the coup

[groundrules]

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?

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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

Comments

[aprescoup]

To disappear.

And what manner of courage does that call for? He looks at her and wonders if she has ever known the life of a vagrant, that she might so freely advertise it to him. A woman no doubt born to every luxury, paraded from one court to the next. She cannot speak for the pains of severing oneself from one's home, surely.

"I want things to be as they were." His family, his grandfather, the peace of their city. His hands tighten into clean fists, then release. "We were happy, once."

[sankta]

"I know," she answers from the bottom of her soul. It's all she's wanted, too. It's still what she craves. A life she can never go back to. When she was just a cartographer in the army with few friends to her name. When the whole world's eyes weren't on her.

"There's only forward, though," she lifts her eyes from the floor and holds out her hand. "You don't have to go alone, at least."

[aprescoup]

He will not be alone — yet he stands in the quarters of his imprisonment, beside a stranger. And still he hesitates, ill at ease.

"Did... Vannozza send you?" No. If his cousin intended to speak to him or in his name, the deed would have been long done. Vannozza has not interceded for him. He should expect no more from her. "Did she support grandfather? Did she... believe him?"

Let it not be so, that family should so quickly turn on family. But he expects it was done.

[sankta]

Alina shakes her head. "She didn't send me. I'm pretty sure she's pissed with your grandfather right now, though." Alina's focus has been more on making amends for leading Macaluso down this path, and she knows the likes of Wrath and Wen Qing have been helping with Vannozza. So her attentions aren't too heavily there, but she's heard things on the streets.

"Sorry," she adds. "That she didn't send me."

[aprescoup]

She did not come for him. She did not ask him released. She did not, perhaps, even think of him.

His Vannozza, his cousin, his one kin and kind. The only friend allowed to him in childhood. The model of a true heir of Taravast.

He hold out his hand now. "I'm glad you came, no matter who sent you. I am grateful for you."

[sankta]

"Nobody sent me..." She felt bad admitting that. She knew what it meant. It meant that a stranger had cared more for his safety than people he knew and loved. She hated admitting it, but she also wanted to show him he could put her trust in her at the least. Rather than in others who might abuse it.

Her fingers locked with his once he extended his hand. "Come on. And try to keep your head down, your highness. Don't need you recognized before we get you to safety," she told him as she pulled him towards the door and back into the halls.

[aprescoup]

Nobody sent her. Not Vannozza, this much they had ascertained. But then, not Macaluso's many gentlemen of the court, either. Not Rigarda, who claimed both Vannozza and he are as her children.

Not his supporters from abroad. Not his suitors. Not his people.

"I'll stay alive discreetly," he confirms, and grasps Alina's hand, first tentatively, then with some semblance of strength. He cannot falter now, not considering... "I shall not fail you, the one person who believed in me."

[sankta]

She squeezes his hand in a semblance of comfort. She's painfully aware that she is not the comforting type, however.

Then, with little more fanfare, she pulls him into the corridor. So far it's empty. Quiet. No one knew she had entered.

She pulls him along until she finds a wall she recognizes as being an outer wall where she pauses. She glances back at Macaluso before asking, "How married are you to this palace?" There's no one close by to them, but the sounds of chaos in the distance have slowly been growing closer with every step.

[aprescoup]

Married. For a moment, crushed between a woman on a mission and the hard flank of a merciless wall, he does not catch her meaning. He is unwedded, a string of suitors suggested as much —

But then, he understands: a husband, to be widowed. She intends harm upon his grandfather's abode. He cannot bring himself to correct her instincts, only waves towards the pillars:

"Those hold the ceilings. They are reinforced first during the seasonal maintenance. I remember." He collects himself enough to add, "I do not care what becomes of the palace. But... please, no harm to the servants. No accidents."

[sankta]

"I'm not that chaotic," she answers in a small protest. She doesn't really need to stop to consider if that's true or not. But either way, she doesn't intend to hurt anyone tonight. Her goal is to get Macaluso free, nothing more and nothing less.

She steps away from him now, releasing his hand to put an ear to the wall to be certain. Still no sounds of anyone close. No accidents.

She steps back, and in a simple, fluid motion a blinding flash of bright light arcs from her hand across the wall in front of her. She cuts once, twice, thrice. Cuts that cleave through stone until pieces she's cut slowly slip away without the pressure of the rest of the wall to support them. It's not perfect, but with another Cut to let the last pieces slide free an opening big enough to climb through appears.

"After you, your highness. This'll cut down on our escape time and help us avoid being seen a little longer."

[aprescoup]

A... a fresh manner of sorcery, from a girl renown for her fancies of pretty dresses and jewellery and gold, and the gambling tables beside them.

He waits out the destruction in Alina's wake, content to witness and wonder and step aside, finally, when the path is liberated. His steps echo uncertain behind her, poorly measured. Animal instinct compels him to flee; he carries on.

"I trust you." And so he will, wherever she leads, until they are delivered to the safety of the common wing quarters, to his crew of errant, but blade-possessed gentlemen. Perhaps even farther.

[sankta]

Alina is a second delayed in following him out, and when she does emerge from the Palace walls she doesn't immediately lead him away.

"I just got word from my companions," she lets him know. "Moretti is asking for you. I think she's willing to back you." Alina watches Macaluso carefully. "Do you want this?"

[aprescoup]

...Moretti. The Bessis. Had they not -

"The witches remain in the palace...?" He had expected, if they did not reach for him, if they did not seek him out for rescue, that surely they must have left, not simply ignored -

But he shuts his eyes, bears the betrayal, the burn, the reckoning. Breathes. And counts down from the hurt of what it means to be this man others will abandon gladly.

"She wants an alliance." She must, if she asks for him. There is ever the chance that she requests him on grandfather's behalf, to kill him, but he must choose, here and now, what to believe in.

"I don't want this," he offers, bitterness a blade. "But I don't want anyone else to have it. Tell her... tell her I will come. Luna rossa. Tell her so, she will know it comes from me."

[sankta]

He doesn't want this. But he'll do it. Because he's a good man. Like Nikolai. Nikolai was impossible to deter, to lead to any path that wasn't for the benefit of Ravka. He'd not be Nikolai if he was so easily persuaded.

Macaluso is the best this city has to offer. She hates knowing what that means for him. It's the same trap she's in herself.

"Are you sure?" She forces herself to ask. "I promised if you wanted to disappear, I'd do it. I'll help you get far away from here. No one would ever know." It almost sounds like she's pleading with him.

"I don't want to see you end up like me."

[aprescoup]

"And how have you ended up?" There's laughter in it, only dissolving. He walks the room, and he seems to traverse a world, its pathways ever narrowing. The choices before him rally and scatter: confront his destiny, or turn his back and hide for an unflinching eternity. "In fair, beautiful Taravast?"

A jewel. A wonder. The culmination of centuries of perfected magical evolution. There are fates worse than this, and Macaluso's shines bright and long. He knows what to choose, knows his birthright.

"Do you want to know something? I'm not sure I want you to know it. I'm not sure I want anyone to know it." But he keeps talking, it pours from him. "That day, when I went to see him, my grandfather. I had my hand on my gentleman's dagger. And I said, I said the truth. Said, it's there for my defence, because I don't trust them anymore, don't trust what they want to do."

And he chills, turns to pierce Alina with the cut of his gaze, limpid. "But it wasn't. My grandfather saw it in my eyes. His only fault was arresting me before I could raise the weapon."

[sankta]

"A killer," Alina answers him now. "That's how I've turned out."

She pushed him to that. She told him to act before things got worse and he did what she did. He acted in desperation and pain and fear of not acting. He turned to blood.

She doesn't move, just watches him pace and meets his gaze, his pain echoed in hers. "I have blood on my hands. So much of it... and I'll only have more by the end of it.

I'm sorry," her voice strains over the words. "I didn't mean to push you to this. I shouldn't have..." She shakes her head. "That was my fault, not yours."

[aprescoup]

"No." He turns to her, reaches for her, for her hands, their clasp. Holds them and warm, and he shakes his head throughout her revelations, denying them their hold. Listen. Listen to him.

"What I did, I did on my own, and for myself. And what you do, you do on your own. For yourself." It must be said. He must say it. "We are not good people. That is all."

[sankta]

She's not good. Not anymore. That's easy to accept. But Macaluso...

She holds his hands tightly. "You aren't gone yet. Don't let me make you into a monster. Don't let them. If you stay, you do this your way. You do this right. But if you go, you never look back."

[aprescoup]

"I'm not going. I can't go. They haven't got anyone else." But him, relinquishing himself, abandoning Alina's hands. He withdraws, coming back to himself, to his skins. Breathes deeper than he should, as if he's prepared a speech, and now he gives it. "But you should. Save yourself. What is it your people want? The beacon. You have my permission, for what little it's worth. Once it's civil, we'll clear the path for you. Leave, Alina."

Don't let Taravast ruin this precious girl, alongside Macaluso.

[sankta]

She should take him on that offer. So many voices are screaming at her. Sankta Alina. She's needed. Her country won't survive without her. The Grisha may not survive without her. Everyone at home is waiting for her.

They'll have to wait longer.

"We'll deal with that later." She takes out a crystal and sends a message to Allison. "Let's get you to Moretti."