Places for the finale

[awitchdidit]

Alright, everyone. Something I've noticed a lack of in the archives of this network is Investigator organization when the Jaunt reaches a climax. I'll admit I'm not a team player by nature, but in the interest of this not turning into an utter clusterfuck, I thought we could try actually planning some things. We've got a good amount of data on what the Solomon Ring does, what Manticore is up to, and as far as I'm aware a general consensus that we don't want the latter controlling the former with an iron paw. Not to mention, we have two Trumps sitting in playing the roles of King Hound-of-the-Baskervilles-was-garbage and Queen How-is-The-Redheaded-League-even-a-mystery.

Now, here's my thought - we can either break the Solomon Ring, attempt to seal it, or attempt to wedge it open, all of which can be done through alteration to its physical makeup in very specific ways. It is a magic circle, related to those found in the Ars Goetia, and therefore relies on precise usage of materials and geometry to function as intended.

Ideally, we do this stealthily, very shortly before it is publicly opened, so that Manticore has no time to react or stop us. However, consider the floor open to alternate strategies or even objectives. I consider myself a technical consultant on this, at best.

Comments

[thornsofmalkav]

Wow, Bea, the Agatha Christie fangirl salt is strong with you.

Anyway, as far as I know, my old boss, Dr. L, is still planning to break slash wedge open the ring and Hajime didn't manage to get himself fired, so we could see if, like, Hajime's willing to vouch for is, if we could work with L for as long as it takes to do that shit.

Basically, I'm cool with this shit if everyone else is.

[awitchdidit]

We're just lucky that angel hasn't shown up or she'd probably try to exterminate the royal lineage out of guilt by association.

Dr. L (that's Mr. Lyall, right?) is certainly a good option. He's had a sabotage operation planned for quite some time, hasn't he?

[claudiometer]

Like I told Helena, my best guess on what we're here for is to get the Ring open, but out of the Manticore's control before it opens.

Given who's sponsoring this thing, stability and abundance are probably the order of the day. If the Ring gets opened, there's plenty of new opportunities for the area, if not this entire variation on the theme of Earth, and there's no need for it to be dependent on the Manticore, from what I found about the plans for it.

Whether the Manticore ends up dead or not, I personally don't give a crap and won't stop anyone who wants to try. But as far as the Ring goes, my vote's for wedging it open.

[awitchdidit]

Killing the Manticore is also an option, and I've already committed one political assassination on this journey of ours, but it's quite possibly more trouble than it's worth if we can take away his expensive toy. Especially since we've got one Trump unaccounted for in this circus...

[forcechanic]

Wreckingball is important but I'm still trying to figure out how exactly.

[awitchdidit]

Wreckingball? Can't say I've met them. What is it that they do that makes them stand out?

[protect_and_serve]

I don't know enough of magic to advise on technique. But I've seen enough here to know that doing this will be a declaration of war. If we go forward with it, any Traveler who does not want to fight on a front line should retreat into Liminal Space.

Often, this sort of conclusion may end a Jaunt. But not always. We cannot rely on that.

I will stand ready to open portals for any who wish to wait out the Jaunt in safety.

[awitchdidit]

Manticore's organization has long since declared war on us. This is just moving from spy games to open battle.

You are, however, correct. Anyone who can't fight or sneak should probably stay well away.

[summerorange]

We'll have to be ready to evacuate any civilians in the area, should a fight break out. If anyone can help do that, especially if they don't want to fight themselves, it might be best.

...to be honest, though, if we are going to fight against Manticore, we may need some help from the local heroes. This is as much their story, so to speak, as it is ours.

[awitchdidit]

Well, I'm definitely thinking connecting with locals is a good idea...although I'm fairly sure Dr. L is more on the superv...er, misunderstood scientist side of things.

[highsteaks]

Uh. Hey. So, uh, you know how I joined the White Company so we'd have somebody with them in case stuff with them happened?

They know the king and queen aren't the real king and queen. It turns out that Bronze Blade can detect spirits somehow and Captain Blackhawk's met them before for award ceremonies and stuff and he can confirm that they seem really off since he last saw them.

And they're getting a bunch of us together and we're gonna do a citizen's arrest of the king and queen. And I asked if I could see if I could get any friends to help out and they said it was fine.

So does anybody want to come with us to help?

[summerorange]

A citizen's arrest? Why them? I mean, understand people being surprised that they're not human, but I was under the impression that the Manticore, not the royal family, is the one causing all this trouble.

Is it that serious, though?

[awitchdidit]

...the White Company has some guts. Somehow I think this is going to end in a large-scale fight, and probably not well for the people who aren't Trumps. Still, it's excellent cover...

[leftbehindagain]

...Arresting Trumps is the kind of thing that could easily end in marks for anyone who doesn't have one yet. Assuming they haven't filled their rosters already.

[shiroganeheir]

To be honest, Senpai, that sounds like a terrible idea. Flat-out interfering with Trumps has never ended well for anyone in the past.

I would advise against it, however, if you are determined to do so, I can do nothing to stop you.

[truerevelation]

...Chie...

Dammit, be careful, okay? ... What sort of plan do they have? D'you know?

[dreamingking]

I am planning on approaching the Manticore directly. I expect it will go very violently, as we are both (quite marginally in his case) cats and Kings, so if anyone wishes to volunteer as backup, I would certainly appreciate it. The Manticore is a poor King and does not deserve the position.

Of course, I have yet to find another cat spirit to take his place once I've gone, but there's little I can do about that at this point.

On the other hand, there's the very real chance that I'll fail to accomplish with skill, what brute strength would usually do, but I fear my fiance's habit of king-breaking has thoroughly rubbed off on me.

[lunchleader]

Wait, hold on a sec. You're a cat spirit...and you wanna go after the Big Bad Guy?

...can I come with you? I'm really good at beating up bad guys, being a hero and all.

[awitchdidit]

Hm...I am a Territory Lord, and we're all cats here in a way...

Fighting Manticore directly might not work out, but it will probably be a necessary distraction even outside of feline politics. Take backup.

[brokers]

Do you intend to seek an audience with the Manticore, or confront him in the open? Either way, I'll aid you if it comes to open combat, but it does alter the logistics somewhat.

[shiroganeheir]

I should have more information soon, once I relieve my former overlay of his laptop, but from what I remember, he didn't really care too much about the Ring itself, so it might not be that interesting of information.

I could also launch into a discussion of your metaphors, however this is certainly not the time to do so.

[awitchdidit]

We will have ample time for tea and literary discussion at the end of the game, I'm sure. I keep forgetting time doesn't stop in the Jaunt while I'm in Liminal Space and I don't have time for these digressions here.

[brokers]

How much damage would tampering with the Solomon Ring cause to the surrounding area?

And would it be possible to invert it? Use it as a trap to banish or contain the Manticore, rather than opening passage between worlds?

[awitchdidit]

The former varies wildly on what, exactly, we do to it. With care, it could be altered without any collateral damage at all. Without care, well, I'd need a 600 pound Twinkie to convey an accurate analogy of the spiritual energy involved.

Using it as a trap...well, it certainly wouldn't be impossible, though I'm fairly positive the Manticore would need to physically cross into the circle for it to work.

[truerevelation]

I dunno what the best thing to do with the Ring is. All I know is that I don't trust the Manticore with crap any more than anyone... alright.

Been hearin' bits of the security arrangements on official channels. Anyone who thinks they need 'em, lemme know, okay? I'll see if I can get a better picture...

[awitchdidit]

I'm glad we're at least agreed on what shouldn't happen.

As many details as you can get about numbers and positions will be helpful. Fighting our way to the Ring itself isn't out of the question, but it's probably counterproductive, so that leaves sneaking and Teleportation, and they likely have countermeasures for the latter, considering.