ding dong...

[ironwood]

So, Eshai is dead and the Alderwood Emperor has assumed command of Keeliai. What does that mean for the turtle, you ask?

Well, first of all: Asti. There is going to be a massive surge of emotion all across the turtle. It'll be a little too complicated for most people to comprehend but there will be feelings of despair and sadness, but it'll be followed by a sense of protection and safety/security as Asti tries to apologize for letting his emotions run away with him. This feeling will happen around six AM, so anyone who's sleeping will probably be jolted awake at this time.

Second of all: Investigations. As Foreigners are largely considered to be incapable of sneaking into the palace after the efforts of ASS, as heightened security measures were put into place at that time, Evandau is going to suspect it was an inside job, possibly a kedan possessed by Malicant. So while security will be a little heightened, most of it won't reflect on the Foreigner population.

Thirdly: The Barrier. Eshai put failsafes into effect that would preserve the barrier in the event of her accidental or untimely demise, so it will remain as it is at present.

Fourth: The Palace. At the time of Eshai's death, the walls of the white palace will have turned jet black, and they will be cracked and crumbled in places. It should be assumed that the name 'Malicant' will no longer be safe to say there, and so cannot be discussed anywhere on Tu Vishan.

Fifth: Arrival of the Newbies. As with the barrier, the newbies will arrive on schedule. This is not a permanent system, and will eventually degrade to the point of non-functionality, at which time other ways to pull people into Keeliai will have to be found. If your character would have suggestions or be willing to help try and maintain the process, have them contact the Alderwood Emperor, who has set up an IC Inbox for ease of communication in this time of dire need.

Sixth: General Atmosphere. The general atmosphere of the game – towards the Foreigners – will not change, but the kedan will be in a state of mourning. There will be small celebrations held in Eshai's name, and there will be Lanterns released into the air in her honour. There will be no centralized celebration, and while the kedan will seem a little sadder than usual, they won't likely discuss it with the Foreigners.

Seven: Malicant. Is cackling gleefully somewhere. Stay tuned for now!



Questions, concerns, comments? Let us know below!

Comments

INVESTIGATION TEAM GO

[bonvivant]

So, details: I am planning on having Hannibal caught for this murder. The timeline will mostly be up to you guys and what you think would be realistic for your characters.

Due to the nature of the clues, the people who were involved in or have been investigating the September murder plot will have an advantage in figuring them out, so I'd like to extend a first opportunity to them.

The clues are as follows:
-Method: The knife used to kill the Emperor was the same used on Tony Stark, and she was killed in a similar manner as well. This will link this murder to the ones that happened in September.
-Suit Fragment: Lost in the struggle. From a suit Hannibal had custom-tailored by Cinna.
-Partial Footprint: In the blood. He burned everything he was wearing that night (sorry Cinna it was a very nice suit) but tends to wear similar things.

If you guys want to plot in this comment go ahead, or on Plurk/IM/PM/whatever, just let me know when you've got a timeline for figuring him out and I'll work with it!

THERE IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY...

[malicant]

That Malicant will possess a kedan to cover Hannibal's ass because he seriously digs this guy's style. If he feels the investigation is getting too close, he'll publicly confess in the guise of this kedan. Let me know if you guys would like to work with that as well!

[virginprice]

As mentioned on plurk, if the suit fabric is identified as custom-tailored by Cinna, Alcuin probably has records of who has bought things made with that fabric which could narrow the suspect pool.

Re: INVESTIGATION TEAM GO

[afirewithfashion]

Omg hannibal he worked hard on that suit

[dracobin]

Lin wasn't involved in the September murder plot but will want in on the fun, so she'll be making her inquiries! Is there any way she can get in on this, short of muscling in on the action (although she's not averse to doing that, too)?

[bonvivant]

Oh absolutely, I know a lot of characters are going to want to investigate this so I don't want to close off investigations from anybody! It's just that the people who were investigating the September plot may have an advantage in piecing the clues together (specifically the one that links this murder to those).

[lineality]

Sounds good! \o/ So I'm guessing the dossier includes the scrap of cloth and the footprint, right? What else does it include?

[definingfuture]

Seconding the "would like to help but wasn't in on the September plot" thing. Tony would offer to help, if there is something he can do.

[bonvivant]

Just gonna copypaste my reply from upthread:

"Oh absolutely, I know a lot of characters are going to want to investigate this so I don't want to close off investigations from anybody! It's just that the people who were investigating the September plot may have an advantage in piecing the clues together (specifically the one that links this murder to those)."

If your character would investigate they are free to!

[definingfuture]

Okay, awesome. Just wanted to make sure that was still okay. :)

[agentx13]

If Tony wants to talk to Sharon about it, she's been investigating and drawing in some others. He might have to remove himself from her suspects list first, though.

PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE, TONY.

[definingfuture]

He would get really snippy about the accusations. Let's do it. XD

[agentx13]

BOOM.

Come at me!

[leviathaned]

Sei didn't bother following up but he might look into it. He wouldn't have sensed 'magic' from superman's powers so he'd have to start by looking into how other people were murdered.

Was the knife used on Tony (and then Eshai) used at all on Sei after his impalement? I missed the post handwaving things, sorry!

[bonvivant]

No, the knife wasn't used on him, just Tony.

[afirewithfashion]

OKay this is my real comment to find out how you'd like to play this. Cinna will absolutely be able to ID the fabric he used to make the suit, but that enough wouldn't be enough to make him speak up. (He'd likely rationalize that the fabric could have been used elsewhere, and it's not like he's naturally trusting of authority.) But given enough time he would notice that Hannibal wasn't wearing the suit he'd comissioned, and he'd definitely want answers.

THAT SAID I'm totes open to him being convinced to keep his mouth shut, and if Hannibal plays his cards right, he could probably get Cinna to re-make the suit in case anyone comes asking.

Re: INVESTIGATION TEAM GO

[inseine]

Javert is already interested in organizing these bonanza. His post is here for interested parties.

[wherethestoryis]

So I have a question relayed through several people on hiatus: Zatanna got a faint read on the aura of the SuperKiller during Mis Spell. Would she be able to recognize the same aura and realize it was the same killer and thus a foreigner? She wouldn't be able to know who exactly it was, though.

More generally for people: Lois, Clark, and Sharon Carter decided to put their heads together about this, so the Lane-Kents have some intel. Most of it is in back-tag-land/likely staying that way with Al on hiatus. But they've been on this, trying to collate data. Clark would definitely recognize the wound pattern, too. If anyone wants to share information/work with Lois and Clark--hopefully Sharon as well, though I have not heard from Eve and cannot speak for her.

[bolthead]

I know Barry would definitely be interested this is kind of his Thing back home. Unfortunately he doesn't have much information himself but he'd definitely be willing to offer any services he can if he finds out they're working on this. Plus he did talk to Sharon too, way back when.

[agentx13]

And sadly, hasn't talked himself out of a spot on her suspects list. Sorry!

Not sorry.

[bolthead]

He'll just work on his own investigation then x(9!! Or wheedle information out of Lois and Clark when she's not looking

[bonvivant]

Yes, it's completely fine to recognize the aura!

[superieure]

Monet's been in contact with Sharon re: the September murders so whatever info she's got, M. will also have. Plus she has all kinds of enhanced eyesight due to her mutation so that footprint is going to be a huge clue for her.

Re: INVESTIGATION TEAM GO

[agentx13]

Sharon's been compiling a list of suspects. I'll work on weeding it out some more over the course of the week (I've been a bit busy with IRL stuff, sorry), but this helps tremendously. And of course, she would never turn down anyone with info.

INVESTIGATION TEAM GO

[demon_brat]

Depending on how the timing works - up to Roy, probably - I'd say the people at Jim and Kyle's party have alibi for Eshai's murder, at least?

[survival_isnt_living]

I noticed Septimus is on the not-cleared-of-suspicion list; while Kyle did drag him to the Jim-Kyle party so it might be an alibi, I'd actually love to have Sharon come interview/interrogate him.

Re: INVESTIGATION TEAM GO

[everylittlegirl]

Although Hayley was directly involved in the murder plot, I'd be more interested in Costigan finding a piece of evidence if possible, given his ties with Evandau and the palace in general.

[explosivepenetrators]

As a possible method of keeping newbies arriving in the future, Pete here does have a busted cosmic cube. A plot could be set up to try and restore it, with the goal of turning into a weapon against Malicant but that failing, it at least serves to bring more people to help out?

I was thinking of having Pete mention it to the Alderwood emperor.

[littlecousin]

Cosmic Cubes run on weapons-grade plotinium, so there's no Marvel canon reason why this won't work. And it takes the Cube out of running as a game-ruiner while still leaving it as a "break glass in case of Thanos" kind of thing.

[explosivepenetrators]

Yeah, I figured this would be a good place to chuck it into play, or else it would just sit like a Paperweight of Doom or have people playing keep-away.

That latter option, though, has the benefit of Benny Hill chase scenes.

[jirk]

Go for it! This is one of those plots that PCs can affect/help in any way they can, so feel free to offer it up ICly. Unfortunately it can't be determined yet whether or not Evandau would take him up on the offer, or that there's a guarantee it would work, but it's a definite possibility.

[explosivepenetrators]

Excellent. I'll probably have Pete put up a network post sometime soon, trying to gauge the idea among everyone else.

[leviathaned]

So Malicant's pun love response actually manage to tip Sei over into "fuck that guy in particular", but he doesn't know if he can force some of his warping back to help bring in new foreigners. He will offer to try and probably get himself hurt trying in the process.

Failing that, he will suggest to Evandau that some sort of decoy or bait be kept in the palace, and is willing to put his own hard-to-kill ass on the line, to flush the killer out.

[alderwood]

He's welcome to either or both suggestions! :3 The IC inbox is probably the best way to ICly pursue it, or their thread in the current post (which I will be heading in to tag soon).

[leviathaned]

Awesome! Is it possible we can hash out what might be feasibly magically possible for Sei to accomplish sometime this weekend? Since I'm still. technically in finals and kind of dead on the floor until then.

[ironwood]

We could touch base this weekend, sure! I (Alex) will be chilling with family, but could handle some PM plotting without a doubt.

[leviathaned]

Can do! I'll probably send something late friday/early saturday, and answer at your convenience, obviously! I'm patient. :3

[vdova]

Asked on plurk, and was asked to re-ask here for the benefit of everyone!! Out of curiosity, how will canon updates be handled now?

[alderwood]

Canon updates will continue to proceed as they have been handled, though the characters will have to ask Evandau for the information. This is all because of failsafes set up by Eshai, though they may not last long... If this occurs, an OOC post will go up with the impacted changes.

ain't no herring like a red herring

[wrathfulkhan]

Since now seems an opportune time (I'd meant to do this earlier, but life), I'd like to mention that since returning from landfall, Gene has been intermittently hovering over Keeliai at night in his Mandarin armor generally being an ominous-looking tool, and teleporting away whenever someone decides to investigate. So: prime suspect y/y?

Y'all can assume he's some manifestation of Malicant/connected to the death of Eshai if you wish.

Anyone else got any red herrings they'd like to use to throw the investigation team off the scent, however unintentional they may be? :3

[lineality]

Lin is also considering the possibility of it being an inside job--she already suspects Evandau (though she's smart enough not to say it out loud) and isn't discounting any other guards/whoever who might have been in the palace at the time, so there's that!

[imaginate]

What about the death/resurrection process for the people already here? Since.. presumably there's still some cloning facilities around?

[skybluejeep]

This was going to be Stiles' question too.

[imaginate]

He can go ahead and ask ICly if you were planning that!

[skybluejeep]

I was pondering it, tossing it up before my hiatus starts. HMM.

[animosus]

wow this is the latest but would a character with psychic shielding still feel Asti's feelings?

[cowled]

FOR THIS TRANSGRESSION YOU GET BRUCE'S JOURNAL



but yes, every character on the turtle would have gotten the feeling. Asti was kind of lashing out indiscriminately and is Deus Ex Turtlena when it comes to psychic power. It wouldn't even be a matter of intentionally breaking through wards, it'd be more like the wards didn't exist in the first place.