglom with them via transport machine can disappear in a blink, maybe? :') the rest are welcomed to stay to join the resistance ranks and take what’s left to lighten the black city. in real time, i can put up a post as soon as this week, when we have something comfortable to ride with!

this is just a gist of things, and i’d love to see different groups showing up to take advantage of the event and crack down on more breeches that we’ve seen investigated!! different takes on the groups mentioned, ideas, raid somewhere else, go crazy. the only thing that most people, and i also assume the resistance, would like to keep in mind is a careful hand on the violence— minimal number of civilian casualties possible, as the objective here is to act before there’s an actual chance of war, and not so much a real reason for one. it’s not like aefenglom is the cause of this!!! right???

but no one said you couldn’t, and the resistance is very willing to do everything they can 👀👀👀👀

make top levels for your plans, if you have new ideas you can put them in the headers for easy reading & finding, and feel free to ask questions about our limits under the correct comment (that i believe mods will be keeping an eye on!). most of all, have fun!!

Comments

[niespodzianka]

geralt is definitely best suited to bailing out, which i think may be possible even if the thing i'm waiting on info about pans out (it may not!). he knows himself enough to be aware that he'd be a liability going in (shitty acting ability + history of amnesia! would he flip out and just try to kill everyone? MAYBE...)

NO TELEPORTS IS GOOD

[topslug]

Earplugs were brought up in chat yes! YAKO IS RELIEVED AMADEUS IS ON BOARD ... I did also consider the sleep enchantment angle as the 'safest' way to get people out of the way.

Since they're working with the resistance, maybe if there was a way to try and target it so that people who feel sympathetic with the Resistance would be energized/invigorated, while anyone else who's against them gets hit with the dozy? THEN AGAIN i could be overthinking it, for plausible deniability 'huh mirrorbound what mirrorbound' just making people doze off and wake up weirdly refreshed is probably the better strategy, just to get people out of the Resistance's way.

[fordeath]

That would be really cool! The way his enchantments work is that each song serves a different purpose, so he'd have to get different songs reaching different groups of people.

Ppppossibly with different frequencies? If not, maybe earplugs at different times? The Resistance could plug their ears at the beginning when Amadeus plays Sleep Hit #1 for instance, and once everyone who needs to be out of the way is, he'll play something for invigoration.

But if we want to focus on clearing mind fog, he can do that too! Folks would just need to be awake for it at the time.

[topslug]

Hmm, now that the log's up it feels like the folks on the Resistance side could really use a boost for what they're dealing with... If he has a way of doing it at different frequencies then maybe that's the way to go? Strength and clarity of mind to help move people out of those basements faster.

[moustre]

Thankfully, as he's been documented by the Coven as a Witch, he won't be pressed at all about it -- and given that his injury is at his ankle, they won't be roaming his scalp anyway either.

In fact, all they see are two Witches, one with a dramatic flair and the other having to deal with it. The most scorn they'll get is on Aefenglom's name, tutting about how dramatic things seem to be there, in Lady Drummond's words of course.

As they assume both are Witches, they're actually... very friendly! Much moreso than to a Monster, which can be seen when another patient comes in briefly for a check-up (a cat Turnskin with mange) and one of the Witches branches off to tend to that, complaining about the lack of hygiene these beasts have, and the damnable owners' fault for it -- make no mistake, they're not sympathetic, it's just a hassle to have to deal with it. But the Turnskin will be taken care of in the background and, along with the draw more to Mr. Dramatic here, Sokie'll be able to peek around some more.

Possible things to steal, along with their "how much is this gonna be missed" scale from 1-5:
- Documentation on recent patients (6)
- Various creams and medicines for treatment (2)
- A book on memory modification with the name "George (New)" slapped onto it with some tape and paper, perhaps for a new hire (4, but most likely to be dubbed as "misplaced")
- The radio itself (5)

What is interesting to note, however, is that behind an otherwise innocent burgundy curtain is another door. It isn't locked, and she may peek within so long as Everett throws enough of a fuss about how much his ankle hurts, they won't have to take it off will they (at this point, heavily considering they should regardless if he's a fellow Witch or not,) and discover... ah.

Well, it's dark, but within that darkness is several beds, all with individuals that glow blue from runic tattoos. From the faint light of the tattoos, she can see that there's no Monster traits on them, and that the air is more like a crypt than a healing place -- it's stuffy and uncomfortable.

In any case, Everett will be taken care of and assured that his scare is nothing but that: a scare! However, for his ankle, he'll have to be careful on it. Even with their magic prowess, it's oft best to let certain things heal on their own naturally -- the most they can do is prescribe some herbs to chew to lessen the pain and ointment to help numb the area should it become too much. Thank you both for visiting, please take care of yourselves.

[moustre]

Once things begin to show as less of a coincidence and more of a bold move from the Resistance, Witch handlers and their Monsters will be becoming more of a common sight -- like an officer with a handful of leashes latched to bloodhounds, they'll be making use of the Monsters natural abilities to seek and cease the riots and the like.

They're far more used to their shows of power being effective versus actual combat, but as these Monsters are more broken than most they're more instinctual and genuinely... Well, wild, though it's easily apparent that they're aggressive purely due to their Witch handlers. Taken away from their Witches or otherwise incapacitated, they become sullen and able to be moved.

They also have a piss-poor stamina, since feeding/commanding 4-5 Monsters magic at once is awful, so they can't be everywhere at once -- they'll be focusing on the most "troubled" areas and then moving out from there. The people of Dorchacht will notably avoid them like the plague, while the Resistance welcome their new guests with minor inconveniences both Dorchacht-made, Aefenglom-made, and any collaboration between their inventors and Entrapta.

While Fae and Dragon are a given for being exceptions to their frontlines, notably they have a lack of Faun as well. There's a handful of them, who are exceptionally keen to the radio and will easier break from their handlers once the normal lullabies are disrupted, so please enjoy your "they've got the spirit, they're just a little confused as to what's going on" allies.

[usurpers]

smiles in freedom

and how would aerial attacks be dealt with? arrows/weapons to shoot them down, or magic against them? i know we have a few flyers on our side, dragons and harpies included!

[moustre]

You're fine! As for your question, which we'll reiterate here for visual reference:

i see team dark horse is going very sneaky pacifist (which is fine and good and i have no desire to make geralt traumatize steven more), but i'm curious about the level of security and guard/enforcer/etc retaliation on something so hush-hush and inherently horrifying as forced reproduction camps, and if there needs to be a team... darker horse. because slavers don't get rights!!

There can be a Team Darker Horse if you'd like! Slavers don't get rights at all, and certainly need to be given their due.

Despite it being so hush-hush, and perhaps because of that, there is actually a lack of security about it; the Resistance informs that it's due to the generalized belief that there can't be anything wrong with a "care center" for the lost that there's no one actively looking into it (and they've tried themselves), so they're more or less easy to break into...

... It's the getting out as the hard part, as Monsters will feel compelled to act like the pairs in the breeding center themselves -- and those Bonded to them may feel the same. It's due to the scents in the air, aphrodisiac aromatherapy in essence, and as those who work in these places are licensed, it's been historically impossible for the Resistance to get one of their people into their ranks for espionage purposes.

Being more "underground" than the rest of the city, these captive Monsters are not effected by the compulsion magic and are simply terrified of what happens if they don't produce their next batch of children, which they don't tend to recognize as their own in the first place in some cases -- they're just something that comes from the process, like waste, in their eyes. The captive Monsters are heavily scarred and weary, and may not take easily to the thought of leaving at first, since this has been a relatively "safe" place so long as they behave, but some will reluctantly join their rescue band; they'll also insist they're taken as pairs, because, well. They're paired. Once one agrees the other will to, so it's simply a matter of convincing half.

The slavers themselves are notably not Witches, just your regular licensed auctioneers and apothecary practitioners, but even they can put up something of a fight. Just remember that while they don't have rights, there are worse things than death.

If there's anything else you'd like knowledge of, let us know!

[moustre]

Arrows more than not, as well as bolas-type weaponry. The arrows will be doused in one of three effects: Sedation/slow, paralysis, muscle-weakening poison.

[usurpers]

shiT

thank you kindly ♥!

Get the Door Team

[futhark]

Now with a proper post. Some more door plotting with everyone in one place

Hello, I'm shuu and I play caster Cu. Thank you for the interest in the GET THE DOOR plotting. Since various things were being discussed in various places where not everyone has access to, I figured I'll just make a top-level seperate to the one in QUESTIONS

So to recap

AGENDA
it's been found out that source of the Enchantments on the wall is behind the double door in the Coven. That means gotta get behind these doors. network post related to that

OOC question/plotting related to that

dramatis personae aka roles and what is who doing (hope I get it right the first time)

Caster (Witch) - accidental instigator, runesmith, tattoo artist, part of the Second team. "It's personal because they took my friend"
Zelda (witch) - the anon, abjuration specialist, voice of reason. Her participation is a total secret so in case everyone else gets captured she is free to act
Sokie (Witch) - enabler, abjuration specialist, burglar, make up specialist, part of First Investigation team
Everett (Faun) - charmer, face of the team, investigator, part of First Investigation team, "It's personal because they took my friend"
Nel (Witch) - rogue, runesmith, rune tattoo designer combining enchantment and abjuration, conspiracy, KNIFE EMOJI
Archer (Dragon) - has no chill, is in this because it's a right thing to do, and because he won't let his Bonded run Wild, part of the Second Team, willing to get infected for justice
Ursula (Witch) - Team Zero, actually was behind the door first, brought the deets, is in it because it's the right thing to do
Fang (Turnskin) - Team Zero, actually was behind the door first, willing to get infected for justice
Geralt - "I offered to help so here I am", tired dad mood, Bail Out Specialist [it feels like they will need it]

Rough timeline — aka what seems that has happened

1. Caster and Zelda figured out the source of Enchantment, decided against getting infected and seeing what's there (that was their first thought tho), stake-out to observe the door, https://aefenglom.dreamwidth.org/20583.html (post on the network with information)
2. suggestions, offers for help and info happens
3. the decision is made to A) create enchantment runic tattoos to protect against what is possibly there [ mind control and memory jumbling/stealing ]. this probably takes several days. https://dagung.dreamwidth.org/14076.html?thread=5601276#cmt5601276 (mod reply how well that works here)
4. Everett and Sokie go in first, and here is https://dagung.dreamwidth.org/14076.html?thread=5636348#cmt5636348 (what they find) it's not pretty
..
possible step 5 Everett, Sokie, Caster, Archer and Ursula agree that it's best to contact Nessie first (question would Nel, Fang, and Geralt agree with this consensus or go do something on their own?) also input needed what Sokie would steal

But my thought was to send mods in that thread, that next decision of the team would be to contact Nessie with what First Team found and ask for input. (Caster would go there for mayhem, subdue/kill the Witches, but he ain't stupid and will listen to voice of reasons). I just want to know everyone's input and if that's an okay thing to do!

[futhark]

My god it looks like they will need the bailout, depending on what happens. Here I made a header for the team that sums up what everyone had been up to till now and creates a rough timeline so everyone are on the same page. Also, a question for input regarding the second step [would Geralt agree that they should tell Nessie about their findings or would do something else, basically]

Additionally, would it be okay to add you on plurk?

[futhark]

I'm doing another comment to let you know I've made a proper top-level for this team that sums up everything and what everyone were up to. Your input is very encouraged and welcome.

Get the Door Team

[rollfordiplomacy]

For Step 5, Everett will definitely insist on contacting Nessie first, to discuss their discoveries. He'd express the following to those involved in follow up investigations;

1) Collection of any need for additional proof that Nessie might want/request should be top priority!
-This may not be requested if what Sokie steals + their collected information so far is damning enough to draw Aef's support.
2) An urge to exercise caution with the "crypt". They know it's location and that people are inside, under magical spell. He thinks much further look into this might risk it being moved/locked down and harder to intervene with. It's best left as it is, unless they are informed of a means to safely rescue those inside.
3) Volunteer himself to distract within the Coven, if necessary, should they need to do a rescue mission.

Go Team Door!!

Team Get The Door 2nd step

[futhark]

Hello! Before detailing anything, as some kinks are being ironed out, I'd like to ask what is a way to contact Nessie? Should we write here what our characters would tell her or do I prefer NPC interaction?

I'm asking because I distinctly remember Nessie having her own IC inbox once (I think linked on the Coven page) but now I'm unable to find that way of contacting the NPC.

[fordeath]

Sounds good! He'll need the help of the tower itself (more transmitters) for frequency changes but I imagine the tech-savvy can get that done?

Will Yako and/or Entrapta be at the station too? I'll probably just toss up a top-level where Amadeus is taking requests so they can let him know as their needs change once I'm home.

[niespodzianka]

geralt is a witch in addition to being a witcher! and yes he'll help escape, he just can't go in cuz murder liability (major amnesia trauma). dad checking in.

eta: also - he'd be fine with telling nessie and whatever the group decides. he's just here to punch people and drag you out by your hair if things get too nasty. because he's been living as a resistance member, he doesn't mind so much if he's observed doing something bad to the dorchacht coven, since there's a roulette chance it won't be immediately blamed on aefenglom.

[niespodzianka]

thanks!!

[moustre]

Here would be best, yes! It'll be easily visible for all involved.

this was answered...

[niespodzianka]

... here!

[niespodzianka]

i'm not sure what weird time-skip dimension i fell into where i didn't see this comment until right now, but here we are!!! maybe i should get some sleep someday!!

and yes of course, i say, after we've added each other. 8Db

[futhark]

I admire your time-hopping skills ghhldska. But yes, sleep is good.

[weirdnecro]

Just adding on that Sokie REALLY wants the book if only because...she loves knowledge itself.

Also there is the Watch, and a quick light spell when it comes to checking out the runic glow witches! So she can take a series of photos if there needs to be some evidence and possibly seeing if they can be broken.

there's also the possibly that she could take some of the papers, but not all of them-especially if she slips some of the papers into the misplaced book.

But yes please any OOC or IC input on what she should steal is wanted! she's for contact Nessie because really she is the magic expert. I will say though if Nessie wants the evidence, Sokie is going to want copies of it. Just in case.

[boneofsword]

Archer suggests recording the hidden crypt and sending it to Nessie and/or Mhairi (I recall they have Watches) as well as photos of any suspicious things they find. In case something happens the proof is somewhere safe.

While he's against murder, he sees nothing wrong with occupying the room behind the Door and the Crypt and sending for Nessie.

edit - using Cwyld infection as a threat to Witches inside is a valid interrogation tactic.

[belligerentwarrior]

I don't know if it's too late to pitch this turn-the-dumbass-up-to-11 idea, but if Shit Goes Down and the Door Team as a whole stops being subtle, what are the chances they can actually abscond with one of the glowing patients?

(Editing in the concern that an expert should advise before anything magic gets moved to prevent things going boom, or... something.)

But yes! Fang is willing to be Bail Out Specialist as well, has absolutely zero reservations against murder if hostilities break out (and minor reservations if it doesn't, she hates it here). Willing to get infected for justice if you need more people behind the door, but it sounds like you've got a lot going on already, so I don't want to clog up the gears any more than necessary.

She has nothing against going for Nessie, but if Shit Goes Down, she's not going to wait to defend herself or her Bonded vOv