recolle | CITY EVENT LOG

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CITY EVENT LOG

EVENT

The New Administration
Wait, what?
*[ooc: please be sure to read all mod notes at the bottom!]

The third is when everything seems to start with a bang. On the third day of February, several crashes and bangs are heard and the sound of creaky metal ripples through the air. Those who look outside will see a sight for sore eyes. The moon and the stars brighten the sky and the dome is nowhere to be seen.

Instead, anyone in Tisse will find yet another addition to the wonderful city of Recollé. At the very top of the Towers sits a penthouse with wide windows and an empty office building, soft lights glowing and illuminating the area.

The city goes silent after that, but at the top of the hour every single Retrospec user receives a text from a user named Zee Carlisle.

Nice city you've got here. They weren't kidding when they said I would fit right in. I've always wanted to live in a city like this. Jo, Maury and the rest of the team have given you a little bit of a breakdown in preparation for our little project, but they recruited me to step in. Seems like a lot of you want a more personal experience here with us at Retrospec. So let's talk. Get to know each other. I'll go first. Zee Carlisle, Hiring Manager. Nice to meet you, etc. I've been watching you for a while, Retrospecters. Kind of a unique group you've got going. I like it. Here's the thing. We've been experiencing some problems out of our control for a while now. The director's been trying to keep things under wraps for the last year, but HR and R&D finally convinced the higher ups that we need help. So. You want the whole story? Here's your story. The storms are getting worse. You might've noticed. Calls are down, mail's down, communication as a whole is down and isolating you into this teensy bubble of a city. It's why the dome went up, had to protect our resources and start isolating the sources. More areas and more people even outside of your little group here are being affected, but you guys are the only people who can help us. Some of you passed your assessments with flying colors and I've already sent messages. You'll leave for your assignments in the morning at 9am, congratulations. As for the rest of you, welllll…consider this an interview. You see...as a Hiring Manager, I'm looking for recruits for our new project. The Recollé Restoration Initiative (going forward known as the RRI) is a project we designed here to not only help us, but to help you help us help you. Make sense? Cool. You may ask, "Why should we trust you?" which is a completely fair question to ask. And hey, you don't have to trust me or trust them. But I think you might be interested to know that you and I have more in common than you think. As a user on the network, you can contact me via text, phone or email. I'll also have some office hours and more resources than you could ever dream of. But enough about me. Here's your first assignment.

I.

On the morning of the fourth, users going through their assessment period (i.e. those of you who are working inside the city) receive a diagram from Zee. In this diagram, a dot labelled "Recollé" sits in the center and in the four cardinal directions are different labelled dots. To the south is Pesgare. To the north is Magatus. To the east is Respatrum. And to the west is Bosuma.

Citizens will find that they are able to leave the city limits now and can explore the open areas leading to these four points. While they will not be able to visit them just yet, they will be instructed that they must work together to begin structuring paths, roads, or forms of transportation between the main city of Recollé and these four locations. Zee may take requests and provide items should users ask, but it's up to you to work together and start brainstorming the best ways to create maps and connect these points together.

But the best way to do that is to start exploring, right? Hit the road and grab a friend to begin getting a lay of the land. Southward leads residents to the beach while northward leads them through the forest, east and west giving way to desert and open field areas the further they travel. The expanse of directions seems endless, but eventually citizens will find that they will hit a point where they're unable to enter. An "ACCESS DENIED" notification will pop up on their phone, notifying them that they've reached the entry points of the special assignments volunteers have been sent on.

But even with restricted access, there's plenty to be done and plenty to take care of as part of the initiative. Flora in the area needs to be identified and the fauna may be a bit problematic if you aren't careful. Some of these plants and creatures may even look familiar to you, but many of them won't!

Off-roading and camping are encouraged and despite the fact it's February the weather seems to be amendable to these ventures. Clear as many of the monsters as possible to make way for the paths, report your findings to your hiring manager, and look out for each other as you start to shape the land.

II.

It's not just the outskirts of the city and open areas that need help. Some citizens who have lived here for a while may remember that February 3rd is traditionally known as Founder's Day, a holiday set up by the city to celebrate the foundation. In the days leading up to the third, banners, signs and all kinds of advertisements have gone up reminding everyone that this year is the 100th anniversary of the city's foundation. However, as the third approaches, Founder's Day comes and goes without any sort of large celebration. In fact, the annual parade is cancelled and instead citizens gather to discuss a more trying matter.

Breaking news hits the airwaves that Mayor Mayer, the entire city council, the head of police, the fire chief and other prominent figures of the city have disappeared overnight. As newscasters record TV footage in front of City Hall and the police station, Retrospec users will receive a new message.

Uh. Well, that was unexpected. I wasn't really counting on something like this coming up but let's roll with it and count it as part of your assessment. You want your city to keep running the way it did? Find your mayor and the others. But hey...it's your city. What if you didn't?

Under your feet, blue pulses of light run under the streets and the sidewalks, energy thrumming beneath you as all lights lead back to the subway tunnels again. Will you be a hero and follow the lights to rescue these people? Or will you be a face of change and leave them to perish and redesign the city?

Those who do enter the tunnels will find that a new route has opened, a mouth to the left of the main entrance from the city. Unlike the other dirt-filled vine-and-rat-infested tunnels, this one is a sterile and bright silver path with floor to ceiling panels on one side of the tracks and floor to ceiling mirrors on the other. The path seems to stretch miles and miles under the city and the further you walk, the narrower the path becomes. The sound of wild animals echo through the tunnels from the other sides of the panels, and the mirrors to your left reflect skeletal forms of both people and animals alike. The closer you get to the end though, the louder the sounds grow and the panels to the right slide open to release several chimera-esque creatures who will do everything they can to guard the silver door at the end of the tunnel. These creatures can be defeated by normal means, and they will not hesitate to attack anyone who gets close.

Is it worth fighting to save these people? You decide. Those who defeat the creatures and find themselves at the silver door will receive yet another message.

Hang tight, I am grouping you with some of the others to finish this thing.

III.
Later on the fourth, no matter where you are, you may find something heavy resting in your pocket. A small colored stone shaped like a heart appears and even while tucked away safely it burns brightly. Holding it, the heart feels as though it's pulsating and you're flooded with an overwhelming sense of love for something special whether that's a person, an item, or an ideal. All users find themselves in possession of a stone, and soon another text comes through.

If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering what's up with the rocks. Had the techs run some tests on these. Don't freak out, but you might want to be careful with them? They're working as fast as they can but bits of your soul energy are tied directly to those stones. You break it or make it lose its shine, well, hard to say WHAT might happen.

Users who keep their stones on their person in their pockets or in a bag will find that whatever emotions they're dealing with will transfer to whomever they encounter. Feeling happy that the sun's back? Everyone around you will wear a smile. Stressed out that your loved ones volunteered for a mission and they're out who-knows-where? Everyone around you will pick up that same nervous energy. The stone's color will fade if you ignore these feelings and even worse, fissures may start to form if they continue to be ignored.

And though you may not know it yet, shattering the heart is the worst thing you could do: if the stone breaks, the thing that you love disappears from your mind completely. All memories and emotions associated with this heart will vanish without a second thought.

IV.
What's that smell in the air? Is it love? Close, it's cherry blossoms. It's a sickeningly sweet scent that occasionally blows through with the wind, strongest in the city and more faint the further you travel. However, citizens beware as invisible assailants appear to be on the prowl. Without warning, you may feel the prick of Cupid's arrow from behind. Though the effects only last two hours maximum, they're fairly inconvenient while on assignment. These effects include:

-Heart-shaped pupils
-A violent whirlwind of rose petals appearing any time you make eye contact with someone new
-Your emotions are intensified
-Your emotions are flipped. People you have a fondness for may now disgust you, or people you normally argue with may become your best friend

Inconvenient, yet manageable, right?

On February 14th though things become a bit harder. Yet another message comes through.

Hope you've been having an easier time with the residual effects than I am. You know what makes everything easier? Teamwork. And that's what today's assignment is all about. Happy Valentine's Day.

The first person that you see on this day may be a friend or a stranger, but soon you will find that a strangely magnetic force binds the two of you together. For the next 24 hours, you and your partner will be stuck together and must work together. Whether this is working on the road construction assignment, the rescue mission or just going about your everyday lives you'll have a built-in companion for the day. Who knows? You may even find yourself stuck with up to two additional people, too.

But what if you stray too far from your partner(s)? No worries. A red string will bind your hands together and ensure you're always connected, simply falling away once the 24 hours are up.

THE FUTURE.
So this is life now, isn't it? A year's gone by since Retrospec's impacted so many lives and it may feel as though you're nowhere closer to answering questions. Perhaps you're just starting your journey with the restoration company. Either way, your help is most appreciated and acknowledged. As you work toward the goals assigned to you, you will be rewarded. For an excellent show of teamwork, at the end of your assessment you will find yourself on the receiving end of a brand new memory or vision of a life lost. Some of you may also receive a ticket in the mail to pick up an item at the Retrospec mailbox by Wiffle-Waffle. A message will be sent not long after.

Congrats, you passed. Come to my office in March if you're ready for harder assignments.

Welcome to

recolle's February event!

Please read these notes carefully!

Prompt I may be played with however you want! There is really no right or wrong answer, and as mentioned Zee can be reached at his inbox to provide you with any tools your character may ask for to connect the four points to the city. You are free to make up plant names and what effects they have on the eco systems as well and report these back to the NPC if you wish. As of right now, the only monsters roaming the grounds are those in the above bestiary though other earthly wildlife may be found.

Prompt II will require some coordination! If you complete a thread with someone in which you defeat the monsters and get to the silver door before 2/16 at 9pm EST, please hit up Zee's inbox! ICly (and oocly) your character will be put in contact with the small group of others who have worked toward this endeavor and given the next step to save these important NPCs.

Prompt III will have set consequences! If your character breaks their heart, they will lose memories and feelings associated with something they love. Breaking the stone is entirely optional, and there will possibly be a way to regain these memories later down the line as a reward for the future, but please keep this in mind!

The Future will only be applicable once you've met your freebie requirements for this log! Remember, the requirements for one free memory are 15 comments spread across at least two threads (min. 5 consecutive comments each) using these prompts. For the free 10-20 point item, one of these threads must be with a character you haven't threaded with before!

A mod-posted Retrospec post may go up if necessary to connect city players with group players, dependent on player action!

As always, you may also create your own logs or inbox threads based on these prompts. Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here.

Happy anniversary, Recollé!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Frederick himself was quick to return to his home to replenish the pack he used last month to venture into the subways. He had been planning another trip out of the city to help with clearing of the paths there, but this was far more important. He's making sure that everything that might be needed is in the pack when he get's Tatsuo's text.

I'll meet you there.

And at exactly the thirty minute mark, Frederick is walking up to the subway entrance, his axe at his side. OK, so maybe he wasn't exactly talking about someone else when he mentioned someone getting an axe back.

"Greetings," he says with a nod.

After the last time the city went nuts, Yoon-sung had taken to keep several 'to-go' bags in various places in case he needed something more than his usual business gear. The notice on the app plus the lights had him dig out one of the bags, tossed in a few charged battery packs and his lock breaking tools when he got the text from Tatsuo. He hesitated for a moment and added a couple long knives that he acquired before texting Tatsuo back.

Be there soon.

Fashionably late as usual, he pulled up to the subway entrance, got out and swung his bag over his shoulders, and lazily waved. "Sorry for the wait, I had to deal with the furry troublemaker's escape attempt."

Tatsuo nods at Frederick.

"Thanks for coming. Got one other person coming as well, so let's give him a few more minutes to arrive."

While they wait for Yoon-sung, Tatsuo checks over his pack one more time. While he does so, Frederick will be able to spot what Tatsuo is carrying weapon-wise. Two S&W model 36 in a double holster at the small of his back and a Beretta 92 in a hip holster. He finishes his check as Yoon-sung arrives.

"Let me guess, cats," Tatsuo says as he stands and pulls his pack on. He doesn't have cats himself, but he knows enough people with them.

"Right, dunno if you two have met. Frederick, Yoon-sung. Yoon-sung, Frederick."

Time to rescue ~~Wonder Woman~~ the police chief.

Frederick nods at Tatsuo, taking this time to double check his own pack as well. He also takes note of what weapons that Tatsuo's carrying. This should all be pretty useful when it comes to saving the chief.

When Yoon-sung arrives, Frederick sticks out a hand in greeting. "I wish we could have met under better circumstances, but it is nice to meet you, all the same.

"But, shall we head out now?"

"Likewise."

A quick shake of his hand and then Yoon-sung was pulling out a pair of fingerless gloves and sliding them on. The extra padding along the knuckles and back of the should at least protect him from splitting open his knuckles on whatever was down there. And while he wished that he just had more than a memory of gun use, he was glad. David would probably have a fit if he knew Yoon-sung had taken up guns along with fighting.

"Stop by when this is all over; I promise to make sure the rest of the nerds are fed so they won't try to bite."

"Yeah, the lights head this way."

Tatsuo leads the way, following the blue pulses of light under their feet. The new tunnel is a little bit of a surprise, but supposedly the ones in January had been 'new' as well.

"This wasn't here last month," he comments as he heads down the stairs. "Big improvement over the last few tunnels I went down though."

"Let us hope that this is not the only improvement," Frederick says, hoping that at least the only danger they'll face while walking down the tunnel is just tiredness.

He follows behind Tatsuo, hand on the hilt of his axe so that he's ready should something pop out at them.

"Tunnels in better repair usually means that there is going to be surprises," Yoon-sung said, palming one of his smaller knives. He could turn nearly anything into a weapon if he put his mind to it, but having one on hand would at least help. He just hoped they didn't run into people. He wasn't sure if he could fight them.

"It's probably a law of the multiverse, though it's definitely standard for any dungeon-exploring game I've ever worked on."

Tatsuo glances sideways at Yoon-sung.

"Surprises, as in monsters? Or traps?"

At this point, Tatsuo isn't sure which he'd prefer. As long as the monster isn't too big and isn't immune to bullets, he's fairly comfortable he can just shoot it to pieces. But there's no way to plan for traps, and that worries him.

"If I had a preference, I'd choose monsters."

Traps were tricky. At least with monsters, you can just hack and slash and shoot at them until they're dead.

"Both," he said, sounding far too cheerful about it. Then again, he was discussing something he dealt with on a fairly regular basis. "After all, it's way too easy to make traps in a littered doorway, and people avoid them like the plague, so... clean the hall, make it look good and seed the place with deviousness."

For someone who might end up fighting something twisted, Yoon-sung sounded a bit flippant about it. Then again, it was default mindset. Panicking would only get him into trouble later on.

"Trick is that you have to walk carefully and poke at supicious spots with a big stick."

"Same. I think I prefer monsters," Tatsuo says to Fredrick.

Then he just raises an eyebrow at Yoon-sung. Because, wow does he seem not concerned in the least.

"Oh, so are you volunteering to take point then?"

Because Tatsuo has not been trained for this. ... Not that he's been trained to fight monsters.

"If you're capable of recognizing traps, I'd prefer for you to lead," he says that dryly.

"Tatsuo and I would be able to watch your back."

"I just design traps, I don't actually have anything to do with hiding them," he grumbled but he did step into it.

Yoon-sung took a moment to dig into a side pocket of his bag and switched his knife for a telescoping rod. Thus armed, he moved on ahead of them, humming to himself as a reminder that he was not the brat who was also trained to kill.

Ahead of them, the path continues straight, fading into the distance. On one side, the same blank sterile panels line the walls as the ceiling, but on the other... mirrors, reflecting the image of themselves back at them.

Tatsuo eyes his reflection in the mirrors.

"On second though, this one is more creepy than the last."

Frederick can't help but pause slightly when he catches sight of his reflection. He stares at it momentarily before shaking his head. He grips at the handle of his axe just a bit tighter.

"I will take your word for it."

They walk.

And they walk.

And they walk.

Tatsuo engages in a little idle chit-chat here and there, but for the most part he's just too on edge to really attempt a proper conversation. Their reflections are mostly to blame, as he'll catch a flicker of movement in his peripheral vision only to realize it's just himself in the mirror.

After a while, Tatsuo starts eyeing the walls for a different reason.

"Is it... narrowing?"

He's not the best at it, but he can visually ballpark distances within about three inches. And for some reason... he's pretty sure the tunnel is narrower than when they first started.

"It is. And we aren't the only ones in the mirrors too."

Not any other people that he recognized, but there were other shapes that didn't quite match them. He was pretty sure that he saw an animal or two, but he wasn't going to point it out to them if they weren't looking. It at least made him stop humming, and the he had expanded the rod he was carrying to tap the side of the wall every few feet now.

Tatsuo glances at the mirrors again... and immediately wishes he hadn't. Not only are the shapes of animals and other people walking along with them, but the substance of the figures is gradually fading down to the underlying skeletons.

This is definitely creepier than the subways last month or the tunnel out to the bunker back in October. This is reaching August levels of 'can we please not?' and 'we should just turn back now, while we still can.'

Except the chief is out there somewhere, along with all the other high profile people around town.

Reaching down to his side and unholstering the Beretta, Tatsuo hopes the skeletal figures stay inside the mirrors.

"Stay focused, don't let the reflections distract you," Frederick calls out. This could be the "trap" that Yoon-sung mentioned earlier, something to distract other rescuers, trying to make them turn back. He's had enough of this, however, instead making it a point to pull out his ax so that it's at the ready.

"They are probably a holo or visual distortion shot from behind the mirrors in order to make us react anyways."

Or maybe not, though Yoon-sung wasn't going to say that in any way, shape or form. As far as he knew, this whole place was made to get them to react badly or miss something and both wouldn't be good in a long run. They just had to follow the light and ignore the rest until something else happened, but like Frederick, he was putting away the rod and taking out his actual weapons. Well, he thought of them as knives, but they were knives the same way a tiger was a cat - same general shape and style but made for a specific purpose.

He flipped one around in his hand, the blade against the line of his forearm so he could use the hilt to tap at odd spots on the wall. It wasn't as safe as the rod had been but he felt better that he was at least armed somewhat.

"Are you hearing the animal noises too?"

"What anima..."

Tatsuo breaks off as he hears a low growl, followed by what sounds like a hiss.

"Oh, those animals noises."

Focusing down the center of the tunnel, Tatsuo does his best to stay calm. Which is pretty difficult considering the skeletal reflections are doing a good job reminding him of the undead skeleton horde from back in August.

This isn't like the tomb. This isn't like the tomb.

"This isn't like the tomb."

He might have said that last one out loud. Quietly, but out loud. Sorry guys, the dude who invited you down here is just barely keeping it together.

The animal noises only increase in volume as they continue down the tunnel. And then Tatsuo spots something in the distance.

"Hey, is that a door?"

"A growl and a hiss? That certainly sounds promising."

That's all Frederick can say. He tries to suppress the small shiver of fear he felt run up his spine at those animal sounds. There's nothing to fear, no wolves, no bears, no wild animals.It's all meant to keep people away, so that any rescue parties are discouraged. He's gripping his ax's handle tighter and tighter as they continue forward, focused solely on the mission that he nearly runs into Tatsuo.

"Oh... so it seems we've reached the end."

There wasn't much room to do anything at all, and they were right behind him so he couldn't just step back easily or to the side. There wasn't room, and the animal sounds were too real - they didn't have the slight muted sound to them like a recording, there was breath and subtle layers, and he knew that his ears were used to noticing differences thanks to his work. That there was a silver door ahead of them did not make him think that things were easier.

"I think that going directly towards that will be a mistake," he said, shifting his grip on his knife's hilt. "Can you back up a couple steps...?"

And of course there was the hiss of something moving as the panels to their right slid open.

Tatsuo can't help but look when that panel slides open. And almost wishes he hadn't when he sees the first chimera.

"Shit! Back up!"

Even as he says to back up, he's stepping away from the other two so he can raise his gun. He remembers the monsters from back in August. The sand scorpion he and Jaeger fought. He aims for the snake's head and fires.

[ooc: idk how many we want. 2? 3?]

CITY EVENT LOG

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