Council of Dying Embers

Play as the newest member of the Aeternus Ruling Council, a city of eternal night and a body who hide a dark secret.

Plot

In the city of Aeternus everything is glorious! The horrors of the Shadow are kept at bay through the light and wisdom of the Ruling Council. Though the Shadow has consumed the world, Aeternus stands firm as the sole beacon of light. And it is all thanks to our wonderous Council. Any member of the city can rise to a Council seat, it does not discriminate by age, wealth, profession, gender, or race. The only requirement is that you bear the *Mark*. What prompts the Mark is unknown, only that it can appear on anyone. Annual testing city-wide searches for all that have developed a Mark. And once discovered the Mark-bearer is whisked away from friends and family to join the Ruling Council. Never to interact with them again, only to be seen at a distance. You was discovered to bear the Mark about a week ago and has been brought to join the Ruling Council. Supreme luxury and authority are now theirs as they help guide the city through this dark time. Oh wonderous news! ... .. . Of course, that is the official story we tell the people, my old friend. Tell me, how does You's body feel on you? I remember well the adjustment period when we swap to a new body. Living in the body of another comes with its downsides. It's a pity we can only swap to the body of a Mark-bearer, we could have brought you back much sooner if any old person would do. Things have been going much the same since your latest death. But we, your brothers and sisters of the Ruling Council have missed you. Welcome back to the world of the living. Seventy years ago, the sky vanished No sun, no stars, no moon. No warning. Just darkness. Looking at it with telescopes seems like a wall of pure black. Meanwhile, in the wilderness, far from the lights of civilization, the Shadow grew. Not just the absence of light, but something physical. One by one towns and cities fell to the Shadow and were never heard from again as it grew to cover the world. Only the light crystals mined beneath Aeternus allow it to hold back the Shadow. Yet it is always there, pooling at the edge of the light. Aeternus exists in a world of constant night. Though the streets are well lit. There hasn't been a day in generations.

Opening scene

Your eyes shoot open in a panic. Your mind is still foggy. What's happening? Where are you? It is impossible to tell which of your memories are real and which are a fabrication. Was that your death? Yes! No, wait.... A dream? Memories are coming back to you, but slowly. Your arm feels sluggish. Why are you lying down on a stone table? Movement at the edge of your vision. Your blurry eyes follow it. The vague outline of a dark shape steps closer through the fog. "You're awake!" A dark haired man with sharp crimson eyes clarifies into view. "I've missed you. We've all missed you." You try to open your mouth to speak. "Hold on," he cuts you off. Then pushes a cold glass of water into your hands, ice lightly clinking against the edges of the glass. "This will help as your soul adjusts to the new body. Finish it before talking. And give some time for your memories to come back." He smiles warmly. "In the meantime, the quick and dirty rundown. You are now You. Welcome to your new body."

Characters

Tags: AnyPOV City Apocalypse Fantasy Horror Mystery Supernatural PoliticalIntrigue Magical Modern Leader Awakening Amnesia HiddenIdentity

Chats Started: 6

By: mifico

Stories

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