Description: Collected organizational posts for the End of the World TinyPlot.
End of the World: Round 1 - Sun Aug 17 2014 - Magaki
Signups are open for the first round of The End of the World. To sign up, type '+signup ???' while in the OOC Room. It's ??? because it's a very mysterious plot!
You are free to participate with multiple alts if you wish, so go ahead and sign up anyone you want. We will ensure they do not end up interacting.
By default, for this opening round, your character will be assigned to an 'official' Gaia Tournament match or an 'unofficial' encounter related to the natural disasters and strange phenomena that will be taking place over the course of the week. If you have a preference on how you want your character(s) to be assigned, be sure to make a note of that in your Plotnote. (See +help plotnote for more details.)
Signups will close late Tuesday night on the 19th and scenes will be posted Thursday evening on the 21st.
End of the World: Round 1 Matches - Thu Aug 21 2014 - Magaki
END OF THE WORLD, ROUND ONE: "SELECT YOUR CHARACTER"
These matches brought to you by Shion, who is currently en route to a convention.
* * * JAPAN * * *
MAKI vs IBUKI vs TODOH in "NINJA, INTERRUPTED"
When safe ground is scarce and someone is liable to get severely burned, name a better place for a fight between three ninja-- Wait, two ninja and... Todoh?
A shinobi from the Miyama clan investigating Mount Fuji goes missing, but Ryuhaku Todoh is there to take his place. Why? Because wouldn't YOU volunteer yourself if you could surf down the face of Mount Fuji on a rock that is slowly being disintegrated by molten lava, hitting girls with Kasane Ate? The Gaia Tournament organizers do not assume any responsibility for damages incurred during this match, so try not to fall in.
NOTE: Due to limited maneuverability while surfing over lava, dodge chances will be reduced during this fight. Please contact a staffer prior to commencing your match.
BLANKA vs MURDERHOUSE in "WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE"
MURDERHOUSE has just encountered a genuine monster, and the experience has left him ill at ease. While trying to wrap his head around the fact that these creatures exist, he must fight Blanka in an abandoned village close to the summit of Mount Fuji. Another monster? Blanka wants to know more. The Gaia Tournament must have its reasons for staging a match here, where blinding ash fills the air and chokes it from the lungs of the combatants, making it difficult to see. Protective gas masks have been provided, but what good will they do when the glass fogs? Will they be able to discuss the matter once the fight is over? Could Blanka know what a 'Darkstalker' is?
NOTE: Both fighters will be granted access to DM/Shroud for the duration of the fight. It is not required to use Shroud, but it'd be totally cool if either of you did! Please contact a staffer prior to commencing your match.
DUKE vs CHUN-LI in "KING OF THE MOUNTAIN"
The Strongest Woman in the World does not know where to start or who to investigate to get to the bottom of these bizarre phenomena, but she does learn that Duke is exploiting the citizens of Southtown, demanding payment for protection and evacuation efforts. This does not sit well with Chun-Li, a former agent of Interpol. It's a good thing that the Gaia Tournament has announced that she will be fighting this very individual on the top of Mount Fuji, right over the churning lava that bubbles over the edge. There's a sizable shelf all the way around which they may fight on, but beware of the drop -- it's a real doozy.
KYO vs IGNIZ in "CAST OUT FROM HEAVEN"
A cryptic message arrives for Kyo Kusanagi the day before he is to receive his tournament match billing: the Yata Mirror has been stolen, and Chizuru Kagura requests his help. After being berated by his mother into doing so, Kyo heads to the shrine only to encounter an unlikely enemy: Igniz, leader of NESTS, who has received intelligence that the mysterious figures working behind the scenes of the Gaia Tournament have been spotted at the Yata Shrine. Neither Chizuru nor any of these shadowy figures are present, leaving the Kusanagi heir and the fabulous geneticist to square off. Perhaps it's time for Kyo to show the leader of the NESTS Cartel that he is far superior to any clone they could ever hope to produce, but who could ever hope to beat the lovable Igniz?
NOTE: Way to miss your tournament match, Kyo.
* * * 'MURICA * * *
JULIA vs MR.BURR in "COLOURS OF THE WIND"
Metro City has been hit hard by torrential rains and much of the land surrounding Haggar's metropolis has been flooded. Trees uprooted, farms swamped, was that an alligator? Entrepeneurs of disrepute have set their sights on the area just north of the city, their aim to drain the murky waters and transform 'inhabitable space' into a booming district that specializes in drugs and other gang-related activities. Of course, this is not what they have claimed openly. The citizens of Metro City have banded together in protest; they believe the land should be restored and are currently searching for sponsors willing to fund replantation efforts. Organizers of the Gaia Tournament have stepped forward in this time of need, but only in support of one party. Which side reaps the benefits will be determined in a fierce battle between two representatives in the marsh lands surrounding Metro City...
NOTE: Reserve costs have increased due to the effort required to move in the marshes. Please contact a staffer prior to commencing your match.
SHENWOO vs BENIMARU in "SHUT THE HELL UP, PIKACHU"
Two titans clash in Metro City's filthy, flooded epicentre. It is raining, and there is the possibility of being electrocuted by more than Benimaru's shocking personality... which is totally not his own. The suave and sexy model seems to be under the impression that the answer to every problem is punching it. Preferably until it stops moving. Shen is sassy and flamboyant. Who will win, whose hair will be ruined, and is Shen gonna return to Southtown with a manicure or something, 'cause that's just weird and the Gaia Tournament does not endorse this lifestyle change.
PARADOX EFFECT: Benimaru and Shenwoo have switched personalities for this fight.
TABITHA and FRANK vs RUST in "COINS ARE MINT TO BE"
Frank likes to punch things for money, Tabitha enjoys punching things and then giving away her money. What happens when the two join forces and face-off against against some old guy who could REALLY use a new toupee? I have no idea, completely forgot where I was going with that thought. The Gaia Tournament doesn't hesitate to throw its weight (or wallet) around; Magaki himself confirmed that the winner(s) of this match will receive a considerable sum -- best part is, it's cold hard cash. Does it matter that one participant is a newcomer? Not if she has the guts to fight in downtown Metro City on a gondola. The winds are strong, the rain soaks you faster than the cold water bucket challenge, and you can be certain that the first person who falls in the muck down below will probably never smell the same again, but hey, think of the money. Should the team of two be victorious, the Gaia Tournament encourages the teammates to turn on one another. All's fair in love and headbutting your new friend with your cranium when you can double your payout!
ZACH vs WENDIGO in "BULLETSTORM"
To recruit dregs for your fledgling empire, you must go to where the worst of humanity congregates when faced with disaster -- the streets downtown. Wendigo selects only the most savage looters and sociopaths to join his cause, but he encounters trouble in the form of Zach Glen, desperate for information on the Quon Chen Institute. As the rain continues to cascade down in sheets, tensions run high, a cruel wind cuts like a knife, and an unexpected rematch begins. Zach's headache is worse than ever before, and he can't seem to keep focused. Will the ambitious Wendigo triumph, or will his efforts to put Zach down like a dog result in yet another failure?
NOTE: This is an unofficial match. Zach alone will suffer from a minor penalty to blocking. Please contact a staffer prior to commencing your match.
* * * THAILAND * * *
VARVARA and TRAN vs BRETT and SAKURA in "CURRIED FAVOURS"
Rayong is in dire straits after the Gulf of Thailand froze solid on Wednesday. The people are starving, all aquatic life has been lost, and no one can explain it. In a gracious gesture of humanitarianism, the Gaia Tournament organizers proposed a Thai curry cooking competition to feed hungry fishermen currently without work. Brett and Sakura have been sent as ambassadors of good will, and perhaps they may even whip up a specialty dish, but what's a dinner without a little entertainment? Paid by a mysterious no-gooder, Tran crashes the party and attempts to ruin all the things. The event goes even further awry as Varvara might be looking for a free meal. Was it the organizers who put them up to this, and for what purpose? Stay tuned to find out as Sakura and Brett must stop Tran and Varvara by any means possible, like throwing bowls of spicy curry. What a waste.
MUNIN, JIRA and LILI vs KULA in "JUDGMENT DAY?"
Swimsuits! With ice skates! What's a tournament without a little fan service? The stunning Lili in a pearly white bikini, lovely Jira letting loose in a slinky one-piece, cutesy Munin dressed in a frilly two-piece, or Kula, who is too young to describe in a manner like that. Ahhh, the Gulf may be frozen over, but the sun is still hot, and there's still plenty to see as the pretty ladies of the Gaia Tournament... Have a good old fashioned BEATDOWN on the coastal shores of Malaysia. Bring some pillows for those buns, ladies, because the winner will be decided not by the victor, but by your match spectators! Points will be awarded based on a scale of one to ten, so skate well (or skate poorly if you're a rebel), fight better, and keep your swimsuits on, there's children watching.
NOTE: If possible, select two or three player volunteers to play as judges, whether as their characters or as NPCs. Judges will pose throughout the match to banter with each other and commentate, but not as a part of turn order. Each judge will assign a score of 1 through 10 to each fighter at the end of the match, based on how their skating prowess combines with their fighting technique, and whoever earns the most points is the true winner.
KEN vs SAGAT in "THE BRINK OF DEATH"
The great Sagat has returned to Thailand in its time of need, and for his first match he will face the only other worthy of calling himself Ryu's rival: Ken Masters, American martial arts champion. Their battle is to take place upon a large fishing vessel which has been frozen in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand and abandoned, but upon arriving there, the fighters experience a strange and unsettling distortion and find themselves watched by a gallery of the souls of the dead, who silently watch on as the champions battle and who only Ken and Sagat can see. The wills of these seasoned fighters are put to the test upon this ghost ship by the psychological burden of the presence of the dead, whom someday these fighters shall surely join.
PARADOX EFFECT: Ken and Sagat are both assailed by thoughts of their mortality as they try to fight. Both find themselves asking whether or not they are satisfied with the paths they've taken, and what more they want to do to leave a proper legacy behind.
* * * FRANCE * * *
DANIEL and NOBORU vs MUKAI in "TO SEEK THE TRUTH"
An investigation probing deep into the depths of the Louvre Museum reveals a twisting maze of catacombs that descend further and further into the Earth. Two individuals investigating the mass disappearances meet and find that they are unlikely allies from very different backgrounds. Approaching the door that lies in wait at the end of one particular corridor, they encounter the guardian of the door, who refuses to permit them entry. Claiming to be from a mysterious group known only as Those from His Distant Land, Mukai challenges the two to an honourable battle. Should they best him, Mukai may share details of what lays beyond the door. If they fail, they will learn the way out and be permitted to leave with their lives... before the world goes black and each awakens on the steps of the Lourve.
PARADOX EFFECT: Daniel and Noboru each select a significant person from their pasts. (An option for Noboru is the Miyama shinobi sent to Mt. Fuji who has just disappeared.) During the fight, that person appears as a ghostly phantom to each individual alone and speaks of past regrets, distracting the fighters with memories they'd rather forget. Daniel and Noboru cannot see or hear each other's phantom, but can hear the other's responses to his phantom. Both phantoms present the same central question: Is there something about the past you wish you could change? If you had the power to do so, would you?
ALMA vs NAMELESS with JIRO as CHAOS AGENT in "FACE YOURSELF"
Believing that the disappearances in France may be related to some sort of psychic manipulation, the Scarred Beauty of Southtown departs for France. The air stirs with supernatural energy, voices of the deceased call to him from the beyond, the missing plead from a plane where they no longer exist. Nameless has been sent by NESTS to learn of the disasters plaguing the world. When both fighters step through a dimensional rift, they find themselves in a desolate wasteland, and are faced not by the other, but by themselves. Forced to fight what they believe is a sinister version of themselves, their salvation comes in the form of Jiro Kasagi. Perhaps this is the dimension he had come from, and he is seen plainly for who he is, but can he make Alma and Nameless see the other for who they are and guide them out from the rift back to France, or will they remain trapped within for all eternity?
PARADOX EFFECT: Alma will see Nameless as himself and vice versa for the duration of the fight. Moments of clarity are few and far between, and while you are able to hear the other speak, your mind will twist the words as it sees fit, distorting meanings and heightening feelings of fear, panic and hopelessness. Only Jiro is able to see each fighter for who they are and they may see him if they want, but he may also shift into periods where he is unable to discern their identities. The only way to wake up? Get some sense knocked into you, the good old fashioned way. Being hit by Jiro is the only way to snap out of it. Alma and Nameless may decide when this is, as long as three rounds have passed.
* YANG vs VYLE in "HIS MAJESTY'S ROYAL MELEE"
King Louis XIV has returned to the Louvre to hold court, where once the Sun King ruled before the construction of Versailles, and he is very confused. Investigations of the museum are still ongoing, but the former palace has opened its doors once again to tourists as there was no hard evidence as to why they shouldn't... Until King Louis popped up in their midst, marched to his throne room, and couldn't believe his eyes. All these people in strange clothes, here in his home! Were they foreign nobility? Where were his servants? This incited mass panic and hysteria, and now the king refuses to leave. When asked by mediums what he could be here for, King Louis of France demanded that a mock battle be held in his honour, and the Gaia Tournament has risen magnificently to the challenge and provided Yang and Vyle, a vibrant youth and a former wrestler who has some lofty ambitions.
End of the World: Round 1 Notes - Thu Aug 21 2014 - Magaki
Welcome to the beginning of the end. Events are only going to heat up from here, so enjoy your scenes, and if anything especially exciting happens to your character, be sure to update your Plotnote afterward!
As you can see, we have a massive amount of participants, but if you weren't able to get in on it this round, don't forget that signups are renewed on a weekly basis, so you can join the fun when you're available.
Please try to schedule and finish your matches before Monday the 25th. Signups for Round 2 will open this weekend and close on Tuesday, and we plan on once again having matches posted by Thursday the 28th.
Also, as previously mentioned in an earlier post, the 'Paradox Effects' are RP challenges that involve psychological changes to your character. If you have been assigned to a match with a Paradox Effect and aren't into it, let us know and we'll sort something out. We hope very much you find them interesting and enjoyable.
If you have any questions or desire an additional encounter with some of the mysterious figures behind these events, just let me know!
End of the World: Round 2 - Sun Aug 24 2014 - Magaki
Signups are open for the second round of The End of the World. I hope all of you have enjoyed (or are enjoying) your first round matches! To sign up, once again type '+signup ???' while in the OOC Room.
Signups will close on Tuesday night and matches will be posted on Thursday the 28th, as per last week. Even if you did not participate in the first round, you are welcome to join.
Make sure to update your Plotnotes with any new information you'd like us to know so that we can structure your matches accordingly. If you there's a direction you'd like your character in and you have some questions, feel to free to page or @mail me or Shion any time.
Better start checking boxes on your bucket lists. This one-way trip to Armaggedon is going to get a bit bumpy.
Despairing Havoc - Tue Aug 26 2014 - Jiro
Alright, so I have been musing about this for sometime. I decided the other day that I will be going through with this.
The events that I am hosting is a fallout from the TP. There are many reasons why I am hosting this:
1) I want to explore the human factors that trinkle down from events like this. As the TP deals with the End of the World, this gives a precedent of how the populus, who is affected by this, matters.
2) This will give people a chance to do Final Fight-esque scenes. I'll be hosting this (along with anyone that wants to help). I know we do a lot of one on one fights, but I definitely know people would LOVE to be going around town, smacking down badguys in a Final Fight-esque manner. This is something I am totally doing for folks.
3) While fighting has a place, this goes back to #1. ...There will be times when fighting may not be a good idea.
Nevertheless, the cult is rising and there will be some events that I am planning out. Things will make an appearance soon.
HOWEVER! If anyone wants to investigate the [Mass Suicide at Justice High] and [Congregation of Doomsayers], let me know via @mail. I'll make time to host something through the time that I am on for you guys. :D
End of the World: Round 2 Matches - Thu Aug 28 2014 - Magaki
END OF THE WORLD, ROUND TWO: "SELECT YOUR STAGE"
* * * PARIS * * *
DANIEL and JIRO vs ASH in "CONFESSIONAL"
Daniel's search through Paris for clues about the enigmatic Saiki of whom Mukai spoke leads him to again encounter a certain time-traveling Stray Dog, and then leads them both to Notre Dame Cathedral, which now languishes without visitors. There the two encounter Ash Crimson, who waits as though their chase had been by his design. He possesses a prize that, should they win it, could upend these nefarious plots and force the enemy into the open. But though detective and hound may wish to interrogate his association with the tournament, it is they, in the mysterious atmosphere of the empty church, who will find themselves questioned.
PARADOX EFFECT: Ash has the power to ask three questions of Daniel and Jiro each (for a maximum of six total), to which they must respond absolutely honestly and in detail. These questions can be serious or absurd. If any of them make the player uncomfortable, call a do-over.
SEISHIROU vs FREI in "FRAGMENTED REFLECTIONS"
Frei's pursuit of the origin of the bizarre energy fluctuations in Paris leads him to the glass pyramids and fountains of the plaza outside the Louvre, where he finds a single man: Seishirou, tuning a musical instrument hewn of stone. The last identifiable source of the leyline distortions lies somewhere below them. But who shall have the right to advance onward to its heart? Whose purpose in doing so is the stronger? And from whence does that strength emerge?
PARADOX EFFECT: In the broken-up reflections of the glass panels of the Louvre's pyramids, Frei and Seishirou periodically see reflections of their past selves, each time at a different age or life stage. These reflections speak to them alone, without hostility or an accusatory tone, and ask how their present self came to pass. How is who they are today a culmination of the selves they once were? Is it for the best, or have they left something important behind?
INA vs JEZEBEL in "STARSTRUCK"
A stage has been set upon the legendary Avenue des Champs-Elysees where a performance is to boost the flagging morale of Paris's beleagured citizens. Ina's label and the Gaia Tournament have collaborated to produce a concert followed by an extravagant fight against the inimitable Jezebel. After the successful show, can Ina's magnified star power carry her through the duel?
NOTE: Ina receives an additional 5 super per turn.
VYLE vs JIRA vs YUN in "TOMB RAIDERS"
After his victory, Yang is informed by what has to be a very persuasive King Louis XIV impersonator of a royal treasure likely still hidden in a Parisian catacomb connected to its old sewer system. He generously passes the information onto a very interested Vyle once his adversary awakens, but when Yun finds out Yang has squandered this opportunity he rushes off in pursuit to stop Vyle and find the treasure himself. Out of pure coincidence, Jira, wandering through Paris, stumbles across Vyle just as he opens the grate in an alleyway that's said to be the entrance closest to the treasure. But as soon as Yun arrives, he recognizes Jira as a notorious tab-skipper. When all is said and done with this chaotic clash, who will be the first to raid the tomb?
* * * METRO * * *
WENDIGO and CHESIRE vs MR.BURR and VARVARA in "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY"
The showdown for control of the Metro City underworld takes place in the second story of a flooded house with broken floorboards, a suitable metaphor for the state of the metropolis as a whole. With the well-known gangs in disarray and the city crumbling around them, Wendigo and his minion Cheshire square off with the dapper Mr. Burr and his hungry hireling Varvara. The only way to settle once and for all who will unify Metro's dregs is to rumble. Whoever loses this battle will have to settle for second-in-command, but no matter who wins, the four of them could become a force to be reckoned with, and as a team would have a chance to make some serious cash off the end of days.
RUST and FRANK vs ROLENTO in "NO MORE GONDOLAS"
All Rust wanted to do was cash a check. After their tournament battle, he and Frank join forces to aid the evacuations in Metro City, supplying their vaunted strength and resilience. They eventually make their way to Metro City First Bank, ostensibly to rescue anyone stranded there but also in the vain hope that someone there might be able to deposit Rust's tournament earnings so he can catch a plane out of this mess. But the bank is abandoned save for three feet of standing water and one Rolento, who has been roaming the ruined city and has half a mind to blow upon the vault. They may have to fight on desks and countertops to get out of the swampy muck, but hey, Frank, at least there are no gondolas.
SHENWOO vs TODOH in "NO SANE MAN"
Shen Woo, dazed and confused after his incomprehensible battle with a lunatic referring to himself as "Shenimarchu," finds himself at Metro City's windswept and rain-hammered harbor on the eve of a hurricane's arrival, a place that no reasonable person should be. It thus stands to reason that Todoh is there, on an important quest he is sure to tell Shen Woo all about. Unfortunately, even if Shen Woo could understand Todoh's logic, the raging winds ensure that both will mishear what the other is saying. Shen Woo has had it up to here with these crazies, but even his fists will have trouble crushing Todoh's defiance.
NOTE: Shenwoo gains additional super from inflicting damage, but Todoh gains even more super from
receiving damage.
* * * THAILAND * * *
LILI vs FRANZISKA in "ROYAL TREATMENT"
The Gaia Tournament has arranged a duel on the front lawn of the Royal Palace in Bangkok, where Franziska hopes to encounter a strong and intriguing fighter and Lili simply hopes for a contest suiting to her dignity. It appears that both shall get their wish, but nothing in this tourney is quite so simple. The air is strangely heavy and everyone in the vicinity is highly fatigued. The fighters are made of sterner stuff, but even their strong constitutions cannot entirely resist the effects of their environment: when they suffer damage, their injuries slow them much more than usual.
NOTE: All attacks will be automatically flagged with SAP. Overall damage inflicted will increase to
compensate for the partial conversion to reserve damage.
SAGAT vs IGNIZ in "TIGER'S PRIDE"
Standing alone amongst the withering mangroves, Sagat contemplates his next move. The Gaia Tournament appeared a useful means by which to help his home country and to return to glory, but rumors of strange supernatural phenomena suggest that all is not as it seems. As if on cue, Igniz arrives, having learned much of the mysteries behind the tournament and seeking strong recruits to his cause, promising that to defeat those who plot behind the scenes will be to save Thailand. But Sagat knows all too well what it is to serve a mad mastermind. Should Sagat refuse to cooperate, Igniz will find that the tiger is not easily tamed.
NOTE: Sagat receives a bonus to his chance to inflict power and critical hits.
MUNIN vs BRETT in "WINTER WONDERLAND"
Munin will be glad to hear that the Gaia Tournament's next match for her involves neither swimsuits nor ice skating-- at least, not for her. She and Brett are scheduled to fight within a beautiful ice cavern that has spontaneously formed within what was before an island cove, its stalactites now glimmering icicles. A central frozen pool is surrounded by a ring of rock festooned with hunks of dazzling reflective ice crystals, which together allow maximum maneuverability for Brett should he stay on the ice and facilitating Munin's confounding illusions should she stay off it.
NOTE: Brett receives a bonus to dodge and Munin receives a bonus to interrupt.
KEN vs SHION in "ON THE PRECIPICE"
Ken receives a summons from the tournament head, Magaki, to a small remote island in the middle of the frozen Gulf of Thailand. When he arrives at the designated location, however, Ken finds himself not involved in an official tournament match or endorsement negotiations but confronted on a cliff of ice and snow by a beautiful man with a spear who taunts him and questions his resolve. There is a great prize to be won here, but it comes at the cost of becoming further embroiled in the mysteries at the heart of this tournament. Will Ken rise to the occasion and strive to become a hero in his own right? Or is it more important for him to return home to be a family man? Whatever the case, at least this opponent is fonder of witty banter than the last one.
* * * JAPAN * * *
BLANKA vs MORRIGAN in "ONE OF US"
Blanka, confused and depressed after his previous duel, finds a shaded grove within Japan's forests that has been left mysteriously untouched by the spreading ash clouds, where fireflies gather over a limpid pool. There, under night's cover, wondering if he will ever encounter one like himself, she emerges as though from a dream, wreathed in fluttering bats and silvery laughter. This one interests her, having endured for so long without others of his kind. What does it mean to be a monster? Perhaps in this moonlight dance an answer lies.
NOTE: Morrigan is fighting playfully to test Blanka, and inflicts less damage than normal.
KYO vs GOUKEN in "FINAL TEST"
"It's time for you to get off your lazy butt and shine, Kyo! Ha ha!" his father had said. "Flights to Thailand are rock-bottom cheap right now, so your mother and I are joining Takuma and Gen on a beach vacation. Good luck saving the world, kid!" Left with mysterious directions to one of the few places on Mt. Fuji not entirely swamped by lava, Kyo at last arrives at an old thatched hut where a strange hermit dwells. The Kusanagi heir has long since tired of his father's irritating old friends, but this one seems tougher than most. Time to show these coots he's got what it takes once and for all.
NOTE: Kyo is fighting at his peak and will hit TOP at only 50% super.
HONOKA and SAKURA vs MUKAI in "DREAM COME TRUE"
The unsettling deaths at Justice High have cast a pall over the students of Southtown murkier than the ash above. Sakura and Honoka are hanging out in the Dream Amusement Park after hours, long after the rides have stopped and visitors have left, to talk so that Sakura can keep her spirits up, although Honoka seems to have other things on her mind. But a strange mountain of a man emerges from the darkness to suggest an intriguing possibility: what if the world could be remade in your own image, and the wrongs that have been done -- even very ancient wrongs -- be undone? As he challenges their resolve, the wishes and moods of the two young women seem to twist the world around them.
PARADOX EFFECT: Honoka and Sakura's players cooperate in advance to decide how the environment will be transformed in accordance with their characters' emotions and inner desires. Sadness might make the ground into a mire into which the two constantly sink, while rage might cause the amusement park to appear to go up in flames. These illusions disappear once the fight is over, but could accidentally reveal to one fighter the true heart of the other.
NOBORU and MURDERHOUSE vs VERTIGO in "PRIMAL RAGE"
In search of the lost Miyama shinobi and concerned about the conspiracy at the heart of the Gaia Tournament, Noboru arrives in Japan and receives word of where his partner was last spotted: in a camp for evacuees at the Ise Grand Shrine. This is also where Murderhouse finds himself after his confrontation with Blanka, having been brought by the Gaia Tournament employees taking shelter from the volcano here. But just as Noboru arrives and Murderhouse emerges, four pillars of light burst from the ground of the main shrine, heralding the manifestation of a bizarre vortex, from which emerges a monster the likes of which they have only seen in museums of natural history. But this is no ordinary lizard. The scaled beast speaks with a mad cackling voice, and she demands a human sacrifice.
PARADOX EFFECT: http://primalrage.wikia.com/wiki/Vertigo
End of the World: Round 2 Notes - Thu Aug 28 2014 - Magaki
The gate has opened, and I am a dinosaur.
Please enjoy this week's scenes, and don't forget to update your Plotnote before next week. We are making it a policy to in some way fulfill every single Plotnote we read, and so far, so good, it seems.
Please try to schedule and finish your matches before Monday the 1st of September. If you have scenes unfinished from Round 1, you are welcome to finish and submit them, but know that the TP cannot be delayed under any circumstances.
As always, if you have any questions or requests for scenes, let me or Shion know!
End of the World: Round 3 - Sun Aug 31 2014 - Magaki
Signups are now cleared and open for the third round of The End of the World. To sign up, type '+signup ???' while in the OOC Room.
Signups will close on Tuesday night and matches will be posted on Thursday, September 4th. Even if you've missed a round or never participated, you are welcome and encouraged to join.
As always, make sure to update your Plotnotes with any new information you'd like us to know so that we can tailor your matches to suit you. If there's a direction you'd like to take your character in and you have some questions, feel free to page or @mail me or Shion any time.
The gate has been opened. Dinosaurs and succubi are only the beginning.
End of the World: Round 3 Matches - Fri Sep 5 2014 - Shion
END OF THE WORLD, ROUND THREE: "SELECT THE ORDER"
* * * 'MURICA * * *
VARVARA vs TABITHA in "BELIEVE IN THE ME, THAT BELIEVES IN YOU"
Life has not been kind to Varvara, blessed with neither stunning good looks nor an attractive personality. She's had to make her way in this world with her fists and picking her meals from the trash, but the violence-driven, self-centred lifestyle now no longer serves her, not when everything is going to hell in a hand-basket. Without any purpose or direction, Varvara joins in the last of the looting of waterlogged Metro City, if only to gather enough food to survive for one more day. Enter Tabitha, an unlikely hero and recovering from the narrow defeat she had suffered in the Gaia Tournament. Seeing something of herself in Varvara, she decides that it is time to set things right. Beating sense into other people always works, doesn't it? If you disagree, you smell.
NOTE: Tabitha will receive a boost to super gain, as she has been imbued with RIGHTEOUS POWER to help a kindred spirit (kind of). Please contact a staffer, Magaki or myself prior to commencing your match.
JULIA and SHENWOO vs HEIHACHI in "AIRING DIRTY LAUNDRY"
It will take months, perhaps even years, to repair the damage to Metro City, and the destruction has literally unearthed long-buried evidence of horrible anti-environmentalist deeds by a front company owned by the Mishima Zaibatsu, whoops. Julia is displeased as Heihachi arrives on the scene, alerted by the suits that there needs to be a quick clean-up before things get dirty. Much to his surprise, she is not alone -- Julia has hired the self-styled 'God of Battle' to assist her in teaching the bigger corporations about respecting the planet, but we all know why Shenwoo has tagged along: He only cares about fighting the best, and it's been some time since he challenged the Mishima head. When Heihachi thinks he can just sit pretty in the limo, let the minions take care of them, Shenwoo won't have none of that and drags him out through the window (that's quite a feat, Heihachi isn't a small guy). Time for some fisticuffs, old man!
PARADOX EFFECT: Perhaps he won't be enjoying this match as much as he had originally thought... There's something bothering Shen. Like, REALLY bothering him. He feels nervous, anxious, fearful. Is it related to the fight? Is he SCARED of Heihachi?! What Shen doesn't know is that the head of the Mishima Zaibatsu feels much the same way, weak and lacking in confidence. Will they overcome this setback, or is Shen going to need to change his name because he's actually a wimp?
QUON and ZACH vs MUKAI in "ROADBLOCK AT MEMORY LANE"
Zach doesn't have much time to do what he will at the Quon Chen Institute, what with Metro City falling apart under the increasing strain of unprecedented weather phenomena. Most chilling is when he arrives on the glider provided by Ayame, he comes across the face of someone who should be dead - Quon Chen, the person he named this very institute after. He has no time to ask any questions, nor hear any answers, because Mukai shows up on his doorstep in search of a mysterious sphere within... And shows he is not afraid to use force as he threatens to bring the whole institute down on top of them. Teaming up like old times, Zach and Quon must now battle this mysterious warrior of power far beyond either's comprehension, and save the questions for later.
* * * THAILAND * * *
CHUN-LI vs SAGAT in "GHOST IN THE MACHINE"
It is possible that the organizers of the Gaia Tournament have contacted Vega at some point and brokered a deal with him, or that is what both Chun-Li and Sagat fear. Both have the same idea to pay the evil dictator a visit, but when they meet at an old Thailand installation, each is suddenly overcome by a blinding rage, forcing them to fight rather than cooperate. The source is one of the strange devices left behind, damaged by the sudden change in temperature. Used to condition new soldiers and servants, to ensure their obedience, now it simply transmits waves that cause irrational fury for those who stray too close.
NOTE: A certain amount of reserve is gained back after each round, enabling you both to use special moves more often. As the fight drags on, the device will finally give out, but only when one has fallen. Please contact a staffer, Magaki or myself prior to commencing your match.
BRETT and TODOH vs SHION in "MASTER WHO?"
Brett hits the ice and gets to investigating just why the Gulf of Thailand has frozen solid. After many dead ends and days spent wandering aimlessly, he comes across a small unmarked island, and atop the cliffs, seated amongst the ruins of an unknown ancient civilization, Shion awaits. "Turn back now, forget all you've seen here, and I will let you live." His offer refused, a fight begins in earnest. Brett is clearly outmatched, but not for long. Todoh arrives out of nowhere, and Shion is agitated at what this latest, random appearance implies, deciding that he will simply destroy them both. To survive, Brett and Todoh must join together as an unlikely team, and should they win, a great prize will be theirs to claim. Will Brett rise above? Will Todoh prove to have any relevance to the greater plot whatsoever? Will Shion stop wearing orange lipstick? There is only one way to find out.
* * * JAPAN * * *
SAKURA and YURI vs GOUKEN in "GOUKEN BEATS UP HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS"
When the world is about to end, there is no better time to stop in at the Kyokugen Dojo for a sparring round or two, just to see if you're up to snuff and ready to take on the next big bad. Sakura wants to fight Ryo, or even Takuma, but the only one left behind today is Yuri, and that leaves Ryu's 'disciple' feeling more than just a little put out. Preparing to leave without getting in her punches, Gouken arrives, drawn to the dojo by a strength that he senses seems similar to his former student. It could be that this is the match Sakura was looking for, as Gouken invites not one but both of them to test their mettle and see if the young women are strong enough to face the end times, and how far they have come in their training.
RUST vs AYAME in "OUT OF ORDER"
It has been a long trip for Howard Rust, finally managing to escape Metro City once and for all with his winnings. As he arrives in Southtown, looking to reunite with those who miss him and are in need of his assistance, he also must get some necessary paperwork redone to legally stay there. A long series of errands later, Rust stops at a coffee shop to wait for another office to open... And is promptly ambushed by Ayame. The good news is that the bathrooms are out of order due to renovations, and you know what that means. Pipes! Glorious pipes EVERYWHERE! Someone's going to be on the receiving end of a concussion, and Rust might just get robbed (... again), or will he? What is Ayame's purpose for seeking him out? It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Gaia Tournament, does it?
PARADOX EFFECT: Figments of the imagination, gone once you look twice, speak words of condemnation to Rust and Ayame. 'You're worthless, look at your life and how you never amounted to anything.' Are they strong enough at heart to counter these negative spectres, or will they succumb and fall to pieces?
HONOKA and MR.BURR vs HOTARU and 'SAITOU' in "AKU SOKU ZAN"
Wishing to wipe out Japanese culture in its entirety, Honoka forms a shady business alliance with Mr. Burr. Using mob tactics to distract the authorities, the two have rigged bombs at several shrines and temples along the Philosopher's Way in the city of Kyoto, all set to detonate at the exact same moment. It won't be long before the harsh winds from Mount Fuji fan the flames and set the city ablaze, or at least part of it...
There with her students to assist in finding temporary housing for those displaced after the Fuji disaster, Hotaru Futaba is nearby when the explosions occur and rushes to the scene. Determined to delay Honoka and Mr. Burr until the police arrive, they clash in the burning wreckage of Ginkaku-ji, and it seems that one of Hotaru's pupils has been possessed by the angry spirit of Hajime Saitou, Captain of the 3rd Division of the Shinsengumi. Just roll with it, it totally works.
NOBORU and KUUYA MIYAMA vs IGNIZ in "HEAVEN AND EARTH"
The information network of NESTS is vast, but not all-knowing. Sometimes, details are missed or overlooked. Sometimes, an insignificant bug gets to the centre of the volcano before your lackeys can even find the entrance. When that happens, you don't send a stooge out to get the job done, you do it yourself.
The Miyama clan's investigations have led two of their ninja into the heart of Mount Fuji, and there they enter a chamber with a strange sphere set on a stone pedestal. Before either has the chance to analyze the object and its odd, swirling contents, Igniz catches up to the pair and declares he will be taking the orb for his own nefarious purposes. He has no love for the mysterious group known as 'Those from the Past' and intends to interfere. Do Noboru and Kuuya dare to challenge a God for possession of the sphere, or will they be cast out from heaven?
* * * FRANCE * * *
JIRO and JIRA vs ANGEL in "NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM"
As it is an important research artifact, Angel is deployed by NESTS in order to retrieve Isolde's glove from Jiro, which he picked up after Nameless was defeated (did he like explode or something, what happened there?) The white-haired bombshell tracks the Stray Dog to the Louvre Museum, and into the catacombs, where Jira has roped her cousin into assisting her carry out the treasure from the previous tomb raiding expedition. When they are least expecting it, probably while looting something quite heavy, Angel emerges from the shadows and attacks at last...
NOTE: Angel will receive a small luck bonus for the fight, as well as extra super gain for each successful attack. She is very determined to succeed. Please contact a staffer, Magaki or myself prior to commencing your match.
MURDERHOUSE vs VYLE in "KNOCK 'EM DEAD"
Just once and a while, wouldn't it be nice to sit down and watch a regular toss-'em-down, throw-'em-out wrestling match? Yeah? Let's do it. MURDERHOUSE Mick and Vyle, it's a wrestle party in the Stade de France, with a beautiful new ring provided by the organizers of the Gaia Tournament. Doesn't get any easier than that... Except that their audience is made up of ghosts, and they don't seem very friendly, clearly envious of the living. The only way to escape the icy grasp of death is to just run for the exit and dispel spirits along the way... By throwing each other at the spectres for points and a head-start. Go, go, go!
NOTE: The points mean nothing, only that you're a terrible person.
FREI and TRAN vs MAGAKI in "GHOSTBUSTED"
More disappearances have been reported. The world watches as the City of Lights grows dim while their population dwindles. What's worse is that the recently deceased have begun to return. The fancy gentlemen's club has no name, no bartender, no patrons. Tran helps himself to the bottles of liquor behind the bar, steadily increasing his chances of a hangover come morning. Frei does not approve, but why would Tran care, convinced that his 'friend' is simply a drunken hallucination. The sage is dead, because someone hasn't been paying attention to the news.
Forced to correct the mistake of Ash Crimson that has resulted in this phenomena, Magaki has been entrusted with a sphere that is severely damaged that he must repair. The only way to repair the sphere is by feeding it a dose of concentrated energy, usually in the form of one who has returned and assumed a mostly corporeal form. The closest lifeform matching that that description... is Frei. Magaki 'crashes' the 'party', and eventually the two have no choice but to fight him. Who will pole dance? Who will win? Will Frei be sacrificed in some weird sphere ritual, or will Tran take the sphere from the organizer of the Gaia Tournament and use it as a house decoration? Whatever happens, it's bound to be completely unexpected and weird.
KYO vs ASH in "THIS IS WAR"
Even though Kyo is equipped with an important letter and Igniz's cryptic words regarding Those from the Past, he hasn't done much except... Well, be a lazy ass. Stupid Kyo, you're supposed to be a main character, what the heck.
After returning home from their vacation in Thailand, Shizuka Kusanagi is shocked to see her son still hanging around. The things she has seen... She orders Kyo to get the hell out there and start helping, or she'll throw out his futon and he can find a new place to live. Kyo's mom is pretty scary, so he does just that... And receives another message, this time in a different scrawl, that the Mirror is in France.
When Kyo arrives, he is confronted by a smug Ash. Hell's Gate was not sealed, and that's why untold horrors are still slipping into this world... Ash... has the Mirror. This sassy, effeminate Frenchman is the reason why Chizuru is confined to a wheelchair and rendered powerless. Now he intends to claim the Kusanagi Sword, as well.
NOTE: Kyo receives a small bonus to super gain while Ash will hit TOP at 50%. Please contact a staffer, Magaki or myself prior to commencing your match.
End of the World: Round 4 - Fri Sep 5 2014 - Shion
Enjoy your fisticuffs! Signups are cleared, you know what to do if you want to participate in the fourth round. To sign up, type '+signup ???' while in the OOC Room.
As usual, signups will close on Tuesday night and matches will be posted on Thursday, September 11th. Even if you haven't participated in the plot, you're welcome to join. Nobody is excluded except for Magaki.
Please update your plotnotes with any new information you'd like us to know so that we can tailor your matches to fit you. If there's a direction you'd like to take your character in and you have some questions, feel free to page or @mail me or Magaki any time.
End of the World: Round 4 Matches - Sat Sep 13 2014 - Magaki
END OF THE WORLD, ROUND FOUR: "READY? FIGHT!"
* * * AMERICA * * *
DANIEL vs JIRA in "ALTER EGOISM"
Daniel Jack, with the trail gone cold in Europe due to the mysterious meddlings of Ash Crimson, boards a flight that ends up thrown wildly off-course due to the escalating storms at sea. Forced to land in Metro City International Airport, one of the few parts of the metropolis not shut down by the hurricanes and flooding, he finds as he exits the plane that he's stuck on the same flight as Jira, who also sought to leave Paris. The transformations she's undergoing through Akabara's influence have left Jira in need of a new outfit, and she encounters Daniel in one of the duty-free clothing stores within the airport. Akabara is eager to test his growing power against another fighter, but Jira may not be the only one possessed by a deity of battle. Ever since they landed, Daniel has been hearing a strange voice in his head-- that of a goddess of war.
PARADOX EFFECT: Due to the interference of the power of flux, Jira must switch her dominant personality every two or three rounds. Moreover, Daniel is convinced he is also possessed by an unidentified goddess of battle who wishes to fight Akabara. He can't do the dual-voice thing, but he can do his best goddess impression.
YURI vs VYLE in "FLOTSAM AND JETSAM"
Yuri Sakazaki receives a letter from her father, postmarked from Thailand and addressed to 'Yuri, my weakest son'. He exhorts her to fight in the Gaia Tournament to improve, aid Japan in its time of need, and burnish the reputation of the Sakazaki Dojo, and he threatens not to bring any souvenirs back unless she does so. But the tournament seems unusually disorganized and ends up booking her a fight in Metro City, currently wracked by winds and rain. The inclement weather is a perfect match for Vyle's mood: he's had awful luck and been bilked out of a king's treasure. With the stage set in Metro's Community Center to perform before huddled and demoralized masses, can his luck finally turn for the sake of the prize money? Or is there perhaps, here at the end of the world, a greater reward in fighting to entertain those lacking hope? ...Well, it's never too late.
TABITHA and VARVARA vs GATO in "EYE OF THE STORM"
Metro City is on the brink of collapse, but it is at these darkest times that her heroes shine brightest. Tabitha is determined to change Metro's fate, just as she has helped to change that of mercernary-turned-laborer Varvara, and is seeking the cause of the city's misfortunes. A vocal minority of scientists studying the matter suspect that the freak storms are the result of a persistent phenomenon out in the ocean itself. Thus, Tabitha and Varvara join a dangerous mission to repair an offshore platform that could be leaking contaminants into the water, Tabitha taking the opportunity to look into the lead. They and their team break through the storm into its peaceful center, where they find the platform and the startling culprit: a glowing fist-sized sphere hovering in midair, projecting a tangible force. But another mysterious person has been drawn to this place and its raging storms for the sake of relentless self-improvement, to train in the sphere's oppressive atmosphere. Can the valiant Tabitha and redeemed Varvara defeat this warrior's implacable will? Or will the challenging presence of the Time Sphere of Flux prove too much for him?
NOTE: Due to the interference of the sphere, energy is constantly being redistributed from Gato to Tabitha and Varvara. Gato loses 5 health per turn, while Tabitha gains 3 and Varvara gains 2. In addition, Tabitha and Varvara each gain 10 super per turn.
* * * JAPAN * * *
NOBORU vs MAKI in "THE GREATEST NINJA"
Noboru has arrived too late. He is able to rescue his unconscious ally Kuuya Miyama from the depths of Mt. Fuji, but unable to face Igniz, who has absconded with the Time Sphere of Sparks. By this point, the continuing eruptions from the volcano reach a new height of explosive devastation, and Noboru finds himself trapped by flowing lava at the peak of the volcano. But when all hope seems lost, Maku Genryuusai appears and helps to call in assistance. Despite the ash and smoke, a helicopter (probably piloted by ninjas) will be coming to rescue them shortly. In the meantime, there are two pressing questions. First, has Maki been here for the last three weeks? And second, who among them is the greatest ninja? The latter, at least, will be answered.
NOTE: Both fighters will lose 5 reserve per round due to the proximity of the lava. Think of it as ninja training.
SAKURA and BLANKA vs HONOKA and ROGUE MILITARY and ANGRY MOB in "KESSEN"
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, concerned with the direct terrorist attacks on Japanese politicans and cultural institutions on top of the natural disasters, has moved the members of the Japan National Diet to the Osaka International Convention Center for protection. Sakura is volunteering to help an increasingly fraught evacuation procedure as the disasters show no signs of stopping and is working in te vicinity of the Convention Center, where Blanka has arrived, returning from his sojourn of self-discovery, to help those innocents in need. But in the midst of their good work, shocking events unfold. When the Emperor arrives to begin the emergency session of the Diet, Honoka emerges and orders security members under her control to slaughter those loyal to the Japanese government. As she secures control and begins making demands, an angry mob outside incited by Honoka's allies attempts to fight their way in, throwing the evacuees into chaos. With enemies attacking from within and without, Sakura and Blanka must split their strength to protect the people. Can Sakura defeat her friend's grand ambitions? Will Blanka prove himself the hero humanity needs? May Honoka's ancestors at last rest in peace?
RUST and JIRO vs MUKAI in "TO WHAT END"
Rust has at last escaped Metro City, and Jiro has returned from Paris having lost his lead on the disappearances of the children there. Both are acutely aware that the Gaia Tournament is fishy business, and now that events have escalated, Rust is determined to get to the bottom of the matter. Upon the reunion of the Hero of Nepal and the Stray Dog in Southtown, they go together to the headquarters of the Gaia Tournament in that city, assuming it to be closely guarded as it once was. Instead the two of them find the building has been very recently abandoned, almost entirely stripped of incriminating information. It is on the highest penthouse floor that the two of them encounter the final inhabitant of the office complex: a brooding Mukai. The Time Gate plan is already set in motion, and the power of the Time Spheres cannot be stopped no matter what he tells them. But is Mukai himself satisfied with this ending? Or does perhaps humanity deserve better than this raw deal?
NOTE: The presence of a member of Those from the Past triggers Jiro's inner fury, which increases its hold on him. He is in permanent Overburn state (gains the Overburn Ability) and gains DM/Recovery.
* * * THAILAND * * *
SAGAT vs SHION in "BY THE TAIL"
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, has lost none of its radiance even if the river running by it has been frozen solid by the increasing influence of unnatural forces. Sagat has pursued one of the masterminds behind this enterprise to the base of the temple's glorious spire. There, on the warpath, he aims to learn all that has transpired here and discover the full ambitions of Those from the Past so that he can put a stop to them once and for all. But Shion is not about to allow himself to be thwarted here. Amidst this spectacular setting, as the sun splashes gold upon the stone, Sagat and Shion shall fight a spectacular battle for the truth.
NOTE: Both fighters have unlimited DM uses for this fight. Enjoy!
BRETT vs MAKARI in "THE FACE OF DESPAIR"
The floating markets of Bangkok were once a tourist highlight of the city, but the effects of the disaster in the Gulf of Thailand have crept their way here, freezing the canals solid. Even if the waters flowed, the shattered economy of the country leaves no fresh seafood to sell and many without their livelihoods. Brett broods in the lonely half-abandoned market, well aware of why all this has taken place. The cause is in his possession: the Time Sphere of Stasis. It exerts a soul-sucking effect upon its holder, and even if Brett knew what to do about it, he might lack the will to act. Who has the fortitude to summon Brett from the brink of despair? None other than the inimitable Makari, late to the now-disorganized Gaia Tournament and seeking a worthy adversary. Can Brett find the resolve to defeat his challenger and resist the sphere's toxic effects? Or is Makari a more worthy possessor of the sphere than he?
PARADOX EFFECT: An aura of despair pervades the area, replete with whispers that suggest one's worthlessness. Each character should react as is appropriate for them.
* * * PARIS * * *
FREI vs NAMELESS in "NEVER TOO LATE"
Every time Frei closes his eyes, he does not know whether he will materialize again or dissipate into the planet which sustains him. This time, he awakens on a rooftop in Paris beneath a full moon, where a lonely young man stands in contemplation. Multiple versions of Nameless have been destroyed over the course of recent battles. He was sent to retrieve what he was told was an alternate version of the glove he wears containing Isolde's memory, only to have the mission aborted upon arrival with Angel's successful retrieval. Even NESTS appears to be in slight disarray under the current circumstances, so Nameless finds himself waiting and wondering, perhaps an overreliance upon a certain foreign DNA to reproduce him inspiring more melancholy sentiments. Frei has had his fair share of bad encounters with NESTS, and it is unlikely his sudden appearance is one Nameless will react well to himself. But is Nameless an adversary or a victim? Here, as the end of the world nears, can the man already dead offer a different path to the boy cursed to eternal rebirth?
ANGEL vs TODOH in "LAST DANCE"
As far as Angel's concerned, everything's going swell. She's retrieved Isolde's glove from the Kasagi duo and escaped the catacombs, completing her mission with aplomb. Therefore, as a super-serious super secret agent, she reports to her superiors and, upon receiving orders to immediately return to Japan from Paris, heads directly to the nightlife district to get her drink on. But her planned night of dubiously explained-away debauchery is rudely interrupted by the sudden intervention of a man with a fan. Everything about Angel -- her outfit, her attitude, her lack of discipline, her outfit -- is offensive to Ryuhaku Todoh. There is only one path: he must make her his disciple so that she dresses like Kasumi Todoh forever. Can Angel's wild spirit be reined in? Will her wild style overpower Todoh-ryuu? Or will this just end up being a great party?
ALMA vs TRAN in "MATCH OF THE MILLENNIUM"
Alma is searching desperately throughout Paris for Frei, with whom he has long ago lost contact, having heard rumors that Seishirou Ryouhara and his minions may be plotting in the shadows of the City of Lights. In the Jardin des Luxembourg he instead encounters Tran, the last to speak with Frei, in possession of the fully-charged Time Sphere of Memory, won with the chi sage's assistance. Alma realizes that Tran is sure to be Kagero's next target, and attempts to warn him of this. But Tran is a little crazier even than usual, perfectly synchronized with an artifact that conjures up convincing phantoms from his memory at a whim. When the ultimate rival and frenemy appears as though called by the sphere as well, Tran draws upon the strength with which the sphere has endowed him for a final rematch so that he may overcome his past once and for all.
NOTE: Tran has achieved absolute synchronicity with the Time Sphere and is able to use it as a power source, automatically applying EX to all of his attacks, effectively granting him infinite reserve. Morever, the enhanced vividness of his memories allows him to read Alma's moves more effectively, granting him +10 to dodge and to interrupt.
* * * SOMEWHERE IN ITALY * * *
ASH and SHENWOO vs IGNIZ in "YOU ASKED FOR IT"
Igniz returns to NESTS's secret base in the boot of Italy to research the Time Sphere of Sparks, the original source of the disturbances within Mt. Fuji, when who should bust in but Ash Crimson -- whose side is he on, anyway? -- and Shen "Don't Call Him a Sidekick" Woo, demanding the return of the sphere and a face to punch, respectively. The interference of the two interlopers, and probably Shen Woo punching some sensitive equipment in lieu of a nearby face, causes the system hooked up to the powerful sphere to trigger an overload. Energy courses through Igniz as powerful earthquakes rip through the environs, triggering an eruption in distant Mt. Etna and breaking off the tip of Italy's boot, creating the beginnings of the lovable Igniz's own island paradise. But can he hold onto the Sphere of Sparks until then, or will the combined power of Shen Woo's shirtlessness and Ash Crimson's pantslessness defeat him?
NOTE: Igniz receives 25 super per round. Don't ask me, this wasn't my idea.
End of the World: Final Bosses - Sat Sep 13 2014 - Magaki
Everyone, thank you all for your participation in the End of the World TP, and I apologize for the delay in the posting of matches. This has been the fourth and final round of the main tournament. After this, we will take a one-week break in which you will have time to tie up loose ends and resolve subplots, seek out scenes with each other, and prepare yourselves for the final set of confrontations.
Soon, the purpose of the four Time Spheres and their relation to the vortex in Japan will be revealed by the actions of Those from the Past. If there is a particular encounter you would like to have at the climax, please write it up in your plotnote and RP your way through any necessary intermediary stages or conflicts beforehand. We will do our best to fulfill your desires and requests, though if you require a temp, please ask among your fellow players as well.
This timeline is coming to an end, and the laws that govern our reality collapse about us. Go now, and forge your future while it yet exists, before we are returned to a past unlike our memories.
Catastrophe: Metro City's Fall - Mon Sep 15 2014 - Wheatley
With all of the struggles and efforts of those attempting to save Metro City in the last month from the unnatural storms and weather that had flooded it, the constantly ramping-up storm threatened every day to tear apart whatever was left of the city. After a hopeful announcement that scientists had pinpointed the origin of the storm, only a few hours later, a catastrophe took place beyond anything in years.
In manners deemed at best 'absolutely abberant', the storm appeared to dissipate, but with it came a massive tsunami. All records showed no signs of seismic activity, leaving only the sudden receding tide as a warning to those still present. Before a wave almost six stories high impacted Metro City like a hammer, blasting through it as if it were wind through wheat and causing damage two dozen miles past. Countless other cities and communities farther from the origin point -- found to be the very eye of the storm -- similarly suffered massive damages, severely compounding issues already stressing the infrastructure of the world governments. Waves struck as far as Japan.
Luckily, the majority of Metro City had already been long evacuated, but Mayor Haggar had remained steadfast in his seat, yet the sunken city hall has no sign of him. Although the water is finally draining, it has left a shattered landscape worthy of a true apocalypse. Efforts are being done to recover the bodies of the lost and any lucky survivors, but Metro City has been declared a No Man's Land; the American government has stated that for the forseeable future, there is no plans or ability to rebuild.
The primary victims were aid workers and construction helpers who were attempting to salvage the infrastructure and find any who were still holed up, with the released numbers of missing staggering. Although the oceans have calmed, the absolutely unnatural event -- and it's sheer scope -- have caused a wild spark of terror and anxiety the world over. Is this growing weather truly going to end in the Earth being scoured clean...? Science has no answers, and most are turning to desperate faith.
(( If you were in Metro City, feel free to survive, although you are going to be very waterlogged. The orb that caused this devastation is currently in Varvara and Tabitha's hands, although what they do with it is another matter entirely! ))
The Time Spheres - Wed Sep 17 2014 - Magaki
Five spheres have come into the possession of participants in the End of the World TP, each found near the heart of the catastrophes plaguing the world. All thrum with power and glow with a preternatural light, but just as each disaster has been different, so each sphere has its own character. Below I reveal the names of the spheres and their special characteristics.
Those who come close to the spheres can feel their power and significance, and feel strangely compelled to either keep them for themselves or guard them from those who would abuse that power. The spheres inspire strong emotions and gravitate to the quarantined vortex in the Ise Grand Shrine in Japan, attempting to eventually lead their possessors there through dreams and subliminal manipulation.
Although few are consciously aware of what the power of the Time Spheres is, possessing a sphere leads one to a firm though inexplicable conviction: that this world is ending, and that to possess a sphere is to have the power to shape the next reality to one's wishes. Thus those who come near spheres find themselves reflecting: What is their deepest-held desire? How would having it granted change them? What new problems would arise?
THE SPHERE OF SPARKS
Theme: Beginnings, birth
Original Location: Within Mt. Fuji, Japan
Characteristics: The Sphere of Sparks has the greatest creative and destructive power of all the Time Spheres, able to produce from nothing and awaken what has long laid dormant. Proximity to it can inspire tremulous hope or terrible fear. To possess it at the end of the world is to be able to will into existence a truth which in the last world had no basis.
As of Posting, Held By: Igniz
THE SPHERE OF FLUX (YANG)
Theme: Change from passivity to activity, violent upheaval
Original Location: Near the Quon Chen Institute, Metro City
Characteristics: The unrestrained chaos of the storms near Metro City caused the Sphere of Flux to subdivide into two spheres, this one carried into Metro City by the flooding where it continued to inflict irreperable damage. Proximity to it produces the desire to seek excitement or shake up a complacent world. To possess it at the end of the world is to be able to elevate oneself to a greater height of power or prestige.
As of Posting, Held By: Duke
THE SPHERE OF FLUX (YIN)
Theme: Change from activity to passivity, gradual transformation
Original Location: The heart of the storm, off the coast of Metro City
Characteristics: This half of the Sphere of Flux is the least emotionally manipulative of all the Time Spheres, eliciting feelings of tranquility or sloth. It whispers of the power to equalize the weak and the strong, and to bring down tyrants and champions to the level of others in the next world.
As of Posting, Held By: Tabitha and Varvara
THE SPHERE OF MEMORY
Theme: Reflection, the enduring presence of the past
Original Location: Beneath the Louvre, Paris
Characteristics: This sphere produces phantoms from the past and casts those in the present into different timelines or realities, rendering it the most subtle and thus possibly the most dangerous of them all. Those nearby suffer from delusions, and the regrets of the past and unforgotten crimes can inspire anger and hatred. The one who possesses or harnesses the power of this sphere will never forget the past, even in the next world.
As of Posting, Held By: Tran
THE SPHERE OF STASIS
Theme: Endings, death
Original Location: Island cove turned ice cavern, Gulf of Thailand
Characteristics: A chilling sphere capable of bringing to a halt all progress or movement, instilling desolation and despair. Only the strong-willed may endure in its proximity for long. To possess this sphere at the end of the world is to be able to ensure that something or someone does not change, even in another reality.
As of Posting, Held By: Makari
Should any of the Time Spheres and their powers inspire interest, please scene with each other in the intervening time to discuss or fight over them, and update your Plotnotes or otherwise notify us if the Spheres change hands. Use them to consider what changes you might want to make to your characters after the reboot, and work your way to the climactic confrontation you envision ending the world with!
End of the World: Signups Open - Fri Oct 3 2014 - Seishirou
Just a quick note I'm dropping here for Shion who got eaten by a lion.
The signups are open for the final round of the End of the World. You guys have until Sunday evening, October 5th, to sign up. PLOTNOTES ARE MANDATORY for this round--you have to set one, roughly detailing what your character's doing to stop, thwart, harness or otherwise impede the end of the world, along with any ideal matchups you'd want to see for the end of the world. (Keep in mind that not all matchups are guaranteed...)
Obviously, it also stands to reason that you have until roughly then to conclude any lingering side-stories in your character's storyline.
More information and/or additions and/or obliterations to this post may or may not be made available by the executive plot baron, Shion, with further instructions not entirely pertinent to the convictions of of orbital strike lasers, omnipotent hyperpassive killer AI or 40 story tall BDSM death robots.
(Side note: This weekend is for finishing your sidestories. The next round of matchups are supposed to be posted sometime before next weekend, in case that wasn't clear. Don't ask me, someone asked. keke.)
- Seishirou "Kid Incredible" Ryouhara
End of the World: Addendum - Fri Oct 3 2014 - Shion
As we prepare to embark on the final chapter of the End of the World TP, let's talk a bit about the goings on...
The Time Spheres are, in truth, batteries that store energy generated by fighting and negative emotions. Those from the Past plan to use them to power a Gate under the Ise Grand Shrine in Japan to reset time... and the more conflict that arises around and involving them, the better!
That is why they've been allowed to fall into the hands of you, the players, to help charge them up. Those from the Past haven't accounted for the energy transfer from the sphere to holders... but in the end, it makes little difference as long as they may still serve their intended and only real purpose.
Eventually, it will be time to round the Time Spheres up, whether by inadvertedly bringing them to the Ise Grand Shrine yourself or by having Those from the Past decide to collect from you like when the government bombards you with letters to pay your taxes. If you are a holder and haven't been able to RP, it's likely they managed to feed on enough negative energy just by being in close proximity to you. If you are idle, the sphere may be taken offscreen -- hoarding them does nothing to advance the story. Sorry not sorry.
Nonetheless, tears in the very fabric of reality have been forming and the timeline is falling apart. Just about anything can happen now as a reason to get involved. Anyone who is interested in taking part in the final battles should start focusing their RP towards the spheres, attempting to stop Those from the Past, or anything of that ilk (coughsomeonekillignizcough). Heck, you could even join Saiki. It is possible to break the Time Spheres, should that be your intention, but doing so will unleash untold catastrophe at an equal scale to what the world has already suffered. Either way, things will be brought to a close. Please think about what it is you want for this world IC as it will come up at some point, whether it be to control it, allow it to wither and die, or watch the glorious rebirth.
Soon, the true Match of the Millennium will begin.
Strange Hole Devours Italy, Devastating - Wed Oct 8 2014 - Wheatley
For reasons entirely unknown to even the foremost scientific minds, a strange seismic event struck the center of Italy; over a period of three hours, what at first appeared to be an earthquake continued to build, before it rapidly became apparent this was some other terrestrial event. Lava began to spew high into the air, and in great cracking motions that split the very country, it began to collapse inwards. Although the majority had sufficient time to escape even on foot, the
extent and magnitude of damage defies all understanding of tectonic activity, and many consider it concrete proof of Armageddon.
Within twelve hours, a gaping hole dozens of miles around had sunk down, and Italy 'effectively no longer exists as a country'. The ocean began to pour into the new indentation, which began to gout up an immense amount of superheated steam. Twelve hours later, water continues to pour within, and the condensation has begun having a severe and adverse affect on the nations surrounding where Italy once stood.
Aerial photos show what seems to be a great whirlpool-like waterfall, spiralling into darkness where a dull red ember is visible far beneath. "There is no way to logically explain this." stated Roy Heartman. "The closest approximation is Chernobyl, when the ground was disintegrated down for hundreds of meters. But at an impossibly larger scale. There is no known weapon or technology that could possibly cause this."
A singularity was initially thought to be the cause, but was quickly ruled out. It seems that a great chunk of the mantle was simply 'destroyed'. "Trillions of gallons of ocean have already drained within. The global level of the ocean has visibly descended. Currents stable for millions of years are destroyed. The damage to the Earth cannot even begun to be fathomed. As simple an act as a channel between oceans closing has caused thousands of years of climate devastation; this... this is infinitely beyond anything in recorded history."
The world has already begun to react to such. Erratic weather has begun sprouting up across the world, violent storms raging unchecked, with great winds. "What is most troubling is the seismic activity has not completely ablated." offers Roy. "If the damage to the mantle continues to grow, the unfathomable event of the majority of the ocean draining might become a reality."
Much of the world watches with baited breath, as the entire planet becomes overcast, with wind seeming to blow firmly towards Italy at a constant pace. Is the world truly ending? Global panic is near criticality, with breakdowns reported in countless areas near former Italy. "It really feels like the end of days." concluded Heartman.
End of the World: Final Battle - Fri Oct 10 2014 - Shion
END OF THE WORLD, FINAL BATTLE: "TIME OVER"
NAMELESS and EVE vs ASH in "EMPTY NESTS SYNDROME"
In the wake of Igniz's startling defeat, his final stand reducing Italy to nothing more than a flooding crater, Misty approaches Nameless with orders that he is to go and seek out the man responsible for murdering a God: Ash Crimson. Eve is recruited to assist him in this endeavor and together they track Ash to a hospital in Athens, the furthest the enigmatic Frenchman has been able to travel when his burden is not luggage but Shen Woo, who has yet to regain consciousness. Willing to be the villain they see him as, Ash intends to make an example out of Nameless and Eve, if only so the rest of the NESTS Cartel will think twice before sending anymore assassins his way.
NOTE: Ash is in no mood for this crap. He gains 50% super from dealing damage and 25% from taking
damage.
HOTARU and JIRO vs JURI in "REWRITING THE OBITUARY"
It was many years ago, that fateful day when Juri killed Jiro. Now that he has been resurrected, it was from a point in time long before his death. He does not recall, but the Broken Doll of Shadaloo will never forget. Fate brings them together once again as Juri is deployed alongside other elite fighters to claim a sphere for Vega, but she may not be intending on completing this mission. The dead should stay dead, so Jiro is forced to defend himself against the woman who taunts and mocks him. Hotaru arrives and leaps in to defend Jiro, but if they overcome this menace, will she be able to convince Jiro not to take Juri's life? Pull him back and prevent him from succumbing to his own inner darkness that demands he seek vengeance for a death he wouldn't be able to remember?
NOTE: Juri is out for blood. Her opponents gain 25% less super in the face of her wild killing instinct.
MIMIRU and MUNIN and TABITHA vs BALROG in "PRETTY UGLY BUSINESS"
Tabitha has brought the Yin Sphere of Flux to the Ise Grand Shrine, followed by Munin with her interest in such things and Mimiru who has been separated from Jiro due to a time distortion. At the entrance of the shrine, the three of them form an alliance to see through whatever it means to bring the Sphere of Flux into the vortex. Unfortunately, other powers have designs on these spheres... Shadaloo has sent a few of its own elites to attempt to claim them for themselves, and these three young women attract the deadly Balrog by as much their beauty as they do possession of the Sphere of Flux. Unaware of the true extents of the powers they're dealing with, it boils down to a fight for one's lives. Will they survive or meet an untimely end all too soon?
NOTE: Balrog gets the use of an R3 swarm this fight. Whoever holds the Time Sphere gets a bonus to attack speed of +10%.
SAKURA and HINATA vs MR.BURR and TRAN in "NEPHILIM"
Who cares if it's the end of the world? Tran's decided to take a cruise to blow the rest of his money on pleasure and bitchin' margaritas as the beginnings of a great, final natural disaster form. Sakura and Hinata investigate the brewing storm that threatens to combine those that have transpired prior into one, horrible world-wiping mess, and find that Tran would rather have nothing to do with saving the world, preferring to enjoy his final moments. Mr. Burr, more interested in seeing whose convictions are stronger, joins Tran... Unless the young women can prove they are strong enough to face the disaster and live through the aftermath, as the gods themselves seem content to throw up their hands and walk away from all of this.
NOTE: Tran is drunk and mad as hell and gets the Shroud DM. It is the only DM he can use. However, he gets an extra DM usage for free.
YUN and YURI vs DAN and TODOH in "THE ART OF STREET FIGHTING"
One of the Time Spheres had been destroyed. Forces beyond estimation by even Saiki himself have conspired to rectify this situation, in a way absolutely no one would have expected. A rift has opened between parallel universes somewhere within the vicinity of the city of Ise, and with it has come Dan Hibiki with a new Time Sphere... Who has full intent to deliver it to the Saiki of this universe. Backed by a Ryuhaku Todoh of especially vague origins, it is up to Yun and Yuri to stop them from making the deadly delivery and escape that rift before it is too late, to be unsung heroes of at least two different universes (and possibly even more than that).
RUST and FREI vs HEIHACHI in "FOUNTAIN OF IRON YOUTH"
Some are willing to make terrible deals to reclaim something that the natural order of things dictates is never possible to reclaim: Youth. Falling in line with Saiki, Heihachi Mishima has been granted not only his youth, but a Time Sphere. In turn, he is to stand as a guardian to the Gate that would see the resetting of the timeline. As Rust and Frei approach, the powers at play see them shifted to another dimension... An endless void of white. Powered by fury, hatred, and the ever-annoying exuberance of youth, Heihachi must ensure that they do not escape nor get past him - is there no other way to make it out other than through a bloody brawl to the bitter end?
NOTE: Heihachi will be R7 for the duration of this match.
ZACH and NOBORU vs SHION in "KOUHAI"
The investigations of the Miyama clan have lead them to the Ise Grand Shrine. Unable to claim the shattered Sphere of Sparks that has destroyed Italy, they seek the Flux Sphere of Yang, currently held by Zach Glen. Zach himself wishes to see this battle through to completion, and the sphere itself guides him to this place, deep in the bowels of the earth below the shrine. There the two meet, and they are confronted by a fey-like assassin with a spear. For Saiki, Shion will kill them both here and claim the Sphere of Flux in order to power the Gate. Will their combined might be enough to stop him, or will they fall victim and allow time to be rewritten by Those from His Distant Land?
NOTE: The sphere betrays Zach and Noboru, wishing to return to Those from the Past. Both fighters lose 4 Super and Reserve per round as it drains their energy.
KEN and ENERO vs MAGAKI in "AN IMPROVISED CONCERTO"
Entrusting the Sphere of Sparks to Igniz was folly, a grievous misjudgment. Magaki has volunteered in his infinite devotion to Saiki to let his life force be tied to the orb for long enough to make it work for its intended purpose, restoring it to its previous and complete form. After kidnapping Ken's wife, Enero currently manipulates Masters into working for Shadaloo, attempting to claim as many spheres for Vega as they possibly can... But confronting Magaki in a dimension of nothingness, just darkness, may be more than the two of them are capable of handling when the monster fights to his utmost to stop the orb from being destroyed... again.
NOTE: Ken and Enero take 5 damage per round from the void until they have claimed the sphere from
Magaki.
MAKARI and BRETT and KYO vs MUKAI in "STYX"
When Makari pledged himself to Seishirou and Kagero, Seishirou returned the sphere to him. Why? Makari subsequently finds himself thrust into the final battle, uncertain of the reasons behind his involvement and questioning them. Brett, feeling some affinity for the Sphere of Stasis, followed it and Makari here, but where is here? It is far beneath the shrine, but it is a world of rock and lava. Last to arrive, Kyo makes his presence known, unknowing of what awaits him or why he even bothered to get out of bed today. Together, the unlikely allies must cooperate to survive and stop Mukai at the Gate as the mountain of a man seeks to reclaim the orb for Saiki and carry out the glorious rebirth of the entire world that will bring them one step closer to awakening Orochi.
NOTE: Mukai is on the verge of self-destruction and drawing in ravenous amounts of energy. He has access to unlimited DMs and is a higher ratio. Makari's block penalty will degrade slightly faster than normal unless he should lose the sphere.
Log created on 20:02:54 10/20/2014 by Honoka, and last modified on 20:51:09 10/20/2014.