[Nexus] Inside 35

[UncleWolf]

Current events:
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Rules and locations in the spoiler. Please Spoiler any fan service written in this thread. Thank you.

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All standard forum rules apply here, as do the godmodding rules generally agreed upon on this sub-forum.

Locations
PM Wolfbane to have a new location placed in this registry.

A note on the 'Zones'.

The Blue Zone is the area of the greatest Imperial presence, housing the Imperial Army and ISF HQs and boasting the greatest concentration of Imperial influence. Physically, it's located in the center of the city.

The Yellow Zone has some Imperial influence, but it's not as significant, so crime rates there are higher than in the Blue Zone. The Yellow Zone is physically located at the outskirts of the city, with the justification of having to keep an eye on what's coming in and out of the city, and thus the main concentrations of Imperial influence in the Yellow Zone are at the docks and city gates.

The Null Zone is around midway between Yellow and Blue, and lacks much Imperial influence, with a similar patrolling situation to the Red Zone below. Despite this, it's largely a quiet environment.

Perhaps it is because the Red Zone, a blemish on the otherwise neatly-organized Zones, is essentially a fancy term for the crime infested slums? Who knows! The Red Zone is essentially just the slums, independent of the neat physical arrangement of the others, though DC imagines it's around Null/Yellow, physically, since it wouldn't make all that much sense for the Red Zone to be right on top of ISF HQ of all things. The Empire's influence here is light, but not completely nonexistent, with occasional speeder patrols.

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Imperial Bases

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Acro-Imperial Army HQ (Blue Zone)

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The Imperial Army HQ itself is a massive dome-like structure in the center of the city. The building itself is fairly standard at ground level, but going up from there is when you reach the dome. The dome is the focus of the visible structure, and is capable of housing one of the Empire's oh-so-loved airships.

The main building itself also has underground portions, as it's not like the rest could contain everything a building of this purpose needs.

This building, however, has concrete walls surrounding it at a sizable distance in a square shape, with gates in the center of each segment. The walls have rapid-fire laser turrets mounted at corners and on each side of each gate. Interlopers beware!

ISF HQ (Blue Zone)

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Go here!

Acro-Imperial Civil Government Complex (Blue Zone)

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The main center of the Empire's central government is an odd complex composed of five main structures.

The more notable four are a group of futuristic, utopian-looking towers arranged in the shape of a Y, with the tower taking the position of the center joint being significantly taller than the outer three towers, by about 40% of the other towers' height. This is harder to make out than it seems, however, due to the odd nature of the fifth 'structure'.

This one is actually surrounding the lower two-thirds of the outer three towers, with all four appearing to be coming out of it from the outside. It resembles an odd set of walls, following along the Y-arrangement of the towers. These 'walls' are in the shape of a highly irregular hexagon. The top side, with the two points of the top of the Y within, is fairly long, with two shorter segments heading downward at an obtuse angle from them. These are very short, and two more long wall segments soon move downward and inwards, speaking from a bird's-eye view, ending a bit after the edge of the bottom tower in the Y-arrangement. A final long segment links these two ends.

However, the 'walls' are not merely walls, but actually enclose the area around the towers, with their own roof. The four towers seemingly erupt out of the top of this structure, while they do actually have the rest of them beneath it. The wall-like structure is built around the towers, linking to them at certain points. The structure is not merely that shape described previously with a flat roof, however-the walls reach to a certain point, then slant upwards and inwards, again from a bird's-eye view. The upward slant stops at the edges of the outer three towers, and from there now forms a flat area, this flatness marred only by the towers.

There are three main entrances to the odd complex, each at the center and bottom of one of the longer wall segments. These are oversized sliding doors, essentially. Each is a long, dull metal slab in appearance. When the entrance is open, these are drawn upward into the wall-structure, and when closed, they drop back down like blast doors.

The complex is guarded by normal military and ISF elements alike, landspeeders patrolling the ground outside with the silent gunships patrolling the skies above. The main soldiers guarding the area are ISF troopers, as they are more specialized for urban warfare. Several rapid-fire pulse laser turrets (laser chaingun turrets, essentially) are mounted on the slanted portions of the outer structure, with a single heavy turbolaser turret mounted at the upper central area of each slanted area of the longer sides.

There are two enclosed bridge-like structures linking each of the three outer towers to the main building. The lower one is within the wall-esque structure, and the upper one is visible from the outside, linking the upper areas of the outer towers with the main, central one. To avoid confusion, there are two of these per outer tower, putting the total count at six.

Imperial Docks (Yellow Zone)

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These rather typical drydocks hold the Imperial naval fleet. Due to its relative lack of size, the Imperial Navy falls under the Imperial Army's authority.

Evolution Industries Headquarters + Factories (Player: Darkcomet, Blue Zone)

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The headquarters of the company known as Evolution Electronics and Power is a fairly standard-looking modern-day tower in appearance, not quite reaching the level of skyscraper.

The company owns a large factory nearby, used in production of its MACE units, and potentially other products, should it be desired.

The company also possesses a number of other factories around the city, used for production of weaponry and other military materiel.

Retail outlets for Evolution's products are scattered around the city.

Trader's Trove (Player: EleventhHour, Null Zone)

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A large, crashed starship lies in what was once a park, now ruined by its crash.

The ship is very strange to most, resembling Gothic architecture, particularly cathedrals, in appearance, while at the same time being a spacefaring craft. Or, rather, a former spacefaring craft.

The ship remains in use, however. The owner is a Rogue Trader, and is currently using the ship as a shop.

Azik's Enchantments(Player: Harnel, Yellow Zone)

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Those in the area will hear a rumbling as the Nexus begins pulling in something larger than just a single person. Reality bends, and the shape of portal opens above a certain street corner. For a sickening moment, nothing happens, but then things start coming out of the portal - all of them are bricks, building up finally to a door and a roof, with tiny windows built in. There's even a large chimney sticking out of the center of this strange, conical building that begins puffing rainbow smoke almost immediately.

A creature steps out the front door, though many wouldn't consider it a creature - He is a warforged, a living golem. Covered in what appears to be adamantine plates, he looks up and down the street, his longcoat catching in the breeze. as it flutters, one can see a multitude of wands, schema, and scrolls all attached to several belts around his waist and upper legs. On his eyes he wears a pair of blue tinted shades, despite his lack of ears, and the metal orbs that serve as his eyes glow green behind these spectacles. He looks up and down the street. He doesn't seem to be particularly disturbed by the change in location, but he does take the time to call out, in a metallic voice:

"Azik's Enchantments is open for business! Come find a potion, a wand, a scroll to fit any need! We have spellbooks for beginners and experts! Weapons of all shapes and sizes, and armor unlike anything you've ever seen! Come find what you're looking for here!"

And then he heads back inside. So much work, so little time. Inside is as strange as outside, with magic trinkets lining the walls on shelves, but all behind the counter, to keep any stupid kid with the idea to steal something from doing so. You can find just about anything magical here, and that which you can't find, Azik the Warforged can make within a more than reasonable timeframe.

Erin's Emporium (Player: The Bushranger, Yellow Zone)

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Construction Gnomes have been hard at work renovating a small store along one of the various merchantile roads. Well, it was small. Now it's bigger on the inside.

And filled with every sort of weaponry imaginable, from across the multiverse. From blaster carbines to P-90s, surface-to-air missiles to ballistas, zats to nunchucks, they're all here.

Is that a siege crossbow sitting in the corner?

The Misspelled Cemetary (Null Zone)

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It's the rain that makes for the perfect atmosphere.

Since the party left the well lit cobbles lanes of the Market Streets the sky has opened up upon our intrepid band of adventurers with a vengeance. The wind howls through barren trees as the rain descends in sheets. The heavens are split by a ribbon of lightning and a roar of thunder.

A massive cast iron gate surrounds this place of once hallowed ground. Yes, hallowed once but no longer. The earth appears dead. Rotten. A phosphorescent green fog creeping along the ground. Misshapen fungus and molds clinging to crumbling monuments. Corpses exposed on the surface, half-eaten with decay.

The gate creeks open of its own accord as the party nears.

And above the gate, in rusted iron letters, reads:

The Misspelled Cemetary

The Misspelled Cemetary is largely ruins now, due to the battle against Ebon Mirror, an evil Exalt that used it as his base of operations.

MagMart (Player: Lord Magtok, Blue Zone)

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An absurd mash-up of K-Mart, Wall-Mart, Target, and every other vile retail chain, MagMart is staffed by an unswervingly loyal Magbots, lobotomized talking cats that are too brain-dead to know any better, several voodoo spirits, and a pickle jar that everyone insists is a sentient being that only communes with those who truly believe in it.

Here you can find everything from curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon.

Pontius' Custom Constructs (Player: Earl of Purple, Null Zone)

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The caravan of 6 wagons (I never said 3! Well, I did, but still.) arrives at a warehouse, previously for sale. The gnomes lead the golems and other constructs inside, and get to work. The warehouse has an open yard at the main entrance, and several golems, like crude figures of worked stone or wood, stand in the yard. A gnome wearing an apron over smart-yet-practical artesan's clothes and puts a sign up.


Pontius's Custom Constructs
Golems of Any Material* at Unbelievably Low Prices!!!**
You Won't Find a Golem, Gargoyle, Guardian or Homonculus Cheaper!!***
Come Now and Buy 1 Get 1 Full Price!!!****



*Flesh has an additional charge. **Define 'low'. ***Except at our competitors. ****Terms and conditions apply.

Sanctuary Fortress of Zoemaytare (Player: Rebonack, Red Zone)

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Like so many other prominent buildings in Town, or not so prominent buildings for that matter, this place seemed to pop up out of nowhere over night.

Buildings are like mushrooms in Town. Probably spread via spores, too.

Regardless, here it is. A rather sizable campus marble hewn from the mountains some distance away. Carved and hauled here near the edge of the slums where they were no doubt assembled. Though... no one can quite place a finger on when this happened.

Though the buildings aren't of only cold hard stone, no. There are timbers as well. Not what one might expect, however. They seem almost organic. As though they had grown into place rather than being hewn.

Oddness aside, the temple is arranged in a rather interesting fashion. Several concentric wall and courtyards ending in a central temple.

The outer wall is lower than the rest, each tier of the temple built onto higher ground like a wedding cake. Each wall is topped with a roof supported on the inside by pillars, creating a sheltered walkway. The exact use of these porches depends on the section of the temple one happens to be in.

Anyone is allowed entry through the first wall and into the first court, the Court of Meeting. Beyond the second wall only worshipers of Zoemaytare are allowed admittance to the second court, the Court of the Blessed. Beyond the third wall only the priests are allowed, where they carry out holy rituals within the temple itself.

The Court of Meeting is dedicated to service of those the worshipers of Zoemaytare dwell among. Food is prepared for the hungry here and given out without expectation of recompense. Those without a place to lay their head are allowed to sleep within the porch. The grounds beyond the porch are devoted to a wondrous garden boasting vibrancy and spectacular color. This are is always comfortably warm and brimming with life. Wounds heal faster as the body is refreshed. Undead creatures will find that remaining here is decidedly uncomfortable.

The sky above the temple seems to be perpetually clear, filled with pleasant sunlight in the day and cloaked with gossamer stars at night. Benches are set up here and there, under trees with hanging branches and above fragrant shrubbery. A lively stream flows endlessly in a circuit about the Court, spilling into several larger pools and meandering up a small outcrop of stone before cascading back down the other side.

This section of the temple is tended by members of the faith. Not priests, though devote. They can be found tending the garden and serving warm food. When in service to the temple these devotees wear a white linen ephod bearing the symbol of a willow tree, ornately rendered in blue thread. They'll be more than happen to answer any questions. Priests tend to have stricter ceremonial garb, including a blue tunic and white robe in addition to the ephod.

Welcome, traveler. May you be more blessed when you leave than when you came.

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New information that isn't readily noticeable at first glance at the temple will be added here.

The temple grounds are protected by a dampening field that blocks unauthorized teleporation and dimensional shifting. The place is something of a fortress after all. Being able to pop in and out at will would defeat the purpose.

Zoemaytare isn't a god of (fill in the black) but rather the patron and protector of her people. As such, her domain, if she even has one, is over all that her people do. The people in question are collectively known as the Zoeos, and this particular temple is their first major venture into Town. At present their stated goal is to set up trade relations and aid the city. This is ministered through the temple on account of the Zoeos government being a theocracy.

It just so happens that there's a dungeon under the temple, though the entrance to it is well hidden.

NPCs thus far:

Potentate of the temple: the head priest and administrator. He has yet to be seen 'on screen' though he has been referred to.

Regent Zachius: And elderly human with a coppery complexion and deep-set wrinkles, the sort of face one expects of a person who has spent a great deal of time in the sun smiling. He's a kind old fellow who is in charge of the Court of Meeting.

Regent Stephen: A younger human who smells rather distinctly of wolf. He's in charge of the dungeons of the temple and seems to be a rather caring and compassionate fellow. It's his job to bring the cases of prisoners before the Potentate.

Regent Thadeus: One of the priests who aids in minor upkeep in the temple proper. He usually isn't seen outside the temple and since his position doesn't put him in much contact with the common folk he tends to be somewhat aloof and judgmental. Also happens to be an elf. Those snooty elves!

Bognus Thundershield: a lay dwarf that operates the temple's teleporter, primarily from Trog's. Though people can be 'ported in from elsewhere as well. While it isn't commonly known, this device can send people over rather long distances, though it's somewhat inaccurate when doing so. Bognus is a bit gruff, though generally good natured. He speaks with a thick Scottish Dwarven accent.

Trollfinger, Ironpick & Greencheek, Mining & Engineering (Player: Morty, Blue Zone)

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A run-down building near Trog's Tavern was bought by three goblin enterpreneurs with a large crew and now houses their mining and engineering company. Everyone who needs something dug, built, repaired or blown up is welcome.

The Temple of Dalachrech (Player: Earl of Purple, Null Zone)

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The first room entered is a foyer. On the walls are red drapes with silver, two-tailed scorpions embroidered on to them, and next to the door is an ornate font. The granite font stands about waist height, and is a plinth with a bowl of unholy water. Winding around the font are carved centipedes. A door away from this chamber leads to the main prayer hall. This room also has drapes with the two-tailed scorpion device on the walls, and a red velvet carpet flanked by wooden pews leads to an altar at the far end. The altar is covered with red velvet, with a gold statue and red candles placed upon it. The statue depicts a demon with a centipede's body, a scorpion's tail with spinnerets next to the sting, a stag beetle's head and the claws of a praying mantis.

This is a hidden location in the Null Zone. Please PM Earl of Purple if you wish to interract there.

Warwick Works (player: happyturtle, Yellow Zone)

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In the industrial area, a building is rented and has a new sign put out front.

W
Warwick Works

The building itself consists of a small office area in front and warehouses in back. There is no indication of what sort of business this is, but a certain cyborg with a satellite might recognize the logo and name.

Eternal Library - Across from Trog's (player-Eternal Drifter)

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The First floor has bookshelf after bookshelf of various books, and a few tables in three corners, and a checkout counter. There is a fireplace leading upwards at the side opposite the door. All the books are stamped "Property of the Eternal Library," and have security devices on them. There is a security bar at the entrance of the building. In one corner is a stairwell leading upwards.

The Second Floor is a hallway with three rooms. One of them is a bathroom for public use. The other two are rooms with chairs and a large table in each, mainly for meetings. The larger of the two meeting rooms, "Space," has a fireplace.

The Third Floor is Drifter's personal residence, with all the necisities. This floor is private, officially only open to Drifter and those who have recived and invitation from him.

Drifter (played by Eternal Drifter) is the librarian. You are free to check out books as you wish, but be sure to actually have the books checked out before you leave... those who forget quite often find themselves at the receiving end of Drifter's glare and Magic Missile spell.

Emergency Bunkers

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Eight bunker-like structures in a ring-like arrangement at about the midpoint between the walls (or the docks) and the center of the city have been completed.

The interior of each is rather dull, rather befitting a bunker, but there are underground areas beneath the visible bunkers. These are similarly dull and military-styled, but they also act as hospitals.

These are mostly designed with emergencies such as shelling in mind, and are usually closed.

Hastings and Sons Mortuary (player: Kid Kris, Yellow Zone)

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Near one of the older parts of the city sits a large and somewhat dour building of brick and mortar, built in the traditional sense, with a metal plaque by the door that reads (predictably enough):

Hastings and Sons
MORTUARY
For the preparation of the dearly departed.

And indeed, should one go in one should find all the trappings of a conventional mortuary, including several large visitation rooms, run by this guy:

Though of course, usually without the zombie there.
In recent times however, the true business of the resident Mortician has branched into a more heretical bent, offering certain services to the living impaired (more commonly known as the foul Undead). These start at simple healings and flesh grafts (the flesh occasionally obtained 'legitimately', when a body comes in for cremation and the Mortician gives them an urn full of wood-ash, but usually corpses are obtained through donations from customers or good old fashioned grave-robbing). But services can also range into body part replacement and augmentation for the undead who wishes his creator had seen fight to give him a giant lobster claw or retractable venomous spines, or even full body/flesh reconstruction for the self-conscious lich (or lich in disguise, though making your new flesh look like someone else usually costs extra) or the zombie in his golden years. These customers usually come in through the back door, where there is a plaque listing the full list of services. Though of course some are brazen enough to come through the front door anyway.

((PM if you wish to interact with the Mortician, as Kid Kris may not always check the thread.))

Emergency Clinic (Null/Yellow Zone border)

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Funded by the empire, this clinic provides the care you would get in a modern emergency room. This is the place to come for getting bones set, wounds stitched, normal illnesses treated, etc. They can't handle magical ailments, nor do they provide magical healing, and the further a being is from being human, the less likely they are to have the necessary expertise to help.

This is an NPC facility. Please godmod your own care.

Witch Which's Wish Shop (Yellow Zone, Player: Haruki-kun)

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Welcome. If you have stepped into this store, it is because you have a wish.

The store is big, ancient and beautiful. It has a large garden with colorful flowers, a pond with fish and running water, and chirping birds. This is the outside of the store. The inside, however, is, to put it simply, gloomy. There’s burning candles and incense everywhere. From the hall where you enter you are led off into a side room with a low table and cushions around it. A tall, masked and unnamed stranger brings tea and snacks to the guests. The Witch sits opposite and rarely ever moves.

RULES (OOC):

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This is a Wish shop. Your character will only enter this shop if he has a wish. Whether the wish is granted or not is a different issue.
Witch Which is in charge of the shop and will grant wishes to everyone who asks, regardless of intent or alignment, as long as the appropriate price is paid. Under certain conditions:

Condition one: Witch Which will not haggle. She couldn’t lower a price or overcharge even if she wanted to. A balance must be kept in order for the wish to be granted.

Condition two: When a Wish directly affects another player’s character in a way that would be considered godmodding, the other player must agree first.

Condition three: The Witch may not reject any wish unless the price is too high to be paid. Wishes to take a life or to destroy the world, for example, carry a price higher than anyone can pay. ANYONE.

Condition Four: The Witch will never engage in battle. Be glad. The Witch is the very definition of True Neutral.

Condition Five: The store is not hard to access; in fact, there’s a big sign outside and everything. However, the store’s grounds exist in a special separate dimension, protecting it from anything that could destroy it, up to and including plot.

Condition Six: Haruki-kun reserves the right to alter the conditions if he feels they’re causing problems such as godmodding or similar issues.

(Haruki-Kun wishes for a PM to be sent to him upon someone entering the shop so he knows about it.)

NOIR (Red Zone, Players: Moff Chumley and Project_Mayhem)

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In a rather seedy building, off of a rather seedy hall, is a door. It's not a pretty door, but it does its job admirably. It's got an eye painted on it, rather sloppily. Under the eye, is the word "NOIR". Inside, is a small, cramped, rather dusty reception room. Coffee machine, secretary's desk, several chairs, the like. The desk looks like it's never been touched; the coffee machine, like it's survived several wars. Three doors lead off the room: Raz's office, Ilyena's office, and a closet. Word to the wise: don't open that door.

Between the two of them, Ilyena and Raz are capable of everything from fairly standard PI fair to more complicated contracts using Ilyena's ability to write spells.

Registry Office(Player: Happyturtle)

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Operated by the new Inside government, this office keeps a record of births, deaths, undeaths, redeaths, resurrections, adoptions, marriages, divorces, organizational affiliations, existence of alter-egos, or any other personal information that citizens choose to enter into the records. Registration is not compulsory, but citizens that choose to take advantage of it may find it helpful for documentation and legal purposes.

If you enter the office, you will be assisted by Norma, a giant flea who wears a propeller beanie cap. She is very friendly and gossipy and will ask all sorts of awkward questions about mammalian family life. Norma is an NPC and can be played by anyone.

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((There is no OOC log. Players will have to indicate whether their character's information is in the logs if it comes up))

Needle and Thread (Blue Zone, Player: Artemis97)

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On one side of a wide cobblestoned street is a small shop. The sign hanging over the door depicts a simple spool of thread, pierced by a needle. No words were included, as a courtesy to those who could not read, nor were they needed. It was clear from the merchandise displayed in the two large windows on either side of the door that this was a clothing boutique. The right side displayed the latest in women's fashions, dresses and skirts in unique designs, all detailed by hand with beading and embroidery. The left window showed men's clothing, from a beautifully tailored three piece suit, cut from expensive fabrics, to the very best in adventuring style, rugged and sturdy, clearly built to last.

Inside, racks and manequins display more clothing, split down the middle between men's and women's fashions. The back wall held rolls of fabric, some plain, others with obviously magical properties. A large, three-sided mirror sits in the back corner, next to a small changing stall. On the other side is a small counter holding a cash register, behind that the door that led to a small workroom.

The Needle and Thread is a clothing shop specializing in custom tailoring and specialty designs. It is owned and operated by Lillith Rock, and the kindly fiendish woman can usually be found behind the counter, or working on orders in the back workroom.

On the City's government

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As the capital city of the Acronymian Empire, Inside is subject to its laws. They largely resemble modern-day laws*, with the exception of weapons control and small-scale vigilantism, as those would be extremely difficult to enforce. Vigilantism, however, once again becomes problematic when it causes more problems than it fixes.

Slavery is illegal in the Empire. This would be treated as a given (see above), but it has come up many times.

The Empire has also imposed a light tax on arms sales and a light-moderate one on imports. The latter grants much more funding than it normally would, thanks to the Empire's location in a nexus of realities-many goods, mundane and exotic, often pour into Inside and the greater Empire.

*Wolfbane may experiment with punishments, though, as he's aware that being unable to play a criminal character because they're stuck in jail for a realistic amount of time is no fun.

On Apocalypses

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When determining apocalyptic effects that threaten Inside, please keep the bottom of this post in mind.

The title is a misnomer, of course. No doubt the moniker of this place was settled on after a brief conversation that started with, 'Wouldn't it be funny if...?'. But now the name has stuck.

But what is this place, you ask?

The city of Inside is the capital city of the nation known as the Acronymian Empire. The city was once the center of the Nexus, the dimensional anomaly that acts as a crossroads between any number of radically different worlds. Now, it is no longer its center, but still shows its influence.

Thanks to the Nexus, the cityscape is high in variety of architectural styles, varying tech levels factoring in to the myriad designs. Though the city is now relatively stable, it's still possible to find buildings of any number of architectural styles within it. Shopping malls lie beside medieval architecture, and futuristic towers rise alongside old cathedrals.

The city is surrounded by defensive walls, with an artificially and accidentally created moat outside the walls. A gap in the walls and a bridge allow for entrance into the city proper, the main gate opening up to welcome newcomers Inside.

[Morty]

DDDDDB

Hook? What hook?

The dentist turns around with a grin, suddenly missing the hook he'd been wearing just a few minutes before, a prosthetic hand in its place.

Sorry, guys. This job just gets kinda stressful at times and stuff. I'm through with the nonsense, I swear.

He reaches underneath the chair, and pulls out what looks like some sort of odd gasmask device.

Alright, so we're all fairly mature here, so I'm just going to give it to the both of you as plainly as I can. We've got two choices here. We can have the aches numbed a bit, which isn't strictly necessary but makes for a much more comfortable experience, assuming adoptive dad doesn't try to make a 'David after Dentist' knock-off on the ride home. Alternatively, we can just grin and bear it. I'll be honest, it'll probably feel sore for a few hours after if you don't have him numbed, but it's your call, Mr. Razortooth.

Mag gives Dipsnig a look, hoping that the goblin knows exactly what sort of answer the cyborg is waiting for. The last thing he wants to do today is actually stick his hands in that filthy elf boy's mouth.

Dipsnig clears his throat. I think numbing would be for the best, yes. Dentistry can be unpleasant.

[Chaotic Bob]

The Baron's Feathers

Mama Babin gives a hearty laugh, flashing a few sharp teeth. "Ya do tha' naw." She says before slowly waddling back to the kitchen. Delacroix can't help but smirk at Jinx's reaction before reaching for a fork to begin digging into the rice with. After a couple bites, obviously enjoying the spiciness, he stops, looking slightly puzzled before looking at her. "Ya don' live in ta streets, do ya?" he asks, showing just a touch of concern.

When Mama Babin moves off, Jinx considers the food for a moment, possibly deliberately away from Delacroix's smirk.
Not entirely sure where to start here.
But she did say she wanted to try the gator, so in the end she elects to start with that. Utensils and not fingers, of course.

He asks his question while she's mid-bite through her second piece, fairly far along in determining that this meat is delicious.
The question gets as much consideration as anything else, though this time Jinx can be given the excuse that she is also chewing.
"Not any more often than anywhere else."

[UncleWolf]

The Baron's Feather

The werewolf takes a few more large bites of his food as he ponders. "Otha' words, ya sleep anywhar' ya can." He says between a few more bites before looking at her thoughtfully. "Gotta place with a free bed if ya need it." Sure, she was a complete stranger, but he wasn't going to be a poor host and let her sleep outside. Besides, maybe she'd provide some entertainment somewhere down the line. As she said, excitement was in short supply.

[Chaotic Bob]

[The Baron's Feather]

That's quite the interesting little offer.
From her own perspective, as the complete stranger, it seems a largely silly offer. Polite, yes, but they really have only known each other for a rather short time to be tossing such levels of charity around.

The word "free" is very nice though...
"What makes you give such a generous offer?"

[UncleWolf]

The Baron's Feather

"Because, as ya say, excitement is scar' of late." He tells her before he finishes his last bit of rice and half the cornbread, wolfing it all down. "And as ta host, it wouldin' do for mysel' ta put ya back on ta street."

[Chaotic Bob]

[The Baron's Feather]

"Have some adventure holed up around this free bed then?"
That would be rather interesting really.
Jinx acquires a bit of an amused look, methodically putting away gator bit after gator bit, contemplating the prospect of having a portal To Adventure right next to a closet.

"The street is not so bad, Mr. Delacroix. Much to see and find."

[UncleWolf]

The Baron's Feather

"But it is no way for an el'gant ladee like yaself to survive." He tells her with a slight smile. "It is fun, yes, but surely ya get tired of it."

[Chaotic Bob]

[The Baron's Feather]

A wry grin appears on Jinx's face and she shrugs.
"When I get tired, I sleep.
Elegance is simply not rolling around in the little mud puddles on my way across the street. I am not so special."

[DoomITP]

Zero points to Fancy Finnigan's Fabulous Finery.

Do you want to go see what's in that store?

Repost for the new thread.

[The Alexandrian]

[No Hope Hospital]

Spoiler

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No Hope Hospital

Tom scowls, a chrome finger wrapped tight around the trigger of that Mossberg shotgun. He's not losing another ally to this beast, not again. The Magtok approach might be to just shove her out in front and run while the beast is distracted, but he's not Magtok. He might've been, maybe once, but not now, not today.

Stay behind me.

No, he's not going back to being Magtok, even if Magtok is a thing he actually was at some point. He's Doctor Thomas Godlark, a brilliant physician, a force for good, someone who exists to help others, not make puppets of them. He concentrates on that door, daring the beast to reveal itself, pressing his gun down against a box to shoot at a moment's notice. He's not quite certain if it'll work, if the weird lantern feeling was just his mind playing tricks on him, but should the thing on the other side punch through, it might find itself hit with slugs charged with the strange light energy Tom was accidentally imbued with.

Doctor Godlark

The creature denting the door continues its work for a few moments before its growling steadily grows fainter.

It may have decided to leave Godlark alone.

But alas, it is not so!

After a moment of silence, the creature rams the door with full force, revealing a gory fusion of flesh and magic. The chimera's body pulsates with a dark light. Its hundred eyes flit about the room. Its lithe body drips with blood. It opens its maw. Rows upon rows of jagged teeth are bared at Tom. The scent of rotting flesh wafts out of its mouth, saturating the atmosphere of the chamber with its foul stench. Translucent, membranous wings have been grafted onto the two sides of its massive body. Its tail is a barbed rod of muscle.

Then come the slugs Godlark fired.

The creature howls in a high, blood curdling tone as the light streaks through its body, shredding sinews and searing flesh.

The chimera, without hesitation, rushes at the boxes Tom and Percilia are taking cover behind.

Percilia has also been firing at the beast with her revolver. She waits for Tom to open fire, then sends two steel, military-grade bullets at the beast's eyes. With a sickening squelch, the bullet pops two gooey eyes. This only serves to fuel the chimera's rage.

-----

Spoiler

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Bellan, once atop the cliff, figures his first priority is to help the surgeon up. The giant will offer a hand before surveying his surroundings. Seeing the child, he continues unperturbed across the soft grass, looking pleased by the change in venue. Once he reaches the tree, Bellan observes the child shortly before saying, "S'kahret. What is your name, child?"

Bellan

The surgeon accepts Bellan's hand up with gratitude.

The child continues to wave at Bellan without responding. The surgeon stares at the boy intently.

The child is real but...

There isn't any sign that he is mentally aware.

His expressionless face. His blank stare.

There is something quite awry here.

----------

[Blue Zone -- Streets]

Zero points to Fancy Finnigan's Fabulous Finery.

Do you want to go see what's in that store?

"Sure!"

Valaira squeeks, under the spell of these fine, new surroundings.

She doesn't head inside quite yet, though.

Inside the store are rows upon rows of clothing racks. Men's apparel seems to be the store's speciality. Suited men roam the magnificent two-story store, both salesmen and customers.

The suits are gaudy; the prices are extravagant. But don't let that fact discourage you. In the Nexus, you never know when someone is going to give you a break.

[BladeofOblivion]

[Yellow Zone - City Gates]

In the distance, a huge cloud of dust can be seen. Then, suddenly, it all is absorbed into one point as what appears to be a power-armored soldier is thrown just outside the city gates.

He appears to be bleeding heavily, but soon gets up and runs to the nearest guard, with a heavy limp. He trips and falls down in front of one, and begins spouting nonsense.

"I need to get to the HQ! It's Back! That thing! The Thing in Black Armor! It's back! The one with the dust and the disintegration and the horror!"

The man seems to fall unconscious. Close examination will reveal that the armor is actually a near-perfect facsimile of real Remnant armor, and does not actually have any of the details that would not be visible just from looking at it.

[DoomITP]

Zero notices that Valaira doesn't walk all the way into the store. So he waits and looks into the store. The prices are a bit high for him. The clothes in the store are much nicer than what he normally wears. The most expensive items he owns are the pieces of his armor that he rarely wears.

[Murkus]

No Hope - Fields

Bellan is obviously rather unsettled. Yet another trap, mayhap. He leans forward to try and touch the child's shoulder with his lengthy fingers.

[Reinholdt]

DDDDDB

Hook? What hook?

The dentist turns around with a grin, suddenly missing the hook he'd been wearing just a few minutes before, a prosthetic hand in its place.

Sorry, guys. This job just gets kinda stressful at times and stuff. I'm through with the nonsense, I swear.

He reaches underneath the chair, and pulls out what looks like some sort of odd gasmask device.

Alright, so we're all fairly mature here, so I'm just going to give it to the both of you as plainly as I can. We've got two choices here. We can have the aches numbed a bit, which isn't strictly necessary but makes for a much more comfortable experience, assuming adoptive dad doesn't try to make a 'David after Dentist' knock-off on the ride home. Alternatively, we can just grin and bear it. I'll be honest, it'll probably feel sore for a few hours after if you don't have him numbed, but it's your call, Mr. Razortooth.

Mag gives Dipsnig a look, hoping that the goblin knows exactly what sort of answer the cyborg is waiting for. The last thing he wants to do today is actually stick his hands in that filthy elf boy's mouth.

Dipsnig clears his throat. I think numbing would be for the best, yes. Dentistry can be unpleasant.

DDDDDB

"Ummm... what? This is a check-up! You're supposed to see if the teeth are healthy, not pulling them or whatever the hell you're thinking! Dad, this guy's way too skeezy. Can we go, pleeeeeease?"
Something's off about this whole thing, Vincent can just tell. But Dipsnig would never betray him, surely!

[Artemis97]

[Inside - General]

Should any citizens of the city at the center of the Nexus strain their necks to stare towards the sprawling expanse of sky, they may spot a scarlet speck slowly sailing across that cerulean space. Suddenly, is seemed something was amiss, as the spot in the sky was soon sent spiraling, cascading towards the spires of the city.

[The Alexandrian]

[No Hope Hospital]

Spoiler

Show

No Hope - Fields

Bellan is obviously rather unsettled. Yet another trap, mayhap. He leans forward to try and touch the child's shoulder with his lengthy fingers.

Bellan

When Bellan touches the child, the child attempts to smack Bellan's hand away and frantically squirm away from him.

His skin is frosty. Cold.

And there might be something behind Bellan.

Another child, also cloaked in shade. Exactly the same as the first that was lying against the tree.

----------
[Fancy Finnigan's Fabulous Finery]

Spoiler

Show

Zero notices that Valaira doesn't walk all the way into the store. So he waits and looks into the store. The prices are a bit high for him. The clothes in the store are much nicer than what he normally wears. The most expensive items he owns are the pieces of his armor that he rarely wears.

Valaira, after musing for a moment more, marches up to the door. She takes the curved, metal handle in her delicate hand and holds the door open for Zero to enter.

[Lord Magtok]

DDDDDB

Mag rolls his eyes as he pulls on a tight sterile glove over his organic hand.

This isn't the heavy teeth-pulling stuff, kid. Just something mild to take the edge off while I'm scraping the gunk off your gums. Believe me, if you're anything like half the young boys that come in here, your gums are absolutely filthy.

He's hoping for a sort of angry "My gums are perfectly fine! Look, see?!" reaction out of Vincent. It'll make it just a bit easier to knock the kid out.

No Hope Hospital

Yes! Yes, Jegus Fudge, YES! The beast bleeds! It can be hurt, it can be wounded, it can be killed! Thomas stands his ground, grins and then opens fire again, hoping he's got the gun pointed at the beast's head so that the foul creature's brain might be torn asunder by that strangely bright ammunition his gun seems to be firing.

If that doesn't stop the beast's charge, or if he doesn't have time to shoot again, he'll try to shove Percilia and himself out of the way, on the off-chance the beast can't turn too well.

[Reinholdt]

[Inside - General]

Should any citizens of the city at the center of the Nexus strain their necks to stare towards the sprawling expanse of sky, they may spot a scarlet speck slowly sailing across that cerulean space. Suddenly, is seemed something was amiss, as the spot in the sky was soon sent spiraling, cascading towards the spires of the city.

Nadas... picks this moment to look up!
He of course, finds it quite fascinating and in need of a more thorough investigation. So he heads towards the area he thinks its going to land.

Which I think is silly. You should be moving away from the impending crash site, not towards it!

DDDDDB

Mag rolls his eyes as he pulls on a tight sterile glove over his organic hand.

This isn't the heavy teeth-pulling stuff, kid. Just something mild to take the edge off while I'm scraping the gunk off your gums. Believe me, if you're anything like half the young boys that come in here, your gums are absolutely filthy.

He's hoping for a sort of angry "My gums are perfectly fine! Look, see?!" reaction out of Vincent. It'll make it just a bit easier to knock the kid out.

Vincent... glares and pouts!
And hopes Dipsnig will have a lick of common sense and get him out of here!

[Murkus]

No Hope Hospital

If the child made some sort of noise when it appeared, Bellan likely gives him a glance.

"We are leaving. Now." The giant tries to seize his new surgeon friend's arm and head off away from the tree, in whatever direction seems most logical.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Inside - General]

Should any citizens of the city at the center of the Nexus strain their necks to stare towards the sprawling expanse of sky, they may spot a scarlet speck slowly sailing across that cerulean space. Suddenly, is seemed something was amiss, as the spot in the sky was soon sent spiraling, cascading towards the spires of the city.

Nadas... picks this moment to look up!
He of course, finds it quite fascinating and in need of a more thorough investigation. So he heads towards the area he thinks its going to land.

Which I think is silly. You should be moving away from the impending crash site, not towards it!

Molly also happens to see this sight, and makes the same decision as Nadas. Course, she isn't near him when he sees it, so it's likely the two won't meet till they arrive.

[Artemis97]

[Falling]

The as the object comes closer to the earth it grows, its features becoming more and more discernable until it materializes into the shape of a rather large hot air balloon with a brilliant red envelope. Inside the basket, a figure could be seen darting about, working frantically to relight the fire that kept the balloon aloft. But the balloon was deflating and quickly losing altitude. could a man survive falling from such a height?

((I'm going to grab a quick shower, but then I'll be back to post more frequently. This last one had been delayed by dinner. but no more delays after this! You know, until i fall asleep... Right. I'll be back soon))

[Reinholdt]

[Falling Balloon whose name is probably Star]

Nadas sees things are fairly urgent. He might just be able to pull off a small fire type flare spell, but aiming it so that it relights the fire is more difficult. He might end up catching the basket on fire, or even the balloon itself! He has to position this correctly, which means it'll have to get close before he attempts it.

Nadas hurries more quickly.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Falling Balloon]

Molly hurries towards the balloon, her shoulder bag hitting her thigh as she runs.

Her mind races with calculations, trying to figure out the speed, how high it might have been, where it will land, everything. She can't help it. It's how her mind works.

[The Alexandrian]

[No Hope Hospital]

Spoiler

Show

No Hope Hospital

If the child made some sort of noise when it appeared, Bellan likely gives him a glance.

"We are leaving. Now." The giant tries to seize his new surgeon friend's arm and head off away from the tree, in whatever direction seems most logical.

Bellan

The child is silent when the other appears.

When Bellan seizes his surgeon friend's arm and turns away from the two children, he may be able to hear the sound of one strangling the other.

More shadow children begin to form around Bellan and the surgeon. As they form, they begin to battle each other with unrestrained fury.

A clear path is oddly devoid of children. At the end of this path is a fiery grave that the corpses are being carelessly flung into.

Bellan might notice that the flames are cold, if he draws himself close to it.

-----

Spoiler

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No Hope Hospital

Yes! Yes, Jegus Fudge, YES! The beast bleeds! It can be hurt, it can be wounded, it can be killed! Thomas stands his ground, grins and then opens fire again, hoping he's got the gun pointed at the beast's head so that the foul creature's brain might be torn asunder by that strangely bright ammunition his gun seems to be firing.

If that doesn't stop the beast's charge, or if he doesn't have time to shoot again, he'll try to shove Percilia and himself out of the way, on the off-chance the beast can't turn too well.

Doctor Godlark

Percilia lets loose another bullet just as Godlark fires. Her bullets seem oddly ineffectual against the creature, whereas Godlark's charged ammunition forces the chimera to visually recoil as the bullet rips through its flesh and lodges itself deep inside of his skull.

The chimera doesn't even groan. Its legs simply give way under it.

Dead.

However, being dead doesn't cause it to lose any momentum.

Godlark will be able to shove Percilia out of its path and dive out of its way mere picoseconds before it slams into the boxes they were taking cover behind.

Percilia is breathing heavily and attempting to cling to Doctor Godlark at this point. It is clear that she is scared out of her wits.

And then, another growling creature begins to approach.

"We need to get out of here now!"

The panicking Percilia shouts.

There are three exits to this room.

1. The door which Godlark entered through.

2. An entirely different door leading into a darkened hallway.

3. A ventilation shaft that was uncovered when the beast scattered the hiding boxes.

[DoomITP]

Thanks.

Zero says as he walks slowly into the shop. Practically everything in the shop is fancier than Zero is used to.

[Artemis97]

[Falling Balloon]

Molly should be able to determine that the balloon is going to fall very close to the old clocktower that sits at the center of an older part of the city. Indeed, it risks crashing into it, should the wind push it the wrong way.

[Reinholdt]

[Falling Balloon]

Nadas can't take the tension anymore. Stupid tension!

He pulls a small piece of coal out of a bag he keeps by his side and starts saying the silly complex words he needs to do and sets the spell off after about 45 seconds.

He does his best to aim...

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Falling Balloon]

Molly lets out a curse she realizes this. She slows a little as she starts rummaging through her bag, seeing if any of her gadgets could help here.

((Short deadtime, gotta pick up my brother.))

[The Alexandrian]

[Fancy Finnigan's Fabulous Finery]

Valaira follows Zero inside and approaches one of the salesmen.

"Excuse me, sir."

Valaira tries to get the salesman's attention.

"What may I help you with today, miss?"

A handsome, healthy, young, black-haired, green-eyed man wearing a fine, brown suit replies in a subservient yet firm tone.

"Well, you could buy me all the clothes I want in the store."

Valaira's voice is sweet and cheery as she dominates the poor salesman's mind.

"Whatever you desire, Valaira."

Valaira's new flunky responds, clearly in a trance.

"Come on, Zero. Let's buy you some fancy outfits."