Event: The Enemy Within

[melodiesmods]

Following the discussion with the Sage in Mysidia, the Heroes of Light are invited on the 15th to go back and see him to get all the answers to all the questions they have. It sounds too good to be true, right? And indeed, it is too good to be true. The Sage did mention he would only tell them everything under certain conditions, and this involves a test, one they are not even going to be aware they're taking.

The characters are going to live through a potential future, two years in the future from now. In this hypothetical timeline, all of the truth will have been revealed to them and the Sage will have answered their every questions. All of this knowledge will have helped them do what is necessary to try and fight Garland and the Calamity... But do they even want to fight Garland now? The content of this potential timeline is going to depend of what characters sign up and what roles they play. It is said that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and so the Heroes of Light who received all of the knowledge of the Sage will play varying degrees of villainous roles in this potential future, threatening to ruin the Heroes of Light's ideals in various ways.

Sign-ups will be open up till the 20th! The event itself happens on the 15th of January and a backdatted log will be posted on the 21st/22nd at the latest, along with a second OOC Post detailing the future scenario.



Upon meeting the Sage in Mysidia, all characters who signed-up for the event will pass out for one hour. You do not have to go and see the Sage to participate: even if your character is still in Aqures Ixen, they will pass out so long as you sign them up for the event. Characters who haven't signed-up may wonder why everyone is simultaneously taking a nap.

During this hour, the characters will live through a hypothetical scenario set two years in the future. They won't have any awareness of this being a hypothetical scenario and will believe everything to be reality. And while only one hour will pass in the real world, the vision may last for hours, days or maybe even weeks depending on what role they play in the vision.


• The Roles
As we mentioned before, characters may become "villainous" upon receiving knowledge from the Sage. In this scenario, your character can take on one of three roles, with a fourth automatic role for characters who do not sign-up for the event.

ANTAGONISTS
Characters who have received knowledge from the Sage will be the villains in this hypothetical future. With their newfound knowledge, they will have gained the means to do what they think is right and take what measures they think are necessary. All antagonists may not work together, as some may have conflicting interests and purposes. But because they are villains doesn't mean they are "evil," of course. It simply means that what they will be doing isn't acceptable by our social conventions and may be perceived as evil, even if they work for what they personally perceive as being the greater good.

In that sense, they will be somewhat similar to NPCs such as Palitutu, Kalki or Garland.

PROTAGONISTS
Characters who will not receive knowledge from the Sage and do not side with the Antagonists will be the heroes in this hypothetical future. Without the knowledge, they'll be at a serious disadvantage against the antagonists. However, this also means they will still hold good ideals at heart and will work toward a good ending. Of course, because they are the heroes doesn't mean they are right. It simply means they will be doing what is morally correct and what anyone with a conscience should do, even if the antagonists think of them as fools for doing so.

In that sense, they will be somewhat similar to the current Heroes of Light.

NEUTRAL
Characters who haven't received knowledge from the Sage or who have heard only a few bits may be neutral. They might not take part in the conflict between Antagonists or Protagonists, or they might side with the Antagonists, but they won't have as much power as the actual antagonists. They may also play on both boards, with serious risks for their own safety.

EVERYONE ELSE
Characters who do not sign-up for this event will be permanently dead in this hypothetical future. Their deaths may somehow be worked into the hypothetical scenarios.

Be very careful when picking what role you would like for your character to have in this event. Antagonists will have a lot of responsibility, as they will be the driving force behind the hypothetical scenario. It may be time consuming and complicated, but at the same time it might be very rewarding and lead to interesting developments once the event over. However, heroes will also have to bear a heavy weight in the event, as they'll be the only Heroes of Light left still holding true to what was once the common belief of this group.


• The Vision
The nature of the vision will be mostly dependent of the characters who sign-up and what roles they pick: we will reveal it all in the second OOC Post that will be posted next week, as well as hand out general instructions to those who took on the role of antagonists. We can already say this will take place near the end of the cycle, with the antagonists doing what they think is right for the greater good, even if it means sacrificing a lot of people or even worlds, whereas the Protagonists will try to find an ideal solution till the very end and attempt to stop the Antagonists from sacrificing innocents for their cause.

Please make sure to sign-up in the appropriate thread below if you want to participate!


• Aftermath
Once the vision over, characters will come back to their senses. They will be aware of what has happened and will remember what they went through, in a more vivid manner than if it was a mere dream but less intensively than if it was a real memory. They will have forgotten the knowledge from the Sage, however. Characters who went to Mysidia will then participate in a thread with the Sage, who will explain to them what this was all about.

It is unlikely the Sage will reveal much to the Heroes of Light after the vision, but depending on how the event is going to go, his reaction and words may change. Furthermore, some Heroes of Light may evolve and change knowing what they are capable of in the worst situations...



• Double Exp
Anyone participating in this event will have double experience for the month. Practically speaking, this means their equipped Jobs will progress of two months instead of one!

• Legendary Melody
A new Legendary Melody will be unlocked for those with the Bard Job immediately in the aftermath of the event:

Available

Dancing Mad

Doubles stats and attack power when fighting other Heroes of Light.

Comments

QUESTIONS

[melodiesmods]

[im_pancake]

Jobs for the hypothetical event - would they be maxed out for this in terms of the Event?

Re: QUESTIONS

[derplander]

If we had to split our canon powers into two separate custom jobs, is it possible to get our second custom job temporarily for this? The Adventurers second custom job is kind of partial to his role in this one.

Re: QUESTIONS

[2hell_weride]

Two years in the future, are machines more like mecha and/or power armor on the table at that point? Moreso being 'inside' the machine rather than riding atop the machine like the current Magitek Armor we have.

Follow up; if yes, how BIG? (for reference purposes, the famous 'RX-78-2 Gundam is 18 meters tall. KnightMare Frames [From Code Geass] are about only 5 meters tall, and are among some of the smallest ride-in mecha. VOTOMS goes smaller at 3.5 meters)

Re: QUESTIONS

[line_piece]

Debating editing Chiaki's signup to reflect some SHENANIGANS I just thought of, but I want to know if it would be feasible.

Essentially, I'm wondering if she could have a Custom Job equipped in this scenario that would restore her status as an AI. She'd still be doing essentially everything I currently have her described as doing, but she'd be a fully virtual entity that exists only in whatever computers and/or technology are around.

Ideally I'd want her to be 'accessible' to both sides of the conflict in her desired role as mediator, but I don't know if that would be strictly possible since I'm not sure if we really have anything comparable to the Internet going on in this setting or in this AU future timeline.

And if not, is that something she could reasonably set up herself by projecting her own consciousness into several machines at once? Feel free to shoot me down on this, because I know the idea is involved and more than a little out there, but I wanted to see if it could potentially work on any level.

Probably a stupid question...

[deadlyvu]

I missed the adventures in Mysidia before. Would I still be able to have my characters sign up, even if they hadn't met the Sage before?

[silencesfate]

Would the two years have been enough time for Minato and [OU]Yuna to have learned the Eidolon language from the Mysidian Summoners? Or will circumstances have destroyed that opportunity?

[dolente]

The post mentions that neutrals might side with the antagonists or play both sides of the board (at risk), but is it also plausible for neutrals to lean towards the protagonists?

Re: QUESTIONS

[unyieldingspirit]

hhhhow feasible would it be to pull from future stuff, for the record?

[shinrasfinest]

Due to a need for catching up, a little burnout and coursework that I need to get done before the end of this month -plus it opens some interesting possible!scenarios for some of his CR- I'll not be signing up Sephiroth and therefore he'll be dead (for real, shock horror lol) during the future scenario.

However, I did want to have him visit the Sage along with the others (since he'll be in Mysidia at that time for Crystal Tree expedition on the 17th) but it seems he won't fall asleep if he's not involved? Is there anyway around this?

Re: QUESTIONS

[greenmagick]

What do the heroes remember after the event? Like they forget what the sage told them but do they remember everything else?

Or do they just remember feelings? or Just remember fragments?

ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[melodiesmods]

Reply to this thread with the form below if you would like to see your character play the role of an Antagonist in this event:

<b>Player:</b> Your name <b>Character:</b> Your character <b>Canon:</b> Character's canon <b>Preferences:</b> State here if you have any preference as to what manner of Antagonists they will be! If there is anything you think they'd excel at, particular buttons that would have led them to do this, etc. If you would like the hypothetical scenario to include a specific relationship between them and another character (friend with an antagonist, neutral or rival with a protagonist, etc), please say it here as well! The other player will have to mention wanting this specific relationship as well for us to work it into the hypothetical scenario.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[derplander]

Player: Kaitou
Character: The Adventurer
Canon: Final Fantasy XIV Heavensward

Preferences: As a given moment, spoiler warning ahead, the Adventurer is ACTUALLY a antagonist in Heavensward come patch 3.1. It was revealed that he and his team are working for the villains, specifically Eldibius, the White-Robed Ascian, and he attacks the Warrior of Light and his group on sight.

He would be one of those Antagonists who show up, trade some blows and fades away. But for what reason? Why did the Adventurer of all people go, well, evil? Was it the knowledge he was destined to become evil or is there some other ulterior motive?

He will be going by the moniker "Warrior of Darkness" and fighting presumably to balance the god-like power of the others by being that one overpowered boss monster that just won't die and runs away.

He'll also be working with Levy on her goals.

[unalive_them]

Player: Knux
Character: Deadpool
Canon: Marvel Comics

Preferences: Deadpool's been in this situation before *cough*Civil War*cough* and the last time it happened, the nutcase in the armor won sorry, Tony, so while he'd still love to be a hero and participate in kicking Garland's ass, he'd rather be on the WINNING side. Sorry, Steve

He'd certainly be the guy who'd come in and be a dick for the sake of being a dick. Then, kick your ass.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[nomorecowbell]

Player: Stareyes
Character: Nanani Kiryuu
Canon: Revolutionary Girl Utena

Preferences: Upfront, Nanami doesn't want to die, and she's likely to spin whatever fantasies have her living. Also, she does remember the dream Kalki sent about the prior run of the Heroes, and wants to avoid that fate (in her case, a last stand to let their Programmer and Scholar get some Ancient information out of a computer.)

She'll be avoiding protracted combat to support/sneaky stuff. I don't mind her backstab people, but it's going to be like the Kitten Incident all over again. (She's not emotionally internalized that other people can die.) I'm also planning on applying for the Summoner Job.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[scriptrix]

Player: Brantron
Character: Levy McGarden
Canon: Fairy Tail

Preferences: Though she'll be on the antagonist side for this event, Levy would still want to pursue whatever the overall goal is without having to kill or sacrifice anyone in the process - or if that's unavoidable, she'll want assurances that it will be temporary and followed by a mass rebirth of the world or something similar. It's very likely that whatever drove her to this side in the first place was related to the loss/death/crystallization of people who were important to her, so her role as an antagonist will be someone who's making tough and pragmatic choices to ensure that no one has to go through that sort of pain again.

As for the status of Fairy Tail in this hypothetical future, Levy will have turned over the position of Guildmaster to Tsubomi just before leaving to join the antagonists' side. She's making that switch with no small amount of guilt in her heart, and she doesn't feel that she has the moral authority to lead the guild under those circumstances. Upon handing over the guild stamp and having her tattoo removed, she will have led Tsubomi through the traditional Fairy Tail sendoff for departing members, making the following three vows:

One: You must never reveal sensitive information about Fairy Tail to others for as long as you live.

Two: You must never use former contacts met through your being in the guild for personal gain.

Three: Though our paths may have diverged, you must continue to live out your life with all your might, you must never consider your own life to be something insignificant, and you must never forget about your friends who loved you.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[damn_juicebox]

Player: Faetan
Character: Rukia Kuchiki
Canon: Bleach

Preferences: It's hard to say without really knowing much, but anything to do with the preservation of souls is right up her alley. As Rukia is currently torn between allowing herself to grow attached to this world, and distancing herself to a degree where she believes she will return home and never see the others again, anything that would play on a choice she made would be awesome. Shinigami often have to make the tough choices for the sake of universal balance, so it's likely she could play this role.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[jadethenecromancer]

Player: Huudel
Character: Jade Curtiss
Canon: Tales of the Abyss

Preferences: Jade is pragmatic to a fault, so if he's come to the conclusion that making sacrifices is the most logical course of action for the greater good, he'll do whatever it takes without hesitation. Feeling some guilt, maybe, but he is very good at putting his personal feelings on hold. Jade also has a past of doing some pretty unethical things, so it's not a reach that without certain people to keep him grounded (and possibly with some of his CR dead), he might be willing to go pretty damn far.

There is also the fact that he has a lot of unspoken guilt and grief over Nebilim dying/losing her sanity for Crystallis. If whatever the antagonists are trying to do could somehow let her rest in peace or achieve what she wanted, that'd be another incentive for Jade to get his hands dirty. This is secondary to the greater good, though, since like I said, Jade tends to put his personal feelings aside.

Re: relationships, his canonmates are the ones Jade would still be the most attached to, particularly if they're on his side. Not absolutely necessary to keep them together, though, if it makes things inconvenient! I would also be immensely amused if Jade got to barbecue Chrom in yet another AU scenario. It needs to become a thing.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[neverfirstclass]

Player: Matt
Character: Cloud Strife
Canon: Final Fantasy 7

Preferences: Cloud will have slipped into the well meaning antagonist Blood Knight sort of state. With all the things they have faced he has grown tired of the losses. He has pushed his happiness aside to keep getting stronger, but at the same time he refuses to sacrifice any of his friends to get there. And so by hook or by crook he has been making personal sacrifices to get to where he is. He's also likely one of the Heroes who CERTAINLY has ten maxed out jobs at this point.

He believes what he's doing is for the good of everyone and that he'll fix everything himself if he has to.

This will be colored by whatever his close CR does of course. The state Sephiroth is in will particularly affect how he turns out. Open to all other things.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[umslay]

Player: Mutant
Character: Ales Mansay
Canon: Rayman

Preferences: In canon, Ales decided that taking over the world would be preferable to the laziness of the current leader, and that logic and reason should rule everything. He went as far as kidnapping and hiring villainous henchmen (even though he was half-heartedly rooting for the heroes in the first game) because it would be pragmatic for the largest number of people, so if protecting this planet that he's come to think of as home means he has to do terrible things, he'll be alright with it. Killing a few people for the greater good is perfectly reasonable, which will put him at odds with the protagonists.

By this time, he'd have perfected building his own airships and machines with crystal energy, and he might even have tapped into the elemental crystals, if possible, to power his weapons. He depends on his lackeys for fight for him while he has multiple routs of escape, so he's the type of antagonist that sits back and pulls levers far from the battlefield.

Re: ANTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[2hell_weride]

Player: Zs1
Character: MarKus Haley
Canon: OC

Preferences: A 'scientist' who feels the ends justify the means eventually, aiming, still, to create powered armors and mecha like those from 'home'. Though still ideally a Hero, at least in his eyes, he got fed up not having the technology he wanted available to him. But you know who does, right?
And to my knowledge, he still maintains a boyfriend-like relationship with Yuffie.

[chondriosome]

Player: Rev
Character: Aya
Canon: Parasite Eve (2)

Preferences: Aya will be doing what she believes is for the best of humanity after receiving the Sage's knowledge. Honestly, there has always been a fear that she would turn out this way/that she would become a monster. Something has happened to drive this fear and paranoia to the extreme, and now she's been pushed over the edge, so to speak. As she does not have any current close relationship with anyone in game yet (unless anyone wants to plot something with that), she'll be more motivated by the promise of being able to return to what family she has left back home than anything else.

She will refuse to take a life unless she has to, but she will do whatever it takes to protect herself and those around her, which would include resorting to violence.

Also she will most likely have a Custom Job, in which case she will have her mitochondrial powers back. Because biological pseudoscience magic!

[tacticallyminded]

Player: Tex
Character: Robin
Canon: Fire Emblem: Awakening

Preferences: Robin would likely try to gain some military power, possibly including defecting to and taking over the Empire or part of it. She would be ruthless and have, in a sense, given up; she would be rather like her future version of herself, who thinks everything is fruitless. I'd also like her to have a Custom Job just for the event: Grima's Avatar. She learned to master it, and it lets her fire various high-powered dark magic. I can provide a full submission if you want.

She is probably tragic enemies with Chrom. T_T

PROTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[melodiesmods]

Reply to this thread with the form below if you would like to see your character play the role of an Protagonist in this event:

<b>Player:</b> Your name <b>Character:</b> Your character <b>Canon:</b> Character's canon <b>Preferences:</b> State here if you have any preference as to what manner of Protagonist they will be! If there is anything you think they'd excel at, particular things you would like to see, etc. If you would like the hypothetical scenario to include a specific relationship between them and another character (friend with another protagonist, rival with an antagonist, etc), please say it here as well! The other player will have to mention wanting this specific relationship as well for us to work it into the hypothetical scenario.

Re: PROTAGONIST SIGN-UPS

[stupid_erika_shenanigans]

Player: Kaitou
Character: Erika Kurumi
Canon: Heartcatch Precure

Preferences: She will be siding with Tsubomi no matter what she does. She'll probably be dancing around a relationship with Tsubomi.

NEUTRAL/OTHER SIGN-UPS

[melodiesmods]

Reply to this thread with the form below if you would like to see your character play a Neutral or Different role in this event:

<b>Player:</b> Your name <b>Character:</b> Your character <b>Canon:</b> Character's canon <b>Preferences:</b> State here if you have any preference as to what manner of character they will be! If there is anything you think they'd excel at, any reason for them staying outside of conflicts, for allying with the villains, etc. If you would like the hypothetical scenario to include a specific relationship between them and another character (friend or rival with a protagonist, rival with an antagonist, etc), please say it here as well! The other player will have to mention wanting this specific relationship as well for us to work it into the hypothetical scenario.

Re: NEUTRAL/OTHER SIGN-UPS

[jackienaught]

Player: Scout
Character: Jack
Canon: Mass Effect
Preferences: Jack is bloodthirsty and enjoys violence a lot, but Crystallis is soft to her and despite her very palpable dislike for the fact the Heroes are kept in the dark, she would be loathe to throw herself into a fight.

Given a sufficent reason, she will jump into the fray - whether she's being paid, is attacked by either side, or someone makes a convincing appeal to her better/baser nature.