the name's greed (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nestingdevil) wrote2018-08-06 07:36 pm
nestingdevil) wrote2018-08-06 07:36 pm
(no subject)
➥ PLAYER PLOT | The Day the Sun Disappeared
It's been six days.
For the peninsula as a whole, the absence probably goes unnoticed. Everything is as it should be: the Fog comes in, the Fog leaves. The day to day clockwork, both predictable and constant. However, for the residents of Djävulenstad, there's something, someone, uniquely missing. The only tell-tale sign a brief, vaguely-scribbled note:
"Had some business to take care of. Make sure we don't run into too much trouble, would you?"
If anyone checks around, they'll find a couple of dead-end leads. Bavan, Vandare, any of his usual haunts - it'll be the same kind of answer. A "Sorry, he hasn't been around - " or "Nope. Haven't seen him here. Though, now that you mention it, it's a little weird - "
However, as the sun grows dim, the thunder looming on the horizon is a warning of sorts. The beginnings of their answer, looming oh, so near.
The Storm
At the end of the sixth day, a brutal storm closes in on the peninsula proper. From Vandare to Bavan, all the way to Djävulenstad itself, the coming of it is quick. Fast. The skies darken, a relentless heat rolls on in. The look of it, like that of a summer storm, hitting hard, hard, hard. The lightning, though: it's all wrong. No longer is it blue and white. No more do the clouds gray on the horizon. Instead, the system takes on terrible sort of red. Something wicked, horrid, and as the first strikes come, so, so do they.
There are hordes of them; crawling out of the sewers, clambering from the windows of old buildings. They act like zombies, at first, and for some, that's the most logical conclusion. Yet, as they draw near, whatever the creatures are? They can talk, yet their voices seem disjointed somehow. As if each and everyone has a disembodied soul, trying desperately to figure out what's happened to them. They may be some of Ryslig's former residents. Perhaps, some will recognize the voices of the humans they've killed. For the rest of them, they yammer on about places like "Amestris" and "Xerxes". The anguish of them, the pitch, as if a dozen or so last moments are being played right back.
One thing that's clear: they're targeting and eating anything that's living. More specifically, they're actively hunting the souls of God followers first.
As For Djävulenstad
While the storm dwindles, those in Djävulenstad may notice something's changed. A big, black door looms dreamily in the desert. It hovers in and above the sand like a silty mirage; the crack of it, seemingly melted from the inside out. For a while, it doesn't open. But as a gathering of mannequins slowly position around it, there's a stirring. The sand under foot, all around, appearing to draw an odd, circling pattern. Whether by instinct or not, the grouping begins humming in unison: the sound of them, more similar to that of a fuse-box, letting off a trill.
It takes a half an hour, less. Yet, the reaction?
Well.
The circle fumes, a pattern of white creases, and as the sand parts, an odd relay starts to take shape. The sudden charge, almost urging the door open. The center of the storm cycles overhead and as the collective group jammer(s) unintelligibly, a set of crooked-soot claws curl about the door frame. Allowing wafts of ash to pour across the desert floor, like that of a fog turned black, black, black.
And who's on the other side? Well.
Isn't it just the devil they know.
➥ What happened to Greed, exactly?
The 'Nesters went exploring the Mountain God's turf a few months back, of which Greed decided to stay behind. But between
Which it is, at first. There's nothing but remnants, just as the 'Nesters described. Some odd gems here and there, a couple of vacant scorches left behind. He's too distracted by the time he notices the thing, waiting in the dark: an odd sort of line, a symbol sunk deep into the rock. But as soon as the Sin steps foot on it, the snare is immediate. The sudden tether between the former Mountain God and the Fog, connecting as shrill as a wire, with him as the conductor.
When the door in Djävulenstad finally opens, Greed will reemerge. He's taller, twisted; his entirety, completely compelled by his own avarice. By all accounts, he'll be "purified". He won't recognize his crew, his enemies. All he knows is that Elias owes him and that's where he'll be heading.
➥ Where are the weird creatures going?
The horde will be, by all accounts, trailing in the same direction as Greed. The Mannequin Soldiers won't follow his commands, but they will be wandering after him. Like a herd, picking up a scent. Their number one target is Elias, but that doesn't mean everyone else isn't fair game.
Greed will be regularly feeding off the hordes throughout the event. They'll be acting like a charge for him, be it after a fight or otherwise. He'll need to do it periodically, so if you want yours to run into him then? Hit me up! It'll probably be the best chance to do something about the whole mess.
➥ So I want my character to die. How does that work?
Whether it's Greed or one of the lesser homunculi, yours can definitely bite the big one here and the same death rules apply. If you want to have them overtake and eaten alive? GO FOR IT. However, there's two other options you have to choose from:
I. Since both Greed and the mannequin soldiers will be feeding off souls, those less-fortunate to run into either of them can choose the option of having their last moments be a sort of drug-like haze. During this time, yours will, dreamily, live out their deepest desire. Maybe they wanted to save someone, but couldn't. Perhaps, they're looking to get rich. Whatever it is, they'll have the pleasant experience of going through the delusion while their soul is forcibly ripped out. They won't be able to move, but talking? Mumbling to themselves? FEEL FREE ...
Alternatively:
II. The same delusion applies, except it'll be an experience, a thing, yours truly doesn't want. Seeing a loved one die, while they helplessly watch. Becoming powerless. Something worse. Whatever it is, it's completely up to you! The same rules apply: they won't be able to move, but they'll be able to talk during the process.
For the delusion option, none of it is real. But to the person affected, it will seem so, so close.
After all, everyone wants something, don't they?
➥ Can mine kill these things or?
ABSOLUTELY. The soldiers can be killed be normal zombie means, AKA removing the head or destroying the brain. They can also be set on fire, but they'll have to be burned completely down in order to kill them. Shooting them, stabbing, removing a limb, etc?
They'll just keep coming.
➥ Basic Run Down
1. These hordes will consume flesh, but they're specifically looking for souls. They'll use tactics mimicking that of soul-eaters in Ryslig.
2. They can be killed. Destroying the head, the brain, or cooking them to ash will put them down for good.
3. Interactions with them are up to you! Maybe yours recognizes the voice of someone they ate. Maybe, they have no idea what they're blabbing about. Either way, the creatures will try to eat and consume both monster and human alike.
4. The Door: it can't be destroyed, nor can it be opened. It will collapse at the end of the event like it was never there in the first place.
5. The storm: it'll break as soon as the first wave of soldiers comes through, but the weather will stagnate at an abnormal high. About 90 - 120 degrees Fahrenheit until the conclusion of the event.
6. Greed will be actively and obsessively preying on anyone associated with the Fourth. He won't have the same suave most are probably used to. He's basically been driven to the pure instincts of want.
7. Greed will have to either be killed or cured, depending on player discretion. Curing can come by whatever means people come up with. Possess him? Drive some old memories back into his skull? Pin him down in a circle of salt and try an exorcism? THE CHOICE IS OPTIONAL. Which -
Event End Options
8. I figure this could be a week long event. No need to drag it out.
9. One thing I'm looking for: a reason for players to have to team up. Has yours never been to Djävulenstad? Maybe it's time they go there in order to get a better handle on the situation. Perhaps some of the Fourth and the Fog followers will have to, briefly, settle their differences to take care of the problem at hand. WHATEVER IT IS, having teams that normally wouldn't hook up? THAT'S THE END GOAL ..
For some references:
➥ Mannequein Soliders in action. Skip to 0:52. Warnings: spoilers for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Body Horror.
➥ Greed during the event
