⬣//A Mirage, Exposed - 11/12

[cccorp]

Who: █████████
What: Deception, revelation.
When: 11/12
Where: Root Town Of Unknown Origin
Warnings: Death, violence, others to be added as needed.





Overnight, the Root Town without a name explodes into a cacophony of noise. There’s a rhythmic one-two-three of hammers, but looking for the source proves to be fruitless, as if something - someone? - is hiding the construction site from view. The noise lasts for hours, and so the sense of foreboding only seems to grow stronger and stronger. It’s the third week, so by now it might be natural to wonder.

Is this going to be where we meet yet another advancement of the Wave?

Eventually, the noise stops. The islands go quiet beyond the whistling wind that never stops. Minutes pass, hours pass, and then there’s a scream.

Finding the source of the scream isn’t all that difficult - at the end of a rickety bridge there’s a pale, crumpled shape on the ground. Gray hair, ivory robes, ghostly skin that’s even paler than usual - the only color is the bright red blood that covers his face and stains his robes.

Owen is dead.

A bloody trail can be followed across the bridge, to a large amphitheater that wasn’t there the day before. Rows of seating lead down to a raised stage covered by curved arches holding up a roof large enough to keep the stage dry and hide lights and the mechanisms for the curtain. A deep blue curtain hangs, closed and hiding the stage from view. An orchestra pit sits in front of the stage, seats empty.

Someone stands in front of the curtains, a scythe in hand. Their blue cloak and hair almost blend into the curtain, but the dull, yellow eyes are unmistakable.

It’s strange, isn’t it? How long has it been since you’ve seen Anaido…?

Comments

SIGN UPS

[cccorp]

Character & Class:
Character Death?:
Permanent Injury?:
Core Type:
<b>Character & Class:</b> <b>Character Death?:</b> Y/N? Deaths will prohibit you from participating in the rest of endgame. <b>Permanent Injury?:</b> Y/N? Are there any hard limits to injuries (ie, limb loss, eye trauma, etc)? <b>Core Type:</b>

IMPORTANT

This fight is a free for all, meaning everyone is welcome to come and go as availability suits them and there will be no turn order. If stepping out for a moment, just let a mod know and your character will not be targeted until you return.

Death and permanent injury are not a guarantee - however, please remember that death is equivalent to a drop, and you will no longer be able to participate in endgame.

[dissimulative]

Character & Class: Oriade, Steam Gunner
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: eyebrow waggle
Core Type: Armor Core

[selfconcept]

Character & Class: Hien, Harvest Cleric
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: N
Core Type: n/a

[userunfriendly]

Character & Class: Winter, Blade Brandier
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: N
Core Type: Heal Core

[secondthoughts]

Character & Class: Hector, Harvest Cleric
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: N atm
Core Type: Heal Core (and zelly bracelet)

[trashtier]

Character & Class: L3V147H4N, Adept Rogue (Blade Brandier, Wavemaster, Macabre Dancer)
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: N
Core Type: Armor Core (Lily bracelet)

[murrmoire]

Character & Class: Memoir, Twin Blade
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: Changes to yeah fuck me up but no limb loss!
Core Type: Armor Core

[ganymed]

Character & Class: Ganymede & Macabre Dancer
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: Quietly changes to 'you can fuck him up in some way that does not include/deal with limb loss'
Core Type: Damage Core (+ Zelkova bracelet)

[glassbell]

Character & Class: Fuurin, Flick Reaper
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: N
Core Type: Heal, N

[legendofthelion]

Character & Class: FlameMane - Edge Punisher
Character Death?: N
Permanent Injury?: N
Core Type: Damage core + Zelkova bracelet

MECHANICS

[cccorp]

•A roll of 15 or higher will hit Innis.

•Please bold your actions for your turn.

•Forest of Dreams: Enemies within the radius of the tree need to make a saving throw (a d20). 1-5, minor hit to SP. 6-10, SP reduction and afflicted with poison. 10-15, SP drain, poison, and afflicted with Seal. 16-20, all of the prior effects + characters will see visions of whatever they desire most and will be unable to act for the round. Each round will require a saving throw until the tree is destroyed or characters leave the radius.

•Other mechanics to be added as the fight progresses.

FIGHT, START!!!

[cccorp]

[You don’t get much time to react, Anaido readying his grip on the scythe and leaping forward, off the stage and swinging his scythe wildly, in a swing (18) that will hit everyone with black flames. No talking, no games, just an honest fight.

This is inevitable. Isn’t it?

It’s strange, though, how Anaido moves, his arms stiff and legs seeming barely capable of holding his body upright. It doesn’t make any sense. Or does it?

There’s not much time to react, though, Anaido - Innis - still on the offensive. Better act quickly.]

[userunfriendly]

[ There's a certain familiarity to this, isn't there...? Michel doesn't know Anaido, wouldn't know the words to reach him even if he had opened by speaking.

The black flames stagger him briefly. He pauses to take in those stilted movements. He'd like a chance to study their surroundings instead, but... doubting that there will be leeway until they make some, he counters with Red Rose (18), the trailing rose petals sweeping for Anaido's legs. If he can capitalize on those awkward movements, that would be a start. ]

ROUND 2

[cccorp]

[For all of Hien's efforts, nothing happens. It's far too late to bring Owen back, and the dancer remains still and quiet. He already knew it would fail, but he tried anyways. Is it the fragments of Hien that remain that wanted to cling to hope?

And poor, poor Memoir. It seems like Owen couldn't keep his word to you, but hopefully he will be able to understand that sometimes you cannot save those you care for. Sometimes you're too late. He should know that better than anyone else, shouldn't he?

Innis doesn't react much to the hits - Anaido has a serene smile on his face, now, as if pleased with the way he stumbles and ends up pulled backwards into the black hole Hector summoned. There's a cracking noise as Dehya's blade hits his legs, like shattering ceramic, and Oriade's shot leaves scorch marks behind.

But with the effects of Natural Convergence, he can't move. He also doesn't seem interested in talking, either, as Innis just stands there and watches everyone, waiting for their next moves. It's like someone watching a play, even if they're still in the stands, simply enjoying the story playing out in front of them.]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien casts his single target wood element spell (13) right at Innis. He just said that he was a healer a round ago, but no. He's a DPS Harvest Cleric. ]

ROUND 3

[cccorp]

[It's agony, being trapped while blows rain down on him. He cannot move - even though it seems some are struggling with a stationary target, his lips quirking at the sight of Levi tripping over himself - but more people hit than miss.

The lighting causes his body to trip and spasm from where he's trapped by the force of nature, but the convergence doesn't last too long. He stumbles, sways, trying to right himself before he breathes. His head tilts, and for a moment you could think - he's going to say something. Maybe he'll justify his actions, or go on some spiel about lies, deception, the truth...

But he doesn't.

He lurches forward, swinging at Dehya, Leo, Levi (though he's, thankfully, immune to the damage, so it's not insult to injury...) and Noe with a Typhoon Sweep (16). He keeps moving, though, a Wicked Strike (14) aimed at Hector, and it ends with a Splinter Slash (19) to knock Ganymede away from his victim.]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien just here to cast SP regen spell... on himself. Yeah, he's not a team player. Suck it. He just watches people get obliterated. ]

ROUND 4

[cccorp]

[Lotan appears, and it's safe to say nobody was expecting that. The floating islands of the Root Town come with their own risks, so perhaps it's lucky the amphitheater has a gentle downwards slope that directs the water inwards and not out, pushing people off the edges of the island...

Well. Except for Owen's body, which was already on the edge, and it's not like he can brace himself against the deluge. His remains get swept away, off the island.

Innis remains, though each strike seems to be getting to him. His movements are jerkier, less controlled, and every time a blade connects there's that same shattering sound. With how targeted Dehya and Michel's strikes have been, it's a wonder he can still move at all...

Finally, finally, he looks at Ganymede. What is he afraid of?]

What are we all afraid of?

[It's not as graceful as it could be, with him like a puppet cut loose from his strings, but the Reaper's Dance (19) will strike true nonetheless.]

The truth.

[selfconcept]

[ Ow... bitch. Hien just stands out and casts Phal Repth, a 100% Party Heal.

Yes, he's healing others this time. It's gonna be the first three people to comment under this. Party will be immediately disbanded after heal. ]

ROUND 5...?

[cccorp]

[The hits are stacking up. Some still manage to hit him, but it’s clear that he can’t take much more than this… Which is odd. Isn’t he a Phase? The other Waves have all had so much more health than this, all of them have endured more than this.

The scythe slips out of Anaido’s hands, clattering to the ground with a splash. He falls to his knees like his strings have been cut, but there’s still a smile on his face. He’s happy, still - at peace. This is where things end for him.

Darkness sweeps the arena. Levi, Nanashi, Shoka, Noe, and Sinclair will find themselves taking Darkness damage, though it doesn’t… seem to come from Anaido. What used to be Anaido.

Levi, Shoka, and Noe will also find themselves with a peculiar status - Marked for Death. They will take double damage until the Mark is cleansed, though it’s lucky a Rip Synk will take care of it.]

Isn’t it funny?

[There’s a hum, a clattering as shadowy figures pop into existence as the water left by Lotan continues to drain away. They take their position in the orchestra pit, instruments in hand.

That voice isn’t Anaido’s, but it’s still… familiar.]

ROUND 5!

[sicklysweet]

[The orchestra begins to play, and the curtains on the stage part. The stage is set, nooses hanging from prop trees, chains and handcuffs on the stage to hold criminals, a painted backdrop of a small village - all of it ready for an execution. The light swings, illuminating a figure made of porcelain, the crown of eyes focused on its audience.

Innis raises his arms, fine ivory draping around him and connecting his arms, limiting his range - but the movement is still graceful. He bows, and then he begins his performance.]

Isn’t it funny?

[He repeats himself, derision clear in his voice.]

The outrage from being deceived only happens if you find out the truth.

[And with that, Innis, the Mirage of Deceit, finally takes center stage.]

ROUND 6

[sicklysweet]

[The orchestra continues to play, and Innis continues to dance, opposite of Ganymede. The effects of Quare Morito don't linger long, with Shoka hurrying to cleanse the Mark, but it's not much of a deterrent. It's a minor setback, if anything, and he has many tricks left.]

You can call me Innis, if you want.

["Owen" doesn't exist anymore. He hasn't existed for weeks, at this point, the program taking over entirely... But deceit is something that you don't always notice at the start. It would have given too much away if Innis was as bold as the rest, and it would skew his data.

He needed to be patience, and now it's time to reap what he sowed.]

There's no Owen anymore - if there ever was.

[The Salted Earth has him stumbling, for just a moment, and he's barely recovered by the time Deto's fists connect, meaning he can't dodge the rocks that fall from the sky. Only a few hits, but with them it's clear that Innis doesn't have a large health pool - already down to 80% HP. Understandable - Owen was only a Macabre Dancer, after all. The bosses take after their classes, which means... now that Innis has revealed himself, it can't be that bad, can it?

Innis will need backup - and so he casts Invisible Dolls. A dragon swoops over the amphitheater, its fiery breath (7) likely missing Leo, and the hellhounds that rush at Deto (4) serve as more of a nuisance than a threat. The giant, however, that swings at Fuurin (12) hits, leaving the Flick Reaper paralyzed.

A tree springs up next to Hector, the branches reaching out for the cleric and pulling him in a sweet, gentle dream... He will be unable to act until released from the dream.

Two more trees spring up, one across the stands and one right beside Owen, the three trees creating something you may be able to call a Forest of Dreams. Anyone in the stands and anyone within melee range of Owen will need to roll a d20 before their next action. Please refer to the mechanics comment for the full rundown of effects.]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien continues to eat some Hackberry Delights off to the side while watching everybody suffer. He's out of range of the Forest of Dreams, so he just has front row seats while totally sane and normal. ]

ROUND 7

[sicklysweet]

[The stun works, Innis dazed and taking the hits from Oria, Shoka, Deto, and Levi - and Sinclair and Michel will find the tree is just a tree. Michel cuts off slivers of bark and wood, because a sword isn't exactly the best way to chop down a tree, but the fire from Sinclair's sets the tree ablaze.

That's one tree down, though the one in the stands and the one trapping Hector will remain on the field until destroyed.

Innis' health is looking terrible, though - he is down to 50% HP already.]

You take things too literally, you know?

[There's a mocking laugh, as the tempo increases.]

What is a person beyond fabrications and falsehoods? A carefully crafted exterior to hide who they really are - are you all not people hiding secrets? Is that not just a part of humanity? To deceive, hide, misrepresent, until nobody knows what is real and what is true and who someone really is.

[Who can say they knew anything about who Owen truly was? He kept so much of himself secret, lied so blatantly... In the end of the day, he was just an unknown and that was how he wanted to be.

Innis continues his performance, back arching and leg raising, and darkness sweeps the arena again as he casts Quare Morito - the same spell that heralded his arrival. The stage remains set for the execution, though perhaps some day a nicer, more beautiful dance would be performed here.

Oria, Fuurin, Deto, Levi, Noe, Sinclair, and Leo take darkness damage, with all but Noe being Marked for Death.

There's a rumble, and the Invisible Dolls return, the red dragon's flames (20) finding their mark this time, inflicting Michel with rage. The giant hits Ganymede (14), paralyzing him, while the hellhounds (1.....) just run around, barking and howling, before scampering off.]

CORE USE 2/3

[threatmewted]

This is almost as bad as Macha!

[She'll use a Data Drain Type H: Status Removes all status effects on allied players in the Area again, removing all debuffs from everyone!]

FIGHT END...

[sicklysweet]

[The tree in the stands burns with the phoenix diving through it, burning away to ash in no time at all. Sinclair manages to damage the tree holding Hector, but it’ll take more than one stab from a spear to fell it - and while he’s close enough to stab it, he’ll have to make a saving throw to see if he can avoid succumbing to the dream.

Innis wasn’t made to take a ton of damage - perhaps it’s poetic, in a way, because lies are flimsy things. The littlest thing will destroy them, so it makes for good data. Cracks spread across his porcelain skin, Deto’s punches leaving scorch marks on his legs. He collapses, unable to keep dancing, leaving him vulnerable to Fuurin’s swing - and blinded by Dehya, there’s no chance to avoid Oria’s shot.

The bullet passes right through his forehead, and his HP hits 0%. An anticlimactic end for the Mirage of Deceit, dead and gone with a whimper and not a bang, surrounded on stage but still feeling so cold and alone, left in the dark…]

jk y'all know it's another fakeout

[sicklysweet]

[A chilly wind sweeps over the amphitheater - it’s different from the usual winds that buffet the Root Town’s floating islands.

Innis lays in a crumpled heat, with a strange, strange status ailment. Cold, dark, and alone… What that could mean isn’t kept a mystery for long, as Innis’ HP begins to regenerate. He can’t act while it’s regenerating, but it will hit 100% before long.

Now’s your opportunity to act without risking another debuff.]

ROUND 9

[sicklysweet]

[Well, things are happening. Ganymede is currently being dogpiled by shadows, incensed at his attempted destruction. Sinclair is currently underneath the stage, Michel has shone very bright lights in the eyes of everyone on stage, Leo and Nanashi are trying to help people keep control of their own minds, Hien is napping, and everyone else has decided to hit Innis while he's down.

If only that would work.

None of the hits do any damage, even though it seems like everyone's weapons are connecting. More cracks and chips appear on Innis, but his health just continues to tick up and up and up until it's back to 100%, and he stands back up. The song changes again, and Innis takes a moment to shake his head, shrugging off the binding from Cat's Cradle, before his dance begins again. He casts Cur Memini, targeting Shoka (11), Noe (10), Dehya (19), and Leo (16). Lucky that Noe and Dehya were protected by Nanashi, as it means they get away without being Sealed... But they better hope they're within the field for Aromatherapy, or they'll find themselves forgetting how to use their weapons.

The Aromatherapy field would be an excellent place to go, actually, as Owen summons another tree to replace the one that was burned by Leo's phoenix, right on stage in between him and his enemies. Make your saving throws or get in the field and sniff some lavender (but not me).]

[ganymed]

[ Ganymede tries to break free but makes it clear he's going to try to smash the violin again so the shadows stop him again (6). It's fine.

He looks pissy as all hell, tho. ]

ROUND 10

[sicklysweet]

[The violin's trill, as if in protest of Ganymede's attempted vandalism, and Innis is held still by sand as a golem crushes him, Shoka's hit following taking a significant chunk of his HP. He didn’t get to enjoy being at 100% HP for very long, and he responds with another cast of Quare Morito.

Why must they drag this out? Why can’t this just end, already?

Ganymede (1), Shoka (8), Hien (4) and Hector (6) manage to escape unscathed, while the rest take darkness damage. Of the party left, only Nanashi (13) does not get a Mark of Death. The rest do, because have you seen my roll? There were so many 17s and even a 20.

Still, Sinclair has acquired many more drumsticks, but the loss of the beat doesn’t seem to get a reaction from Innis, the Wave continuing as he always has once free of the sand mines - at least, until Hien starts the play. He staggers, freezing for a moment, as if unsure which melody to follow, but the orchestra can easily drown out one piano.]

[insinning]

[ Oh. Not for long. That, Sinclair notices. He frowns, looking around, and aims for the rest of the orchestra with Heavenly Rage, a multi target earth attack, aiming to send them out of tandem entirely (8). He's not breaking them, just scattering so people can steal more instruments, but also unleash some godawful noise against the drums.

Sinclair will embrace being a criminal, mostly because he has no confidence in playing any instruments himself but if enough people get in on it, he'll try. He also has some maracas...why? well, we'll see]

ROUND 10.5

[sicklysweet]

[Well, this is an awful cacophony. It's just noise, at this point, but the noise does get Innis to stop his dance.

This is irritating, but...]

What are you trying to achieve?

[There's a pause, then Innis leaves the stage with a graceful leap. The orchestra seems to vibrate, more shadows appearing to haul Ganymede away and dump him on the stage, while Innis crosses the orchestra pit. He stops in front of Oria, bending forward at the waist until they're at eye level - what could count for eye level, with the mask Innis still wears.

He doesn't wait for an answer, ignoring Sinclair's presence as he places a hand on Oria's cheek. When he speaks next, there's a sing-song lilt to his voice,]

Phases of the Wave, numbering eight,
One despaired but accepted his fate.

Phases of the Wave, numbering seven,
One could only hope that she would see Heaven.

Phases of the Wave, numbering six,
One with a rage you could not predict.

Phases of the Wave, numbering five,
Cruelty warped one but still he’s alive.

Phases of the Wave, number four,
One doomed to fail and decided no more.

Phases of the Wave, numbering three,
One accepting it was not meant to be.

Phases of the Wave, numbering two,
One deciding there was nothing to do.

Phases of the Wave, numbering one,
The last would do as he always had done.

And Then There Were None.

[With that, two things happen. Oria's HP immediately drops to 1%, and then the gunner disappears, shadowy tendrils like creeping brambles dragging him into a void.]

[selfconcept]

[ Oh.

Anyway. He continues to play the piano. ]

ROUND 11.... closes my eyes

[sicklysweet]

[With Oria banished, Innis looks around the orchestra pit... Hector's data drain hits him, and he staggers, but he remains standing. It seems continually chipping away at Innis' health won't do much to actually stop him.

And then Levi's Mumyn Lei hits, Innis tipping over into a heap, falling asleep for one turn. Whether the orchestra hijacking will change anything about the fight will have to be discovered once Innis wakes back up.

The trees have all been destroyed, at least, so the only one dreaming is Innis.]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien is still playing River Flows in You, so if no one is staying with him, he'll send a flock of ravens at you.

I kid.




Unless...? ]

ROUND 12

[sicklysweet]

[Innis is in for a rude awakening, the flaming lion slamming into his sleeping form and sending him skittering across the orchestra pit, knocking down a few of the shadows and causing them to drop their instruments.

Except he doesn't wake up, the hit and his lowered defenses meaning he's left at 0% HP. The winds blowing over the amphitheater turn chillier, still, as Cold, Dark, and Alone reactivates. The shadows get whipped up into a frenzy, tripping over themselves as they fret over Innis thanks to Noe. They cannot defend the instruments any longer, and Ganymede splinters the violin against the stage and Levi manages to damage several with his swing...

It's enough to ruin the attempts of those trying to play a tune, not that their haphazard, disjointed playing was all that pleasant to listen to, but too much has been lost. The orchestra will never return to what it was, and the music will stop here as Innis stays a crumpled heap, all alone with nothing he can do to truly help himself. He's stuck in this dance, same as everyone else, but he has no one to support him.

His health returns to 100%, but he cannot move while still being taken hostage. All he can do is lay there, silently judging, as Michel's timing proves... poor, managing to get a backdrop of a cheerful, picturesque bazaar drops down over the execution.]

Investigating

[murrmoire]

[ Okay, since this is a full ass theater, is there a backstage and if so, what's behind it...? Since Innis is down, Memoir is gonna try and take a peak.

And he will not touch the lighting. WE HAVE SEEN ENOUGH OF THAT. ]

ROUND 13

[sicklysweet]

[This round, Innis would be free to move, but there’s currently someone holding him. Laying on him, mostly, and he can’t wiggle away from Hector. His arms hover awkwardly, and then they drop to his side.

It doesn’t add up. There’s something here he can’t quite grasp - he wasn’t designed for this, and he can’t find his voice. He tries to figure out what to do, but there’s nothing he can draw from for this. Between the data drains, the stage, the orchestra left in shambles, control has been ripped away from him, and everyone is too stubborn to listen to him. Why does everyone care so much about Owen, anyways? Nobody knows who he really is, they’ve only seen that digital fabrication of the real thing that was always so evasive… Why want to see the truth? It won’t be pretty.

Why? Why? Whywhywhywhy—

The cracks in Innis grow larger, and the doll crumbles apart in Hector’s arms.]

[ganymed]

[ From up at the rafters, thanks to Nanashi: ]

Uhm...

[ Is there anything underneath the doll?

Also from where he's at can he see if there's any other forms hiding around the amphitheater, or where he is at a upper height/around the rafters, since he's higher up than before? ]