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empatheias_ooc2016-07-01 12:29 pm
simpathis) wrote in empatheias_ooc2016-07-01 12:29 pm
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Mod Announcement: July
We got a few things in the work for July, as well as a heads up and some lead-ins for August.
» CALENDAR
The main calendar spreadsheet has been updated here.
But here are the basic dates to keep up with:
- 7/01: Canon and Original Character Applications open.
- 7/04: Applications close; Reservations close; Intro log posted.
- 7/05-06: All applications should be processed by the end of this period.
- 7/15~19: EVENT: Light of Helisum (dates subject to adjustments)
- 7/18: Test Drive.
- 7/19~7/21: Death Reaper Revealed
- 7/25: Activity Check starts; Reservations open.
- 7/31: Activity Check ends.
- 8/01: Applications open.
While we don't have any large events planned or scheduled this month, there are some player plots and minor "plot progressions" happening.
» ACTIVITY CHECK RESULTS
Below are the following who were either removed from the Activity Check or dropped out of the game. The list includes all characters who left the game throughout the month. The following names will also be posted in a visible place within the residential area where most of the characters are residing. This list reflects the names that are also on the wall.
Aaron Burr |
rhymeswithsirAllen Walker |
odetothefallenCynthia |
thejusticewagonEliza Hamilton |
itellyourstoryEmil Västerström |
illequippedFranken Stein |
screwmeisterGou Matsuoka |
muscle_maniacJuniper Woods |
sunshineandpineconesKamui |
paidinbloodKazuki Hihara |
forsaintceciliaKazuma Asougi |
deporteureKyouka Izumi |
demonphoneLooma Red Wind |
tough_loveLu Meng |
young_oldmanMithos Yggdrasill |
worldsplitterMokuba Kaiba |
mokiesMordred |
hiddeninfidelityRei Ryuugazaki |
chou_utsukushiiReimu Hakurei |
dreamsignRose |
mahoukillabroSeiichi Umemiya |
powercurveShinji Kanemaru |
nannyingTodomatsu Matsuno |
prettyslyYu Kanda |
lotusloverYukari Yakumo |
gapsandnapsZaveid |
windshieldsThe following received strikes and must pass this month's Activity Check to remain in the game.
a_boy_robotaltiquecantfixglassclockworkcopperledbythewindIf there are any mistakes, please let us know ASAP!
» JOBS & TASK BOARD
The Task Board has been updated so characters can start taking on odd jobs if they are so inclined. Details as to how the Task Board works and sign-up can be found here. In addition, there is a Job List sheet that list out more permanent jobs available for characters. These are different from the Task Board jobs as they can be used as part-time or full-time jobs and do not have any specific time period. If you want your character to have a job, that's it. This is also where we will list character run businesses. So if you have one or are thinking about one, there will be a place where it can be referenced and looked at. You can even make tasks relating to your business.
» EMOTION TRACKER UPDATE
The Emotion Tracker has been updated with brand spanking new sheets. Anyone who posts after this announcement will be added to the current sheets (so any late tallies from the previous month can still be counted).
Let's have a screenshot!
Tracker seems to be doing better than last time with everyone doing fairly well. Not too much to report except for the sheer number of point submissions!
» AREHTEI Q&A RECAP
A few things were discussed in the Arehtei Q&A so we made a doc to recap the important points. It's quite a bit of information to take in, with only a few new things. But it should help give more understanding as to what's going on and hopefully clear up any misinformation that had been going around.
We'll still tag ongoing threads and anyone who had yet to tag in, but we would like to thank those who participated!
» TELEPORTER WORK CONTINUES
We mentioned it before, it's worth reminding one more time. After weeks of hard work, the group dealing with the strange crystal device has figured it out and lo, it is actually a large scale teleportation device. So far the only connection made was to Shaarnath, but are there others? The original team will continue to work on seeing what more can be done with it. Mainly, what other locations or codes could be found. Or perhaps to use it to find a particular something. They will be receiving more clues and information later in the week to work from.
» SHAARNATH
Shaarnath diplomats have arrived. With the teleportation device now working, potential for travel and further communications can be established. We still need to iron a few details as to how to best implement the additional city, and there still needs time in-game for protocol and restrictions to be made in place, such as ID and passports. None of that will have any OOC bearing, but that's just to give you an idea of the kind of flavor this will have.
We'll also be asking you guys for things you'd like to see—that is, we'd like to invite player input to help build this place! We'll have a separate post for all of this once we have our own base down, so stay tuned.
» LIGHT OF HELISIUM
Those from last year will remember that oh so fun festival event that was a mix of the Summer Solstice and celebrating marriages. We'll post the full details closer to date, but we just wanted to give everyone a heads up regarding the time frame of when it was occurring and go give the themes to be used.
For those unaware, there were two sides to this event: a day side and a night side. The day side was pretty much a summer party out on the lake while the night side was more for romantic masquerade. This year it'll be similar, however with the new developing relationship with Shaarnath, there might be some culture mixing as well. Who likes Ninja Warrior? And we keep hearing talks of cosplays and costumes...
Expect those themes and more in the future details!
» RE: DEATHS AND THE REAPER
First we'd like to make a clarification about our recent policy change on death plots and apologize for any misunderstandings that the previous announcement created. In truth, what we were really trying to limit were murder plots, not death flat out across the board. We don't mind them in general and we do expect and encourage them to still come in the future, but we feel they should be an "on occasion" type of situation as opposed to one every month or two pattern. The lack of proper punishment to appease both in-game and player concerns compounded the issue. The Death Reaper is our in-game way to tackle it, and from an OOC standpoint we just wanted to ask players to give a bit more breathing room and discretion so that consequences can now be adequately felt and future plots take such consequences into consideration.
So that all said, we want to give a heads up for everyone about the most recent murder plot with Junko. We do realize that it coming on the heels of our announcement seems contradictory, but we had been discussing the plot with the player prior to our announcement and Junko's will actually be used for the Reaper's physical arrival. Because of Junko's history and the timing, we had predetermined that Junko would be a suitable "example" case for everyone to see what could happen in the future as well as the ultimate warning by the Reaper itself. In-game information will also be revealed as it will explain its role and how it came to be.
That said, we are aware that there are others who might try to reach out to the Reaper in a way that doesn't involve killing. If so, it will need to happen before Junko's murder. If it does come to pass, some information will be given, but not everything. Anything not revealed at that time will come out with Junko.
Regardless of the outcomes, Junko's murder will be the end of the Death Reaper mystery and it will fade back as part of a game mechanic that will only make its presence known should there be any future deaths, murders, and events related to it.
» PIPHRON
All right, we're sure a lot of people have been wondering what's going on with Piphron. You'll have to continue wondering for a little while longer as the main event will not happen until August. What a great way to celebrate the game's second birthday! But for this month of July, preparatory steps will need to be taken.
Rather than Piphron coming to the island, due to his severe distrust issues, the characters will have to go to him. How you ask? Why, by the teleporter of course! However, there is a catch. For the teleporter to work, it needs the other end to actually be activated. Since hacking is currently unavailable (although it could be done for future explorations once the technology is better understood—or find the cheat book), they will have to somehow figure it out themselves.
Even under the protection of an Arehtei such as Elios, just trying to fly out there without any sense of direction wouldn't be the wisest or most efficient method. Who knows what dangers lurk out there for the scouts? Not to mention that travel time would likely be limited. While such a trip will need to be made eventually, there's some investigative digging to be done first, and this can be done in multiple ways:
- Contact Piphron. Representatives and those aligned to Piphron are encouraged to try and make contact with him. Please use the Arehtei Scheduler to figure out threads or even handwaved communication. Do note, it's more likely for these communications to be very short due to Piphron's personality. He might be worse than Sosyne. Note: It is recommended that any threads be made before July 15th as Wighty will be out of town the week after and therefore unavailable.
- Research. Recent developments will make information gathering easier for people to try and dig some information about past locations in the world. Most of them will be written of as "legends" or "my great-great-great-great-great-grandpa once told me" type of stories, but at least people will know what to look for. Shaarnath will have more definite information as well. If you'd like to be part of this kind of research, comment here with any particular topics/subjects interested in and we'll prepare it for a release later. Deadline for the sign-up is Tuesday, July 5th. Anyone interested after the deadline will have to receive information from those involved.
- Teleporter crew. Just to make it clear, you guys will want your characters looking for more information about the codes and other potential locations that might have housed similar devices. Information will be sent to you by the end of the week!
- Memory Pod. There will be a memory pod dropping at some point in the month that should help with info.
There may also be another "visual clue" that will occur later in the month. There is also no real hard schedule for all of this, but we are going to push for things to get at least started and underway before mid-month. This will allow some preparation time for the excursion and main event in August. We may also need to block off more of August for the event, but it would be the latter half.
» NEW RITUALS
For those who are familiar with the previous rituals to send emotions directly to the Arehtei, a new system is being worked out to make it more accessible and focused. It will also provide an opportunity for characters to turn in their completed crystals to the Arehtei. Threads will only be made with those who comment to Arehtei Scheduler, otherwise it'll be handwaved and we can just PM you the details of what occurs.
» OTHERWORLDER ENFORCER UNIT REORGANIZATION
Just a heads up that the Otherworlder Enforcer Unit is going to have a few changes. They'll have a post detailing the ideas, but they'll be hoping for further suggestions and feedback!
------------------------
That's it for now! If you have any questions, concerns, or want things clarified, please comment here.
QUESTIONS
PIPHRON RESEARCH
no subject
Character: Sans
Topics: His main (only) interest is in ascertaining whether Piphron is a threat, so anything that seems halfway related to that: folklore and any still extant history on what he was like, what he might have done / could do, where his lands were and what they were like, plus whatever astronomy-related junk is available in case it's needed for navigation/mapping later. He'll have an eyesocket out for any clues that could help with reverse-engineering the teleporter at the same time.
Locations: Books, mainly. Wherever they happen to be. In Shaarnath when possible, since that stuff is new, but up in Verens as well.
Other questions: If he can abscond with textbooks from Shaarnath and take them home while nobody is looking, he totally will :|b
no subject
Character: Sorey
Topics: Sorey will want to look in-depth on Piphron's history and legends to get a better understanding of him. He'll also be interested in whether people worshiped him, what that worship entailed, and other cultural significance he might've had in the world.
Locations: He'll take a look in both Verens and Shaarnath for information!
Other questions: Nein
no subject
Character: White
Topics: Folklore and fairytales!! Songs that may reference him, too, or the kind of stories you tell your kids to keep them from causing mischief. Paintings, murals, any kind of old craft or heirloom from... a long time ago too, probably, is what she'd been looking into, just to get a kind of feel for the kind of Arehtei Piphron is and how one could possibly talk to him. She'd also be interested in common idioms and sayings that could contain clues (though these aren't the most helpful source of information of course, as time changes everything).
Locations: Verens, any ruin sites on Empatheias and if there's any below near Shaarnath, Shaarnath itself... the people for both cities mainly. Older people especially, but young ones often have memories their elders pass along and all.
Other questions: Nope!
putting this in with permission!
Character: Mikleo
Topics: Same as Sorey's!
Locations: Also the same as Sorey's.
Other questions: Nope
no subject
Character: James Madison
Topics: Madison would be interested in the political / social aspects of both Piphron individually and what it means for all the Arehtei to be awake/alive/present at the same time. (His focus is on getting this world mended enough so they have control on going home, so anything that may improve the chances of that, as well as minimizing the potential damage from Piphron's reemergence - Aiada hit him pretty hard - will be of interest.)
Locations: Library, talking to people, and definitely Shaarnath.
Other questions: ... if he goes to Shaarnath, will he be allowed to take a buddy, or will it be limited to people focused on the research at this time?
no subject
Character:Stanford Pines
Topics: He wants to learn how Piphron might relate to the other Arehtei, and discover any patterns that might exist between their appearances and activity.
Locations: He's been generally researching the Arehtei for the past month, and has been running out of books to read on them. Once he realizes something is happening with Piphron, he will want to do some field research, asking around to see if anyone can give him some personal stories. He also will want to speak with people from Shaarnath, and explore it if he can.
Other questions: None!
Re: PIPHRON RESEARCH
Character: Gwen
Topics: Gwen will be looking for past locations as well as his general personality. She thinks she might know of at least one place within the past yearish where he was due to a task board submission that she, Ben, Kevin and Kai had to abandon early on after her arrival. She'd like to go check that out as well. Also, Thras gave her a tiny bit of insight into his personality so she'd like to get to know more about that as well.
Locations: Books, conversations if possible. She'd like to talk to some of the Ahreti about it if possible as well since they actually knew/know him. Shaarnath as well if there is any information there; particularly if a certain representative is available. Also she'll be putting a task board 'note' up in hopes of getting info out of Jake as well.
She would also like to take an exploratory group to the place where that quest was going to see if she can find anything there.
Other questions: Gwen likes NPCs
Re: PIPHRON RESEARCH
Character: Jude Mathis
Topics: everything because he is a nerd -- but realistically, as representative he wants to look into what is causing him to be so bitter against humanity, in particular that image they saw of Piphron destroying a city.
Locations: Verens and Sharnaath
Other questions: n/a
no subject
Character: Pascal
Topics: She'll probably want to find more "solid" evidence within the stories and legends--stuff that suggests what Piphron is and is like. Basically common threads in the stories, evidence that he did once contact people (if applicable) and things like that. Since she is also part of the teleporter clue and this ties into that she's definitely interested.
Locations: Verens and Shaarnath both--probably Shaarnath more once she gets there because it'll be her first time visiting it so she'll want to explore. She'll mostly stick to book research. Any ruins that might tie in she'll explore too.
Other questions: N/A
no subject
Character: Sora
Topics: Learning about Piphron in comparison to the other Arehtei and trying to find out if he’s a danger or friendly. Sora has no prior contact with an Arehtei and is curious about his own personal alignment with Piphron and will also help trying to contact him. He will also be very willing to help find a way to travel to the other teleporter to get it working and will want to be on that crew if possible. He will be interested in finding out and gathering stories and information about Piphron that other people might know.
Locations: Research around town asking locals both NPC and Otherworlders, Scouting around the Island for possible routes or options to travel to the other side of the teleporter and Shaarnath.
Other questions: N/A
no subject
Character: Noire
Topics: She wants to know, mostly, what Piphron was like - both out of curiosity and because she has some questions herself about learning to trust. (Really, she wants to reach out and ask why trust is so hard. Weh.) She'll be looking for legends, where he might have gone, people's personal experiences with him... Probably trying to contact him, too, eventually.
Locations: Verens (talking to people and book research both) and Shaarnath!
Other questions: nah!
no subject
Character: Shun Aonuma
Topics: GENERALLY EVERYTHING LIKE A HUGE NERD? But to give it some focus, he'll be looking for accounts of Piphron as well as taking a look at folklore and legends, keeping in mind how they tend to change over time - but also knowing that there's often other lessons embedded in the tales. He'll want to unearth details of Piphron's personality and other details of how much destruction he might have caused, or how he might have helped; basically doing threat assessment.
Locations: Both Shaarnath and Verens.
Other questions: Nah.
no subject
Character: Frisk
Topics: Stories, myths, legends, generally his history and personality. Most importantly why he is the way he is and what happened to him - since it's pretty clear something happened to him! How other people have seen/treated him and interacted with him in the past.
Locations: Frisk is going to be talking to as many people as they feasibly can and the majority of their work will be in that spectrum, both in Verens and Shaarnath. They might read a few books from the library and other places, but after their various debacles earlier this year with book-reading in that regard, they'll probably find just talking to people easier to understand.
Other questions: don't think so
no subject
Character: Roxas
Topics: History, mostly, since he's seen one of Piphron's memory pods (although it kind of shook him up) and what people think of this Arehtai
Locations:Books and possibly people visiting the library.
Other questions: I was hoping that Roxas might be able to have a part time job in the library, just shelving books and the like, which would help provide an avenue for him to do this research. If this is cool?