let's set d o w n some (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
groundrules) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
westwhere2021-12-02 07:00 pm
groundrules) wrote in westwhere2021-12-02 07:00 pm
Entry tags:
- 2ha: chu wanning,
- avatar: zuko,
- harry potter: hermione granger,
- harry potter: lily evans,
- kingdom of the wicked: wrath,
- mo dao zu shi: xiao xingchen,
- mo dao zu shi: xue yang,
- oh! my emperor: beitang moran,
- persona 5: akira,
- star wars: slick,
- taravast,
- tian guan ci fu: xie lian,
- warcraft: anduin wrynn,
- warcraft: wrathion,
- watch_dogs: wrench
the coup
Hello to our last Big Event of the year, covering 2-22 December and also subbing as our test drive.
Current players can play here or make separate logs & network posts. TDM tourists are confined to this playground, but can include network prompts in their top levels.
If you’re trialling a character, you can apply them until 21 December without a game invite. TDM characters can participate in the sign-up quests without taking up a slot, but cannot vote for event outcomes.
Taravast’s civilians take to spirited protests and seize the Palace of the Doxe. They intend to redirect Doxe Bonaccorso Spina’s attention and resources to his people, livelihoods suffered in recent undead attacks. The Merchant sends ‘help’ to oust the Doxe.
Amid the chaos, Vannozza Spina seeks to apprehend her grandfather. Her cousin Macaluso, Bonaccorso’s prisoner, can be liberated. Outgunned, outmanned and outnumbered, Bonaccorso orders the city burned down.
TDM TOURISTS: THE BARREN BONES
You wake up in shallow water, other supine bodies beside you. The nearby occupants of a desert outpost greet you with a coarse translation and communication device and introduce you to their leader, the Merchant. He rescues otherworlders who were summoned to serve as weapons for warring undead factions, sending them east — where forgotten beacons can return them home.
A. A FRIEND IN NEED
Unconscious new arrivals are delivered every few days, recovered from the dunes. They are submerged in oasis waters. Some characters wake weaker of body and mind, struggling to focus their thoughts or their supernatural abilities — effects that recede within one-three days. Others are plagued by a drowning sensation for one-two days.
- ■ Help fellow newcomers as they regain their strength with sparring, a calming voice or a warm meal.
■ Newcomers must share tents and carry out camp tasks: hold the night watch, man fires, kill viper nests and excessively large scorpions or, fate help everyone if you’re related to Xie Lian, cooking.
B. A FRIEND IN DEED
Soon enough, the Merchant reveals more otherworlders are assigned in the nearby magical citadel of Taravast, which is on the brink of civil uprising against the ruling Doxe Bonaccorso Spina. Your fellows need you, cavalry.
The Merchant sends the fresh conscripts on a three-day journey to Taravast across a desert canyon, granting supplies, horses or seats in shared carts.
- ■ Fresh horses wait at specific landmarks, but some suppliers trade steeds for the better coin of rich merchants evacuating Taravast. If you end up stranded, find help.
■ Weather forecast: frequent, cruel sand storms that challenge even expert riders. Collect anyone who gets lost in the dunes — particularly near wild cougars.
■ Some Taravast refugees crowd or pretend accidents to loot your horses. A select few diplomatic convoys offer assistance, or try to confiscate your rides.
OLD TIMERS: THE STREETS, RALLYING
Dissenting necromancers, healers and civilians begrudge Doxe Bonaccorso’s failure to ensure their safety and distribute repairs funds fairly. Many believe that Bonaccorso has been manipulated by Macaluso and Vannozza.
The initially peaceful protests exacerbate into after several days: demonstrators frequently come to blows with city guards around the 20:00 evening curfew. Protesters carry sharp and blunt weapons, small explosive talismans or banners. Some are ghost-summoning necromancers, others are sorcerers who command a small array of elemental spells.
- ■ Protesters try to enthusiastically conscript passers-by to their cause. Some assume characters leaving the Doxe Palace are nobility and try to kidnap and ransom them for an audience with Bonaccorso.
■ Merchants and the last few of Macaluso’s foreign suitors begin their exodus from Taravast and ask you to serve as escort in exchange for compensation.
■ Palace guards retaliate with disproportionate violence when they catch crowds without magic users or experienced combatants. Rescue some demonstrators — but prepare to run — or scout the streets so they can escape.
■ The clashes separate some Taravast residents from food, commodities and healers. Be a friend.
■ In rare good news, protesters share with Wrathion and Slick their battle and coordination signs and passcodes.
■ Some crowd contingents are less spirited about this endeavour — try talking them out of this revolution business.
■ Characters without powers or weapons can resort to the arsenal Wrench and Aang recovered from looters: daggers, maces, swords, bows and five-six man-sized water serpents, who heed those who first summon them out of theirPokeballs.
ALL TOGETHER NOW: THE BARRICADES
Within a week of the first demonstrations, the protesters and Doxe Bonaccorso’s guards have devolved into vicious and regular violence. Civilian demonstrators have been joined by many necromancers wielding fresh corpses, minor sorcerers, healers and a handful of expert combatants, assigned by sympathetic gentry. Bonaccorso’s men conduct regular inspections and arrests. The demonstrators meanwhile set traps of magical ice and explosives.
Led by the lawyer Giacomo Zanardo and the healer Sebastiano Bianchi, the mob seeks to storm the Palace of the Doxe and persuade Bonaccorso back to his senses, which have surely been corrupted by his absent nephew Macaluso and niece Vannozza.
RISE ONE, RISE ALL
Existing characters are soon joined by fresh reinforcements. Everyone receives the Merchant’s transmission:
”It has emerged, vocally, that Doxe Bonaccorso Spina no longer serves the interests of his city, his people or our contingent. The most efficient recourse is to depose him. How, and whether you choose to instate one of his successors, is of no consequence to me. I send a wave of our new otherworldly associates to assist you. Fair fortune.”
- ■ Zanardo and Bianchi organise a last bout of midnight merrymaking before the Palace attack at dawns. Meet your reinforcements at a… large, cold, rudimentarily decorated warehouse in one of Taravast’s dodgiest district. Close your eyes and smell the salted fish.
■ Old and new characters can collect further plain weapons from rioters. Slick receives command of five NPC protesters.
■ Pacifists can scout the Palace of the Doxe to report back the watch patterns, or try to persuade servants to open the gates.
■ Come dawns, protesters seize the Palace, meeting fresh waves of Bonaccorso’s guards in the gardens before advancing inside.
■ The Merchant informs Eleven and Shen Qingqiu they are required back in Taravast. He cuts a deal with local warlord Anurr, who supplies two transporters orbs that will transport the duo immediately.
Because of overlapping timelines, your character can only be signed up for one of the three following missions. Each quest will be capped at 15 characters: first come, first served. You can vote on game polls irrespective of what mission your character pursues.
NOTE: TDM tourists can participate in the quests and do not need to sign up. They can include prompts for one of the parallel quests in their top-level prompts, or can tag around. However, TDM tourists don't qualify for the NPC RNG draw and cannot vote on Bonaccorso's fate.
A. LET IT BUUUUUURN, LET IT BURN
Counting the last hours of his reign, Doxe Bonaccorso Spina takes to the great balcony of his Palace to address the masses:
”My people, my loved ones. Twenty-two years ago, I came before you, a man ruined: my son and my daughter taken from me. Is there any pain greater than burying your children? Only today: to see the blood of your blood and the blood of your nation, united against you. To know your nephew made weapon of a blade and your niece of her gold, and your people are indiscriminate in their arsenal. You tear down my doors, sirs! You bloody my halls! And when you stand against your Doxe, you stand against Taravast. And why? Because I turned my eye from you for scant moments. Spoiled! Shameless! All I ever intended were more years in your service. For we must strike a permanent truce with the dead. To survive. Know that even now, I see you: you are strong, gifted, beautiful. How it breaks my heart to know I must bury my children again.”
After this, Bonaccorso orders the 20 court witches of Bessis currently at the Palace rain down fire from the northern and southern towers, unto the masses.
- ■ Current Bessis leader Margherita Moretti is instructed to call her sister witches to Taravast’s greater walls, where they might direct further fire upon all who oppose Bonaccorso.
■ Ten witches will climb each Palace tower, targeting protesters. Sign up and discuss how characters can slip the witches sleeping herbs with their water, kill them, feign fresh orders from Moretti, etc.
■ The witches of Bessis have historically received the patronage of the imprisoned Macaluso. Many recently retreated from court, embittered by Bonaccorso’s support for the rival Attaryl. Moretti is reasonable, if loyal, and possesses a conscience. She rides out to bring further Bessis assistance.
■ Team up, pursue and capture Moretti down the chaotic streets of Taravast. Two characters — chosen on 10 December through RNG draw from the signed-up crew — can participate in a NPC thread to talk her down.
B. OFF WITH THE OLD MAN’S HEAD
Informed by Wrath and Wen Qing’s faction that her grandfather prepared to possess her body, Vannozza Spina moves to apprehend Bonaccorso.
Following his speech, the Doxe holes up in his quarters, guarded by several dozen Attaryl witches — masters of illusions, telekinesis and mind control. They will try to briefly steal or dim characters’ senses, thrall them into seeing their allies as enemies and crumble walls and statues upon them. The witches are easily defeated through physical means.
- ■ Characters can charge in militarily or infiltrate by presenting as palace staff or Attaryl reinforcements. Those who previously assisted servants can receive spare uniforms and directions. Sign up here.
■ In-game characters can vote until 15 December to decide Bonaccorso’s fate. Two characters drawn via RNG can share a NPC thread for a short discussion with him. Wen Qing and Wrath can optionally have a separate talk thread, given their participation in Vannozza’s plotline.
C. SAVE THE HIMBO, SAVE THE WORLD
Macaluso Spina’s attempt to persuade his Doxe grandfather of the merits of retirement condemned him to house arrest, awaiting trial on charges of assassination. He is secluded in his wing of the Palace of the Doxe, guarded by two dozens of Bonaccorso’s men and by illusion traps devised by Attaryl witches.
Characters can hear footsteps, men giving chase, the muffled voices of Macaluso or their companions, all unseen. A mirrored hall leads you back to its beginning, as your reflection mocks you — until you break a mirror.
- ■ Characters who have helped Palace servants can receive tips on guard numbers and locations, or corridor shortcuts.
■ Sign up here. Two characters picked via RNG draw on 10 December can share a NPC thread to discuss Macaluso’s next steps. Alina Starkov can have an optional separate thread, for her involvement in Macaluso’s plot so far.
QUESTIONS
OLD TIMERS
no subject
He can't believe it. He opens the sect leader seal? He brings Cheng Qian's bones back? How long, he wants to ask. How long does it take?
Through the embrace he can feel Cheng Qian's body temperature. Unconsciously, he'd expected to feel warmth; instead what he feels is coolness. Of course. Of course. Xiao Qian is dead, how can he be warm?
It's enough to stop Yan Zhengming's myriad questions about the sect leader seal. Instead, he holds Cheng Qian more gently and asks: ]
Does it hurt?
no subject
Before I rejoined you or the island, I had with me in a relic, where I... stayed, helpless, for forty-nine years. Cultivated enough so when I was found, I could be guided the rest of the way to building my own body around it.
The... the one who found me took my memory. For forty-nine more years, restoring myself was all I did. And then, when I knew who I was...
I looked for our mountain. There I ran into Han Yuan, and the rest of you came, too.
no subject
Or what, did Cheng Qian just find it on a different island somewhere, lying about for him to discover. What a coincidence! How fortunate! How... completely unbelievable.
Even if he had been so fortunate, can a person's body be rebuilt after death? If so, then what's the point of cultivating to seek immortality, if one can just use a relic like that to create a new body, once the old one has been exhausted. Would the will of the heavens tolerate such an affront.
The one who found him "took his memory"? Why not just take the relic itself and expel Cheng Qian's soul, since such a thing must be fabulously valuable?
His body starts to tremble. Not only disbelieving, he's also furious that Cheng Qian would lie to him about this. Not only furious, he's also filled with self-loathing. Cheng Qian, who suffered and died because his Da-Shixiong couldn't protect him, is trying to make that worthless Da-Shixiong feel better, telling him sweet lies: that Chen Qian didn't die, that they found Han Yuan, that Fuyao Mountain was unsealed, and the five of them lived happily ever after.
He pushes Cheng Qian away, but doesn't let go of him, only staring at his shidi with dark eyes. Fury, grief, indignation, and self-loathing: he has too many emotions, and cannot speak. ]
no subject
The gaze he returns holds absolutely no deceit or guilt. It is calm, in the way many, many years of solitude can bring, with a hint of stubbornness that he will probably never be rid of... and a hint of tenderness. He does recognize the fury in Yan Zhengming's eyes and, ah. ]
Da shixiong.
[ ... he keeps his gaze meeting Yan Zhengming's eyes, despite the temptation to check the xinmo mark. ]
no subject
What was that? ]
"Da shixiong," you still know how to call me. Ha!
[ This person must be a demonic cultivator. Otherwise, why would he feel... strange, looking into his Xiao Qian's eyes? ]
no subject
But he. He doesn't want Yan Zhengming to doubt him.
After a moment's hesitation, he reaches up and unties the protection-charmed hair tie, and without stepping closer, he only holds it out where it will be in Yan Zhengming's field of vision. Cheng Qian is pretty sure he'll be able to recognize his own work. If nothing else... it should be a start. ]
no subject
...
[ Instead, he grabs it, the sparkle of the charm finally manifesting itself before his eyes. Carefully, he holds it up, and lets his spiritual consciousness move through the material.
Then he throws it in the air, and attempts to destroy it with a burst of sword energy.
The little piece of ribbon sparks and shimmers, then floats down unharmed. This is truly Yan Zhengming's own puppet charm, completely resisting an attack from its maker.
He stares at it, resting peacefully on the ground. Then he lifts his eyes to Cheng Qian. ]
This... can't be real. What kind of array have I fallen into?
[ Cheng Qian didn't have an intact puppet charm on him when he died, so how could have this one?
Yan Zhengming feels a sharp pain in his chest. Wanting so desperately for this to be real, but knowing deeply it can't be: this competing desire and fundamental truth swirl together inside his body, disturbing the flow of his qi. His peach-blossom eyes abruptly become black, bottomless wells, as dark energy begins to gather around him.
He has just arrived in this place, his powers have not settled, his energy sea was already vulnerable. All this, combined with the strange feeling he'd experienced gazing into Xiao Cheng's eyes... ]
Who are you, why do you wear his face, how do you have my puppet charm? This kind of insolence, do you think I will simply bear it?
no subject
I am Cheng Qian, da-shixiong. From a later time, but still me. You gave me one like this, [ he reaches down to take the ribbon, dusts it off carefully, and ties it in his hair again, ] once I returned. Then that one broke, and you gave me another.
[ Let's not... add more alarm with the rest of the complications. Maybe? ]
Please calm yourself.
[ Your heart demon--
Cheng Qian blinks. This means that his da shixiong has not had some of the breakthroughs yet, and he might be in danger because of this. He frowns a little, too.
If he has to weave another piece of his primordial spirit with an wooden sword to stabilize him again, he will. ]