activity + monthly admin + arc v prep

[groundrules]

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a delightful, lucky, healthy and cheerful 2023!

Short and sweet on the admin update this round:

■ December was AC-free, but we return to regular activity requirements for January.

■ UPDATED: Story So Far with the last Arc IV + January calendar

■ The sand worms, desert & definitely-not-Sarlacc pit event of 6 January will double as a test drive meme... and an IC chance to get some valuable leverage, going into Arc V. Apps follow on 16-21 January — this time, they'll be open for anyone who has an invite or participates in the test drive meme.

Because of the tighter scheduled span of Arc V, this will probably be the only app cycle we hold until we’ve exited the Siege.

Speaking of...

ARC V: THE SIEGE

...is going to play out a little bit differently, over six to eight weeks. You’ll get full details later in the month, but a ticking countdown and territorial distribution across levels means small teams will have to take on a variety of mini-assignments against a backdrop of fusillades, ramming, curses and shattering defences. All hands on deck!

Not at all binding, but to get a sense of areas at interest — factor in your own OOC enthusiasm, and check in each of your characters at one of the relevant links below by 23:59 GMT on 22 January, if you play a character who:

■ Would manage to broker a cutthroat deal with ruthless passing merchants

■ Can & would play bodyguard to a king/prince

■ Is a medic, and wouldn’t mind spying on a patient

■ Would investigate supernatural murders at potential risk to oneself

■ Would stay behind to bitter end to hold up swarmed defences, to bide other people time to flee.

■ Can & would get actively involved in manipulating succession games, if needed last-minute.

■ Would try to run, in a cowardly but sensible manner.

■ Would go into the depths of local hell (note: this option is the most dangerous out of all of them.)

To confirm, this is just to give an indication of where to position your character and what to call on them for. You are not obliged to accept the mission just because you checked in here. It also doesn’t mean you cannot play something you didn’t check in for, later.

Separately, if you don’t mind providing some additional details, to help prep your character for the Siege...

Many thanks!

Comments

CHECK-INs

[groundrules]

Drop a line under the appropriate subthread by 23:59 GMT on 22 January, if you think your character suits one of the below scenarios. Please factor in not just whether your character would fit the job, but also if you'd have fun playing it.

To confirm, you are not outright accepting the mission just because you've checked in here, and you can play items you haven't checked in for — but checking in is very helpful to assess interest, from a mod perspective.

DEAL CUTTING

[groundrules]

...if your character would hold up in ruthless talks with passing merchants, to secure a food supplies for the sieged.

Leave your morals at the table. Your counterparties are not playing nice.

MY LIFE FOR YOURS, SIRE

[groundrules]

...if your character wouldn't mind closely safeguarding a new king and/or his brother, the crown prince — both possessed of indispensable roles, but difficult personalities.

HYPOCRITES FOR HIPPOCRATES

[groundrules]

...if your character is a medic/healer who would be okay spying on their patient and reporting back to the group.

This is work that will require decent medical skills that will be put in action, so probably unfortunately not one for folks who are at first-aid level.

MURDER, SOMEONE WROTE

[groundrules]

...if your character would pursue the supernatural deaths taking place in the perimeter. Figuring out this mystery is pretty central to the plot, but will require proactivity — and some survival skills.

HEROES' HALL

[groundrules]

...if your character would stay behind to defend some of the area's swarmed defences. They would not necessarily die, to be clear, but it would be one of those situations where you look at the screen and say, nah, they wouldn't kill the hero in this Last Man Standing Gesture — wait, holy shit, this is actually Game of Thrones moments.

THE CROWN, THE GAMBLE

[groundrules]

This is more tentative and would depend on how the detective work is carried out, but succession may have to be determined and politically manoeuvred to a tight deadline.

But... if your character has what it takes to negotiate a good political deals and gain traction behind a candidate...

RUN, MAN, RUN

[groundrules]

...if your character would survive a horror movie and try to work out escape routes towards the end of the siege. For... the good of the people, definitely not as a self-serving gesture thing.

ACTUALLY, TODAY, SATAN

[groundrules]

...if your character would go into hell to fix this.

Just to be clear, this is a local hell, so being the devil, Messiah, or hell-linked figure does not necessarily make your character immune to the risks posed by this area of investigation.

This could be horror-filled. Or beautiful. Or both #Optimism

STATS & SUNDRIES

[groundrules]

If you've got some time by 23:59 on 22 January to fill out the below for your character, very grateful!

<B><SMALL>CHARACTER</SMALL>:</B> <B><SMALL>BEST SUITED FOR</SMALL>:</B> please pick out ONE of: 1. combat (weaponised or magic) 2. infiltration 3. espionage/detective work 4. diplomacy/negotiation <B><SMALL>DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE</SMALL>:</b> are they battle-ready or do they have battle or defensive abilities? IF THEY ARE: would they be open to helping or being assigned to look after party members who aren't battle-ready? Do they need a weapon? IF THEY ARE NOT: Would you be open to your character getting a shield, temporary magical artefact or ability to see them through? Would they accept a PC or NPC bodyguard or helper?

Re: STATS & SUNDRIES

[northerndragon]

CHARACTER: Jon Snow

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
1. combat (any medieval weapon, but particularly swords)

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: nope

IF THEY ARE: would they be open to helping or being assigned to look after party members who aren't battle-ready? Do they need a weapon?

1. He would help however possible
2. He has Longclaw and the cool bow

[westviews]

CHARACTER: Wanda Maximoff

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
1. combat (magic)

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: No, and she'll defintiely be down to help protect and look after who can't if need be.

[rumorate]

CHARACTER: Allison Hargreeves

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
4. diplomacy/negotiation

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Allison is combat trained, and has a sword, but may not be zombie ready so let's put her somewhere in the middle. Is this the time where she finds out whether rumoring works on the undead? Stay tuned. She can fall on either side of the line, but I'm good with putting her in charge of someone to protect if needed!

[matermali]

CHARACTER: Vanessa Ives

BEST SUITED FOR: 1. combat (magic & weapons if she can borrow a gun) normally would pick diplomacy/negotiation but she's in a sort of Mood of late, but it's there for backup if you need!

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: If her magic can work on undead, she'll scrape by when pushed far enough. Unless some undead lord or super ghost tries to possess her, I dare you I dare you.

She might need someone to act as a tank/distraction while she casts because she's a glass cannon, but she would also help protect others. If we can find her a gun, she'll do better at protecting others (and herself).

[blackscales]

CHARACTER: Wrathion

BEST SUITED FOR:
I'm going to say infiltration because he was technically raised by rogues (sneaky) and he loves lying and scheming. Also, any opportunity to wear a fancy outfit. Could this be infiltration, under a new persona? He is ready.

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Battle ready! Can use magic and weapons. Has a weapon.

Might look after a party member if he likes them enough, but is a bit of an impatient rogue character so it would work best if it was 'they're working together on something Wrathion is interested in, and he's going to be the muscle if it backfires getting them both out'.

[reparo]

CHARACTER: Hermione Granger

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
combat (weaponised or magic). I wanted to pick infiltration but she hates having to spy on people, and is ready to throw down at any given moment so let's be realistic here.

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: she can fight with defensive spells (stun, put foes to sleep, destroy objects, open doors, set things on fire) but would not kill. It's easier when foes are undead or some form of beast, but she truly does feel bad about it every time. You know, after the thrill of feeling like an accomplished warrior.

IF THEY ARE: would they be open to helping or being assigned to look after party members who aren't battle-ready? Do they need a weapon?

Yes, she can look after party members and yes, she can help, and yes she has her wand. It's enough!

[chosenbylight]

CHARACTER: Anduin Wrynn

BEST SUITED FOR: diplomacy/negotiation (he can fight but he will always choose this first)

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Anduin is combat-trained and has fought and commanded troops on the front lines of battle.

IF THEY ARE: He would definitely be open to/would instinctively look out for those less combat-savvy than he is. Being a Holy Priest, his primary role in fighting is Support. To Heal, Shield, and Protect his companions and make certain that they all get out of there alive and (more or less) in one piece.

He does have the power of the Light to aid him, as well as Shalamayne, which he's been dragging along with him since Taravast. Perhaps he will actually put it to use in this arc?

[kahl_175]

CHARACTER: Kahl-175

BEST SUITED FOR: Combat!

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Kahl has an automatic rifle a nasty-looking sword, a small handful of fire grenades, combat armor and a deployable barricade. He's heckin ready.

He's also willing to help others! His whole deal is fighting for his brothers. And anybody who stands still long enough to be declared a brother.

[faceblocker]

CHARACTER: Vi

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
1. combat (weaponized: hextech gauntlets and whatever's handy). she can do infiltration if you end up needing more for that, though.

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: She'll be running around trying to keep everyone from dying, so no promises she'll survive that. (Nah she'll be good). Definitely use her to protect whoever needs it, if her physical skills will be enough.

Re: STATS & SUNDRIES

[inkfire]

CHARACTER: Mo Ran

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
1. combat (weaponised or magic)
He's best suited for combat! He's a very capable fighter (both martial arts, with his whip, and with cultivation) and not necessarily great at the rest.

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: He is battle-ready and can provide defensive barriers for himself/others.

IF THEY ARE: He'd absolutely be open to helping people survive. A sword would be handy but unnecessary as long as he can still summon Jiangui.

[bearshermark]

CHARACTER: Eleven

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
1. combat- best with one sword in hand, with one free to throw magic

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Eleven is decently well-rounded, with a solid offense, good healing magic, and a small bit of defensive magic (turning a person/himself to metal, warding off undead)

IF THEY ARE: El has a solid weapon; he'll definitely be throwing himself into helping others. I can really see him working between front and backlines to deliver and defend the injured.

Re: STATS & SUNDRIES

[silverneedles]

CHARACTER: Wen Qing

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
3. espionage/detective work

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Yes. She has some defensive skills but they're not really suited for anything above small-scale knocking people out to get away sorts of situations. So having someone to help her out would be great.

IF THEY ARE NOT: I would be more than open to her getting something to see her through this, and/or a bodyguard (whether PC or NPC). In turn, she can offer medical assistance.

[song_of_fire]

CHARACTER: Daenerys Targaryen

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
4. diplomacy/negotiation

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: So long as Drogon makes it through, she'll be fine.

IF THEY ARE: would they be open to helping or being assigned to look after party members who aren't battle-ready? Do they need a weapon?

1. She would always help
2. She has a sword from a treasure chest. She also has Drogon

[soloritur]

CHARACTER: Marcos Diaz (Eclipse)

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
1. combat

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: Marcos is a fairly formidable mutant. Good with offensive abilities, shooting lasers from his hands/making flash bombs, etc. If it's too dark his powers will stop working once he runs out of stored energy... like a solar-powered lamp... but otherwise he's got this.

IF THEY ARE: He'd be willing and insist on helping others who need a hand. He's all about team work and trying to minimize casualties.

[somebadnews]

CHARACTER: Number Five Hargreeves

BEST SUITED FOR: please pick out ONE of:
2. infiltration

DOES YOUR CHARACTER NEED HELP TO SURVIVE THE SIEGE: He's a deadly little thing who can and will take things too far. If he overexerts himself, he can run out of jumps and might need a hand, but generally! He's excellent at murder as you know. If that's what you were asking.

IF THEY ARE: Case-by-case, maybe! He can blink someone out of a jam if he has to, but anticipate him being annoyed about it.