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magisteriaexe2024-06-16 04:49 pm
magisteriamods) wrote in magisteriaexe2024-06-16 04:49 pm
High Risk Quest #1: The Ghost Signal
Note: Here we go, gamers! The first High Risk Quest for Magisteria. These quests will serve as tiered mini-events which reveal crucial world lore, goings-on, and also tie into the metaplot and the large events. High Risk Quests will trade off in emphasis, meaning tech --> magic --> tech --> magic.
While this quest has seeds for the Tech Path Conflict, it should be noted that it's OTA and also that quite a bit of magic-specific locations/mini-events will open soon. The Magic Path Conflict is brewing in the background and will become more apparent soon, too, so keep one's eyes peeled.
Context & Recap
This quest takes place after The Coffee Shop Mingle, which features NPCs discoursing on the goings-on of High Rise Village. Players are encouraged to look at that.
In the first event, Training in High Rise Village, we learned about a mysterious intruder who infiltrated the Digital Flora Dome and the Neon Nest, two properties belonging to an android named Rosalind Vireo. PCs who restored the properties deciphered a mysterious phrase, "Symphony of Disruption..." Seems portentious! In the above coffee shop mingle, Rosalind speculates as to the possible culprit(s?).
Bling
See the plotting post: PCs can go all out with the cyber weapons on this one, in addition to whatever tech or magic they've learned, whatever canon abilities have returned, and Selena and Titan-7 can also be used as weapons (so to speak) or defenses/back-up. Feel free to write interactions with them or them stepping in however. Of course, the main route to success will be PCs supporting other PCs!
The Ghost Signal: Conclusion/Final Battle
Boss Fight
Once Otherworlders and NPC allies have cleaned up at The Wreckage Labyrinth and exited with information, technology, and codes/scripts pertaining to the Ghost Signal and the "disruption technology," it's time to return back to the apartments. Selena and Titan-7 guide the way back to the familiar city streets, which at least look and feel far less menacing now.
It's very late at night by this point. In fact, a touch of morning twilight is even beginning to show... could it be that the dawn is around the corner? But then, your group has been having quite the night's journey, so perhaps it's been longer, cumulatively, than it might have felt during each individual moment. Fighting a bunch of nasties can also fuck with one's perception of time, as the saying goes.
Well, maybe there is no such saying. But there could be!Really, it all begins to come together now.
You think we care about that vile android woman and her flowers and birds? For a city of supposed geniuses, you guys aren't too bright at all. What we care about is the intersection of technology and organic matter, the absolute mingling of the DNA at the genetic level. There is no place in the multiverse that can interweave the two so fundamentally and irreversibly as Magisteria. Ah, but I have no intention of saying more than that. I'm just the messenger of your oblivion.
Hey, Otherworlders, I know you're listening, so I'll say it outright: I'm another of the esper girls. Thetics, we're called. Half-human and half-AI. Seems like the men in this city just can't get enough of fucking AI women, huh? "Artificial" pussy must be real good. 'Cept our mothers were far more than any mere AI women. Why don't you tell them, Selena? You know, about what's really going on in the Government district? Or could it be that you don't know, yourself?
[Selena Voss and Titan-7 are both extremely dubious about the claim that "her boss" can supersede The Administrator, given what The Administrator is, but there's no time to fight/debate such an ideological point now.]
High Risk Quest: Final Round, Lysa the White Phantom and Grimm
Clearly, it would seem talking is not getting anywhere with Lysa.
Selena, who knew her as a former classmate, is baffled by what's transpired, but whatever happened to her, her behavior -- coming out and throwing out such verbal molotov cocktails -- suggests she is beyond reasoning with. The goal is to capture Lysa and take her in for questioning and with an aim towards rehabilitation -- that's always the aim.
Otherworlders are free to throw whatever powers/abilities/tech they have at Lysa, but true to her claim of being a "Phantom," she will disappear as if into thin air, escaping in a translucent wave of glittering code that shimmers on the air (numbers, symbols, bits of alien scripting) before vanishing entirely. An escape.
The main battle will be against Lysa's companion, Grimm. Before disappearing, Lysa will note that even if you defeat her "puppy," there are plenty more Grimms out there, and others like it. Like she said, she's just the messenger.
Defeating Grimm will take a combined effort among the group! Unlike The Fractured and their reflexive, lower consciousness, Grimm operates with a sleek, computational efficiency, calculating opponents' movements and developing its reactions and abilities in direct counter to them. It has overwhelming bulk and raw strength and is capable of lightning fast movements. It can blast lasers from multiple parts of its body and at varying intensities, and it can also perfectly regenerate its body UP TO 5X, meaning the only way to defeat Grimm will be to wear it down repeatedly.
For this special fight, PCs will get more canon powers back temporarily: up to 40-50% and will have access to the big powers (ex: Noble Phantasms in Fate/) and even encouraged to use those.
-1 GRIMM LIFE (rip Emet's Bios)
Of course, powerful spells don't just happen. He will let others distract the creature while he lifts a hand and begins to channel his power.
Two large, thick, monstrous arms emerge out of his back, tipped with long and lethal-looking claws. Red ley lines whirl around the left arm - vibrant, vermillion traceries with little off-shoots that resemble leaves on a vine. Those sensitive to Bios will realise that he's preparing something immense. Dark, swirling energy with a vibrant core gathers before his clawed hand, above his head, while the other holds up a simple shield to deflect lasers that shoot his way. When his power reaches its climax, he snaps out tersely.
"Stand clear!"
The casting claw slams down against the floor. His swirling vortex of energy slams against the Grimm. Darkness consumes; light stagnates recovery. The creature is devoured over the course of a minute and its howls grate upon the ears. In short order, there's only a smoking, charred machine left. Emet-Selch's mouth curves up in satisfaction. But his pleasure is short-lived.
The smouldering Grimm twitches. Then starts to stand. And that's when Emet-Selch realises that he has no more energy for another powerful spell.
no subject
That was impressive. He hadn't been talking himself up too much before.
But apparently it wasn't enough, as he watched the Grimm starting to stand again. He ran over, standing between Emet-Selch and the rising Grimm.
"How long would you need to do that again?"
no subject
"I can't. That took everything I had. Without more aether, I cannot repeat the spell."
no subject
"Is there a way I can give you any of mine?" If he had any, that is. Sure, Emet-Selch had taught him about his magic, but he didn't know if things crossed between worlds.
no subject
"I daresay it would take everything you have," he replies roughly. "And I dare not repeat such a crippling spell if I cannot be sure of this thing's obliteration."
Who would have expected it to resurrect itself?! Emet-Selch grits his teeth as he makes a grab for Libra's wrist.
"I can take enough to buy you time to leave."