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the boy is back in town [diplomanon conclusion]
Who: Manon, the Shard-Bearers, and special surprise guest(s)!
What: Manon has been revived, and there are questions to be asked
Where: The Tree of Life
When: March 3rd
CODING
What: Manon has been revived, and there are questions to be asked
Where: The Tree of Life
When: March 3rd
MANON'S REVIVAL
A few days prior, Manon’s Shard had been planted at the Tree of Life (Tier 2 Meridian and/or those involved with the purification process would know it was by the Tribune himself), and as promised, his revival is providing a neutral ground in which to meet and talk to the man. The Meridian involved in purifying him have been given some basic clothing for Manon, including an eyepatch since just like every other Shard-Bearer who has suffered dissipation, he’ll be hatching from a cocoon the tree weaves. It’s at least a little dignity to be given as a belated “apology” for his revival being a spectacle.
Indeed, when he frees himself from the cocoon, he won’t be ready to be questioned. He’s weak and shaky on his feet, but he’s still rather quick to collect himself and get dressed. Surprisingly, with no apparent shame over being that spectacle!
Some people have “met” Manon already by Communing with his Shard, but otherwise, this is the first that most will be able to see the man causing all of this fuss. He’s short with rust-colored hair and one eye completely covered by the eyepatch he’d been given. He doesn’t exactly seem pleased to be here, though. He looks like he’d much rather be anywhere else. But he’s eventually ready to talk. Best to get this over with.
Indeed, when he frees himself from the cocoon, he won’t be ready to be questioned. He’s weak and shaky on his feet, but he’s still rather quick to collect himself and get dressed. Surprisingly, with no apparent shame over being that spectacle!
Some people have “met” Manon already by Communing with his Shard, but otherwise, this is the first that most will be able to see the man causing all of this fuss. He’s short with rust-colored hair and one eye completely covered by the eyepatch he’d been given. He doesn’t exactly seem pleased to be here, though. He looks like he’d much rather be anywhere else. But he’s eventually ready to talk. Best to get this over with.
INTERRUPTIONS
People are given their chances to question Manon and ask him whatever they wish, but not for long.
Quite suddenly and with no more preamble than a strange, crackling feeling throughout everyone’s Shards, a portal suddenly opens behind all of them. First, out steps a small, slight looking girl whose eyes immediately fall on Manon. But a much larger, more monstrous figure steps out behind her with odd, misshapen hands plodding onto the ground and gripping the roots.
A massive creature plods out, and the flowers that surround the skull ripple as if alive. Both the petals of the flower and the very human hair that drift on the creature’s neck are lavender. A very specific shade of it, in fact. And it howls in a way that would be deafening, were it heard with your ears. No, this scream tears through your very Shards in a way that’s almost paralyzing, and as the portal starts to close, other, smaller creatures skitter out along the larger ones’ feet. It seems someone doesn’t want Manon to talk at all.
And for one of the Shard-Bearers among you, that scream digs deeper. Like a poison into their Shard, it pulls out something vicious, something feral, something they had long wished was left behind—But the past isn't always the past.
Quite suddenly and with no more preamble than a strange, crackling feeling throughout everyone’s Shards, a portal suddenly opens behind all of them. First, out steps a small, slight looking girl whose eyes immediately fall on Manon. But a much larger, more monstrous figure steps out behind her with odd, misshapen hands plodding onto the ground and gripping the roots.
A massive creature plods out, and the flowers that surround the skull ripple as if alive. Both the petals of the flower and the very human hair that drift on the creature’s neck are lavender. A very specific shade of it, in fact. And it howls in a way that would be deafening, were it heard with your ears. No, this scream tears through your very Shards in a way that’s almost paralyzing, and as the portal starts to close, other, smaller creatures skitter out along the larger ones’ feet. It seems someone doesn’t want Manon to talk at all.
And for one of the Shard-Bearers among you, that scream digs deeper. Like a poison into their Shard, it pulls out something vicious, something feral, something they had long wished was left behind—But the past isn't always the past.
OOC NOTES
This portion of the log is divided into four portions because the majority are limited for the mods’ sake. With the exception of number four (which is not limited), you may only sign up for one of these sections or to chase Manon (see next section) because these are all taking place essentially simultaneously.- Vander ; Vander (
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exhound, played by Thirteen) has entered a berserker state and will attack friend and foe without being able to solidly distinguish between the two. Vander can be injured (even severely), but this thread will end with Vander’s capture by Aetós. You can find this toplevel here.
- The Girl (Adelfoúla) ; This is a NPC who will be played by Prince, and is limited to a group of no more than three characters. This thread will end with Adelfoúla’s capture since she will be interrogated to find and rescue Vander. You can find this toplevel here.
- The Creature (Aeternae) ; Is limited to a group of no more than three characters, but will be controlled by these players a la a PvE encounter. The Creature is able to attack with psychic powers (similar to the Force in Star Wars or biotic powers in Mass Effect) and is otherwise very large (
Hayame-sizedthe size of a very large horse) and strong, but not overly so. It will regenerate from all attacks unless the skull is smashed, and it can close the petals of the flower to temporarily protect itself. You can find this toplevel here.
All characters that participate in this thread will also be given psychic information about what happened to create the creature, so comment here to note your participation so I can give you that info! The Creature will also subject everyone present to opt-in effects, which are not limited to only the thread participants.
- Smaller Creatures ; Are not limited encounters, and are controlled by the players a la a PvE encounter. These are smaller, more easily killed monsters that are able to use minor psychic attacks as well as poison when someone is clawed or bitten if you want to go a combat route or can cause more temporary versions of the Aeternae's effects as listed. You can also make up your own style of lil' skullbeast! This is free for players to get creative with and create a fun encounter however you see fit. All characters that participate in this kind of thread will also be given psychic information about what happened to create the creature, so comment here to note your participation so I can give you that info! In addition, please place all threads to engage the smaller creatures here.
GIVING CHASE
As soon as the chaos breaks out, the first to take advantage is… Manon. Though weakened from just hatching from the Tree of Life, Manon immediately runs into the labyrinthine maze of roots that make up the Tree of Life. He’s not so honorable as to stay and fight, and this may be his only chance to actually escape. However, it does also leave him without the protection he was promised…
We encourage discussion of which characters will be participating in this portion of the post in the associated Discord Thread for this plot since the factional makeup of this team is likely very tied to Manon’s fate. As Loremasters, we’re truly cool with whatever, so we encourage players discuss how to make a satisfying narrative and future plot opportunities out of Manon’s overall fate rather than trying to “win” the encounter. Also to note, Manon is weakened, but will be attacking anyone that attacks him assuming (probably correctly) that they’re trying to kill him. There is a risk of dissipation in this encounter!
If a conclusion to this thread is not reached by Wednesday, March 8th, Christy will reach out to all thread participants, and we’ll come to an OOC conclusion for Manon’s overall fate to prepare for the Setting Updates that Friday! We can obviously continue to thread it, though! The toplevel for this chase can be found here.
OOC NOTES
This section is limited to a maximum of three characters from each faction, and they will not be able to participate in the previous section. Manon is fleeing immediately, so giving chase means that these characters similarly will not be sticking around to witness what happens.We encourage discussion of which characters will be participating in this portion of the post in the associated Discord Thread for this plot since the factional makeup of this team is likely very tied to Manon’s fate. As Loremasters, we’re truly cool with whatever, so we encourage players discuss how to make a satisfying narrative and future plot opportunities out of Manon’s overall fate rather than trying to “win” the encounter. Also to note, Manon is weakened, but will be attacking anyone that attacks him assuming (probably correctly) that they’re trying to kill him. There is a risk of dissipation in this encounter!
If a conclusion to this thread is not reached by Wednesday, March 8th, Christy will reach out to all thread participants, and we’ll come to an OOC conclusion for Manon’s overall fate to prepare for the Setting Updates that Friday! We can obviously continue to thread it, though! The toplevel for this chase can be found here.
no subject
[He shoots Set a look of visible disgust. Whatever she is -- human or construct -- a god of war who brings violence on those who don't strike back aren't worthy of his respect. Or maybe her blank, artificial, stilted nature just reminds him of a certain someone, so he empathises more than he otherwise might.
Regardless, Misa seems to get the picture, at least, so he lowers his bow and addresses the god next. He still keeps an arrow to the string, though, should he need it.]
She's right -- we can stop fighting here. Stand down, and we can all talk this through.
no subject
Fine, then.
[ There is something latent in his tone, accusatory and black. A temper riled by something more than the sudden apperance of the girl, her entourage, and the subsequent escape of Manon. How dare they relent so quickly, how dare they parlay instead of conquering? Controlling? Ensuring security. For a moment, he bristles - tempestuous and utterly hateful, before making the attempt to swing the girl's arm behind her and catch the other. To restrict those movements at least, and press her toward the ground. To her knees.
Anything so that she does not simply throw them off and escape. And he's quiet, watching Misa and Claude from then on. ]
no subject
I don't intend to run away. Master did not tell me to run away.
[ But as soon as Set begins to twist her arm and attempt to subdue her in earnest, she roots her booted heels into the soft earth beneath their feet, dislocating and then severing her arm at the elbow where his claws have pierced and damaged it. It rips, tearing away in a spurt of oily blood that smells of rust and iron, white-hot if it manages to splash upon any exposed skin. ]
Red man doesn't want to talk.
[ The severed arm in Set's hand abruptly rattles, squirms, and attempts to dig lithe fingers into his skin. Tiny clockwork insects crawl from the broken, cracked porcelain-like skin of the hanging elbow, skittering up in the dozens and trying to crawl toward Misa.
Softly, as she watches: ]
I don't like the red man.
no subject
As Adelfoúla's arm rips off, Misa jerks back to try to get out of range of that hot oil - first because it'll obviously stain, and then once a drop manages to graze her, because oh god it's really hot. A hand clutches at the small spot where she'd been burned, but it's when those spiders start crawling out of the wound and up towards her that her expression truly turns wide and panicked, scrambling to try and get herself off Set's shoulder to evade them. Some are definitely crawling on her anyway, though— ]
Woah, woah, woah! Okay, let's calm down...
[ She flounders for a moment, trying to think of a way to defuse everything - Set's obvious temper, Adelfoúla's displeasure - desperately attempting to flick away any spiders that get near her. Should Set's arm get burned by the oil, she takes that into account too, careful in her movements not to aggravate it further. ]
Um, how about this? If you don't like him, you don't have to be near him!
[ She offers her that first, eyes flicking between the two. ]
Set, be a good boy and back away, okay? [ and that's 100% for calling her a pet earlier. but at least she's saying it genuinely, and not condescendingly - and she hopes Claude might support a compromise like this. She would've said Set did a good job thus far, too, if she wasn't concerned it might make the girl before them more upset. ] But if he does, you've gotta call off these creepy things!
no subject
Still, this isn't the time or place for discussion. He replaces his arrow in its quiver and takes a step forward.]
Right. You can stay with Misa and I, and Set can return to the battle, since that's obviously where he wants to be. Sound good for everyone?
[Zenith surely want answers out of her as much as he does, so this seems like the fairest solution. And he's not sure she'll cooperate so long as Set is nearby.]
takes myself temporarily out of the order
— I will back off, if she is amenable to questioning without me standing atop her. I will not be going anywhere, though. She will have to cope with it.
[ That's all he really has to say.
The splash of what spills from her burns, undoubtedly, but he takes the girl's arm with him as he backs up, backs off. Removes himself from lunging distance, on silent feet. His expression stormy, but defiant. No, he will NOT be returning to battle with the others. Yes, he WILL be hiking his way up to a higher vantage point, in order to settle up and scrub at the burns upon his arms and chest — they itch now, and add to his darkening mood. His player however is cheering for claudemisa wholeheartedly. ]
no subject
Adelfoúla takes a small step forward once Set has begun to distance himself, her pale eyes following his movements until she reasons there is a suitable amount of a gap. Despite addressing Misa and Claude, she doesn't stop watching a certain sulking god. ]
I do not have long for discussion. Manon is escaping.
[ But she is waiting, willing to humor them - for now, it seems. ]
no subject
[ She can at least let out a sigh of relief as Set recedes (with the girl's arm in tow, no less), though the problem still remains about keeping her from eventually following Manon. She guesses that'll be a puzzle to solve after they get the information they want. ]
How about we start with where you're supposed to be taking him? Back to your "master," right?