seasonsrpg | Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

Doctor Why Instead of Who
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Sawyer's Return

Sawyer, the Autumn Guild Leader, addresses the network on noon on the 19th. He's back from wherever he has been since disappearing in November. The message goes as follows.

Click for a Gif

"This is Sawyer. I lead the Autumn Guild as the last Autumn Power Holder native to this world. I was accused of crimes relating to the portal mysteries and sabotage in the Research Center in November. Well, I guess I still am.

I managed to track down the real culprit, but couldn't capture them. Instead, I got the device they used just before they disappeared into yet another portal. The device still has the coordinates to the location they went to. Instead of pursuing them myself, I'm asking for everyone's help, since I got injured fighting them. I'm leaving the device to Olwen, along with a file on another incident, and letting Harrison put me in jail until the real culprit is captured. Hopefully after Jade looks me over.

Anyway, I'm counting on all of you to capture the bastard. They go by the name "The Doctor".

Harrison, I'm waiting behind the Amberfall Guild."

Any inquiries about the video will be met with a "We are forming a plan of action, please wait" for the first few days after. But everyone will be assures that Sawyer did get medical attention before taken away! (Handwaved) Visitations are permitted while he's in custody.

Color Me Inked
(Duration: Whole month)

Part 1

There is some really good news following the slightly worrying news from before: The Fairy Queen has reacquired all of her powers! That's why anyone who is interested is invited to Amberfall to gain an upgrade for their seasonal powers. This upgrade comes in the form of a magical tattoo. These tattoos not only give boosts but it can also move around one's body (for example, if someone's tattoo is a bird, the bird can fly around, especially when powers are activated).

These tattoos are permanent by default, but they can also be temporary should the person wish so. Temporary tattoos will wear out in a month (or earlier, if the tattoo is in constant use).

The basic effect of the tattoo is simple: seasonal powers stronger against the dark energy, meaning everyone will be able to fight creatures coated in it easier. That is, however, not the only effect; two more effects can be chosen when the tattoo is made, from a pool of choices provided.

Tattoo extra effects
• Danger Sense (gives an ability to sense danger in the surroundings)
• Door Creation (lets the user create a temporary fake door to pass through walls and other obstacles)
• Elemental Resistance (one element) (can be chosen twice)
• Enhanced Sense (choose one of the basic senses) (can be chosen twice)
• Guardian Spirit (summons an astral being to physically protect them, in the shape of something important to them - stays for an hour per summon)
• Mermaid Song (gives an ability to be able to heal minor injuries with singing)
• Minor Regeneration Powers (automatically heal minor injuries)
• New Element creation and manipulation (choose from electricity, light, neutral) (can be chosen twice)
• Retrocognition (able to see an item's past by touching it (does not work on living things))
• X-Ray Vision (lets user see through walls and other objects by touching them (does not work on living things))

All extra effects of the tattoo drain magical energy just like any other abilities do. If someone is low on magical powers, the tattoo will look like it's faded out (animal based tattoos may even start sleeping). No one automatically masters these abilities, so it might take some time to get used to them and properly use them in a fight.

Part 2

Various booths have been set all around Nightwake that let people test their new abilities. Most of the booths utilize just one ability (like being attacked by a water balloon with a blindfold on to test danger sense or test their enhanced senses) but some of them have several ways to complete them. They vary from obstacle courses to target shooting. These are mostly fun, harmless things

There's also just general fighting areas set up for people to just fight it out with their new abilities (they know by now that otherworlders love their fights). There are also robots that are installed with various martial arts to use as opponents, for those who prefer not to fight other people.

Bigger on the Inside

(Duration: January 22nd -> 26th)

Part 1

Olwen, the Winter Guild Leader, is the next one to address everyone through a message sent to all devices. It's an invitation to join him in tracking down and capturing The Doctor, but also for anyone who wishes to join the support side of things. The team will be gathering in Blossomcrown Park, on the 22nd of January at noon, where he will explain the plan.

The park has several tents set up. All of them are somehow related to aiding the fighters who will be entering the portals, so all non-combatants will be asked to man them. There are healing, food and even touch energy tents. After an analyzation done on the portal device, it seems that touch energy will drain faster inside the portals than they do normally.

Before the portal is opened, Olwen greets and thanks everyone for coming. He will explain that their primary goal is to find The Doctor, but also prevent monsters from entering Nightwake while the portal is open (it cannot be shut while someone is inside, unless you're someone like The Doctor). He explains that the nature of this portal is otherwise still unknown and he advises anyone who starts feeling bad in any way to return to Nightwake right away.

Once everyone is done with preparations Olwen activates the portal device and leads the way inside, holding a sword and shield in hand.

Part 2

When people first enter the portal they are met with a breathtaking view. It looks as if the water surface and the sky melt together, as the water reflects the starry sky. On the water there are several rowing boats. Once at least two people are inside a boat it will start moving across the surface of water and will eventually disappear into a mist (all except for Olwen, who disappears alone for some reason, who tells everyone to stay focused on the mission before the mist takes him).

The boats take people into sceneries that reflect their seasons. If there's more than one season on the same boat the scenery will be a mix of them.

• Winter is a cave of ice and water, filled with monsters named Glaciduets (Rock monsters with various animal bodies that shoot ice and rocks as weapons)
• Spring is a place among the clouds, filled with monsters named Galeduets (Birds that are partially fishes, that use sharp winds and icicles as weapons and dive among the clouds)
• Summer is a village that is burning, filled with monsters named Flameduets (Various dinosaurs with wings that use fire and wind as their weapons)
• Autumn is a rainy forest filled with monsters named Terraduets (Skeletons with fiery armor that use earth and fire as their weapons)

All of the monsters are far sturdier than they look and can provide to be difficult opponents. To proceed, they all (at least five monsters, can be more) have to be defeated and if any of them get past them into the mist the people entered from they will attempt to enter the portal into Nightwake. The mist is also the way to escape and return to regroup if needed.

Part 3

Defeating enough monsters will destroy the space they entered. Once enough spaces are destroyed, one final space is revealed (this will take a few days, there are a lot of these spaces). It's where Olwen can be seen fighting a masked, hooded person. Olwen is using his sword, water and ice - while the other figure uses force fields to protect themselves from magic and two swords. From the looks of it, the fight is rather even.

Those who try to help Olwen will be met with another force field around the area, preventing anyone from entering. Destroying the devices making the field will help Olwen get past the villain's defenses, but they're guarded by shadow monsters called Shadow Moths (This creature takes the shadows of people to become bigger and faster. It usually takes the form of a giant mothman that has shadowy vines as its weapons. If hit by the vines, characters would start doing everything backwards).

Once the devices have been destroyed, Olwen manages to encase the figure in ice before collapsing on the ground himself from exhaustion. All that's left now is to get both the ice covered villain and Olwen out of the portal and closing the portal - but with that, it's mission accomplished.

The masked villain (still frozen) will be taken by the Law Enforcement into custody to be questioned while Olwen gets Jade (Spring Guild Leader) to look after him right away. Olwen is tired, but thanks everyone who came to help with the mission (whether fighting or supporting) with a healthy sum of 20,000 Moon Coins.

Epilogue

With The Doctor in custody, Sawyer is free. Harrison makes a public apology, which Sawyer accepts and a viral video can be seen of all the guild leaders hugging him and telling him how they always believed in him. Are those tears in Sawyer's eyes? You must be seeing things!

Information about the villain will be given at a later date, once they manage to interrogate them. Meanwhile Sawyer will return to his guild duties. This time actually doing them without (as many) complaints.

Waiting in the Shadows
(Duration: January 28th - 31st)

Part 1

The Research Center Leader, Helene, and the Fairy Queen have been working on a project while the Portal fight has been going on. They send a message that there's another mission to take to those who are interested, with a 50,000 moon coins reward because of how dangerous and important this mission is.

Those who agree to take on the mission are asked to take at least a temporary magical tattoo. Those who already have a tattoo (permanent or temporary) will have theirs temporarily enhanced. This is the only requirement to participate in the mission. The enhancements for the tattoo are to protect the user from what they are about to face and make magic work against it - as well as work as an emergency exit if all else fails.

Explanation of what they are about to face is a dangerous entity once faced by two otherworlders. It has been named the All-Consuming Darkness: an experiment made by the Doctor that was meant to be unleashed to destroy the barriers around Ellipsa. Under normal circumstances it would eat any attacks delivered at it. But with the Fairy Queens magic tattoo boosts that danger will be out of the way.

After all the preparations and explanations, they are advised to take the new, temporary teleport crystal out to the Autumn Segment, straight to the Abandoned Mansion.

Part 2

The Abandoned Mansion is a creepy, old two story building that looks quite rundown. It's surrounded by mist that expands into the forest. There's not much to look at on the outside, other than two tombstones with the names of Kamisato Ayato and Kaveh on them. Anyone who has previously visited the mansion might remember they definitely weren't there before June, when the place was sealed.

Magical tattoos let everyone pass through the barrier and into the house. The strategy is simple: find all the arms of the monster, spread out to the mansions every room, and destroy them. With the boost from the tattoos all attacks can now deal damage, but the monster can still inflict status effects (silence, stun, burn, poison) and the air around it generally feels poisoned.

The being itself has no actual figure. It's a shapeless blob of mass that attacks people relentlessly with its arms. It will also try to capture anyone it can and eat them to make itself bigger, since it no longer can consume attacks to do so. Even with the magical tattoo boost it's still a difficult opponent to face.

Those that do get eaten will receive their own tombstone outside. It seems it appears automatically after death.

Everyone is also advised to retreat if they need to, which they can do by passing the barrier out of the house. With how many arms the being has the fight may take a while.

Part 3

Once all the arms are destroyed, the shadow blob will evaporate and the eerie feeling that was all over the place will vanish. The spirits that were guarding the doors will open the windows and doors, relieved that the danger was now gone. It's almost as if the nature was celebrating too, as sun beams start to fill the mansion as well.

The teleport crystals will take them back, but there's also a promise of a free luxury airship ride back for those who want to pamper themselves for a job well done. The airship is parked at the Autumn Airship Station.

OOC TIPS

• Ask Event-related questions here!

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Characters are responsible for coming up with their designs for the tattoos or at least ideas for them (the fairies doing the tattoos can offer options). As a bonus, there's no healing time for the tattoos, as they are completely magical! It also doesn't hurt (unless the person is very sensitive to it, then it might. Player's choice). Everyone is also allowed to get temporary tattoos first before committing to a permanent one (the limit is one permanent tattoo per character).

• Those with special skin (mechanical or otherwise) will still be able to get a tattoo, as they are magical. Even those whose skin would normally regenerate (like titan shifters) can have a tattoo stay permanently. These tattoos will also be available as "aesthetic only" ones after the event.

• Neutral Element is what it says on the tin. It's a shapeless energy that usually takes a blank, white form (but can be different colored, too). No creature is super weak against the element, but none of them resist it either; it's the element that will always deal damage, no matter what.

• Reminder that this month does not have Activity Check-in!

code bases by tricklet

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[Shadow stands nearby, alert should any of the creatures manage to escape the portals. Though part of his attention is drawn to his fellow support fighter. Cloud seems distracted and tense. Not like how he was during their sparing match. He seemed distracted and the sigh didn't escape Shadow's notice. He looks to Cloud.]

You're distracted. What's on your mind?

[ It's the last thing he wanted... He thought he was quiet enough. Unfortunately for him, Cloud's senses were off from before. As much of a calm before the storm as this situation was (for a storm that may not even take off,) he needed to keep mutual focus with Shadow there. He didn't have to work hard to earn the swordsman's respect...if anything, the blond was the one that thought about keeping up with him. At least, using him as an example to keep committed to a mission at hand.

But now...he's caught. Distracted. And the deeper cadence of Shadow's voice breaks through whatever thoughts were running through his mind as he blinks, surprised as his attention is to his temporary partner. ]

Nothing I won't shake by the time trouble goes down.

[ He was so direct with him. Not that he was looking for concern or care, but Cloud knows too. If he's distracted...he's a liability. After staring back at Shadow for a fleeting moment, breath in through his nose and back out with a low hum... ]

Were you there?

When we were tasked to step into the old Fairy Kingdom in the past?

[Perhaps he could shake it if trouble came, perhaps he couldn't. Shadow will see but if they have time, perhaps giving Cloud a chance to talk about it could help. Shadow shakes his head.]

I was not. I believe I heard about it. It was to restore the Fairy Queen's power. Did you go to the past?

[ Ah, so Shadow was rather new after all. The hedgehog adjusted rather quickly to this world, if that's the case! ... That or he kept his cards close to his chest at all times. Either way, he's asking. And it takes a moment for the spiky-haired human to compose himself. He wasn't one for showing a lot of emotion either. Not around certain people. But over the past couple years it's gotten easier to see the real Cloud beneath that swordsman and former SOLDIER front he once put on. ]

That's right.

[ "Did you go to the past?" ]

Mm. [ He nods, uncrossing his arms and letting his hands rest at his sides. Relaxing a little. ] The more time you spent in there, the more the world was consumed by darkness. Like it was creeping in from the edges of the dimension. Everything was going smoothly...

[ That's when his mako-infused gaze flicks back towards the unsuspecting portal they're guarding. ]

...till it came time to get out.

[Shadow would have gone, had he been here. So the past was being eaten by the Darkness. And getting out something happened. His face softens some. His ears twitch as a slight show of emotion. Not quite concern but something else. Perhaps understanding in some way.]

Then things became more dangerous. What happened?

[ "What happened?" ]

.....

I made a mistake. [ In that dimension... ] A shadow monster took my appearance, and when I tried to fight it, I...

[ He clenches his fist then. He's already spared his emotions from that time. Shadow won't get a burst of tears or anger from the blond now. It's something he's learned to cope with now. To process, even if that means it still takes time. If it makes him weary. ]

I almost lost someone. [ Somebody very important to him. ] I got knocked back outside through a portal, and...I couldn't go back and save them.

Did they save themselves or did someone else save them?

[Shadow asked. He had said Cloud almost lost someone. So perhaps this person was alright. The fear was something Shadow could understand very well. Sympathize with, even. This wasn't the place or time to open up about it. Perhaps another time. When they didn't have a mission to focus on.]

... my own shadow. Apparently.

[ After it had defeated Cloud and sent him out through the portal, and Ayaka was left alone in the darkness. For the longest time, even when she came out, she hadn't been the same ever since. Even when he found her and saw her first thing after she emerged days later, things were very...different. And in a way, even though time has passed and he's learned to move on, Cloud hasn't been the same since. ]

Everyone made it out okay, but... I wasn't strong enough to do it myself. Guess portals make me a little uneasy still.

[ For all intents and purposes, he'd failed. But after saying all that, he lets out a calming sigh through his nose. He caught that subtle twitch in Shadow's ears. He hadn't planned on letting any of that slip. ]

Good thing that's not our job today.

[ Because they're going to get rid of whatever decides to slip on through that portal instead. ]

[Shadow is quiet for a long moment. He looks back at the portals thinks of what to say. Shadow finally speaks plainly, finding it easiest and probably best in this situation.]

No one knows your weaknesses as well as yourself. You failed. Everyone fails. What matters is what you learn from that failure and what you do with that knowledge. Those you care about are safe. Take solace in the fact your failure didn't cause you losing them. That is a good thing.

You are not going in. Instead our job is to hold the line. Focus on the line, not the portals. We don't let anything past us. Today, we do not fail.

Shadow...

[ He wasn't expecting that. He wasn't fishing for that. And though Cloud won't ask for anything more, if only so he can give back the same amount of respect and attention he thinks the hedgehog deserves, his words actually...settle easier with him. Maybe Cloud didn't ask for comfort, and maybe Shadow's words were simply fact. But it's still something that was going to linger with him for some time.

In a good way. But before he can finish what he was going to say to him, almost as if right on cue, ]

!

[ Instantly, he's hopped away from the support he'd been leaning against earlier, instantly by Shadow's side as he draws his sword. There's that focus. There's that shift. The doubt was gone as a Terraduet lumbers through the portal, burning armor and all.

Shame, now that he thinks about it. That there wouldn't be larger numbers that slip on through. It's unfair— for the Terraduet as Cloud tilts his gaze to Shadow with a trace smirk. ]

Almost like it's proving your point.

[ They're not failing. It's either going right back through that portal? Or getting ground to dust between these two. ]

[Shadow let Cloud process the words. The world on the other side seemed to somehow know just when to punctuate those words with a monster. He rolled a shoulder and slipped into a sprinter's start. He nodded to Cloud.]

I usually am. Let's get to work.

I'll go high. You go low?

Copy.

[ No arguments. Just trusting the word of his partner in this exchange as Cloud rushes the monster down head-on. As if right on cue in response to the immediate threat rushing it down, the Terraduet roars with flames spewing in his direction.

Not fast enough, as Cloud immediately brings his Buster Sword across his shoulders and suddenly dips way down. Dodging the stream of fire, he sticks his leg out as he baseball slides straight into the skeleton in a bid to sweep and tumble it.

When Shadow says go low? You go low. ]

[Clearly Cloud had been listening. Shadow raced in after him. Seeing the fire spew out and roar toward the two of them, he did go high. Blasting his airshoes to full strength, he rocketed upward. He curled into a ball and spin dashed further up before he angled down. He slammed into the chest of the Terraduet. It knocked it back some and interrupted the fire attack.

[ Perfect timing as Cloud kicks himself back up to his feet. The Terraduet was already reeling backwards, stumbling towards the portal as the blond stands between it and the other side. Already bringing his giant sword around, he hones in on an opening in the burning skeleton's midsection, lines up and, ]

Haah!!

[ That's a clean hit. Or more specifically...a cleanly halved monster as the sword cuts through ashen bone like a hot knife through butter. Sputtering embers in its dying breath, the bifurcated skeleton falls apart halfway before crumbling to the ground, leaving behind nothing but smoldering remains as Cloud spares a glance back over his shoulder to the portal behind him.

Right now...he's not afraid of it. It's just like Shadow said. They're holding the line. Nothing gets through. And until the next monster potentially manages to slip through?

They made very short work of this one. Huffing, Cloud returns the Buster Sword to his back. ]

Nice job. Gave me the right opening.

[Shadow lands next to Cloud and watches the dust settle as the monster is no more. He eyes the dust and wonders if the researchers could use that They can collect it after this mission is over. If more came through, there would be plenty of samples.]

We're effective together. Now we simply repeat the process when more arrive. [Shadow cracks his knuckles.]

The sparing helped. We know what each other are capable of already.

[ So long as the wind didn't just up and decide to sweep everything away on them (Cloud, watch your magic), they would have plenty of evidence and samples to take back. He might not officially note himself as a mercenary anymore, but...Moon Coins were Moon Coins? Shadow mentioning that they work effectively together was another little confidence booster, and that nets the hedgehog a confident smile from the swordsman as they take this time to prepare. If one slips through, there's a good chance that perhaps a couple more would also. Hopefully everyone else on the other side was doing alright...

He has to hold tight in his trust of them. ]

By the way, never thought to ask last time, but...

[ It's a genuine curiosity. ]

Where'd you learn to fight?

[Shadow watches the portals though he keeps an eye on Cloud in his peripheral vision. The blond smiles and it's a good sign. He won't be bogged down in his own head and unable to fight now. Not after they dispatched that monster so quickly together. He looks up at Cloud with the question. He gives a little smirk.]

I'm self-taught. My creator said fighting came naturally to me.

Your creator...?

[ It sounds like a simple yet loaded statement all at the same time. And though he wouldn't pry too deeply, especially with someone he still called a friendly acquaintance, Cloud mulls it over and leaves the ball in Shadow's court as he crosses his arms. ]

Suddenly the whole "Ultimate Lifeform" moniker's adding up.

[ That's gotta be what his creator called him. Cloud himself had a bit of a sore contention with the idea of creations or experimentations. But Shadow's smirk gives him a little read. It doesn't sound like a bad thing in this hedgehog's books. ]

Yes. His name was Gerald Robotnik. [Cloud doesn't press but Shadow does start to explain. Many from his world already know this and it isn't anything he's ashamed of.]

That was his intention. To make the Ultimate Lifeform. Part of my purpose is for my DNA to be used to cure diseases. I am also meant to always be there and to be a protector of the world. To be its shadow.

[Which explains his name.] But like most plans, even the best plans, they can go astray.

Sounds like one of the few good scientists left.

[ That is to say, Cloud wasn't necessarily high on researchers or scientists in general. Hojo already made a terrible enough impression that soured most of the batch; especially after everything that'd befallen him and Zack finally came back into the light. It's one part of regaining his memories that he painfully (albeit willingly) accepts. ]

It's never that easy, is it?

It never is, no. [Shadow shakes his head. Gerald had wanted to bring good into the world. But greed, fear, and violence ended it. Brought an end to so many good things. Good people.]

He was one of the few, yes. But he's gone now. And I will live up to the legacy he wanted for me. The legacy they both wanted for me.

[Before Shadow can say more, two Glaciduets emerge from another portal.]

Let's take them. [Shadow races off toward the rock and animal creatures that emerged. Time to keep this world safe.]

[ He knows that he's only barely scratching the surface of this hedgehog's life. Whether it's his purpose for being, or a promise he keeps in the name of giving humanity a chance to be happy, Cloud at least knows what he intends to do by his ally's side. He'll make sure that Shadow can keep fighting for that legacy.

After all...

Cloud knows a thing or two about being a living legacy himself. ]

Bet he'd be proud.

[ The Glaciduets emerge in a timeline fashion, another portal in need to guarding, and Cloud is prepared by Shadow's side without hesitation. ]

Here we go.

[ Cloud races in behind Shadow, Buster Sword drawn and wind magic generating in the palm of his free hand. However many times it takes, until the team in search of the Doctor was finished, no matter how many times he needed to get healed up or rejuvenate his touch energy, he'll keep fighting. ]

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Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

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