Acedia Intro Log

[cancrymods]

MOVING ONWARDS

With Lana's blessing and direction it's at last time for the Executors to proceed deeper into Purgatory. Despite the downtime, the sense of unease that settled in you before has yet to wane, even at the prospect of making further progress in your journey. Unanswered questions still linger, as does the possibility that for all the progress you've made there still exists roadblocks that could keep you from fulfilling the duty you've taken on to Purgatory. Strangely, though, you feel your spirits lift as you begin your descent. Part of it is the relief that comes from the drop in temperature but mostly, you feel embraced by a sense of deep comfort and relaxation. As the snowy white landscape and gentle colours of Acedia swim into focus below you, it brins with it a sureness that whatever was going wrong before that none of it matters - you'll figure it out.

ACEDIA

♪♫ Blossom – Sakuzyo A gentle, fluffy snowfall tumbles down ceaselessly over Acedia, the Sloth Layer. In contrast to the layers above, things here are chilly enough to warrant wrapping up warm and an occasional gust of wind seems to blow right through you. With snow blanketed everywhere, all the bustle of the town seems quite muffled and far away and the overall vibe of the settlement is... sleepy. Peaceful. If it weren't for the fact that you know you're in Purgatory, you could almost be fooled into thinking that nothing bad could or would happen in a place like this. Initial explorations uncover the town's purpose - Acedia takes the form of an onsen town, a settlement built and centered around the many natural hot springs that have sprung up in the area. Traditional inns with luxurious rooms and serving all manner of incredible feasts can be occupied free of charge with waitstaff who'll serve you like a visiting king. Even aside from the springs and the inns, the whole town is packed to the brim with the sort of entertaintment you might find in a town in the snowy mountains, but all of it comes at a gentle, relaxing pace as if the very existence of this town relied upon easing your heart and your troubles. More so than the town, though, perhaps the familiar faces you encounter here will be enough to bring you some comfort... AREAS OF INTEREST ⚝ HOT SPRINGS: A number of natural hot springs can be found and visited in this layer. Some are indoor and some are outdoor with spectacular views of the snowy landscape. ⚝ RESTAURANTS: Feeling peckish? Eateries serving cuisine of any sort line the streets and all of it is free of charge. If there's anything you can imagine wanting to eat, chances are good you'll find it here. ⚝ MOUNTAIN: The town as a whole sits at the base of a mountain with a towering peak. If you squint, you see what you think is some sort of structure at the very top... but surely not. Who would want to live in a place as lonely as that?

THE DOPPELGANGERS

As discussed on Discord, the Executors aren't the only ones who seem to have found their way down to Acedia. Once they arrive in the Sloth Layer, each of the Executors will come across up to three of their castmates who seem to have been occupying the Layer for quite some time before their arrival. Each of these castmates will tell roughly the same story - they were once Executors too and found their way this deep into Purgatory but have found no way of progressing any further. They have tried every possible way to escape but no matter how long they stay here, they can't proceed any further. Despite the news, all of them seem happy and fulfilled and will encourage the Executors to try and settle here in Acedia and simply enjoy the miracle that is their reunion. It probably goes without saying that these are not actually the Executors' castmates. They are, essentially, a tangible illusion based on their memories of their loved ones. They can be talked to, touched, interacted with and basically treated like any other real person and the trickery is, at first, imperceptible. As time passes, it will become increasingly clear that there are some conflicts and missing spots in the doppelganger's memory of their lives together and confronting them on this will have them respond in confusion. If you continue to confront them on the conflict, they will become increasingly upset and eventually violent. Who is casting this illusion and why, though? Well... that's something the Executors will have to investigate themselves.

Comments

sometime vaguely post-meeting

[schardynfreude]

Chiron comes trudging back down the stairs, looking battered but pleased. Aera waits for him at the bottom. Somnus leans on a nearby wall.

"Brother. I beg you reconsider. Whatever it is you are doing, surely a Beyond of rest and relaxation is better."

"I have to agree." Aera reaches out a hand to grab one of Chiron's in both of hers. "Whatever plagues you, allow me to ease the suffering."

Chiron laughs. "Oh? Oh, is that what you would have me do? Sit idle and remain, reliving the same days until I go madder?"

Somnus scoffs. "Do not twist my words."

"I'll do what neither of you could, then. We'll find the Authority and move on, as ever. I imagine, perhaps, at the peak of the mountain?"

"You always push yourself so hard." Aera tugs at him gently. "Stay. Rest. This can't be so bad. Remember how we used to sneak away to rest and spend time? We can do that as long as we like."

Chiron walks, the others following at either side of him, but he doesn't seem to have a destination. Except perhaps towards the base of the mountain. "Do you remember," he says slowly, "how you sold me out, allowed Somnus to do as he pleased?"

Her face pinches. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"He's playing games," Somnus grouses. "Not that he was ever very good at them."

"And how many times did I best you at chess, brother mine? How many games did I teach my dear baby brother and watch you struggle to keep up with me?"

Somnus crosses his arms. "I don't see it that way. I won. You lost."

"The throne was not a game. You chased me out, lured me back, and turned to ash all I cared about." There is black oozing from him. It hasn't stopped. "I would have hoped for an apology at least from you in the afterlife, but alas, that was simply too much to hope for."

The king stops, arms uncrossing. And after a few steps, Chiron stops as well. "I apologize." A deep breath. And then, a deep bow. "I wronged you, brother. The throne was ill-gotten, and I was a fool. The line of Lucis should have begun with you to lead the country into safety, and into prosperity."

Chiron turns to him, staring openly, mouth agape. When Somnus rights himself, Chiron pulls his hand free from Aera's grasp. "You are no brother of mine."

"You don't have to accept the apology for all the pain I--"

"No." A weapon appears in an instant in Chiron's hand. "I do not know what trick this is anymore, but whatever daemon or specter or illusion you are, you're hardly a perfect copy of him. If you think he would have ever accepted responsibility--even in all of his apologies, he still thought it the right thing to do, that he was only doing what he thought best, that even if it pained him to do it to what once was his brother, I was still a monster unfit to rule."

As Somnus summons up a blade, Aera hangs back. "Don't be so cruel. Don't be so rash! Things have changed; you've changed! Somnus can change as well!"

"What did you tell me at the waterfall, Aera?"

"What?"

Chiron's weapon gets turned on her. "The waterfall in the ruins. What did you say to me?"

"I...that isn't important right now!"

"Surely you remember."

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Then you aren't her, either. You are both...here to torment me! I should have known."

She summons up her trident in the same instant he swings.