[May] State of the City

[rubycitymods]

STATE OF THE CITY
May 2016

GENERAL OOC INFO:

Hello, everyone! We're a third of the way through the year already, and making some great strides in getting everything set up the way it should be. This month's first event is looking like it might be quite intensive, but don't be shy about backtagging it for as long as you need to.

There should be next to no lag in progress as things continue to move forwards, but as always we welcome any suggestions that you have for us, as well as any plot submissions! We would love nothing more than to bring your ideas to life, be they ones based in the canon that your character comes from, or not.

The test drive and CR meme are up and raring to go, and we hope that everyone will make use of them. In the interests of avoiding redundancy (and as a little test to see how it goes), we will not be putting up a plotting comment on this post - please use the CR meme for all of your plotting needs, be they event or general.

GAME INFO:
So what's going on with the city as a whole?

THIS SECTION HAS BEEN BACKBENCHED FOR OVERHAUL.
IT WILL RETURN IN JUNE'S SOTC.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST YOUR SETS.

EVENT LIST FOR THE MONTH:
MAY 07 - MAY 14 To Far Flung Corners Individual plotting can go here!

Some may have noticed lately that Chassie, the smallest of the city's overseers, has been asking very odd questions about why people always seem to want to fight. Though she's been vague, not entirely understanding what the problem really is or how she can fix it, she's breaking out her considerable powers to put and end to the strife between her family members once and for all. An unfortunate side effect is that the backlash is going to be unleashed over the entire city.

NOTE: For the length of this event...
Watches will work, but intermittently. Once night falls, they will work via voice only.
No abilities that would allow quicker travel will function (teleportation, flash-stepping, etc), either for the groups outside of the city, or the people within it.
Groups may arrive home before the end of the event. They may also be gone longer, but after the event offically ends, all beneficial abilities will work and watches will function normally.

At the start of the event, around midday on Saturday, May 7th, a thick, miasmic fog falls over the city. People seem to be stolen from where they stand, all their belongings left behind save for those that they were wearing or carrying at the time. It seems like a mass exodus, until the alarmed messages start to come in. The missing people have been split into groups and flung to locations far away from the city, with only their wits to rely on for a safe return. Outlined below are the groups, their starting location, and a 'suggested encounter' which does not have to be used, but is recommended only as a possible source of excitement. Starting locations can be found on this map, with the colours detailed in the table.

Group 1 Alice Liddell, Afonso da Silva, Aragorn II Elessar, Nagito Komaeda Starting Point: Forest (black) Special Encounter: The deep darkness of the forest may not seem to terrible for this group, but as they make their way back towards the city, each of them will be taken over by a sudden, strange malaise. It may start with one and spread to the others, or hit all of them at the same time, but the idea of sitting down and just.. taking a long break starts to feel more and more like a good idea. A convenient clearing offers a good place to make camp, and wouldn't it be nice just to sit down for a while? Should they succumb, sitting down soon turns to sleeping, leaving our campers open to attack from the creatures they have managed to disturb in their passing...	Group 2 Giorno Giovanna, Yuuta Matsukawa, Chloe Price, Kaylin Neya Starting Point: Mountains (brown) Special Encounter: Wisps. Small balls of light that bob in the shadows and darkness to lure people to into danger.. or even to their deaths. At some point in their journey, this group will come across a collection of lights winking enticingly in the dark. They look harmless, giving off a soft blue glow and a quiet fizzling sound. Following the lights will draw this team onto soft, boggy ground where they may quickly become trapped. Will they resist, or will they give in to the temptation?
Group 3 Holly Kujo, Dirk Strider, Skuld, Ciel Phantomhive Starting Point: Beach (red) Special Encounter: An infestation of gnomes is a bad thing at the best of times, but at least once when this unfortunate group makes camp, they will be swarmed by a group of the irritating pests. Usually found in the back yards of homes, it seems that a few of them have made it out into the wild and have chosen this group as their target. The best way to be rid of gnomes is to pick them up by the ankles, swing them around and throw them as far as you can. Either get rid of them or run, but doing nothing will only result in belongings going missing.	Group 4 The Girl, Rohan Kishibe, Celebrian, Jane Foster Starting Point: Sea Cave (green) Special Encounter: An ill omen under any circumstances, usually appearing after someone has passed away and almost a sure sign that your luck is about to turn bad. These creatures utter an unearthly shriek that chills to the bone and brings an unavoidable feeling of dread. During their journey, this group will come across a rogue banshee, howling into the night. An unnerving situation for most, but how will they deal with it?
Group 5 Jean-Pierre Polnareff, Sansa Stark, Seimei Aoyagi, Nadeshiko/Nadehiko Starting Point: Forest (blue) Special Encounter: Even the dryads get nervous around a leshen. Powerful forest spirits, leshens have no need to actively engage in battle themselves, but can summon swarms of crows or packs of wolves to do their work for them. If shown the proper respect, a leshen may break off their assault and simply return to going about its business. However, they are also weak to fire, and if set alight, will be unable to attack. Flee, fight, or display deference to this ancient spirit. Simply watching it pass by will not be an option.	Group 6 Cecil Palmer, Mickey Mouse, Irving Braxiatel, Nevan Starting Point: Mountains (purple) Special Encounter: Creatures that use unique abilities to dig elaborate cave systems, which they can alter at will should someone happen to wander inside them. A likely place to bed down for the night may turn out to be more than anyone bargained for, and could lead to time spent wandering through an ever-changing system of tunnels. Face to face, badgermoles in the wild are aggressive when they feel threatened, but may be calmed with music. How will our explorers deal with this potentially deadly situation?
Group 7 Carlos, Sans, Bruno Buccellati, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne Starting Point: River (pink) Special Encounter: Following the river might seem to be an easy option at first. Of course it is! The river runs to the lake, and the lake is a much shorter walk to the city. In the river, however, lurks a creature known to some as a 'kelpie'. Appearing first as a beautiful, gleaming horse walking up out of the water, the kelpie's smooth skin turns adhesive as soon as its touched by the unsuspecting individual who takes the invitation to get on their back. With someone stuck fast to their skin, the kelpie will try to drown them. Will they pass by, or will someone find themselves fighting for their life?	Group 8 Steven Universe, Aqua, Erestor, Samwise Gamgee Starting Point: Forest (orange) Special Encounter: A common enemy, and in their smaller size no issue at all, but something in the forest allows the spiders there to grow to a shocking size. This group wanders into the spider's territory long before they start to notice the thick, sticky webbing in the canopy above them. Turning back is an option, though it would take them further from the city once again and means they need to find a route around. Pressing forwards will put them into an area of dense forest, thickly webbed between branches and tree trunks. Either way, the spiders know they are there. And they are watching.
Group 9 Princess Ivy and Grey Murphy, Agent Cherri Cola, Maglor Starting Point: Sea Cave (grey) Special Encounter: Most residents of this place only know of the mer in the lake some distance north of the city. However, there are also a kind of merfolk living in certain places in the ocean around the landmass on which Ruby City sits. They do not often have dealings with humans, or any kind of being other than their own, so the presence of strangers nearby is bound to draw their attention. Whether it be in the cave itself, or somewhere along the coast, the mer will draw the attention of this group. Violence begets violence, but likewise, a friendly approach will result in tentative offerings of the same.	Group 10 America, Hajime Hinata, Fun Ghoul Starting Point: Mountains (lilac) Special Encounter: The Adh Seid are creatures which never appear to those with a fully clear conscience. At the stroke of midnight, at least one during their journey, this group will find itself under assault from one of these creatures. They may appear as different things to different people - a black horse, a beautiful woman, even a frog - but one thing is certain... those who have done good deeds in life have little to fear, but those with ill deeds behind them need to watch out as the Adh Seid attempts to draw them into insanity. The only way to be rid of an Adh Seid is to rid yourself of the guilt that they feed on. You could try to ignore them.. and see how that works out for you.

Along with the suggested 'special encounters', the trek back towards the city will come along with other dangers. More than one area will need to be crossed, not accounting for the inevitablilty of some parties getting lost on their way, so here are some possible problem creatures that your groups might come across. You are free to pick from any of these, or none, as you see fit. The bestiary also offers other options that you might want to try.

NORTHERN FOREST HAZARDS
Centaur - Sentient and capable of conversation, but difficult to earn the trust of. More likely to shoot first and ask questions later, if at all.
Fairy - Mischievous. If they manage to tempt you into a fairy ring, they will try to offer you food and drink. Taking of either will trap you in their world forever.
Elf - Less sociable than dryads and quicker to react to perceived danger, they will usually only observe unless you cause damage to their home. They use arrows tipped with a paralysing poison.
Spriggan - Violent tree spirits that will attack any unfortunate soul who comes across them. They can be easily defeated using fire, but this may draw the attention of others.

MOUNTAIN HAZARDS
Roc - Mostly harmess. Will usually flee if their prey fights back. There is one friendly one - answers to the name of 'Snoop'.
Yeti - Big. Angry. Usually found alone, unless they have young, which they will defend with their lives.
Troll - Usually found living alone or in small groups. They can be avoided, and are kind of stupid.
Dragon - Some of these magnificent creatures are intelligent, and may even be helpful. But just to be safe... duck.

SEA HAZARDS
Potential drowning.
Ocean predators.
The Leviathan.

PLAINS/BEACH HAZARDS
Wargs - Large, wolf-like creatures that travel in packs of two or three across the plainlands. Only slightly smaller than a horse. Will chase you.
Wendigo - Half spirit, half corporeal creatures with strange proportions that are only a parody of humanoid. They can possess a victim for short stretches of time, controlling them and forcing them to commit atrocities without awareness.
Red Cap - Small, humanoid creatures with red eyes and eagle claws for hands. Extremely agile and quick.

In addition to the above hazards, ALL GROUPS will also have to deal with having no immediate supplies (food, water, medicines), no immediate shelter, no easily accessible source of heat (unless magical)and only the clothing they were wearing when they were spirited away.

While half of the city is trying to battle its way back home, those left behind will have their own problems to deal with. While half of the city is.. elsewhere, within the walls the fog remains. At first it's a minor inconvenience, something that limits visibility and occasionally stings the eyes, but nothing more. As time goes on, it starts to show something of a darker side. The usually benign creatures that reside within the city itself - the ghosts, the water spirits, even the domesticated and companion animals that live with the residents - start to act strangely. Some become edgy and irritable, some uncharacteristically lazy. Different, but none of the changes are positive ones. Soon, it starts to spread. Staying indoors might help a little, but everyone affected slowly begins to succumb to the worst aspects of their own personalities. As for those still missing.. well, to hell with them, right? This is probably their fault anyway. Why else would they be outside of the city while this is happening?

Intermittently, the sound of a child crying can be heard through the city. No matter where you are, no matter whether or not you stop your ears. It continues for a few minutes each time, before ceasing with no indication as to the source. After three day, the crying stops, but it is replaced with the sound of mingled arguing voices. Both male and female, the words overlap to a point that the individual sentences can't be discerned. The sounds last longer - up to ten minutes at a time - and can, in some individuals, rise to such a crescendo of volume that even clapping both hands over your ears doesn't seem to help.

Hairline cracks begin to appear in the fabric of the city itself. In buildings, the cobbled streets, and (perhaps most alarmingly) the ruby obelisk in the centre of the city. The city overseers, often conspicuous by their absence but often contactable, appear to have vacated entirely. Any efforts to get in touch with them will be met with a string of incomprehensible characters and a low ringing in the ears, lasting for several hours.

As people begin to return from their excursions in to the wild, the fog and tension gradually begins to lift. With each reunited friend and relieved family member, the city pulls itself together. The cracks fade, the voices quiet and finally cease entirely.

At the end of the final day of the event, Chassie will have a message for the city. She'll have some explaining to do.

For this event, there will be a log set up with subcomments for each group and one for those still in the city. We will be using a system following the suggestion by Lupin to track what the groups do, and how well they succeed (or fail).

MAY 26 - MAY 29 Stuck On You

A low key event after the one previous to it, but one that is going to cause its own set of problems. For the course of this short event, two people passing each other (be it in the street, indoors, or elsewhere) will find a strange kind of magnetism drawing them to each other. The less they know one another, the stronger this pull will be, and the longer it will last. Close friends might not notice anything more than a light tug, while complete strangers will find the pull impossible to ignore.

It can be fought with some considerable effort, but should two people feeling this 'tug' make any kind of physical contact, it will be incredibly difficult for them to part from each other for a length of time that grows shorter depending on how well they know each other.

None of these effects are painful, as such, but rather entirely aggravating in their insistence that you get very close to that one person you've never really spoken to before. Those who know each other better may find it difficult to deal with, regardless... the pull doesn't distinguish between liking someone and disliking them.

STATE OF THE CITY:

Weekly Weather Report

WEATHER:

Like much of the real world, the city and its surrounding lands struggle with their own unpredictable weather. Mostly wet, but with patches of glorious sunshine and even moments of hail or snow, the continuing unsettled weather only matches the current nature of this world.

The only hope can be that soon, everything sees fit to right itself. Until then, at least the weather only presents the problem of which coat to wear when you go outside.

ANIMALS AND BESTIARY INFO:

Less unsettled now, the creatures in and around the city seem to be more confused than anything else. This is resulting in some odd behaviours which, outside of the effects of events, are mostly harmless. Animals that would normally attack are quicker to turn tail and run, while those which would usually be timid are showing more aggression. Even more so than they have in months previously.

Ever been attacked my an aggressive rabbit?

A few of the dryads might, now and then, be seen trying to get the attention of people passing close by. They don't venture out of the forest, but it definitely looks like they want to talk about something.

STORES AND SUPPLIES:

The shortage from the previous month doesn't appear to be letting up. The stores restock in fits and starts, particularly those holding food items, but you're all getting good at this sharing thing now, right?

MOD CONTACT:

Fiona hardtostarboard || AIM@LittleBritTeacup
Kitten GrimmKitty || AIM@SilverCrusnik
Ingrid togamint || SKYPE@Taekotogami
Duck rowaduck || AIM@rowaduck

Moderator Plurk: rubycitymods

PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Suggestions Post

Permanent Links
Phoenix Wright’s Records
Spiral Training School Information

Anything to tell us? Let us know below!

CLOSING STATEMENT:

There are still some things to get straightened out as far as the game's running is concerned, but we are definitely well on track to where we want to be. Tell your friends! Let's get this place bouncing. We are hoping that the events of this month set the tone for how the game will go in the future (NOT THE DEATH.. but maybe a little death) and we are feeling very optimistic! Ruby City has some amazing and dedicated players and we love all of you.

The announcement may have been missed, but we now have two new mods! If you didn't already, please give a hand to Ingrid and Duck who have stepped up to give us a hand. We would like to thank everyone who volunteered, and we will definitely keep you in mind should we happen to need to pull more people on board.

Our next Activity Check will fall on Thursday, May 5th, so we hope that you're all ready for that!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[rubycitymods]

[becauseichooseto]

Do the groups have access to maps IC?

hopping on with an NPC

[chassiebarrows_npc]

Only if they habitually carry a map of the island around with them. In general, folks in RC don't have access to a map.

[silvercrusader]

For the Stuck on You event-- can a person be stuck and unstuck at random, thus enabling them to be stuck to more than one person, or is it a one-person-only thing?

Group 10 plotting

[thisisourfuture]

So plotting for our group. Uh first off, Hinata will run into trouble. Because while he technically isn't that terrible. What he was was well um very, very bad.

Re: Group 10 plotting

[radioactivedonuts]

Yo! Ghoul's gonna be running into trouble too so no worries bout that. He's got a bit of guilt right now rolling around in his head too.

Oh also! My plurk is Enjolsass, I don't know if it'd be easier for us all to have like a private plurk to discuss and plan what we wanna do, or if it'd be easier to do it here. I'm down for either. I also just want to let you both know I'll be gone most of this weekend orz;

[thisisourfuture]

I think a private plurk will work for all of us. I'll add you and do the honors. I'll be around during the day but at EST 7pm-12 am I have raid on sat. Sun it's only 7-9.

Group Six

[becauseichooseto]

Braxiatel will be remarkably calm, if extremely irritated by being whisked away to parts unknown. He'll tend towards taking a back seat and advising. He'll probably get along pretty well with dragons, at sea with Trolls and reasonably lighthearted about the others. While he's not at his best in the wilderness, he has good stamina.

Re: Group Six

[takesyoubytheheart]

HEY GANG YOU'VE GOT A GIANT MOUSE ON THE TEAM HOW'S TRICKS

Yeah Mickey will take this reasonably well. He has no reason to fight any of the creatures unless they fight first, so he will be ready to defend/fight with the group! He might be the one to (accidentally) find out that singing calms the badgermoles.

[becauseichooseto]

It certainly won't be Brax singing, so that's great.

[getreadysugar]

Nevan is.. probably going to be slightly entertained at first, and then very annoyed. Especially when she figures out half her powers have been nixed. She is a good combatant at least, but not likely to fight for the sake of the group.

Honestly, she won't understand if anyone tries to defend her, either.

At least she's a good conversationalist. A few thousand years of life can do that for you.

[becauseichooseto]

Both Mickey and Braxiatel being variously pacifist, hopefully that'll stay to a minimum. Braxiatel... will probably not hurry to protect her, though he'll do it if he stays out of the way. (Which Nevan will probably understand better!)

Group 1

[hoperulesdespairdrools]

Guys, let's plot! So, you have a rather pale and sickly but rather peppy teenage boy on your team who will be oddly happy and excited about being whisked away to a dangerous situation. He might also be a bit tense though because of the sense of dread that everyone gets and his ridiculous luck talent.

Er.....he is also in very poor health which he will try to hide or talk down.

[victoriantype]

Alice will actually handle being in the forest pretty well at first! Then the sesne of dread's going to settle in and that's going to stop. She'll want to sit down long enough to get her wits about her, and will need some help getting through everything. Girl doesn't do well in "hey wander this new area" when there's dread mixed in. But she's a pro at running quickly when needed, if anyone wants to work with that!

[airshipcaptain]

Hey guys! On top of the pale and sickly kid our group gets the dude with one leg and some PTSD who is probably going to have a panic attack at some point during this whole thing. He'll be pretty good with the whole surviving in the wilderness though since he's kinda done it before, but Afonso's gonna be pretty tense about everything especially with that sense of dread.

'Course he's also going to insist he's fine.

Group 3

[berrynice]

or, FUCKING GNOMES, AM I RIGHT

Well, at least we got an annoying beastie instead of an actually threatening one, because Holly here is utterly useless in a fight. She'll probably even feel bad about throwing the gnomes at first (though even her patience isn't unlimited and GODDAMMIT STOP TRYING TO STEAL HER POCKETWATCH SHE NEEDS THAT). What she lacks in combat prowess she makes up for in practical skills, however! She was totally a girl scout when she was a kid so basic orienteering and camping skills won't be too hard to dig up. WE WILL NOT STARVE, FRIENDS.

I'd like to arrange an encounter with the mermaids too, if everyone's cool with it. Aside from that, I'm open to anything. o/

[thepuppetmaster]

SUP you get stuck with this asshole c:

Okay Fiona actually contribute to this.
GNOMES. Dirk isn't going to know what to do with them but might actually stumble on the idea of throwing them very far by accident. Someone might have to tell him to put his sword down. He doesn't trust these kinds of beasties at all.

His survival skills are pretty ramped up and he can do this thing where he removes souls from their bodies but he's not going to have to do that is he.

Personality-wise he is just.. almost 100% deadpan these days and is going to be entirely unimpressed by this shit.

Group 8

[his_gardener]

Sam has experience with giant spiders if that's of any help. Granted this time he won't have sting, or a vial of pure light, and it's not a matter of saving the whole world from a piece of jewelry and all. But he does know the parts to avoid and all.

Also, he's not keen on taking the lead so someone else want to take point?

[asinglebook]

Erestor and Sam can tell the group all about Giant Spiders, which they have both had far too much experience with thank you.

Erestor here was a scout, back in the day, and he routinely keeps knives inside those polite librarian robes of his, which he is very good at using. Sadly, he has no bow and arrow, which as far as he's concerned is the preferred method of spider killing.

He can scout paths for the group, and he can also manage basic survival skills - hunting, trapping, finding water. He isn't much of a leader, but he's a counsellor - he'd be a good second, although he can take point if needed

[his_gardener]

You catch it and Sam and cook it. They'll be the best fed group of all.

[watermelogisty]

Hi, Erestor :D

[asinglebook]

.... Erestor demands to know who let kids on this trip XD

[watermelogisty]

possibly this little girl he's been trying to be friends with and who is gonna be very disappointed on if he finds out she's responsible for this

[asinglebook]

pft XD

Re: Group 8

[watermelogisty]

Hey there!

Steven has a lot of useful powers, though he's not really a fighter, for the most part. He's more about defense and stuff. He has his shield, and he can make it big enough to protect an entire group, and he can also make bubbles. So I guess he can be really useful in battles so they don't get too hurt? (Though too much strain will exhaust him).
He also has healing powers (er...healing spit), though it's not been working for a while and it's somewhat unreliable at the moment.

Lion will be with him, and while he has the power to create portals, which will be useless until the end of the event (though it can help them get back home faster if they don't get back to the city before the 14th), he can also help fight, with his sonar blast roar things.

[his_gardener]

Well at least Sam won't be the only pint sized one in the group. Though he certainly wouldn't be happy at all to have to be spit on for healing if it came to it. Especially if it's iffy.

[watermelogisty]

It's ok Sam, he won't spit on you. He'll only try to use it again if he finds someone seriously injured. I don't know if you know the SU canon or why his power is unreliable, but it's gonna depend on how the thread is gonna go x3

Group 7 Plotting

[oathshackledbird]

All right, it's time for some plotting! (Unless it is easier for everyone on plurk, then we can use the one I just pinged everyone to.)

Fortunately, Diarmuid knows very well what kelpies are and will likely warn about them as soon as he realizes where they have been dropped. UNFORTUNATELY, he has lost access to his super speed, so there is plenty of time for anyone who would like to run into trouble before he can stop them to do so.

Diarmuid doesn't have to eat or drink himself, but thanks to spending a good year on the run during his first life (and having been born back in the good-old--2000 years ago-days), he knows a great deal about hunting, fishing and more importantly, preparing said food. Unless someone has a big issue with eating food roasted over an open flame, starving shouldn't be too much of a problem.

It's just too bad they weren't dropped closer to the beach. He built a small cabin over there not long ago.

So with that said, does anyone have any specific things they would like to have happen? I am wide open for any kind of adventuring and trouble finding we can find! :-)

Group 9

[lookpastthem]

I guess I'll start this one. I hope everyone can swim...!

Cola sort of can't, but he'll manage. What do you expect from someone who grew up in a desert? At least his survival skills are pretty good, so no one is going to go hungry as long as someone else can help with the hunting.

As far as their personal threat goes, the mer are going to be an interesting experience and his immediate response would be to see them as a threat. Mostly because he still gets Box flashbacks, where pretty much everything was a threat.

AND NOW WITH RIGHT CHARA

[bythewaves]

Hilariously Mags is at once both the best and worst person for this. So! Mags here is er. not 100% sane, but a big part of his issues are tied up with the sea TLDR HE GETS WEIRD AND TENDS TO WANDER OFF AND LOSE HOURS/DAYS/WEEKS when he's by the sea.

BUT.

He's also his canon's second best bard whose voice is specifically described as "like the sea" lol. He's also from a canon where the music is legit magic, by which I mean someone in his canon once broke a tower by singing, no joke. CHANCES ARE he'll be very good with the mer. You just... might have to make sure he remembers to think in days rather than music.

Also, he's spent several centuries wandering up and down the seashore - the dude can both hunt and fish and trap, and he's actually a damn good survivalist, and he's ruled Men before and knows how to compensate for mortal limits as opposed to his own. You may have to watch out for him starving himself for the humans, actually, as he knows damn well he can go without for a lot longer.

GROUP TWO PLOTTING

[meitori]

MEMBERS: Giorno Giovanna, Yuuta Matsukawa, Chloe Price, Kaylin Neya
STARTING POINT: Mountains
BEASTIE: Wisps

Hey guys!

Sorry that something like this is so late! Finals just finished up for me and I am waaaaay behind. Would we like to plot something here and maybe get organized up enough to set up a log and have at it?