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abraxasooc2024-03-03 12:00 pm
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2024-03-03 12:00 pm
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EVENT #17: EPULUM - UPDATE
Event #17 - Update
Hello, Abraxans!
Thank you for everyone's enthusiasm, and for participating in the event and its mystery. Since many of you are waiting for the outcome before voting, we've decided to post an update to reveal what happens next now that the culprit has been revealed: Marcellus Ver, the famous chef, winemaker, and investor.
While this resolves the mystery itself, we will continue to accept replies for any ongoing investigations. If you're in the middle of a conversation or are still wrapping up a search, you can respond until it concludes. Marcellus is a major piece of the puzzle, but there are details and lore you might uncover about other strange forces at work.
Thank you for everyone's enthusiasm, and for participating in the event and its mystery. Since many of you are waiting for the outcome before voting, we've decided to post an update to reveal what happens next now that the culprit has been revealed: Marcellus Ver, the famous chef, winemaker, and investor.
While this resolves the mystery itself, we will continue to accept replies for any ongoing investigations. If you're in the middle of a conversation or are still wrapping up a search, you can respond until it concludes. Marcellus is a major piece of the puzzle, but there are details and lore you might uncover about other strange forces at work.
We will not accept new Scene or Evidence submissions after 11:59 ET tonight (March 3). If you have a question required for a thread, you can submit it under the standard Questions thread.
Not to worry! If you've arrived a little late and want to participate, two Witnesses will be available to talk to in a slightly different capacity. See the Aftermath section for details.
Not to worry! If you've arrived a little late and want to participate, two Witnesses will be available to talk to in a slightly different capacity. See the Aftermath section for details.
Jump to section
The Arrest
Although present at the arrest, Soraya has recused herself from the investigation due to her relationship with Marcellus. She stands near the crowd instead. Meanwhile, the Twin Latchkeys are secured in a warded box.
Despite their best efforts, the arrest of such a public figure inevitably draws a scene. While the Sentinels ask the Summoned not to intervene in this aspect, characters may gather with other curious onlookers behind the newly set up barricades. Authorities will attempt to keep people back, but they're aware it's impossible to send everybody away given Marcellus's fame and reputation. As long as no one pushes past the barricades, they can get a free show.
And to be sure, there is a show.
Despite their best efforts, the arrest of such a public figure inevitably draws a scene. While the Sentinels ask the Summoned not to intervene in this aspect, characters may gather with other curious onlookers behind the newly set up barricades. Authorities will attempt to keep people back, but they're aware it's impossible to send everybody away given Marcellus's fame and reputation. As long as no one pushes past the barricades, they can get a free show.
And to be sure, there is a show.
Failed Escape
Marcellus looks unconcerned about his capture. His demeanor suggests he knows something the others do not. As he's being led away, a trail of blood begins to form behind him. Curiously, no one seems to notice. The Sentinels proceed as usual, and not one of the vampires in the crowd remarks on the blood that they should all easily sense. Should you ask a stranger beside you, you'll be told that nothing is there.
Except, something's very wrong. The blood takes on a life of its own, forming a glowing rift that hangs in the air. The warded box containing the artifact rattles violently. At this point, people are beginning to notice, including the Sentinels. As if he's expected to see the rift, Marcellus takes advantage of the distraction and sprints towards the widening doorway.
For a split second, his escape seems imminent. Then, mere steps from the rift, his body freezes. Elation gives way to panic. He claws desperately at his chest and begins to scream. From where you're standing, you can't quite see what's wrong - at first. Soon, it becomes all too clear when an impossible force from the rift pulls Marcellus forward, drawing him towards the freedom he craved only minutes ago. It draws him with such strength that his ribcage cracks. The bones expand outward, tearing through flesh and skin from the inside.
With a wet squelch, his chest splits wide like two opening doors. Spilled organs and viscera are sucked through the rift until all that's left is a hollowed torso...not unlike the fossilized specimen uncovered by Ikorran archeologists.
The portal vanishes in a spectacular burst glitter.
Except, something's very wrong. The blood takes on a life of its own, forming a glowing rift that hangs in the air. The warded box containing the artifact rattles violently. At this point, people are beginning to notice, including the Sentinels. As if he's expected to see the rift, Marcellus takes advantage of the distraction and sprints towards the widening doorway.
For a split second, his escape seems imminent. Then, mere steps from the rift, his body freezes. Elation gives way to panic. He claws desperately at his chest and begins to scream. From where you're standing, you can't quite see what's wrong - at first. Soon, it becomes all too clear when an impossible force from the rift pulls Marcellus forward, drawing him towards the freedom he craved only minutes ago. It draws him with such strength that his ribcage cracks. The bones expand outward, tearing through flesh and skin from the inside.
With a wet squelch, his chest splits wide like two opening doors. Spilled organs and viscera are sucked through the rift until all that's left is a hollowed torso...not unlike the fossilized specimen uncovered by Ikorran archeologists.
The portal vanishes in a spectacular burst glitter.
Aftermath
Some onlookers are transfixed by what they've just witnessed while others flee in terror. Authorities immediately attempt to control the crowd to prevent trampling, but as the Summoned, they won't stop you from crossing the barricade or from staying in the area. They will, however, ask you to keep back from the scene itself.
Horrified, Soraya can be found over Marcellus's body, or what remains of it. Bits of confetti stick to the blood and gore. If you talk to her, she won't know what to say and will shortly exit the area to take some time to herself.
Horrified, Soraya can be found over Marcellus's body, or what remains of it. Bits of confetti stick to the blood and gore. If you talk to her, she won't know what to say and will shortly exit the area to take some time to herself.
Characters can find Retha Zepha and Babis further back from the crime scene. They've witnessed the same incident and are available to TALK TO, although exchanges will be brief.
In Review
With the Sentinels' efforts and help from the Summoned, Marcellus Ver was implicated as the guilty party. There are also indications of what might've motivated him to do such a thing, with the main factor being financial losses and pressure from his business partners. While Marcellus's gruesome end means he can't answer questions, some information has been found through his records, notes, and witness statements. Furthermore, an unknown presence has been circling the night.
We've summed up a few key pieces of evidence and discoveries below that we feel are important. We hope this will help players gain an overview of the situation!
We've summed up a few key pieces of evidence and discoveries below that we feel are important. We hope this will help players gain an overview of the situation!
Evidence
◎ A match to the blood signature using the Dusk Rose. A sealed bottle of the same vintage will be used to confirm that the blood within belongs to Marcellus, and that it wasn't planted by someone else. The vial in the baths was further linked to him.
◎ Several indications that Marcellus's empire was failing and that he owed money. Additionally, he had a tense confrontation with his business partners and investors in the past. Financial records stored in his private vault confirm this.
◎ Three leather sachets. Each contained an identical seed. The seed is found only in Ikorr. The botanist and owner of the Sun Petal also reported that his personal notebook went missing. This notebook later turned up in Marcellus's private vault. It contains information about the seed.
◎ Various conversations indicate that Soraya and Retha were once partners, but had a falling out. Soraya then moved on to dating Marcellus, a relationship that Marcellus appears to have taken seriously, going so far as to purchase her an engagement band. Comments from Marcellus suggest he may have been planning to propose at his afterparty.
Mysterious Presence
Authorities maintained from the start that such a crime could not have been possible alone. Throughout the night, a few characters encountered an unknown presence who appeared to have a hand in either aiding Marcellus or tricking him into believing he had their help.
◎ The presence first made itself known to Loki, but did not attempt to communicate. A "ritual" involving some maggots later summoned the same force and established brief communications. It also briefly "spoke" in the bath tents.
◎ The rune and magic used were confirmed to be somewhat different than what might be found in Solvunn's High Magic. Ikorr itself will state that this doesn't appear to be Luna's version of magic, either. Though their opinions over how to handle the Twin Latchkeys differ, Ikorr does not believe Luna had a hand in the incident.
◎ The performer known only as Umber, who replaced the original Drowning Maiden (Cassia, a Draconum performer who fell ill before Epulum), has vanished and cannot be found. Cassia herself is recovering well, however. The illness may have been induced by magic, planted there by an unknown figure, suspected to be Marcellus.
Notes
The Confrontation
The confrontation described on the IC Event Log will take place as planned. One key addition is that Epulum will be in the process of shutting down, sending all guests home. Most Sentinels will be occupied with Marcellus's remains and coordinating the exiting (and disturbed) guests.
Moreover, while Ikorr is extremely displeased about Luna's interference regarding the fate of the artifact, Ikorr believes Luna was not involved in the theft. They consider this level of trickery out of character for the Lunae, who are often blunt in their actions (for example, arriving unannounced at their borders to make demands). They will make this clear, and will take full responsibility for Marcellus's actions.
Since guests will be escorted out, only the Summoned and officials involved are present during the confrontation between Ikorr and Luna. We will also extend the voting deadline to MARCH 7.
Moreover, while Ikorr is extremely displeased about Luna's interference regarding the fate of the artifact, Ikorr believes Luna was not involved in the theft. They consider this level of trickery out of character for the Lunae, who are often blunt in their actions (for example, arriving unannounced at their borders to make demands). They will make this clear, and will take full responsibility for Marcellus's actions.
Since guests will be escorted out, only the Summoned and officials involved are present during the confrontation between Ikorr and Luna. We will also extend the voting deadline to MARCH 7.
Submit your character's decision HERE.
Date Extensions
The new schedule will be as follows:
VOTING DEADLINE: March 7 @ 11:59 ET
PRELUDE/VOTE OUTCOME: March 8
Please note the prelude contains some important details that might affect plots and plans for characters in March, including an opportunity to change territories. More will be revealed in the write-up.
Questions
If you have any questions about this update, you can use the QUESTIONS thread.