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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!
I rolled the dice and it came up Rivenwreaver Matriarch
Recognising that he would likely need more than just his magecraft to help with the problems occurring, Rhea'li had picked up one of the guns (something that is in a familiar rifle shape) on offer. It's been a long time since he last shot a gun, but he supposes he'll get back to form soon enough. Still, his trusty grimoire is still at his hip; one cannot underestimate having too many options in their bag of tricks.
Additionally, his Bursterfly (a mechanical insect of fragile, iridescent wings) rests upon his back. It would not be out of place to mistake it as a rather fanciful backpack or cape.
Rhea'li inclines his head in assent, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth, "And I will gladly accept your offer, ser knight." He gestures towards one of many alleys of the High Rise Village. "Let us search down this path, shall we?"
no subject
"If you'll watch our backs, I'll watch the front," he tells Rhea'li. "What are your skills, if I may ask? I can use a variety of weapons but I'm most comfortable with a spear."
The spear - or glaive - in question has a beautiful, bright golden sheen to it with runes etched into its white oak haft. It's clearly a magical weapon. Although the bladed part seems unusually long for a glaive, William handles it with easy familiarity.
no subject
"I am a mage, specialising in constructs for battle. But with the limitations of this land, I sought other means of supplementing my skills." He lifts the rifle in his hands in indication, before jerking a thumb over his shoulder at his Bursterfly hanging off his shoulders. "I was given a construct that can manipulate energy, but its full capabilities are still to be discovered."
The Bursterfly's wings flicker briefly, as if in greeting.
no subject
"I heard that we must choose a path at some point. I'd like to be able to access my magic again since my goddess' blessing can't reach me here but I think it would be too confusing for me to learn another system of magic. How would I start learning how to manipulate a device like yours?"
no subject
"I see." He himself did consider learning the local magecraft, but in the end it had not drawn his interest as much as the abundance of seemingly mechanical lifeforms that exist upon this star. "If you wanted to obtain one for yourself, you need only speak to Malik, the concierge of the Evergreen Terrace, or Ava, head of the maintenance department."
In the end, it's rather fascinating that technology is not so different to the mathematical nature of the magic he is most familiar with. If he were to return to his star now, would magitek seem more understandable with this foundation? Something to consider, when that reality draws near.
"Once you have one, I can assist in your learning. There is still much to learn and discover of these constructs are capable of, so the arrangement would be mutually beneficial."
no subject
A suddrn chill runs through him. He halts. His instinct yells at him not to take another step. However, he can't yet see anything.
"--I think something is watching us."
no subject
"Allow me."
He had fumbled and struggled terribly with controlling his Bursterfly during training. But with the cyberseed planted in him, controlling the mechanical construct feels no different to controlling his own magical constructs, and he has plenty of experience with that. This time, his Bursterfly's wings flare and easily flit ahead of them. It's not truly a scout -- for Rhea'li cannot see through it -- but aught lying in wait doesn't need to know that.
And... there! A flash of movement! The Bursterfly twists its metal wings and narrowly avoids being struck by red ribbons from an unseen assailant.
no subject
"Lum--" Ah, but that won't work, will it? He shakes himself and takes a deep breath, keeping his senses alert in case their ambusher moves around.
"Can you provide light?"
no subject
Shadows shifting, the darkness appears to unfurl, revealing reams and reams of red ribbons that approximate a humanoid shape, an ivory white mask serving as an expressionless face. It does not make a sound, but there's an almost imperceptible change in the air before several of the red ribbons lash out, slicing cleanly through nearby trash, and at all three present party members -- William, Rhea'li, and his Bursterfly.
I blame savage for forgetting about this oops
It's a shame that his shield is looking to be a nuisance for this particular enemy though. How easily can it slice through metal, he wonders?
"Are you alright?!" he shouts without taking his eyes off their opponent.
no subject
"I'm fine," comes the calm reply, Rhea'li also watching their opponent.
Except... as it bursts forth from the shadows, the red ribbons loosely form the shape of a human woman, its face a white mask. And Rhea'li can't seem to take his eyes off the dark eyeholes of its mask, almost as if he were being hypnotised. But that's not right, is his mind not protected by Hydaelyn's blessing? Except he's wrong, and without thinking he takes a slow step towards the red ribboned woman, entranced, bursterfly fluttering in uncontrolled circles...
no subject
"Rhea'li?"
The other youth is taking halting steps towards the creature. Their gaze is fixed on it. Perhaps it can only entrance one person at a time? William doen't stop to ponder; he averts his gaze and rushes over to Rhea'li.
"Sorry!" he yells as he raises a hand and slaps Rhea'li's cheek.
no subject
The disorientation leaves him blinking rapidly but he recovers quickly as he quickly pieces together what happened. And he raises his rifle to shoot over William's shoulder at the ribbons zipping towards William's exposed back.
He can thank William later. More importantly, "Ware its gaze. Look not into its eyes!"
no subject
"Like a Gorgon or something, huh?" he mutters to himself. "This will be tricky..."
He wonders if a mirrored shield would be effective against something like this too-- but doesn't get much time to ponder before he has to dodge more lashing ribbons. He tries to swing his glaive down on the flat side of one as it whips past him and is gratified to see that it doesn't slice his own weapon in half. Just like a knife, it's the edges which are dangerous and not the blade itself.
But can he fight blind? Blood had trained him thoroughly in all sorts of situations - and that includes when one doesn't have the benefit of their sight. However, none of his opponents had been quite like this.
I need some way to control its movements so I can predict how to dodge. Or...I blind it as well!
"Rhea'li, I'm going to draw its attention and try and go straight for its eyes. Can you shoot the arms which come my way?"
no subject
"Of course. You can count on me."
Indeed, Rhea'li has got William's back, shooting any arms that would pose a threat to his companion. His Bursterfly isn't armed in any way, but like a giant moth it can serve as a fast moving distraction. And indeed, when their opponent turns its gaze upon William, Rhea'li's Bursterfly swoops and lands on its face, wings flapping annoyingly at the creature. It's only once the creature attempts to rip the Bursterfly away from itself that the Bursterfly escapes into the air, leaving the way open for William to strike.
no subject
He charges forward, shield slightly up, trusting in Rhea'li to shoot aside any arms lunging his way. He can hear mechanical fluttering from the Bursterfly and knows that it must be adding its own harassment to the fight.
Trust in your allies, he reminds himself, resisting the urge to flinch when some razor ribbons sheer a little too close to him.
In no time at all, he's before the mechanical creature.
He thrusts his glaive upwards.
There's an ear-splitting screech, like a scratchy digital record. William wrenches his glaive back and leaps away without checking to see if his aim is true. If it is, then they're safe. If it isn't, the last thing he wants to do is offer up a free target.