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 really wants to spray paint DedSec has given you the truth. Do what you will on something, after everything is said and done. too bad spray paint doesn't exist here. maybe he'll have to find some good old fashioned paint, period. maybe -- ]
[ -- maybe he'll just put that on the backburner, for now, in favor of gasping loudly, all the mania coming back to him in an instant as Slick introduces his new friends. (!_!)] Oh, my God. Did you find baby anarchists? [he's pretty sure he found baby anarchists! (^_^)]
Hiiiiiiii~! I'm your Uncle Wrench!
no subject
[He waves gives them the all clear hand signal he's taught them.] Let's take a load off for now. [It's going to get real cold once they slow down though. So he's still got to keep them organized for a couple more minutes.]
Grab anything that'll burn and bring it here. You're not gonna let your new Uncle Wrench sit here in the cold, right? [Good thing about the protests is that there's crap everywhere to salvage, up to and including a junked up old boat that's gotten a few holes kicked in it.] Tadea, gimme a hand breaking this down. [She's been scary with the axe she brought with her. Not a great fighter, but whenever somebody makes the mistake of standing still long enough, she can and will go full lumberjack on their knees.]
no subject
You're all too good to me. You're good kids. [that's something an uncle would say, right? never mind the fact that he's probably not much older than most of them, if he is at all. good kids with an axe and a table leg, going to town breaking something they're going to set on fire. (^_^)]
I wish I had, like, Werthers Originals in my pocket or something.
no subject
Anyway, time to set this bugger on fire. [The wood's crusted with a bit of frost, so it's gonna be a hell of a time trying to get it started. Unless.] Let's see if I can pull this off today. Gimme a minute, and take a step back. [It's getting easier, but it still needs a lot of focus. Like taking a difficult shot. Just get everything lined up perfect, prime the air over the fire by convincing oxygen itself to ignore the laws of physics for just long enough. And somehow, that's the easy part.
The hard part gets a lot easier if you cheat, and use a firestarter to catch a spark. The air goes whomp as a flame suddenly bursts into existence, followed shortly thereafter by a big, angry cloud of steam.]
There. Just gotta give it another minute and it'll properly catch. [The fire's currently between the wood, which isn't the same as actually setting anything on fire. He learned that distinction well enough from some really disappointing screw-ups when the cold first set in.]
Magic is so fucking weird.
no subject
Ohh, noobs who haven't even had their first DPS check, yet. But they're smart enough to not stand in the fire and not overwork the heals and tanks, and wipe the raid.
[which is to say that, despite your slang, he can still follow, more or less. context clues are your friend. fuck you, sir, but gently -- he's not actually mad. the mask shows a quick (^_^) to illustrated that, just in case before it runs the gamut of emotions to show his interest in what Slick's doing]
[in the end, he settles on (!_!)]
Wait, you can do magic?
[magic doesn't exist in a galaxy far, far away, does it? why does everyone but him have magic??]
no subject
Yeah. Fox's been teaching me the basics. [He's a little distant for the moment, still concentrating on feeding the fire. Once he finally sees little embers start to glow on the wood, he leaves off, and the flames settle down a little.]
Not sure if I could teach somebody else yet, but he definitely can. Turns out the Force is way more fun than the Jedi pretend it is.
[Fun that anybody can dig into. Fuck you, Jedi.]
Oh, also--We need to trade off on the really crunchy jargon at some point. It'll be good for keeping things private, even with the translators.
no subject
[right now, he's a little hyper-focused on the magic thing]
Iiiiiiiii don't know who that is. [he's never met Fox] But you absolutely need to introduce me, man. I've wanted to be a human flamethrower since -- well, ever. [he was going to say since he met Zuko, but that would be a lie]
no subject
Word of warning, though--he's a pacifist. If he finds out people get hurt with what he teaches somebody, that's it. ...Unless you really have a good reason, then you get to set one face on fire for free. [Or two. But his own face didn't count.]
no subject
... how broadly are we defining somebody?
[ -- he's much, much less of a pacifist. he'd also like to be able to use any magic he learns to set zombies on fire. do they count as people?]
no subject
no subject
[or at least they are on his version of Earth]
Though, man, what does everyone have against me punching zombies?
no subject
[Seriously. Sure, there were lots of humans out there, but he'd never even thought about having a planet with just humans on it.]
Don't know. Maybe try cutting heads off next time? Nobody seemed to mind when I did that.
no subject
[he shrugs. if nothing else, at least he can bash a zombie's head in, he guesses]
[that's not the important part, though. the important part is:] How is it weird that humans are the only species on, like, the human homeworld or whatever? [or a human homeworld, he supposes, since if we're still running on the assumption that Star Wars is real, it just took place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, then there are other planets that are mostly human. there are other planets that were probably entirely human, before they figured out space travel]