villagelogs | 065-071 » assign to oblivion / part iii

065-071 » assign to oblivion / part iii

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: Mathias Township proper
WHEN: Days 065-071
WHAT: The residents of Mathias reunite under unnerving conditions.
WARNINGS: (PM this account to have a warning added!)
NOTES: Plotting post over here!

RECOMMENDED ♫ Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross "Outside"

DAY 065-071
ASSIGN TO OBLIVION
“No matter how much time passes, no matter what takes
place in the interim, there are some things we can never
assign to oblivion, memories we can never rub away.”
— Haruki Murakami

Only two days have passed since the town was fractured, leaving residents cut off from those they'd come to know and even care for. A mere two days of wandering the new streets, uncovering more secrets that continue to make little sense of this strange place. Two days with sunrises, sunsets, and nights that seem like any other.

And yet.

When residents wake on this third day, they will find that much has changed. All around them, wherever they may be, there are signs that time has passed without them. Dust covers everything, indoors and out, even areas that were spotlessly clean seemingly hours ago. The residents themselves are covered as well, dust clinging to their hair, skin, and clothing—

Clothing that they may not have been wearing when they went to sleep. Each resident, regardless of the state they were in previously, is now clad in a pair of white pajamas, with long pants and button-up shirts. Those who thoroughly explored Baneberry Hall will easily recognize these articles as identical to those well-stocked in the decaying great house. On top of this, the clothes they wore from home have disappeared, along with anything else they may have brought with them when they arrived or items from home that have been found within the borders of Mathias.

There is no sign that anyone has entered their place of shelter, nor is there any sign of what may have been done with these items or how they came to be wearing these clothes. The dust all around them is undisturbed, almost as if they had been sleeping there for quite some time, though it seems impossible for such a thing to have occurred naturally.

THE NEW ARRIVALS
The newest arrivals to Mathias will wake up on the lawn of Town Hall, at the center of the little town square. They, too, are bereft of any items from home and clothed in the identical white pajamas. There are shops all around them, with houses just beyond, and at first glance, everything seems almost picturesque. Except for the silence that is at times so complete as to be maddening... Welcome to Mathias.

SUMMERTIME
— When summer arrives, so too does an outdoor stand in front of the General Store. Sporting a handpainted sign proclaiming Whateley Farm, the stand is overflowing with a variety of produce: berries, plums, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, green beans, leeks, onions, peppers, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and garlic bulbs. These do not replace the produce offerings normally found inside the market, but they do behave strangely. The stand replenishes sporadically, sometimes every other day or every five days. There is no discernible pattern to when it replenishes, nor is there any sign of how it came to be there at all.

— With the now-complete reverse change of season, much of the autumn debris has cleared from around town. Only a few stray leaves and fallen branches remain, their crisp colors at odds with the warm summer days. The forest has also cleared of much of the fall detritus, making it easier to both follow the paths and potentially spy things that might be out of the ordinary.

CONDITIONS UPDATE
— THE WEATHER Summer has arrived in Mathias, bringing with it warm days that average 70°F and comfortably cool nights. The skies are clear throughout the week save for Day 68 when a light rain falls from a grey sky throughout the day.

— THE FOG has maintained its new boundaries.
— Residents may now wander the southern stretch of the forest surrounding Mathias Township — it is possible to leave the paths but potentially unwise to do so.
— The fog has also retreated from the western section of town entirely.
— Access to the northern section of the forest is still blocked beginning a few dozen yards past the treeline; this section of fog will urge residents to stay huddled within the town proper by inducing a physical reaction of panic and fear.

— DISAPPEARANCES AND DEATHS continue! Max Guevara and Liz Brundy have disappeared, and now that everyone is back together, residents will notice that Yennefer, Number Five, and Tony Stark have also vanished.

— ALCOHOL supplies have run dry, save for any dregs that have been squirreled away by individual residents. Moonshine can still be acquired by those in desperate need.

OOC NOTES
— UPDATES Don't forget to report updates as they come up! Changes to locations (like toppling a few bookshelves in the library), big plots you have coming up that will affect the game (parties, major property destruction, etc), or exciting discoveries that may tie into the game's mythology (even the things provided by the mod) are very helpful to have in one place so relevant page updates can be made. IC events are also helpful to know about in advance so they can be included in the log write-ups.

— MOD STATUS My non-RP life is busy and chaotic and I continue to ask for your forgiveness and understanding as game things continue to be slower, as I cannot promise timely mod responses beyond weekends and even that is not wholly guaranteed.

— ITEMS FROM HOME All items from home that characters would normally possess have vanished for this log and will return in the next. This includes clothing and possessions they had when they arrived in Mathias, items that were found in the rain, and items that were found in Baneberry Hall and removed from the property. Items from home that were left behind by other characters no longer in the game have also vanished. (All other items and clothing still remain, it is only items from characters' homes that have disappeared.)

— BANEBERRY ITEMS The items from home that were not removed from Baneberry Hall in the last log have vanished from the property. These items will not reappear in the next log. (Please be sure to comment in the appropriate spot on those logs about the state of your character's item for inventory purposes, ie whether they were removed from the property or left behind.)

— ACTIVITY CHECK Beginning with June's AC (posted at the start of July), all tags that consist of only dialogue will count as 0.5 points, not just those that occur in an inbox thread — this applies to both AC and AP totals. This adjustment is an extension of what has been in place since the start of the game: that all dialogue-only inbox tags counted for a half-point. Since such tags have occurred regularly in log threads as well, the half-point status is simply being extended to all tags regardless of location in order to be fairer in point distribution. (Examples will be provided in the AC post to assist with proper counting.)

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Goodness, aren't you just a ray of sunshine." It's a light jab, followed by an amused chuckle. "Not that I blame you, all things considered, it's refreshingly familiar."

From one, bleak, fucked up situation to another, it seems. He'll take note of the name of the place, however. Mathias. It's no surprise he's never heard of it.

"Strange." His hand goes back to his chin in thought, eyes roaming over the board. Some of the papers posted are very obviously more weathered than others so nothing here looks new. Nothing about randomly changing clothing, just warnings about the fog or where to find supplies.

"We? So there are others like us?" A pause to consider, "I wonder if any of my companions are here as well..."

Surely if this is some odd effect of the Fade maybe the Inquisitor was here too? That would be both terrible and perhaps good, in a way? Maybe they could get them home through a rift.

"Were there other new arrivals?"

Edited 2021-07-05 14:26 (UTC)

"New arrivals at the same time as you? That I don't know. I haven't really gone looking but I would assume so. When I arrived here, I was with a few other people."

Though he knows that there's no guarantee there were others. But, perhaps he'd get lucky and find someone he knew, someone similar. Elijah sighs and glances around.

"Have you managed to find your way to any place other than town hall? This is one of the first places I ended up."

"Well, where I woke up, I was alone, but perhaps there may have been others scattered about, yes?" So there may be hope for a familiar face.

"Afraid not, I haven't been here long. Though I'm open to suggestions."

"I don't know if I have any that would hold merit," he admits with a shake of his head. There's really nothing here that's going to open up any doors or provide answers.

"Have you found a place to stay? To sleep?" Since that would be the most important at the moment. He can't just wander this place at night. There's no telling what might be out there.

"Not yet. Though I'm very much interested if you can point me in the right direction." He pauses a moment and searches the board.

"I know there were suggestions for a boarding house? Somewhere...Ah!" He points to the note.

"Here." He taps it with a finger. "Though if there is available space elsewhere that is fine as well. Whatever is safest. Though frankly, I'll just be happy to have a comfortable bed and hot water to bathe."

"I know there are spaces in the boarding house, which is where I am. But there are empty spots all over the place. I think it depends on if you want to stay on your own or if you want to be near others."

They were a small group but there were enough of them that you didn't have to be completely separate and alone.

"The beds are fairly comfortable, though. For an abandoned town, that is one thing that is shockingly good."

"Hm, either option is honestly tempting. There is safety in numbers, but I do worry that perhaps you all would be safer at a distance from me." There's a thoughtful pause, the happenings in the Fade still fresh on his mind reminding him of his fears. Of ANY intelligent and skilled mage's worst fears. In an unfamiliar place where there are unknown dangers and his magic feeling... off, he's not sure what to expect. He doesn't want to become a potential concern for others on top of whatever else they may deal with on the regular.

"I will be honest, I'm not yet sure how my abilities will react in this place. I'm loathed to admit my normally impeccable control may wane. Especially without my staff or at least my spellbook for focus." He sighs.

"Are there any others that use magic? Do they have any trouble?"

"If there are, I haven't met them. But I myself possess some abilities that most don't. And while they remain intact, they're muted."

It's the best word he has to describe it. He's still a vampire who still craves blood and is stronger and faster than most but there's definite limitations to his abilities here.

"So, I would assume your magic would work under the same parameters. You're a witch?"

"Interesting. And what are those abilities, if you don't mind me asking? I'm simply curious about anything arcane or otherwise. Purely academic." The idea of meeting people with varying degrees of superhuman abilities intrigues him. He likes to learn all he can about magic and the like.

"A witch?" He laughs at that as if it's the funniest thing he's heard all day.

"Goodness no, could you imagine? Me out in the middle of the swamp in some ramshackle hut doing hexes and the like? Though learning to turn myself into a dragon could be fun." His amusement tapers off and he shakes his head.

"No, no. I'm a Mage." There's a difference. He sighs somewhat wistfully though.

"Though I can see how that might not be as readily apparent considering my appearance. There's simply no flare to these clothes at all."

"Forgive me. Most people with magical abilities where I come from are witches. I'm still learning of the existence of things like mages."

He's not exactly sure what the difference is but he's going to take your word for it, Dorian. So, he nods before considering how to tell him what he is. He decides, in the end, to just be blunt.

"Vampire. A very old vampire," he says before adding, "And no, I'm not going to bite you before you ask."

"Sorry, I uh, I didn't mean to be rude and seem as if I were laughing at you for getting it wrong. Obviously, you wouldn't be familiar with the difference, I just found it very amusing. I suppose it would make more sense if you were familiar with my world." He clears his throat. Though his expression looks a little puzzled when the other admits to what he is.

"A... Vampire? And that's someone who requires, what? Blood? Flesh to do magic?" they have a few things very similar to vampires, but they aren't called as such.

"We have blood magic where I'm from and creatures that eat flesh, but they are more like undead monsters. And you are a lot more attractive than any of them."

"I don't know if I'd qualify what I do as magic but yes, I require blood," he says, nodding. "I was created by a very powerful witch over a millennia ago and I will remain here for the rest of eternity."

Unless someone figured out a way to kill him which...could happen. Or he ended up in a coffin because his brother threw a tantrum.

"I am undead, it's true, but I prefer to consume blood in the privacy of my home."

There's a mild reaction of disgust that doesn't make it into his expression, one that coils in his belly at the thought of blood magic. He reminds himself that perhaps things are different, this man, or vampire, could be different in some way and until he gets to understand what he is better perhaps he should give it more of a chance. So his response is less knee-jerk and more intriguing.

"A millennia? I can only imagine and you were killed but then reborn as a Vampire because of a witch? My you mustn't like people like me very much." A soft, if a little nervous chuckle.

"And the blood sustains you and your life? Or your abilities?" Sorry he's trying to understand and wrap his mind around all of this.

"Sounds more like a curse more than a boon." This is all edging into necromancy really.

"So for you, does it have to be human blood or can you get by on something else?" Whatever he is he is old and technically not human anymore, and he sustains himself on blood. It gives him some kind of superhuman abilities, it's all very interesting and very dangerous sounding. He'll be certain not to get on this one's bad side if he can manage it.

"I can imagine with a place like this, as empty as it seems it must be difficult for you to get what you need." Trying to sympathize a little. He'll admit there's something somewhat intimidating about Elijah, not something he'd admit out loud of course. It's more so now that he has more of an idea of what he is. And with his magic being weaker, at least... his connection to the fade feels weaker and distant, then he doesn't want to push his luck with someone who could likely rip out his throat.

Edited (editing for better conversation) 2021-07-09 16:30 (UTC)

"The witch was my mother and she had her reasons for doing this. So, while witches don't tend to like my kind, I don't much mind them as long as they keep themselves out of my business."

But most of the time, that didn't happen. The wolves, the vampires and the witches liked to tangle much more than he would have cared for. But, he can't really think too much on that when there's questions coming at him.

"Human blood is the best but I can survive on other types of blood," he answers. "I tend to get mine from volunteers."

Most of the time.

"It can be a curse. But it's my curse and I have to bear it."

He is rather rapid-firing with the questions, isn't he? The intrigue and curiosity are much better things than thinking too deeply about the use of blood in this instance. Or the parallels he can draw to several other mages who have used blood rituals for longer life, etc. At least he's fairly certain it's been done and/or tried before. Corypheus certainly has his way of giving himself some kind of immortality if he escaped death a time or two as is. Even if he is an ugly monstrosity because of it. He's rather impressed this man--vampire--is still young and attractive. Clearly, he or the witch that's done this to him has something figured out that the mages of his world do not.

"I shall keep that in mind." The part about staying out of his business, though he hopes his prying won't count against him much.

"It isn't surprising the lengths some parents will go to keep their children safe, or their imagined version of it." He wishes they were in a bar or somesuch where they could be talking about these things over some kind of hard drink.

"You seem to be doing well for yourself regardless, I'd be half tempted to know the secret just to keep my impeccable good looks for a millennia. I shudder to think of what time will do to this face." He sighs.

"But I digress. I have asked quite a few questions of you, feel free to ask what you like of me."

"I'm doing all right, yes. Frustrated beyond belief that this place continues to keep me here but physically, I'm all right."

He could be better, of course, and he wants more than anything to be back in New Orleans with his family but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon.

At Dorian's invitation, he arches an eyebrow and tries to think of something to ask.

"What kind of world are you from?"

"I suppose that's something then." He smiles softly at that, he's not always the most positive one in the group but he tries on occasion to lighten the mood. At least when they are discussing some deeper, heavier, and somewhat private things.

To the question his brows raise and his hand is back to his chin again in thought. "I would suppose this answer would be easier if I had more to compare it to...hmm..."

He motions to the building they're in and the general reality around them outside of it. "Very much different compared to this one. This place seems perhaps... more advanced? I suppose? The buildings at least seem very different. We still use candles for light, though I'd think some more advanced mages could power things with magic."

"I'm not sure what kind of monsters are out there or the dangers therein, but we have plenty where I'm from. Dragons, fade-touched animals driven mad, blight monstrosities, twisted things that were once human. Red Lyrium can do that to a person too, more like a disease though, and it gets in you and grows out of flesh." He pauses for more thought.

"We have mages, templar, warriors, rogues, elves, humans, dwarves, and horned peoples called Qunari." He scratches his head.

"I honestly could go on and on about any number of things. We could be here for hours comparing notes." He chuckles softly.

"What about you? Is your world different from this one?"

"My world is vastly different from this one, yes," he says with a quiet scoff. He looks around the area and then shakes his head. If he didn't know any better, he could imagine that everything was absolutely fine but he knows as soon as he goes outside those doors, he'll be reminded.

"I'm not unfamiliar with the supernatural so in that, things are fairly similar. But, where I'm from, I'm able to move about freely and I'm not trapped by some magical force that refuses to let me go further than a set boundary."

And he hates it. He was willing to live with it at first but now, he's over it.

"And I'm also not used to whoever or whatever's controlling this not revealing themselves as of yet."

"I imagine many of us can share that frustration. I'm glad I wasn't one of many mages that were forced into a Circle or this might honestly feel like home." He makes a little jab at his own world and quickly waves it off cause Elijah won't get it.

"I certainly am feeling a lot of that as well my friend. Whatever cowards have done this to us can't even so much as show themselves or give a proper villainous speech about their evil plans." He scoffs.

"Rather boring really." He's trying to be at least a little light in all of this, but despite his jovial attempt, he's just as pissed off as Elijah.

"Has the fog's perimeter moved at all since you arrived? Does it seem to be getting better or worse?"

"The fog is...unusual in that it tends to stay in the same place for the most part. Sometimes, it's thinner than usual, sometimes it thickens. But, I've been inside of it and trying to pass through it is nigh impossible."

He'd thought he'd get through because of what he was and because little could affect him. But, he'd been proven wrong and he hates that.

"The fog doesn't lift ever," he says. "I wouldn't advise going into it unless you have someone with you. You will get lost in it or you'll get sick. Perhaps both."

"Don't worry, I have no intention of going into it alone, if at all. The uhm..." He peers at the board beside them and looks to the note written by Malcolm, pointing to it vaguely.

"I don't know what ... carbon monoxide is?" Said with a question as he's not entirely sure he's pronouncing it right, "But I frankly do not wish to find out."

He sighs, tucking away the notes he's taken thus far and motioning towards the door. "Is there somewhere we can go in this town to get a drink or perhaps at least somewhere more comfortable to chat? I'm feeling a little peckish and like there are eyes here."

"If you're looking for a bar or a tavern or a restaurant, you're going to be looking for quite some time. At least one that is actually staffed and has good alcohol."

He sighs, looking towards the door and trying to think of a place to go.

"There's a few places to sit and I might have a bit of leftover moonshine in my room. It's not perfect but it is something."

"Oh, don't worry, considering my predicament my expectations aren't so high as to expect perfection." He smiles softly.

"That is to say, I'd be happy to join you for some Moonshine, as you call it. If you'll have me."

"I don't think we have all that much left so we can finish it off," Elijah says before turning and gesturing for Dorian to follow him. The moonshine had been something he and Elena shared every so often.

He starts walking, expecting Dorian to keep up. The boarding house isn't too far away.

"I would show you around this place but what's there today might not be there tomorrow."

"If you're quite sure, I feel bad draining the last of your stash. But the company would be entirely welcome for the night. I've been warned against sleeping alone." He'll follow along easily, clearly not at all worried about the fact the other is a vampire who may or may not have a reason to attack him and drink his blood. Elijah had said he only does so from willing persons, so he believes him.

"How ominous. Does it change its appearance regularly?"

065-071 » assign to oblivion / part iii

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