In-Between
From Changeling Venue
Contents |
Tales of times long past
For as long as the Lost have been aware of the city of Edinburgh, it has been a place of stories and legend, dreams and glory and darkness. Through all its centuries of tales, its many changes of name, and the array of rulers holding it and languages spoken by its residents, it has had its tales of old heroes slumbering half-forgotten to await their hour of need, of ancient enemies, of spirits embodying the essence of the city and its people, and of hidden and lost places where the secrets of the world or the doom of a man's soul might be found.
Some of these tales are preserved in the Library of Prophecy within Oldcastle, but others drift to and fro among the raiding clans and more "civilised" Lost, appearing and disappearing as generations of Lost come and go.
The In-Between
One persistent feature that lends some measure of credence to these old stories is the In-Between. Often assumed by many visitors to the city to be merely some portion of the local Hedge, locals who have spent much time there tend to insist otherwise.
It appears to be the case that the city "loses" portions of itself from time to time. Never great chunks - but a building, an alleyway, or perhaps an outhouse or cellar. The Lost can still find these portions, even while mundane humanity appears to be incapable of noticing their existence for more than a moment. Though definitely most common in the area covered by the Maze, portions of the In-Between can be found throughout the city.
Connections to the Hedge
As far as can be established, the In-Between is categorically not part of the Hedge. It feels different. It does not respond to Wyrd-shaping. Time spent there appears to have little or no detrimental effect upon Clarity. Goblin-fruit cannot be cultivated within it, and hobs do not appear native to it.
Yet it seems to have some sort of relationship to the Hedge, for Doors and Gateways are easier to forge into and out of the In-Between than elsewhere, and there are old tales of the Maze pulling sections of In-Between directly into itself.
Actively manipulating the In-Between can be a risky business, however, because its semi-detached relationship with mundane reality can make judgement of distance and safety rather awkward. The Door newly added to a Hollow that is intended to open into a quiet portion of the In-Between might instead deposit those passing through it into the shop next door.
Still, the greater ease with which Doors and Gateways can be crafted and the greatly reduced risk of their being discovered by non-Lost have helped to make the In-Between a haven for the changelings of the city. The In-Between within the area covered by the Maze is particularly extensive, complex, and inter-connected, and many Hollows and Gateways open off the twisting wynds, sudden courtyards, and narrow closes. Other Lost maintain homes in the In-Between, with perhaps a bolt-hole Hollow providing an escape route and private access into the Hedge.
Problems and Denizens
There are a few reasons why the In-Between is not the perfect refuge for the Lost. Unfortunately, the In-Between does not appear to be an ever-growing resource. Not only have favoured and particularly useful areas been fought over, sections of it seem to become even more deeply lost than before, disappearing from even the view of the changelings of the city. There are tales of this happening to areas containing Lost at the time - but on the whole it seems to be the case that any area seeing active use is entirely protected from disappearance.
Another is the possible relationship with the Maze. Just as the Maze is deeply mistrusted by many Lost, so is the In-Between viewed with some measure of suspicion. If it is a product of the Maze, does this mean that the Maze is not content with gradually expanding into the Hedge but is nibbling away at mundane reality, too?
Every now and then, mortals seem to catch a glimpse of those entering or leaving the In-Between. After all, someone passing into it is only concealed from sight once they have left the mortal world. Many Lost have concluded that much of Edinburgh's reputation as a haunted city arises from mundane humans catching glimpses of careless or harried Lost stepping through doorways that cannot be seen by mortal eyes.
Potentially most serious, however, are the non-Lost who are occasionally seen within areas known to lie In-Between. Though some argue that just as a mortal might blunder into the Hedge, so surely must it be expected that mundane humans will find their way into something which appears to lie so closely to their reality, the freehold authorities have usually counselled very firmly against any Lost approaching apparently-human travellers in the In-Between.
Certainly, some portions of the In-Between seem to be warded, defended, or occluded in ways that are beyond the ken of the great majority of Lost, while others appear even further detached from mundane reality than most. As a result, most residents find a few particular portions of the In-Between of specific use to them, and avoid unnecessary exploration.
Noteworthy Locations
- Endless Spire: North bridge connects the New Town with the Old, the two halves of "historic" Edinburgh linked across a steep-sloped little valley that now holds Edinburgh's main railway station but has previously been assigned to hold a canal - and before that a defensive loch rumoured to be a gateway to the underworld, through which witches could be sent to their infernal master. Half way across on the Eastern side is a war memorial. Opposite that, mortals notice only an empty plinth, but Lost can clearly see an impossibly tall, slender spire, with an invitingly open arched doorway. Within, a spiral staircase runs up and down. According to legend, no explorer has ever found a distinguishing feature - not a lamp nor a window nor a change in the height of the stairs - whether he ventured up or down. Rumour has it that the souls of at least two former Cartographers haunt the furthest reaches of the Spire, one forever ascending the stairs while the other perpetually moves away into the infinite depths.
- Twilight Garden: A quiet place that has at times served as diplomatic neutral ground and a lover's retreat for those who dare to frequent one of the stranger portions of the In-Between. Tucked away down an almost impossible-to-find alleyway within Dean Village, it was discovered by the renowned Tobias Mortimer in the latter years of the 19th century. Just past the chaotically-built house with its miniature turret, one should as soon as possible double back beneath Dean Bridge itself. At times, particularly if you know precisely what you wish to find, you might see a narrow little passageway terminating in an over-grown wrought-iron gate. Through that, one emerges into a Victorian garden, somehow always just on the unkempt side of tidy and perpetually in twilight though it cycles through the seasons in time with the mundane world outside. Setting or rising, the sun or moon is always just out of sight behind the high walls. A few small birds live within the courtyard, but never seem to think to fly over its walls, while falls of rain and snow keep the garden watered. Weathered stone benches sit amidst the winding paths and flowering shrubs, while a battered croquet set is stored within the little gazebo overlooking the lawn.
Credit
My thanks to Rob Collins, who is chiefly responsible for creating the In-Between.
| Freehold of Edinburgh | |
|---|---|
| General: | Edinburgh (VSS) • Who's Who • Offices • Services • Rumors |
| Places: | Oldcastle • The In-Between • The Maze • The Innocent Railway |
| Bramblethorn Manor • Tantallon Castle | |
| Other: | Scotland • Domain Info |
