bring your dragons, your hordes

[groundrules]

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

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Poison-free and proud, characters can tap deeper into their espionage skills over the next two weeks to prepare for an inevitable infiltration, as Macaluso and Vannozza officially compete for electoral favour.

A log covering the intrusion will go up on 17-18 SEPTEMBER. (Parts of) that event will double as a test drive meme, and we might try incorporating the suggestion to consider tdm activity as a game invite this time. Feel free to leave your own plotting comment!

At player discretion, characters who were poisoned during Macaluso’s banquet can fully recover within 1-5 days of consuming their cure.

SUMMARY

The witches of Bessis promise their vote to whomever of Macaluso and Vannozza presents them the most extraordinary magical item at an upcoming celebration.

■ Macaluso asks help as he sets out to capture and enhance a water dragon as his offering.

■ Instead of participating in the competition, Vannozza deploys the party to ruin the draconic efforts and to inspect a recent mystery at the halls of the Bessis, hoping to blackmail the witches. An opportunity arises to steal a map from a visiting Bessis, which could help with infiltrating their headquarters later.

■ Characters can be volunteered for a RNG drawn encounter with Macaluso and Vannozza's grandfather, don Bonaccorso.

■ Characters can help with any of the quests below, irrespective of their team membership — just be discreet.



■ Setting out to stitch back the tatters of his reputation, Macaluso competes with Vannozza to win the vote of the witches of Bessis, whom he has previously patroned. His suitors remain at court.

■ The Bessis and Attaryl are Taravast’s two leading sorcery schools, both formally supporting the Doxe and the Conclave. The Bessis specialise in elemental magic, particularly fire. The Attaryl are given to diplomacy, prophecy and mental sorcery. The two schools were previously at war.

■ The Bessis challenge Macaluso and Vannozza to show them extraordinary or rare magic at the upcoming annual celebration of their alliance with the Attaryl.

■ Macaluso seeks out exotic magic. Vannozza takes a different approach to persuading the Bessis.



A BEAUTY AND A BEAST

■ Past Taravast’s canals, in the city-side bay, Macaluso has rallied a fleet of fishing boats, offering fishermen and his supporters a substantial reward to capture a rare white dragon whose magic can be enhanced with ice sorcery.

■ White dragons migrate south this time of the year, seldom coming close to Taravast. Fishermen lure them by diving deep underwater with familiar shards, for some Sa-Hareth survivors — they originate from one of the mirrors that can consume anguish, fear or discomfort.

■ Some sorcerers will summon violent ice pellets or storm the waters to draw the dragons near — also catching the attention of nearby dolphins, sharks, sea creatures and mermaids now alive.

■ Dive in or protect locals throughout their efforts. Sorcery permits characters to breathe and speak up to an hour underwater, courtesy of a thrall can be applied thrice a day, with breaks in between sessions.

■ Those who dive very deeply can encounter the underwater wreckage of a former district of Taravast.

■ Capturing a dragon will take roughly a week. Once it is near, it can be subdued with cold magic, ice or borrowed mirror shards or any other similar tricks up your sleeve. Macaluso’s sorcerers will reduce its scale and transfer it into an ancient chest.

■ The captured dragon will sojourn comfortably in its new abode. Macaluso pledges it will be released after it is put before the Bessis. No dragons were hurt in the making of this quest.

■ Characters can take turns playing with guarding the dragon until the day of its presentation. Still reduced in size and sedate, it will roam free in the great pool between Macaluso and Vannozza’s wings of the Palazzo. As a symbol of sincerity and wisdom, now upgrading to more magical ability, the white dragon will leave those who spend a few hours beside it unable to speak falsehood for one-two hours after they’ve left its company.

■ Plot dragon shenanigans to directly detain the beauty.



NO MORE MRS NICE GUY

■ Vannozza suspects the Bessis are too biased in her cousin’s favour to award her the vote fairly. Her associates in the necromantic district report that local necromancers have increasingly visited the Bessis halls, hinting the witches are hiding something fragile, potentially incriminating and valuable.

■ Obviously, that secret's game to blackmail the Bessis. Vannozza assigns characters in her employ who can discreetly draw in their counterparts who serve Macaluso to chase any information around court. Ask specific questions here.

■ She tasks her supporters to sabotage Macaluso’s attempts to increase the captured white dragon’s magical abilities by distracting visiting sorcerers from their rites, or removing the amplifying beacons left by the creature’s pool. Beware the guards — and destroy the cold beacons before they freeze your hands. Macaluso’s employees could, of course, always... accidentally kick one or two away too.

■ A last assignment: a leading practitioner of the Bessis, don Urbano de Fiescho, has returned from fundraising abroad. He is spending a few nights at the palace to catch up with Doxe Bonaccorso. He is overheard saying he has rescued many long lost artefacts of the Bessis from foreign hands — including a map to the Bessis halls. Get it.

■ Incidentally, don Urbano is also a lecher of great self-importance, given to gambling and flaunting his skills. He can be detained in the game halls, if needed.

■ Four guards are posted before don Urbano’s rooms. The balcony door is protected by a wall of fire that dissipates for five seconds every five minutes. Inside, only a small caged owl that sleeps. Several scrolls, three jewellery pieces and a tome are spread out over Urbano’s table. Move quickly and silently: if the owl wakes, anyone in its line of vision will be paralysed in place until she blinks.

■ Plot great theft here, vandals. Getting the map will give a substantial advantage for the next event.



MEANWHILE…

■ Word has spread in the necromantic district that the Bessis request the services of able necromancers, feeding hopes speculation that high-ranking members of the school might be nearing death’s door.

■ Don Bonaccorso asks to speak to a character under Macaluso and Vannozza’s employment in an audience. Drop a line here to submit your character for a RNG draw. This will mean a quick lightly threaded interaction in the NPC inbox, so please be available for it!

OTHER QUESTIONS

Comments

QUESTIONS

[groundrules]

Anything that isn't covered by the other threads.... goes here!

Re: QUESTIONS

[gladiokinesis]

So how would this all be playing out for Diego, since he's posing as a suitor so to speak?

[wooden_one]

Hello! I just wanted to ask, for his guqin which can calm and even put people to sleep would it work on the dragon? If it doesn't work entirely would it have a little effect still?

[topoiran]

Shockingly... can Su Xunxian communicate with the dragon? It's for damage control.

[elfuego]

Okay so this is one unhappy horse girl when it comes to the dragon being mistreated, and he's going to invite himself along on efforts to catch it if only to thwart them and/or stop the dragon from getting hurt, but my first question is, how close to the dragons in Zuko's canon are these dragons?

For him, they're meant to be the first firebenders who passed down the arts to mankind, and the few that are left are tremendously powerful creatures who can stare into your heart and read your intentions, and his experience with them was pretty profound. Will doing the dancing dragon at the dragon get him killed or be at all useful for subduing it/gaining its trust or providing a bit of insight to pass between them? Would his firebending help strengthen the dragon?

And then the frost beacons keeping the poor thing in the pool - how much damage would some firebending at them do?

GOTTA CATCH'EM DRAGON ALL

[groundrules]

Real talk, whoever successfully leads the expedition to catch the dragon gets to name it.

[weifinder]

I'm not saying this guy's gonna have success, animals generally don't care about him either way, but I will say he's heading out because he's going to be fascinated and deeply, deeply needing a break for some good old fashioned hunting. He's a good swimmer, and can come up with some creative means of herding a dragon around, though also: what the hello this is a dragon, incredible!

Also warns people not to mess with the mermaids, such as they are, of course.

So anyone wanting to partner up! Raise a hand!

[wooden_one]

Chu Wanning both wants to fight a dragon and doesn't trust Marcaluso not to hurt the creature so he'll definitely be around. Jiuge's ability can also calm things so that might be helpful! He could also be found feeding scraps from his own plate to the dragon later on.....probably all the meat bits he doesn't want to eat.

[scrapgege]

as a fight jock, Xie Lian would absolutely be up to fight a dragon, let him punch things!

also he would probably volunteer to play with the dragon afterwards, and I feel like we could use his terrible luck for great shenanigans here............. im just saying.

[topoiran]

Lan Sizhui is all for cold water dipping, and he has the strength/speed/agility of cultivator so he can absolutely help with the catching.

Su Xunxian is here for helping with things after. Much like Chu Wanning, Su Xunxian doesn't trust Macaluso so if he can communicate with the dragon, he'll try to keep the it from causing too much damage whatever may happen.

[malicing]

This one wants a dragon. But since he lacks the physical strength of his fellow cultivators, he will be forced to be clever. Just ignore the shepherd-prophet luring the dragon to him with...music? Traps? Something. He'll figure it out after he watches them for a bit.

[elfuego]

Given that dragons are pretty important to Firebenders as a whole Zuko will have a lot of reservations about capturing a dragon and will want to come along if only to ensure that nobody hurts it. His abilities are fire and heat-based, which might come in handy during frosty moments.

He's also got previous dragon encounter experience as well, and thus far a 100% survival rate!

Also if anyone wants to explore some underwater wreckage I am so here for it.

Re: GOTTA CATCH'EM DRAGON ALL

[corvis]

Gil thinks Raven can make progress in assistance.

[softheartedshizun]

Shen Qingqiu is all about going out and capturing it and then playing with it after.

Though he would have an easier time with a sword if he can find an appropriate one somewhere.

HAVE YOU HEARD, HAVE YOU HEARD?

[groundrules]

Here for all your very specific questions regarding Vannozza's assignment to get more information on what the Bessis might be hiding.

Please mention the kind of people your character would be asking.

In the interest of fairness: two questions/character.

Return of the paperman life:

[weifinder]

He doesn't want to bother with questions for my sake, so: if he sends paperman in to listen in Don Urbano's rooms when someone's meeting with him there, is that a thing. Can he do this thing.

I can have him schmooze around court too but why not use paperman life? It's been a while since it was last relevant, clearly revival is due!

[paperbutterflies]

Sizhui will play up his wide-up eagerness to know that he likely used in the first place I'll still top level gdi about the poison treatment and ask

- how the necromancers' relationship with the Bessis and Attaryl have been in the first place, before the contest between the cousins started

and

- has something been brought or created recently by the Bessis or the Attaryl that is of interest to the necromancers


... yes he will ask with regards to both schools, just in case.

[silverneedles]

Wen Qing will ask the healers if they've heard of anything of note going on in the necromantic quarters that might be relevant to the Lady's good health and continued fortunes.

She'll also ask among the guards if there have been any visits from the Bessis, unknown necromancers, or anyone who is unusual, to Vannozza's quarters.

[valeas]

Here with Chel's permission to ask on behalf of us both!

Emilia and Lily are finally going to take the offered tour at the Bessis magic school. Lady V might not see it as a slight in this case, since she wants dirt on them and they can just be like it's all for you, boo <3.

Our questions*:
- During the tour, would they be able to learn anything of interest, even if inadvertently? i.e., restricted areas they're pulled away from, people from the school discussing things nearby where they can eavesdrop.
- In Lily's case, any interesting areas for potential apparition (to sneak in late at night, potentially)?

If this isn't specific enough and you need more, please let me know and I'd be happy to narrow it down further.

*This question is all mine, unrelated, and kind of silly but: would Emilia be able to gain access to any of the kitchens to make meals here and there? Or even just to gather some herbs every now and then.

DON URBANO IS TOO URBAN FOR THIS

[groundrules]

This is where you get to plot detaining an old man and raiding his quarters.

God, you're terrible.

[jinzhong]

Jackie is HERE for a heist. Back to basics for this guy.

[weifinder]

So tossing this up on offer if anyone wants to run with it: Wei Wuxian is still our local reincarnated fertility goddess, and this guy likes sleeping around, so if we. Wanted to dovetail those things. Somehow?

Wei Wuxian's not here to love this plan but he is here to see if it'd work in tandem with whatever else people want to plot out, but he can like. Talisman the guards into freezing/being biddable if needed.

[beitangmoran]

Moran will leave the heisting to more capable people, but he totally is an expert at schmoozing with old farts and also, he plays a mean game of Star Chess. Also the Attaryl are interested in him but he's bene playing hard to get with them so potentially there's an opening there if Don Urbano thinks he could one up them.

(Also Moran may just want to have a good verbal fight with someone about why Macaluso sucks and would make a bad ruler)

[silverneedles]

Wen Qing isn't really the type to flirt and detain an old man (gross) but she is supposed to be looking for Soon-to-be-Dead Spouse #5. That's useful, somehow?? maybe?

MEET OUR BACHELOR, DON BONACCORSO

[groundrules]

List your character here (and their team please!) for a RNG draw of who gets to... go on a mystery date with... don Bonaccorso. You somehow all got even more terrible.

Please only sign up if you think you'll be around for a quick thread over the next seven days. Merci!

[somebadnews]

Five | #TeamMacaluso

Let the old guys hang out. He needs to be making friends his age.