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expiationlogs2023-05-19 08:15 am
{EVENT #2} ADVERSITY 168518.2092
| MOD NOTES: Please direct any questions to the corresponding comment below. Note that characters can be involved in multiple prompts (whether you choose to thread that out or not), and that character decisions and actions taken on these prompts will affect future events, storylines, and relationships with other peoples of Expiation. You can find the OOC poll here. Please pick from the corresponding options with the appropriate character journal. If you use a personal journal or a journal not part of Expiation, your votes will not be counted. Remember that if your character did something different than what is in the prompts given, leave a comment in the OOC poll entry and link to your comment in the option made available. Our State of the Game, which will include results of this event and changes of the world, along with some future goals and events we would like to work towards will be posted 1 week from today (May 26, 2023). The various prompts are, of course, optional. Consider that taking part and not taking part both have their potential effects on the world and how Expiation moves forward in terms of overarching storyline. |
A FAMOUS DISAPPEARING / REAPPEARING ACT
Those who were plagued by nightmares and visions after venturing into the forest awaken to find that a mark has appeared somewhere on their body. It’s unclear what made it, but its function quickly becomes clear. Upon discovering the mark, whispers begin to sound in their minds, beckoning them to a secret clearing in Pessiria Forest. Something awaits them there.
After some time, a faint image of an unnaturally tall, lanky man appears in the mind. He wears a hooded robe that bears several runes resembling the strange marks and is surrounded by acolytes wearing identical robes. Raising a single hand, he calls the afflicted his Branded, and presents them with a simple offer: “Pledge yourself to my glorious cause, and you shall be granted overwhelming power to twist this world into your personal paradise.”
The offer repeats itself in the minds of the afflicted, slowly intensifying over time. It's clear that this man will not relent unless he gets what he wants. Those with strong willpower, however, may be able to reject his dark offer.
I. A TEST RUN FOR NEW POWER
For whatever reason, you have chosen to accept the whispers’ offer. Some may have been overwhelmed by the mental link that demanded your fealty, while others found the offer of overwhelming power appealing. Regardless of your reasons, this decision finally brings you a strange peace, as the intense demands are replaced with your promised reward. Now, the brands start to feel like a blessing as they begin to spread across your body. They feel good and natural—almost as if you have found a missing part of yourself that you had never known.
You begin to feel an unknown power coursing within your body, but you aren’t entirely sure what it is. Some will gain powers associated with the mind, allowing for psionic powers ranging from telekinesis to possession. Others will gain a mysterious power to cast elemental and blood magics that they had previously never been able to use. Once you reach the secret clearing, its nature and usage will become clearer to you.
Things are odd at the place you’ve been summoned to. In the clearing, you’ll find strange stone monuments and tablets containing text in an indecipherable language. At the centre of this collection of monuments, descends a pit-cave with several winding paths, each containing cells with bruised and battered prisoners. The more perceptive among you may notice that these are the people who have gone missing over the past few months.
You and your fellow Branded are free to do as you like. Will you make these prisoners into experimental pawns to test your new powers with? Or will you try to resist the power you’ve accepted?
II. ABDUCTION
Unlike your possessed fellows, the brand doesn’t take. The whispers intensify with each passing hour, demanding that you give in. Still, for some reason, you never accept their offer. Perhaps somewhere in your heart, you know that this is wrong and have managed to hold on through pure force of will. Maybe your latent powers managed to hold the brand’s influence at bay despite their constant demands. Either way, the hooded figure knows that it has been denied a thrall, and it does not take rejection lightly.
A piercing shriek can be heard from the forest before all hell breaks loose. Shadowy figures emerge from its depths and press into Aldrip. If you are claimed by the shadows, your character will be enveloped in darkness and pulled back to the hidden grove. This will take you out of the action for the duration of the event, only to reappear in Aldrip sometime after the chaos subsides. However, others may choose to flee from the shadows and seek help from other Chosen. This is optional, primarily for those who need a reason to be absent from the event for a portion of the time. For characters who are present and unbranded, consider this an opportunity to interact with those who are, and to be susceptible to their abilities, or experience an odd desire to serve or otherwise demonstrate loyalty toward them.
SPEAK NOT OF THE OLD ONES
Unfortunately for those who were marked, their struggle mostly goes unnoticed in those critical first moments. For most people, it just seems like just another day. Some strange people are rising at strange hours of the morning to venture into Pessiria forest, but for the most part, life goes on as usual. While some of the Chosen may find themselves struck by a sense of unease, the locals go about their normal lives, unaware of what is to come.
However, that quiet was only the calm before the storm. After some of your fellow Chosen venture into the forest, a piercing shriek can be heard across the entire region as a gargantuan creature emerges from the earth a mile away from Aldrip. At first, all you see is a giant tentacle made of dark crystal. However, the abomination’s upper body soon emerges, flailing its limbs in an absolute frenzy. Golden tendrils course across its frame and into the ground, draining the life from the surrounding land and leaving rot in its place. Meanwhile, its many tentacles could fell a tree in a single swipe.
This unnatural event causes Aldrip to erupt into absolute chaos. Most of the Aldrip locals take to the street, taking anything valuable they could find in their homes before sprinting away. Others cry out for some kind of divine intervention to save them from their trial. However, there is no order to the escape effort, leaving most either trapped at the city, or at risk of being trampled in an onslaught of fleeing locals.
III. TAKING ON THE UNKNOWN
If the Chosen are to have any hope of dealing with this impending crisis, they need to act soon. For now, the strange beast flails about clumsily, almost as if it is unaccustomed to its corporeal form. However, there’s no telling how long this will last. The golden tendrils emerging from the creature’s body seem to be sapping the life out of the nearby land, strengthening the monster as it prepares to finish climbing out of the ground and destroy Aldrip.
Several opportunities seem obvious at first glance. Brave Chosen may choose to take the gargantuan creature on directly, banding together to bring it down before it can reduce Aldrip into a lifeless husk. However, those who are not as proficient at fighting may instead try to do something about the spreading golden roots that are sapping the life from nearby area. It might not be as glamorous, but it will buy valuable time, nonetheless. Either way, this is not a one-person kind of job. You will need help from your fellow Chosen if you want to see this through.
IV. WHEN CHOSEN CLASH
Characters who have accepted the brand’s offer will hear a call in their minds. It’s the hooded figure that granted you the power you’ve been gifted. His order is clear—the creature’s rebirth must not be disturbed. Protect it at all costs. This will give you a fantastic opportunity to show off your new powers. Band together with your fellow Branded to cause a little mayhem or face off against the unbranded as they struggle to stop the behemoth.
Fighting against former comrades will not be easy for the Chosen. Those bearing the brand have all gained strange powers based on their personalities. They include possession, mind control, elemental and blood magics, the ability to create areas of silence, life draining, or even the ability to capture others in shadowy grasps. Worse yet, the Branded are becoming stranger by the minute. As the Brand spreads across their body, their behaviour becomes increasingly violent and erratic, drawing out the worst of their personalities.
Some of the Chosen may discover a strange quirk about the new abilities that have appeared among the Branded. While the abilities may be powerful, Chosen who act selflessly to help their enthralled comrades will discover that they have become entirely immune to their influence. It won’t remove the mark itself, but it will equalise the playing field for those who want to convince their comrades to renounce the hooded figure.
THE ONE WHERE THERE’S A WILDCARD
V. LEADING—OR BENEFITTING FROM—THE SITUATION
As the creature’s scream resonates across the nearby area, residents of Aldrip begin to panic and flee from their homes. Unfortunately, such processes are often messy. In fact, plumes of smoke are even emerging from a few houses that were left just a little too hastily.
Whether you decide to assist in the process or decide to take advantage of the mayhem is up to you. The evacuation effort could almost certainly use some people to arrange the panicking mass into an organised exodus. Alternatively, you could try and attend to people who can’t get out on their own. Whatever you choose to do, people rarely forget the faces of those who personally come to their aid, and the villagers will almost certainly feel indebted to you if you ensure their safety.
Chaos can also bring opportunities. With everyone leaving their homes, there’s almost certainly plenty of unattended valuables left in the town. If thieving is up your alley, the opportunity to loot to your heart’s content is ripe. Just make sure that no one is watching. It would be a shame if one of your more justice-minded Chosen saw you doing something naughty, after all.
VI. FUCK IT, WE BALL (WILDCARD)
Just because there’s not a prompt for it doesn’t mean that your character’s actions aren’t acceptable. If you wish to do anything that hasn’t been directly addressed by the prompts, leave a message for the mod team to say what your character would do. If you choose to go down this path, note it as a comment on the OOC poll when it goes up, and leave a link to your threads so that we can take all actions into consideration for the next State of the Game.
Biwasaka Eiji | Caligula Overdose | Branded
[Even in his right might, without being urged on by something as nefarious as the brands, Eiji is inconsiderate and uninterested in the boundaries of others. It is something he often doesn't act on because of two facts: the chance of being caught and held accountable, and how unseemly it is.
But those facts don't matter now. Not when it is as clear as it has ever been that Eiji is above the common man. Because of his traits, because of who he is, Eiji has been acknowledged for his superiority. The brand that he bears attests to this. It is his right to do to those below him in station whatever he wishes. If anything, those poor, pathetic wretches should be grateful that he is so merciful in his treatment of them. Eiji could do much worse, he feels.
Right now, he is satisfied with having used his mind control to cause some of the prisoners to fall prostrate before him. To bow, as should be the position such utterly pathetic refuse takes before him.
He taps his chin, considering what to command them to do next.]
It's unfortunate there are such limited options here.
[He muses to himself.
If Eiji has any concern about how much the Brand has grown, has begun to trace patterns across his body, he does not show it. Why should he? Let it. It's a sign of his superiority. Of his status as overman. Why should he be bothered by it?]
B. Clash | Closed to Shikishima Ritsu
[It was inevitable, Eiji supposed. Too many people just do not know their place in the world. Eiji can appreciate struggling against that which binds you, but he cannot tolerate those who would fuck with him. A swarm of pathetic ingrates who should be grateful Biwasaka Eiji would even acknowledge their existence in testing his signs of ascendence.
By this point, Eiji has entirely lost it. He lashes out not just with his new found powers of mind control, but with the pyrokinesis he has always had to try and keep these animals off of him. Between the control of the eldritch entity, and his own rage, Eiji is a burning pyre, and not much more, as he defends himself.]
Get back. Do you want to die, you bastards?
[For the moment, Eiji hasn't gone for a kill on any of the escaped prisoners or those facing him. Holds back on it only because he wants the chance to try and control them, if he can.
It isn't a good plan. He isn't paying enough attention, and if he doesn't soon, the chance of him being overwhelmed is high.]
no subject
An enemy is charging full-force at Eiji from behind. Ordinarily, it would be a simple matter for Ritsu to shield Eiji with a barrier. However, in his current state —— ]
Watch out!
[All he can do is push Eiji out of the way and take the brunt of the blow himself. The force of it knocks him off his feet and sends him sprawling onto the ground, and in that instant, something happens.
Can Eiji sense it? Their link has been severed.]
no subject
Watching Ritsu take that hit. Watching Ritsu slide across the ground…in that moment, Eiji is afraid the other man is dead.]
Ritsu!
[Eiji pushes forward to get close to Ritsu. Maybe if he can get to him, he can help him. He refuses to lose Ritsu here. No. That won’t happen.]
no subject
When he finally rises, he's wide-eyed as he turns to Eiji. There's no reassurance of "I'm okay," though he does seem to be unharmed.
There's no expression on his face as he summons his Catharsis Effect.]
no subject
Gone. All of his control had been erased. This is Ritsu standing before him. Happiness comes with that revelation. So do many more emotions. Anxiety. Anger.]
Hey. Ritsu.
[Its all Eiji says, his eyes moving towards Ritsu’s Catharsis Effect. As if it will Ritsu to put it away. A meaningless challenge. But one he tries all the same.]
no subject
Leaden Retort was named exactly for situations like this; the only answer he intends to give Eiji comes in the form of a hail of bullets.]
no subject
Bastard…
[Eiji decides to meet force with force. No matter how he tries, he can’t re-establish his control. The only thing to do is beat that into Ritsu.
As his Catharsis Effect emerges, Eiji lashes out quickly with his whip.]
Do you think you can fuck with me?!?
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He opens fire once more, still silent.]
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Do you think you can stop me?!
[Thats what he’s been trying to do, isn’t it? All the mind games and questions. Ritsu has been trying to make him question himself. To stop Eiji’s continuous process of self actualization.
No more.]
I’ll fucking kill you!!
[Eiji lifts his whip and slams it down close to Ritsu, trying to launch him up with a Judas Cradle.]
no subject
The disappointment is bitter on Ritsu's tongue. No matter how much progress an individual might make, in the end, humans can't change their fundamental nature. There is no difference between the man standing before him now and the one who could only think to threaten to murder Ritsu's family.
A barrier materializes around Ritsu, blocking off Eiji's attack. It's doubtful that it'll outlast Eiji's anger, but Ritsu has something different in mind for dousing this flame, anyway.
His expression is filled with cold contempt.]
no subject
Eiji hammers relentlessly at the barrier Ritsu has set up, face screwed up in rage. Ritsu thinks he’s so perfect. So clearly ‘othered’ from other humans.
Ritsu says he views himself as nothing, but Eiji knows the truth. That hatred, that nihilism? That’s just full, unrestrained narcissism. For Ritsu to look down on Eiji. To think Eiji is contemptible for the things he says and does…
Fuck that.
Eiji will teach him a lesson about who is better. About who is more realized.]
no subject
But he also isn't stupid enough to just wait for that to happen or to pray uselessly that it somehow doesn't. In truth, while Eiji blindly hammers away at the barrier, Ritsu is trying to get a handle on Eiji's rhythm. He's watched Eiji fight enough times now that he's familiarized himself with Eiji's movements. He can almost anticipate them now, gauging which technique Eiji intends to use from Eiji's posture.
Truthfully, someone whose movements are as precise and fluid as Eiji's still isn't easy to counter — but at the moment, Eiji's movements are far more repetitive than they normally are. He unsummons his guns and, as Eiji's next blow is about to connect with the shield, unsummons the shield as well.
A hand shoots out to grab hold of the end of Eiji's whip. If he succeeds, he fully intends to yank Eiji towards him with it, off-balance.]
no subject
In truth, at this point, he isn’t sure what he’s making Ritsu pay for. Embarrassing him? Defying him? All that’s on Eiji’s mind is the fact he needs to make Ritsu suffer. He has to distract Ritsu and make sure he can’t do any more damage.
Ritsu’s gambit takes Eiji completely off guard. Ritsu manages to catch the end of the whip, and pull Eiji forward.
The surprise is momentary. Eiji finds himself stumbling forward, his balance thrown. At the same time, he pulls back to throw a punch with his free hand.]
no subject
Instead, he takes the opportunity to grab hold of Eiji's arm with his free hand, yanking hard with both hands in an attempt to pull Eiji into a headbutt.]
Wake the fuck up already.
[Compared to the pain of seeing Eiji like this, any physical pain is nothing.]
no subject
No.
Ritsu must see that. Ritsu isn’t stupid, and he isn’t delusional. He’s actively trying to stop Eiji from being all he can.
Eiji reaches out. Tries to wrap a hand around Ritsu’s throat and force him to back up.
But the moment he reaches out, the headbutt connects. Eiji takes it full on, the force snapping his head back.
And still. He doesn’t let go.]
I am awake.
no subject
Have you even looked at yourself in the mirror lately? You're barely even human anymore.
[How strange, he thinks, that he'd come to this; to realizing that for as much as he loathed humanity and regarded them with contempt, he'd come to see those who so easily parted with their humanity as lower.]
It's disgusting.
[Is it an overly cruel way to describe it? Yes. But that's his point. Eiji doesn't respond to kindness when he's like this. It's so much more efficient to use cruelty.
He doesn't make any other moves. No attempt to shake off the hand at his neck, no further attacks. He's still, stare even, as he waits for Eiji's reaction.
You want him dead that bad? Show him.]
no subject
[Eiji’s voice is cold, the tone of dry ice. His own frown grows deeply as he watches Ritsu mock him. Judge him. How dare he look down his nose at him.]
Do you know how hard I’ve worked for this?
[‘For what?’ A voice asks at the back of Eiji’s mind. How is any of this anything you want?
Still, Eiji pushes the voice aside for now. Keeps his grip on Ritsu’s throat.
And yet…he doesn’t increase his grip.]
no subject
[He says it casually, like it doesn't make a difference to him. Like Eiji just asked him whether he remembers what he ate for dinner two days ago.]
I had no idea your aspiration was to play second fiddle to an ugly abomination.
no subject
[Eiji’s voice rises at that. You think he’s the one being played? No. He’s not serving it. He…
He’s using it?
No. That doesn’t sound quite right. He earned this, gained this. Why would Eiji need anything else for his power.
He’s struggling. His conscious is knocking at the doors of the mind control placed on him. Ritsu can see it in his face.]
no subject
[Ritsu can see it in his face, yes; perhaps all it'll take is a bit more of a push to free Eiji. He'd very much like to finish this without needing to get more violent with Eiji, at any rate.]
Then what do you call this? Ordering me to lure people into the forest for that thing... letting it leave its mark all over you like that, like you're no more than its livestock.
Tell me how you see it.
no subject
What garbage. What has Eiji done to earn this? This isn’t something Eiji actually trained himself in, or practiced, or made. It was something put upon Eiji. Something inserted into him.
It’s like a parasite, really. Feeding off Eiji while driving him towards insanity.
How dare it. How dare it? How could Eiji have tolerated such nonsense for so long?
Finally, Eiji releases his grasp, his voice trembling with anger.]
That bastard…
I’ll burn it alive…
no subject
Welcome back.
[Though the words themselves may give off an impression of warmness, Ritsu's voice is absolutely devoid of any warmth. There is no need to pretend with Eiji that all is forgiven or that he isn't the slightest bit bitter about everything that's transpired.
His attention has already shifted to the monster. He summons his Catharsis Effect once more.
He trusts that Eiji, too, knows the next course of action that should be preoccupying their attentions.]
no subject
Guilt? Grief? Surely not. Those are the feelings of a warm blooded creature. Surely Eiji’s blood runs so hot those feeling can’t linger; they’re simply burnt away.
Soon, Eiji turns, Catharsis still summoned.]
Let’s send this pathetic creature back to the trash heap it came from.