the channeling + cr meme!

[groundrules]

Hello, hello, happy nearly-Halloween! The next stage of Ephes (The Channeling) takes place over 1-17 November, and you can find a summary of the main opportunities below. A mod-led log goes up on Wednesday and will include more atmospheric details.

This part of the plot is open-ended — so go wild! For new folks: you can always hit up NPCs at their shiny inbox for clues, and generally be as outlandish in your plotting as possible.

But first, if you missed anything:

RECAP OF PLOT REVEALS

You can assume the witch Karsa shares this information, if needed. The below includes all large plot points, to help newcomers — oldbies, scroll a bit c:

Earlier: the Senate has yet to vote on the proposal of undead lady Messalina, who asks to borrow Ephes’ supernaturally endowed, cult-like army, the Hand. She wants to liberate her undead brethren from the undead Brotherhood and will reimburse Ephes with conquered territories. Senate leader Caius Justus secludes at the temple of the Father of Chaos, the Chained God, to deliberate. Frustrated, Messalina might soon take matters into her own hands. Her agent, the shape-shifting demon Alir poses as popular Senator Maximus Faustus — assassins culled several Senators during his recent banquet. It surfaces that fresh assassination lists targeting Senators were written on Senate paper.

Recently: earthquakes rocked the agricultural clusters of Ephes, revealing... dark water typically associated with the undead. The Hand seem to be delivering dark water-infested grains by sea to a ‘merchant’ Matthias — perhaps the same man assumed to have spawned the undead. Created by Caius Justus, the Hand numbers feral members who were taught how to act human-like by mimes and who copy the exceptional combat skills of gladiators. Evidence in deserted barracks suggests that Hand soldiers were exposed to dark water.

Priests say their patron Chained God will soon destroy then rebirth the world anew — but some advocates are bribed and news shouters are coerced to spread the faith. Caius Justus previously invoked the Chained God to galvanize Ephes towards violence and military action.

Upcoming: an announcement from Senate leader Caius Justus goes up at the start of November — exiting seclusion, he will convey the Chained God wishes for Ephes to embrace true chaos and conquer. He advises the Senate to refuse Messalina’s proposal, but will defer to a vote. For civilian safety, Caius Justus imposes citadel-wide curfews, while the Hand army is seemingly always present to quiet or pre-empt unrest.

Check in below for plotting opportunities and try to sign up for the plotlines that interest you. You can definitely still play without signing up — it just helps to glean which missions are popular and should get more detail and individual content.

Mod advice: focus on just one of the scenarios and play support for the rest, to avoid overload. All scenarios have high plot impact, and anyone can participate in any scenario.

( upcoming missions )

A final Ephes plot update follows in late November, built off what you folks do in this upcoming event.


TRICK OR CR TREAT

Old, new or blue, fill out the form below to plot & Pokeget some new CR, then comment around mightily.

<b><small>PLAYER</small>:</b> <b><small>CONTACT</small>:</b> <b><small>OKAY TO FRIEND FOR RP</small>?</b> <b><small>CHARACTER | CANON</small>:</b> <b><small>THEIR ONE-LINE PITCH</small>:</b> <b><small>WOULD THEY STAB OR SAVE CAESAR</small>?</b> assume they know who Caesar is! <b><small>WARNING LABELS THEIR FRIENDS WOULD PUT ON THEM</small>:</b> <b><small>PLANS</small>:</b> <b><small>GENERALLY HERE FOR</small>:</b> what kind of CR would you like? Be specific, no 'anything'!