the coup

[groundrules]

Hello, hello! The People [TM] have spoken, and below is a rough sketch of events until 4 December, closing Arc VII. Everyone can participate, even if they didn’t get do any plotting. The plan is to:

■ Convince Narula that his patron, Senate leader Caius Justus, intends to replace him as Hand commander. This regrettably prompts Narula to stab Caius Justus in the Senate Lockwood is gathering IC views on how to convince Narula that Caius Justus has turned against him. Pitch in!

■ Eliminate Narula, allegedly because he’s a mad dog who assassinated beloved Caius Justus. Privately, because he’s been supernaturally enhancing innocent Hand recruits with corruptive dark water. Connor will post ICly, chasing volunteers and thoughts on how to get away with murder. Get your hands dirty!

■ Announce replacements for Caius Justus and Narula and secure their political legitimacy. Wrathion will tackle an IC post on this. Get your political mittens on.

Image source.

For those not interested in stabbing Caesar, some opt-in events that can all be assumed effective immediately:

■ After the Senate agrees to loan undead lady Messalina the elite army of the Hand, Caius Justus assumes dictator powers and accuses her of manipulating Senators with witchcraft, bribery and intimidation. He commands the Hand to control the city.

■ Bounties are issued on those who assisted Messalina, while anyone previously seen at the Chained God’s temple is sought for arrest on suspicion of organising its collapse. Your choice if your character is targeted, and you’re responsible for breaking them out of prison or paying their 5,000 gold-piece bail.

■ Aggressive curfews and frequent weapons searches are imposed on Ephes. Businesses struggle, and daily clashes with the Hand prevent travel. Help civilians who are stranded, deprived of resources or brutalized.

■ The Senate is divided between Caius Justus, Caelius Silvanus who calls for moderation, and Messalina’s supporters, led by Maximus Faustus aka the shapeshifting demon Alir. Previously faithful Senators now question Caius Justus’ sanity, meeting to plot rebellion. Keep them safe from Caius Justus’ assassins!

■ Messalina and her demonic retinue are under house arrest at a summer villa, their doors and windows shackled with the 12 chains previously used on the Chained God, which crackle with potent magic. Magic users can collaborate to weaken them at night, so Messalina can be released.

■ Pick up a shovel and clear out debris at the collapsed temple of the Chained God, to reach the beacon. The energies of the previously detained deity leave workers prone to exhaustion and choleric outbursts.

On 4 December, NPC witch Karsa collars the party at the Chained God’s collapsed temple, where the Ephes beacon has been unearthed. She will awaken a magical gateway to transport everyone home — all those who have dropped or idled out of the game in November will be said to go home, right before the beacon regrettably fails, depleted. You can also canon update your characters!

Comments

[blackscales]

Hello! Just so I don't make wrong assumptions: officially, how did Caesar Caius Justus originally come to power? When the rebels (perhaps Caelius Silvanus would be Wrathion's in here) are discussing rebellion, how would they envision someone new coming to power?

Wrathion is asking for a friend (the friend is him, how does he shove someone into leadership? How many bribes are required? What paperwork must be forged?)

[groundrules]

Hello! He was lawfully voted in. The Senate, if successful, would propose a lawful demotion and the appointment of an interim ruler! As good Caius Justus' opponent throughout so much of his political career, Caelius Silvanus would seem too self-serving to step in to replace him, so he'd actually probably welcome Wrathion's suggestion. Plus, when you subtract the politicians loyal to Caius Justus and the ones who inevitably, ah, croak during riots and the coup, there are not... that many options left. Someone seemingly unaffiliated with any part of the old system would be suitable.

[blackscales]

Excellent! So some good PR and security (to make sure folks who are in favour don't have accidents) is really all that is needed?

[groundrules]

That's about it! The PR spinning has to be whirling, though - you can decide if you want to present it as, 'Caius Justus was a martyr killed by the scum of the earth Narula, LUCKILY THIS BRAVE VETERAN INTERVENED AND SAVED US ALL' or 'Caius Justus was vile and wretched and suffered the ending due to him, the restored Senate offers us new salvation.' Or whatever option you prefer!

[blackscales]

Yes, Wrathion's idea is, luckily this BRAVE VETERAN Lucius Meridius was here to WARN HIM OF THE DANGER and HELP TAKE CONTROL OF THE HAND and the DEAR, SWEET Procula Avita who ONLY WANTS THE BEST for widows, orphans and veterans made sure he had everything he needed WHAT A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY, Procula Avita, ALWAYS STURDY AND RELIABLE, A VOICE OF REASON, STABILITY, thank everything she was here to help organise things in the chaos --


You know.

[groundrules]

Is she perhaps

a MOTHERLY FIGURE

come to CRADLE EPHES

in its time of need

[blackscales]

I like to imagine Procula Avita actually hates all this imagery

BUT SHE ASKED FOR CUTTHROAT.

[groundrules]

.......................famous last words.

[blackscales]

Quite so.