westwhere | 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.

DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?

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 | OLD TIMERS | COMMON: THE COUP | NOTES

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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.

» THE LOUD CROWD

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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 their ~~Poke~~ balls.

» » THE BANNER MUST ADVANCE

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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.

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PARALLEL QUESTS (OPEN TO ALL)

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.

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QUESTIONS

TEST DRIVERS

OLD TIMERS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠 ⎯ 𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙

[ he'd been heading for troy when things abruptly change. he's not expecting to wake up where he is now, and most certainly not without achilles at his side. since leaving scyros, they had been inseparable ( they always were, even as children, especially on pelion ), but now patroclus feels like he's lost a limb. the feeling like he's drowning doesn't pass either, and he only wants to know where he is and what god(dess) decided he should be here. after things are explained to him, he still feels a bit adrift, but decides the best thing he can do is make use of himself... ]

𝑎 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 🠆
[ which patroclus does in the only way he knows how. he quickly finds a medic tent where he can help the healers with other new arrivals. they all seem so different, neither greek nor trojan, but that has never stopped patroclus. he's never considered himself above anyone, being a murderer and exiled prince. but as the beloved of aristos achaean, he knows he has to prove himself capable, even if he is alone.

this means approaching the first person he comes across and settles down next to them, noting that they're currently bandaging their wound in the wrong way. with a gentle hand, he reaches out to stop them. ]

You'll cut off circulation if you do that. Here, let me help.

𝑎 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑑 🠆
[ the carts are slow moving, but not unfamiliar to patroclus. horses and ships and carts are common where he's from, but heading to war is not. sure, he'd been heading to war when he arrived, bound by a blood oath he'd been forced to make as a child, but at the time, he'd had someone with him who could not only ensure his safety but fight for them both. achilles isn't here, so patroclus expects he'll have to take on fighting by himself, with his meager battle skills. ]

I suppose Ares has deemed that I should not avoid war, no matter where I go.

[ or if you want another prompt, pm me or hit me up at

alkahestic ]

(A Friend In Deed)

(Achilles isn't here? Is that so? Then surely Patroclus is hallucinating the figure in gold that leaps to stand between him and danger, spear raised elegantly. A strand of gold escapes the polished helmet and dances on the wind.)

Philtatos, you've come.

Edited 2021-12-10 07:28 (UTC)

Achilles...

[ his breath catches as it always does when achilles is near, poised like a god at the dawning of the world. he hadn't expected his lover to be here too, thinking that he'd finally been parted from him. and yet, here he is, in all his shining glory with spear raised to ward off any danger.

he wants to reach out to him, wants to touch him to make sure he isn't hallucinating, but that is impossible in the heat of battle, so he simply takes a step towards achilles, leaving enough room for aristos achaean to take out whomever might try to come between them. ]

What now? We are far from Troy. Nor is this Scyros. Have you taken up their fight?

(Explaining their new situation will take time and a quiet, cool place where the sun isn't beating them into madness. Achilles is swift to knock their foes back, his movements practiced and graceful. Now that his Patroclus is here, he won't let any vermin lay their hands on him.)

Do you have a sword? (If not, his sword will be given to his lover without another word. He can fare well enough with just the spear and shield.) Stay with me.

(No matter what. That is all Achilles needs in any world. Kicking away a pair of yelling fools, he finally faces Patroclus, giving him a broad, breathless smile.)

Come. (And he starts towards the palace, keeping his pace - his run - at a rate Patroclus can match. He will take them into the cool recesses of those halls and remove his helm.)

[ taking the sword with a practiced hand ( though no where as practiced as achilles ), he follows his lover out of the heat, barely keeping up with those flashing heels. even now, he marvels at achilles' grace, and once they reach a more private setting, he reaches out to take the helm from him and sets aside both sword and helm. ]

It seems we cannot escape war, even if we are further from home than Troy. How long have you been here? I... I thought I just saw you and then I woke up here.

(Instead of answering, instead of putting those fears at ease, Achilles embraces his lover, breathing in his scent greedily. If Patroclus had thought for a moment that he had been parted from him, Achilles has been in Taravast for months, knowing he had been taken from his lover's side. So he indulges his racing heart and sighs at how solid the other man feels.)

This is another world. I know that sounds mad, but it's true. We were brought here by magic. I have been here for...months.

[ it takes no effort on patroclus' part to lean into achilles and wrap his arms around him as well. his armor is warm from the blazing sun outside, but the man wrapped in it is comforting to hold. he breathes achilles in, knowing now that the feeling of missing a limb will fade, and that together they can figure something out. ]

I'm so sorry. You know I would've followed you, if I'd known you'd be here. Somehow, someway.

I know. (Without a doubt. He hadn't raged at Patroclus once - even in the beginning - but he has missed him sorely. His armor keeps him from holding his lover the way he wants, but that will have to wait.)

We were brought here for a purpose; to settle the turmoil. Politics and magic make poor bedfellows and of course there will always be someone who is unhappy or jealous. Right now, the Undead are the issue. They are roaming the streets.

Yes, that's what that Merchant said. But he didn't mention undead.

[ that's a scary thought. he hadn't known whether to trust the sketchy merchant, but to hear his words confirmed by achilles just makes him more concerned. this world is so strange and different. and if they will have to fight, then at least he'll have achilles by his side. ]

Then I suppose it's for the best that you're here. You can make a difference like no one else. And I will fight with you.

I'm doing what I can. (All of his strength can't combat weird spells, however, and that is why he still holds onto Patroclus's hands.) It's not my style, but I've been laying low. I was given the identity of a wine merchant and that has allowed me to listen to conversations in...elite circles.

(Though he chafes at wearing a mask - just like when he chafed at having to wear a dress.)

Watching and waiting seems the safest. I can't bring us back to Troy by myself. But there has to be a way.

the coup

tdm tourist: patroclus menoetius - the song of achilles

DO I KNOW YOU? /squints suspiciously

nope not at all i'm a total stranger

My mistake. >8| ... <3

hehehe

:3

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