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synflux2024-09-28 12:07 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2024-09-28 12:07 pm
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TRAVEL LOG #3: KIDNAPPED CHARACTERS ONLY
THE CHOSEN
โถ CASTLE BRAN
The last thing you remember might be speaking to a friend, making merry with a stranger, or enjoying a quiet night against the backlight of the bonfire. Your memories between then and now are a blur—one moment you were in the village, and the next you are here, arising from your slumber and finding yourself in a lavish room with gothic and archaic decor. The windows of the castle are bolted shut so no light goes in and no soul escapes, but candles have been so kindly lit for the captured to find their way. If you can manage to unbolt a window and peek outside, all you will see is a dark fog, obscuring all light and thrusting the castle into an eternal night. The room is old, dark, and eerie, but clean, looking very much lived in and cared for. Within every room, the skull of a wolf has been carefully placed, almost like it oversees the inhabitants.
Welcome to the Castle Bran.
Outsiders, whom attendants within the castle will so reverently refer to as the โChosenโ, will find themselves waking up spread across the many rooms of the castle. All their belongings were left behind at the village, and theyโll find that theyโve been cleaned up and dressed carefully in fresh, white linen. Another thing they might notice immediately is that they have been completely stripped of all their powers and weapons, rendering them as strong as any other human.
They are free to roam the many rooms and hallways of the castle but they cannot go any deeper than the ground floor. The attendants of the castle, who appear to be villagers from the town, will follow them and try their best to tend to their every need, be it food, water or a fresh bath. Attempting to question the attendants is a fruitless endeavor: they sing praises of the Lord of the Forest but provide no other useful answers, always diverting the topic back to how wonderful their protector is and how blessed the Outsiders must be to have been chosen by him.
Welcome to the Castle Bran.
Outsiders, whom attendants within the castle will so reverently refer to as the โChosenโ, will find themselves waking up spread across the many rooms of the castle. All their belongings were left behind at the village, and theyโll find that theyโve been cleaned up and dressed carefully in fresh, white linen. Another thing they might notice immediately is that they have been completely stripped of all their powers and weapons, rendering them as strong as any other human.
They are free to roam the many rooms and hallways of the castle but they cannot go any deeper than the ground floor. The attendants of the castle, who appear to be villagers from the town, will follow them and try their best to tend to their every need, be it food, water or a fresh bath. Attempting to question the attendants is a fruitless endeavor: they sing praises of the Lord of the Forest but provide no other useful answers, always diverting the topic back to how wonderful their protector is and how blessed the Outsiders must be to have been chosen by him.
โถ HOSPITALITY TREATMENT
Chosen who try to break their way out of the castle will be hit with a psionic wave, forcing them into a state of calmness, placidity and contentment. They might even be treated to pleasant hallucinations or relive happy memories. Thereโs no reason to be afraid, after all. The Lord of the Forest will take care of you. Any attempt to hurt or kill the attendants will be met with no resistance from them, almost like they are content to accept their fate. They will then be replaced with another attendant right away, rendering the effort meaningless. The bodies of any dead attendants will be left there to rot until someone complains about it enough, at which point the corpse will be carted off to the dungeons.
At this point, escape seems futile. The dark fog surrounding the castle renders it virtually invisible to the outside world and communications between the Chosen and the Outsiders in the town have been cut off. It may feel like there's nothing you can do but sit pretty and await your fate ...
At this point, escape seems futile. The dark fog surrounding the castle renders it virtually invisible to the outside world and communications between the Chosen and the Outsiders in the town have been cut off. It may feel like there's nothing you can do but sit pretty and await your fate ...
โถ WE SAVE OURSELVES
After days of strange dreams and curious findings, it seems that help will take some time to arrive. The Chosen will have to save themselves even without their powers. Based on some observations, they may infer that something is cloaking the castle and making it difficult for others to locate it. They have to find a way to disrupt whatever is keeping them hidden.
With each day, they may notice something about the wolf skulls that hang in each room. Every time they look at one, it will trigger their flight response as if they are prey facing off with a predator. Some may feel frightened, anxious, hopeless, or submissive until the skull is out of their sight.
If they can push through those feelings and draw out their fight instinct, they can take the skulls and destroy them. After destroying a skull, a wave of energy will come from it. The energy will give them brief headaches, vertigo, and a short bout of irritability and impulsiveness. Some characters may recognize the feeling as Rift poisoning.
Each time they destroy a skull, the character will receive a microdose of Rift poisoning. Without their LILITH suits to protect them, they can experience extreme poisoning which results in flu like symptoms, mental and physical fatigue, and hallucinations which will make them more vulnerable to the psionic waves. However, with each skull destroyed, the fog around the castle begins to lift ever so slightly. After the air has cleared, the rooms feel safer and less oppressive, making them the perfect place to rest and recover. Unfortunately, if the servants notice, they may replace the destroyed skull with a new one.
With each day, they may notice something about the wolf skulls that hang in each room. Every time they look at one, it will trigger their flight response as if they are prey facing off with a predator. Some may feel frightened, anxious, hopeless, or submissive until the skull is out of their sight.
If they can push through those feelings and draw out their fight instinct, they can take the skulls and destroy them. After destroying a skull, a wave of energy will come from it. The energy will give them brief headaches, vertigo, and a short bout of irritability and impulsiveness. Some characters may recognize the feeling as Rift poisoning.
Each time they destroy a skull, the character will receive a microdose of Rift poisoning. Without their LILITH suits to protect them, they can experience extreme poisoning which results in flu like symptoms, mental and physical fatigue, and hallucinations which will make them more vulnerable to the psionic waves. However, with each skull destroyed, the fog around the castle begins to lift ever so slightly. After the air has cleared, the rooms feel safer and less oppressive, making them the perfect place to rest and recover. Unfortunately, if the servants notice, they may replace the destroyed skull with a new one.
โถ AFTERWORD.
Chosen characters may use this log to interact with each other and investigate the situation. It is HIGHLY encouraged to collaborate with other characters and share the clues you have been given.
Everyone who is kidnapped will have their ocular implants turned off, thus rendering communications between Chosen characters and characters who were not captured impossible, and any sort of location tracking will not function. However, certain characters will be given the opportunity to send a short message to the rest of the Outsiders. Players may use this post to have IC discussions about what information they want to provide to the rest of the team. If sending out a message, please submit your message by 11:59 PM GMT on the 10th of October so that mods may post it on the network.
Furthermore, characters can destroy skulls to slowly lift the fog around the castle. The number of skulls they will need to destroy is not specified, but it will lift during the next log.
The purpose of this log is for investigation and collaboration. We understand that players are excited to have terrible things happen to their characters. You can expect that information to be given on the 15th. Timeline-wise, characters will be kidnapped late at night on the 7th and then be freed around the 15th.
Everyone who is kidnapped will have their ocular implants turned off, thus rendering communications between Chosen characters and characters who were not captured impossible, and any sort of location tracking will not function. However, certain characters will be given the opportunity to send a short message to the rest of the Outsiders. Players may use this post to have IC discussions about what information they want to provide to the rest of the team. If sending out a message, please submit your message by 11:59 PM GMT on the 10th of October so that mods may post it on the network.
Furthermore, characters can destroy skulls to slowly lift the fog around the castle. The number of skulls they will need to destroy is not specified, but it will lift during the next log.
The purpose of this log is for investigation and collaboration. We understand that players are excited to have terrible things happen to their characters. You can expect that information to be given on the 15th. Timeline-wise, characters will be kidnapped late at night on the 7th and then be freed around the 15th.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. CASTLE BRAN: Some Outsiders will awaken to find themselves in a mysterious castle and referred to as 'Chosen' by the castle servants. They are stripped of their belongings and powers, and have been freshly bathed and dressed. They are allowed to wander the castle but cannot leave or go further than the ground floor.
2. HOSPITALITY TREATMENT: Outsiders who try to leave will be hit by a psionic wave that leaves them feeling placid and happy, and may even cause them to hallucinate pleasant events or relive happy memories. Since there is a heavy fog around the castle and communications are cut off, there appears to be no method of escape.
3. WE SAVE OURSELVES: After several days, Outsiders may begin to infer that there is something cloaking the castle and preventing it from being discovered. The source is a multitude of wolf skulls hung up around the castle. Though the skulls induce fear and hopelessness in anyone who looks at it, destroying the skull will cause the fog around the castle to slowly lift. Outsiders who destroy skulls will suffer the effects of Rift poisoning.
no subject
[Dan Heng's brows furrow as he considers the best way to get this man to rest. Normally, he'd just let him dig his own grave. This man is clearly capable; if he wants to press on then by all means. But...if he gets worse. If he's incapacitated when they eventually need to defend themselves...they can't. He can't allow that.
He does blink at that last statement. ]
Oh. Good. [Supposedly. The fact that he's experienced this "rift poisoning" enough to know...]I've heard people here mention rift poisoning, but I...must have missed that information, somewhere. I can't look it up either. What exactly are the symptoms of rift poisoning, sir?
no subject
[ There are some overlaps for sure ... headache, fatigue ... but the way he can feel that heat inside of him causing it all is something he's never felt before. Not like this, anyway. Sure, once he and his Gundam fell through the Earth's atmosphere from space which they weren't made for and he nearly died from that, but overheating isn't quite the same. ]
Regardless, whether it's magic or I somehow do have ... a fever, which would be humiliating... we still have important work to do here. I was going to check the library more closely ... see if I missed anything.
no subject
(Owch. Yzak has really been through it when it comes to fire, huh.)]
Your temperature felt incredibly high, Sir. That's not...healthy to keep moving about since your body is trying to fight off...something. [He thinks that's how Bailu would put it...] Perhaps, since this place is so set back in time, an old, unknown ailment got through your enhancements? [It happens. Take it from an alien multi-world traveler.
Dan Heng also knows how hard it is to sit still when you and others are in danger. He sighs quietly. He will go to the library with Yzak if the man insists on going, but...] If you don't rest, your condition could deteriorate. Which could be disastrous once our captors decide to act, wouldn't it? [Lan preserve, lay down, man.]
no subject
The reluctance is clear in his voice, but he relents. ]
... maybe you're right. It's possible that something foreign exists here that wouldn't at all in my world. [ But then he adds, because he has to, stubborn. ] Still, my body is supposed to be better equipped to keep me healthy in general...!
[ And then as if he wants that prove that point now, he sits up a little straighter. ]
If we're out of here before they decide to act in the first place, that would be even better. That's why I'd rather prioritize searching for a way out.
[ He stands. ]
I don't plan to overdo it and render myself completely useless.
no subject
Exactly. I've been to many worlds, and have both...caught and avoided strange illnesses due to my own unique biology, and that of the residents of those worlds. And [Here his expression flattens, his voice going Stern.] No matter how equipped or prepared you or your body are, bad things can still happen. [This whole kidnapping situation is one example.......
Dan Heng sighs.] I suppose that's reasonable, if not...ideal. I shall accompany you, Sir. [This is. Not a request. You're stuck with the dragon, Yzak. He doesn't want you to overdo it and stumble around the castle like a newborn foal!! Dan Heng's basically hovering as Yzak stands, not too close, but enough to reach out and steady the man if needed.]
I'd found an old journal in the back of one of the library shelves, so it is possible there are more like it. [And there definitely was a couch...good for a sick person to read and/or rest on.]
no subject
... and, despite his stubbornness, he is honest about what he said. He doesn't, in fact, wish to work himself into a worse state. And he strongly dislikes when others lie and do just that because he believes in sharing burdens with your allies and taking turns stepping back so nobody kills themselves from trying to do it all. He'll reconsider his actions and perhaps head back to his room to rest if he starts feeling worse, but for now ... he trusts his body to keep him going to get a little snooping done.
So snoop he does. And he doesn't seem to mind Dan Heng coming along with him - especially not when he urged doing things together for safety reasons. So Yzak begins to head down the hall toward the library. ]
What is your 'own unique biology' you mentioned?
no subject
[It's good Yzak has some sense then...Dan Heng has dealt with people who hold far less brain cells in situations like this. Orion. March. Arbiter General Jing Yuan.
Well. Onward they go then...
Oh. Oops. He's explained it so much lately and got used to his horns being visible that he kind of forgot some people still don't know. Dan Heng clears his throat, looking the slightest bit embarrassed. ] I'm. Not human, Sir. A Vidyadhara, which is a species with dragon-like qualities, which can't be...seen right now. [He absently reaches for where his horns would be. Nothing.] Our blood is cold, which us inhospitable for many "normal" viruses. That's...erm. Probably why you'd found my hand "freezing" earlier. Apologies.
no subject
Yzak's eyes flick to Dan Heng when he says 'not human' as if expecting to see something different about him, some visual key that makes it obvious that he missed before. But ... nothing, until he explains. ]
So our cloaking devices are still working, despite everything else?
[ He puts a hand up under his chin as he walks into the library. ]
Strange...
no subject
As for Dan Heng's appearance...it's hard to catch unless one is very observant, but his teeth do sometimes seem a bit sharper than an average human's, and his pupils tend to shrink into slits instead of pinpricks in bright areas, like now, looking at the lit fireplace in the library. Subtle things that the cloaking device might not always catch in such a disconnected area.
Dan Heng huffs softly, as if amused.] Yes. We're completely cut off from our comrades, and have no means of contacting LILITH or accessing any information on the network, but of course the cloaking devices work. Can't have us scaring our kidnappers with abnormal appearances, now can we? [His words are dry and yet somehow drip with sarcasm. There's a low rumble in his chest, a quiet expression of the dragon's ire.] Perhaps it'd be better if they stopped working. Ah well.
What were you looking for in particular, Sir? [Dan Heng may or may not be standing nearby in such a way to sort of. Subtly corral Yzak to the library couch. ]
no subject
Can you manually shut them off? Or are they glitching in some way, too?
[ Once inside, he goes strolling by the nearest shelf full of books, studying them closely. Reading their titles, noting how aged they look, trying to look for books that look recently touched or touched more than the others. ]
I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Familiar titles. History books to check their dates. Books on the religions of this region. Hell, a clean book amidst some dusty ones because it might be useful but it also might open up a secret passage - I wouldn't be surprised about that in a place like this!
no subject
[Dan Heng's eyes flicker with light, and for a moment, his horns and scales phase into being. He blinks, reaching for them, but then he flinches as there's a jolt in his head somewhere, with an error sound?
Dan Heng goes back to looking human. He huffs.] So communications are down but it seems like the device still recognizes we're in a public space. And enforces a normal appearance. [Thanks
ObamaLILITH.In the library, Dan Heng nods and follows that kind of criteria, going to the other end of the library to cover more ground. ] I didn't think secret passages existed outside of fiction...then again. We're trapped in a castle covered in eternal night, so we can't disregard anything on those grounds can we...
no subject
Ah-! Those are like a dragon's!