Mid-Month Announcement: August + Piphron Event Details

[simpathis]

— MID-MONTHLY MOD ANNOUNCEMENT: AUGUST —


THIS IS IT! The event you've all been waiting for—! Okay, maybe not, but this mod post is mostly focused on the upcoming Piphron event. Please read for the full details! (And thank Wighty—he wrote most of it!)


» CALENDAR

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Here are the dates you should know for the rest of the month. The main calendar spreadsheet can be found here.

• 8/18: Test Drive.
  
• 8/19~8/28: EVENT: Finding Piphron
  
• 8/25: Activity Check starts; Reservations open.
  
• 8/31: Activity Check ends.
  
• 9/01: Applications open.

Looks like there may be some red skies on the horizon.


» EMOTION TRACKER UPDATE

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As always, it's kind of early to tell where the Emotion Tracker is going.

As a reminder, this is just a "mid-month" check to give everyone an idea of where the Emotion Tracker stands. If you haven't had a chance to submit your threads, don't worry! You can still submit and have it count for the final tally at the end of the month.

Here is a screenshot of the stats:


All right, actually there is no screenshot! What a first! So far no one has commented to the Tracker, so it can just be assumed the results from last month are still at play—which is everyone pretty much on the positive side. Which is great because they're going to need all the support for dealing with Piphron.


» PIPHRON EVENT DETAILS: BASICS

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The time has come to venture into Piphron’s domain and kick his crabby butt! …Or, well, rouse him out of his shell of distrust. Something like that.

This is going to be a very different kind of event in large part because instead of Piphron coming to the island, everyone is going to have to go to him. So because of that, there are a few parts and setting details that we need to clear out of the way.

• Timeline: OOCly, the event is going to run from Friday, August 19th through Sunday, August 29th. We're allotting a large time period because there is a bit of "adventure and exploring" with this, as well as confronting Piphron himself. ICly, this probably won't take as long, but definitely not a one day journey. In addition, while we're giving all the way to Sunday, if it seems that things are wrapping up sooner than that, then we can move the event date forward to end things sooner.
  
  
• Method of Travel: The teleporter between Empatheias and the one found in Piphron's domain will have made connection. Whether it's the most stable one... ...Well, it's good enough for their purposes.
  
  
• Log Structure: Since there are three distinct settings and effects, we are helping organization by also making separate log posts. There will be additional subthreads within each post that will focus on the main effects.
  
  
• Designated Emotion Tracker: Like always, we'll have a separate Emotion Tracker for the event. However this time, the points are going to count! The more trust showed for Piphron, the better the odds! But if there's more distrust and people not being cured from the various effects, well... Things will get harder.
  
  
• General Setting - Piphron's Domain: There will be a report made by the group who went out with Elios, but here are the details for you guys to know ahead of time. Piphron's domain lies within the middle of an enormous black cloud of ash and smoke that obscures the view, making it difficult to see long distances clearly. Additionally, it’s not much fun to breathe, either. Piphron’s land is completely wrecked and looks something like a shattered plate. Individual pieces of rock are separated from one another by gaping, bottomless crevices in the earth. Slipping and falling in is inadvisable. The earth is less earth and more giant slabs of rock, quite probably due to previous volcanic eruptions coating everything in a layer of igneous rock.
  
  However, it is still possible to pick a path through the shattered earth towards the center of the ash: an enormous, volcanic mountain with a peak that resembles a three-pronged claw. After the latest eruption, things have cooled down rapidly, and there won’t be much issues with heat. Anyone who teleports into Piphron’s land will appear outside of what appears to be a ruined shrine and will have to find their way towards the mountain across the enormous slabs of rock.
  
  
• Arehtei: The other Arehtei aren't sitting out completely. Elios will for certain be in Piphron's domain to help protect everyone, and others may appear to help if needed. They are also chipping in to provide those venturing in there with protective charms of sorts. While they will be made for everyone, everyone will still have a boost from their Arehtei to push back against Piphron's distrust. So for example, those aligned to Elios will have their sense of trust strengthened by love; from Sosyne, calm and understanding of others; Thras courage and belief in each other; Peromei the hope of longlasting bonds and future with each other; Daimonia the joy of friendship; Aiada appreciating the person's existence.
  
  The Arehtei not around Piphron's area will stay back in the city to help as back-up and just in case things go south and the island is attacked. But that won't happen, right? You guys will be able to convince Piphron that things will work out and he won't go crazy instead...right?
  
  
• Limited telepathy use: Just as a quick heads up, communication between Piphron's domain and Verens is unavailable. Crystal service does not reach that far. Furthermore, the service in Piphron's domain is terrible. While characters will be able to communicate with each other, it will always be covered in static and constantly break up. The stronger the bonds and trust the individuals have with each other the better, but it's going to be rough.

Now with the basics out of the way, let's delve into the actual event!


» PIPHRON EVENT DETAILS: PART 1 - JOURNEY TO THE MOUNTAIN

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Piphron is hiding out in some mountains. However, getting there is difficult and almost an event in and of itself.

• Ash of Paranoia. Those taking this journey will be exposed to the cloud of ash the entire way, which is made up of equal parts negative emotions and ash. The longer they’re exposed, the more uneasy, distrustful, and paranoid they will feel. They might feel uncertain that this is really the right thing to do – they might feel too paranoid about the conditions to continue - they might decide that the friends they’re traveling with will be too unreliable and they’ll want to strike out on their own.
  
  
• Gas Pools. Like in many volcanic environments, there are also pockets of natural gas settling in low basins in the rock. Stepping into one of these areas will cause an overwhelming sensation of distrust and paranoia with milder doses of anger, fear, despair, and other complementary emotions.
  
  
• Turn to Stone. Exposure to this negative emotion while in Piphron’s domain comes at a price! The more distrust they feel, the more they’ll close themselves off to those around them. When they reach a point when they aggressively distrust everyone around them, their hearts will completely harden to others. …Literally. Characters who cannot stave off these emotions will slowly petrify and transform to stone.
  
  
• Power of Friendship...? Friends and allies will be able to reinforce each other’s faith and trust and reverse the effect. Of course, if there are underlying issues among friends that have never been addressed, it may take a turn for the worse. It is, however, also possible to fail the mission and completely petrify if you wish, at which point your character’s statue will be recovered and brought to Verens to recover.
  
  
• Believe in me who believes in you! Those who more naturally experience trust or are innocent or naïve will actually find themselves having a much better time here. They will also be vital for helping keep their friends from succumbing to the paranoia and the petrification. Those aligned to Piphron will be more or less susceptible to the effect depending on which side of the spectrum (trust/distrust) they fall on. They will also be more or less effective at helping their friends.
  
  
• Taken to the city. If it is impossible for the character to be unpetrified, Elios will show up and air lift the victim back to the teleporter to be taken back to Verens. Once there they will already start to be cured as they will no longer be in Piphron's domain, and others waiting will also be able to help.

Turning into stone isn't so bad, right? For those who do plan on this happening, for plotting and organization purposes, we would like for you to comment here!


» PIPHRON EVENT DETAILS: PART 2 - THE MOUNTAIN

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For those who manage to get to the mountain, there's still no time to relax. If anything, things may get worse.

• Shifting Labyrinth of Tunnels. Due to the strength of Piphron’s distrust, the tunnels within the mountain have transformed into a shifting labyrinth aimed to protect him. Anyone who enters the mountain will become lost within a few steps and will find themselves separated from their companions. In terms of threading, it will be very possible for characters to run into and lose their various "tunnel partner" several times. Along with the effects detailed below, there will also be physical challenges and obstacles that only teamwork will be able to push through. But with so much distrust and uncertainty around, even a simple "I'll climb down and catch you!" trust exercise may be difficult.
  
  
• Memory Gas. The tunnels themselves also harbor pockets of ‘natural gas’. However, instead of emotions, these pockets will summon up memories specific to the character. They will re-experience their most difficult memories relating to personal interactions: memories focusing on times when others betrayed them or they were let down, memories when they felt rejected, memories when they had cause to be angry at their friends, memories that have anything to do with a strained relationship with another person. Again, if these memories cause them to sink into distrust and despair, they will begin to petrify.
  
  
• Walking down memory lane. Other characters wandering through the tunnels will find themselves wandering through the memories of others! If they can help the owner of the memories come to terms with what happen and view it as a more positive experience, they will again be able to stave off the effects and continue on. You may experience as many memories as you wish in these tunnels.
  
  
• Taken to the city. Like the first part, if things become too much for a character, their charm will activate and instantly teleport them back to the main teleporter where a group of NPCs will help escort them back to Verens where they can recover.

Similar to the first part, for plotting purposes comment here if your character will have a memory and any advanced notices or content that you'd like to go ahead and share or toss around.


» PIPHRON EVENT DETAILS: PART 3 - CONFRONTING PIPHRON

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Those who make it through the mountain will find themselves in an enormous cavern at the very core, where Piphron awaits his guests.

We have yet to determine if this will be an entirely separate log or a subthread in the Mountain log. This will depend on how many will actually get there. In either case, it won't be posted until later into the event so we'll have time to figure out which it will be.

So on that matter, if you plan on having your character making it through to Piphron and ready to confront him, comment here. This is just so we can go ahead and get a feel of what to expect.

And in case you weren't certain—yes, how this event ends will depend entirely how these threads and the emotion tracker go. So if you want a good ending, work hard! But if you want a bad ending, well. That might not be too difficult. We'll prepare for either outcome!


» PIPHRON EVENT DETAILS: BACK IN THE CITY

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Of course, this event is purely optional and very easy for characters to ICly opt out. Because everything is happening away from the island, there won't be any problems occurring.

However, we won't leave them completely hanging. Victims unable to be cured or continue from the mountain path and labyrinth will be taken out of Piphron's domain and sent back to the city to recover. Thus there will be a very loose "Get healing and hear about what's going on" log for those sitting out and helping those who need recovery.

If you plan on having your character hang back, just comment here to help plot things! Those who plan on having their character brought back to the city should also comment here for plotting purposes!


» AFTER PIPHRON...?

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Some of you may be wondering where the game will go after Piphron is taken care of. After all, he's our last known living Arehtei to find.

First of all, no matter how Piphron ends we will be gathering the Arehtei and there will be a catch all log for characters to dump their completed crystals onto their aligned Arehtei. It may come either at the end of August or early September, depending on how the event rolls. So if you haven't commented to the Complete Crystals page yet, do so!

In terms of what we have in store, in general the game will continue to shift away from being purely "stuck on an island" to "exploring the rest of the world" and help it. We have a lot of interesting surprises and revelations ready to be unleashed involved in these future excursions. We will of course do our best to ensure there's still a balance between those who want to get out there and be active and engaged in the world, and those who like the setting's ability to allow them to focus on their personal character development without needing to be involved in major events.

But all in all, there will be less stuff done to the city and more things happening outside of it, all of which will be influenced by character actions and, of course, their emotions. So that's our general outlook right now.

-------------------------

And that's about it. If you have any questions, concerns, or want things clarified, just comment here. Feel free to use this post for plotting!

Comments

GENERAL QUESTIONS

[simpathis]

[alephbet]

If getting turned to stone is a thing that happens in my character's canon and thus there are healing spells available to him that de-petrify people, will that work on event petrified people? What about in Verens where they're already de-petrifying anyway?

Re: GENERAL QUESTIONS

[justpastdawn]

In the process of coming to terms with these memories, is it possible for characters to interact with the memories at all, or would they just be passive viewers the whole time?

Re: GENERAL QUESTIONS

[ninjainviolet]

Does the distrust have to be for others? Can someone start to not trust themselves? :D

[hamnation]

Will animal companions also be subject to any of the effects, or is it only the player characters?

[gottacatch]

What about memories where the event itself didn't have a large amount of distrust (or other emotions were the strongest), but became a source of strong distrust afterwards?

GETTING PETRIFIED

[simpathis]

If you're thinking of having your character be petrified in Part I of the event, comment here! OTHERS ARE FREE TO REPLY TO COMMENTS FOR PLOTTING PURPOSES.

<b>Player:</b> <b>Character:</b> <b>Alignment:</b> <b>How:</b> Just a brief blurb as to what kind of inner turmoil the character may experience that would spur the petrification. This is to help those who thread with the character to get an idea and help players direct scenarios to petrification. <b>Cured in thread?</b> Y/N -- basically checking to see if you wish to have the character cured in the thread (Y) or be sent back to the city (N). <b>How to cure:</b> Help players out by giving ideas as to what would help reestablish that sense of trust again to help break them out. <b>Anything else:</b> Any other questions or preferences you may have going into this

[sobored]

Player: Steve
Character: Junko Enoshima
Alignment: Peromei
How: Junko's distrust and paranoia is going to be tied to having her despair taken away by the reaper. The longer she stays in the mountains the more she'll second guess her own judgment about thinking that maybe this event can bring her despair, that maybe the people around her can bring her despair. She's already somewhat closed off since she's not telling everyone all this, so as it goes on and she doesn't get the result she wants, it'll get worse and worse until she petrifies.
Cured in thread? N. I'm definitely open to people trying, but I don't feel like there's a lot that could be said or done to help her there (and most people wouldn't even want to for good reason).
How to cure: By heading back to Verens on the Elios Express!
Anything else: I don't think so?

[rustyhonesty]

Player: AL
Character: Jean Kirstein
Alignment: Piphron
How: Jean's always been distrustful, but being betrayed by three of their friends, those he though would fight beside them for the sake of humanity, is a tough thing to swallow and has definitely affected more on how much he dares to trust anyone. So just remembering that with the overflowing feelings of distrust will definitely do the trick.
Cured in thread? Y
How to cure: At this point, Jean is only capable of trusting either Armin or Mikasa, so the only way to unpetrify him is to bring them over to talk to him and bring back his trust.
Anything else: n/a

[barredheart]

Player: Peace
Character: White
Alignment: Daimonia
How: White has spent three years back home just swallowed by distrust, and though she started to get over it a bit the year she's spent in Empatheias being sent back home really jarred her back to reality that it's still possible she's going to be forced to leave and see out the future no matter what she's learned. That mountain's everything is gonna ramp up her paranoids thoughts that people will drop her if they learn what a horrible person she is, that she doesn't deserve the trust of others and that she shouldn't trust them in the first place because it doesnt matter... things she continues to struggle with, basically.
Cured in thread? Y
How to cure: She's a tough one, and the two people who're most likely to break her out of this are Black, who she thinks is back in Verens, and Silver, who's... Silver. Anyone else can pretty much help stall it/lessen it by having her confess to what she sees as her sins and accept her regardless, though she won't make it easy with all the fear that comes from that distrust and paranoia.
Anything else: Cam's definitely having Silver cure her of her petrification, so there's that. Let's have fun otherwise! White needs to learn to open up anyway.

[sixthdeadliest]

Player: Cybra
Character: Six
Alignment: Piphron
How: Six is a big ball of paranoia already because he was basically raised to be paranoid. You don't become the sixth deadliest man on Earth by being trusting. Needless to say, that ash is going to quickly take its toll though he'll be trying to hide it since he's going to try and play bodyguard in case of trouble. (There's that paranoia again...)
Cured in thread? Y
How to cure: Six needs to learn that, yes, he's alone in this world but that not everybody is out to stab him in the back. Assuming that the petrified are still somewhat aware, I think people trying to convince him to turn around and leave things to them along with being careful with him so he doesn't shatter when he's petrified will allow him to lower his paranoia enough to at least start getting free. Also someone could help him get back to town or somebody could swear an oath or something that nothing will happen to the team under their watch.
Anything else: Are the statues aware in some form?

[hamnation]

Player: Gore
Character: Gundam Tanaka
Alignment: Piphron
How: Gundam naturally distrusts almost everyone, and only a few of his castmates are at his highest level of trust. With that distruct enhanced by some of the paranoia-enhancing effects, Gundam will essentially be spiraling further into distrust and slowly being petrified.
Cured in thread? Y
How to cure: The key to curing him is in the people he's known and trusted the longest, especially Sonia and Hinata. It will likely involve convincing him that he is trusted and that he won't be betrayed.
Anything else: The other castmates will most likely be the ones to cure him, but I am open to other run-ins before then and partly successful attempts to help him.

[authorofanomalies]

Player: Ryu
Character:Stanford Pines
Alignment: Piphron
How: Ford's been struggling with his new environment since he arrived in this new world. Many people have told him that Bill has no sway over this world, but after thirty years of dimension hopping, and dealing with Bill's treachery, Ford simply can not let his skepticism go. Even more so, he's been very solitary, trying not to get too close to anyone.
Cured in thread? Y Hopefully?
How to cure: The best way is if a character knows about his paranoia about Bill. The last time he was petrified, it was Bill's fault. If they can show him, beyond a doubt, that Bill really isn't behind any of this, it will help a lot. Even more so, if they know anything about his family, that will help!
Anything else: Nope!

RELIVING MEMORIES

[simpathis]

If you plan on allowing your character to have their memories intruded upon in Part II of the event, comment here! OTHERS ARE FREE TO REPLY TO COMMENTS FOR PLOTTING PURPOSES.

<b>Player:</b> <b>Character:</b> <b>Alignment:</b> <b>Memory:</b> Just a brief blurb as to what kind of memory or memories will be shared. <b>Resolved in thread?</b> Y/N -- basically checking to see if you wish to have the character resolve their issues in the thread (Y) or be sent back to the city (N). <b>How to get past the past:</b> Help players out by giving ideas as to what the characters walking in the memory will experience and what kind of affect they could have on it. Also include what would help the victim get past whatever trauma the memory is invoking. <b>Anything else:</b> Any other questions or preferences you may have going into this

[guitarosecutor]

Player: Dragon
Character: Klavier Gavin
Alignment: Piphron
Memory: So his brother is all sorts of crazy evil and murdered a couple of people, manipulating Klavier in the process. That's bad.
Resolved in thread? Y
How to get past the past: Intense betrayal by a family member, but the memories themselves will hint at the resolution. Klavier will be pretty easy to get past this, if someone just can dig out the fact that his brother found justice with the help of someone he DOES trust.
Anything else: Rock on?

[hopedout]

Player: Len
Character: Hajime Hinata
Alignment: Piphron
Memory: The chapter one trial. With emphasis on the part with Komaeda's betrayal.
Resolved in thread? Y
How to get past the past: First of all, the emotions that are here are a huge amount of trust and distrust, but more specifically: betrayal. In this trial of life and death, you're given evidence in order to solve the trial. In the middle of it all, you're told that Komaeda - your first friend ever - is the one who plotted to start the murders for a sick, sick reason. Basically, trust in friends and looking towards the brighter future even through all the despair and pain.
Anything else: Nope.

[eyeswideopen]

Player: Sam
Character: Nagito Komaeda
Alignment: Peromei
Memory: Zephyras Flower Festival Finale With special focus on the first half, when Hinata was apathetic.
Resolved in thread? Y
How to get past the past: It's like you lived in a veil where emotions were dull before this moment. Everything is sharp, in a complex dance of distrust, love, hope, despair, anger, and sorrow. If you've ever been kicked in the chest, it feels a lot like that. It's hard to breathe past the sense that you're seen through and viewed as nothing at all by someone that means a lot to you. It has strong hints and leads into resolution but only once one gets past the dangerous threat of the apathetic Hinata.
Anything else: Nah, just one more pebble to the pile.

[properprincess]

Player: Mako
Character: Sonia Nevermind
Alignment: Aiada
Memory: The reveal of Mikan Tsumiki's betrayal and unrepentant nature at the resolution of chapter 3's trial. (Video for those that aren't sure.)
Resolved in thread? Y, if people can make sense of the memory
How to get past the past: Understand what Ultimate Despair really is, Mikan's Beloved and why she would choose to do that.
Anything else: Cast mates, especially those who've made it past chapter 5 or have been told of what happened will know, so if you want to beat it as cross-canon, asking them for help wouldn't be a bad idea. And, well, I'd be willing to help anyone who needs it either via Plurk makotos or Discord (makotosagara#9497)

[strategisch]

Player: Otter
Character: Armin Arlert
Alignment: Peromei
Memory: The memory of confronting Annie after discovering her true identity as the Female Titan.

Resolved in thread? Y

How to get past the past: His confrontation with Annie was what forever warped Armin's brand of trust-- Trusting (most, there are a few exceptions) people based on their intentions and if they align with his own, not based on character judgements or emotional commitment. He does this to protect himself from the inevitable heartbreak of betrayal. Letting residual affections warp his judgement is something he simply can't allow, as it could put people in danger. It's sort of like forced apathy.

However, connecting with the feeling of true trust is the best way to free him from this memory. People who are already his very close friends have the best chance of helping him. If they can get him to sincerely feel trust towards them, trust that can't be broken by paranoia, he'll work past this memory.

Anything else: I'm good :Dd

[natzoom]

Player: Jolie
Character: Natsume Takashi
Alignment: Peromei
Memory: Being in a (the first of many) foster home where he was violently rejected/physically attacked by the other child there, prompting him to go running through the city at night, alone, crying and calling for his dead father. Fun times.
Resolved in thread? Y
How to get past the past: Crushing loneliness, rejection and grief, desperation to reunite with the one safe loving presence that can be remembered and eventually coming to terms with the fact that this person is gone forever. It can be resolved by focusing on hope and the fact that losing one person who loves you doesn't mean that you can never be loved again.
Anything else: Enjoy this childhood trauma~

drae spoilers!

[omaru]

Player: Nena
Character: Komaru Naegi
Alignment: Peromei
Memory: Chapter Four, when Servant reveals to Komaru that Fukawa was actually supposed to trade her over for Byakuya Togami, who was being held hostage.
Resolved in thread? Y
How to get past the past: There will definitely be immense feelings of betrayal and despair. Fukawa was the first friend that Komaru made in Towa City and was someone she trusted deeply, believing her feelings and their time together to be genuine, so being told that everything was all just a "lie" and that Fukawa was going to betray her from the very beginning definitely hurt her a lot. However, reminding Komaru that if Fukawa truly was going to betray her, she would have done so already, and reassuring her that she truly did care for Komaru is what'll help.
Anything else: N/A

[namesaquestion]

Player: Fenix
Character: Game!Silver
Alignment: Elios
Memory: Basically the day his father walked out on him, from Silver's PoV.
Resolved in thread? Yes, if at all possible.
How to get past the past: The memory itself is the 'unedited' version. Not the one that Silver's twisted to suit his own needs in an angry rage of hate and betrayal. There's no getting around the betrayal part, but forcing him to admit he still has a spark of love for his father even after what the man did will break the memory. This has the potential to get emotionally ugly very fast, yet also be really, really good for him. Any character that sticks it out will gain some (at the point in time, unconscious) trust from Silver.
Anything else: Gameplay video has it set as day, but canonically the time of day's unknown IIRC.

[cherryblooded]

Player: Mini
Character: Cherryblod
Alignment: Elios
Memory: Sal shattering the Cast Pearl, but from Cherryblod's perspective. So this, but viewed from way down, too far away to actually hear dialogue.
Resolved in thread? N!
How to get past the past: Cherryblod blames himself somewhat for not seeing past Sal's deception for the hundred+ years he's known him, and for all the crap that happened because of that. Since he doesn't know anyone here very well, it won't be resolved and he'll end up petrifying!
Anything else: I'm good!

CONFRONTING PIPHRON

[simpathis]

So you think your character is going to make it all the way to end, eh? The comment here so we can get a rough idea and be prepared for their arrival! OTHERS ARE FREE TO REPLY TO COMMENTS FOR PLOTTING PURPOSES.

<b>Player:</b> <b>Character:</b> <b>Alignment:</b> <b>What will they do?</b> As the question states, what will your character do now that they're face to face with the old crab himself? Will they try to fight? Be antagonistic? Or actually be helpful? Throw protag speeches of friendship and trust!?

Re: CONFRONTING PIPHRON

[guitarosecutor]

Player: Dragon
Character: Klavier Gavin
Alignment: Piuphron
What will they do? Realism. Just because you can't trust some people doesn't mean you can't trust them all. Trust is necessary to move forward.

HANGING BACK

[simpathis]

If you wish to opt out of the main event, but still want to participate in some way via helping the recovery effort, OR checking in to have your character recovered, comment here! OTHERS ARE FREE TO REPLY TO COMMENTS FOR PLOTTING PURPOSES.

<b>Player:</b> <b>Character:</b> <b>Alignment:</b> <b>Reason in City:</b> Are they helping out or need help? <b>Plot ideas:</b> Any ideas or things you'd like to do with your character while they're in the city.

[womanlycharms]

Player: Rhi
Character: Hiroko Hagakure
Alignment: Sosyne
Reason in City: Helping out
Plot ideas: Hiroko will mostly be setting out to prove her nursing nous by helping to take care of the people sent back from the mission. If that means getting useful information in the process so be it but overall she knows she'll serve the city much better from here than by getting caught up in the rest.