PLAYER PLOT: Enfenim

[mythalenaste]

WHO: Pel, Sina, Cyril, Beleth, Sorrel, Myr, Saoirse, side of Anders and Alistair
WHAT: A demon has trapped Pel in the Fade.
WHEN: Forward-Dated to 25 Firstfall
WHERE: The Gallows, the Fade
NOTES: Trigger warning bonanza for insects, body horror, corpses, dismemberment/maiming, death, illness, drowning, blood + will update if any more happen.

What am I to do with all of these dolls?
They've covered the floors, they've covered the walls.
They're stacked up chin-high all over the floor,
But my greedy child is screaming for more...

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

It's not the first time he's seen someone caught in the Fade, though it's the first time someone he cares about has been. That doesn't make any difference in what needs to be done. It just means he's more stressed as people who are willing to help make themselves known.

"She's trapped in the Fade," he says, point blank, baby Sina in one arm and Purrelden in the other so at least the baby is entertained tapping the familiar kitty. "And someone gets trapped in there by a demon who doesn't want to let them go. To get them out, people have to go in and kill the demon. Or demons. So. We'll need lyrium, we'll need willing volunteers, and we'll need to do this quickly. Any questions?"

[arlathvhen]

"I'll go." Beleth doesn't hesitate, arms crossed and a scowl on her face. As...complicated as her relationship with Pel has been for the past few months (years) (her entire life), that doesn't mean she's going to stand idly by while Pel is at risk. Not if there's something she can do about it. "I'm not a mage, but. I've faced down demons in the Fade before."

She pauses, as she tries to think of any questions. "Will it be different than doing it when I was physically in the Fade?"

[justice_is_blond]

Anders nods, gratitude showing for a moment before his expression is serious again. They're agreeing to a lot of danger, and this time he's not going to be one of the people going in because he needs to keep Pel stable.

"There aren't a lot of differences between physically being in the Fade and deliberately going there like this except for one. Appearances. A demon can only shape the physical Fade so much around itself, depending on its strength, but it has far more resources at its disposal when you're dreaming. Trust what you see even less, rely on your instincts more. And..."

He swallows. Of this group, he doesn't know one, he doesn't really trust another, but the information may be crucial if they don't have it already and he truly hopes Sorrel and Myrobalan won't use it against anyone.

"If you see Pel in there, do absolutely everything you can to avoid harming her. If you kill her in there, you might actually kill her... but you also might make her Tranquil." One is worse than the other, in his opinion, but they're both pretty awful possibilities.

[samahl]

The idea of making Pel Tranquil makes Cyril feel like he's going to loose his lunch. He was already sick with worry to start with, and now knowing that they could do such a thing to her makes him feel even more queasy.

"Why would he harm her? Will she attack us while we're in there?" He hates the idea of having to fight Pel for any reason.

He also doesn't feel the need to verbally confirm that he's going to. Of course he's going, Pel is family.

[justice_is_blond]

"A demon's motivation is generally power. If it thinks it can gain more by hurting her..." Anders trails off and shakes his head. "As far as the other, I don't know. I'd lean toward no, but it's possible the demon is distorting her perceptions and she wouldn't see you as you."

It would be really nice to have good news to give to them, but where demons and the Fade are concerned there's rarely any to be found.

[samahl]

Cyril sighs in a shaky way and nods. He will prepare himself to do this for Pel. She needs to be protected.

"What else do we need to know?"

[justice_is_blond]

He takes a slow breath, going over the mental checklist: don't trust what you see, don't kill Pel, oh.

"Accept no deals. I've seen a couple of non-mages accept deals in the Fade and they did not wake up damaged, but I've also seen possessed templars. There is no guarantee that someone who isn't a mage can walk away without being harmed. Some of you have never endured demons before; remember that even if they could give you whatever they're promising, would it be worth your twisted form attacking the people you care about here? Because you will likely die and considering how many people will be asleep in this room and vulnerable..."

He figures they can all finish that thought by themselves, and that it will have more impact like that as well.

"If something seems too easy, it likely is. Be wary at all times." He presses his lips together, trying to think of anything else. "And don't die. Nothing else comes to mind."

[faithlikeaseed]

All of this is nothing new to a mage--but one part, which Myr files quietly away along with all the sick dread it brings with it. Make her Tranquil. Maker forfend.

But better not to ask about it. "Don't think there's anything we could add to that," which is a gentle half-truth, but now's not the time for theology, "unless Saoirse and Sorrel have something else. If you've the lyrium ready, Warden Anders--"

Best to get this done.

[justice_is_blond]

He nods, face a little paler than usual as he gathers the vials up and starts handing them out one by one to each person.

"You'll want to be in position before taking this. It's fast-acting." The nervousness he feels, sending a group into the Fade that has friends in it, to try to save another friend, makes him wish there was so much more to say. "I know some of you already know that."

Of course, saying more edges into babbling territory, and Anders takes a breath and stops himself from saying anything else obvious.

"Good luck." Bring her back goes unsaid; that's what they're here to do.