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apocalypsehowcomm2023-08-01 07:39 am
apocalypsehownpcs) wrote in apocalypsehowcomm2023-08-01 07:39 am
Entry tags:
Into the Wyldwoods
Who: Milo apocalypsehownpcs, Raine Whispers rainestorms, Steve Rogers punched_hitler
When: August 15th
Where: The Wyldwoods
Summary: Raine and Steve have taken it upon themselves to uncover more information about the lower levels of ADI and the illusion that disguises the non-humans at ADI. They encounter Milo, a Perfectly Ordinary Person, who has some information to share.
Warnings: Gaslighting, manipulation, illusions, uncanny valley, potential for loss of name, sense of self, and memory or memory modification
It's not easy getting to the very lowest level of ADI Headquarters. Asking around will indicate that it's where ADI once kept an avatar of the Dark named Katie Dunn. No other prisoners are being kept on that level, but access is severely restricted. By ill-got means or some very serious persuasion, though, two people have managed to gain access to it.
There was also a cryptic bit of guidance found or obtained to 'bring milk and honey,' which may or may not have been listened to.
The elevator door opens to a small, metal room with two sturdy doors leading off from it. The one to the left is labeled Containment. The one to the right is labeled Wyldwoods. Both require keycodes to access, but the infiltrators have acquired those by their various means. Containment is a small cell block with only three cells. There's nothing and no one in here. It seems ADI was telling the truth about Katie Dunn being their only prisoner.
Wyldwoods is a different story, the door opens and the one entering will find themselves immediately hit with the scent of loam and pine. It is pleasantly warm with a blue, partly cloudy sky, and there's the sound of birdsong and wind rustling leaves. It looks to be a full pine forest in the middle of a lovely summer's day. Moving into the room, they'll find themselves stepping out of a door that's appeared in the trunk of a tree. Said door closes and vanishes immediately behind them.
Beyond the trees is a meadow filled with flowers. Sitting in the field is a young and beautiful-looking person. They seem to be lounging and plucking flowers for a chain that they're weaving together. There's a slight frown on their face, though. Approaching, it might become apparent that some of the meadow beyond them isn't meadow at all. It's just metal, much like the walls out in the entry room. The patches flicker and flowers and grass grow back, but more patches appear in other spots, instead.
Raine Whispers (first to arrive and leave)
The person turns to look toward Raine when they approach, whether directly or with stealth. "Ah, hello? You're someone new."
Steve Rogers (second to arrive and leave)
"Two new visitors in one day!" It doesn't matter if Steve is approaching with stealth or not, the person seems to know where he is and looks over at him or whatever hiding spot he's chosen. "I feel very lucky, indeed. Hello? May I have your name?"
(Warning for Both Players: Providing a full name to this character at any point in the conversation will result in negative consequences for Raine and/or Steve.
Additional Information for Raine: In their general exploration and investigation, Raine would have turned up the following information.
1. ADI has not found a way to send people home. Arrivals and disappearances continue to be at random from all paperwork and other documentation that is available. There seems to have been a slow down in recent months, which is concerning to ADI in a different way. Possibly it signals that whatever is doing this has collected what it wants?
2. Artifacts contained by ADI are anything seen in the Dogged event that has not been destroyed or hampered by PCs.
3. Oculus seems to have been a cult that was active several decades ago, particularly in the 1990s. They attempted a ritual in Oracle, AZ that involved the Biosphere 2 experiment. ADI wasn't actually all that involved in disrupting that initiative. They had looked at it and deemed it doomed to failure. And it was. After the failure of that ritual, members of Oculus splintered and there was a lot of in-fighting that ADI watched from afar. Current records indicate that the larger cult is dead with some minor pockets here and there. The largest pocket was dealt with in Gloucester recently. The only other notable grouping of Oculus seems to be out in Arizona where they're trying to get funding for Biosphere 3.
Dogtown has grown increasingly strange since the arrival of the first offworld NPCs. It was always a threat, but it seemed to have Hunt and Dark as the primary Entities lurking within it. 'Primordial' ones, ADI's information calls these. The Wolfe House at the center of Dogtown is a documented site for significant hauntings, but ADI has always dealt with those in the past without too much incident.
Hammond Castle is the only other location of interest. Notes indicate that ADI has a Special Relationship with the castle given the Hammonds' interest in the occult. In the past, ADI has used the castle as a front for acquiring cursed artifacts.)
apocalypsehownpcs, Raine Whispers rainestorms, Steve Rogers punched_hitlerWhen: August 15th
Where: The Wyldwoods
Summary: Raine and Steve have taken it upon themselves to uncover more information about the lower levels of ADI and the illusion that disguises the non-humans at ADI. They encounter Milo, a Perfectly Ordinary Person, who has some information to share.
Warnings: Gaslighting, manipulation, illusions, uncanny valley, potential for loss of name, sense of self, and memory or memory modification
It's not easy getting to the very lowest level of ADI Headquarters. Asking around will indicate that it's where ADI once kept an avatar of the Dark named Katie Dunn. No other prisoners are being kept on that level, but access is severely restricted. By ill-got means or some very serious persuasion, though, two people have managed to gain access to it.
There was also a cryptic bit of guidance found or obtained to 'bring milk and honey,' which may or may not have been listened to.
The elevator door opens to a small, metal room with two sturdy doors leading off from it. The one to the left is labeled Containment. The one to the right is labeled Wyldwoods. Both require keycodes to access, but the infiltrators have acquired those by their various means. Containment is a small cell block with only three cells. There's nothing and no one in here. It seems ADI was telling the truth about Katie Dunn being their only prisoner.
Wyldwoods is a different story, the door opens and the one entering will find themselves immediately hit with the scent of loam and pine. It is pleasantly warm with a blue, partly cloudy sky, and there's the sound of birdsong and wind rustling leaves. It looks to be a full pine forest in the middle of a lovely summer's day. Moving into the room, they'll find themselves stepping out of a door that's appeared in the trunk of a tree. Said door closes and vanishes immediately behind them.
Beyond the trees is a meadow filled with flowers. Sitting in the field is a young and beautiful-looking person. They seem to be lounging and plucking flowers for a chain that they're weaving together. There's a slight frown on their face, though. Approaching, it might become apparent that some of the meadow beyond them isn't meadow at all. It's just metal, much like the walls out in the entry room. The patches flicker and flowers and grass grow back, but more patches appear in other spots, instead.
Raine Whispers (first to arrive and leave)
The person turns to look toward Raine when they approach, whether directly or with stealth. "Ah, hello? You're someone new."
Steve Rogers (second to arrive and leave)
"Two new visitors in one day!" It doesn't matter if Steve is approaching with stealth or not, the person seems to know where he is and looks over at him or whatever hiding spot he's chosen. "I feel very lucky, indeed. Hello? May I have your name?"
(Warning for Both Players: Providing a full name to this character at any point in the conversation will result in negative consequences for Raine and/or Steve.
Additional Information for Raine: In their general exploration and investigation, Raine would have turned up the following information.
1. ADI has not found a way to send people home. Arrivals and disappearances continue to be at random from all paperwork and other documentation that is available. There seems to have been a slow down in recent months, which is concerning to ADI in a different way. Possibly it signals that whatever is doing this has collected what it wants?
2. Artifacts contained by ADI are anything seen in the Dogged event that has not been destroyed or hampered by PCs.
3. Oculus seems to have been a cult that was active several decades ago, particularly in the 1990s. They attempted a ritual in Oracle, AZ that involved the Biosphere 2 experiment. ADI wasn't actually all that involved in disrupting that initiative. They had looked at it and deemed it doomed to failure. And it was. After the failure of that ritual, members of Oculus splintered and there was a lot of in-fighting that ADI watched from afar. Current records indicate that the larger cult is dead with some minor pockets here and there. The largest pocket was dealt with in Gloucester recently. The only other notable grouping of Oculus seems to be out in Arizona where they're trying to get funding for Biosphere 3.
Dogtown has grown increasingly strange since the arrival of the first offworld NPCs. It was always a threat, but it seemed to have Hunt and Dark as the primary Entities lurking within it. 'Primordial' ones, ADI's information calls these. The Wolfe House at the center of Dogtown is a documented site for significant hauntings, but ADI has always dealt with those in the past without too much incident.
Hammond Castle is the only other location of interest. Notes indicate that ADI has a Special Relationship with the castle given the Hammonds' interest in the occult. In the past, ADI has used the castle as a front for acquiring cursed artifacts.)
no subject
But, it seems, he has found someone who might be able to help him. And he has several questions. But first and foremost is: "Is ADI forcing you to make the nonhumans that arrive here appear human?"
no subject
Asked and answered, they turn attention to the interesting bar their new Friend has brought and start the slow process of working out how to open it with a nearly innocent curiosity. "Next question."
no subject
Probably.
It does lead naturally into the next question, though. "Are you doing it for them willingly?"
no subject
no subject
"I had thought it was a machine, at first," he admits. "Some kind of, you know. Technology. But the more I looked, the more it seemed like it was a someone."
You.
"If you're doing it because you want to, then - " He looks around the room, such as it is. "You aren't trapped here, are you?"
no subject
"Hmm...I do miss the outside world. It's been...a very long time since I've wondered about. I imagine it's changed quite a lot if this food is normal to you..." Their eyes turn the exact same shade of blue as those eyes they look at as they continue. "...But that door wasn't locked for me, Steve. Not exclusively."
no subject
"I don't know if it's normal, exactly, but it's - convenient. Easy to carry."
But that's not the point. "Well, it's a relief this doesn't have to be a jailbreak," he admits. "But I - " Now he pauses, thinks. He's not sure exactly how to ask the question, despite the fact that it's been on his mind a while, now.
So it's not really a question, this time: "What you do. To change people's appearances. I don't like the fact that the nonhumans who end up here are tied to ADI to get that kind of help."
no subject
no subject
But as for the actual answer to the question: "This world seems pretty like my own. People aren't used to seeing, uh, nonhumans walking around. It scares them, and when people are scared, they can be dangerous. The nonhumans can't be easily accepted into society - so they're forced to hide to stay safe. To live their lives. ADI offers them that option - your services, I guess - in return for loyalty and work. I know it might seem fair, but it's not. Not when the alternative is persecution."
no subject
“Really? Because no one has asked me to stop for any of my names. Not once. So perhaps these impositions are ones you have put upon yourself?” Their grin stretches wide across their face. “Have you been biting the hand you’re meant to be holding? Delightful.”
no subject
But then - "I don't know if anyone who needs the glamour has actually left," he has to admit. Because that alone isn't tipping too much of his hand. "But I know they're afraid. I don't think that's the way to run an organization. I don't think that's the way to help people, and ADI sure makes it sound like they're helping. Like they're afraid people won't stay if they aren't reliant on ADI for their livelihood - or their lives."
Which maybe makes him wonder, "Why do you stay?"
no subject
They lean forward again, chin cupped in their hands and eager for the gossip. "Tell me: are they still running their minds in circles on how they aren't Hunters? It was always so silly and no one's been by much for a while."
no subject
That word, though - he can hear the capital letter.
"Something like that," he says, quietly. Thoughtfully. "We know the Warden is an avatar of the Hunt. But she's still the Warden. So - you tell me what you think that says."
It's more of a rhetorical not-quite-a-question, though. It's clear Steve isn't so impressed. He can respect wanting to do what you can, while you can, and even sticking it to the entity that corrupted you... but he can also be wary of it, at the same time.
"What was the alternative, if you hadn't, ah. Come to an agreement with them?"
no subject
To say there's sarcasm in Milo's tone would be too strong, it's more a simple implication of doubt.
It's gone again when he moves on to his Friend's real question. "I'm fairly sure it would have gone how most things go when the Hunt has gotten it's taste for something: poorly. This Warden is more forgiving than some of her predecessors. For now."
no subject
Maybe someone who has clearly been here a long time will understand that. But maybe not. It doesn't change how he feels, all the same. He doesn't think he's wrong.
"Are you the only person who can do this? The illusions, I mean." Because that's really what Steve is here for: a way to help his friends who might want to leave.
no subject
Then it's over and their Friend is moving on to his other questions and Milo turns a sharp, curious, eye on Steve, and his brow raises even as the flowers under their feet begin to wilt and turn grey.
"Why? Do you intend to kill me?"
no subject
Steve catches sight of the way the flowers are wilting and immediately holds up his hands. "No, I - I came here to ask for your help. I want people to be able to leave ADI and still have a way to keep themselves safe. I just want to give them that choice, but I can't -"
He gestures to Milo, a little. Steve couldn't do what Milo does, even with the serum, if he had it.
Sorry, I lost this one!
“You have people you care about…I hope you can keep them. They can leave ADI…no one’s told me to stop my glamours…and I don’t intend to. Unless I get bored or leave, I suppose. Is there more that you want than that?”
No worries! <3
He considers the offer. It is what he wants - at least, part of it. He knows better than to demand a guarantee. He wants to, but he knows better.
"Not that I think it's fair to ask you," he finally decides, nodding. "That's - thank you. That's a good start."
It means he's sort of back to square one if they want a way that's a guarantee, but he'll make it work. Somehow. "And you - you're all right, here? With the agreement between you and ADI the way it is, for now."
He can't just get up and walk away without making absolutely sure Milo is all right - safe and comfortable.
no subject
They hold what remains of the bar their Friend brought close to their chest and offer a small wave. "I believe you will find your way back up to your streets...unbothered and unseen."
no subject
The dismissal is clear; he stands up, nodding. "Thank you. Do you - if you ever need anything. If you need help leaving ADI. I'll do what I can."
no subject
They nod to their new Friend and the flowers begin to steadily gro all around them except for a path to the door. A door that, once crossed, will not see Steve Rogers on the other side...but someone whose name escapes them. Like a word written on waterlogged paper, only the name Rogers goes with him and all records that might help have been thoroughly corrupted. Ruined. Lost.