High Risk Quest #1: The Ghost Signal

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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!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

1. THE GHOST SIGNAL (intro)

2. IN THE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS OF HIGH RISE VILLAGE

3. THE FRACTURED: IDENTITIES AND ABILITIES

4-??? -- THE WRECKAGE LABYRINTH + BOSS FIGHT

Edited 2024-06-16 20:58 (UTC)

The Ghost Signal

By now, Otherworlders have been appraised that an event known as High Rise Expo is coming to Magisteria. This congregation of the city’s movers and shakers, the inevitable showcasing of the most cutting-edge technology, can sometimes provoke a backlash in the city’s underground.

And there are hints that it’s happening now: the intruder at the Digital Flora Dome, who may be connected to the Null Rebellion (an anarchist group), and the mysterious phrase, “Symphony of Disruption.”

On the nights of Solstium, the air begins to pulse with an aberrant signal. At first, it is something like a background sound, but soon enough, individuals with cybernetic enhancements begin to experience difficulties: distortions, glitches, slight malfunctions. They are annoying, disorienting, and possibly even a little painful. And with each night, the effects are worsening, threatening the possibility of intense pain for beings with implants, as well as other beings with sensitivities.

The Response

Otherworlders learn that there is not a singular form of law enforcement in Magisteria. Rather, there are various official groups who interface, sometimes form alliances on particular outings, and even have (generally friendly) competition.

Two such individuals appear, variously to be found around the apartments and the coffee shop. They are Selena Voss and Titan-7, the first being a private investigator and the second being a member of an android group known as the Steel Sentinels.

Selena: My aXess Link is blowing up with people wanting to travel with us. Is it any surprise? This is Magisteria, where everyone thirsts for action and adventure. But we thought this would be a good opportunity for Otherworlders, so we’re inviting you along.

Titan-7: Should matters become too dangerous, Selena and I will intervene. We are confident in our ability to deal with the current threat, whatever it may be.

[ Eagle-eyed observers might notice that Selena has the same “esper girl” features as Seraphine Nova, and it may come up in conversation that she too is from the Aetherium District and she has already attended Atlas University. ]

Edited 2024-06-16 22:22 (UTC)

In the Hot Summer Nights of High Rise Village

Pursuing the “ghost signal,” Selena, Titan-7, and the Otherworlders will find themselves entering parts of High Rise Village that may be unfamiliar. Back alleys which would not be particularly noteworthy during the day, but which, at night, away from the Bios-infused neon glow of the city, may seem to take on ominous characteristics.

For those Otherworlders insisting there must be something beneath the glossy exterior, this could be their first introduction to the parts of Magisteria which seem not as perfect.

… ā̴̡̦̙͔̟͍͕̪̻̻̿̆͛̂̚h̸̛̺̬͓͙͖̔̑̔̂̿͗̉́́̋͑ḩ̵̨̫̮͍̜̆͌̐̏ḧ̴̢̨͉̥̖̣̮̗̥͇̯̱́͒̇̐͂͆̊͗̋̅̈́̈͠͝ͅ

Selena Voss: …

… ā̴̡̦̙͔̟͍͕̪̻̻̿̆͛̂̚h̸̛̺̬͓͙͖̔̑̔̂̿͗̉́́̋͑ḩ̵̨̫̮͍̜̆͌̐̏ḧ̴̢̨͉̥̖̣̮̗̥͇̯̱́͒̇̐͂͆̊͗̋̅̈́̈͠͝ͅ

Out of the corner of your eye, you see it:

Selena Voss: So… it’s them.

Amidst the darkness of the evening, they begin to appear.

The Fractured, as Otherworlders learn, are an eclectic mingling of cyber beings whose existences are equal parts problematic and tragic: discarded junk code which attained sentence, if perhaps animalistic or insectoid sentience rather than the human or superhuman levels of so many of the AI citizenry of Magisteria, AI who were created and misused by humans or even other AI [as many AI have tried to self-replicate without knowing or following proper ethical regulations, leading to fragmented “children”] or AI whose Bios was darkened to impurity, beings who lost hope and reprogrammed themselves to be unreachable. Even viruses who attained sentience, but who know only how to corrupt systems.

Titan-7: In Magisteria, we believe in rehabilitative justice. Unlike those primitive justice systems, we believe in the rights of all beings, including artificial beings, of which I am one myself. Yet these entities have been programmed or programmed themselves to be inherently resistant to our society.

Otherworlders learn that the only way to “save” them, or to make them compatible with life in Magisteria, would be to de-program and/or re-program, and while attempts have been made on this front, The Fractured have often self-immolated or simply stopped functioning. For that reason, they are generally left to their existences in the city’s underground.

Selena: But something has them stirred up now. I’ve never seen so many out in the streets. I don’t think they’re the main movers and shakers behind the signal or the invasion at Rosalind’s, though. They’re too disorganized, too… tragically twisted, chaotic. Someone out there is pulling the strings of these unfortunate puppets.

It Begins

Whether with creepy, halting steps, or in a sudden ambush, the beings of The Fractured approach the PC/NPC alliance, clearly not looking to negotiate, but with intense, violent aggression. To reach the source of the Ghost Signal and stop the threat, PCs will need to fight them.

[ Feel free to make your own threads/logs off these comments! The NPC abilities are listed in the comment below. ]

Edited 2024-06-16 22:23 (UTC)

The Fractured: Identities and Abilities

The Rivenwreaver Matriarch

Ribbon Slash: The Matriarch can control the red ribbons to lash out at enemies, slicing through armor and digital defenses with ease.
Cloak of Shadows: The dark cloak can envelop the Matriarch, making her invisible and allowing her to move unseen and undetected.
Hypnotic Gaze: The black eyes on the mask can entrance those who look into them for too long, causing temporary paralysis or mind control.
Symbolic Seal: The symbol on her forehead can project a powerful seal that disrupts electronic devices and cybernetic implants, causing malfunctions.
Unraveling Embrace: The ribbons can entangle and constrict enemies, draining their energy or corrupting their systems with a touch of digital poison.
Phantom Walk: The Matriarch can phase through physical barriers, making her a difficult foe to trap or contain.

The Sinister Siren

Siren’s Song: Emits a haunting melody that can hypnotize and control weaker-willed beings, leading them into traps or forcing them to fight for her.
Whiplash Hair: Uses its long, whiplike hair as a weapon, capable of slicing through metal and flesh with ease.
Shadow Dance: Moves with unnatural speed and agility, making it difficult to hit. Can perform a deadly dance, causing massive damage to those caught in its path.
Predator's Maw: Its serrated teeth can deliver a vicious bite that inflicts heavy bleeding and corrupts the victim’s code or biological system.
Crown of Spikes: The sharp spikes on its crown can be used to impale enemies at close range.

The Sentinel of the Eye

All-Seeing Eye: The large eye in its chest can see through walls and illusions, making it nearly impossible to hide from. It can also detect hidden weaknesses in opponents.
Eye Beam: Fires a powerful energy beam from its eye, capable of slicing through most materials and causing significant damage to foes.
Blade Mastery: Expertly wields its dual-sided blade with deadly precision, able to switch between rapid, short-range strikes and powerful, long-range slashes.
Armored Defense: Its armored shoulders and body provide substantial protection, making it resilient to physical attacks.
Surveillance Network: Can tap into and manipulate nearby electronic devices and networks, using them to gain tactical advantages or disrupt enemy communications.

Scythe Maiden

Scythe Arms: Her arms end in razor-sharp scythes that can cut through almost anything. She uses them with incredible speed and accuracy, making her a formidable opponent in close combat.
Rope Blades: The rope-like appendages around her body can extend and lash out at enemies, ending in sharp points that can pierce through armor and flesh alike.
Shadow Step: The Scythe Maiden can blend into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible and allowing her to move silently and strike without warning.
Blinding Light: She can emit a burst of intense white light from her face, temporarily blinding and disorienting her opponents.
Agile Acrobatics: Her slender, agile form allows her to perform acrobatic maneuvers, dodging attacks and striking from unexpected angles.

Twisted Tin

Rotting Touch: Twisted Tin's touch can cause rapid decay in both metal and organic matter, corroding weapons, armor, and flesh alike.
Rusted Sword: The sword it wields can cause infection and lingering damage, as the rust transfers to any wound it inflicts.
Twisted Tendons: The sinewy tendons give it unnatural flexibility and reach, allowing it to stretch and contort its body in ways that defy normal mechanics.
Corrupting Aura: The creature emits an aura that disrupts cybernetic implants and AI systems, causing them to malfunction or behave erratically.
Ghoulish Howl: A terrifying scream that can induce fear and hesitation in opponents, lowering their combat effectiveness.

Edited 2024-06-16 22:23 (UTC)

✘ ⸻ the fractured (part i)

[ Lucy's cyberware isn't working at full capacity yet, but she still finds herself accepting Selena Voss' invitation. Something's happening in the city, something that's causing her cyberware to glitch out sometimes, something disruptive, something that's causing whispers in the clubs in the entertainment district where Lucy's spending some of her time. Something related to that weird signal they'd found in the garden.

It hasn't been that long since she was actively working as an edgerunner, but it feels like-- it's been an eternity. So much has happened since then. Things she can't bear to think about. But there's a mystery in this city and Lucy wants to throw herself head-first into it so she doesn't have to think for very long.

She'd teamed up with another Otherworlder to seek out more of these Fractured, and Lucy has armed herself for battle. The full body nanosuit she'd been given is largely white, black and purple accents curving over her hips and thighs, over her shoulders, glowing with threads of white-purple Bios. Neon-bright lipstick in some indefinable club-paint-under-a-blacklight color stains her lips. The bodysuit-- it's familiar in a way that hurts, in a way that makes her wants to shed it and go back to her regular clothing, in a way that makes her think of being young and wounded and tired. But it also feels like gearing up for battle, and it has weapons that she can use. ]

Here. Feels like the kind of alleyway that has something nasty lurking in it, doesn't it?

[ They're at the mouth of an alley that looks too dim in the evening light, and as Lucy presses onward, something takes shape in the darkness. A tin soldier, distorted. Twisted. Limbs too long, clad in rusted metal.

Before Lucy can say anything, that awful mouth opens and screams. Breath is punched out of her lungs as she hunches over, hands covering her ears, fear ricocheting through her very bones. She flings up a gloved hand, fingertips glowing, and the thing pauses, frozen, fighting. ]

We need to distract it! If it's an AI-- maybe I can try to rewrite it or something.

✘ ⸻ the fractured (part ii)

[ Later, still on the hunt, Lucy and another Otherworlder are walking down a backstreet in High Rise village. It's night time, and in the alleys and backstreets people have largely cleared out, drawn towards either their own homes or the more populated nightlife. This backstreet is full of the back-ends of cafes and diners, the smell of oil and herbs and spices still thick in the air.

Lucy makes a mental note to come here later when they're open. Anything that smells this spicy has to be good.

On the air is a strange noise, something that starts faint and tinny, like a radio set on low volume. A song that Lucy can't make out. It grows, and grows, until something is stepping out of the shadows -- a tall, grey-skinned thing with black armor and a long whip-like hair extending from their head. Its terrible smile gleams in the reflected light of neon signs.

It's singing. And part of Lucy wants to... listen, and float away with it. Her voice is rough when she grits out: ]

Fuck. Don't listen to it-- tune it out. It's putting off some kind of hypnotic effect.

[ that nightmarish howl is countered by another, more soothing sound: that of the beating, gilded wings of the Bursterfly as it swoops in between them, intercepting. its metallic wings flutter and beat the air, an electric hum. the insect takes a dive towards the tin soldier, flying back and forth with the aim to distract it, all while keeping a careful distance. ]

Hmph... a shielder would be quite useful in such a scenario... [ Gilgamesh murmurs.

quite involuntarily, the tiny, all-but-invisible golden hairs on the back of his neck prick to attention as that dreadful feeling washes over him, too. it's disorienting, but he is not a hero-king for nothing, so he does his best at such a time to focus on strategy, on combining their resources. ]

Perhaps if we combine our Bios, we might, with these Bursterflies, form a makeshift barrier.

[ was that possible? having the insects come together to harden the Bios into a shield of light and project it? Gilgamesh had been spending his time studying them, and by altering their frequencies mentally, one could certainly train them to do a great many things. granted, these beings they were up against... even with the technology, it might not hold them back for too long, but at such times, even a few moments could make a difference. it might give them an opportunity to strategize, form a plan with their resources.

at any rate, when Lucy turns, she will see that Gilgamesh's own Bios signature is blazing golden and brighter than she will have ever seen. he actually looks like he is being more serious than usual this time. ]

[ He had gone with the...the...well, he'll just say blonde on the night hunt. It's his element, all his powers recovered or not, he does his best work in the dark, damp, lonely, and fear inducing corners of any world.

This shows in the way he stepped into the darkness with no hesitation or fear, taking flamboyant, giddy steps whilst humming a tune to himself with an eager, honest-to-goodness, smile on his face. Maybe the katana at his side made him feel so confident, but it could also be something more primal in his veins. ]

Feels reassuring to know that even a place as clean as this has these sketchy side streets and questionable establishments. I wonder if they have rooms for rent?

[ It was in the middle of his fantasizing that the siren like creature appeared, along with the pull that felt familiar. A twisted smile appeared on his face. ]

Hooo? A siren, eh? Though, it's less fishy than what I'm familiar with. Oh well.

[ With a shrug, he started to approach the creature - one hand moving to the blade to have it at the ready. ]

The Fractured (Sentinel of the Eye)

Emet-Selch accompanies the group intending to be support, but he can step up to act as a frontline fighter if the need arises. Such as now, facing this creature: he raises his heavy greatsword just in time to block a flurry of strikes. The pale eye in its 'head' and its general build makes him think that it may be its greatest strength - and weakness.

It's a good thing then that he understands his own weaknesses.

Leave an opening for it to exploit and then go for the kill, is his thinking. But he won't be able to get close to it himself if he's the one drawing attention. This is not the sort of trick you can pull of again and again either. Not against a clever opponent.

"I need someone to attack while I occupy its attention!"

William thrives off dangerous fights. It's a chance to test his strength and also keep his skills sharp. However, he's also acutely aware that he lacks the usual protections and magic which accompany him. If he's going to challenge himself, he needs to do so within his means.

A 'high risk quest' is probably not the most ideal way to do this, but, well, shying away from things would go against his creed.

So, here he is, a young man not even twenty years of age standing confidently with a shield in one hand and spear (more like a glaive) in the other. There's a second weapon, wrapped in leather and bandage, hanging from his hip. Its irregular shape seems to resemble a sword.

For now, he's hanging back and listening to what's being said. But if someone is looking for a partner to take down a particular creature, he'll quickly step forward.

"If you need protection, I can offer that."

The Fractured [Rivenwreaver Matriarch]

[ the darkness of the evening and the misshapen creatures ambling through it... indeed, the whole scenario, for Gilgamesh, calls to mind memories of what had been, for his kingdom and for humanity itself, something like the end of the world.

there, in his time, it had been worse, with the lahmu actively ripping humans to shreds. here, at least, he and the others had a chance to contain these Fractured before it came to that. their numbers were not overwhelming, but it was that same sickening aura as those lahmu, insofar as these were beings who very clearly could not co-exist alongside any sort of civilized society. the incompatible nature was obvious and apparent in every gesture, in the sensations that emanated from the beings that he and the other Otherworlders found themselves confronted with.

the phantom circuits which Gilgamesh had felt in his body since the moment of the Cyberseed implant... there was a small, strange discomfort to them now, an itch that comes and goes. occasionally, he finds his vision distorting, and other effects -- almost as though some part of him were mechanizing in accordance with this world.

presently, his opponent is that first one: the Matriarch, she was called. ]

Do not make eye contact with her -- [ this is said to whatever Otherworlder(s) accompany/ies him, advice given by their allies, Selena and Titan-7. ]

And best you mongrels stay away from those ribbons...

[ unless they wished to end as tattered messes.

presently, however, Gilgamesh's Bios is bright golden, emanating from his body and from the portals that open around him. he may not be at peak power in this world and under these circumstances, but to entrap this witch of the darkness, he shall use his bright aura in all senses of the word. and from the portals, the weapons which now emerge and go flying towards the enemy? not staves or swords, but tri-pronged cybernetic stars. Gilgamesh was nothing if not adaptable to a new setting.

currently, the stars go flying towards that elusive maiden-monster, aiming to slice, or at least distract her. ]

Edited (omg typos lmao) 2024-06-22 17:18 (UTC)

Rhea'li is in much the same position, lacking much of his vaunted power. But he's already had to overcome the difficulties with being blind in one eye in order to gain the benefits of... being seeded by a Cyberseed? Hm. In hindsight that might not have been particularly a bright idea but honestly it wouldn't be the worst decision he's made in his life.

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?"

[ Lucy almost smiles, because she knows exactly what he means. So far they'd been presented a vision of Magisteria as an almost perfect city; clean, harmonious, vivid. Lucy's used to a far dirtier version of urban living, and these back streets are almost comforting in their familiarity.

The siren, on the other hand, kind of ruins the image. Lucy holds one hand over an ear, dulling the noise coming from that awful sharp mouth, while Bishop approaches. He's armed, and so she's assuming he knows what to do with that katana.

Lucy's better from a distance, so she'll stay exactly where she is, fingers touching her temple as she gets a feel for this thing's programming. Her neural cyberdeck isn't working at full capacity yet, but she's still capable. The bodysuit she was gifted helps. ]

They're rogue AI, so-- I should be able to dismantle its code, or take out the parts that are making it dangerous. If you can distract it, I can get to work.

[ V had wondered if he had made a mistake agreeing to this mission ever since they step foot here. There were moments his eyes flickered - not enough to really affect his vision, but it was something enough he noticed. He could feel that his reflex tuners weren't quite right. It was all intermittent - for now, at least - and he knew it was foolish to hope that it wouldn't cause issue when he needed them most. It wouldn't be the first time, and it wouldn't be the last.

He's done more dangerous things than this, but always when he was at his peak, and with his own intel that he spent time collecting. He didn't like working like this, and he didn't trust others like this. Unfortunately it was just the state of things, though, and he'd been stuck with someone that he wouldn't have chosen to work with himself. The way V's hackles raised the moment the man called him a mongrel made it apparent that the man had clearly hit some nerve and V's anger was apparent in his voice. ]

Call me a fucking mongrel again and I'll turn you into sashimi for this bitch myself.

[ V pulled out a rifle and crouched, making himself as small as he could behind Gilgamesh. The rifle was clearly a high powered thing: a large caliber, and clearly meant for middling to longer ranged shots. Before he started hacking, he wanted to destroy the seal on her forehead so he wouldn't be interrupted.

He hung behind Gilgamesh, letting him be the big bright shiny cover, as he took his time lining up his shot. He missed the rifle he klepped at the Black Sapphire and its direct link to his optics, but it was neither here nor there. Once he was confident he had the shot, he pulled the trigger - though lord knows if it would actually land, given the fact that he was fighting a broken bit code. Regardless, he kept his that rifle in position until he knew for sure, tracking the symbol on her forehead still. ]

[ Lucy's own Bursterfly is sitting on her shoulder, the tip of its wing resting against her cheek as she struggles with the creature's howling. After a moment, she manages to scrape up enough will to send it flying, joining Gilgamesh's in a flurry of synchronization, floating low around the rogue AI's feet to distract it.

His suggestion is a good idea, and she remembers his explanation of how he'd been harnessing his own Bios: having an object for both of them to grasp. Lucy has been experimenting with her own method -- slow-going, she thinks, because the concept of magic is still so foreign to her -- but in an emergency situation, she'd feel better about relying on something that has a better success rate. Namely, his strategy, and not hers.

Lucy's nature is not a trustful one. It had been, when she was little. When the other children around her had been just as terrified and lonely as she was. When they were the only people she could count on, and the adults with their scalpels and injections and awful smiles were monsters in the dark. But Night City had beaten any remnant of trust out of her.

Extending her hand feels like an impossible thing to do, but she forces herself to do it. ]

Let's try.

[ It's as firm as she can make it, hand held palm-open, waiting for Gilgamesh. ]

He nods. His eyes glance briefly at the beautiful-looking thing on Rhea'li's back before he turns and takes the lead. William doesn't know what to expect as far as enemies go, so he keeps all his senses on alert while they progress.

"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.

If there's combat to be had afoot, Musashi isn't going to pass up the opportunity. Since Lucy isn't a frontline combatant, the samurai Berserker accompanies her.

She can tell the other woman seems uncomfortable. She's determined, yet ill-at ease. Something about her new bodysuit? Maybe it doesn't fit quite right.

She stands at the alley, one sword resting over her shoulder, and the other held out in to one side. She grins in anticipation. She's seen alleyways like this before, plenty of times. "Oh indeed, indeed. But something even nastier is out here. Let me take the lead, though."

They walk down the alley, Musashi's sword held out while the other stays ready, on her shoulder, ready for a strike. When they see the...metal soldier thing, she flips it around, ready for battle.

She shakes the scream off a bit easier than Lucy does; she's experienced her fair share of horrors, and the effect seems boosted somehow, it's not enough to overcome the recklessness of her EX-ranked Madness Enhancement. "Got it! One distraction, coming right up!" She can keep it busy enough while Lucy works her mojo.

She takes a step forward, and then with a sudden gust of wind, she's disappeared from the Edgerunner's side and is just in front of the machine thing, having crossed the distance in a blink of an eye. Her katanas flash in the dim light of the alley as they come down, meeting one of the machine thing's arms as it raises its sword to block making an electronic chittering noise as it does so. The force of the impact creates sparks between blades. Oh, this thing is strong.

"Miyamoto Musashi, at your service, good sir!" She says with a wolfish grin.

Edited 2024-06-27 03:05 (UTC)

After what feels like an eternity, Lucy takes her hands away from her ears; the thing's scream is still ringing in her eardrums, but it's very abruptly distracted by Musashi shooting forward and engaging.

For the first time, Lucy gets to see what Musashi has bragged about. She'd claimed to be a legendary swordsman, but it had been a little hard to believe when it had been said grinning over a glowing verve cocktail. Now, Lucy sees for the first time. Musashi's speed is shocking, like she's got a Sandevistan locked onto her spine, there one moment and gone the next. And her blades actually dent the thing, the shower of sparks so bright it has Lucy blinking.

And she's just grinning, like she's not facing a horrible corrupted AI monster thing.

While it's distracted, Lucy strikes. Fingertips light against her temple, eyes lightning up digital orange as she delves into the thing's programming. It's even more awful to look at internally. Lines of code as fractured as its name. Broken protocols trailing away into data corruption. The remnants of its core programming are still at its heart, but it's going to take a lot to get there.

"Can you keep it distracted?" she calls. "I need to go deeper. I won't be able to fight."

"Pleased to be of assistance!"

There's a flash of wind as someone passes by Emet-Selch and a flash of light blue as Musashi steps in to engage. However, the Eye sees much and is able to track the Berserker's movements, its dagger coming up in an expert spin to block her blades as they come down with an expert parry, deflecting the attack. "Oho, he's fast, this one!" She likes that.

Having parried her initial attack, it follows up with a powerful beam from its eye, accompanied by a loud droning noise. Musashi barely has time to dodge to the side as the beam cuts up the floor and then up the wall where she'd been standing.

She seems more thrilled by the prospect than anything. "Fast and strong? And it isn't even my birthday!" She chances a quick look towards Emet. "Hey ojisan, how long you think you'll need?"

"Easy, easy! Leave it to me, Lucy-chan!"

The blades continue to spark against each other but the creature's other arm suddenly twists, contorting in ways that would break the bones of a flesh and blood arm and is suddenly snaking towards Musashi from below. She's forced to disengage and jump backwards, not wanting the machine to get a hand on her, but she's not quite fast enough to avoid its fingers brushing against the sleeve of her kimono...

As she jumps back she glances down and sees the fabric blackening and begin to fall away in pieces where it made contact. "Ahaha, I see! So, your touch is corrosive, is it it?" The slightest touch could cause rot and decay, and it can move its body in unexpected ways. She has to keep her distance and keep it distracted and away from Lucy-chan?

This fight just gets better and better, honestly.

She charges back in again, and so does the creature, collapsing downwards with a crunching sound so it can skitter forward in almost crab-like fashion on both its legs and free hand. The sword it keeps up and its arm twists wildly, ready to meet her blades. Musashi meets it with a wide, powerful spinning blow, hoping to knock the sword aside with sheer strength and leave it open for a coup-de-grace.

This isn't going to be pretty, but it's the only thing Lucy can do to help. If she only stuck to surface-work, she could distract and temporarily impede the thing to help Musashi more easily beat it, but then they'd only succeed in destroying it. That'd help, but Lucy wants to learn how to figure these things out, what they are, how they got this way. The more she learns about this creature's coding, the better she'll be able to deal with others like it.

She stays long enough to see Musashi's sleeve flake away, long enough to see her look downright thrilled about the whole thing. "Just be careful," Lucy says, but it comes out like a murmur, a whisper, too nervous to say it louder.

With that, she sinks into a deep-dive.

She doesn't register her body falling backward or the thud of it against the backstreet pavement. That's a problem for later. Her cyberself is already floating through the creature's coding -- it's a clean grey core surrounded by blackened, burned walls, parts of it shorn off and disintegrating. She's seen AI like this before in her dives into the Old Net, rogue AI originally built for one purpose but twisted into another and gone mad with it, lashing out at everything it sees. Her cyberdeck isn't working as powerfully as it used to, so Lucy's restricted in what she can do, but she can see her Bios shining brightly even on her cyberself's hands, and that bolsters her confidence. She flies past rotting tendrils of code and lashing tethers, and grabs a thread and yanks, making the creature howl and stumble to the side, leaving an opening for Musashi.

Musashi's blades move almost too fast at this point for a human eye to keep up, but she's not fighting a human opponent. The entire time her swords dance around the machine, it analyzes, records, observes...and adjusts. The faster Musashi moves, the more it adjusts its speed to match hers, even as its hydraulics and servos begin to scream in agony as the AI pushes its shell deeper into the red zone to keep up with the Heroic Servant. Musashi fights a two-pronged battle; a clash of swords with one hand, while the other parries and deflects each strike of its other arm as it raises back up with another crunching, grinding noise, always aiming for the wrist or elbow to deflect the blows rather than risk it touching her sword, corroding its metal away into nothing.

Her hearing is sharp, keener than a normal humans, and she's vaguely aware of Lucy muttering something behind them, but focused as she is and the din of battle drown out what exactly. She does hear the thump as her body hits the ground, but she can't exactly go to the other woman's aid. She'll just have to trust that Lucy knows what she's doing.

Thankfully, that trust comes incredibly easily.

Suddenly, the creature lurches suddenly to the side with an electronic, static-like screech, throwing its attack off-balance. Is this what a real netrunner is capable of? Most impressive! Musashi won't waste the opportunity, and as the creature is thrown off-balance she aims a careful, precise slash at the elbow of that annoying free arm.

With another screech, the appendage comes loose just below the elbow, falling to the ground, writhing for a second as overheated servos and hydraulics continue to function for a few seconds even after being disconnected. The AI has to scuttle backwards, sword arcing this way and that to dissuade Musashi from pressing her attack.

Some breathing room gained, she risks a glance back towards Lucy, sees her sprawled out on the floor of the alley and for a moment—just a moment—there's a flash of panic, of an enemy she might have missed, a flaw in her defense that allowed something to sneak by and—

No. No, Lucy's fine. She's inside the AI right now, playing merry hell on its subroutines and data architecture. That opening was all her.

Focusing on the enemy in front of her, Musashi goes on the offensive. The AI's response time is fast, quite fast...but not as fast as it was a few seconds ago. It's fighting a battle on two fronts now, and one of them is internal. And it did itself no favours wearing out its joints and internal workings trying to keep up with her at full speed; the sword arm jerks, in fits and starts due to its overworked, over-stressed metallic joints.

In the battlefield that is the machine's cyberscape, no sooner has Lucy's avatar yanked the errant line of programming than do streams of black, chaotically-coded ICE come shooting outwards towards her, to shut down, eject, fry the invading cyberware to a smoking crisp.

Rhea'li regards the weapon with some curiosity. He recognises the guy from CyberCharm (and despite its stated purpose, Rhea'li truly is using it like a chat program) so he knows William is a warrior of sorts.

"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.

The Wreckage Labyrinth

Pursuing the source of the Ghost Signal, Otherworlders and their NPC allies will find themselves manuevering through the alleyways of High Rise Village, through unmarked back streets that they might have a difficult time re-locating in the light of day. It is almost as if new quarters and new corners of the district have simply manifested from the ether. The presence of The Fractured also seems to pave the way, as it can be reasoned that the source of the signal is also where these beings are originating from.

Eventually, the group encounters it: a building which appears to be an abandoned industrial complex. Towering, decaying, it looks entirely at odds with anything Otherworlders have thus far seen within High Rise Village.

Selena Voss: This is... the old HQ for the Aetherion Labs. It's barely recognizable now, though.

Titan-7: As I recall, there was a scandal here involving the head researcher and some other members of the team. I don't know all the details, but there were arrests, and many quit. What I fail to understand is why The Council for Technological Advancement has allowed the building to stand.

Selena Voss: There are signs indicating it's scheduled for demolition. [She points: they're strung about the gates.] The CTA is nothing if not thorough. If I had to guess why it wasn't immediate... something to do with the research inside. Do the authorities realize what's taken up residence here, though? Guess we better tell them...

As your group approaches the abandoned facility, you will notice a massive, rusted gate. It is partially covered in overgrown vegetation. Upon entering, there's a courtyard filled with debris, broken-down vehicles, and obsolete machinery. The ground is cracked, with tufts of hardy weeds poking through. As you near the facility itself, the atmosphere is thick with the hum of electronics and the occasional flicker of unstable lights, giving it an eerie, almost haunted feeling.

And, once again, the sentinels in the form of The Fractured begin to appear -- these, appropriately, looking all the more like guards than the previous set:

Round Two

Titan-7: The last of them is more humanoid. Be careful!

[ Ready for round two? Here it is! See below for their identities/abilities.]

The Fractured: Identities and Abilities

Razorblade Sentinel

Agility: Moves with the grace and precision of a dancer, able to navigate through tight spaces and execute complex maneuvers with ease.
Stealth: Its white and black coloration allows it to blend into both bright and dark environments, making it hard to detect.
Sharpness: Every part of its body is a weapon, from its claws to its feet to its head, designed for maximum lethality.
Psychological Warfare: The red eye-like spots (torso and shoulders) can project terrifying images and induce fear in its enemies, disorienting them in combat.

Void Stalker

Agility and Flexibility: Moves with an unnerving fluidity, able to twist and contort its body in ways that seem impossible, allowing it to evade attacks and slip through narrow spaces.
Sharpness: Its legs and shoulder spikes are razor-sharp, capable of slicing through many materials.
Void Manipulation: The star-like objects in its shoulder gaps can generate small voids, absorbing light and energy, creating zones of darkness or destabilizing objects within close proximity.
Stealth: Its dark coloration and ability to create voids make it nearly invisible in low light conditions, perfect for ambushes and stealth missions.

Crimson Wraith

Swordsmanship: An expert with its glowing red sword, the Crimson Wraith can perform swift, lethal strikes with precision and power. The sword’s energy can cut through most materials and even disrupt digital entities.
Shadow Step: The Crimson Wraith can meld into shadows, becoming almost invisible.
Heat Creation: The sword and the red light under its hood, as well as its body, can generate intense heat. It can beam powerful laster blasts from beneath the hood.
Resilience: The fractured nature of its armor and form allows it to endure and recover from damage that would incapacitate others, regenerating its structure over time.

*** The Crimson Wraith is sturdier than the other members of The Fractured that the party has encountered thus far. To destroy it, its core parts (chest) and its "head" must both be shattered. If possible, the suggestion would be to plunge a sword or sharp object directly into both -- that is, if one can manage to bypass the intense heat/lasers emitted by its "face." Shattering the twin cores will break its regeneration abilities.

The Wreckage Labyrinth: Interior and Lower Layers

Once inside the facility, Otherworlders and their NPC allies will finally find that which they've been seeking: the source of the Ghost Signal. Machines and codes and nodes are scattered throughout the interior, running like abandoned, cybernetic phantoms.

The goal will be for tech PCs to use their neural interfaces and affinity to take the codes, whether by means of downloading them neurally or (if they're not at that level of tech ability) downloading them into their aXess Link devices.

PCs don't have to worry too much about the hardware side of things, aside from shutting down the hardware responsible for the signal (which they should be able to find easily enough now that they're up close); it's more important to get into the interfaces and take the scripts and bases of code, such that they may be examined and used to create preventive/resistance measures against the "disruption technology." These resistance measures will prove important for upcoming events, so PCs will want to get those scripts so they can be taken back to High Rise Village and examined more closely!

Selena Voss: This place has no business existing in Magisteria. That's for sure.

Titan-7: I've scanned the lower levels. There are... lifeforms there. If they can be called that.

Selena Voss: How are there so many of them? Guys, be ready. I have a bad feeling about what we're about to see...

Selena and Titan-7 both indicate how unnerving all this is: what The Wreckage Labyrinth has become is entirely antithetical to the entire glorious image of High Rise Village and the city-state of Magisteria itself, and when this gets out to the higher-ups... well, the reaction is probably not going to be a very good one. The existence of The Fractured was not a mystery, particularly to law enforcement and the AI/cyborg/augmented denizens of the district, but the numbers/kinds that have appeared tonight have made both of the NPCs feel wary and uncertain. Nor do they usually wander out so boldly.

The lower levels of The Wreckage Labyrinth are not for the faint of heart. The feeling on this lower level is ominous, as though decay and melancholy hangs in the air itself. And the shadowy forms which manuever within are perhaps the most grotesque that the group has encountered to date...

Round Three: The Nasties

[ One more round and then we can clear this rodeo! See below for their identities/abilities.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 4

High Risk Quest #1: The Ghost Signal

Context & Recap

Bling

SEQUENCE

1. THE GHOST SIGNAL (intro)

2. IN THE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS OF HIGH RISE VILLAGE

3. THE FRACTURED: IDENTITIES AND ABILITIES

4-??? -- THE WRECKAGE LABYRINTH + BOSS FIGHT

📱 The Ghost Signal 📱

The Ghost Signal

The Response

IN THE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS OF HIGH RISE VILLAGE

In the Hot Summer Nights of High Rise Village

It Begins

THE FRACTURED: IDENTITIES AND ABILITIES

The Fractured: Identities and Abilities

The Rivenwreaver Matriarch

The Sinister Siren

The Sentinel of the Eye

Scythe Maiden

Twisted Tin

lucy kushinada | cyberpunk: edgerunners

fractured i.

fractured ii

Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV | open

William G Maryblood | The Faraway Paladin | open (newbie)

Gilgamesh | Fate | Open to All!

I rolled the dice and it came up Rivenwreaver Matriarch

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

fractured i

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

High Risk Quest Continuation: THE WRECKAGE LABYRINTH

The Wreckage Labyrinth

Round Two

The Fractured: Round Two -- Identities and Abilities

The Fractured: Identities and Abilities

Razorblade Sentinel

Void Stalker

Crimson Wraith

The Wreckage Labyrinth: Interior

The Wreckage Labyrinth: Interior and Lower Layers

Round Three: The Nasties