⭐️ Player Event Log: September, Little Dorchacht

[usurpers]

Player Event Log: September, Little Dorchacht

On the 21st of Septeril, the mirrorbound may see something glinting and chirping from the screens of their watches, to alert them of a message wherever they may be— The Black City’s Coven, the streets, even the sewers— a name stands just underneath written words of the device’s screen with a brief disclosure: The care centers are scapegoats to breed the city’s monster stock. The Resistance has a plan to put a dent in the system for good, so If you’re inclined for whatever reason, look for them. They’ll strike in four days and need volunteers. Any further questioning will be met with silence, or urging one to seek out those who have deemed themselves responsible, three stars dawned, excited and ready: La Resistance. Characters will be led to hideouts, sent messengers, notes and even encrypted talk under a simple guise of sympathizers in and around the Coven itself, if so much as desired to hear from them. The information is the same, wherever one hears from: “ In the "poorer" sections of the city, those less off and more exposed to various influence, there are sections dubbed as "care centers" for the lost. Some of these are true orphanages for those who've lost their parentage in some way, human only, but most are simply covers for the collection and breeding of Monsters for stock. It's been thought that by breeding "domesticated" pairs together, it'd elicit a stock that's more eager to obey without the use of magic, but so far that hasn't been the case. Like a long line of domestication, basically. They don't always keep the Monsters they breed -- many are studs offered from the Coven, who are masters among masters at keeping their Monsters heeled.” Many and all speculation is confirmed, and if you agree to help them in any way, shape or form, your informant can only grin as freely as they feel once they hear you say “yes”. —Well, hop to it! Depending on what roll you play, you have a strategy you need to follow, now. Either that, or . . . If you have your own plans, you’re welcomed to drum to your own beat. As long as you don’t interfere, says their leader rather dangerously. The Resistance, you’ll realize, would go very far for control over Dorchacht, with some individuals being very for the murder of Morgana Drummond. (It's on the table, but generally speaking they'd like it not to come to that -- there are worse things you can do to a Witch.) Their numbers aren't the highest, but it's safe to say that though they are a smaller part of Dorchacht's general public, the connections they have and where they have certain players do make them formidable in a sense. They would be able to pull through given help, and would more than welcome it. You have four days!

I. THE BOOM The night is dark on the 25th of Septeril, but the terrors lurk far more during the day. Dorchacht's air is heavy as ever, but so eerily silent amidst the calming lullabies played throughout the streets. It’s too late for anyone to be breaching the unspoken curfew, save for guards and the city’s army (widely known for keeping the peace, The Resistance would comment during briefing). Little by little, it grows darker. Lamp posts are broken, ambient magitech is dulled to shadows, and through them creep the silent steps of the war horses— the group The Resistance has tasked with creating vibrant and insufferable decoys. It doesn’t matter how it’s done, or how creative one would like to get. As long as you have the military’s attention, you’re doing a splendid job. Let it be known, though! Most veterans have taken a kindled liking to using fire to set the market and other strategic locations to flames. Tonight, we break the chains! Tomorrow, we set our city free!, they yell, boisterous and as lively as the blaze that gives Dorchacht a face that has never before been seen, or remembered: animated. It may be in the trojan horses greater interest to go along and keep them safe— not all of them know how to defend themselves from the eminent threats to come. Or maybe you have something else in mind, and desire to use the growing chaos to unfold other pieces to the puzzle the Black City hides.

II. THE CLATTER Tucked away into Dorchacht’s pockets of poverty are the human orphanages, locked, sound and asleep. Well— if the children haven’t heard the commotion yet, and you know children. Feisty little rugrats. The dark horses (and trojans) are tasked to enter these establishments under the facade of good samaritans, to usher the children and caretakers out from the (possible) fires dangerously close to licking their rooftops, as well as the chaos from the coming riots only spreading. Children will be children, and some will cling, plenty will scream, and a good handful will cry. Do your best to get them out of the way, so to speak. Remove them from danger, shake off the nitpick employees (or duct tape a few to a wall for the kids to throw tomatoes at) and return to your objective: the basements or locked rooms. Down the poorly lit staircases and soundproof-charmed hallways will be found adult monsters of all kinds and genders. The darkness is their only friend, their living conditions are indignant, and compulsion spells still plague them to obey. They haven’t see the light of day for as long as their eyes remain opened, caged and forced into bearing offspring for their slavers. Many are exhausted, frightened, and some may even be too far along their trauma to react nicely to their visitors if left to their own devices. Some may be newcomers though, strong of mind and only waiting for you to give them freedom, to allow them to help you help them. Calm them, steady them, and free them. Lead them safely to The Resistance’s hideaways, and beware those who may come to stop you. The less you’re seen, the better.

III. THE CRACK The Coven as a whole may be a little restless, as much as they attempt to hide it, once they’ve gotten word of the uncontrolled pests in town. The occasional hush and whisper rushes through their halls with clicking boots and flowing cloaks to awaken those nearly ready to rest, with the majority of their witches cursing the Resistance, and one or two smirking subtly under their pointed hats. The willing dignitaries of Aefenglom old and new that have received word in secrecy— gift horses— are told to stay in the building under their watchful eyes and safety. shelter is offered close to the river and harbor from where they came. They wouldn’t want their guests harmed in this ugly crisis, after all. Though look hard enough, trek with patience, and the sympathizers will come forward quickly, nimbly with news: a back entrance for those who want access to the city exists. Those who come will be met with Resistance members beyond these gates, disguises in hand to offer and grand thanks for joining them. Nerissa Bell will approve without openly approving— her hands are rather tied, but do take care of yourselves. She’ll do the best she can to keep accusations null and void. The citizens of Dorchacht are frightened and panicked, others join in the inspiring revolt, and even more jeer as the city splits. Some buildings may be truly lost and close to collapse by the enchanted flames and sparks of fireworks popping into the sky. Homes and businesses aren’t saved from the crossfire, even a handful of citizens are caught in the fray— no one said you couldn’t help them, care for them, and tranquilize them. No one said you couldn’t fight, either. You’re “glorified tourists”, aren’t you? Show them your glory (without giving yourself away).

this is the player plot announced and discussed here to help free dorchacht! all players are welcomed to wildcard what they do to their heart’s content and by no means are trapped into these prompts! more group discussions can be found here and questions can be directed here! have fun!!

Comments

[fiddlestick]

0. Preparations
[Well. Guess he did tell Eren to do something. This counts as something.

Having worked with the Resistance all month, it's easy for Elliot to find out the Resistance plans and ask for a role in them. He may be a musician, but he was no stranger to operations like this. So he spends the next day making all the preparations he can.

For those who know where the Resistance's infirmary is, you'll find him spending some time preparing potions and scrolls of healing spells to disperse among the different teams. His magic won't save you from losing a limb or your life, but it'll heal up other injuries.

Or maybe you'll find him a little away from the infirmary, charging up a jeweled bracelet on his wrist that Hiccup had made him, checking his own staff to make sure it's okay, or just needing a moment alone.

For the more radio inclined, he's also spending time in a dusty home run by the resistance and currently where Entrapta's set herself up, working on a broadcast to have aired during the mission. It's nice that Mozart was willing to take over for him as host, Elliot trusts him enough not to completely micromanage him, but he still has his moments. Especially with other staff. The gentle and soft spoken musician seems to become a real drill sergeant when it comes to this stuff. ]

The sound's still a little off. [Goddess knows how long he's nitpicked. At this point whether it's a speaker or an instrument- the off-sounding feedback is barely noticeable] Tune it again, a single off-note could ruin the entire effect.

[Maybe it's a good thing he'll be elsewhere during the actual broadcast]

II-A. The Orphanages
[Elliot is on team dark horse along with the rest of the folks from his world. Sure, Elliot looks more like he should be teaching kindergarten music class than doing infiltration and liberation missions, but as the mission gets underway it's clear he knows what he's doing. Staff in hand and a jeweled bracelet charged up with back-up spells, he's got more than enough to help incapacitate any guards. He even has armor made from dragon scales (molted dragon scales he promises) to protect him from blows.

The first step is to lead the orphans out. He's gentle with the kids, pretty used to working with them. Maybe it's good they have a teacher here.]

It's alright, you're safe with us. We're going on a little trip, okay?

II-B. The Basement
[The children now safe and elsewhere, Elliot rejoins the rest of the group in heading down to the basement. He creates a little ball of light to light his way and ... well, as experienced as he was, this was a sight more horrible than anything he's seen before. ]

T-This is terrible...

[He wants to throw up, but he can save that for later. He works on treating the monsters, healing any injuries caused by their captivity, disenchanting and washing off any compulsion spells drawn or tattooed onto the monsters- and helping them gain some strength to move. He doesn't want to leave a single one behind, even the ones so far in their trauma.

Otherwise he can help with washing away any compulsion glyphs they will find with water magic, or taking care of any guards that might cause trouble.]

Wildcard
[Got another prompt for me? Hit me up!]

STEVEN UNIVERSE | TEAM DARK HORSE | OTA

[starseedling]

★THE BASEMENT
This is depravity on a level that Steven has never seen before. He's seen captivity before. He's even seen breeding programs before. Yet, the human zoo run by Gems had been eerily idyllic, and the participants had been eager. While upsetting in its own way, he never feared that those humans were suffering.

This is beyond his ken. This is beyond war, and beyond killing. Some of these monsters are broken, perhaps beyond repair, all while being forced to have children that would be treated the same way...

At first he manages okay. He can speak calming words, he can project calming images, he can make calming sounds. He can lead them out into the night, and towards eventual safety. Under his watch they can pass without scrutiny, and with others dispelling compulsion, he makes several successful trips. Gradually, though, his defenses are eroded.

He starts freezing up. Maybe it's while looking at a particularly hopeless monster captive, one where the damage seems irreversible. Maybe it's while it sinks in that the pregnancies he's seen were under duress. He needs to keep talking, to keep working, to keep escorting, but his mind just won't function.

Freeing the children had been the easy part, as it turns out. It's their parents that are causing him to break apart, starting to have an empathetic meltdown in the center of everything going on.

[horkbajir]

Toby is here, putting her efforts more into the adults than anyone else, and she's reacting with grim resolve more than anything. Her half of the bond is all hard and clanging.

She'd had an idea that humans would do this, she'd read between the lines of middle-grade material and seen implications that had made her tutor blanch when she raised them. It's a different context, of course. She's also heard how her people are propagated, and it's sometimes very like this. However much detail she's been given she's never been there, never had this smell in her nostrils. But her reactions, least of all the yearning to be with her people and away from these aliens who'll do this to something so like their own, aren't relevant here. They've folded away under a harsh focus, double-beating with her hearts and the desire for action.

She closes a long, reptilian hand around each of her Bonded's shoulders and speaks into his face. "Steven. There isn't time for this now."

[starseedling]

The emotions he gives off are sheer self-destructing chaos. This level of suffering, met head on, and to know it's been happening for years. It surpasses the abstractness of hearing Toby's stories, where equal or worse things were happening but in a place far away. Yet, seeing this now lends them a realness they didn't have before, meaning he is being hit by the harsh reality of multiple worlds all at once.

Seeing Toby now fills him with a wrenching kind of guilt - guilt that he's been so lucky in comparison, and guilt that maybe he didn't fully understand until now. He pulls back, away from her, overwhelmed with panic.

"How can they do this?" he pleads, his voice tight and shrill with fear.

[horkbajir]

"We'll talk about it later!" she says, maybe more loudly than she intended. A bedraggled Harpy next to her flinches and tries to curl into a tighter ball. Toby sucks in a deep breath and plunges her feelings, with their edges tugged by this poor child's panic, down into an icy, still ocean just between her hearts.

There's cold in her that wasn't in the generations before the Yeerks, that was bought by thirty years of enduring. It's not unique to Seers, but it's deeper and colder in her than in the rest of her people.

She speaks again with a more modulated tone, level and intent. "I love you, but if I have to stop to help you then I can't help them. Later. Find a place to put this into until it's time to take it out, or go back outside and help the young people."

[hippocarnival]

When they first descend the basement, Yuya covers his mouth to hold back the gagging sound he makes at the sight of it all. A part of him expected it, bit he really didn't have the experience to be prepared for what it really looked like.

Like Steven, he pushes himself straight into unlocking cages and ushering monsters out so he doesn't have to stop and think to hard about it. He has the advantage of the compulsion spell, but he only uses it with the monsters who are so far gone they can't even leave their own cage--with soft soothing words to draw them out and usher them on their way.

He almost runs into Steven when he's starting to really crumble under it, stumbling to avoid him before he twists around and can face Steven properly.

Oh. "Steven..." Yuya moves to put his hands on Steven's shoulders, to brace him, leaning over with concern etched in his expression. "Steven, can you focus on me?"

this is probably gunna be a short one

[starseedling]

Her initial words cause Steven to flinch as well, a reaction that only gets worse when he sees that his behaviour is making the monsters around them hurt worse, as well. He's making everything worse, he thinks. He isn't helping. Everyone already knows this but him. He's being selfish, he's being stupid, and he needs to make himself stop-

But he can't. He's too weak.

Something snaps, and instead of doing anything else, he runs from her. He doesn't want her to follow. He doesn't want anyone to look at him or pay attention to him - not when there are more important things to be doing, and he's like this.

He flies towards the stairs, most likely to head for the upper floors. As he does, he compulsively pushes an illusion to make himself invisible, disappearing from sight entirely.

[whomthebelltolls]

[She'd rolled her eyes at Eren's question on the network. She rolled it again at what seemed to be a call to arms. It's not until the first explosion rattles the panes of glass on the windows of her room, jerking her out of poring over a higher-level tome she'd "borrowed" from a deeper section of the library that she realizes that these dumbasses have finally done it; they've started something they can't finish. There's no way this timing is convenient, and there's no way someone else isn't picking up on this, either.

Or maybe she's just paranoid; she's already in a bad mood, because she can feel the familiar tightening, strengthening of her Bond that tells Alex has returned.

She steps out of her room in her Hunter attire, now, resplendent in all of its leather and silk, and she settles her hat low across her brow, as she walks right for the entrance of the Coven. A couple Witches make a token attempt to stop her - it's dangerous out there, they don't want their "guests" put in danger, but Maria pacifies them with a disarmingly charming smile. And that's the first sign that something is strange. It's alright, she tells them. Where she comes from... it's a Hunter's job to clear the sewers of overgrown rats, and keep the populace safe from unruly Beasts. She has some potential business partners out there she wants to check on, anyway.

They let her go without another question, and lock the door behind her.]

[1: It takes a boss to know a boss]

[The Resistance might find at least one of the orphanages more heavily guarded than others, and already there's a growing mound of still figures around the doors and entrances, and a few writhing in their own blood, dying at the feet of a huge, burly man who looks like he might be an off-duty military commander. He wields both weapons and magic deftly, and is proving to be a sticking point.

It's then, from the shadows nearby, a form materializes, and he initially raises his weapon, but then relaxes when he sees who it is - tall, pale, intimidating, he laughs that he almost didn't recognize her with her hat on. Maria responds cordially; there's a few unruly rats gathering to gnaw on the restraints of the goods in this place. He laughs; he could've told her that, but she shakes her head, no, they're nearby, and any Resistance members might just hold their breath as they wait for her to out their hiding position, as they gather to strike.

But she motions off to the side - away from where the team is readying to invade. That way, she says, she'll help him secure the route, and that will get the troublesome rats out of his hair.

They disappear around the corner of the building, and, a moment later, Maria emerges alone, her left hand wrapped in the tattered edge of her cape. She's not injured, quite the opposite, as her hand slips out from under the folds, her glove is splattered in wine-dark stains and she's holding a freshly clean dagger - one that she snaps back into the hilt of the Rakuyo, joining it to its sword twin again.

And then, to the other shadows, the ones she didn't even look at, where the real "rats" are hiding.] Go, before more come.

[2: No one can notice if there's no one to notice]

[The docks are silent. No, not of the rush of waves or the creaking of wood as it sways to and fro with the power of the ocean's tides; there's no noise of people that can be discerned. At least, at first, and then there's some noises, coming from a very familiar ship. Captain Heuf came back with some of the people from Aefenglom who wanted to help spark the revolution here, and there are deckhands moving to and fro on the boat, though most are gathered near the bow, watching the flames and smoke rise above the crowd.

There's a figure sitting on the dock, though, near the shore-edge of the pier, relaxed on one of the wooden posts, one leg tucked up near her chest, the other dangling casually, her sword in its sheath at her side. She's watching the town, as well, from the safe distance of "keeping the boat safe", now that she's checked on the state of the chaos in the city. This is a relatively calm, safe place.

Guarded by one of the most dangerous people in Aefenglom, with one of the most questionable moralities and standings.

After all, there are no Dorchacht guards here, and they can't all have run toward the chaos. And some of the Monsters on the ship, well... they will occasionally look down, eyeing her warily, before going back to their businesses.] The ship is secured. Don't worry. They'll be casting off soon to wait out the chaos in deeper water.

[She thinks, maybe; it makes sense to get away from potential danger and fire with a wooden boat; she has plans to go with them, as well, her ill-feelings about boats aside. But that might not be what the people approaching the docks are here for, at all. There might just be a Resistance safe zone in one of the cargo warehouses here - or at least the entrance to one.

She's not sure.

She didn't care enough about the Resistance to learn.]

[overworker]

0. Preparations

[While she hadn't been keen on Eren's communications earlier for how vague and directionless it seemed-- now that there is a plan, she knows that this is something she can help with.

She's spent a lot of her free time with the Resistance, and learns quickly what their plans are. This kind of mission isn't unfamiliar to her, even before her time amongst those here in Dorchacht. That's why she knows that success begins with the right preparations.

For her, that's preparing clothing with the proper enchanted threads and markings to fight against the compulsion spells. Even if they can evacuate everyone, if they run into opposition, it won't help if the people they're trying to save can't help but work against them. So she stitches it into gloves, scarves, bracelets-- whatever she can make with the supplies she has. And she'll make sure everyone has some with them to use. If you need her to make something for you as well, she'll be happy to help.]

II. Dark Horse

This is terrible...

[Towa knew what to expect. She has seen no shortage of unfortunate, painful and downright cruel scenes in her short life. But to see that burden placed upon small children, who had done nothing wrong but be born into this system breaks her heart.]

I know this is probably difficult for you, but we want to help. I won't force you to come with us, but I hope that you will.

[She extends her hands to the people who are reluctant, calmly speaks with those who are frightened, and smiles bright for those who are eager to bid these horrible situations farewell. And once she's done what she can, she turns to her allies.]

Can you help me break these locks? I don't want to rely on the methods I'm used to... I don't want to scare them after everything they've been though.

[So she has to use some methods she's not as familiar with, since she refuses to use her gun here. But that's why they're a team after all.]

Wildcard

[Any scenarios where Towa can help you out? Throw them in here!]

hiccup haddock iii | ota

[thisisamazing]

[i. beginning of the end]
[The resistance will strike in 4 days, Eren had said. That had, immediately, set a stone of dread sinking in Hiccup's gut as he waited it out. What were they planning? What was going to happen? Hiccup thinks about getting out to try to find Newt, but if there's something in the works, it might be too dangerous to do so. So, he doesn't seek out his Bonded, he waits and he pays attention.

Not that he needed to. You'd have to be blind and deaf to miss the riots and the fires cropping up throughout the city. He watches from a window in the Coven for just a moment before they're all being ushered to 'safety'. Well, he's tired of waiting safely, at that point, and worried about Newt, and worried for the people of Dorchacht, complicit in horrors or no.

He's one of the ones slipping out through a back exit to get back into the city, helped along by a sympathetic guard. He says to the closest person with the same idea,] C'mon, we can still do something without implicating Aefenglom in the rioting. Plenty of their people need help out there getting away from it.

[ii. the crack]
[In the streets, it's chaos. Fires growing and crackling over buildings and patches of plantlife, people screaming and panicking, some joining in. Wooden beams crack and break, homes and businesses tumble into charred rubble, kindling for the flames of revolt. Plenty of the citizens are neither with the Resistance or the Coven, they're just civilians, trying to live their lives in an unfortunate place, and it's those people Hiccup wants to help to safety. They never asked for Morgana's rule or the fight to end it.

Until now, Toothless has remained on the ship, as a backup plan - well, now Hiccup needs backup. He throws a hand up and fires a bolt of hot violet light straight up, through the fog, into the night sky, and the dragon takes wing, signaled, flying toward him at a rapid pace. Toothless barely touches the ground before Hiccup is throwing himself into the saddle, squinting against the smoke.

Flying low, they look for civilians in trouble, or other Mirrorbound helping out that may need a hand. He can carry passengers too small or frail to run to the nearest safe space, and he and Toothless can brave the burning buildings if need be.]

II

[fiddlestick]

I bet Rean can. [He'll pipe up, being nearby Towa] He's broken padlocks before with his sword.

[Probably should..leave out WHY Rean decided to break locks with his sword. Breaking and entering is technically a crime even if you did it because the provincial army sucks.

Elliot had been helping out prisoners where he could, treating injuries and making sure they have the strength to walk. He's seen plenty of harrowing sights in his life, but...this really took the cake.]

I knew this would be bad, but still...

[It's way worse than his imagination had conjured up.]

[overworker]

[What’s worse is that she can think of several situations that may have been the cause for that need based on Class VII’s extensive history. No need to really pinpoint which one it was.

She knows what he means. To hear the details is one thing— but to come face to face with the people who have been suffering for it all this time, it’s hard not to feel it on a whole new level. Towa waits until Elliot’s finished with his current patient before she takes his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Her thin smile expresses her sorrow and her anger, even as she pushes to keep it positive.]

Don’t push yourself too hard. We’re here with you. It might be just a small step in the big picture but we’re going to leave this place better than we found it. So try not to show them such a sad face, okay?

[She knows she doesn’t have the same talent for motivating speeches that Rean does, but she does hope that it will help a little bit.]

[fiddlestick]

[He pauses as she takes his hand, looking up at her. Yeah, there's no real hiding that he's pretty horrified and sicken by what he sees in this basement. You don't need a bond to tell that.

Still, he takes a deep breath]

...I-I'm okay. It's a little hard to smile through this, but I can still help out.

[For all his anxiety, he has pretty tough core, just like he showed in the war]

[starseedling]

Steven stares past Yuya for a few moments, until finally, his gaze flickers in his direction, eyes wide and pupils small. It's like he didn't even notice Yuya at first, until the moment has a chance to settle in.

He needs to talk, he needs to act, he needs to do something, but all he can manage is a shaky nod. He's listening. He thinks. He's trying.

later kid

[horkbajir]

Toby takes a step after him, but she is nothing if not pragmatic. This is some echo of the work she was born for, and she will prioritize it. Right now it's better for Steven to be out of the way so she can do that work.

She'll have to find him when this is over, and hope by then her stores of strength and patience won't be too worn away.

[overworker]

I know. Still... let me know if you need to take a break, okay?

[They have different specialties, and she knows full well that he's more than capable.

But still-- she wouldn't feel right if she didn't try to support him and make sure he was taking care of himself during something as big as this. Sometimes you just can't help worrying a little even despite knowing the other person will be fine.]

[fiddlestick]

[He shakes his head.] We don't have time for breaks. The decoys will only work for so long.

[Eventually they'll catch on that something is happening here in this orphanage. Every minute was precious when it was these people's freedom on the line. There wouldn't be a second chance if they get caught.]

Can you disenchant spells yet? I could use some help getting these compulsion glyphs undone.

[overworker]

[Right. If she has time to fuss, it would be better spent actually doing something to lessen the weight on others. She takes a deep breath and nods. She’s sure she’s not nearly as good at it as Elliot, but she’s pushed herself to learn as quickly as possible since arriving here.

But now isn’t the time to be wushu-washy. If she leaves room for doubt, she leaves room for failure. And that’s not why she came here.

Towa straightens up and releases his hand.]

Yes! Leave it to me.

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot gives her a nod. That wasn't meant to be chiding or anything like that, he knows she's doing her best to look after everyone. And considering the situation...well, she's handling it pretty dang well.]

Okay! [He points to another captive that's nearby. It's one of the ones thats pretty non-responsive. ] I saw some glyphs written on him. You disenchant them and I'll check for injuries.

[overworker]

[Honestly, she's glad he can't sense how she's really feeling-- because it's a far departure from the faces she's wearing now for the sake of their team and the people they're trying to save. This was exactly the sort of thing that she enrolled in Thors to try and prevent though. So she's determined to shove it down and hold it together.]

Understood. [Towa scans him for the glyphs and is glad when it's not too difficult to find.] I see them. I'm removing them now. [Despite her personal analysis, she's rather efficient at removing it. Sleepless nights of studying pay off.]

[fiddlestick]

[He keeps half an eye as she does it, while also looking for injuries. There's bruises and whip markings from what clearly came from whoever managed this place. This wasn't the first captive he's seen with such markings.

He hums quietly as he heals up the injuries. As the compulsion glyph gets removed, the monster does seem to respond some- slowly, as if they are shaking off a groggy feeling and are confused by what's going on. So much of the chaos around them was outside their usual understanding of reality]

Hey...We're getting you out of here, okay? It'll be alright.

Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) & Lancer (Scathach) | Team War Horse | OTA (mostly)

[curruid_coinchenn]

((OOC: Name who you want in the subject line: Lancer, Berserker, or both!))

[ Berserker is, of course, doing what he does best: causing absolute chaos. In this case, it's more so than usual -- he gave up entirely on subtlety. He has taken his full-sized draconic form, the size of an elephant, drawing attention to himself by simply existing. Black scales gleam crimson in the light dim light, his tattoos reflected in more brilliant red scales underneath his eyes and along his chest and belly. Leathery wings carry him in near silence through the skies and his tail allows him to wreck anything he so much as chooses to. There are also three stars conspicuously painted on one foreleg, marking him as friendly to the Resistance.

While he can understand and take orders in this form, he can't speak. ]

[ 1A. The Boom - Dragon rider ]

[ He's useful for ferrying people in and around the city. One large dragon drops down and lowers his head down, making it easier to climb up on him. He seems to be in a hurry, only wanting to take one at a time. He knows how much attention he draws and doesn't want to risk bringing harm to more people than strictly necessary. It also doesn't really seem to be a suggestion so much as a demand to get on. He's not leaving without a passenger, judging by the look on his face.

He's not alone. A wild-looking woman in a black and magenta bodysuit, of all things, holding a blood red spear stays near him and has made a comfortable spot for herself holding in to his arm while saving the more comfortable back for people they were escorting. But she isn't being much more vocal, keeping to gestures and shouts of simple commands.

Well at least the presence of the three-star mark makes their status as allies obvious. ]

[ 1B. The Boom - Help from above ]

[ Or he spots someone in a sticky spot and swoops down to grab them in his claws. Sorry if you didn't want to be rescued, but you don't get a say in the matter. He's not letting go, but he at least looks down, as if asking for directions or a command. ]

Worry not, friend. He'll not make a meal of you. We'll drop you off somewhere safe, just give the word!

[ Lancer was on his back now, looking like a proper Rider for the moment despite that not being her class at all still in that same black and magenta body suit with her spear slung over her shoulder. It was hard to tell given the color, but it seemed there was already blood on it... ]

[ 1C. The Boom - Wild in the streets ]

[ A dragon running wild through the city, completely in his element as he destroys things. He's very deliberate in picking his targets -- he avoids purely residential areas. Flaming debris gets dragged elsewhere. But his toxic, choking, poisonous breath comes in rapidly spreading cloudy jets once he spots a pack of viable targets, and it's accompanied by a snarling howl and the flash of red steel. A turnskin woman in a black and magenta bodysuit, face masked and veiled to keep herself from his smoggy breath, was fighting alongside him, picking away the guards that tried to rush past his breath and swipes. ]

Fàg An Bealach!!! [ The woman shouts, her voice distorted, and the dragon's roar seems to echo her...

One had best pray they were an ally to them, and the three stars, facing a calamity like that. ]


[ 2. Wildcard ]

[ None of these doing it for you? Did we plot something already? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on discord at glitzkrieg#0673! ]

closed to Diarmuid

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It's time. They're not long off the boat and it's under cover of darkness. Getting out after the unspoken curfew can be difficult, but Celts will find a way. Berserker stops suddenly and turns to Diarmuid. ]

Stay here, I'm going to shift forms. I'll come get you afterward.

[ Before he goes, though, he lets himself have one more brief comfort. He pulls the witch into a warm embrace, burying his face into his neck. It isn't out of fear or apprehension he seeks this affection, quite the opposite, really; it's because he's grateful for the witch's constant presence and refusal to turn away even when things get out of hand. He kisses him gently, lingering for just a moment before backing away. ]

Be ready to fly.

[ There is a bit of apprehension in his mind as he walks away -- he hasn't done this willingly and has no idea what to expect when he shifts. That all gets pushed away in the name of what has to be done. There's no other option and that's fine. At least this time he doesn't have to be a one-man war. ]

the crack + a little bit of wildcard!

[usurpers]

[ eren hasn’t become the largest of dragons tonight— a sleek black wyvern perhaps only a head or so taller than toothless begins soaring closer into civilian territory, lower to weave through buildings to slow a trio of harpies on his tail. they fly much faster than he does, especially when he’s doing so his first that wasn’t a dream. their windy magic is formidable, and so are the witch’s bolas that’re launched at the right time, snaring the beast’s neck (eren’s most sensitive of dragon parts), and tearing him down from a glide. there’s no witch on his back to help him, no bond or no friend— he’s alone and he’s done this knowingly.

the whiplash happens, and the dragon promptly tears a roof to throw at them, spewing a stream of fire before he chokes and goes down. the roof of a family that shrieks from underneath their furniture. the parent is knocked out from debris, now burning and catching the building aflame, and their children cry, a monster slave (of the naga variety, fangs removed to be of less threat) held by collar and unsure of what to do without its owner’s compulsion. what eren did purposely, despite its destruction, has served its purpose. one of the witch’s cuss and rush into the building instead, while the other yells at them about their duty.

now if he could just get out of here, they’re distracted enough. but he’s grounded, and now two harpies surround his sides. ]

[thisisamazing]

[Squinting through the visor of his helmet, in hastily-summoned armor from his bag on the ship, flying just over the thickest of the smoke on Toothless' back, he makes out the black shape of a dragon's wings. Not Morgana's dragon, as far as he can tell, so- Yes, once he gets closer, he thinks he recognizes Eren, tailed by three harpies, no doubt with witches to control them.

He leans forward in the saddle, silently urging Toothless faster, barrel rolling into a dive. Eren tears the roof off a home, plummeting with a bola around his neck, knocks one of the harpies out of the game and distracts one of the witches.

Hiccup and Toothless dive, the dragon letting out the loud roar of an angry alpha - after all, someone is messing with one of his, and he's not happy about it. His talons pluck one of the harpies out of the air, and Hiccup leans dangerously low out of the saddle, hooked in mostly by his prosthetic leg, to slap an anti-compulsion rune on the other one. With the spell disrupted, the harpy seems confused, disoriented - out of the game for now. The other is fighting back, screeching loudly over the dragon's roars.

He can't get in there to dispel the other's enchantment.] Don't hurt her, bud. She can't help it. [He tells his dragon, and then he drops out of the saddle completely, wings of black leather sprouting from his armor to carry him safely down to Eren. He needs to help those people in the house, but first thing's first, he can't let a couple of Dorchacht's Coven witches hurt his friend. He's pulling a knife to cut apart the bolas as he rushes to the wyvern.]

What are you doing? You need to get out of here!