SOTG DECEMBER 2023

[expiationmods]

AC RESULTS


Happy December, everyone! First we start with AC results:

DROPS: fatalism motifs hemovore individualized scythedance nobetawedielike xxfeathersxx

WHAT'S NEW?

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WE HAVE UPDATED THE CALENDAR / APP CYCLE SCHEDULING. This is a test run for an app cycle that might be more feasible, especially in December. With this current plan, we have 18 days between when the TDM goes up and the time that apps close. We as a modteam wanted to experiment with this, because we felt like the current TDM > apps closing pipeline was a little too smushed and rushed together.

That being said, we will not have separate posts for mingles on app months anymore. Instead, we're going to keep some of the spirit of them into the TDMs themselves, and open the posts to the whole game instead of just newbies. Again, the modteam is trialing this as a way to consolidate and streamline our cycles and encourage the use of player plots in game. We have a lot of plotty players, and TDM months in-game would be great times for you guys to do things without feeling like you're stepping on our toes.

AC THIS MONTH WILL BE CHECK-IN. Those of you who make AC will get a small physical reward of your choice, however. At this time, we're not going to be doing lore drops as a reward.

SENTENCING

Sentencing will happen this month! We have Quentin (vandalism) and Silco (bribery of a public official) as automatic pools. We will be opening up five slots this month for random characters to be rnged in. If you were part of the Sentencing for the last round, if you sign up again, you will not be picked unless there aren't enough signups. We'd like as many people as possible to experience the mechanic if they so desire.

THIS MONTH IN ALDRIP

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EVENT AFTERMATH

After the 4th and the battle with the monsters and its babies, it'll fall back into the ocean. Any further investigation will conclude that there's no sign of it returning... almost as if it's disappeared into thin air.

For now.

The question that remains now is: what do the Chosen want to do about the Rumpiturians who perpetuated the kidnappings? We have a comment HERE for any characters or players who would like to put forth a suggestion.

After the Rumpiturians are dealt with, or even before, the Chosen are encouraged to go back to Aldrip. The wagons gifted by Rumpitur are theirs to keep and use as they will.

ALDRIP LOCALS

On finding out what really happened to their brethren, the Aldrip locals will be sobered and grieving for the people who would've died a pointless death. At least for now, they'll be also more compassionate to the Chosen, when they learn that there were losses and injuries on their side as well. There may be a couple here or there that might be a little suspicious still, but they're in the vast minority for this month.

RUMPITUR LOCALS

After the ordeal on the island and the subsequent disappearance of the monster, the people in Rumpitur seem scared. They're scared of the Chosen almost as much as they were of the monster, and they may even seem apologetic in an effort to placate them. After all, some of them may have gotten injured or once when several of the Chosen got angry...

But! Due to Silco's aid with medical supplies and Ethlyn attempting to help wounded, as well as others among the Chosen who showed charity and goodwill to the locals, some of them are cautiously hopeful with the Chosen around and the monster gone.

WEATHER

The weather this month is going to get colder still, and it'll even start to snow! It almost seems peaceful, especially after everything that happened.

MONSTERS

There's a con for every good thing though, as the monsters that are typically hanging around Aldrip are moving in closer to the city. Those that aren't as prone to attacking the Chosen may find themselves in the houses or in the inn, and it's up to the Chosen on what they'd want to do with the more innocent monsters.

SECRET SANTA

Lycoris, the player of Mitama will be hosting an IC Secret Santa this month for the people of Aldrip! Keep your eyes peeled soon for more details on it!

LOOKING AHEAD

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With December and 2023 ending, this ends the first year of our little game. January will be a year since Expiation has opened! And we really, really would like your opinions on what you liked and didn't like about this year. We've incorporated a few new mechanics -- group rngs, random rngs, pt.2 events, etc, that we wanna know if our playerbase likes it or not!

With January coming up, we're hoping to focus more on the overarching story of Expiation and figuring out how characters and players can help us shape where the game goes in the future. What we want to hear from you guys is what you'd like to see more of: events, plots, the types of hints and lore drops that work for you, the mechanics, NPCs, and plot twists you've loved. You can even take stabs at figuring out what's going on behind the scenes before we get there! We love seeing everyone's theories. We're still getting to our first major plot points, so even in spite of October and November totally clotheslining the entire mod team, we're still going strong and really excited to start dropping new plot hints all over the place. Here's looking forward to 2024 and beyond!

SO MUCH LOVE,

We really would like to hear from you about how this event went this month! Did you all like the two part-er to the events? Did you like the signup rng with not knowing what you're signing your character up for? Did you like the investigation and pacing with that? It might've been a little stilted because we started the month behind, but if it's something that's liked, we can smooth it out for a better event next time!

I can't believe it's December lmao, but here we are kids. This mod team couldn't ask for a better playerbase, with how creative and patient and ready to go you guys are. This game wouldn't be nearly the game it is without you! As we close this month and year out, we're going to keep beating all y'all with love and support with everything rp and irl-wise. We love you guys!!

Comments

EVENT AFTERMATH TAKES

[expiationmods]

What does your character think about the event aftermath? How should The Chosen deal with Rumpiturians? Should they hear them out? Let them be? Confiscate their boats and other tools they might've used for kidnapping? Murder them? Or maybe something else?!

Re: EVENT AFTERMATH TAKES

[opheliac]

What does your character think about the event aftermath? — she is jealous that she didn't get to go kill the monster. It wasn't fair and it's all Ketsora citizens' fault. They should be punished and murdered.

How should The Chosen deal with Rumpiturians? — Jinx believes the Chosen should leave them alone. Mainly because Rumpitur is the "kingdom" that Jinx wants to be in charge of (Silco can have stinky aldrip). "Her people" just did what they thought was best because they didn't had a leader to guide them. Plus, they attempted to kidnap Caitlyn in which she gives them mad respect for (she still prefers to do it herself but eh, complications). When she becomes their ruler, they will behave more properly or shall we say, more choatic accordingly. So DONT TOUCH THE SNAKE PEOPLE, ALRIGHT?! THEY DID NOTHING WRONG!!!!! 🤪😈🙊

[conflictresolution]

What does your character think about the event aftermath?
Silco is curious of the creature and its little tentacle babies, and he thinks that it requires further investigation to determine the future threat level. He puts up a front of being sympathetic to the Rumpiturians, and he will continue to offer them aid and express interest in increasing trade.

How should the Chosen deal with the Rumpiturians?
Silco will argue strongly that the Rumpiturians are as much victims as the rest of them, and while their actions and lack of honesty about their situation doesn't mitigate the crimes they committed in kidnapping, he also feels like they have been punished enough by losing so many of their own.

While he personally doesn't care if they are punished in some way, he also will outwardly argue to a financial compensation rather than physical altercations with them. He will also encourage the Rumpiturians to build defenses and increase trade to build better relationships to 'make up' for their actions. He'll be there to help where he can to foster such relationships. After all, he now owns 3 businesses in Aldrip so he can promote trade from within and without

Re: EVENT AFTERMATH TAKES

[baldrshand]

What Ethlyn thinks of the aftermath: She will wonder if this is what it was like in her homeland when the Evil Dragon God was in charge, and if if this is the kind of thing that's in store for her children now that Evil Dragon God is back in charge. Also w/r/t to the forest colossus having an ocean cousin: Michael Scott says it better than she can.

How the Chosen should deal with the Rumpiturians?
She... doesn't have all that much compassion for them, sadly. Ethlyn would like to punish the people who specifically did the kidnappings and she would personally rather leave them to their fate--the only thing that gives her pause is the thought of the sea monster turning its sights on Aldrip once it's gobbled up all of Rumpitur. But while she would like to solve that problem, she's not willing to work with (or even speak, probably) to the Rumpiturans.

[feintofhart]

Event Aftermath: Claude is dissatisfied with the disappearance of the monster, and believes that it is lying in wait and will come back to bite them - and everyone else - in the ass. He believes that this needs to be further studied, and that they should be coming up with some sort of contingency plan involving a naval force.

The Rumpiturians: Claude staunchly believes that they should not be let off scot free. He believes that the leaders of Rumpitur - or whoever was in charge of this plan - should be dealt with accordingly, losing their leadership and having to pay reparations to the families of those that were lost. He's not opposed to their execution, but will not personally advocate for it. His concern is that he believes in a world where people of all races can work together, and this has put an even bigger divide between all of the villages. He also believes that their boats should be confiscated, and if they catch wind of the monster's return, they can inform the Chosen and Aldrip to decide what to be done with that. He will strongly advocate to remaining innocent Rumpiturians that rather than sacrifice more people, they should have an evacuation plan at hand in which everyone can work in tandem to take down this threat, and any others that encroach upon these lands.

[cursegod]

Aftermath and Rumps fate
Dara could care less about whatever is decided for them, but she will want to hound any & all leaders or important Rumps about the history of the octopus monster as well as investigate any records. She's super frustrated that the thing disappeared into thin air.
Also will Jan ever come home?

IT'S FREE REAL ESTATE
Don't think I've forgotten!! Dara will be a house flipper & rule the real estate market as a hobby...jk...BUT WHAT IF...
What kind of houses could she get her hands on?

[coordinatroll]

What does your character think about the event aftermath?
While you couldn't tell just by looking at her, Mitama is both saddened and frustrated by the event, and most of all, by her own helplessness and inability to contribute more to the fight. She might hold a grudge towards the Rumpiturians, which, ironically, is a sign that she is siding with the Chosen, but she'll ignore it for now and focus on pretending Everything Is Fine. Also, she does keep in mind that the monster hasn't been defeated, so she will begin gathering and storing whatever supplies she can in her shop just in case.

How should The Chosen deal with Rumpiturians?
Despite her personal feelings on their actions, Mitama will choose to remain neutral and abstain from voting either way. you're not fooling anyone, girl

[beshackled]

What he thinks about the situation/aftermath:
Erichthonios will be... upset, to put it mildly. The first and foremost thing that will come out of his mouth will be thus -- "Why didn't you come to us for help!?". He is appalled at the loss of life, the resorting to human sacrifices, a cycle he truly believes would have only resulted in a more powerful, still-hungry entity over time. The sacrifices were nothing more than pushing the problem a little further into the future-- an even bigger problem for their children to deal with once the sacrifices ran out.

Growing up amongst researchers, he naturally wants to find out everything about the monster that wanted him as a sacrifice, and everything even remotely connected to it or possibly connected to it. That includes the creature that wrecked the forest before his arrival, and the civilization that existed on the island the sacrifices were brought to.

How the Chosen should deal with the Rumpiturians:
Erichthonios is no judge. It is not his place in this society or his own. He is mad about this, and feels that they should atone for it somehow... and that they should return the bodies of those they kidnapped to their homes if possible, and share what they know about the creature and its pack so that they can work towards finding a more permanent solution to their predicament.

But he isn't going to be out for their blood.

And he's going to keep feeding them. Especially the kids.

[entreats]

Ange is very annoyed with the Rumpiturians in the aftermath of the event. She views their actions as yet another sign that everything in this world is working against the Chosen as a whole, though she would have found their actions apprehensible even if they hadn't bothered to take Chosen as sacrifices on top of it all.

She won't advocate for killing them all or something like that, but she won't stop anyone from suggestions of petty revenge. She feels like setting all their boats on fire or something equally important to them on fire would be a good idea, like a weakened 'eye for an eye' kind of mentality.

[strength_of_will]

William is adamantly against blaming the Rumpitur locals for their part in trying to offer the Chosen as sacrifices. Who could blame someone for acting out of desperation and fear? He has seen it often enough with bandits in his own world.

He proposes trying to slay the creature terrorising them. Remove the source of fear and the people can live out normal lives.

EDIT: I should add that he would very likely try to stand against anyone who supports outright murdering the ones responsible, IF the people of Rumpitur seem genuinely regretful about what they did. (From what I remember, none of them seemed particularly gleeful about sacrificing the Chosen?)