Act 4.0 #YourAdventure #BeTheHero #SaveTheWorld
Location: The free city of Consequence, former capital of Hellifyno. Located on the eastern shores of the Northern Continent.
You find yourself in the Blue Moon Tavern. It's hard to tell what draws you here so inexorably, but many nights it is like a pull tugging on you from wherever you are. So, now, here you are. Again.
The lights are dim, mostly candles flickering in their alcoves, the hearth roaring against the cold of winter. As you take another sip of your drink--a rare and special favorite of yours, how did the barkeep know how to procure it?--you take another look at the crowd gathered in this strange place.
The patron’s number maybe a hundred in total, making the common room full, though not crowded. But amongst them you can see over a score of different species represented. There are even a few humans here, scarce as they may be in this place of unusual power.
Your eyes flick toward the bar at the sound of roaring, yipping laughter as a group of canine shifters--werewolves--in their imposing man / dog forms, lifted shots of fire whiskey to their snouts, the amber liquid lacing down their lolling tongues while also dribbling through the side of their wide maws.
Moments later, flashes of motion draw your attention away to a secluded table near the back. A game of cards taking place between several vampire lords has suddenly grown ugly. There is a moment of stillness, like the quiet of the grave, and then a flash of motion so fast that only preternatural eyes can catch it.
And then the game resumes. There is one fewer player.
You've learned to ignore the steady sound of thumping that is the backdrop to everything, a cluster of trolls playing a game of smash head. In one of the numerous corners of the room you can see several nymphs 'planting' with some very willing patrons in a tangled pile. And at another table, a group of orcs are screaming at a flight of Fae, the green skinned monsters howling at the Fairy Captain: a bear headed squid made entirely of gelatin.
All of this considered, it's actually a quiet night. Even when the bulbous dragon appears out of nowhere, dropping a cookie on your table and farting noisily before vanishing, you barely blink an eye. Such things happened at the Blue Moon... And the freshly baked treat smells heavenly! You can feel the warmth coming off of it, tempting you to taste...
All is well in the world. This is Hellifyno, and though it has seen many troubling days, tonight the capital city of Consequence is free, and the peoples of a hundred species and a thousand worlds walk with liberty beneath its protective walls. Of course, there are troubling reports coming from the south, and then there is that hateful Empire on the Eastern Continent. Super Slayers, or whatever they call themselves. Glowing green brain freaks.
But that is all far away. The city of Consequence is safe, and you are free to drink and chat and banter with the many mingled members of the strange crowd that has gathered in this special place tonight.
You're still thinking about that cookie, aren't you? It's starting to smell better and better, tempting you to reach out and take a nibble. But then, suddenly, all thoughts of food are dashed as the door swings open, and your attention is drawn to the man who enters.
He's tall with dark hair, and there is a slight, almost ineffable pure white glow surrounding him. You think you know what he is, maybe even who he is, but you need to move closer. Slipping from your seat, you find a wall somewhere close enough to see him more clearly and hear what he might say, but not too close.
There is a look of grim determination on his face, and you can see other patrons of the Tavern naturally moving to gather around him. This man has a sense of gravity to him. It makes your own advance seem less awkward and creepy as you are drawn in to listen. You're just part of the crowd; everyone is gathering around him. How could you not?
But why?
As he comes to a halt you can see, can almost feel, that this is Michael Zagurian. The leader of the Children of Light, the chosen of Gaia. His presence is palpable, the energy of hope, health, and strength rolling from him like waves. This is the leader of the defenders of life itself.
And he looks troubled.
Michael speaks, and his words are calm and measured, but there is a gravity to them. "The True Evolutionists are marshalling their forces to destroy Ciavlo'ki."
There are a few gasps, some hushed whispers and curses, but the gathered assembly isn’t surprised at the news. The Super Slayers hated magicals, of course they would eventually try to expand, to destroy. And many had already guessed who the next target would be.
"We had hoped for peace," Michael continues, his voice laced with emotion. "We made contact with the leaders of the Opposition party. There were some promising messages, even a few meetings. Torbath Crowley was surprisingly reasonable."
As you listen, you feel a call start to stir inside of you. This isn't part of the magical life energy radiating from the Gaian leader, though that feeds the sense of obligation in your chest. Rather, you feel the atmosphere, the air, even the entire Tavern clasping around you, positioning your line in the Thread of Fate so that you are set on a fixed course.
"We got word this morning. Torbath is dead, his coalition broken. His last message told us to beware of the Crowley Empire’s attack. He even included some estimates of numbers that might be brought to bear in the coming battle. If they're even close to accurate, the city will fall and the Children will be doomed."
A pause, and then the Gaian leader went on, "We started getting confirmation of a buildup among the ranks of the Super Slayer's armed forces a few hours later. My friend may have underestimated his own armies."
Already you can feel yourself checking your weapons. This is a cry for help, a call to arms. You know exactly what is needed, and, for some reason, you also feel the need to respond. Maybe you do have responsibilities to take care of, the mundane tasks of regular life, but the thrill of adventure has tickled your palette, and now you almost crave the coming danger.
"Which way to glory?" It's a whisper that surprises even you as it sneaks past your lips.
Michael continues, his determined gaze flickering over the crowd surrounding him. "We have already sent emissaries to the great city-states on Hellifyno, and an interplanetary coalition is being formed to oppose this invasion. I've come to you, the Heroes of this world, last, because... well, I didn't think you would say no, but I... we could not afford for you to say no, either."
He looks around at the assembled crowd, his eyes falling on you briefly, and it's like electric fire charging your soul. You were one of them, one of the Heroes. You belonged here. If you weren't, you wouldn't be here. And that meant that you had to help this man.
"Will you help defend the city of Gaia, the city of life?" Michael asks, scanning the crowd.
Will you?
Now It’s Your Turn
The battle is coming. The armies of Hellifyno are gathering to defend the city of life. The forces of the True Evolutionists are marshalling for war. This is not the end of the story.
The actual conclusion will be created in real time, in a live interactive chat theatre, where multiple characters will engage on the side of each force, to create an ending that is entirely collaborative.
And you could be a part of the adventure!
Would you like to help? The Battle For The City Of Life begins on Tuesday, April 8th, at 8 PM Est. Visit RolePages.com for more information.
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End Book 1 - The True Evolutionists
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