november plot rolls

[groundrules]

FALLOUT & PLOT ROLLS

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With two towers activated and Taravast’s battlements reinforced, the witches of Bessis successfully take position on the citadel’s walls and rain down fiery hell upon Taravast’s beastly assailants. Following his brief confrontation with the Beastmaster, the undead warlord Anurr retreats to western frozen citadel Sa-Hareth — he can be pursued through the Stairs of Sigh passageway, if you so choose. The Beastmaster’s forces withdraw east.

In their wake, Taravast is partly savaged: the necromantic district has particularly taken a hit, after all the local undead and some resident necromancers were compelled to follow Anurr, the Huntress or the Beastmaster against their wishes. The damage spreads to ruined homes and necromantic schools, destroyed supplies and heavy looting. The healers’ and merchants’ sectors are also tarnished, with several roads blocked or rendered unusable and some damage sustained at underground aqueducts. Here, the great threat has been the theft of resources. The main sorcery area, Artes Mundi, has fallen under substantial and repeated siege. The southern residential district held by Anurr has been evacuated and remains exceedingly — but non-magically — cold, haunted and uninhabitable.

Much of the greenery of Taravast has withered, while some of the canals’ waters have dried. Taking advantage of the unrest, some citizens take up looting and the crime rate greatly intensifies. The rich of Taravast are sometimes robbed in plain daylight.

Some of Macaluso Spina’s foreign suitors withdraw, as their sponsors fear Taravast is slated for upcoming destruction by the undead and an alliance now would bring limited advantage. As Bonaccorso, Vannozza and Macaluso return to the Palace of the Doxe, many citizens crowd on site, begging relief, guidance and protection from the ailing Bonaccorso. Vannozza and Macaluso face a prime opportunity to further their political claim to their grandfather’s title by establishing themselves as reliable and efficient leaders in this period of immense crisis. Characters may return to their Palace lodgings, which have been only minorly raided. Dealer’s choice on what (if anything) of your characters’ was stolen.

Generally, across the month, characters can:

■ Help displaced refugees or the poor by raising and distributing donations of goods from Taravast’s nobility

■ Hunt down and kill any of the Beastmaster’s remaining creatures

■ Calm down the tempers of Taravast’s residents, whether by speaking to locals or making posts to the piazza

■ Save citizens (or nobility!) from looters and thieves

■ Lend a hand with reconstructing the citadel, rescuing and refurbishing the artifacts of the damaged districts, or exorcising some of the ghosts of the area formerly held by Anurr

■ Get involved with Vannozza and Macaluso’s campaigns to gain political favour.

The calendar has been updated here.

You can find this month’s plot rolls or follow-up to previous plot developments below. Your character can try to tackle the roll alone, or recruit help — feel free to use this post to plan or make your own OOC posts on the community. Whatever works best for you!

One small request: if you can try to share the information ICly, ideally with the entire game (think network posts, logs, etc) rather than with just one-two characters, that would be A+ — it helps get the word out and get more folks involved. Thank you so much!

PLOT ROLLS:

■ Aang & Wrench
■ Alina Starkov & Diego Hargreeves
■ Anakin Skywalker, Eleven and Shen Qingqiu
■ Chu Wanning, Xiao Xingchen and the Doctor
■ Five Hargreeves
■ Lily Evans & Wei Wuxian
■ Su Xunxian
■ Wen Qing & Wrath

Comments

GENERAL QUESTIONS

[groundrules]

[blackscales]

In the interest of PR/Campaign games: What's the current general public opinion on necromancy? Wondering if Vannozza's connection to Necromancy could be used against her, given the current undead problem (in the spirit of making a connection to pit the tide of opinion against her).

If that seems like it could work: were Wrathion to dig a little on Vannozza to find juicy things help set up this connection, would there be anything particularly of historical note to fake news this? Since his fake job sets him up to be very good at this, he doesn't want to immediately tank his fake ID by half-assing anything.

(If this information is on another page already, sorry, I promise I tried to read through things!)

[groundrules]

Heya! Please don't worry, there's a lot of information around (largely a consequence of us nearing the end of this arc). Happy to summarise:

Necromancers are an accepted part of Taravast and have their own (now heavily impaired) residential district. They're considered a creepier branch of sorcery by some segments of the population, but this is more to do with the discomforting nature of their magic, than with actual terror. Sentiment has recently shifted because of the appearance of uncontrollable dead that have twice now attacked Taravast. In response to the latest siege, Vannozza Spina recently declared that "anyone who homes or harvests the dead will be hanged." Self-reported necromancers remain tolerated, but are given a cold shoulder.

Vannozza's own interaction with necromancers — which was previously close, as she summoned professionals of the arts to investigate her rare illness — will largely cease after this.

NOVEMBER PLOT ROLLS

[groundrules]

AANG & WRENCH

[groundrules]

Ah, to be a symbol of dreadful luck and weaponised accordingly! Inhuman tragedy is not the only grievance that has struck Taravast recently. Looters have taken the city by storm, taking advantage of the infrastructural devastation suffered by several districts and the lower availability of guard forces. Some risk their skins and only steal from the abandoned homes of the residential district briefly held by the now-retreated undead warlord Anurr, where ghosts persist. Others outright raid the savaged necromantic and healing districts, stealing many precious and rare potions, artefacts and pieces of equipment. Theft is carried out against the rich and the poor alike, and Doxe Bonaccorso’s sentries are too busy with the rebuilding efforts to try to recover the stolen possessions.

Aang, meanwhile, is free labour, and ‘Chosen One’ whisperer Wrench might be just the person to help guide his natural dreadful luck in Taravast’s favour. Aangis approached by some of the healers that attend don Bonaccorso’s wing, who seem convinced that the boy will surely come to no harm if he attempts to fight back against this looting villainy — after all, he is bad luck himself. The healers also alert and bring in Wrench, asking him to oversee Aang’s efforts and to escort to, presumably, the light side — or at least towards a modicum of success.

The healers share that the main culprit behind the looting is a gang of raiders led by one Gherardo the Claw: a once sorcerer, turned gambler, then outlaw. He and his roughly two dozen followers have set up camp in between the healing and necromantic districts and shamelessly steal the possessions of both. They summon man-sized serpentine water spirits from the many Taravast canals, to both assist them in battle and secure their escape as needed.

These raiders have gathered in an old, abandoned port-like construction at the intersection of several canals, where gondolas used to be brought in for repairs of for shelter overnight. You can infiltrate by swimming to the warehouse through the canals, but beware the water serpents. Alternatively, you can walk the narrow bridge to the warehouse opening, but this will keep you in full sight of the raiders.

...or, perhaps take advantage of Gherardo’s historical love of... entertainers... and bring him a few dancers. Either way, the healers beg Aang’s help in returning their stolen potions and work instruments, offering a handsome, so-far undisclosed reward.

I recommend organising a party — maybe Aang or Wrench can try their luck with a network post? — as the raiders and their water spirits are unlikely to be defeated by one or two combatants alone. Figure out a way to get in and also out!

You can tackle this at any point before 20 November (you don’t have to finish your threads by then, just in terms of IC timing.) Let me know here when you’re done, and I can roll you some loot items that the dashing duo may have recovered — as well as hand over the healers’ reward.

How you guys go about this can heavily influence the overall ending of the Taravast arc — but no pressure, guys.



( Pressure. )

ALINA STARKOV & DIEGO HARGREEVES

[groundrules]

Macaluso Spina’s handful of remaining foreign suitors congregate around 12 November for a private fete in one royal contender’s lavish suite in the Palace of the Doxe. The event is relatively sedate by Taravast standards, to honour the general state of mourning and recovery in the citadel.

Noted fashion influencer tastemaker and dame of elegance Alina Starkov and suitor Diego Hargreeves and his wolves are invited, alongside roughly a dozen other foreign dignitaries and contenders. Alina and Diego are sat in relative proximity to each other at the inevitable dinner table, where the Palace’s most discreet masked servants bring a variety of light but extravagant meals themed around foreign flowers and employing some blooms as an active ingredient.

The third course — a tender fish, doused in thick white sauce and sprinkled with fennel — arouses growls from Diego’s wolves. If Diego or Alina consumes it, they will start to feel increasingly light-headed and lethargic, as if they’ve fallen under a pleasant spell of heavy drunkenness. Their supernatural powers will be untouched, but their senses and general awareness will dim down. None of these effects will come into play if they refuse the fish — but they might want to pretend they’ve consumed it and are experiencing the same symptoms as everyone else at the table.

The suitors start talking candidly about their expectations in the game of courtship. Several of Diego’s ‘rivals’ question whether their families will soon call for their return abroad or withdraw their financing. Some suitors are doubling down on their pursuit: Taravast’s recent woes are a boon and likely to reduce the elitist choosiness of the local gentry when it comes to approving Macaluso’s marriage partner. The citadel needs allies, now more than ever.

A few mull the possibility of marriages to each other, to forge some kind of alliance and put their squandered Taravast efforts to some kind of use &mash; in the end, they are pawns intended for political alliance, and they cannot leave Taravast empty-handed.

One princess darkly suggests that Macaluso’s openness to foreign relations isn’t shared by his grandfather or the Conclave. She says Bonaccorso has already sent her father a polite note stating it is best to recall her from Taravast, so that she might not lose face when the ‘game’ inevitably ends in failure.

The banquet devolves into light drinking, chatting, and exchanges of courtship horror stories, generally or in Taravast. Some mention how eerily tight-lipped and protective Bonaccorso’s servants are, and how they appear to be keeping constant tabs of their comings and goings. Others feel Macaluso is more concerned with his cousin Vannozza than with his own candidacy as leader of Taravast. Some wonder why the witches of Attaryl are even still tolerated at court, if they all but lost the previous war with the sorcerers of Bessis, and if Taravast does not intend to utilise them as diplomats in foreign engagements.

Towards the end of the banquet, the spate of masked attendants bring in dome-covered plates for half the table, in a zig-zag pattern. Diego receives such a plate, while Alina does not. The servants lift the cloches to reveal remarkably realistic pastry confections of the recipients’ heads, knives stuck through their ‘eyes’ or ‘foreheads’ — the attendants quickly pull the impressively sharp blades out and, in one smooth swing, slit the throats of nearby suitors that did not receive a plate. They attempt to do this to Alina, but she can fake her injury, deflect or escape.

Amid the chaos, the servants remove their masks to reveal they are undead envoys. They say they have only spared the highest ranking of suitors from foreign citadels, who should take this as their single warning to leave Taravast — and to tell their families to never seek alliances that could imperil the Brotherhood’s interests again.

You’re welcome to make logs or posts as you see fit with this premise. On my side, let me know after you talk to each other:

■ Will Alina be injured? If so, there are healers in both Bonaccorso or Vannozza’s wings that she can be rushed to.

■ Will Diego or Alina save any of the six-seven suitors who are targeted for injury? How many of them? Any number is fine by me, if done realistically.

■ Will they chase any of the undead envoys, as they make their ‘getaway’?

[sankta]

SO. neither will be eating the food but will follow suit of the effect

1. Alina will manage to lean back enough that the cut is across her chest not throat, then will play dead and hide that her throat is fine until the initial danger is clear.
2. Diego will make sure Alina is good, then work to save the suitors, realistically he will likely be able to save 2
3. While Alina will see Diego is helping at hand and will chase after the envoys herself

ANAKIN SKYWALKER, ELEVEN & SHEN QINGQIU

[groundrules]

ELEVEN & SHEN QINGQIU

Around 23-25 November: donna Rigarda’s people are able to identify and locate those who disrupted the latest arms shipment to the undead Brotherhood abroad because of the magical print of the weapons they retained for themselves. Shen Qingqiu and Eleven are apprehended and delivered to Rigarda, whose close relationship with don Bonaccorso enables her to carry out abuses of power without endangering herself or her status.

The storage site of the remaining weapons will also be raided (please let the relevant players of characters holding the weapons know!) unless explicit magical spells were put in advance to mask the presence of the arms (no post-dating this, please). Characters who attempt to stop the collection of the weapons would likely also be roughened up a bit, but not detained.

Shen Qingqiu and Eleven will have access to their pendants until they reach donna Rigarda’s estate, but the communication feature of these instruments will be deactivated after. The translation function remains active, allowing them to understand each other and others. Rigarda will candidly blame them for the disaster that recently befell Taravast, as the failure to deliver the weapons shipment brought the Huntress and the Beastmaster upon the citadel, killing hundreds and destroying districts. She will outright question whether they are working for any of the forces external to Taravast and conspiring to take down the city through massacre.

To appease the undead lieges, Rigarda plans a fresh shipment of weapons. She intends to send Eleven and Shen Qingqiu to the undead Brotherhood, to show Taravast’s ongoing commitment to its tribute arrangement with the undead. She regrets this recourse, but sees no other option. The delivery goes out in three days, during which Eleven and Shen Qingqiu are held under tight watch, fettered and imprisoned in the basement cells of Rigarda’s palace. They will have no access to magic or weapons, but can try to get crafty otherwise with initiating (or begging) an escape.


ANAKIN SKYWALKER

Taravast might be recovering from its recent devastations, but some among the lower classes find themselves less keen to forget that don Bonaccorso summoned his fat and happy noblemen to sanctuary in Artes Mundi during the attack — while providing far less support for servants and the poor. Shen Qingqiu’s reputation as a revolutionary speaking ardently against the rich and powerful has earned him some admirers among Rigarda’s attendants, who remember Anakin Skywalker was once sniffing ominously around the household during the mistress’ last failed interaction with undead envoys.

The servants cannot prove that he killed the undead — but the mere suspicion is enough to motivate them to get in touch with Anakin and inform him that another weapons shipment has been arranged, and that Shen Qingqiu and Eleven are imprisoned and slated for delivery to the dead, as part of Rigarda’s tribute.

The servants beg Anakin to save Shen Qingqiu, and, effectively, to come do what Sith-boy does best —

...kill things. And sell sand.

Let me know what you plan to do for this. Be very discreet about any attacks against Rigarda’s palace: remember she’s ultimately a high-ranking member of the Taravast gentry, and the party is not currently sufficiently powered up to survive going up against an entire city’s defences.

[softheartedshizun]

A quick question, where will the sword Shen Qingqiu gained end up? And, since it has a spirit, and I was thinking it probably accidentally bonded to him, could it interfere or help in some way fun?

(It's name is Lu Liu~)

[bearshermark]

re: Rigarda's questioning bc I somehow only just noticed that bit now

Eleven won't argue against the blame for the attack, but will bristle when she asks if they're trying to sabotage the city through massacre. He'll remind her that her long life has been paid for with the blood of countless others, express disgust with the trade agreement, and condemn Bonaccorso's cowardice for choosing to place the city in this hopeless situation to begin with.

..Or try to. Feel free to have him interrupted/silenced/subdued at any point.

[lancifolium]

Hi hello I bring you the escape plan:

After being alerted to what is happening to Eleven and Shen Qingqiu Lily will seek out Five, followed by Wei Wuxian. Shen Qingqiu will reach out to Chu Wanning, and Anakin will be alerted by the servants as per the plot roll (there will obviously be some network/inbox discussion to get everyone where they need to be ic).

The plan is for the gang to wait for the convoy of weapons and hostages to depart Taravast before intercepting it.

Five will be teleporting into Macaluso territory to steal guard uniforms for some of the group to wear, the rest will be disguised, everyone will be masked.

Using stolen horses stolen by Anakin the gang will ride out to intercept the caravan using hopefully non-lethal force to retrieve the hostages and send the rest on their merry way.

From this point, Five will likely teleport Eleven to Sa-Hareth to hide out, (Shen Qingqiu too?? Not sure) and the gang will sneak back into Taravast.

Quick question: would Eleven and Shen Qingqiu's belongings be brought with the convoy or will they be left behind in the prison they'll be held in? If they're left behind Five will grab them.

CHU WANNING, THE DOCTOR & XIAO XINGCHEN

[groundrules]

The below three prompts all tie into the mystery of don Bonaccorso’s disappearing servants and take place over 15-20 November, though you are welcome to play this out ahead if you want! I encourage the characters to help each other out…


THE DOCTOR

Following the return to the Palace of the Doxe, the Doctor’s reputation as a sinister and efficient torturer earns him a visit and a request from don Bonaccorso’s lead butler principal attendant. Infuriated, the man shares that discipline within the servant ranks has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, with several members of the staff “taking advantage” and neglecting their duties because of the presence and exotic habits of foreign guests and because of the string of recent tragic events that struck the citadel. He asks for the Doctor to instil the fear of torture discipline back in them, giving him full access to speak with them and even to visit their quarters.

If he speaks with the servants attending Bonaccorso’s wing, the Doctor will find they are exceedingly skittish — constantly busily at work, and apparently terrified to open up to strangers (although some of this apprehension might simply have its roots in the Doctor’s reputation). Despite their bustling schedules, they are inefficient and erratic, as if they have been… drugged. Deep inquiries into their rooms will find stains of opiates on several items of clothing. All the lower-ranking servants, the Doctor may notice, are young and no more than 3-6 months into their employment.

One roughly fifteen-year-old boy who is tasked with sweeping and mopping the floors and keeping the silver polished asks the Doctor if he will help smuggle him out of the palace, so that he can return to his family.

What does the Doctor do?


XIAO XINGCHEN

Infamous blind cook Xiao Xingchen is called down to don Bonaccorso’s kitchens one night to lend the expertise of his exquisitely refined palate and taste test a few of the dishes served for the Doxe’s banquet. It is Bonaccorso’s first time receiving foreign dignitaries since Taravast’s brutal attacks at the hooves hands of the Huntress and Beastmaster, and the citadel must put on a show of public strength and excellence.

Xiao Xingchen is brought in to taste no fewer than eight courses and to supply his… renown… opinions and recommendations, should he find any of the dishes lacking. He is delivered the food in a more secluded corner of the kitchens, sat near the bread baking ovens. Perhaps his spiritual powers might help him feel the residue of something amiss — and, amid the embers of the ovens, he may encounter… human ashes.

With all the main cooks and their helpers required to bring together Bonaccorso’s meal, Xiao Xingchen is delivered his taster menu as the food is cooked by one of the regular maids in Bonaccorso’s wing. She takes advantage of the distraction to quietly ask for Xiao Xingchen’s recommendation so that she might be moved to serve in the kitchens. Although many might find this a demotion in status and an increase in workload, she insists that the transfer is infinitely preferable to the lack of safety in Bonaccorso’s wings, and reiterates her pleas for Xiao Xingchen’s help. There is no time to tell him more now.

What does Xiao Xingchen do?


CHU WANNING

All his ruckus and a public note to the piazza didn’t endear Chu Wanning to the staff of Bonaccorso’s wing. He is no longer given access to speak to the servants, though Macaluso’s attendants naturally continue to attend to his every need.

One fine day, Chu Wanning is brought his evening meal in his quarters by an unfamiliar old man nearing sixty years of age, whom Chu Wanning may have briefly seen in Bonaccorso’s wings or gardens in recent days. He was not among Bonaccorso’s servants previously. The old man claims he is the maid who once asked for Chu Wanning’s help and thanks him his attempt to save her, for all Chu Wanning proved unsuccessful.

The ‘maid’ cannot linger to explain, as all the servants interacting with Chu Wanning are watched closely — the old man only came to Chu Wanning again as a last recourse, to impose on him one final time, by passing him a note that he begs Chu Wanning to send to a certain home, along with a small purse of coin. The money is for the maid’s parents, while the note — should Chu Wanning read it — is (allegedly) written by the maid, urging her parents not to worry and saying she has caught the fancy of one of the stable boys from the foreign delegation of one of Macaluso’s suitors. They are eloping to his foreign citadel now, where the maid will live a good life, better than they can possibly imagine in Taravast, and wanting for nothing. They should be thrilled for her, and forgive her that she cannot ever see them again, but she must be with the man who loves her now and leaves them her final wages.

The old man leaves hurriedly. Does Chu Wanning deliver the letter?

[wooden_one]

He'll deliver the letter, for sure. And also apologize for failing to save the maid.

[binghua]

Xingchen is...Concerned with what his spidey senses are telling him about these kitchens, even if he may not be able to identify exactly what is off.

He tells the maid that it's possible danger may find her here, as well, but if she still desperately wants the recommendation he'll give it. But please be careful. Keep your wits about you.

[funnylittleclown]

From the looks of things none of the younger servants should be left in that situation. So give him just a moment to look for a laundry cart to sneak the boy out with... Of course he would try to ensure the boy's escape.

Would any amount of snooping give him some hint as to the opiate delivery method?

FIVE HARGREEVES

[groundrules]

The following can happen at any point you like during the month of November: after Anurr’s retreat from Taravast, the undead warlord sends a note conveying his thanks for the inadvertent release of his powers through the mirror. He knows both Five and the now-absent Winnifred — who Anurr says he cannot locate to express similar gratitude — were responsible for breaking the mirror. He knows too that Winnie held on to the mirror for months.

Along with his returned strength, Anurr also gained a bizarre and distant awareness of the keepers of his power over the many years of its confinement. He finds he has developed an unexpected fondness for them, and though he is prepared to kill Five on sight should be ever oppose Anurr’s quest to ‘liberate’ the undead of this world, Five can otherwise count on… a degree of cooperation from the undead warlord. As a token of his appreciation, Anurr encloses his (frozen) middle finger, cut at the second joint and bound on a red string with instructions to burn it or sink it in water, should Five require the offensive assistance of the wind. Please get in touch when Five intends to use it!

Five will find himself significantly more protected from the cold while wearing the finger-necklace, as well as able to somehow hear whispers in the wind. Should he return to Sa-Hareth, he will find he can also gently guide the local winds — though his command of them will never quite rival that of Anurr.

...the finger does not rot.

The Merchant also sends a dry and concise note telling Five he’d informed the girl Winnifred of the dangers of ever breaking that mirror, and he sees now his warning served to naught. In better news, he tells Five that the pieces of the broken mirror are now ‘depleted’ of power and can instead absorb some of the negative feelings that Five himself has consumed.

LILY EVANS & WEI WUXIAN

[groundrules]

The following events take place around 8-15 November (feel free to forward or post-date however you need):

The night of or after their last artefact burial, Lily Evans and Wei Wuxian are woken up well past midnight and summoned urgently to meet Vannozza Spina. They are not taken to her private quarters, as one might initially anticipate, but ferried to the desolate Spina hunting grounds. Once replete with undead, the forests are now eerily empty — a product of Vannozza’s attempts to curate the image of her family, and of the Huntress and Beastmaster claiming regional undead for their own.

Here, they find the lady Vannozza is at once enshrouded in a violently restless energy and impossibly, frighteningly still. She wears only her translucently fine robe, displaying the spread of a fierce, mould-like, dark sickness on her back. The marks appear to pulse, varying in intensity.

Wei Wuxian may instantly sense a spiritual, deathly presence.

The servants are dismissed immediately. Once alone, the lady reveals she is Hatisse, borrowing the body of this already primed vessel. She cannot linger long, but she found it fitting to meet them here —

Where hardship began.

Toss up a thread on the NPC inbox or a log on westwhere, as you prefer, for a quick action spam thread of the ensuing conversation. I would recommend either alternating between Wei Wuxian and Lily tagging on your side, or one of you combining both of their reactions, for tagging purposes.

Heads up: Hatisse cannot possess Vannozza’s body too long, so prioritise your questions, and remember to answer Hatisse’s own! As a refresher: Hatisse apprenticed at (at least) two courts, knew the innermost secrets of the witches of Attaryl, experienced the school’s conflict with the Bessis, seduced and led to the downfall of Lord Arha and has proven an adept sorceress both during her life and beyond. Be careful with her.

[inferus]

Hiii,

So Wei Wuxian and Lily muns both approached me to ask if Wrath could help with this - specifically with bringing Hatisse back to life, but with precautions put in place to make it as safe as possible to do so for everyone. My thoughts is the best way he could help in a precaution sort of way is by making a 'bargain/deal' with her. As we now know after the second book that he is the devil and he can make deals that are magically binding. He attempts to do this a few times in the books, but Emilia turns him down and we do see his brother do it with her via a more official contract.

Making a deal with the devil, starters:

- It has to be mutually agreed upon and all the terms of it have to be clearly stated beforehand.
- He has to fulfill his side of the agreement.
- There's a cost for the other person if they do not fulfill their end, which could be whatever you want it to be since you're the mod.
- Need his house dagger to get some blood from each participant in the bargain to make it official.

I was thinking this could be a way to assure themselves she won't like harm them or whatever else they deem is important to lay out ahead of time, and he might sweeten the pot with offering to retrieve her body parts too. But I wanted to check, in general, if this was possible to play with here before I confer with the group about the specifics.

SU XUNXIAN

[groundrules]

Don Bonaccorso’s private wing was never prime territory for vermin or other small creatures — until now. Sterile, cold and unforgiving, the quarters hide several healers’ ongoing efforts to keep the Doxe alive and well, at least until Taravast has voted on his successor.

Su Xunxian can hear so, from the droves of birds of various shapes and sizes that are briefly released into the (covered) inner gardens, before being caged once more and delivered to Bonaccorso’s quarters. Ostensibly, guards and servants say the beautiful multi-coloured singing birds give the old man joy between the unyielding waves of his private pains. They are only there to entertain him.

But Su Xunxian may notice that some of the birds are often absent or replaced, only to return days later… unlike themselves: some nightingales singing and thinking they are skylarks, blackbirds behaving as and believing they are robins. They lack the syntax or understanding to explain exactly what happened to them, but they can share that this transformation took place in Bonaccorso’s chambers, with his witches. The birds are very clearly distressed, unable to accustom themselves to their new bodies. Some say they saw their old bodies dead — and indeed, Su Xunxian may notice some of the birds never return.

This happens over 10-20 November.

[topoiran]

Oh Xunxian will be so pissy...

Minor(?) questions (as in, feel free to not answer any that are digging into detail that is not relevant): If there are dead bird bodies, does that mean if he's talked with a bird before, it might be gone, or do more than one birds now reside in the same (possibly wrong) body?

Xunxian will try to ask them if there were human people who were also left behind/dead at the same time as the birds? Or was it something happening to the birds alone at that time?

He'll try to find if that kind of experiment only happened in Bonaccorso's quarters, or have they run into birds who are like that before.

WEN QING & WRATH

[groundrules]

The following can happen at any point in the 13-20 November period — feel free to forward or post-date the below however you need.

Donna Vannozza appears repeatedly listless during her morning consultations with Wen Qing, at first citing concerns over the recent tragedies of Taravast, the pressures of the competition with her own cousin and a lack of sleep. She does not exhibit other signs of strong physical suffering, though the mould-like dark stains spreading on her back have reappeared. Should Wrath also visit her, he can notice she continues to feel ‘death-touched.’

Her grandfather Bonaccorso is unable to provide the salve that typically cures or abates Vannozza’s affliction. It is concocted by healers whose access to provisions and their required instruments has been greatly compromised by the damage and looting sustained by the healer and necromantic districts. Her grandfather can press the healers to supply a list of the necessary ingredients, should Wen Qing endeavour to find them — though many are now contraband items or have been stolen. ( Aang and Wrench are conducting a raid of the looters — might be worth getting in touch with the players and having Aang/Wrench pick out the ingredients from thieves or joining them in the endeavour, if you decide you want to do Vannozza the kindness of reconstructing her potion. )

Wrath’s handful of necromancer disciples find themselves bereft after the offensives carried out by the Huntress and the Beastmaster laid waste to their district. They beg their patron for assistance or a place to sleep. ( They are about three-four acolytes by now, so they would require smuggling into several rooms of the Palace of the Doxe. Might be worth getting some of the other party members to ‘adopt’ one-two necromancers into their quarters: ‘visiting nephew and nieces’ for everyone. ) Does Wrath help?

Irrespective of his assistance, the acolytes tell their master that some of the necromancers who previously declined involvement with the Doxe’s niece have been pushed by their recent ruin to accept the coin and consult the lady Vannozza. One necromancer, the ancient master Agnolo who once served at court, ended his visit in bitter laughter, telling the necromantic schools never to trouble themselves with this commission again, as it is a waste of their time — at least, until the witches of Attaryl end their play.

There are a few search options here: in order to ask questions directly of the Attaryl, your best bet would be going through Beitang Moran — they’ve been sniffing around him for months, trying to persuade him to join them for his “fortune telling” talents. Alternatively, Sansa Stark has considerable clout with the Bessis, with Zuko, Eleven and Emilia prospectively having some influence because of their fire magic. The Bessis wouldn’t be as good as a direct Attaryl source, but they do follow their once-rivals closely and they might be easier to talk to. Lorna and Marco meanwhile effectively provide the Renaissance equivalent of human relations to the Bessis and Attaryl, respectively, entitling them to easy access to the witches. Let me know how you decide to proceed.

A distraught Vannozza one morning calls Wrath and Wen Qing to her chambers and is (unexpectedly) visibly beside herself, absent her typical composure. She says she feels as if she has lost the pleasures of her body — food no longer has taste to her, lovers cannot satisfy her. It is the same to wear fine silks as it is to touch a burlap sack. She feels husked and constantly drifting, often flickering in and out of awareness. She suspects she is losing her sanity and asks for succour, or at least for a potent potion to improve her sleep. Any medical checks will show her physical health remains exemplary, but her spiritual integrity has eroded: there is, bizarrely, less of her in her own flesh.

A day after this, a furious Macaluso Spina takes Wrath and Wen Qing aside to rant asking how in heavens’ name it is they can claim mastery of their arts but fail to provide for his cousin. He is incensed past reason and unwilling to accept excuses, threatening to soon imprison Wrath and Wen Qing if they don’t attend to Vannozza’s grievances, for surely this degree of incompetence must be verging on malicious negligence.

[inferus]

OOOOH INTERESTING. I love it so much, and the general of war will definitely be coordinating/reaching out with stuff to others. just making a list to myself of Wrath's plans going forward with all of this and what he had already planned on doing as well, and then answer the questions here.

Wrath's Plans
-Staying in contact with Wen Qing throughout as they try to solve this (so if she needs help with the ingredients or anything, he'd help and coordinate w/ her as needed)

-Definitely visiting Vannozza beforehand - I learned from the second book that he can learn more/do more than I knew so likely will want to touch/examine the mould as he only looked at it before to see if he can garner anything further from that.

-He already planned on reaching out to Wei Wuxan after learning he has experience with death/necromancy and the like so he will still do that.

-YES, he will find a way to hide/take care of his disciples. Yes, I will be giving them each PBs and names and personality traits, and he will make a network post seeing who wants to adopt one for the time being.

-Will try to track down Agnolo to see if he can hear anything more from him in person. Plans to do so by asking around the necromancers who remain.

-BUT otherwise, Wrath would go the most direct route which is Beitang Moran to question the Attaryl about their involvement. However, simultaneously, he would ask those who have influence with the Bessis to inquire w/ them as well, because the more...information the better. If necessary, he is not against sneaking into places to find out more information or offering up something in turn for information. Either way.

-Wrath does know some rituals and how to make different sleep potions/revitalizing potions for when Vannozza is really struggling. Likely will ask Emilia to make some potions/grab some she has since she has more experience with it than him. I am guessing Vannozza's emotions feel different too like hollowed out/halved.

-Try not to murder Macaluso when the mortal dares to yell at him. u.u On that note, is there anything particular he could pick up from his fury given Wrath's ability to feel emotions like is there fear in there too that is motivating him?



On a non plot roll related note, he will be looking into information about the Huntress including how to kill her cause like fuck does he want to be controlled again. Ahem.

UPDATE

[groundrules]

Tensions have been stoking since the recent devastation of the citadel, which left the necromantic, healing and one residential district in sharp disarray. Vannozza Spina's latest curfew and suspicion of necromancers, along with Macaluso's higher interest in foreign relations and Bonaccorso's absence, have bolstered beliefs that the Doxe and Conclave might no longer represent the interests of the people.

FOX | MINGYU

[groundrules]

Mingyu's beautiful charge, the niece of a certain Sa-Hareth madame, has proven a remarkable hit with the enthusiastic suitors of Taravast. Several approach her with propositions — including one besotted gentleman of middling means who begs her to flee Taravast and return to her relations abroad, claiming that unrest in the streets is mounting and the gentry are unlikely to be safe long-term.

In light of the aforementioned civil situation, the good gentleman fears a fine lady of court such as Tamaiu's niece might be caught up in crossfire, should tempers continue escalating. Obviously, she reports this back, startled, to Mingyu and/or Fox.

Just something to bear in mind before 28 November...!

SLICK

[groundrules]

Reputed 'war hero' Slick is approached by two relatively scruffy looking but well-spoken men, who request an audience. They introduce themselves as the lawyer Giacomo Zanardo and the healer Sebastiano Bianchi. They have found themselves the leaders of a growing contingent of civilians, comprising some necromancers, healers, sorcerers and non-magical citizens, who wish to demand change.

They feel they are not listened to, despite multiple calls in the piazza. Their needs are not met. The supplies they receive are scant, and although Vannozza Spina has spoken prettily about raising funds for the poor, the entire Spina family and the Conclave bask in luxury, while the average man's children starve. Worse still, there is talk of undead which have been harboured in the citadel for years, without anyone's knowledge. They say the very Doxe's witches of Bessis housed some in their tower! And is this, perhaps, why Taravast was attacked recently by the dead?

The people have had enough. They want to take action and bring a force of men to take over the Palace of the Doxe and force don Bonaccorso to wake up, abandon the wretched court witches, and consider the needs of his citizens. Given his reputation, surely Slick is also convinced of the injustice the humble people of Taravast face? And will he help them devise a battle strategy? They will do this even if Slick denies them his assistance, but they could benefit from his expertise.

This is one to engage with before 28 November, if you can - and, of course, let me know what Slick will do. He is welcome to use/share the information, even if he refuses to help the two revolutionaries.