Complete Private Main Story (S4 Finale P.2) Directive: Disable ✓

[Raid Boss]

Disable
Season 4 Finale - Part 1

The lullaby came quick and silent, catching Valmont when he least expected it. After the lullaby concluded, the command came next, overwhelming any mental defense he had.

[ Handler Permission: Szofrit. Command: Override. Autonomy: Bypassed. ]

By the time his eyes snapped wide open from the mind invader, it was already too late.

❰ Handler's Directive: Activated ❱
Attempt to Resist: Failed​

The migraine came next, wracking his brain unlike anything he had felt before.

Amid the mental storm, a distorted Szofrit speaking with an equally distorted voice appeared before the purple-haired magia.

[ The Red Keychild will soon be born. In order to complete the Red Key and access the Creator's Database, all we require are the other two ships. For the sake of the saviors, failure is not permitted -

You have been given the Astral Veil (cloaking module). Disable their weapons and equipment to deter them from invasion. Tap into the Handler's power reserve when it is required. ]

"Understood" Valmont replied, his words not his own.

When Valmont looked down at his hands, he noticed that he was able to phase in and out, essentially turning invisible, though, it was clear that there was a limit to how long he could stay cloaked, making it so that he likely had manage its use efficiently.

Directive: Disable the Starcalled technology and equipment​

@Valmont

• You may make a response (up to 700 words) or a brief recap of your action.
• At the end of your post, make 5 checks (DC 45) that each uses a unique mastery or expertise, which represents how well your character is carrying out their directive through them. Whenever you are using a mastery for this check, you may add 5 per MR to your roll from a second mastery.
• Each attempt is you carrying out your directive at different location in Camp Hope.

Afterward...

• This thread will allow a response and interaction from any interested characters after the next Narrator post.
• Other directive threads will open over the next few days.
• Each character may only participate in a single Directive thread at any given time. Wait a bit and see which thread best fits your character.
• A megathread that anyone can join will open up once all the Directive threads are up.
• All of this is Part 1 of the S4 Finale and are considered pre-event / lead-up to the final thread. The character participating won't get locked out of the finale thread unless there are some special narrative reason, which you may clear up with me first!

 

[Valmont]

A busy day, a busy life. Valmont was barely online for five minutes before the lullaby hit. He was completely unready for it, so out of touch with recent events. It hit like a riptide, sweeping him out into a world of passive thought. The directives came in place of consciousness, and with them a thread of power. He didn’t understand the orders talking about ships and red keys and children. But he did understand the crux of the issue: Disable the Starcalled.
As a bastion of protection, one who cherishes life above all else these orders found their place to resonate within him. Invasion? War? Conflict? These things killed people, and in this virtual world death mattered. It was time to fulfill his goal, and put a stop to it.

Like a shadow he slipped through Camp Hope. He’d been a figure here before so his presence wasn’t unusual. But this time his actions were meaningful. Arcanamancy and Magitech, his most powerful tools, the force of creation and protection hummed through him, and he put it to work.

He swept out past the defense wall and into the carnage of slag and scrap of the former battlefield, buried under a smattering of snow. Here he put his Inventory to use, pocketing every scrap of material he might find useful. Every shard of metal, every derelict power core, wires and circuitry. Entire bodies buried and forgotten. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Then he turned his attention back to Camp Hope. Poor, unsuspecting, still recovering. Would it ever get the chance to be a worthy outpost after tonight?

A brief moment of his newfound invisibility ability put him in the armory. Tools of war that would lead men to their deaths. Men couldn’t die if there was no armory. Slowly, quietly, he began to produce the parts he needed. Slowly, meticulously, he did the calculations and built his weapons. Soon they were finished. He placed one here, its power cell humming with implicit threat. He gave it a fond pat, a good tool to save lives.

Another wave of invisibility took him back out of the armory, and he began to make his way around. Here and there he would produce another device from his inventory and let it drop into the snow near the corners of targets. He wove his way through the tent city, anybody that questioned him got a litany of technobabble until their eyes glazed over and they let him get back to it. The reputation of MIT and their practices had its benefits. Occasionally he would call on his invisibility to sneak past someone particularly attentive, or get into sensitive locations. But out here in the sticks nobody gave him much thought. Especially when nothing seems to be happening.

At the end he made his way up to the outer wall. A place he was particularly fond of. He stood in a pristine hexagonal tile of peace amidst destruction. The place he worked from. The place he had a psychotic break. The place he met Rael. The place he found his purpose. A good place. Some deep part of him wondered what she would think of what he was about to do. But she wasn’t here.

Pulling a handheld device from his inventory he fingered it. Then he pushed the little blue button.

The air in the camp charged with static energy. The devices in the snow triggered, aetheric blue shield walls springing up around important, but empty, structures, targets, and tents. Men shouted. Cries of alarm and panic as they tried to figure out what was going on. Recent fights against the enemy Magia were all big, bombastic affairs. They all lacked the same thing, tactical subtlety.

Overcharged power cells ruptured. Attuned crystals cracked. Cores detonated. Tents and structures exploded in blue balls of energy. The shield walls created containment fields to keep the power in, feed it back upon themselves, to destroy the materials within. The fact that it was muted is what made it most terrifying. Quiet rumbles felt and seen more than heard.
​

---

Mastery: Arcanamancy

DC 45
1d100 (97) + 10 = 107
SUCCESS

Mastery: Magitech

DC 45
1d100 (48) + 10 = 58
SUCCESS

Mastery: Ranged Weapons

DC 45
1d100 (5) + 10 = 15
FAILURE

Expertise: Knowledge

DC 45
1d100 (70) + 20 = 90
SUCCESS

Expertise: Awareness

DC 45
1d100 (84) + 10 = 94
SUCCESS

​

 

[Raid Boss]

Some may call Valmont a saboteur or a terrorist, however, Valmont stayed true to himself even after fallen under the lullaby, inhabiting the role of the protector. Weapons do not bring peace and thus he blew the armory and without the majority of the starcalled weapon supplies to kingdom come.

The explosion deafened everyone within camp and further beyond.

That was only the start, however. With the cover of his benefactor and the night, Valmont faced toward the burning violence, filled with the determination to protect his fellow starcalled from war. Surely, their inability to fight effectively from the lack of weapons will either have them leave the game, or surrender.

Or so the turned mind believed.

 

[Raid Boss]

Disable
Season 4 Finale - Part 2

You and your team set out to track down the person responsible for the destruction of the armory at Levi's behest. You have few clues to go on. From your initial investigation, the culprit appeared to be working alone, so there wasn't the threat of his allies ambushing you all of a sudden.

Work your way methodically through the camp, use your investigative skills to suss him out and detain him. The blizzard is picking up, which should help you be discrete about it.

Valmont is crafty, be sure to avoid rousing his suspicion as you pursue him. He is the type to spring misdirection and using the cloaking ability strategically to avoid being caught. Use this thread to help build your scene!

Guidelines

• Max participants: 5
• Max word count: 700
• Make the appropriate rolls then, write a post and contribute to the scene

Objective: Locate Valmont

• Minimum Score: 375
• Perfect Victory: 500
• Passives: All
• Bonus Actions: None. See below
• Armor Ability: None

Mechanics

• At least one roll in this thread must be a Knowledge roll
• Make a Contribution Roll (Mastery or Expertise) and include how it contributes to the completion of the objective
  • Advantage: If you have at least 2 Knowledge-based masteries, your main roll gains an advantage
  • Weather: +1d20 from the blizzard (check Discord for my weather roll)
  • Combo: If a mastery check is used: +5 per MR of a secondary mastery
  • Narrative BA: If you have any relevant non-mechanical narrative tools that would aid you in this mission, you may use a BA to add 1d20 to your roll.

Spoiler: Post Template

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]

[/status]

Post here

[action]

[/action]
[b]Directive:[/b] Disable
▪ Chase Count: 000/375
▪ Player Count: 0/5
▪ Play Sheet

 

[Rael]

.

150 / 150

Normal

With their task assigned, Rael tore pages out of her grimoire, the script contained within each page holding a spark of magical intent that transformed the words written therein into tangible beings with a given purpose. At their core, were the stories that had given them life, but outwardly, they appeared no different than your average Starcalled.

How effortless you elude me,​

Already a few steps ahead.​

You're a mystery yet to be solved,​

But it is time you came to an end.​

Three creatures of magical origins answered the call: The Seamstress, the Faerin Warrior, and the Phoenix. The first two lowered themselves into a kneeling position for a brief moment, before each sprung into action with their purpose puppeteering the rest, moving in opposite directions in search of anything that could be classified as a "threat". The Phoenix flew overhead, taking solace in the shelter offered by the flames rising into the sky, as it kept watch over its master.

"That a single person might've caused so much damage... Do search in pairs, if possible. We do not need any more casualties today," Rael half-turned to meet the companions who would join her on the search, taking a decisive step toward Asher, whom she had arrived with. "I'll talk to the personnel at the Camp, to see if anyone saw anything or heard anything that might be of note."

One final page she tore out of her grimoire. Unlike the rest, this one was entirely blank and devoid of any depictions of tales collected over the past few months, yet it took shape regardless as the storyteller willed it to. A single shard of some obscure material hovered over her palm, with magical symbology writ upon its surfaces, waiting to be ignited at the slightest recognition of destructive energies.

"Take care, everyone. Big boy - let's go!"

---

@Asher ​

Mastery Check - Summary: Rael invokes her Summons to search for the culprit behind the explosions while pretending to aid the wounded, and she herself utilizes Harmonics Magic to influence the emotions of bystanders and others she talks to, easing them and reassuring them nothing is wrong as she gathers information from them.
1d100 (73) + 10 + 10 = 93
Harmonic Magic + Summon | Rael | Directive: Disable

Roll Result
1d20 (17) = 17
Weather | Rael | Directive: Disable

Roll Result - Summary: Utilizing her Dark Magic as a catalyst, Rael searches for a strong source of negative, destructive emotion amongst all the casualties. Surely, the culprit must feel some sort of anger to have done this!
1d20 (1) = 1
Narrative BA | Rael | Directive: Disable

Directive: Disable
▪ Chase Count: 111/375
▪ Player Count: 1/5
▪ Playsheet Link

 

[Asher]

160 / 160

"...Big Boy?" Asher parrots questioningly under his breath. There wasn't that big of a difference between their heights. Granted, yes, he probably did weigh more than the lithe summoner at his side, and this nickname was a far cry better than Bangs. Maybe it was the reminder that made him only minutely uncomfortable, the fact that there was a need for bonds and friends in this game.

It was impossible to exist in TerraSphere alone. The World was too dangerous to lone-ranger it.

And though Camp Hope is in shambles, the camp itself is a familiar place to Asher. He remembers where every nook and cranny is, where every forgotten shadow rests and allows someone or something to hide unseen. Whenever Rael stops to assist one or another person, or direct them about, Asher too stops and exhales, extending his awareness of the camp in an effort to locate any pockets of danger or nefarious vibrations.

Rolls

Expertise Contribution Roll
1d100 (54) + 15 = 69
Awareness | Asher | Directive: Disable

Weather
1d20 (12) = 12
Weather | Asher | Directive: Disable

Narrative (asher is familiar with camp hope which helps him scout out other places that those not as familiar with the camp would miss)
1d20 (10) = 10
Narrative BA | Asher | Directive: Disable

Directive: Disable
▪ Chase Count: 202 / 375
▪ Player Count: 2 / 5
▪ Play Sheet

 

[Darko Ljubicic]

140 / 140

As Darko saw what happened to the armory in Camp Hope, he could only frown in disappointment. It had seemed that their enemy had really done a number on them, and used their gained pawns to their advantage by utilizing the knowledge and goodwill of the Starcalled, and now everyone had eyed on each other with suspicion and distrust. On this current wartime situation, this should not do, as cooperation within the Starcalled, as well as between Starcalled and the Landers. was necessary in order to fight this battle against the robotic invaders. Although both also needed some discipline in their ranks, the former was the prime issue, and so Darko had to catch the culprit of this bombing as soon as possible.

He then started asking around the camp on what had happened, to try to gain some valuable information needed in order to know what happened here. After the initial conversations, he then extrapolated on those, and then started weaving a plausible explanation. It had seemed that at the time of the ruination of the armory, the people around the camp had heard no sound but only tremors and the sight of the armory exploding. It was made to be seen as just an earthquake happening, but there was evidence of sabotage, judging by the explosion marks in places where there should be no explosion from the materials inside. The enemy, therefore, seemed to have a knowledge of stealth, and judging by what they did today, it was a magical one. Fortunately, a blizzard was currently raging around the area, so it might be beneficial in their search for the culprit.

He then would try to inform everyone in the team, including @Rael and @Asher among them, about this assessment, with the general gist to direct their searches to all passage points pointing outside and potential hiding points, and if there are suspicious sightings and snow tracks within the area to shout so as to let the others hear and direct their search to that area. But as he then moved towards Rael, he then noticed something on her hand. It seemed to have been the shard of the explosive device that was used, which was a perfect evidence for him. It might not be needed to pry the shard away from her hands, he would just need to look intently at the shard in order to try to visualize the future of the person who once used the explosive from which the shard was ejected, using his Astral magic. He would then try to shut out the gleanings of the future of the woman in order to further filter his search. As he then repeatedly done this seance in his mind again and again, he then knew the approximate position of the culprit at some point in time, and what potential movement he might have done in another. This should narrow the range of their search, but still it was broad enough for the culprit to remain unseen. But still, this was a good start.

"That building from there to that building there, from the armory to the barracks, set up a patrol within the perimeter, concentrate your searches within the area, and do not let anyone slip away from there!" He then commanded. "The culprit might not have gotten away yet!"

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (54) + 20 = 74
Knowledge | Darko Ljubicic | Directive: Disable

Weather
1d20 (10) = 10
Weather | Darko Ljubicic | Directive: Disable

Narrative Bonus: (tl;dr: Darko notices the shard that was held by @Rael, and uses Astral magic to try figuring out the future movement of the culprit.)
1d20 (6) = 6
Narrative Bonus | Darko Ljubicic | Directive: Disable

Directive: Disable
▪ Chase Count: 292/375
▪ Player Count: 0/5
▪ Play Sheet

 

[Imoogi]

"Why does it have to be so fuckin' cold," Imoogi muttered as she trudged through the storm. The potion she'd consumed kept her warm enough to stay away, but the chill still had a bite that made everything slow and painful. What she really wanted was to be on the frontlines, but nooo, apparently the guild considered her abilities more applicable to hunting down the guy that blew up the armory.

They probably just wanted to keep her away from fighting, again. If it weren't for the fact she was getting paid for what was actually a high priority quest, she wouldn't be anywhere near here.

One potion to keep her warm. Another to sharpen her senses, including the faint ebb and flow of life force, left by the Magia's passive sipping from the environment. The bitter cold may have forced most of the world into slumber, but there were still "beasts", squirming in the earth or sequestered among... others. All she had to do was follow the faint trail of death her prey left as he moved.

(It made her feel a little better, thinking of him as prey. More exciting, at least.)

"Now where are you, metal man...?" She shivered, fog hissing between her lips with each exhale. Unfortunately, the bitter cold was making it hard to focus. It was a wonder she was able to detect anything at all...

Rolls

Mastery Check
2d100 (Advantage) (30, 11) + 10 + 10 = 50
Alchemy + Animancy (C) | Imoogi | 1686

@Tarkya
Roll Result
1d20 (3) = 3
Weather | Imoogi | 1686

Narrative Bonus: Using Animancy to detect the life form drain left by magia, and Shadow Arts to stay stealthy.
1d20 (3) = 3
Narrative BA | Imoogi | 1686

Directive: Disable
▪ Chase Count: 348/375
▪ Player Count: 4/5
▪ Play Sheet

 

[Magnolia]

165 / 165

Ready to help

WAAAH HAH HAH!

Valkryja exclaimedin the depths of her mind, confident as she puffed her chest and rested her hands on her waist as she huffed quietly.

She was told to be very quiet, to not catch attention from the enemy they were seeking for, and she made sure to be quiet by-

BEING MYSELF ONLY IN MY OWN MIND, HAH!

Yes... Valkryja isn't just about muscles, no- I am the strongest, smartest, greatest, PERFECTEST, so I knew how to be quiet, and it is to leave all the noise I make INSIDE OF MY HEAD!

Her chest only puffed more as she walked. Of course, not a single voice escaped from her, not even the briefest of the noise. And yet, her expressions and gestures SCREAMED.

And not only that, completely ignoring her loud and ruthless bruteforce, she decided to take a 'magical' approach, but using her metamorphing to enhance her sensorial aspects, while carefully using her Geomantic sensibility to try and sense the tremors the 'invisible' escapist!

WAAAAAH HAH HAH HAH!

She cheered on, in her own mind. She was a genius!

Rolls

Roll Result
1d20 (16) = 16
Blizzard Bonus | Valkrjya | Directive: Disable

(BA) Auto Assist
+15 to attacks, heals, buffs, checks, contributions, and saves.
Valkryja

Mastery Check
1d100 (53) + 10 + 5 + 15 + 16 = 99
Metamorph + Geomancy | Valkryja | Directive: Disable

Directive: Disable
▪ Chase Count: 447/375
▪ Player Count: 5/5
▪ Play Sheet

 

[Raid Boss]

Despite @Valmont's careful attempt to hide from his pursuers, he was quickly located by the group with an effective leadership, sharp mind, sharp senses, and a loud, but inspiring mouth, the turned magia man was strategically led into a corner where he could no longer avoid them.

With Valmont unable to escape, now is the time to help him resist the Handler's Lullaby.

Resolution Phase

Everyone in this thread may roll a 1d4 and bring Valmont back with a 4. Those who has a close relationship with Valmont may roll with advantage. Afterward, make a post to wrap up the thread.

If successful, a horseback messenger would stop by to request for the group to rally at the frontline, where the rest of the Starcalled are preparing to raid Szofrit.

@Rael @Asher @Darko Ljubicic @Imoogi @Valkryja

 

[Rael]

.

150 / 150

Normal

"Valmont, did you..?" A stupid question, in hindsight. Rael knew the answer well before she spoke it, as all of the group's combined efforts had led them to find the exact same person.

Magia, no matter if they were a friend or part of the enemy lines, were being detained everywhere.

Her eyes softened as they fell onto the familiar form of Valmont, holding his gaze where it met her own as if the act itself were defiance enough. Destruction rained from above and descended upon all who looked, uncaring for the sentimentalities of those it had taken. Those caught within the Armory, as well as those who had been stationed nearby...

She remembered how she had found him. How pitiful he had looked as he struggled to reconcile with the fact of all the people that had been lost to the defense of Camp, and as she looked to the person in front of her right now, she knew there was no way such a person would delight themselves on the destruction of something he had once fought to protect.

"My, you have caused so much trouble..." The Storyteller drew closer with a hesitancy to her movements, unable to keep her body from reacting with the fear she near-perfectly concealed from her face, which only showed the slightest hints of a smile. "We can't stay here. They're gonna take you if they find you."

"Please, Valmont, come back with us. I'll even help you hide!" The elf held a magical spark within her fingertips, ready to conceal the Magia's appearance if it ever became necessary.

"You can't rebuild all that you have broken if they take you away. You don't want to leave it like this... Do you? I need you to say you don't want to, please."

---

@Valmont ​

Roll Result
1d4 (4) = 4
Rael | Directive: Disable

 

[Raid Boss]

Those who haven't may still make a wrap up post to conclude their involvement with this thread. However, this directive thread is concluded as of this post.

 

[Valmont]

She found him there, in that place on the wall. He hadn’t left since he’d detonated the bombs, stock still looking out over the smoking remains of Camp Hope. As she approached, he didn’t move to flee, but his head did turn from the camp. Perhaps it was not seeing what she expected that had struck fear into her. A man who always shied away from destruction, a man who crumbled around death and loss. The smiling face of this man filled with pride at what he’d accomplished didn’t fit into those eyes. His golden irises burned bright in the shadows cast over his face. The bands of light widening and thinning as he focused and refocused on her. His grin broadened at her greeting.

”Amber!” He whispered excitedly. ”Come and see what Papa has done, yeah?” He moved towards her, his stride a little awkward like a puppet missing a string. He placed his hand on her shoulder and swept his other out over the camp. ”These folks at Camp Hope make a profit on suffering. Too much fighting, too much money in war. How many lives have they spent holding this pointless outpost? So, it’s just easier to take all of their toys away, yeah? Like before, take it all away and they’ll leave again. Papa was very careful, he checked everywhere to make sure they were empty, and shielded them so the blast was targeted. Clever, very clever, yeah?”
He took a deep breath, reveling in his good work. ”Come- ah, come with me to MIT. They have more… More tools… More… Toys. With your… magic…?” He frowned, turned towards her and sniffed again. At first, furtive, then he closed his eyes and took a longer breath. His hand recoiled from her shoulder like she’d slapped him. His tenuous connection with Szofrit snapped.
When he reopened his eyes the burning bright rings of gold had dimmed to their normal radiance. Without all of that light it became clear; not rings of gold, rings of Amber. His eyes flicked between hers, searching, finding answers he didn’t like. Reality began to reassert itself in his muddled mind. "@Rael ?” He breathed. He turned his focus back out over Camp Hope and saw reality with new, old, eyes.

Those buildings weren’t empty. Armories, guard posts, officers quarters. He’d even hit residences, barracks full of sleeping men. The carefully calculated shields he placed to protect lives weren’t shields. They were pipe bombs. They held the blasts back until they were at the height of destruction, vaporizing the men inside before failing and letting loose an inferno an order of magnitude worse.
He choked. ”Rael… What have I done?” He asked, horrified. ”How many men did I… Oh God…” He turned away, too disgusted at himself to look at her; to let her look at him. His body started to tremble and tears ran freely down his cheeks.

"You can't rebuild all that you have broken if they take you away. You don't want to leave it like this... Do you? I need you to say you don't want to, please."

”I can’t leave it like this. I won’t. I- I need to fix it. To put it back together. Just… Give me a moment, yeah? It’s- how did I even do this? How could I not know? What the fuck is wrong with me?”
​

---