The Witch and the Dark Forest
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Section 1: Magisfair
"You asked me what was the purpose of creating a Hell such as this. The answer isn't that complicated at all. You see, when man and the Devil meet, a demon is born."
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Charapalos Kallergis
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Holy Church - Basement Morgue
Broken away from the stressful organization of the expedition, the cold stillness of the hollow crypt was a relief. Age had eroded the solid stones, drops of water rolling down the cracked walls continuing the slow erosion of the basement’s structure. The space was decrepit but not neglected, the subtle marks of human activity remained strewn about as if someone was using this as their own personal space. Cups, stickers, cigarette trays and even a poster for what you assumed to be a male idol or model could be spotted amongst the nooks of this maze in stark contrast to the melancholic malaise of the stored dead.
With the widespread reaches of the Magisfair organ trade, it was perhaps a little comforting to see corpses treated with some modicum of respect, regardless of the personal flair put up beside them. Most of the dead simply went missing, lost in the dragon’s tomb or scrapped for parts, thus the mourning of genuine bodies in such a place, even if it was damp and dirty, must have been a mercy of God.
Of course, you lacked the time to indulge the silence or honor the deceased, a body which apparently lacked the grace of the Lord was in need of your intention. A request from Grandmaster Gabriella had been given to investigate a corpse mangled by the degeneration of demonic possession. “You’ll know it when you see it” is what you had been told, but the labyrinthian halls of what should be a compact structure had left the location of this target obscured. Your wandering taking much longer than expected.
“Heya, Heya. You one of the knight dudes from upstairs yeah?”
After a little pursuing you are eventually able to find a small rectangular room at the back of the crypt. A short woman greets you as she puts out a cigarette upon her ashtray, one amongst many. With a very casual and subdued demeanor, her friendly cadence somehow blends in with the crypts frigid atmosphere in an unusual blend. What you had found was most certainly the women's workshop, the personal touches you witnessed earlier smattered all around a messy coroner’s table. A single body bag rested lifeless on the table, the shape inside clearly malformed.
Elyra Reissford
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Holy Church - Church Nave
Between the bustling of knights of the Church and the sacks of gathered material sat a small back room that was mostly empty. While every space in the church had the space maximized with their supplies, that one spot stood as a sole exception. Left on top a large wooden crate sat a lone figure resembling a strange doll, lifeless and ethereal. It seemed much like a puppet without strings, unmoving but with a lingering will. Of all the things entrapped within this holy house there seemed to be nothing so fundamentally unnatural, uncanny and out of place. Yet in spite of this strange soldier’s tainted vibe, you couldn’t help but feel strangely about it. The thing was almost pitiful.
While important talks carried on behind you, your eyes were naturally drawn towards the entity just out of reach. What was it? Was it alive? Many such questions had swirled in your head and the heads of everyone who saw it, but it appeared to be a mystery reserved only to the Grandmaster.
“Miss Reissford. The Grandmaster has requested your immediate service. You shall be under the care of one Thekla Holzknecht.”
A voice suddenly manifests behind you. A tall and lanky man calmly looks down as if he had been there the entire time. Despite your honed senses, he had been able to appear without warning. Perhaps the differences between mere executors and the Cavalieri d'arme really was no mere exaggeration you wondered. Still, it seems you have been granted orders.
Thekla Holzknecht
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Holy Church - Church Nave
The North Star were a peculiar bunch. Some folks walked around with genuine blinds, and despite some of them lacking knowledge of the radio, cherished a hulking automaton. They were a collection of disparate elements with cultural characteristics you had never heard of in your life. Still, like many in the Churches ranks, the only thing that mattered about their character was how it affected their ability to do what was asked of them. The North Star in particular were well renown for their dedicated loyalty and manpower. Thus, while they had a variety of quirks to put it lightly, the Order had thus far, not given anyone a real reason to complain.
In the middle of the preparations however, there was suddenly a shift in the atmosphere. Hushed whispers spread through the forces as the Grandmaster had finally set foot in the Church, a notable knight by her side. You had to wonder what she might have been up to until she had personally confronted you between the church pews.
“Before we depart, I have a special request for you, Thekla.”
Reaching into her cloak, the woman pulls out a single white envelope.
“I’d like for you to partake in an urgent joint mission with Captain Charapalos Kallergis. It is to be done as swiftly and quietly as possible, time is of the essence. I’ve selected two Executors to work as back up, I’m sure they’ll serve you well.”
The woman flashes a smug smirk before finally placing the envelope in your hands.
“Enclosed are photos of one Christopher Green and an Elliot Byrne. They went missing following the death of excavator David Brayford at approximately 10:30 pm yesterday evening in a back alley slum. Find out what happened to them.”
John Hopkins
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Holy Church - Courtyard
You had heard of the Church experimenting with augmentation. Strange inventions that resembled things out of sci fi novels, mysteries which surpassed what regular tech could do by decades. You had imagined something like a metal arm or leg, perhaps even an eye enhancement. Yet the thing before you was marvelous in its complexity. It was awe inspiring. It was abhorrent. A complete and utter deviation from human form and shape, this person had the totality of their flesh replaced for steel. You weren’t a short man by any means, by regular standards you were actually quite tall. Despite that, you had to strain your neck to look this behemoth in their singular, unblinking eye.
“Heya! I’m Sofia!”
The automaton spoke in a feminine but distorted voice, its cadence always accompanied by a metallic ring like speaking through an old intercom.
“Our sweetie Grandmaster’s got a mission for ya. You’ll be under the orders of um, uhhh….”
One of the many metal hands hidden below the large cloak they wore pulls out a little piece of paper that they start staring intensely at.
“Kall-err-gis….. That guy. Funny red man. Ya can find him in the crypt in the basement.”
Alina Eltnam Ardiansyah, Owen Ariafiction, Farrah Harcourt
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Sariel Manor - Tindal Office
The Sariel manor was a strange ornate wooden building overlooking Magisfair. A large complex hoisted on the cavern's wall, it often appeared as if it was hoisted into the sky to the excavators below during the day, but at night it appeared to just be another artificial star. Originally constructed by a wealthy member of management for personal use, it was now rented out as a temporary residence to the highest bidder. From Lords of the Clocktower to heads of the Zoa, many folks have taken residence here for a variety of purposes. Today, it served as the base of the Tindal expedition.
You weren't expecting to catch much attention as students yet the three of you were called to the highest point on important business. It seemed like something exciting, but now you can only just awkwardly stare out the window behind your current employer towards the sprawling city below.
“Elizabeth, this is outrageous!? This isn’t a field trip, it's a serious expedition!”
Mathew slams his hands down onto Tindalls desk as he gestures to the three people sitting on the opposite side of the noblewoman.
“They’re adults who can make their own decisions.”
“They are students!”
Despite the lecturer’s many complaints, Elizabeth maintained the same stoic expression, hands clasped together on the desk maintaining her professional demeanor. Mathew had apparently raised quite the fuss upon hearing the prospect that students had been approved for the trip down into Albion, resulting in everyone gathering for this important meeting. Despite that, it seemed like the bickering of a married couple about what they should allow their kids to do.
Though, it had mostly consisted of Mathew stressfully worrying about the students safety while Elizabeth shrugged off each and every complaint with barely a word. Eventually though, perhaps fed up with the noise, Elizabeth moved to shut the man down once and for all.
“I won’t have them doing anything dangerous. In fact, I have a simple job they can take care of. So easy a monkey can do it.”
Unrolling a map of Magisfair onto the desk, Elizabeth points a finger at a specific dot on the map labeled the Cat Sith Casino.
“There’s a bar around here, The Pig and Whistle. I need you to pick up the enforcer Helen Bygrave who has failed to show up today and bring her back here. Should be an easy back and forth.”
“You’d send them out into Magisfair on their own!?”
“You’re right. Congrats, you’re on chaperone duty. Have fun.”
With a smirk Elizabeth pats the man on the back much to his annoyance.
Lyn L Lynhammer
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Sariel Manor- Outside Tindal Office
There were many concerning factors at play in Magisfair today. You didn’t have to be anyone special to tell from merely looking around that there was more than just the Clocktower running about these city streets today. But you could sense that there was something more sinister in motion just out of sight. It wasn’t clear, merely an energy that’s hit a nerve, and sent a shiver down even your spine. There was sinking feeling that something terribly unnatural was prowling the city right now.
Well, there was one other thing that tipped you off. Many times, often in the most innocuous of moments, there’d be a young girl you could make out at the corner of your eye. Never there when you turned your head. She never acted, simply watching. It didn't exactly raise your confidence about things.
You were all for twiddling your thumbs and going with the flow, but that pressure was beginning to weigh down upon your shoulders. It was hard to go with the flow when it seemed something was fiddling with your head. It seemed that Lord from Lore who was running the operations was caught in the affairs of organizing the young folk that had gotten wrapped in these affairs when in all honesty the group should be moving on already.
You thought about taking a look around the area but there was always the option to help them get a move on, already hanging out right before her office, but there was also the thing right before you that prevented you from moving your way in there.
“You must wait your turn. A meeting is ongoing.”
Stand outside her bosses office was Alice Wagner. One of the Tindall lackeys from Lore stood as the barrier between you and the door. A tired, hulking, peculiar figure, they scrawled relentlessly upon a clipboard. They didn’t even stop when they looked up at you. They sadly seemed like one of those stoic serious figures, you'd doubt they'd let you just listen in.
Tiffany White
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Cat Sith Casino- Main Hall
Wherever you were in Magisfair, the haunt of death wasn’t far. In every dark corner the cruelty of survival was displayed.
The Cat Sith was the house where mysteries go to die. Those whose luck was already spent wasted the slim value of their life on the hopes that fate will save them from certain destitute. Of course, in Jessica’s house, the Fates played with weighted dice. Thus, when an excavator's efforts turned bottom up, there was often a bloody mess you had to mop up when you went looking for work on the side.
You often couldn’t even slack a little on this task.
“Magi are a dying breed. We can’t afford to waste the fruits of their labor regardless of the decay.” Was the policy you remember the old man had started enforcing with the Zoa's power.
Their lives weren’t worth preserving, but their works and their bodies would fetch a price greater than you could get on the surface. Even blood, diluted by the water of mop, could be sold to certain desperate sods eager to do who knows what with it. It wasn't your interest to bother with the inner workings of their heads, you only had to focus on the task ahead of you.
“Tiffany White.”
The steady sound of footfalls approaching behind you give way to a familiar face. It was hard to call it pleasant, Luvah’s solemn face producing an ever melancholic air, but it was someone who proved to be consistently reliable. She was after all, the one to be leading you down deeper than you’ve ever traversed before.
“I need you to put your ear to the wall again so to speak.”
Shuffling over to you, hands stuffed in her pockets, carefully navigates around the stains on the floor before speaking with a light whisper to avoid being picked up by any passerby.
“Our patron suddenly wants to find the source of the Dark Forest rumor. Find the origin of the tale. This takes priority over part timing. I’ve hooked you up with some folks from management and some hired muscle.”
Luvah suddenly slips a list of names and locations into your palm, before standing back and returning to a normal tone of voice.
“Don’t disappoint.”
Angelica Durand
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Markets- Wandering River Avenue
“I respect the attempt, but today wasn’t his day. String him up.”
Taking a huff from his cigar, Urizen motions for a subordinate to pull on a rope raising the body up above the street for all to see. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight, but you wanted to move supplies in peace. Your lunch break today was ruined with the familiar stench of gunpowder and blood as some gutted debtor was made an example of on a market street corner. Bastard wasn’t a magus, so the Zoa had no hesitation in stringing him up without the intention of breaking him down for parts. Regular folk were dime a dozen, the rats could have him now for all they cared.
It was carnage like this that made taking contracts from the Zoa a real pain, but it was hard to find groups that pay better than they do. Plus they tended to be men of their word. It was thus merely a quirk of the job one simply had to put up to make sure food was put on the table the next day.
This is all especially important considering what they offered for accompanying them on this Black Forest expedition. Bankrolled by the wealthy owner of the Cat Sith Casino, a number of other excavators had come on board with you in search of the great rewards offered afterwards. Most were merely regular workers, but the one who sat next to you couldn’t help but draw a number of prying eyes.
Clara Nuallaini, a candidate by many for the strongest excavator living in Magisfair, she had procured a number of wild rumors, surely inspired from her strange appearance. Even so, she seemed to be preoccupied with eating a sandwich in spite of the stares. Everything about her seemed to make her hard to approach.
“Urizen sir!”
A subordinate suddenly reports to the old man, speaking to him in a quiet whisper as he nods along. It didn’t seem to be worth your time, until suddenly he pointed the woman in your direction. You sadly had to put your lunch down as the woman makes her way over to you.
“Angelica Durand, Jessica Renwick has requested your service. You have been tasked with protecting two important informants.”
Like the others had, the woman bestows to you an envelope with pictures of the two informants and directions to the Cait Sith Casino. It seemed like an odd request considering your specialties, you were a monster hunter not a bodyguard. Regardless, scratching your head over it wasn’t exactly going to do you any good.
Anima
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Management Office
The work at management never seems to end. Stacked upon your desk was a variety of papers concerning many of Magisfair ongoing affairs. It was as boring and tedious as paperwork could be despite the mystical affairs they sometimes covered. Though reviewing so much info for so long meant that your eyes would inevitably glaze over regardless of content.
But currently, a new up and coming rumor which gripped the city by storm was making your job all the harder, even if it had caught your attention quite strongly. It wasn’t anything disastrous yet, but the data was proving that this was a constantly growing problem that needed to be nipped at that bud before it bloomed.
“That forest has been gobbling excavators like it’s nobody’s business.”
Jun Yutani leans against your desk as he takes a drag of his cigarette, looking down at a collection of papers in his hands.
“Excavation deaths and disappearances are up 20%. We’re close to a new record at this rate.”
Jun suddenly places a single paper down onto your desk.
“The boss is more eager than ever to find where these rumors started coming from considering it’s a place no one has credibly returned from. Knowledge is power if you're gonna be down there.”
Looking down at what he handed you is a collection of names and faces. It was clear by his words that this “boss” wasn’t referring to anyone in Management.
“They want you to do some digging with these folks. Surely you’ve worked here long enough that this shouldn’t be too hard a task.”
Yvonne Llanfair
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
Criegula - Sector 6 Terminal Office
The sound of mechanical clanking could be heard muffled in the distance as the Criegula’s industry labored away. The familiar noise of tinkering approached the height of intensity as they finished last minute orders for the big expedition. All of that vanished behind you as the door to the “Office” closed.”
A massive circular room existed at the end of the entrance hallway, the wall plastered with a mix of metal plating, tubes, wires and monitors. Your gaze followed the flow of these rusted walls to their end point of a massive terminal in the center.
There’s a buzz of static as a monitor on the wall to your side suddenly comes to life.
“Llanfair! You’re finally here! What’s taking you so long, we can’t be slacking! That’s no good, it’s not good at all!”
A distorted metallic voice echoes out an intercom as a flashing arrow on the screen urges you on. You were surprised to get a request from Criegula Sector 6 Manager, Vasiliki, on such short notice but maybe that just means they have faith in your abilities. Though, you’re sure many would be skeptical to say hard work pays off in these parts. Either way you couldn't turn down his orders.
Finally standing before the main terminal, numerous monitors stare down upon you with a watching gaze.
“Wonderful! I felt the money bleeding out of my wallet every second I was waiting! Luvah has requested this item be delivered to one Jun Yutani. And make sure no one opens the damn thing! It’s both our heads on the line!”
A compartment suddenly opens out of the floor below you, a pedestal rising out with a single, brown box sitting atop it. The thing didn’t seem particularly special, the box was only about the size of your head and fairly light to boot. It was a peculiar request for you to get, that's for sure.
The Cult of the Enlightened Sun
Phase 1
Day 1 - Afternoon (New Moon)
??????
While four main entrances to Magisfair existed, blood was constantly spilled over the ones who escaped management's watchful eyes. Occasionally, like bubbles rising to the surface, holes to this underside world would arise and vanish just as quickly. Knowledge of such events was invaluable in the city, so a permanent exit was a dream worth more than could be understood. It was endlessly peculiar then, that despite there being one such hole in the eastern wall, it remained functionally abandoned.
All that surrounded it was a ghost town of empty housing. A mural painted haphazardly on stone was enough to keep it desolate. To bear witness was often enough to seal the fate of any weary excavator. Indeed, it was an empty spot on the map for no one returned alive to speak of it. The defenseless nature of the exit merely a lure in the dark.
Deep down the cavern's maw, a terrible evil lied…..
“And that’s when I heard the entire civilization was made up by the Americans. (⋒ ⌣̀_⌣́)”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. ”
“Well how would you know!? ᕙ[◣益◢]ᕗ”
“I was alive back then dumbass!”
A spectral figure argued with a woman covered in tendrils at her side. Another mindless topic which often filled the days these creatures spent together.
“Hehe! For real? That’s pretty crazy….”
A smaller white haired girl chuckles as she exhales a thick smog. Smoke had completely filled the trios darkened abode creating an infernal hot box as they inhaled their way through Drosera’s seemingly endless supply of drugs. After her one big inhale, she passed the bong the giant ominous specter to her left, who due to lacking lungs, instantly hands it back to Drosera.
“Why do I gotta be the middleman for your addictions! (˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥)”
“You’re the one sat there ya dope.”
Drosera continued to bicker with Des as she took the bong from her decrepit hands, the entire time their leader simply stared off into space with a distant expression. She was at least subdued today which was generally considered a good sign. Slowly a figure made their way through the smoke to stand behind her. He waited for a moment before having to wave his hand in front of her to catch her attention.
“Mistress? Might I have a word?”
“Hm? Yea? I’m not doing anything, hehehe.”
The Dead Apostles giggled to herself, clearly out of it.
“Wonderful. I must simply inform you that the Church has finally set up shop in Magisfair. It seems they will pursue the Witch rumor after all.”
“The Witchy? The lil Witch gal? That sounds like fun! (๑>ᴗ<๑)”
Des throws her hands up in excitement while their zoinked out leader places her hand on her chin as if dutifully considering the situation.
“You and the rest of the guard can go out there and check it out. Tell me if it’s interesting or not.”
The woman suddenly gives him a dismissive wave making the man raise an eyebrow.
“I figured you’d be more excited. It’s not often you get an event like this.”
“I don’t want it to be a dud like last time.”
“I warned you that the emperor of America wasn’t real.”
“I know. Just go so this story doesn’t end too early.”
As she gave the man a dismissive wave he simply nodded in response.
“Very well. I’ll report back this evening”