[STORM] NIGHT OF THE BIOHAZARDOUS RESIDENTS

[trpmods]

Hello, Temba. We hope you have enjoyed Autumn so far. Lovely time of the year. A time where things change from light to dark, warm to cold, alive to- Not so alive. Don’t worry, no one has died aside from the flowers you may have planted in front of your chosen home. Which has very little to do with what is about to hit our lovely little city.

By now everyone will have encountered one or seven of the little mini storms that have started popping up here and there ever since the season started changing. These small storms are slowly becoming more and more frequent and their duration increases. Which, at first, may not be too obvious. But once two or more start fusing together, our He-rows may begin to wonder just what is going on. Though by that time it’s already too late and the fog will have started to creep in.

Overnight it rolls in from the edges of the city, settling down over Temba’s streets like a cold, dense blanket and climbing up buildings and ruins alike, making it difficult to make out anything from the distance. The sky above is dark and rumbling. There is no rain, however. No thunder or lightning. Just an ongoing low rumbling, occasionally interrupted by a crackling or sizzling noise. Other noises can be heard as well. A shuffling and groaning and the faint sounds of something moving about nearby.

The source of these noises indeed moves around nearby. Within the fog. You may have spotted the shambling figures in the mini storms. They are still present in this full storm and still shambling and are still not recognizing you. Though you might recognize them. Of course it’s people you know. People you are or were close to. Relatives, friends, coworkers. But these incarnations of them sure have seen better days. In many cases you will remember them being alive, which these beings certainly are not. And then there are those that look familiar in a completely different way. Taller than any human you know, with more arms and sharp teeth. Is that really an undead Agrii you are being followed by?

Yes, you read that right. The undead are coming to Temba and they are not here to give you warm hugs. They will claw at you. And bite. And maybe just awkwardly block your way while they try to get their limbs in order as you are being (slowly) chased by other zombies. Because their numbers are high and rising. Will you fight? Will you run? Will you try to find a safe and defendable space to hide and wait? Whatever you do, try not to let them eat you.

FAQ

TL;DR?
Temba: Zombies. Fog. Storm. Whoops.

How long does the event last?
From 13th of October to 10th of November.

Can I opt out?
Yes, but it’s a bit more complicated than the normal option of Sh’Ka or one of a few safe places in Temba. Any and all players can choose to place characters in Sh’Ka to fully pass on all aspects of this event as the storm will prevent the shuttles and the train from going back and forth. However doing so will also prevent one from taking part in November’s player plot/game event combo. The other method of opting out is by seeking shelter in the one safe place in the Temba area: the mines. If one chooses the mines one will either have the option of a secondary manner of engaging this event, or to stay separate from it entirely. More on that after we talk some about the mechanics of the zombies.

Can we fight the zombies?
Yes. General zombie rules apply. Chopping off the head tends to be the most effective way to take them out. Just don’t get bitten.

How many zombies are there?
Many. And their number steadily increases. Yes, you may encounter doubles, triples, quintuples of the same loved one you already decapitated three times before. Mixed together with entirely random and unknown faces. They may be no great fighters, they aren’t organized, are likely to stagger around the place or randomly swing or lunge at a wall they have been emptily staring at for ten minutes, but they make up for all their shortcomings by sheer numbers and by being relentless.

Can we use our powers?
Yes and no. As with any energy storm, character powers are affected/disabled. HOWEVER, this energy storm is very irregular, with light to strong fluctuations. Which basically means that characters can randomly get access to their powers back. This isn’t very reliable, however, so marching out into the dense fog expecting to be able to blast a horde of zombies with your powers or technology based weapons is not advised. Making plans before wandering the dead haunted streets is highly advisable.

What if I get bitten?
Pray your medical folks find a cure quickly.

No really. What IF I get bitten? What are the symptoms?
Fine. First off, it HURTS. The bite itself is naturally not pleasant. The area around it will quickly react accordingly with pain and show signs of inflammation characteristic of an infection. The effect will creep outwards from the wound, growing increasingly itchy and hot. Fever, hallucinations, and fatigue will soon set in. It’s an infection that spreads quickly, yet can be stalled with the right medical care and even cured. Though being cured doesn’t necessarily mean a character will be immune against the infection if bitten again. So keep that in mind. Creating an actual vaccine takes a little longer.

Can medical folks actually find a cure?
Yes, a cure is possible. Anyone with either the medical datapoint or a background in medicine will be capable of creating a cure. This could be done a number of ways. One character might have background skills/experience that helps them analyze and derive a cure if they have the right tools. Another may have invested time on the space dock earlier this year to have luckily acquired a cure they didn’t realize the utility of until now. Yet another might have a foggy memory of something they discovered while searching the full limits of the hospital or the beach caves, a strangely labeled medicine that no one ever figured out the purpose of. Or they might take a more social route and ask for help from the local plantkin with the help of a Communications intermediary. There can basically be as many unique methods of curing the infection as there are people with the Medical Expertise or a medical background. We encourage players of these characters to think what might best please them and discuss their idea with us below to either confirm or help pad out. The cure is in your hands, and might be creatable in safety or require you to brave the shambling masses. Good luck either way!

What about the shelter in the mines?
Characters might have previously experienced or remember that the effect of the storms do not penetrate very deep underground, and therein lays safety. In fact, the mines will be the only area that the zombies will not ultimately make it all the way into by the height of the storm. And yes, we do mean ‘all the way into’. Any character choosing to head to roughly the depth where the Funfronds once led He Rows into the Warrens will end up being safe from the zombies for the duration of the event. Though not for lack of the zombies trying to get to them.

Wait, are the zombies attacking the mines?
Oh you bet they are. Here we offer yet another approach to this event. While there is way more danger up on the surface with the general masses of zombies, the mines are only safe so long as they are protected. Players with characters that might not be willing to brave the surface but who still want their characters to deal with some zombies can focus on defending the mines. The attacks will not be as constant or intense as on the surface and have plenty of warning from the noise of approaching zombies. He Rows will be able to find a good point in the mines where they can create a defensive point where they have limited access to their powers/abilities and technology based weapons will function at around thirty to fifty percent of their full power. Smaller scale but more effective fights can take place here and this spot can also serve as a jumping off point for any pushes back toward the surface that He Rows might want or need to take. Communicators will not work though.

Why would we want to go back to the surface once we’re safe?
Lots of reasons could crop up. Friends or loved ones might not have made it to the mines. He Rows will likely find there’s really not a serious stock of food or water down here. Maybe the secret to curing zombie infection is a plant or equipment or some hidden other answer up on the surface. Or maybe you’re just an adrenaline junkie looking to work off some frustration from the last few months by taking out waves of zombies. Coming into the mines is not going to keep you from going back out for any reason you can imagine.

I want my character in the mines but they don’t know about the safety there. What do?
You want to know what’s really interesting about zombies? While they will attack anything with flesh and blood without hesitation if they notice them (and certain metallic peoples just because you’re shiny and moving around), they don’t seem very aware of the plant life around them. Need a good way to find out about the mines and the shelter there? Well, there is a friendly newcomer to Temba who finds this all very strange. And who can be handwaved to find anyone hiding in the city itself and give them the advice of going underground. Because, as it will note, ‘It is known that the strange storms are things of the open skies and the hives of stone and metal. But the otherkins say their reach never breaks far past the surface.’

If the mines are safe, are the beach caves safe too?
Oh, quite the opposite. The strange energy of the beach caves that seems to amplify the powers of He Rows? It soups up the zombies as well. In the caves itself as well as along the beach the zombies are less shambling and more running. We advise not being in this area unless you really need to be. That said, being in the caves during the storm might not only grant someone access to their powers regardless of the storm, but a powered up version. Sadly a temporary boost in power, but who knows what you can do with it. So there’s great risk, and possible but temporary reward.

Since my character can get hurt in all of this, what’s the status of Agrii intervention?
Since this is a Storm, Agrii intervention is wonky at best. Of course you can still get your character injured and everything, but take this as a little reminder that your alien guardian angels are having a hard time watching over you. Also to notify your mods if you end up planning anything drastic that has potential permanent effects.

I have more questions!
Good to hear! We don’t always think of everything that might be relevant. So if we missed something, or you have a question that applies in only limited situations, please ask them below!

Comments

Questions?

[trpmods]

Here's a good place for them!

zombie behaviour questions

[in_extremis]

Is there a trackable place where the zombies seem to be coming from, or do they really materialize with the storm? Like, if they're being drawn into town, there would be obvious paths of them coming from a single source, if it existed, right?

Adding: What happens to the zombies after you do something effective like decapitate them? Do they just stay there and rot?

power/probably network questions

[in_extremis]

Immediately back
Powers fluctuate, you mentioned the comms won't work specifically underground. How's the actual electrical grid doing?

i'll be back with more probably, but for starters

[the_freak]

Do bitten/infected people eventually turn into zombies themselves?

If a bitten/infected person bites someone do they get infected?
(if yes, would it also infect people via any sort fluid swapping?)

Questions!

[stoicandsarcastic]

If someone is capable of making himself invisible, can the zombies still "see" him (or smell or hear or sense or whatever)?

If a character has an innate healing ability/ healing ability that can be activated, will it counteract the bite effects?

ONE MORE there's no Agrii "storm warning" right? Just the fog rolling in on the morning of the 13th?

[the_freak]

Do the zombies wearing the faces of people from back home have any of their powers/natural relative strength? Ie: Can zombie Hank Pym grow/shrink, or is zombie Thor stronger than a human would be?

Re: Questions?

[faceguy]

This isn’t an ominous question I promise-

What if a character didn’t want to behead a zombie but instead trap it and keep it somewhere?

[playingtough]

Did you have an idea for how bites/injuries would work for non-organics? Obviously York, but maybe Cayde, Mini, and even BD?

University Reinforcement

[in_extremis]

I'll come back with actual plotting later, but this one might effect how you choose to handle this so: the University building is effectively reinforced against this kind of attack, too, so you can do there for a safehouse that's closer to the action. Inside, the warroom has information about past storms, and the mines if your character wants a direct shot of information to the dome.

Depending on what the power is doing, it might also be useful information to know the crystal towers around town link to a receiver both at the uni building, and at the Whale Comb Sent Her.

Devon's People (Billy K, Eddie, Jan, Billy L, Angel)

[the_freak]

First a general sorry for the hiatus and general low activity on return. Caught a cold at the celebration of life, and still trying to get my mood back to something more stable.

I LOVED horror and gore and all the drama that comes with it, so please throw it at me, I'm happy to indulge.

Billy Kaplan
Billy will be making himself available as a medic/runner for the actual doctors. He is from a world where zombie stuff has gone down before IRL, so he won't be AS shocked as he could be. He has also reached a point in his training with Soldier that he can handle a fight reasonably well, even without his powers. When his powers are temp available he can offer rescue, magicking of supplies or more extreme healing, so if anyone does want to start chopping limbs, he can hopefully help you out.

Eddie Munson
Is terrified, but also- wow, ghouls! He has of course seen Night of the Living Dead, an given the in movie theory of radiation being responsible, he will guess that the place Wesker sent him to investigate is responsible. He may reach out to Wesker to further explore this? He will also assume the movie methods of killing the ghouls will work here, and those (heavy blows to the head, bullets to the brain, or being burned) will be the first he tries He will fight to protect his friends/strangers, but he won't go out hunting for them or anything. He would encourage his friends to go to the safe haven of the university.

Jan Van Dyne
Has been through this a number of times, typically fighting super powered zombies. Without her powers she won't have quite the same odds as normal, but she is determined and a survivor. She would definitely be out there running rescues, and setting up traps to try and create more safe havens. When not fighting and laying traps she will be at the university.

Billy Loomis
This is a dream come true. Billy will be trolling the streets and taking out zombies, probably very violently. But all under the guise of being a protector~ I would like him to end up getting pretty badly hurt. Will there be more murder attempts during the outbreak...we will see.

Angel Dust
Angel's great at killing things. This will seem a lot more like home. He will try to get to the security data point and get out there with as many guns as he can carry (which is 6!). He won't be thinking of his actions as helpful, but would be interested in seeing him get to rescue/play hero and make some friends?

Re: Devon's People (Billy K, Eddie, Jan, Billy L, Angel)

[in_extremis]

JAN

we need a PLAN

right now I'm ruminating on Tony's usual tactic: a big distraction
making a lot of noise and lights to draw all zombie activity, where they fall in a big hole

edit angel

[harderdaddy]

*cancel the guns, idk what he'll be doing

[thepurpleone]

*POINTS AT LOOMIS*

Look for all that Donnie would love to do a murder he'd still help out a dude in trouble if he looks to be in it. How Billy responds is totally up to him but I'm game for a run-in if you are!

Two dorks.

[sunglassesincluded]

Jon
Is terrified. Especially with his powers being unreliable, which is never a great state for him and he has been having some issues recently to begin with. He will try to stay somewhere safe, but at the same time doesn't want to be useless. So what he will do is try and use his Sight to find people in need of aid.

Wesker
Will NOT tell anyone that this is something he is very much used to. But he will work on finding a cure, if only to hide the fact that the fluctuations in his own powers make existing difficult. Without his natural immunity to viral symptoms being reliable, his own virus will be harder to control.
However. Wesker may have some quite effective tools to deal with zombies in case anyone gets him to hand those over.

Re: Two dorks.

[in_extremis]

Will Jon be convinced to go to the university? He can be posted by the radio receiver to watch for anyone trying to get in contact. Tony probably has some analog armor for him, but it is probably really heavy.

[thepurpleone]

*throws a turtle at*

Plotting - Let's Kill Some Zombies!

[tempredmental]

Keith is once again annoyed that his birthday (October 23) is being messed up by spooky shenanigans. The Agrii need to do something about this. LOL.

Anyway, I'm on hiatus, so I can't do any heavy tagging this month, but I'm down for handwaving or doing things if people don't mind backtagging a bit if the thread doesn't get finished before the end of the month.

Keith is a fighter, so he's going to have this desire to be out there fighting off the zombies as much as he can. Granted, some of his Galra advantages do get affected by the storms and power problems, as do Kosmo's, so it'll be a bit of a struggle, and he'll likely need help to do his bishounen hero thing.

That said, I'm okay with him getting hurt, but I definitely want him to not be horribly and/or permanently affected, so if anyone wants to rescue him or get him healing, too, that would be super awesome! I'm also down for him rescuing others and getting them help when they need it, too.

Mainly, he's involved in November's plot, so he needs to be healthy and functional enough to still be able to carry that out. LOL!!

Re: Plotting - Let's Kill Some Zombies!

[crystalmaster]

One of my boys would be happy to rescue Keith! Radley and Sephiroth will be having an especially bad time due to the identities the zombies will take on.

Plotting with Radley, Knuckles, and Sephiroth

[crystalmaster]

Ha, this looks awesome! Perfect spooky and good for Halloween season!

All three of my boys will be having a rough time with the identities the zombies will take on, but I think Knuckles will probably have the easiest time blanking it out and accepting them as zombies and not his friends. He'll probably get furious that they're impersonating them.

Radley is not suited for this at all, but he will do whatever he has to protect everyone. And probably have a few meltdowns in private after having to kill many zombies looking like his friends back home. Would be up to having some exciting situations like trapped in the diner's kitchen with other residents, trying to keep zombies from breaking through.

Sephiroth will be outwardly fine and will be all over the place trying to keep everyone safe. His powers going in and out will be highly aggravating and distressing to him, but he will try to compensate by using the guns and whatever other weapons he can get hold of. While he will not want anyone to see him melting down over having to kill many Zack-zombies, he may get caught at it once. Would love finding unique opportunities for him to try to rescue other characters stuck in scary situations, and he will also try to help find a cure if anyone gets bit.

[trpmods]

Just a note: security guns are energy based, and when powers are out, they are out too.

plotting for blue turtle

[faceguy]

Leo will be a little relieved at first that they're just fighting zombies, because there's no moral complications or quandaries in fighting zombies and he really needs that rn. He'll be less excited when the zombies start taking the form of people he knows, though. Even still, he'll be mostly down to help people and will probably resist retreating to the mines until it's too late.

I maaaaay have him keep one of the zombies of one of his brothers tied up in a house. Maybe. I haven't decided for sure if that's happening. But it might.

Other than that though I'm down for anything. Though since the killer situation hasn't been resolved yet, he'll still be a bit surely.

[thepurpleone]

Donnie wouldn't completely question the decision to house a zombie if that happens. I'm playing things very loose otherwise and I'm sure he's scolding himself for not planning ahead for a place they should meet up if when things get crazy again. He's not panicking you're panicking don't look at him But I figure eventually once it becomes clear everyone's being herded to the mines again he's going to be very anxious about that and will go back to the warehouse to make sure he has everything he might need. 8]

ALSO Cayde and Leo times y/n?

Churby's Quintet

[doubled_speed]

Mostly going to make separate comments for them as ideas occur. Some I have set ideas for, some I do not.

Gladiolus Amicita

[ziedrich_bearer]

Given Gladio lives in the towers and it's close to the mines entrance, Gladio's going to end up at the Mines rather quickly. You better believe he's going to be fortifying the position as soon as he can.

Once he figures out getting deep enough lets him get powers, he's going to summon out his weapons, and use that to do small strikes out into the world. So his stuff is going to be heavily focused on defense and safety. And mostly focused around the small area around the mines.

I do not intend for him to be bitten, but he can haul people out of trouble if they are on their way to the mines.

Tae Takemi

[butterfly_kiss]

Tae will be starting her zombie experience trying to lock herself down at the hospital. This will not last very well over time. Eventually moving on will be required.

But Tae isn't at all good with combat, so she's going to need an escort to get to a secure location. Perhaps the university at first, and ultimately to the mines.

In general she will be focusing on taking care of people and finding a cure once she realizes what's going on. Her method of healing is going to be through traditional application of medication, including antibiotics and anti-virals, until she figures out a better cure method.

Also, if you try and cut off your limbs she's going to be VERY UPSET.