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aftr_ooc2020-05-23 08:51 pm
lifeaftr_mods) wrote in aftr_ooc2020-05-23 08:51 pm
Entry tags:
Endgame: Decision
ENDGAME: DECISION
Important Note: For the remainder of the game's duration, we have elected to WAIVE AC REQUIREMENTS given both the global state of affairs and the fact that LifeAftr is coming to a close very soon. Our usual Activity Checks will not be conducted.
What's the Meaning When You Have a Broken Home?
The votes are in - and your decision was unanimous! Everyone who cast a vote elected to go with a third option, suggested by the players themselves.
You've chosen to side with the Storyteller, and what's more is that you're hoping to help them create a new world, separate from this one. The hope is that with enough organic creative energy from all of you - something that the original LifeAftr was missing in its inception - there will be enough power to generate a new world for people to live in without fear of destruction. There is also the hope that the liberated energy from the dissolution of LifeAftr will allow for those of you who want to go home to do so. Though this was far from a certainty, the fact that so many islanders are united in these sentiments is a very good sign!
Unfortunately, as it might have been predicted...the Historian is not pleased. Once the fallout of this decision starts to settle in, they're going to want to retaliate.
You have until May 31st to prepare for this retaliation, while the Storyteller prepares to gather everything they are into making this new world, whatever it is, happen. Because come June, the world is going to start fragmenting for real.
Additionally, thanks to player influence, the Water has agreed to help. From the week of May 24th to May 30th, they're going to be focused almost entirely on summoning back the island of Cahypdo to start ferrying the Roaka onto Ensō. As more and more time passes, you might find more and more of your underwater allies, the Jormun, congregating near the Storyteller's temple as well.
Blinding Lights, Thunder Tremble Pack
The Historian is going to lash out. They want their way badly enough to try and achieve it by force. And how do they intend to do that, you might ask?
By unleashing every possible creature and event that you have encountered throughout your time in LifeAftr. That's right. That means that every beast you've ever met and every event you've ever survived will all be fair game. War automatons from Nastrandir, Quartzalcoatl from the tunnels beneath Ensō, Overgrown zombies, dragons, your own shadows - if it's showed up in LifeAftr, you are absolutely free to encounter it.
This counterattack will mostly be focusing on the Storyteller's temple. But they'll be busy ravaging the other islands as well. Not that that's going to matter much - those islands, barring Ensō, will all be in a rapid state of decay, crumbling into the water and sinking into the sea.
The tasks that need doing are as follows:
[ ♆ ] Explorers: Characters willing to locate the Historian's altar underwater. Whether this involves confronting the Water and asking their help, enlisting the Jormun, or using your own natural abilities is up to you. Remember that sealed building at the bottom of the ocean? It's in there. With the Water's assistance, the sigil holding the doors shut will crack. Now it's just a question of getting the altar to the surface.As stated above, you may choose as many or as few of these roles as you'd like.
[ ♆ ] Attackers: Characters willing to destroy the Historian's altar. This will end up killing them...though for what it's worth, they intend to put up a hell of a fight.
[ ♆ ] Defenders: Characters willing combat the Historian's counterattack, as well as characters willing to defend the Storyteller's altar from physical threats.
[ ♆ ] Storytellers: Characters willing to protect the Storyteller's altar by telling stories. Stories, after all, have their own kind of power. You don't have to be a good fighter to protect the Storyteller - you just need to tell stories. Real stories, false stories, stories from home, stories from here, any story you need to. As long as you continue that flow of sharing and creativity, that might be enough to keep the Historian's attacks at bay. The Storyteller themself will primarily be near their altar, mustering all the energy necessary to try and create that final new world. They won't be of much help besides that.
[ ♆ ] Shepherds: Characters willing to ferry NPCs, supplies, and player characters to safety when the time comes to jump ship.
And one more thing bears mentioning:
Since the Water is going to be preoccupied with the Historian's altar, the waves ringing Ensō will be receding significantly. Which will mean that, for the duration of the final fight, all nerfs will be lifted. Embrace your powers fully, because you're going to need them to survive this.
You have until May 31st to get ready. While it's not yet time to say your goodbyes, you never know what could go wrong in the fight. It might be time to get your affairs in order, in preparation for the worst.
Endgame Timeline
[ ♆ ] May 3rd: Discussion regarding the fate of LifeAftr begins.You can also check the Calendar of Events and add it on google for a clearer visual of when things are occuring!
[ ♆ ] May 10th: Voting for endgame begins.
[ ♆ ] May 17th: Voting for endgame ends.
[ ♆ ] May 20th: Preparations for endgame begin, and you deal with the fallout of any decisions.
[ ♆ ] May 31st: Endgame begins and lasts into June.
( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )
PLAYER ROLES
HELPING,
Character: Chip Abaroa
Role: Defender(ish), Storyteller, Shepherd?
Additional Notes: Chip is mostly going to stay near the Storyteller's temple, telling as many stories as they can think of to keep rabbit friend going. If there's any animals or NPCs nearby that need guiding to the temple, they're willing to run out and help if they have guidance to get where they need to go.
They'll be helping the defenders by casting their own sort of buffing spells--making them faster, stronger, and tougher at the expense of increased general aggression and a potential to go into a full-on rage. They'll initially be casting this on people they know (or that have already had this done, hi Beau), but if anyone notices this and asks they'll be willing to empower others as well.
If something breaks the line around the temple they also are able to cast de-buffs (withering of the body, sapping of strength), but this will be much less controlled in application and done more out of panic. There's also likely at least one moment where their own power overtakes themself and they go fucking ham on something...reminder that this kid definitely did nearly murder a dude before, oops.
(A clarification on the limit of their abilities: while their stamina for magic is much higher now that they're uncapped, the effects they cause can't go to a truly super-human level. You're not gonna turn into barbarian Superman with their power, and any strength sapping is more akin to being exhausted or muscles giving out under strain than withering into skin and bones.)
no subject
Character: Legion
Role: Defender + Shepherd
Additional Notes: Legion's skills lean best towards sniping and influencing computer networks and that's what they'll do ... sort of. The stones aren't necessarily computers, but they are networked and Legion thus knows the location of everyone who doesn't turn this feature off. They'll be hanging back from the battle wherever they can find a good vantage point for sniping, and shoot things with the widow while they combine what they can see with what they know of everyone's locations to coordinate attacks and support.
Eventually, when it comes time to jump ship, they'll join the effort to save who and what they can.
no subject
Character: Ardyn Lucis Caelum
Role: Defender, Storyteller, Attacker
Additional Notes: Ardyn is very reckless, very willing to kill everything that looks at him funny, and good at one thing above all else: running his goddamn mouth. You want someone that can't shut the hell up even in active combat, look no further! He'll be defending the Storyteller's temple with a wide range of absurd JRPG endboss nonsense (that I actually have gameplay reference for now, thank god) while also either recounting or flat out making up usable stories. No reason not to be efficient while also having a good time, after all. Once the altar's out and able to be targeted, he's just...he's got a lot of godslaying issues to work through and is very prepared to throw hands.
no subject
Character: connor murphy
Role: explorer/storyteller
Additional Notes: when shit starts going down, the jormun (incorrectly) assume he's going to fight with them and give him one of the water pendants, which results in him diving into the water at the water's explanation of what to do. he's probably still the single best swimmer on the island, so with the help of the jormun he breaks into the building and helps to bring the altar to the surface.
........ then he'll probably be too useless to do much else and end up at the temple, where he ends up storytelling the way it's always been. Oh, did you mean you didn't know he's been singing this whole time? you're welcome.
no subject
Character: Ignis Scientia
Role: Defender, Shepherd, Storyteller, Attacker
Additional Notes: Ignis is going to spend most of his time warping from group of fighters to group of fighters, using his returned healing skills to help care for any injuries that may occur either through magical means or through the healing plants he was given by the Roaka. Returned powers won't return his vision, but fortunately, Legion is acting as the 'eyes in the sky' and Ignis will be making the most use of that he can. When it comes time to start getting animals, pets etc to the Water for transport, he will change role so that he can assist Water as he said he would and make sure that all that need transport are there to get it, especially pets or other animals those on the front lines fighting need looked after while they fight the Historian. In between all this or when he needs to take a breather, he will stop by the temple to tell all the stories he can think of and do his best to strengthen the Storyteller's efforts. Finally, Ardyn promised him a dance with the Historian and that will be when he will break out the glasses that let him see again and use that last charge to take his own stab at their enemy.
The 'stab' being quite literal in this case.
no subject
Character: ren
Role: storyteller
Additional Notes: she didn't do anything special outside of hide out in the temple and try to comfort the storyteller. to her credit, she actually never shut up and told many, many stories about her life in her world, recalling painful and happy memories alike. she told stories about all her close cr, the friends and family she made here, all her fun experiences with the storyteller. she tried to get egg and lobstar to tell stories to the storyteller too, but that didn't work out as planned.
no subject
Character: Kiri
Role: Shepherd / Storyteller-assist
Additional Notes: Kiri is small and young, so she won't be of much use, but she'll be trying her best to run errands, messages, and supplies as needed; she can be quick on her feet and repeat phrases exactly as directed, carry small or light things from place to place, guide people through a route she's learned... even just be a second pair of eyes around the areas she's in. She wants to help!
For the Storyteller portion... she can make like, super basic kid stories via chalk and journal drawings to share. She'll also be adding flourish, sound effects, echoes, and little doodles to stories she overhears while in the area to try and enhance any that other people are sharing.
no subject
Character: Castor Westmoore
Role:Storyteller, Defender, Attacker.
Additional Notes: Castor is going to talk to the Storyteller for as long as she can, until the monsters start to get overwhelming, upon which time she'll move to defend the temple.
Unburdened by nerfs, Castor moves like lightning, capable of mowing through crowds of enemies with frightening speed and an uncanny ability to dodge things at the last second... Almost like she can see where an attack is about to land, oh my!
HOWEVER, she's very squishy, and will probably require the attention of a healer at some point. Fortunately, she can help with that, too! Castor knows a Mantra that boosts healing for a short time (it's a better healing cooldown than most FFXIV healers get im not kidding).
Thanks to a last minute request to the Storyteller, Castor also now has her Warrior and Red Mage loadouts. The former is a tank job, built for grabbing and keeping attention and exponentially less squishy but a bit prone to uh...going berserk. The latter is a caster job with some limited healing capacity so she's able to play field medic should the need arise.
All this being said, SHOULD THE NEED ARISE, Castor is willing and able to go throw hands at the Historian. Hands, and axes and swords, as it were. But mostly hands.
no subject
Character: Tim Wright
Role: Defender, Storyteller, and Shepherd
Additional Notes: Keeping his pals and the local flora/fauna safe is his priority. He spent the days approaching this shifting most of Denny's stock to the temple in case anyone needs it in the heat of battle. For the most part, he'll be fighting in the only way he knows how: by setting shit on fire.
When he's not doing that, he'll relate some stories of some of the people he met here to keep the Storyteller's altar protected. He has a lot of them. He speaks with a certain fondness for almost all of them.
He's got no special powers, but Tim hopes to stay in the new world if he can. That, or...find somewhere that isn't his home to go back to.
no subject
Character: The Drifter
Role: Attacker, Defender
Additional Notes: There's really no contest here. The Drifter's going to be fighting to keep the Storyteller safe and to defeat the Historian. They fought an anthropomophized plague before and they'll fight a god too if it means they keep this god safe. They'll absolutely be willing to contribute to attacking the Historian's altar.
With the power nerf removed, the Drifter can be much more mobile for a much longer period of time but is still relatively fragile. Nonetheless, they're holding out hope that this push will be successful.
Whether they die in the fight, perish in the new world, or must return to their death at home, they accept their fate.
no subject
Character: Agent Washington
Role: Explorer, Defender
Additional Notes: While he doesn't have any particular reason to believe that any of this will work, Wash is also the kind of person who's come to expect that the most batshit plans tend to pull through, and there are just enough idiots on board with this one to feel like it might actually have a chance. His power armor will be back to full functionality, for what little that's worth, and he can burn through as much of his ammo as he needs to in order to keep the Historian's forces at bay. He'll take a more defensive approach, but he's willing to use the Jormun's mer-pendant thingies to scope out where the altar is for the attacking crew.
He's undecided about what he intends to do with himself should all of this work. Right now, he's choosing not to think about it.
no subject
Character: Yukio Okumura
Role: Defender, Shepherd
Additional Notes: Yukio is going to spend as much time as needed shooting things and providing medical care for anyone injured. And then he'll help people move places. And then he'll shoot more things.
no subject
Character: Guzma
Role: Defender, Shepherd, Storyteller
Additional Notes: Now that his Pokemon are hammering at 100% their power levels, with far less time between exhaustion, he's going all out on defending the temple and those inside offering their stories to aid the Storyteller in their bringing about the creation of a new world.
A wall of ice from Golisopod might surround the temple's main entrances to close off and funnel enemies for easier...disposal. Scizor may be a scout observing the temple from the higher ground, then descending like a bullet to catch enemies offguard with lightning quick offenses and a sturdy defense. Now that their powers and abilities aren't nullified, they have a lot more stamina to use up.
Guzma, too, is physically fighting where and when he can. He's stubborn enough, and solid enough himself. But he's mainly orchestrating his Pokemon to go all out, and offering up stories in the meanwhile. He'll also help ferry people/creatures on Golisopod's back through the waters, greet allies and try to get everyone unified. He'll be using his tactics a lot, and his charisma as a team leader to sort of navigate the situation and split up work.
There's people in the temple that he cares about, and not a damn thing is making it past this bad boy.
no subject
Character: Jay Merrick
Role: Explorer, Storyteller, Shepherd
Additional Notes:
When Jay's nervous, he becomes impulsive, and when Jay becomes impulsive, he goes places he shouldn't. Despite his lack of social skills, he manages to get his hands on a sne'akleriad pendant from the Jormun for exploring underwater.
Water's got some negative connotations in his canon, so this...awakens a wee bit of deep-seated trauma. It's fine, though. He's fine. He manages to hold it together well enough to keep up with the group, and for once his careful eye for details manages to be some help!
And maybe Jay can get a little bit of catharsis from becoming something that can see and breathe underwater after years of being forced by an eldritch horror to feel like he's drowning. As a treat.His most recent conversation with the Storyteller gave him more sympathy for them than he had before, so he ends up spending some time trying to support their temple. His stories on the island are fairly sparse, but he's got a few. They're everyday things. Talking to gods. Learning to wrap his head around magic. Hanging around Denny. Helping in Denny's stockroom, when Tim lets him.
Hiding in baskets.Even without his tapes for reference, though, he's got a fair few stories from back home. He's got stories of old friends, before things went wrong. He's got stories of isolation and terror, stories of things that shouldn't exist, things that can split a person's mind in two if they get too close.Even though his weedy arms can't carry much, he's built up a little bit of muscle since he arrived, and he's willing to cart around supplies as needed.
He'd like to be useful.Since he finally managed to learn enough about what happens back home to realize there are no answers for him there, he'd like to stay in the new world if he can. Not dying is a bonus.
no subject
Character: Ginko
Role: Storyteller, Shepherd, Defender-ish
Additional Notes: Ginko has so many stories from his own world - folk tales, mushi encounters he’s heard about secondhand, and 20+ years’ worth of jobs he worked as a mushi master. The latter will make up the majority of what he’s telling, and, fortunately, Ginko is very competent at telling stories when he gets into it. The events of his encounters with mushi, other natural phenomena of his world, and the people impacted by them will be relayed in great detail, his genuine fascination with his world and its natural workings built deeply into even the more disturbing events he relays.
While he’s not going to be spending a lot of time in combat, he can help defend the Storyteller’s temple occasionally and provide medical help if people need it, and will be helping to get people, animals, and supplies to the new world when the time comes. He isn't exactly proficient in combat (and his balance isn't great since this is the first time he's been in his more quadrupedal fog form since losing his arm), but he can make use of his size and strength both in at least slowing down threats, and in moving stuff to safety.
no subject
Character: Erika Fisher
Role: Explorer, Attacker, Defender
Additional Notes: Erika is gonna be pretty enthusiastic about hunting down and wrecking the Historian’s altar, but will make occasional returns to Enso to check on Chip and help with defense. While she may not have as much power as some people, she does have her physical strength, combat knowledge, and, when she's more human-shaped, knives and Gun.
Notably, she will be spending the night of the full moon on Enso, as she doesn’t super trust that searching the ocean while in full wolfbeast form with the compromised judgement that comes with that wouldn’t go horribly wrong. She will, however, still be actively defending the temple and any islanders she recognizes during that time.
no subject
Character: Alexei Dinoia
Role: Defender/Storyteller/Shepherd
Additional Notes: Akexei is not terribly good on the storytelling front, but people need to sleep and there will be times when people will need to leave the temple, and as such he's willing to tell the Storyteller about all sorts of things - the Calamity, life in Terca Lumireis, about the war, the Black Hope, whatever he can think of. He'll get into origin stories. We're going to talk about the histories and myths behind all the constellations oh my god he will talk about the stars for days.
When things get overwhelming, though, he's definitely willing to go out and fight the Historian's forces; he's got Brilliant Cataclysm, which can do large amounts of damage over a large area, and since he's uncapped he can spam it as much as he usually likes to spam it, which is an unholy amount of spam. He's also got other field-covering fuck-yous like Holy Rain which he has greatly missed using. Generally he'll be staying near the temple itself to ensure that the building itself and the Storyteller's altar are protected from anything that manages to get by the others. He also has moderate healing magic in case anyone nearby needs it.
...And yeah, when it's time to jump ship he's also willing to do whatever he can there, definitely.
no subject
Character: Commander Shepard
Role: She's a mixture of roles, though when the time comes, she will be one of the people leading the charge with the Attackers.
Additional Notes: Shepard is definitely a mixture of whatever is needed, whenever. Anything that is asked of her, she will provide. She's used to being of use in almost every aspect of a battle and she will definitely give advice and a hand to those staying back at the Storyteller's temple, pointing out potential weaknesses in the defense line and other tidbits. Every resource she has she will give to the cause and make sure she is in top shape to kick the Historian's ass.
That being said, before the final day comes, Shepard takes her time to carve out her entire story- everything she knows of her youth, her time in the military, her time during game canon itself, and then she goes into what happened to her while here in LifeAftr. She gives as much detail as possible, writing down how she felt and when. She fills it up with all the loss and longing and dizzyingly happy moments she has had here. Of course she doesn't have an ending- she doesn't know how things will go. But she'll leave her story in its entirety on the Storyteller's altar. They are precious to her and even though she can't be by their side during the brunt of the attack, she wants to make sure that she can give one last story in case she doesn't make it out the other side.
shows up stupid late w this
Character: Kravitz
Role: Primarily Explorer, but after that's done a mix of Attacker and Shepherd.
Additional Notes: As soon as Kravitz is a boy who no longer needs to breathe, succumb to pressure, and can teleport like the wind, you bet his ass he's ripping open a portal and taking whoever wants to come with straight to the temple at the bottom of the ocean and/or back the hell out again. He won't natively be drawn towards attacking the Historian, but he'll go if necessary; rather, he knows his skill is in transportation and will be focusing on doing all of those hops as much as possible. His focus more than anything is making sure the task is handled and that everyone gets out at the end, well accounted for.
no subject
Character: Beauregard
Role: Primary Attacker, Defender second.
Additional Notes: Beau's main thing is siding with the Storyteller because they might make a place for Mollymauk to live, and also all of her friends surviving. That said, she's a mercenary by trade and would really, really, really like to punch a god in the face, so there's no way she isn't going in there to fight the Historian. She'll be focusing on getting in some good whacks, but also using her abilities (and expanded ki points) to find out weaknesses of the Historian, keep them in a specific area, and try to stun them at least once. She'll be absolutely on top of the world if it works. She'll also be defensive of the Storyteller's temple, not necessary for the ST's benefit but because little Kiri is in there and no harm should befall this Child, thanks.