RUMOR WAR EVENT

[rubycitymods]

RUMOR WAR EVENT
Through the Looking Glass

SUMMARY:

During this mild horror/adventure event, characters will be pulled into a world which is a reflection of the American McGee's Alice canon. Participants will slowly regain the memories lost earlier in the month and be forced to face them, either ultimately confronting them or choosing to flee.

NPCs:

Diligence (Dil Blackwood), Sloth (Ariel Slavkov), Kindness (Tim Lear)

EVENT DURATION:

October 19-30

EFFECTS:

IC: Characters will feel compelled to touch the mirror that beckons them to Wonderland, but this is optional. There will be no physical or mental changes to the characters, save for the regain of lost memories and the consequences of their final decisions in the event. All deaths occurring through the event will result in the immediate expulsion of the character from Wonderland. Any occurring outside of Wonderland will incur the usual penalties.

OOC: Any relevant actions taken by characters will ideally be logged in the provided post. 'CONFRONT' will involve an individual directly confronting a situation or obstacle. 'FLEE' relates to the opposite - a situation or obstacle being avoided or fled from. 'HELP' requires someone stepping in to actively assist someone else with a problem or fear.

ENVIRONMENT CHANGES:

No changes in the environment of Ruby City itself. This event will take place in an 'alternate dimension' accessed via mirrors.

EVENT DETAILS:

Stage One-
Mirrors have long been viewed as portals in varying ways, and now they become a portal to a strange other dimension only viewable once it has been passed into. Everyone - but particularly those who had a memory taken from them earlier in the month - will begin to see strange things from the corner of their eye in each mirror they pass. Perhaps they see themselves, but their reflection looks 'different', or the scene they see mirrored back to them is somehow twisted in a way which cannot be pinpointed, but is more felt than seen. Whatever it is, it's enough to eventually draw attention.

'Why not touch it?' is the thought that runs, unbidden but completely sensible, through each individual's mind. The compulsion is there, for a few moments, and if acted on will immediately pull the person through the surface of the mirror (no matter the mirror's size) into a strange, grassy glade, populated by trees and colourful plants, with a clear river running through it. Others may already be present, sizing up their situation when the cat appears, looking over those gathered as if utterly exasperated that they are present.

The creature will introduce itself as the Cheshire Cat, and the area around it as the Vale of Tears. This, it will tell you, is the only 'safe' space remaining in this world. You see, Wonderland is very much influenced by the minds of those roaming inside it, and so many minds at once is just no good at all. So, the cat would very much like you all gone. It's a matter of keeping things tidy, you understand.

But things are never that easy. The Cheshire Cat can't simply send everyone back. All he can do is make things a little easier than they were for the last poor, confused girl who stumbled her way through here. Identifying those who have lost memories, he will ask them directly if they think that they might have forgotten something... in that smug, knowing way that suggests that the question is entirely rhetorical. These are the people that Wonderland will mold itself around, taking their memories and turning them into challenges and puzzles to be faced, worked through and overcome.

Of course, you're free to stay in the Vale of Tears, nice and safe, until enough people have been expelled from Wonderland that it isn't quite so difficult to remove the rest, but where would be the fun in that?

Stage Two-
The shallow river running through the Vale appears to be its only exit, though splits into several different paths just out of sight. Each appears identical, flanked by high cliffs, but once one is chosen the others will disappear - leaving only one path back to the Vale, which will be completely empty if returned to. The cliffs will quickly begin to drop, the river continuing to flow in a strangely bright shade of blue through the landscape. The sky holds no discernable sun despite the apparent daylight, and is 'painted' in pastel colours that sting the eyes if stared at for too long.

On leaving the Vale of Tears, each lost memory will begin to distort Wonderland. The Cat will advise that no one travel in a group larger than four or five, but such recommendations are more guidelines than actual rules. If only a single person in a group has lost experiences, it is only their psyche that will change the world around them. If there are multiple people, however, their absent memories may mix and blend together in some unexpected ways! Those who were taken through a mirror with their minds fully intact will be able to assist their friends and companions, but will have no effect on the way that the world around them changes.

As each group moves towards their escape they will pass through three 'layers' of Wonderland, each ending in a freestanding door which may be opened and passed through to reach the next stage.

Upon first leaving the Vale, the world will not seem terribly different at all. The first layer is almost easy, plagued with only minor annoyances that are only vaguely familiar. However, the deeper your characters venture, the more the environment will twist to match them. Everything from the trees to the grass to the clouds and the sky will reflect the adventurers' lost memories in some way. As they progress to the second layer of their Wonderland, their paths may become obstructed by tedious puzzles, forboding pits, or frightening imagery. Beasties, seemingly plucked right out of their most private of stress dreams may also be nipping at their heels. These creatures, when dispatched either close up or at range, will shatter like glass.

Through the third and last door is a final confrontation. A manifestation of the memory, event or personal shortcoming which has not been faced or overcome may be either faced or fled from. Reaching the final stage will result in the return of everything that was lost and the individual (or individuals) may make the choice to face up to their problem and admit it to themselves and/or their companions.. or to continue ignoring it.

No one would be blamed for taking the easy way out, but it is the easy way.

Stage Three-
Passing through the final stage in one way or another will free the group from Wonderland and the grasp of the mirror, back into Ruby City.

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Once the event begins, those who resist the urge to touch the mirrors may see brief snatches of what is happening to different groups and hear voices coming from reflective surfaces. They will, unfortunately, be unable to help without going through the looking glass...

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A log will be set up for the purpose of this event, but there will also be a second tracking log for the purpose of tracking what each character does throughout their journey through Wonderland. Is your character a coward who will run and hide? Do they step in to help other people get over their fears? Will they confront their own? Each layer of Wonderland will have a separate header, under which you can comment with 'confront', 'flee', or 'help' and a brief description of what your character did. Each can be hit more than once! This will be for the purpose of tracking Diligence, Sloth and Kindness.

NETWORK CHANGES:

There will be no major changes to the network. Characters in Wonderland will still be able to contact those on the outside, though the feed may cut out or have poor reception.

REQUIRED SIGNUPS:

Signups are not required. If you are yet to choose a memory for your character to lose, you can still do that.

OPT OUT OPTIONS:

There are no specific steps to take for opting-out; simply don't participate.

If you have any questions, please ask them under the comment headed "Questions". Otherwise, feel free to use this post for plotting purposes!