Chapter One: Da Capo Al Fine
Da Capo: An Italian musical term that means "from the beginning"[1] (literally, "from the head"). It is often abbreviated as D.C. The term is a directive to repeat the previous part of music, often used to save space, and thus is an easier way of saying to repeat the music from the beginning.
- Wikipedia
A Letter said:
My dear son Kazimir,
I write to you after so many years apart in the hopes that you may find a way to return to us.
Something worries me. I fear a difficult trial approaches. I hope that your studies have proven fruitful, and that you have achieved great skill as a surgeon. Such skill might be of use here.
I remain the only physician in this town. But you know that I am growing old, and am in need of an assistant.
I do not fear death, and neither should you. Death, to a doctor, is but a partner in conversation. The constant witness of our work—even when we succeed. It is not old age, or what comes after it, that worries me. I am instead beset by the thought that I might fail to pass on my role.
Make haste, son. I truly need you.
Your loving father,
Oldegerel Zolotov
- It's a letter from your father asking you to return home.
Location: The Cargo Station
"
The umbilical cord connecting us to the outside world begins here. This part is for cargo."
You wake up to find yourself in a train's box car. It's moving, but slowing down. How long have you been inside of it? Days? Weeks? Time has all blended together. A slice of bread, a worn deck of cards, and a candle sit in front of you. Your bedroll is all laid out, tucked between boxes. The soft rumbling of the rails below add to a lull.
The train stops.
A Letter From a Benefactor said:
Mister Alexeyev,
I have heard of your recent troubles with The Powers That Be, and I write to you because I wish to assuage your concerns.
There is a man in our town who might help prove your hypothesis. His name is Simon Kain, and he has lived longer than anyone in our town. I believe he could be of great importance to your studies. Please come as quickly as you can, for I fear that very soon, that information will be useless to you.
Kindest Regards,
Doctor Oldegerel Zolotov
- A letter from the town's doctor asking you to visit
Location: The Stillwater
"
Eva Yan's house. An observatory of unseen skies. Used to be a guest house for outsiders. "
You wake up in a bed. It's nice and comfortable. Music comes from below, echoing into your room. Beside the bed, your bags lay, still unpacked, save for your microscope. How late did you arrive? How long did you sleep? The curtains show darkness outside still, so it seems to be early morning.
The singing stops.
A Letter from Someone Close to You said:
My dearest Natalya,
I entrust that you are using your powers for good.
There is a prophecy which states that you and your miracles will one day come into conflict with one like yourself, a harbinger of death. You will be asked to save many. I hope you remember this as you continue your travels and your work.
You will soon come upon a place you are needed when you least expect it.
I will always love you,
Your mother
- It's a letter from your mother that you received some time ago
Location: The Cemetery
"
You're Always Welcome Here"
You wake up, staring into a pit. For the past few nights, sleep has not brought you any comfort. However, this night seems different. Your back and legs ache, as if you've been walking for a long time. Your hands and knees are covered in mud, and is that blood? It's dark, and the dawn is still a long time away.
The pain stops.
The Town:
Upon the arrival of strangers, and a prodigal son, into Town-on-Gorkhon, the air would change. It seemed different, more stale. It's the early morning, just before the dawn, and many in the town are beginning to wake. There is a quiet stillness that sits over the town. One that is eerie.
Where are you, and what are you doing at this time?
The Town-On-Gorkhon: A Basic Overview
The town is split into three districts, each split up by the tributaries of the Gorkhon River. The Earth Quarter, located next to The Guzzle, is the heart of the Town's industry as it contains the Abattoir and the Termitary. The middle district is known as The Knots. This district contains the Town Hall and the Train Station, and is where people first arrive in town. The Third District is The Stone Yard, next to The Gullet, and is an upper-class residential district that also contains the Cathedral and The Polyhedron.
The Earth Quarter:
The Cemetery: Most of the Town's dead are Laid to rest here. Watched over by a girl named Grace, and Boris Gibel, who digs graves.
The Termitary: A large concrete complex of two buildings that house the town's members of The Kin that work in the meat processing plant. Many people in the town dislike it, seeing it as a blemish, and the Kin see it as a symbol of oppression.
The Abattoir: The slaughterhouse and heart of the town's industry. Cattle are brought in, and meat is brought out. Some say it's the womb from whence the town came, giving it its life.
The Broken Heart Pub: The Town's pub, owned by the architect Andrey Stamatin. Serves an alcohol called Twyrine, and employs Kin Herb Brides as dancers. It acts as a gathering place and pawn shop for the town.
The Skinners and The Hindquarters: Two of the towns residential districts. Apartment buildings and houses are in this area. The apartments are buildings consisting of four apartments each, two on the top and two on the bottom. The Skinners is considered more affluent than The Hindquarters.
The Knots
The Station: The place that connects The Town to the rest of the world. The Station is split into two parts: The Passenger station and the Cargo Station.
Warehouses: Where goods are stored before they enter or leave town. It's also become somewhat of a home for troublemakers and gangs of different types.
The Theater: The theater is known for having all kinds of performances. It was bought out a few years before by the eccentric actor Mark Immortell, and has put on shows since.
Town Hall: The Administrative Center of town that also contains the town jail. Bureaucrats, Lawyers, and the mayor all make their offices in this building.
The Spleen and The Gut: Middle class neightborhoods, with a mansion in The Gut belonging to Olgimskys, the ones in charge of The Bull Project, and thus, the town's industry.
The Stone Yard:
The Cathedral: The Kain's attempt to "pierce time," and manipulate time and space. The largest feature is its clock.
The Polyhedron: A work of miracles. An impossible figure made by the Kains and the many architects in town. Considered the Abattoir's antithesis. Many legends and whispers have come up about The Polyhedron. Occasionally, pools of blood will form at its base with no explanation why.
The Crucible: The collection of the Kain family's houses. Next to The Gullet river.
The Stillwater: an "observatory of unseen skies" that now functions as the house for Eva Yan, as well as a "Guest House" for new arrivals. It was also meant to have an effect on the mind and soul.
The Atrium: A small shopping district.
Other:
Grocery Stores: Every district has two Grocery Stores, with one in The Warehouses that welcomes anyone, regardless of their supposed reputation. WIll also barter for items if one does not have money.
Stairways to Heaven: "Test Runs" for The Polyhedron, and frequent playgrounds for the children of the town, despite the dangerous heights they reach. These can be found in various places around the city.
@Sark in the role of
Boris Gibel, the Grave Digger
@Takumi in the role of
Damir Urusov, The Baker
@Lucky in the role of
Dimitri Alexeyev, The Bachelor
@Yun Lee in the role of
Kazimir Oldgerelyn Zolotov, The Haruspex
@Capri in the role of
Natalya Kazimirovna Ecditova, The Changeling
@Jeremi in the role of
Yuri Popov, The Handyman