EVENT #12: INVOCATION - COORDINATION POST (PART 1)

[abraxasmods]

Event #12 - COORDINATION (1)

go to the OOC Plotting Post or IC Event Log

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This post is for coordination to prevent the IC Event Log from being overrun by OOC mod and player communications. Forms and instructions are available in this post.

Use this post to:

◎ Coordinate event plots with the mods
◎ Request a mod dice roll
◎ Submit noticeable actions
◎ Write rapid IC exchanges
◎ Investigate a plot point or track ongoing investigations

If you have any questions, see the Questions thread on the OOC Plotting Post.

Available Forms

For details on each form, see the sections below.
Be sure to reply under your assigned category if applicable.

Mod Communications

If you have an idea related to the event plot, communicate and coordinate with us here. This includes NPC meetings, requesting resources, destroying the environment, or anything else that may require mod permission. If we can't accommodate a request for any reason, we'll do our best to offer an alternative!

Contact Us

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Request:</b> (Describe what you'd like to do)

Randomization Request

Request a mod dice roll at any time for outcomes and consequences. Some actions require a dice roll to proceed, such as attacking an acolyte NPC or attempting to break anything major in the environment (chains, doors, walls). If you aren't sure, you can check with us.

Request here

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Action:</b> (Describe what your character is attempting to do and how) <b>Thread:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (Link to the thread where this is taking place) <b>Notes:</b> (Anything else)

Notable Actions

Submit notable actions that are likely to gain attention from other players, such as fights or disturbances.

Submit a notable action

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>When:</b> (Approximately when is this incident taking place?) <b>Where:</b> (Where is this incident taking place?) <b>What:</b> (Describe the incident) <b>Link:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (If applicable. Actions can be submitted without a thread if they're minor, such as if your character snores loudly every night.)

IC Exchanges

Use this option for interactions you'd like to play out, but setting up a standard IC thread would be impracticable. For instance, if your character wants to speak to several people about an event they witnessed together, you might want to do an IC exchange.

Treat this like an informal IC network thread done in person, where character reactions, snippets of dialogue, and other details can be quickly played out and concluded in-game without committing to a full log thread. Exchanges are game canon and can count towards Activity Check under the category of a Network thread.

Start an IC exchange

Using the provided form is optional. Begin a thread freeform if you prefer.

<b>Where & when:</b> (Where and when is this exchange taking place?) <b>Purpose:</b> (What's the reason for this exchange?) <b>THREAD START</b> (Write the scenario, your character's actions, and any dialogue as usual)

Investigations

Several investigation paths are available for characters to interact with. Each assignment group will have their own set of investigation paths. You can investigate something as many times as you want, as long as there's a reasonable explanation for your character making their second attempt. Interacting with investigations might carry IC consequences. We'll try to telegraph when characters are at high risk of triggering something major. To investigate, fill out the form, then comment under the item you're investigating.

Interact with an Investigation

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Other characters involved:</b> <b>Action:</b> (Describe what your character is attempting to do and how. If multiple characters are taking action, include their actions.) <b>Thread:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (Link to a top level or any other relevant threads. This is so we can review what the characters involved have been doing to best flavor the investigation outcome for you!) <b>Notes:</b> (Anything else)

Comments

FREE CITIES

[abraxasmods]

INVENTIONS & TACTICS

[abraxasmods]

[techmaturgy]

Player Name: Whit
Character Name: Viktor
Other characters involved: Ciri, Blake (with assists from Jaskier and Jayce)

Action: Viktor has conspired with Ciri, Jaskier, and Blake to be Captured on Purpose. All three are outfitted with trackers (Ciri's and Blake's implanted in the upper arm, Jaskier's sewn into his clothing), though only Ciri and Blake will be successfully kidnapped. This is version 1 of the tracking technology, initially developed to locate a lost animal. The capabilities right now are fairly basic: the tracker emits a signal received by an antenna on Viktor's end, and right now he'll be trying to determine location--even a general direction will be helpful. If necessary, he'll send someone out into the desert to keep picking up the signal (and possibly triangulate northeast/northwest), for as long as it lasts.
Thread: with Ciri, Jaskier, Jayce, with Blake
Notes: Initial pitch!

[abraxasmods]

Initially, the first tracker's signal is disrupted often and quite weak. With an additional tracker, some tinkering, and physical maneuvering on Viktor's part (for instance, he may need to walk around outside or move away from any nearby research labs that could interfere) he will be able learn some information.

In particular, he can pinpoint that the signal is coming somewhere north of Cadens. The precise direction and distance is uncertain, but he'll know that neither tracker is near the southernmost areas of the map.

An improved tracker may provide clearer information.

When characters undergo the ritual, if the tracker is embedded, their bodies will begin to reject it and lesions can cause the tracker to surface. Growths will eventually prevent the tracker from working. Characters can prevent this by physically digging out the tracker and finding an alternate method of hiding it.

[techmaturgy]

Player Name: Whit
Character Name: Viktor
Other characters involved: Jayce, Stephen Strange, Sam Wilson

Action: Throughout Part 1, Viktor has been working to improve his initial tracking system, planted on Ciri (+ ooc notes) and Blake. After reaching out to the Academy, he has been given government money to make the necessary improvements. This includes improving the signal strength of the device, as well as linking the system to Jayce’s improved surveillance birds, to further boost the range, with the braerium-enhanced birds acting as a relay (+ additional discussion with Jayce about the plan).

Meanwhile, Viktor has enlisted other Summoned to take a receiver and record location data from other parts of the continent. With information from Dean and Jesper in Aquila, Jaskier in Nocwich and Libertas, and Stephen Strange and Yennifer in Thorne (plus pending data from the Solvunn field trip), Viktor is fairly confident in the general location, but since it’s still a large area of land to cover, he’s hoping to narrow it down further.

To accomplish this, Jayce reaches out to Stephen Strange, both for any location data from Thorne and to potentially collaborate. Following this conversation, Stephen will request a portal from Ambrose to allow him to meet Viktor and Jayce on the Free Cities border. Since the latter need a level 6 Summoned to accompany them, Sam Wilson will also make the trip. Together, the four of them will get as close as they can to where they believe the signal is originating and use the improved tracking/surveillance system in conjunction with Strange’s locating magic to further enhance the tracking ability of the birds and pinpoint exactly where the Lost are being kept.

Thread: No IC thread yet, we can follow up with a link if the plan is approved!
Notes: I think I grabbed all the relevant links, but if you need more of an IC paper trail, just let me know!

[abraxasmods]

Hello! Would you be able to clarify which part of the Free Cities border they're intending to meet at?

TRACKING LEADS

[abraxasmods]

desert hillsides + hidden chambers

[warfed]

Player Name: Christine (+ Terra & Dia)
Character Name: Petra Macneary
Other characters involved: Hilda Goneril, Alucard

Action: Petra received a warning from Claude to stay out of the desert. Since they both work there frequently, she had already been checking his usual routes when he went missing during week one. When portals are made available, she will be immediately taking one to the desert hillsides along with Hilda, and has brought along a military tracking dog with them, having worked with them during the rescue efforts in Libertas. They will be running into Alucard there, and together, we would like to have them discover and open one of the hidden chambers to see what's inside! On top of her own tracking expertise and the dog's help, Petra can also use her ability to speak with animals to communicate more clearly with the hound as need be. She brought items bearing Claude and Sylvain's scent to help. Regarding hidden chambers, she also has the ability to pick locks or disarm traps should that come in handy in gaining access.
Thread: Thread
Notes: Not at the moment!

[abraxasmods]

While investigating an area in the hillside, the hound will lead her towards a small cave. The hound appears to be tracking traces of blood, though if anyone with the skills to do so can recognize the blood, they will notice that it appears to be muddled rather than human or animal. There is an odd smell to it as if it's been used in a mixture.

Eventually, the hound will stop and appear confused at a fork in the caves. The team can choose to go left, from which they may be able to hear water dripping from the ceiling. They can go right, which will see more smears of an odd black substance painted on the walls. It contains the same hint of blood in it.

Depending on which direction they go, they will find something a little different.

[theidlemaiden]

Player Name: Terra
Character Name: Hilda Goneril
Other characters involved: Petra Macneary, John Blake

Action: After being attacked and failing to stop Blake from being kidnapped, Hilda will be returning to the scene of the crime the next day to see if she can glean any other information (like if there was anything left behind in the scuffle) that could prove useful about Blake’s kidnappers.
Thread: Thread w/ Petra | Thread w/ Blake
Notes: N/A

[abraxasmods]

The most interesting fact she will discover, which she will learn is consistent with any of the abductions should she talk to the others, is there is little evidence left behind. Only trace amounts of blood remain.

In the area, she will find a patch of purple lupines that's withered and is drained of life. While dried up plants are not completely unusual in the desert, fresh petals fallen on the ground suggest the condition occurred unnaturally.

[itookashot]

Player Name: Dee
Character Name: Jesper Fahey
Other characters involved: Sam Winchester

Action: While in Aquila after the bandits/taking the portal there, Sam and Jesper will try the charm/bribery path by speaking with the fishermen of Andromeda Bay. They will ask them about the kelp found in the meeting point with the bandits and where in the water it is most commonly found. They'll ask if they've seen anything strange or suspicious around the waters recently.

Jesper will mention he grew up on a farm and isn't like most city folks (in case fishermen like the salt of the earth direction more). He will have some money he's been saving that he can try to bribe with. He also has a truth detection ability given by the Singularity, although it cannot force truth, only notice when people are speaking the truth.

Sam would keep a cool and collected approach grounded in logic. He's interrogated a lot of people so he's fairly adept in negotiation tactics. He's also sort of "salt of the earth" and will follow Jesper's lead presenting that impression as long as it's necessary.

[abraxasmods]

Most of the fishermen are gruff and occupied with their work, but are willing to talk when money appears. A large number haven't noticed anything strange. If pushed, they'll acknowledge there've been an increase in dead fish and lobster caught in their nets, but many grumble that this isn't the first time. They blame the Free Cities' developing industries, lingering effects from the land blights, and the beached jellyfish last month.

Others point out that seabirds and other flying beasts can cover vast distances and drop things as they go, so that might be the cause.

Eventually, one elderly fisherman pulls them aside. He describes that 2 weeks ago, his nephew went out to sea and didn't return. There was no storm, and his nephew was a skilled seaman so his disappearance is unusual. No wreckage was found.

[hextechhead]

I don't know if this is the right place to put it! Let me know if I should move it.

Player Name: Dee
Character Name: Jayce Talis
Other characters involved: Alucard

Action: After hearing about Josselyn being missing in week two, Jayce will start getting suspicious about their conversation during negotiations. He does know that she and her family have direct access to the trade routes and while he's not sure if it means she's a part of this or taken as well, he wants to go looking into the shipments that were sent by her from Solvunn to Libertas. He is well known in Libertas so he and Alucard are hoping to see if there are any possible leads having to do with the Cross family shipping between factions.

Jayce is speculating that it is possible people were using this opportunity to spy/get closer to the people they intended to capture acting as supply workers. Just a theory. He roped Alucard in with him since he too has a good reputation in
Libertas and in Cadens, and he has a wolfy nose if they end up sniffing up anything useful.

Thread: Waiting to see where it goes!

[abraxasmods]

The construction workers will allow Jayce and Alucard to examine the lumber. Because they're both involved in the Libertas reconstruction efforts, they won't have any trouble gaining access. Some of the workers may even recognize the two of them. They'll tell the pair that they're glad to see them safe, and express their condolences.

The foreman will show Alucard and Jayce one particular shipment that arrived unusable. Should they look inside, they'll see that a large amount of the wood has rotted. The foreman looks surprised upon seeing it. He explains that some of the lumber arrived demonstrating signs of rot, but not to this degree. The foreman assumed it was weather damage and put it aside. However, there's now something clearly wrong with the materials. Some of it has turned black, and small larvae have formed in the soft wood. Alucard's enhanced senses may be able to pick up the smell of rotting flesh instead of rotting vegetation.

Jayce and Alucard may recall that lumber isn't the only shipment Solvunn has been transporting to Thorne and the Free Cities. They've also provided regular donations of grain to Thorne and healing herbs to the Free Cities since the attack on Libertas.

[theidlemaiden]

Player Name: Terra + Jaina)
Character Name: Hilda Goneril
Other characters involved: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

Action: Following their discovery at the bandit camp, Hilda and Altair will escape back to Cadens and set out the next day to pursue the lead they found about the forested areas near Solvunn's border. If they aren't able to capitalize on the portals that will be set up (Hilda has a two-star influence and knows both Himeka and Wanda who could vouch for her), then they'll go the old fashioned way (on horseback/foot)!

Once they're there, they'll be doing as detailed and thorough search as possible for any evidence related to what they've seen/heard in the bandit camp, anything to do with the purple lupines Hilda found at scene of Blake's kidnapping (which is currently being investigated by Nadine and Jaskier), or just anything that seems really out of place.

Thread: TBA

Notes: Hilda will have extended an invitation to Wanda to join them since she'd be familiar with the forested areas.

[abraxasmods]

To join Wanda, Hilda and Altaïr will need to cross over into Solvunn's borders. They'll be required to bring an escort with them, but in return they'll get a portal directly to the edge of those borders. On the desert side of the area, they'll see a strange lizard. Unlike the other creatures, this one doesn't appear to be lost or rotted. Instead, it looks like an experiment of some type using the screws and metal common in Free Cities inventions and New Magic creations. It's possible something in the area has been disturbed, driving the creature to the surface.

Continued evidence of wilted flora will be more obvious as they travel through Solvunn's thick woods. It'll be concentrated in the area located on the bandit map. With Wanda's assistance, they can consider going further to examine the swamps, the shrines, or other places exclusive to Solvunn. If you'd like them to do this, you can submit an investigation under Solvunn's comment heading and include what Wanda will be doing.

[sakhr]

Player Name: Bobby
Character Name: Bartimaeus
Other characters involved: Alucard

Action: Bartimaeus and Alucard met while sweeping the desert by sky. Bart spotted a magical trail and suggested they follow it together to see where it leads.
Thread: Here
Notes: nothing right now!

[abraxasmods]

The trail will lead them to an overturned cart on one of the main trade routes. This wreckage is not at any of the vanishing sites previously discovered, and the scene is somewhat unusual in that it shows no attempt at hiding or cleaning up most of the evidence.

Searching the area, they will find a nest containing the dried husks of some dead sand scorpions. It appears that something here went wrong, and an unusual amount of magic was used in haste. The merchant cart contains deliveries of silk. As an organic material, this will also be rotted through as if the fabric was eaten by many moths over a short period of time.

[cryptsleeper]

Whollu unsure of how to categorize this one.

Player Name: Dia
Character Name: Alucard
Other characters involved: Jaskier

Action: Based on existing knowledge of where the Lost are being held, the ritual elements, and the involvement of Gods, Alucard will be penning a letter to Sten and Luna's governing bodies to request help either through library access or oral histories, as deemed appropriate. In part, the letter will read:

Due to the connection between Solvunn and Luna, it is my hope that your people and perspective on the topic of Gods and rituals may help us both to prepare to bring friends and associates home, and to administer to any effects that may result in interrupting an elaborate ritual. Likewise, I understand that not all of this knowledge may be written. Should some of us need to listen, I would like to know now so that we may have as many ears available as possible.

Jaskier's player has confirmed that they'd happy to allow the bard to deliver the letter to Sten!
Thread: Al is starting to think about what libraries to hit up for research and is aware that Jaskier has already spoken to Sten about this.
Notes: Happy to pause this until part 2 if preferred

WITNESSES

[abraxasmods]

[cryptsleeper]

Player Name: Dia
Character Name: Alucard
Other characters involved: Altaïr

Action: Alucard and Altaïr will be approaching the bandit camps near the Badlands without any guards. As Altaïr is not the best at friendly and Alucard is the opposite of fine, their approach will be more aggressive. After stalking the camp and getting a read on who seems to be in charge(ish), they will wait to get that bandit alone and jump him. The questioning style will be reliant on the combination of Altaïr's serious approach and Alucard looming and making it clear he isn't afraid to get physical, but there will likely not be any true violence. Likewise, if they bandit they take indicates that there could be payback/future unpleasantness as a result of this encounter, Altaïr will likely knife the bandit in question and let other bandits find the body.
Thread: Thread Current TL, he is also working with Hilda and Petra.
Notes: None

[righteously]

Player Name: Em
Character Name: Dean Winchester
Other characters involved: Sam Winchester, Jo Harvelle, Nadine Cross, Jesper Fahey

Action: The five of them are going to strap up and follow Jesper's lead to a bandit camp or two (or however many it takes to get answers). They're going to interrogate bandits, including some less than savory torture tactics and some lite murder, to find out what they know about the folks who have been taken. If anyone's seen anything, if anyone knows anything. Anything they can be given to go on!
Thread: Thread
Notes: The thread linked is a quick exchange, but we'll be doing a few longer more in-depth log threads about it. Just figured we'd go ahead and slap this in to see if they discover anything in those interrogations we can include in those threads!

[aquilus]

Player Name: Jaina (+ Terra)
Character Name: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
Other characters involved: Hilda Goneril

Action: Altaïr and Hilda will approach one of the more alert/organized bandit camps near the Badlands in the guise of siblings who were traveling by horse but ended up on foot and desperate after some unfortunate circumstances. A low-level bandit scout will peg them as easy marks and bring them back to camp for "help"/so the bandits can see how much of value they could wring out of the hapless pair. Altaïr and Hilda will play along in hopes that they can spot anything notable within the camp itself (suspicious activities, possessions they might recognize as belonging to missing Summoned, possibly even documents of any kind of they exist/if Altaïr could slip away from where they're brought so he can take a look, really anything that might stick out.)

Thread: Thread
Notes: Altaïr will heavily use his Eagle vision inside the camp on the off-chance he pings a surprise blue or gold.

INTERROGATIONS

[abraxasmods]