COTERIE INTERACTIONS (IC) - CHAPTER I

[treasuremap]

COTERIE INTERACTIONS

NAVIGATION

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RULES/FAQ

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COTERIES

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LOCATIONS

The leader of each coterie, all colloquially known by the same name as their group—Jaguar, Eagle, Viper, and Salamander—will play a major role in the story, oftentimes appearing in events and even, during major plots, accompanying the player characters on their quests. While having constant access to them in threads would be difficult to keep track of and may lead to unfair advantages for some characters, and they will never directly comment to any network or log posts made in incensed or incenselogs, we do want to offer the opportunity for characters to interact with them. Therefore, with the exception of the aforementioned event posts where the NPCs might appear, all direct interactions with the coterie leaders can be done here. Simply comment below with the leader you'd like to interact with and whether it is in person or via medallion/journal in the subject line.

Note that it is fine to handwave minor interactions with the NPCs, such as in the case of exposition or receiving their quest orders, and you do not need to thread that out here nor ask permission from the mods. Relationships beyond passing familiarity as leader/subordinate cannot be handwaved however—in general, characters will not "build CR" with their leader to the degree they might with other characters in the game. They will still get to know them well over the course of the story, though.

Please also note that the NPCs are played by the mod team and are subject to the same tagging speed or question-answering expectations. We will respond as soon as we can!

Comments

[abyssions]

[Should he take that as a yes on the guessing? He's sort of taking that as a yes.]

Look, when I talked to Viper she didn't seem to have any idea what the hell was going on. You sealed them in the first place. Are you actually in the dark about these things?

[treasuremap]

I cannot answer for the others. I do not know their minds.

[ Said sternly, and in a way that almost makes it sound like isn't going to go on to say anything for himself, but after a pause, he continues. ]

What I did a century ago was a rash and unthought-out thing. To try and undo it the same way would only create more chaos. The only thing I am absolutely certain of is that I do not fear what the relic, or anything guarding it, might do to me. The curse will not be a problem. But the incense and any demons I will have to face—if Viper's experience is our baseline, then no. I am not prepared. And if I am not, then my people are not safe. So I must plan for anything and everything.

[abyssions]

Your people's safety should be the focus, for all of you. You said you can't speak for the others, but you presented yourselves as a unit after Viper's screw up. You asked for our help. Are you working together or not?

[treasuremap]

[ Shutting his eyes bracingly. ]

We do not agree with each other's methods, among other things. We have each made our terms clear and talks are still in progress. In the interim, we are in agreement that our people's safety takes priority, and that we will need a team-based strategy and consistent communication when the next relic is found.

[abyssions]

[Yuri's perfectly aware of how he can come off—disrespectful, demanding, insubordinate. He doesn't care when he offends people with those traits, but it does win points when a leader doesn't rankle at them. Jaguar's actually answering his questions, which is something.]

Well, we outsiders aren't sure how much of that "consistent communication" is going to include us.

[treasuremap]

[ And he isn't even the patient one! He's frowning even after he opens his eyes again, but that's just his face. Yuri could be a lot worse. ]

It will, when we need it to. As of now, we have few leads. You're needed more for what you can do for Kiichpan, Coba, and the rest until there is something to go on. Doubtful you want to hear the four of us squabbling as we did over broadcast.

[abyssions]

Yeah, I'll pass.

[Because yikes, get a room!!!]

Look, this need to know basis thing might work for the rest of your coterie. They know you. They know how you operate. We don't. You're giving us bits and pieces and then asking us to help you fix a situation you and the other three caused. Some kind of run down that doesn't involve getting distracted by the other coterie leaders would go a long way.

[treasuremap]

[ For a few seconds, Jaguar sits there silently. He doesn't make "thinking sounds" so it might not be totally obvious he's considering deeply other than a slightly furrowed brow, but eventually: ]

A council, perhaps...? Constant meetings with every member would be impossible. But those that want to be involved in planning and strategizing—this I could do.

[ Lifting his chin and looking up. Thoughts? ]

[abyssions]

[Well, hey. That's more than he was expecting, and the surprise is obvious on his face for a moment.]

Yeah, that could work.

[treasuremap]

[ Inclining his head in assent. And... maybe in the world's most distantly recognizable thing from dry humor at the look on Yuri's face, but yeah, also that. ]

Then let it be done. For now, Jaguars. At a later time, perhaps representatives of all of the coteries can meet this way. If not in person, then with the medallions.

[abyssions]

Better to start small so it doesn't get too messy. I'm in.

[treasuremap]

Good. Then I expect you will have gathered participants for this meeting when next I see you. I do not care what time this takes place, so long as I am not out on the field, fighting.

[abyssions]

What, I have to send out the invites?

[He sighs.]

Fine, I'll take care of it.

[treasuremap]

It was your idea.

[ Now he's definitely messing with him. Even if he looks as stone cold serious as ever. Humor and camaraderie isn't his strong suit, okay... ]

[abyssions]

Yeah, yeah.

[Yuri waves that away dismissively.]

You just want me herding the cats for you, and I can't even blame you.

[treasuremap]

Would they not trust your intentions more than mine?

[ Considering for a moment, he adds, mostly only for the purpose of demonstrating he has self-awareness after all (because it'd be stating the obvious otherwise): ]

I have made myself unpopular recently.

[abyssions]

Yeah, well, you had a hand in screwing this world up and then you dragged us into it without telling us what was going on. But this will be a good step.