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.

---

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...

---

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!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[rubycitymods]

Re: QUESTIONS

[seashell_memory]

If Xion didn't lose a memory earlier in the month can I still have her lose one for this event? (Which is awesome, I love American McGee's Alice.)

[berrynice]

It's mentioned that death in Wonderland will result in the character being expelled but otherwise alright - what about non-fatal injuries? Will they persist outside of Wonderland?

[starmark]

Suppose there are two or more individuals in a group who've lost (and are regaining) memories, and the group makes it to the final stage of the event - the fully-formed memory.

How does this work with two or more individuals in it? Would their fully-formed memories overlap (creating one setting with elements of both but that's identical to neither), or would they appear side-by-side but separate from each other, or would they have to work through them sequentially, one at a time, or...?

Essentially, how does Stage Three work if there's more than one person suffering from memory loss in the group that confronts it?

[hallacious]

Two questions!

The final manifestation of Ishimaru's lost memories would almost certainly be a different "version" of himself - distinct in personality and actions, but still technically Ishimaru. Could I comment in relevant logs with a journal for that version, or would that be considered playercesting? I would try to keep direct back-and-forth interaction between the two to a minimum, but I can also work something else out if that's too much.

And also! If a character dies in Wonderland and is expelled, could they charge right back in?

[fearsnothing]

Just to clear this up: will a person be able to move through the looking glass even if they haven't lost any memories? And would they have a mirror of their own either way? For a character like Alice, since this pertains to her canon, how would Wonderland look to her if she chose to explore it beyond the Vale of Tears without losing any memories? Like her own in her home world, or would her path just be cut off at some point?

Furthermore, will the Cheshire Cat only be found through the glass, or will he still seem to appear around the city from time to time?

Re: QUESTIONS

[kaylinneya]

Echoing Xion's question, None of my characters lost memories. Can they still participate? If so, how?

Re: QUESTIONS

[sunsetsitter]

As nightmarish jerkfaces, are the beasties able to injure ghosts?

[buckstopshere]

if this has already been addressed i apologize!

can participants go from one "group" to another? As in visit/help in multiple wonderlands, if they do no affect the ones that are in (no lost memories)? or even be helped by multiple people if they do have lost memories?

or are they locked to one group and can only help those participants- I ask because group threads can get bogged down pretty bad time-wise at times so i was wondering if multiple 2-person threads are a possibility! to maximize event fun and cr without tedious thread tracking/waiting on parties.

PLOTTING

[rubycitymods]

[asinglebook]

/rubs hands in glee

Okay so Erestor here lost his memory that Glorfindel loves him and he loves him back, and the kiss where Glorfindel confessed. NOoooooooot sure how that's going to reflect on Wonderland, but there is a tiny mean part of me that suggests Gondolin burning and a Balrog. I definitely want Glorfindel & Echtelion along as they are the ones this memory directly impacts, but anyone who would like to come along is welcome!

[takesyoubytheheart]

Mickey Mouse will have lost his memory of the Keyblade Graveyard, where he lost three good friends in one fell swoop. During this time, they may be attacked by Unversed. As for personal shortcomings, what Mickey needs help with is not owning up to what he did, but accepting that he did all he could, as he has blamed himself all his years for the loss of his friends.

Mikan Tsumiki, cause clearly she hasn't suffered enough trauma, will have 're-lost' her memories of her time in despair. Yes I know how little sense that makes. Basically, it's the modern world but as if everyone lost their minds and attacked each other in order to create more despair. They might be attacked by different versions of Monokuma. Her personal shortcomings are to accept what she has done, but also realize the major differences between Junko's "love" and the love she has from Ibuki and Kazuichi.

JW, ROMAN and MAURICE

[toothaches]

ROMAN GULLIVER has not lost any memories but he will hop into the mirror anyway and happily adventure with others! AAAAAADVENTURE TIME!


MAURICE HUTCH has forgotten his secret love of musicals and theater. His Wonderland will look more and more like an enormous stage. I would like him to confront this and for him to share with his friends! A lot of the challenges will be themed around stage fright, wearing costumes to avoid enemies, and his own negative memories of being yanked out of drama class at a young age. Several areas will be barred off. Or perhaps it's you who are barred in!


JW has forgotten that (and why) he has trouble eating. His Wonderland will be...completely edible! Things in the scenery will smell and sometimes look like delicious, familiar treats but taste wretched. Or they seem to. There is a trick to them! Try asking the very purple caterpillar. Other reoccurring themes will be giant, sharp wind-up teeth, empty fridges, and an overwhelming feeling of 'you're about to get CAUGHT'.

[heirdisqualification]

Togami will be losing his memories of his second trial--meaning, he doesn't remember Genocider Syo or the death and subsequent crucifixion of Fujisaki. Yikes. His Wonderland will feature a courtroom theme, alongside some more Syo-themed items.

Carlos will not be losing any memories at all, and so will be staying out of things unless someone wants him to help with something! Feel free to bother him if you want.

[arlathvhen]

Beleth has lost no memories, but when she sees her friends in the mirror needing aid, she'll quickly come to try to rescue them. I don't have any preferences, basically if she has had positive interactions with your character she'll be willing to lend your character a hand and help them try to deal with their issues!

Alice Liddell

[fearsnothing]

oh boy hello ruby city welcome to hell

SO! Contrary to the various opportunities this event would provide with, Alice will not be losing any memories and will be mostly pretty certain of this. She will recognize the Cheshire Cat though and will be conflicted over the fact that part of Wonderland as it appears is just as she knew it (at least the vale of tears) so she will feel Partially Responsible for setting off something weird and city-wide.

Alas, with Alice being Alice, she should be expected to focus more on her woes than in jumping around helping everyone. Nonetheless! I do kind of want her to help people out if she can or if they know/realise she's familiar with a world shaped after one's own psyche.

tl;dr no memory loss for Alice, but she'll be trying to figure out wtf is happening and who thought it was funny to shape a Rumour War after Wonderland. If your characters need any help, let me know!

More on Lisa Lisa later after figuring some things out!

[s012]

Finnian: Finnian has forgotten his time with the doctors/the experiments and the night that he escaped from the lab. So there will likely be doctors in lab coats and syringes running around as well as other children shaved baled with the back of their neck marked. Finnian will need to confront and accept his identity as Subject 12, both for his abnormal strength, the inability to save the other patients and the lives he took escaping; all tied to the memory which he has forgotten.

Seimei: Seimei has had no memories lost, but will be glad to poke around in other's minds.

Undertaker:: Also no losing any memories but will certainly meddle in others, and possibly try to view a few of the cinematic records of those who have 'lost' memories.

Re: PLOTTING

[frilliance]

Miles Edgeworth is going to lose the memory of the investigation of his father's murder and Yanni Yogi's trial during the DL-6 incident. Namely, he's going to forget that his father's ghost lied about his murderer. Therefore, his Wonderland will be in the form of a courtroom with lots of elevators and Kurain village style channeling chambers. His shortcoming will be learning to accept that his father and childhood hero, a pursuer of truth, lied.




cw: DR series spoilers and suicidal behaviour mention here

Nagito Komaeda has lost most of his memories as SHSL Despair in canon but by the event, he will regain a certain DRAE event memory regarding Junko. His Wonderland will be a city in utter destruction with burning buildings, lots of rubble, dead bodies and Monokumas that will attack people. His shortcomings will be about learning to deal with his past as part of SHSL Despair (somewhat) and starting to learn that he can gain acceptance without having to die for it.


Rescuing either character and helping them confront these things would be welcome!

[hallacious]

Ishimaru here has lost his memories of what happens to him in Chapter 3! What that entails is spoilery, but a big theme of his Wonderland will be code, glitches, and computer tech, with some Persona-esque stuff going down near the end of things.

Jonathan isn't going to be losing any memories, but he will be trying to help out anyone who asks him, particularly his family.

[phobophage]

Deimonea has lost her memory of her terrible past in using humans as guinea pigs and effectively destroying minds. Which means the confrontation will be with a more callous and ruthless version of herself. On the way, there'll be puppeteered zombies, general dreamlike landscapes, and some very scrambled scenery along with a strong feeling of mental 'stasis'.

[seashell_memory]

I'm thinking that perhaps Xion could lose everything that happened after the point that she left with Riku for the first time. So she won't remember the last confrontations she had with Axel or Roxas and she won't remember the truth about herself. All she'll know is that she's technically deserted the Organization and is trying to find the truth.

[becauseichooseto]

Braxiatel is a man who prefers to not get into trouble if he can help it, plus has an indomitable will, so unless someone actually needs him, he'll probably just monitor on the comms.

[cursedtosleep]

Aurora: Having lost the memory of her being a princess, Aurora's Wonderland will start with a giant forest of incredibly deadly thorns that all lead up to an even bigger, dark, and looming castle. While the thorns themselves are dangerous, nothing can really compare to the fact that she's going to be attacked by Maleficent, who is sort of the reason she didn't get live her birthright in the first place. Luckily, she won't be turning into a dragon (and thankfully again, she's not the real Maleficent). Aurora herself will want to confront, but uh... she's going to need some serious help.

Chibi Chibi: Did not lose any memories and will be helping where she's needed, she's incredibly capable, so, by all means, she's happy to help

Ritsuka: Ritsuka also did not lose any memories, but he's willing to help. He's actually really knowledgeable about psychology so he can help in that way?

[victoriantype]

Erik would be glad to help Aurora! He won't remember his music, but he'll have all of his other skills for days.

Alice (younger), Morrigan Aensland and Erik/Phantom of the Opera (new post)

[victoriantype]

After giving it some thought and coming up with some ideas, I've decided to have my characters participate on both sides of the event.

Alice: Will be forgetting Wonderland to begin with, and the fact that it doesn't respond to logic. Her personal Wonderland will be similar to the one from the book/Disney movie, and her fear of not being able to adapt will show up as a mix of DDR levels that require color matching instead of dancing (think of the game "Simon", but with 90% more songs like this). She'll also be stuck wearing a gray version of her usual outfit until the levels are beaten. Once she's got her memory back, her clothes will revert to normal. She'll also need help during this whole thing!
Erik: Will be forgetting his ability to play and read music. His Wonderland will be a concert hall and his fear will manifest as Christine from the musical arguing that he never actually did anything with his talents. When he confronts that (and in turn, partially, his focus on her), he'll get his music back. He'll need help doing this!
Morrigan: Will forget Makai, her position of power, and the fact that she has abilities. Think of a very run-of-the-mill Otome game herione- that'll be her. More agreeable, more prone to finding herself in dangerous situations (as otome heroines do). Her Wonderland will manifest as one of the more dangerous sections of Makai, but tying with the whole "game protagonist" slant, the main group of monsters will manifest as pastiches of characters from this anime over here. Haughty, "we run this show" types who are eager to make that clear. Her fear will focus on not being able to control her powers, which will make the entire area a powder keg for spells. (Think the equivilant of constantly hitting the "generate!" button on 7th Sanctum or something XD). Once she's been helped through her fear, she'll get ready to help whoever needs it.

Once my characters have worked through their Wonderlands, they'll be avaliable to help whoever needs it! Alice is currently planning to pair with Afonso for her jaunt through Wonderland and the after-effects! Morrigan will be trying to help JW, but all of my characters will be avaliable to help sometime during the event.

Man I typed a small novel here. XD If you have anything in particular you'd like my characters to do, let me know here or on Plurk!

Rapunzel + James Potter

[leftmytower]

Rapunzel will lose the Flower Song from the recesses of her mind, and ergo any recollection of the healing powers her hair has. This is something she's been feeling increasingly guilty about, for both hiding it from her new friends and for telling those she did trust with the secret.

Her Wonderland will be full of scissor-mouthed beasts (ha. hair cuts.), glowing yellow flowers singing a music-box level creepy version of the forgotten song, and end with Mother Gothel herself, screaming at Rapunzel about how dare she tell the secret and how she's naive, silly, asking for trouble, betrayed her only family, you get it. I'm so mean to the poor princess. I love it.

--

James will not be losing anything, because I don't want to overextend myself since I am a slow tagger. heh. sobs. I could have fun with him, but instead it sounds a lot like a lot of others will need his help, so that'll be his niche. If anything he's really creeped out by the cat.