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uploadedmain2018-12-08 11:02 pm
uploadedmods) wrote in uploadedmain2018-12-08 11:02 pm
Corwin's Annual Christmas Festival - Intro Event
Who: All Participants/Open Mingle
When: December 8, 2008
Where: Church grounds and inside the church.
Warnings: CW - Seizure Warning
CW: Seizure Warning
After receiving the briefing for their current setting, characters will be released from their coding pods to find themselves in what will be their current residence. If a character were to leave the room and return, the coding table will be gone - replaced with a bed.
All lodgings will have winter clothing available to all participants to better suit the weather. Characters will find role-appropriate attire packed away for them as well.
Corwin’s Annual Christmas Festival is underway as participants begin to wake up. As characters begin to explore their surroundings, they will find that NPCs are encouraging them to go to the town’s church to attend the festivities. In fact, it seems to be all anyone is talking about. NPCs’ dialogue will begin to loop if a character loiters in one place for too long or continues to try to talk to people to get more information. NPCs will note how important it is for locals to support their hometown or urge tourists to enjoy the celebration they traveled so far to see.
The church grounds are decked out for the holidays in truly small-town fashion. From decorations that have clearly been put to use for decades to the occasional “new” donation - the town’s Christmas spirit is certainly quaint, if not brilliant. The front doors to the church have been propped open, welcoming guests to explore all the festival has to offer.
The party winds down around 9pm, a respectable time for every member of the community to return home and prepare for their busy week ahead. Some of the crowd may migrate to the bar, while others loiter around in the churchyard to chat until they’re politely shooed away. When the Christmas lights go out, most partygoers will be gone - though some cult members may have found just “one more thing” to busy themselves with.
Most will return home on this warm winter’s night feeling a sense of calm, their rest that night deep and reenergizing. The coming week isn’t so kind - restless sleep abounds, from discomfort to waking up in a cold sweat, something is off, and no one seems to mention it.
When: December 8, 2008
Where: Church grounds and inside the church.
Warnings: CW - Seizure Warning
Prelude
After receiving the briefing for their current setting, characters will be released from their coding pods to find themselves in what will be their current residence. If a character were to leave the room and return, the coding table will be gone - replaced with a bed.
All lodgings will have winter clothing available to all participants to better suit the weather. Characters will find role-appropriate attire packed away for them as well.
Corwin’s Annual Christmas Festival is underway as participants begin to wake up. As characters begin to explore their surroundings, they will find that NPCs are encouraging them to go to the town’s church to attend the festivities. In fact, it seems to be all anyone is talking about. NPCs’ dialogue will begin to loop if a character loiters in one place for too long or continues to try to talk to people to get more information. NPCs will note how important it is for locals to support their hometown or urge tourists to enjoy the celebration they traveled so far to see.
The church grounds are decked out for the holidays in truly small-town fashion. From decorations that have clearly been put to use for decades to the occasional “new” donation - the town’s Christmas spirit is certainly quaint, if not brilliant. The front doors to the church have been propped open, welcoming guests to explore all the festival has to offer.
Outdoors
Christmas Lights
Brilliant displays of light wind through the churchyard, a walking path through the display open and free to all. People may stop and look at a scene as long as they wish, there’s no need for strict order when everyone is so accustomed to such a timeless tradition. From nativity scenes to more secular displays of candy canes and rudolph, there’s a sight for everyone to enjoy. A twelve track Christmas album plays on old, staticy speakers, the brief pause between songs carrying a high pitched humming. Interspersed throughout the light display are flowers from the town’s own florist, proudly serving as centerpieces for many of the landscaping throughout.
Church Rooftop
While the basement is locked away, shrouded in shadow, the same is not the case for the roof. The stairs to the Church’s bell tower are bathed in warm light, warped wood sturdy underfoot. Unlocked, the door is heavy but well oiled. It’s a common vantage point many young people in Corwin enjoy, and tonight, it’s the best possible view of the light show beneath. A romantic destination for many, people also retreat here to enjoy their solitude or have a private conversation. There isn’t much space, just the flooring under the bell and four pillars to act as a bulwark against the wind.
Mulled Wine
Outside of the doorway to the church stands a booth decorated with antique barrels and tankards – a sign decorated in looping calligraphy states “FREE EVENT WINE” sits to the side. The smiling NPC behind the booth urges you to taste some of the greatest wine the town has to offer – they give you a wink and tell you “don’t tell your parents” if you appear to be underage. Mugs line the counter, and three huge drink dispensers with spigots sit for you to serve yourself. One is labeled “Mulled Wine”; another “Hot Chocolate”; and yet another reads “Homemade Blackberry Wine, courtesy of the Douglas Family”. The first two drinks taste as one might expect a free drink to taste – cheap and watery, but palatable. The last one however...leaves a lot to be desired. Mainly the desire to never have to taste something so foul ever again.
Indoors
Church Raffle
As you walk into the church, an NPC greets you with a warm smile and guides you to a nearby table that bears a handmade sign that has “Raffle” painted on it in large, red lettering and little holiday accents added to fill some of the negative space. You’re told to reach into the hat and pull out a ticket. Upon doing so, the other NPCs working the table will hand you a gift box that corresponds to this ticket and wish you a “blessed holiday.” This may not be how you recall raffles working, but are you really going to argue with a free gift? You are expected to open your gift in the sanctuary. If you hold onto the boxed gift for too long, NPCs will begin asking you rather pointedly about your box with increasing frequency until you finally do.If your character participates in the raffle, comment under the raffle header below to learn what item they received.
Artisan Fair
What Christmas Festival would be complete without a proper display of the town’s talent? Tables covered in white cloth line both sides of the sanctuary and are covered in little trinkets. One table has a plethora of stained glass ornaments and chunky, gaudy jewelry. Another boasts handmade candles, soaps, and bath bombs. One NPC is desperately corralling any poor, unsuspecting person they make eye contact with to their booth before beginning to tell them their whole life story. If the person tries to leave, the NPC will aggressively start the entire interaction over again until they can complete all instances of their dialogue - or until the person buys something. Another vendor has a collection of clothing and handbags they’ve made. Even the local flower shop has a table set up with a nice selection of arrangements to choose from. A few other vendors have set up with a variety of things, sometimes with things that are a curious copy of “art” seen in a participants’ homeworld. NPCs will urge you to come and enjoy the products these fine craftsmen have to offer before you dive into the food or attempt to leave the church.
Community Potluck
Across the way from the Artisan fair on the other side of the sanctuary stand more tables – this time lined with food. Loads of traditional Christmas fare fill the space; honeyed ham, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, figgy pudding, fruit cakes, and Christmas cookies among other foods are offered free to anyone, provided by the community. The NPCs behind the table are eager to serve anyone who comes up, and are sure to fill your plate to the brim. There are a few repurposed picnic tables that have been brought into the church where you can enjoy your meal. If staying inside sounds too stifling, there are also picnic tables outside in the courtyard, circling a large fire pit that offers warmth to those who want to get fresh air.
Glitches
Baby It’s Cold Outside
As you enjoy the festivities, your body temperature drops dramatically. This chill washes over you and no amount of warm attire wards it off. Mulled wine or hot chocolate also fails to warm you back up. In order to beat this chill, you must go inside the church and hold a conversation with another person. Failure to find shelter will cause the effects of hypothermia to set in, and you will simply want to stop whatever you are doing and lay down. Upon laying down, the character will fall asleep and wake up the next morning on a pew in the church.
Hear the Angel Voices
There is no choir singing in the sanctuary, but you hear a medley of Christmas hymns. They get louder as time goes on, acapella and distant. Verse after verse, the songs carry on until they're overwhelming. You won't be able to hear anything but the singing, and it won't stop until dawn.
Jingle All the Way
With any movement you make you will find yourself emitting a ringing noise, as if there are bells tied to your wrists, legs, and head – though no presence of bells can be felt or interacted with. The noise grows louder with sudden movements, and can be heard by you and other characters. The noise will persist until you have traveled at least one mile.
Thorny Crown
Though there isn't a rain cloud in the sky, a wet feeling starts to develop from the top of your head, seeping its way down through your hair. Upon inspection, you find the wet feeling to be blood – your own blood, spilling from the crown of your skull. The flow will be persistent, dripping down your forehead and neck at the pace of a thick syrup. Attempts to stem the bleeding will only work temporarily—bandages will soak through in a matter of minutes and will need constant changing. If the bleeding is not treated, the affected will find themselves becoming faint from the blood loss. The bleeding will stop if the affected passes out, or after the player has slept for at least two hours.
Winding Down
The party winds down around 9pm, a respectable time for every member of the community to return home and prepare for their busy week ahead. Some of the crowd may migrate to the bar, while others loiter around in the churchyard to chat until they’re politely shooed away. When the Christmas lights go out, most partygoers will be gone - though some cult members may have found just “one more thing” to busy themselves with.
Most will return home on this warm winter’s night feeling a sense of calm, their rest that night deep and reenergizing. The coming week isn’t so kind - restless sleep abounds, from discomfort to waking up in a cold sweat, something is off, and no one seems to mention it.
no subject
I don't trust him. [He can say that flatly.]
And I probably don't know much more than you. [he pauses, bringing a hand up to touch the back of his neck- a nervous habit.]
But if all of "our" people are at the church, that might make it a good time to go around town.
[In other words, the cult's eyes weren't watching the town right now. They could behave a little bit more like the real people they were- not cultists that had lived here their whole lives.]
no subject
Eh... I-I don't know...
[He frowns a bit, trying to decide. It was logical they'd be able to explore more of the town without worrying about running into other cult members and maybe he would learn more about this “setting” business, but...]
What if we miss something important? Like who they want for... you know, t-that. Or a timeline! Or what they have to do with all the people who disappeared! I mean, I know they weren't... real people- [But he still feels like it's sad and their families should have closure or something.]
No, I'm going back to the church. I want to know what this is all about. If you're not coming, I'll let you know what happened later. Where do you live?
no subject
We don't know that they weren't. [his lips twist in a grimace] Or that it won't be next time.
[Their basic reality was going to end up questioned here. After all, now there were real people mingling with the NPCs. Who could say if this was the first time they'd run it or not? What if the last people gone were actual people forced to play roles, too?]
... so, you're right, we should know as much as we can. We probably shouldn't meet where I'm staying. My "Dad" is the police around here.
no subject
Yes, that's true. M-maybe they were...real. It's something else to look into. [He's not sure where or how to find that information though, if it exists for discovery.]
He's with the police? So anyone could be part of it really... Oh! [He just had an idea, and he's not sure if it's good one, but it's something.]
If you don't want to go to the church, can you get into the police station? I mean, does your dad leave the keys anywhere at home? Maybe there's reports to look through. Apparently, no one's ever at the police station at night, according to all the townspeople I talked to today, so you shouldn't run into anyone. Not that you have to go! I-it's just an idea...
And we can use my house. I live alone. It's uh... I don't remember the address, but it's blue, or maybe gray, and the front porch is sinking. The door doesn't shut all the way, so if it's locked, it's the wrong place.
no subject
[He perks back to attention when Atsushi mentions his house (not that Hitoshi looks perky, he never looks perky),]
Oh, you're stuck in that dump? [calling it a dump was blunt but... a little true.] Yeah, that sounds like a much better place to meet. [mentally, he's going through the checklist of how this was going to go. He was pretty good at planning, he just couldn't do it as impulsively and on-the-fly as the hero candidates could. It was something he was working on.]
He might have keys on him but I'll see about finding an extra... I don't think I can swing making a lockpick, I haven't done anything like that...
no subject
[They should probably have more well-thought-out plans before breaking into a police station. Atsushi was more of a “let's do this right now” type and it really hadn't worked well that often. Small details of planning and potential outcomes were something he usually glossed over, disregarded as unimportant, or didn't think about at all.]
Maybe you should go to the church. At least for the first time. Then we'd have a better idea of what we're looking for and more time to um, perfect... lockpicking or other... skills. If you don't show up, won't everyone be suspicious, i-if your dad's there and you're not? Oh, what if the files or documentation are in the church?
[If said documentation even actually existed, that wasn't a given.]
The basement had to be off-limits for some reason! There could be... scripture? O-or detailed accounts of older incidents. I don't know how organized religions work, really, but I mean, they have to use the basement for something incriminating or it wouldn't be such a big deal.
[There were too many possibilities; he was just throwing out whatever came to mind. Also, there were “consequences” to consider that might be activated simply by not going to the church. And while he was thinking about consequences and already on the subject of the church, he was using that as a segue to marginally related gossip, that may or may not be true. It didn't seem to matter.]
Did you know~ [he started in a role appropriate over-the-top stage whisper] that the priest is running an illegal poker game after the sabbath mass on Sundays? It's high limit, and the word is that he's borrowing from the collection box and the money allotted to the local charities because he's a terrible player and doesn't know when to quit.