treasuremap: (Default)
INCENSED MODS ([personal profile] treasuremap) wrote2021-09-17 12:45 pm

COTERIE INTERACTIONS (IC) - CHAPTER I


COTERIE INTERACTIONS



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 [community profile] incensed or [community profile] 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!

namestrees: (79)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-05-23 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[The presence hisses, and his own lips draw back, fangs flexing down as he flinched faintly at the heat and aggression-- though Lloyd doesn't hesitate as he responds in turn.]

If anyone's blind and helpless here, it's you! And if I'm clueless, it's because you won't tell me!

None of us asked to be here, but we are-- and it seems like this place is falling apart. If you and the other three are causing it, then we can work something out. If something else is causing it, than we can go after that. But you're right, I'm clueless, and that's why I'm here asking!!

[His fingertips are blistering, still pressed against the magic pane, voice slightly hoarse as he just continues yelling. Might be a good time to get ready with that water.]

If you wanna stay stuck in there with people like me running off clueless with your powers, then fine. But at least I'm here trying to talk to you! You're not even doing that!
namestrees: (hurr derp)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-08 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, so how do we stop it?! If Viper couldn't do it right, maybe I can-- but I gotta know what to do. where it came from, what you even are--

[this is easily one of the most frustrating conversations he's ever had-- and it's likely because they both have that fury and flames. Blinding them from actual communication, searing from the heat of it.]

I'd be sick of waiting, too. But sulking in a rock and calling names isn't really working, either. If there's something corrupting the Mana here, I'll find it. If doing the wrong thing with these relics is gonna make things worse, I wanna know that so I don't do it. And if you don't know, then someone else must

This isn't the first time I've met spirits who were betrayed by their pacts, okay?! It's not too late to turn things around.
namestrees: (77)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-14 12:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Bring them together, don't release them before. Similar to what Jaguar and Eagle seemed to think. Kraken and Lich? 'Her Majesty'? Names, though he's not sure what to. At least this is some progress, and some of that heat is ebbing away from his side, distracted as he is by trying to commit this information to memory. Not that he has any context for it.

Carefully, he responds.]


....A lot of the outsiders don't think that's a good idea. They don't trust the coterie leaders, and they think you're the source of the mist, since it's coming out from the relics. I'd need to convince them.

[Someone's rolling high on that wis check right now. Which isn't saying a lot.]

So how would all of you dispel it? Could we help? With your-- uh-- 'gift'?
namestrees: (sad derps)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-14 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Man, you're really not big on details, huh....

[Thanks, ragesnake lady. His nose wrinkles, but he nods. And resists the urge to hiss back at her, tempted though it is.]

Just one thing: what will you all being free and dispelling the mist do to the people who live here? I mean, taking care of the big monsters is no big deal, [He says despite having been on fire and burning off a ton of skin and likely nearly dying that one time-] but... we wanna make sure this is the best way to deal with it. For everyone. I don't want to just do what someone says and end up nearly destroying a world again.
goldenscarred: (pic#15599640)

[personal profile] goldenscarred 2022-06-14 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hunter, who's been still watching this conversation with two parts interest, one part deep concern, is now three-of-three parts deep concern as he mouths the words to Lloyd: "AGAIN?!"]
namestrees: (derpderp)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-14 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[HE JUST SHRUGS HELPLESSLY like ok that will take explaining but they can debrief after.]
Edited 2022-06-14 17:56 (UTC)
namestrees: (44)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-15 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[--Well we were getting somewher, but then you gotta go say something ignorant like that. And so, bluntly, he responds:]

No they weren't.

[like duh.] No one's born for anything. They just are. And if they want to worship you, then fine-- but expecting them to do it just because they're mortal and you're not is stupid.
namestrees: (95)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-16 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hmm. This might have e been a bad idea. But Lloyd has no fear or respect for supposed gods, so he just rolls his eyes.]

Yeah, and I'm sure all the other worlds where you don't exist and people still amount to something don't count, right? It sounds like you need us more than we want you.

[Lloyd please stop yelling at it, the two raging fireworks, soon to be three, will not improve this situation. He does finally have to back off from the magical plexiglass, the burns on his hands progressed enough to be a constant searing, stinging ache-- and boy that magical seal does seem to be weakening, yikes. Okay, okay, time to back off.]

But fine, whatever, we're going. I'll keep looking for clear answers someplace else.
goldenscarred: (pic#15707451)

[personal profile] goldenscarred 2022-06-16 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hunter, who has been watching this whole thing happen with increasing concern- and noting Lloyd's lack of concern- has been trying to stamp out fires as they crop up. But this is getting worse, and it's going to progress too far to handle himself.

Hunter reaches over, grabbing Lloyd by the arm.
]

We have to go.

[And he's already trying to drag Lloyd away, as the fires begin to worsen.]
namestrees: (43)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-16 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, okay--

[There's probably should have been more rules, other than 'no names' and 'no primises', but really, how should Hunter have expected that this idiot would be willing to get some multiple-degree burns just to call a relic spirit stupid and stand up for the free will of person-kind?

Should have had more of a meet and greet before the heist, obviously.

He does give one last sullen hiss at the burning pedestal and warping magical seal, fangs flickering down with it, before he's turning to leave with Hunter. Bye, bitch.]


That seal will keep the fire inside too, right?
goldenscarred: (pic#15696496)

[personal profile] goldenscarred 2022-06-16 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[He thought Lloyd would be able to act with a little more decorum but that's on him for having such high expectations. Hunter just gives Lloyd a wide eyed look and a shake of his head as he keeps pulling Lloyd to the door, not wanting to speak in front of the relic at all.]
namestrees: (26)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-16 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[-Oh. That was fast. They aren't even clear of the room when Viper arrives, sagging and clearly in pain-- which Lloyd kind of feels bad about, but also no one told you to seal it with your life, you dumb bitch, also you're immortal.

Still. Uh. Guess he's gonna try and explain.]


Trying to have a talk. [He gestures to the fire with a blistered and raw thumb.] She's a huge jerk, though. I thought after that whole blow-up you guys had, we'd be better off getting answers on our own.
goldenscarred: (pic#15599708)

[personal profile] goldenscarred 2022-06-16 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[If they managed to leave before she showed up, Hunter would have denied involvement in this entirely. But now they're caught, he's visibly seen, so instead he opts for his other method: pleading forgiveness. First he slaps his hand over Lloyd's mouth, and then takes on a more formal tone.]

We apologize. We made a foolish mistake. Please reestablish the barrier and have mercy on us.
Edited 2022-06-16 16:32 (UTC)
namestrees: (38)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-16 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sorry Hunter some of us are cursed snake children with rage issues and a strike reflex. It's whip-quick as he just instinctively bites, crunching down on Hunter's hand and staying latched there. Anyway, please continue, Viper.]
goldenscarred: (pic#15624412)

[personal profile] goldenscarred 2022-06-16 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hunter's hand is bitten and he cries out uncharacteristically, his hands particularly sensitive to pain even through the leather of his gloves. He's quick to pull back his hand from Lloyd's mouth and then brings it close to his chest to soothe it. Not even a second after that, Viper's shouting, and he flinches, easily shoved out of the way by Viper as she makes her way down the hall to stop the fire and fix the barrier.

Does he stay and accept punishment? Does he run? She- technically- is the authority around here. But she's furious, and he doesn't know what kind of punishment she'd order. Lloyd seemed convinced it wouldn't be too bad, but he's beginning to doubt that, now. Running seems easier. Would make him a fugitive, though...
]
namestrees: (76)

[personal profile] namestrees 2022-06-16 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's shoved, and Hunter rips his hand back, and that's kind of the call to reality he needs, helping unblind him from, you know-- what's actually going on, as opposed to his simmering fury at dealing with that relic spirit. He does look to Hunter, first, wide-eyed for a moment as he mouths a quick 'sorry'-- but Viper is slumping forward, and everything is on fire so the real apologies will have to wait.]

No, of course not! She just started trying to bust herself out at us. [mostly because Lloyd pissed her off. But unlike Hunter, he doesn't slink back, instead following her to try and help... uh. Do whatever they've got to do to get this fire situation under control.]

I wanted to hear the other side of all this. Especially if people are thinking collecting them is bad news. GG's here because I needed him to get here fast enough.

[It's cool, bro, he's got your back.]