OOC Plotting: LET'S ALL GO TO THE BAAAARRENS~

[periphrasing]

(OK no, not really all of us will go I just wanted to make a 'let's all go to the lobby' reference). 

So there was some discussion first on the game Discord and also on my own Plurk about some of the carnies putting together a plan to get a small group out of the city and into the wilds to do some sleuthing. Since I do not have literally the entire player base of LC added to my Plurk, and also both Plurk and Discord are kind of terrible for archiving this sort of thing, this is an OOC plotting post to help organize things in a more accessible space. 

SO.

On day 83, some posters went up notifying the public of three missing animals. After a bit of investigation, word was spread around via San's mailing list that the missing animals are actually likely part of a group of rebels who are unhappy with the way that Eden is being run.

Naturally this piques everyone's interest, but Peridot starts getting this idea that maybe someone should go and look into these rebels. And by 'someone', she means herself, because obviously she's a rough and tough CRYSTAL GEM and rebels are now Her People so obviously she's the best choice to go. Of course, she's not the only one interested in going, so once word starts to trickle through the grapevine this is going to become a sort of covert group effort to get a few people out there in the safest, least-likely-to-draw-attention way that they can manage. 

The IC Passing of Information/What we've established so far.

• When she first gets this idea, Peridot seeks out Lambert, Steven, Amethyst, Lapis and Childermass to tell them her thoughts directly. Her plan is that she wants to pick a night where she can sneak off somewhere unseen and use her transformation spell to turn into a bat, and fly out of the city... HOPEFULLY undetected, but even if she's seen by someone, she's hoping she can sneak in later and resume her cover as Salathi the raccoon. Yeah, she knows the Ringmaster is already out in the barrens and up to something, but she thinks that everyone undercover back in the city is in sore need of some information from some locals who don't completely buy into the setup here.
• In response to this, Lambert opts against going on such a mission himself, but says he'll see if there's any way he can help from back in the city. He also suggests Syrlya as a companion since he has significant stealth capabilities and good diplomatic skills. Also, he's a bird right now, so he can easily fly with her.
• Lambert also suggests the possibility of sending TWO groups out, albeit small ones.
• Childermass thinks it's an idiotic idea to charge out there right this second without being prepared, or without knowing if the effects of the barrens will cause anyone who goes out there to go completely crazy. Peridot concedes, but is also fairly confident that going feral is really only a risk for animals who received their sapience from Lilith and therefore the carnies SHOULD, theoretically, be fine. This is a chance to test that theory anyway.
• Steven wants to assist from a distance in some way via dream hopping and astral projection.

At this stage, we need to investigate more before any characters actually take this significant risk. To that end, I've gone ahead and put up a parent comment over here for anyone who wants to contribute. If you're going to investigate something related to this endeavor, if you could post it under here for the sake of organizing info more easily, that would be great! 

For my OWN sanity and for the ease of tagging, I want to try to keep Peridot's group on the smaller side. IC logic wise, she really wants to keep this thing as covert as possible, and if too many newcomers are suddenly absent from the city it is going to look HELLA fishy. Right now it seems like the people who are going to be accompanying her will be limited to Syrlya, Lapis, Zangetsu, and ppppossibly Jasper. We're still working out the details on that one.

HOWEVER, as stated above, there is the possibility of sending two groups out, so if you've got an idea for how to work that and you really want your character to go, this is the place to discuss!

This info can all feasibly get around via the mailing list or through any of the characters mentioned above if you would like to get involved in this.

Comments

[moonfang]

SOUNDS SWEET TO ME. If the barrens do end up being mostly safe and not sapience-sucking, Zangetsu will be there. He doesn't want to piss off dad childermass

[anti_nonsense]

Rita will be using her patented Rita Bead technology to help move detailed information discreetly between participants in this plan. (In the event that there's overlap with Sans' disappearance, she'll make the rounds herself.)

She can't stealth, so if there's only a small group going, she'll stay back. Maybe she and some others can work on some kind of collaborative art while strategically positioned in a place with a good view, so they can see if the away group attracts any pursuers, or if someone comes running back for help / to report something.

[whattaprick]

How about colored glass lanterns/reflective mirrors for people going into the barrens to take along?

They could arrange to send out signals for people in the city to keep an eye out for — simple color-based stuff maybe, or just general YO WE ALIVE stuff.

[periphrasing]

I am very pro this idea if Rita can set something like that up!

[anti_nonsense]

Rita can definitely make something like that!

Maybe she can give them some compact signal mirrors, and they can have a system like, two flashes between pauses = "we're fine", three flashes = "we're in trouble"?

[bananaspeedrider]

Yugo is 100% down for investigating in the Barrens since the truth of who the missing animals are will make him think the local "police" seems fishy to him... no pun intended.

Due to the "Rita Bead" system- Sans, Rita, and those in Engineering will know about his plan to build a motorcycle (and as listed in the info page, Sans has some doubts about this course of action.)

And despite all... logistical concerns about trying to make this stealthy motorcycle, Yugo will also have the argument that while certain people seem to want to fly off at the earliest convenience, taking the time to build the "Stealth-Cycle" will be time spent laying low.

So far it's been OOCly agreed that Yusei will be assisting Yugo with his plan.

[osteothropy]

Sans is/was mostly concerned that trying to build a motorcycle will make really obvious use of Eden's supplies, and therefor will be easily identifiable. If anyone sees it in action, they'll know who built it.

[periphrasing]

Sorry Yugo, Peridot thinks this is an incredibly stupid idea and she will very directly and bluntly tell him as much if he insists upon it. Building a motorcycle takes time. It'll be pretty obvious to all the other honorables what they are building since the materials are all drawn from a public supply. Motorcycles also leave REALLY OBVIOUS tracks.

THIS IS NOT A SENSIBLE COURSE OF ACTION, YUGO.

[betheman]

Gongenzaka has a plan to try and reach out to those in the Barrens via magic- specifically the same magic he has previously used to contact Creation.

He intends to do this from Eden itself however, and while given the go-ahead by Sans, needs to have someone keeping an eye on him.

So far this might be Syrlya- but if Syrlya is otherwise occupied, he'll need a backup option.

Current OOC plan is that he will be waiting until later in day 85 to do this- one part because he would prefer to let whispers over those who fussed over posters to fade (because, well, he was one of them,)...and another part because after Sans briefly vanishes he'll be too spooked to put it off.

THAT SAID. Timing and even location are flexible, if the right people ICly give Gon certain suggestions on this. The important bit is just trying to communicate.

ETA notably, during Day 85, Gongenzaka and Yuuya will pass certain info from this thread regarding the Furies and cyclical nature of events to whoever they can. It likely went into a Rita Bead, but as this is ICly after the interruption to the delivery run, the message might not necessarily get to everyone.

(Also we're both on mobile and can't properly edit the mail spreadsheet ah)

[sunflowerfields]

Neither Hinawa or Alphys is leaving Eden, so one of them could hang around and keep an eye on Gon!

[betheman]

If either of those two can be available evening 84, then I'm fine with either of them playing distraction team-

(Timing was moved a day back from what was originally intended since Syrlya has to be part of the team physically leaving for the Barrens on Day 85) hold that thought I was made aware of something that makes more sense,,

[chronosynthesis]

As mentioned Syr will be on task for going into the Barrens--his invisibility can cover other people, so as long as the group stays no more than five he can try that they'll be under stealth for getting in and out of Eden far enough from the border to not be noticably leaving or returning.

He'll also recommend maybe doing a shorter scouting trip, to maybe get an idea how far the rebels reside in the Barrens and how long they might have to actually be gone. Also, get people to act as alibi.

[scientificist]

Herbert's contribution to Barrens Investigation is finding the four members of med team who have the more subtle medicine of secret magic powers (Ginko, Lauren, Scout, and Steven) and tell them to be prepared for people to potentially come back from the Barrens injured. Avoiding raising suspicion by requiring the Healer's Temple seems like the best move.

[whattaprick]

As stated above, Lambert will be sitting out of this mission — he’s not been the most low key of the new arrivals, so any effort to help with it is likely going to hinder rather than help. Syr was his personal recommendation, on account of his familiarity with his stealth abilities and if the Nightrider himself can’t go his second in command is just as good.

His main form of assistance will be spending the time leading up to the actual leaving for the Barrens keeping an eye on the security patrols to watch for a likely opening. He’ll ask anyone in Militia to do the same.

He’s also open to ideas for creating distraction to give people a better opportunity to sneak out. A guerrilla art performance collaboration, maybe?

[periphrasing]

Peridot will request that he please not do anything too insane that will be likely to get him arrested, OK. No turning into a dragon and fighting Sans this time B(

[sunflowerfields]

I'm so down for guerrilla art. COLLAB BRO??

[stompadour]

Jasper insists on coming out of indignation that when she told Peridot what Rizo had told her about the rebels Peridot already knew.

[scientificist]

get rekt jasper

[periphrasing]

God, FINE, YOU CAN COME JASPER JEEEZ.

Peridot agrees after grouchily insisting that this can only happen as long as Jasper doesn't act like a complete clod the entire way there. She does not exactly clarify, what she considers "acting like a clod" to mean.

[worldlyafflictions]

It's looking like for now there's only going to be the one group so I'm just noting here that I'd like Shima to be aware this is going down, if it's okay to say he's been checking in with Childermass for info since he's phobic about bugs and wouldn't ask to be looped in on the delivery route directly while Sans is a beetle.

Also he can offer to magically dye people for disguise purposes if anyone requires that.

[periphrasing]

OK literally if he could dye her bat form like a dark grey/black so she doesn't stick out like a sore thumb in the night sky that would actually be hilarious and excellent. Please camouflage her.

And yeah that's absolutely OK! Keeping Shima in the loop is something she's very pro doing, since he's been useful in the past.

[worldlyafflictions]

He can definitely do camouflage! Or like color one animal to look like another kind of animal, lol. (Might need picture references for that though).

[periphrasing]

Actually disguising her so she looks more like an actual bat (cover up her gem, paint her all black/brown etc) would be exceedingly helpful, if they want to meet up before the group is supposed to leave!

Might be unnecessary but BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY I GUESS

[worldlyafflictions]

Since it's like magically changing the color of a material to dye it, she might need to hit him up again once they're back to change the color back, but it takes like a second and probably also doesn't effect her raccoon form unless it's like... somehow her raccoon body and bat body share... fur?

[periphrasing]

I DON'T THINK... they would, so she's probably fine. Unless it'd carry over to whenever she becomes a bat next?

[worldlyafflictions]

LOL uuhhh.. do injuries linger between transformations in her bat form, cuz then maybe yyes? But the dye thing is just his temporary power for Eden anyway so like whatever would be more fun/less hassle since it's just cosmetic for the sake of cr junk.

[periphrasing]

dkfsmlk they don't but, yeah that sounds good to me. We can play it by ear.