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

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!

[silverwaters]

Ecthelion's definitely in XD I don't think he's really left Erestor alone all that much since this started.

[asinglebook]

We could put in TWO Balrogs! One each XD

[silverwaters]

lol Well that'll mean Ecthelion'll have killed FIVE Balrogs at the end of it.

[twicelived]

Glorfindel is feeling emotional enough that he is gonna murder any balrog he sees with his sparkly Maia like abilities. And yes, he's still wearing his hair down. You think he would learn but...no...

[asinglebook]

... Erestor and Ecthelion both going to need words about the hair XD

[silverwaters]

They really do XD At least Ecthelion has a tie at the end of his hair

[twicelived]

HE'S NOT PULLING IT UP YOU CAN'T MAKE IT.

[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.

[scary_music]

So I'm terrible and going to do this to Ibuki too

So

Ibuki and Mikan traveling together means more monokumas fff-

Though specifically I want to feature a really messed up amusement park in the wonderland :x

[angelicbadass]

You okay with Pit helping Mickey with his fear, huh?

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'.

[buckstopshere]

WAIT WHAT ABOUT JW AND PAIN

JAMES IS IN.

HE'LL EAT THE WONDERLAND. AND REGRET IT.

[buckstopshere]

well, if you want, of course. if his party is full i can happily attach james to another of your weirdos. <3

he still needs to awkwardly comfort (???) and make sure maurice hasn't tried to kill the moon or something.

[goldeneyeball]

Feel free to toss him at anyone! 8I I'm playing it as if wonderland is kind of nebulous time-wise since group threads make me nervous. I'll probably be doing several one-on-one threads!

JW LOVES TO SEE JAMES IN PAIN

[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!

[heirdisqualification]

;0 hey edgeworth

[frilliance]

hey togami.

you gonna help out a prosecutor you respect?

[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'.