westwhere | the coup

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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 thing about Allison's power is that it's only good depending on how fast she can talk. It's a skill she's had to learn to harness like a muscle, as it can mean the difference between life and death, but in this particular opportunity, she couldn't get the words out of her mouth fast enough, brain frozen as she inserted herself between the guard and one of the protestors.

Then, the mace goes flying out of the guard's hand.

As she turns to see Lorna, the relief washes over her, and she smirks.]

One of these days, I'm going to have to return the favor.

[The guard seems determined, however, and as he reaches to draw his sword, Allison's leg snaps up, catching him between the legs before he could go further.]

[ lorna hadn't seen who she's interrupted the macing of, figuring it was likely a protester, but then she recognizes allison's voice and turns back to her with a grin. the guard seems equally as confused as he is determined, but allison catches him between the legs with her foot before he can advance further on her and lorna's grin grows as she watches him go down. ]

Nice shot. [ the protestor looks thrown off by the both of them for now, and lorna directs her to where she's started directing the others caught in the fray before stepping up to allison. ] Feel like taking any more of these assholes on?

I would love to.

[Because wrestling with authority figures is her favorite past time. She turns back to the person she had been protecting, making sure they're able to escape on their way, and then glances over the street.]

Where to next?

[ the protester seems fine, if still a little startled, and nods to both of them before running off, grabbing the arm of another young peer of theirs before heading in the direction lorna had indicated. ]

Let's see... [ the crowd is absolute chaos and it's difficult to see all of what's going on, but she can feel the metal in the weapons that are being used. a sword that's drawn out of its holster catches her attention and lorna nods towards the guard that's about to use it. ]

To your left, a few feet away. Let's go.

[Allison follows the line of sight before charging forward, trying to close the distance as quickly as possible. The sword is still coming up when she reaches up and takes his arm, bringing him to a stop.]

I heard a rumor you packed up your sword and went home.

[His eyes glaze over white, and soon he does just as he's told, sheathing his sword and walking back off into the crowd.]

[ allison certainly never struck lorna as someone who was helpless, even stranded out in the snow in below freezing temperatures, but it's still a surprise to see her walk up to the guard without any weapons of her own and just...take hold of his arm, like it's nothing. lorna runs up behind her, stopping when she gets just close enough to hear her and see what happens when she speaks the order, and her eyes go a little wide. ]

Nice trick. [ definitely useful in a situation like this. ]

[Allison shrugs in return.]

It comes in handy.

[She just won't get into how it gets a little messy when she lets it go too far.]

[ lorna of all people understands letting things get too far, though maybe not to the same degree as allison. she's a little reminded of esme and what she's capable of, and knows how dangerous it can get, but right now it's serving them well enough for her not to question it.

maybe she'll have some questions later. right now, she smiles at allison. ]

Let's see what else it can do.

[She's welcome to question it later all she wants. But for now, they need to keep moving. Allison nods in return, making her way through the crowd and keeping an eye out for other citizens that might be in trouble.

As they pass through the town square, she turns and points to one of the guards, about to smack down one of the nearby protesters - too far for Allison, but not too far for Lorna.]

That one.

[ she will, once they're in a safer location and don't have guards trying to take down them and unarmed protestors by any means necessary, usually violent ones. lorna nods at allison, then closes the distance between herself and the guard she's indicated. there's no visible weapon, but he is wearing armor, and lorna brings him to the ground with a swipe of her hand. ]

[They continue to to work their way through the rest of the crowd, and eventually return to the relative safety of Vannozza's wing. Allison knows that questions and explanations are likely coming, but they should at least be comfortable while they do it.]

I feel like a drink. Do you want a drink?

[ they make for a good team, in a way lorna wouldn't have expected if she'd known about what allison could do beforehand. she's sure that the other woman's got a few questions of her own, but the street really isn't the place for either of them to ask them. so when allison asks about a drink, lorna nods, shaking out her hands as she stands up straighter. ]

Yeah. Let's go.

[Back up to Allison's room they go, and she'll fish out one of the bottles of liquor she's stashed away, pouring them each a few fingers and passing one of them over.]

For the record, I don't know where mine came from. But my whole existence is kind of ... weird, so I always figured it was a side effect of that.

[ lorna accepts the drink, impressed that allison's been able to stash a supply of it for this long, but doesn't drink from it yet, listening to her run through her explanation. she nods, getting what she means by things being weird in her life. ]

Mine manifested when I was a kid. Some people are born with a certain type of gene and sometimes it makes you look different. [ hence her green hair and pale complexion. ] But it always gives you some kind of ability.

[She is a sucker for the finer things, so she tends to hoard when she can get it.]

See, that makes sense and is logical.

[She turns to face her more, leaning back against the dresser.]

There were forty-three of us. Born on at exactly twelve noon on October first to women who were definitely not pregnant at eleven-fifty-nine. And all of us have different abilities.

[ allison reminds her more of esme the more she gets to know her, for a few reasons. the type of alcohol she's stashed and the fact that it's been stashed is just the newest example, and the way she explains her genesis is another unique factor, though lorna doesn't react much more than to raise her eyebrows. ]

Forty-three? Have you met them all? [ she's not sure how that would be possible, but then she figures something as unusual as forty-three births at the exact same time from women who hadn't previously been pregnant would be notable enough for curious people to track. ]

[She shakes her head.]

My father adopted as many of them as he could and he got seven, so that's my family. And then I recently met another one, so that makes eight.

[But the other thirty five? She wouldn't know them from Adam, and after her experiences with Lila, she's not sure she wants to.]

Wow.

[ lorna takes another drink, quiet for a moment. she isn't sure that this is something she wants to share, but it feels important to, given that allison just has. ]

My father kind of did the opposite.

[She raises an eyebrow at that. Hargreeves may have been terrible as a father but at least he kept them fed and clothed. She doesn't know what her life would have been like with her birth mother, but she can't say if it would have been better or worse.]

He gave you up?

Something like that.

[ what had actually happened was he'd gotten her mother pregnant and then left her, and then years later, after both her parents had died and shortly after she'd realized what her abilities were, he left something for her on her thirteenth birthday. a near decade and a half and she hadn't mattered to him, up until it had come out that she had the same powers he did.

but he would have been having to track her up until that point, wouldn't he? to know what kind she had if and when they came out? and having been on his side and having to give up a life with her own daughter, she can see where he'd been coming from when he'd decided to leave her somewhere safer.

but that knowledge doesn't erase the years of pain and resentment. she takes another swallow. ]

It's kind of complicated.

What parents aren't?

[She's sure that no one with the kinds of powers they have has grown up with easy, carefree childhoods. Even Lila, who managed to miss the haphazard raising of Reginald Hargreeves got turned into a weapon.]

I honestly don't blame the woman who gave me up for doing so. I might not have been something she planned for, or wanted. But ... maybe he thought he was doing the best for you.

[Or maybe he just didn't care. She probably shouldn't give the biodad too much credit.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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