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Apocalypse How Mods ([personal profile] apocalypsehowmods) wrote in [community profile] apocalypsehowcomm2023-08-01 07:12 am

NPC Interactions - August 2023


NPC Interactions - August 2023 Player characters aren't the only ones trying to eke out a living and dodge the apocalypse in Gloucester. Beginning in July 2023, Apocalypse How will feature a monthly NPC Interaction post, where we will post any updates about what key NPCs are up to in the background, as well as provide a place for players to tag in and interact with those NPCs.

Please note the following:
  • To interact, simply place the name of NPC you wish to thread with in the subject line and provide a starter. These do not need to be complex in their set-up and NPCs can be found anywhere one might reasonably find them. In the office or around Gloucester.
  • Each player will be limited to one NPC thread on this post per month. This is to keep things manageable for the mods and to encourage players to share whatever their characters might learn in these interactions with the broader group.
  • These NPC threads can be used for AC, but if players are using them exclusively to meet AC requirements across multiple months, the mods reserve the right to request additional non-NPC proofs.
  • Interaction with NPCs is not required to participate in the plot of the game. This is simply an additional, optional venue for engagement.

Nia Lehrer (she/her)

The Warden (i.e., head) of the Apocalypse Disruption Initiative/Apex Detectives, Inc., and a very busy woman. She is short, serious, and direct, but can turn on the charm when she needs to. She is the public face of the business and directs strategy for the organization. She is also an avatar of the Hunt… or working her way there from an alignment. Her status as an avatar came as a surprise, but she has decided to at least partially embrace it, the better to fight the monsters. Nia has indicated she intends to find a way to get Player Characters home or stop them arriving in her universe and then find a way to stop herself from becoming one of the monsters ADI is sworn to fight. She places the mission and practicality first and has been shown to have the ability to smell Entity affiliation on others, as well as know strategically useful information. Nia is most likely to be found at ADI Headquarters.

This month, she seems to be following up on a potential Situation with the government that a conversation with one of the non-native members of ADI raised. Early in the month, she will be away on a trip in Washington. She will be available via email and phone text only. In the latter part of the month, her agitation and paranoia from the previous month is in full gear, as that sense of someone following her grows.

Reyes Amador (they/them)

Formerly Nia's assistant, currently working in PR for ADI. They have a close, personal connection with Bonnie. When they're not at ADI Headquarters, they might be found out on the town with Bonnie or dropping in to visit her at the Flophouse. They are average height, polite, and eminently calm. They also seem to have a knack for reading other people.

This month, they are absent for increasingly long stretches of times in Dogtown. They return from these excursions bearing more and more injuries. Word on the street is that they're heavily invested in investigating Dogtown. And it seems to be getting more perilous. They are still engaged with their duties, of course. The work to cover up Wolf Trap is ongoing, even now, with so many people who were affected by it.

Pam Ruan (she/her)

HR for New Arrivals at ADI. She is a motherly, older woman who is typically patient, but also has a passive-aggressive snap to her if someone tests that to the breaking point. She is responsible for acclimating new arrivals and for those with a keen eye, she always carries a pistol in a shoulder holster, hidden beneath her cardigans. Due to an event incident, Pam is missing her left hand; she simply covers the stump with a pinned cardigan sleeve when wearing long sleeves or a pretty, fluffy cuff when wearing short sleeves. She's most often found at ADI Headquarters.

This month, she has been worrying after the visibly non-human members of ADI, in particular. She's been wanting to check in on them, make certain they're doing all right. When she hears about the black vans (and sees them) patrolling Gloucester, she'll encourage people to stay in their homes or ADI HQ and offer to run errands outside for them with an increasingly paranoid and desperate energy.

Bonnie Gale (she/her)

Proprietor of the Flophouse. Bonnie is a tall, red-headed woman from another world, one of the first to find herself dragged into this new reality more than a year ago. She's a Bohemian sort with a lot of manic energy. She also places much greater emphasis on retaining one's humanity over being strictly human. Bonnie has a close, personal relationship with Reyes Amador, and will keep the people in the flophouse apprised of anything important ADI is doing so that they can help, if they wish to do so. She's most often found at the Flophouse or out on the town with Reyes.

This month she has been more absent than usual at the Flophouse. When asking other, non-ADI residents about her, the story seems to be that she's been going on long walks, often with Reyes. Maybe rekindling their romance? Hard to say. But Bonnie is around sometimes, trying to get her Etsy Sticker Shop off the ground. It's... still going poorly. Some of it might be her lackluster design skills.

The Visionary (he/she/they)

A young person living in the flophouse as Bonnie's roommate. They are a native to this reality and read a cursed book called The Long Road Ahead around the same time that Bonnie arrived. They now feed on cherished memories to give horrific visions of a potential future to those who wish to avail themselves of the exchange. They are rail thin, sickly, and always keep a blindfold over their eyes. They can sometimes be found in the common area in the flophouse with a white walking cane to guide them. (This NPC provides an IC conduit for OOC 'canon updates.')

This month, as is usual for her, the Visionary is holed up in their room and reluctant to take visitors... though, with Bonnie gone more often, they seem to be coming out a little more in search of things from the kitchen. And maybe even the tiniest bit of company.

Cole Guttuso (he/him)

A young man living in one of the flophouse's unused rooms. He is native to this reality and was originally part of a Desolation-based circus called the Fenix Down Extravaganza. He was called away from the circus on "family business," just before PCs murdered all Desolation avatars of the circus. Formerly known as Pyre, Cole was subsequently known to be lurking around Wolf Pen, WV during the events of Appalachia before he starting lighting fires on his way toward revenge against ADI for the circus and for their murder of his father, Carl Watts, in Wolf Pen. In his search for revenge, Cole attacked a Gloucester Eye cult, thinking it was associated with ADI and was turned from a man made of wax to one made of viscous eye jelly. He has lost cohesion as a being in many ways, along with access to much of his Desolation-based abilities, and is currently trapped in the form of a melted, mostly faceless flesh-blob monster. He lurks in the Flophouse, avoiding contact with people where he can. This NPC was spared by players from death and hidden at the Flophouse as part of a poll that took place in December 2022. As of June 2023, Cole has repaid some of the kindness shown to him by developing a truly private network app just for off-worlders.

This month, Cole remains holed up in his room as he has been since moving into the Flophouse, but he's always up for a chat over his network. After the kindness shown to him recently, he might even open his door for an in-person visit…if you can stomach his blob monster appearance. He's heard about Bonnie's Etsy shop and has been trying to contribute ideas. A lot of them involve fire.

apocalypsehownpcs: (Pam Ruan | ADI HR)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-08-11 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
No? Should she have?

[The concern is continuing to mount.]

I don't know who the vans belong to. I-I haven't seen any markings on them. I'm a little worried about trying to investigate... just in case.
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-08-11 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
You're not wrong. I agree with you. I want that for all of you. You're good and making people feel good, so you've got my full authorization to work with Pam on keeping morale up.

Or, if you wanna get your hands deeper... I can start teaching you more about the politics of this world, how it all works. So you know more about how to maneuver.
ruevealing: (i appreciate your opinion ♪)

[personal profile] ruevealing 2023-08-11 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Now that is quite the interesting prospect. Though never directly involved, Rue was enough of a political pawn back in the Feywild to know how deeply they hated being any part of their former court's schemes.

But being more informed, being able to do absolutely all they can for the non-human population brought into this world, the very idea only fills Rue with hope. Perhaps all is not lost.]


I would like that very much, Nia. There is still much I need to learn, but I am more than willing to put in the work. And thank you, I will continue to work with Pam as well.
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-08-11 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nia inclines her head.]

I got a Thursday and Friday nights open. You come to my office starting next week after 5 PM, we'll start your politics and government lessons. You can help me with drafting some of the letters and emails I need to send out, and we'll work toward calls and more direct interaction. How's that sound?

((ooc: You would be welcome to run this in the background rather than interacting with Nia for every NPC Interaction post! You can assume Rue would get a full rundown on the way the US legal and political system runs, as well as the specific governance of Gloucester and Massachusetts. They would be asked to help out with more local things to start, specifically getting the Gloucester City Council and Police Department to look the other way with a mixture of carrot (we're doing this for free) and stick (horrible things will happen if you don't let us). Rue would be welcome to put their own spin on things, as well, to try to improve that communication/messaging.))
ferriswheelsandfootball: (Neutral - well)

[personal profile] ferriswheelsandfootball 2023-08-16 07:55 am (UTC)(link)
Nah, I was just wondering in general.

[Okay, so that's good. Then she's just making general welfare checks and not specifically checking up on him cause he's an Avatar. Unless she's lying. But he's not getting that vibe.]

Have they been following you, too? I think we should investigate, just in case. Obviously they aren't investigating us directly but it just seems kinda obvious that they're using vans, like we're bound to notice eventually...
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-08-16 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"So we probably have a problem for anyone developing the coding." Nia sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We'll need to work on infiltrating Copernicus. That'll be a long-term project, though. Figuring out who's actually affected, who might be an avatar, so we take out the right people, not just the ones caught up in the middle of things."
apocalypsehownpcs: (Pam Ruan | ADI HR)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-08-18 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
Me? [Pam's brows furrow deeper.] I don't think so. I-I haven't noticed. I'm just an ordinary person. They wouldn't have a reason. It's better if they follow me, isn't it? That would keep you safe.
dangerousmind: (330)

Nia

[personal profile] dangerousmind 2023-08-27 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
[She won't go to see Nia in person, not yet, she's sure they're both much too busy, but she does feel the need to check in towards the latter end of the month, so she calls her.

She resists the urge to start with 'I'm not here to say that I told you so' because she can't imagine the Warden's going to 1. be very receptive and 2. have unlocked the self awareness to understand that yes, she very much told her that hunting and terrorizing monsters is still terrorizing.]


Warden. I hear you've received some rather divisive news.
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-08-27 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[The tone that comes back is just this side of dry. At least she's not up to her eyeballs in paperwork anymore...maybe just her knees.]

Not recently. You got something for me, Aelwyn? You were gone long enough.
edalyn: (dana!tired)

Reyes Amador

[personal profile] edalyn 2023-09-01 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
When Eda spots Reyes on her way back to Bonnie's, she can't help noticing that they... don't look great. She's been meaning to talk to them about what they've been doing in Dogtown even before this, but it certainly looks like whatever it is it may not exactly be going well.

"Hey," she says, deciding to take the opportunity to catch their attention.

"Are you..." Well, alright might be a silly question, they're definitely injured. Not to mention that it's a question she's been tired of hearing herself lately. But she's concerned all the same.

"How are things going?"
apocalypsehownpcs: (Reyes Amador | ADI PR)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-01 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah... Eda." There's a pause as they seem to reassess their person and stand up a little straighter. "Hello. I- Things are not going so well as they could be." Another moment as they scan her. "But I think, perhaps, I am not the only one in such a way. I'm going to see Bonnie. Walk with me?"
rainestorms: (Raine_smallsmile)

A very late Nia!!!

[personal profile] rainestorms 2023-09-01 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
In late August, a very tired Raine knocks on Nia's door. They're carrying a small box of something in their hands.

"Nia, do you have a moment?"
edalyn: (dana!tired)

[personal profile] edalyn 2023-09-02 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, she stopped herself from commenting. They don't need to point how she looks out! Though a part of her does appreciate the seeming concern, tiring as it may be.

"Yeah, sure." She was going to ask; just as well she doesn't have to.

"And... I've been better," she admits, shrugging a shoulder. "But I bet this place gets to all of us sometimes."

It's true, even if she doesn't really want to get into why it's gotten to her so much recently. Breaking the rules to feed is one thing. Spying on ADI secrets and not returning artifacts is another.
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-02 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
She's barely sat down before the knock comes and she settles into her chair with a heavy sigh and nods to the chair across from her at the desk. "Yes, Raine. Come on in. Haven't seen you about very much lately."
rainestorms: (pic#16325748)

[personal profile] rainestorms 2023-09-03 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Raine sat down, and put the box on her desk.

"Oh, yes, I've been busy as of late," They adjusted their chair a little. "The past few months have been admittedly... Hard. And I've been taking care of Hunter now."
apocalypsehownpcs: (Reyes Amador | ADI PR)

Apologies for the delay! I have this properly tracked now.

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-08 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of that, I have little doubt. Especially when ones we love are close by... and ever in danger." They cast a brief glance sideways are her as they start moving again. "Sometimes from themselves. Dogtown proves ever a mystery, but I think, perhaps, I am making some minor progress. How go your own efforts and investigations?"
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-10 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
She folds her hands on her desk and gives him a curious look.

"Alone? Sorry if this is too forward, but I kinda thought you and Eda were a...team. You know? And Hunter strikes me as a self-sufficient kind of kid, even in this mess. Something else going on I should know about?"
rainestorms: (pic#16293871)

[personal profile] rainestorms 2023-09-12 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's not forward, Eda and I are very familiar with each other. But ..no, not alone. We're both doing what we can."

Raine raised an eyebrow at the idea that Hunter was self sufficient, however.

"He's sixteen. He doesn't need to be self-sufficient, he needs a support system. Eda and I have been focusing on that, and her search for anything that could be remotely similar to the Demon Realm existing alongside this one. Unfortunately, the latter hasn't been as successful as the former. Just a lot of dead ends."
edalyn: (dana!tired)

all good!

[personal profile] edalyn 2023-09-14 09:35 am (UTC)(link)

Eda glances back, though she just nods to the first part. It's certainly part of the problem, but she's doing her best not to worry about them. Or worry about what she's doing for them. Or... any of it.

"Are you?" It's a genuine question, despite all evidence that the repeated trips to Dogtown are not going the best for them. She hopes they're at least getting something from it. For the moment she goes on, though, since they asked.

"And they're uh, going. I've got some leads but... nothing I can prove is solid yet," she settles on, with a shrug.

"Oh, but I'd love to hear if you've had better luck on your side."

apocalypsehownpcs: (Reyes Amador | ADI PR)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-14 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"A path, I think." There's a note of victory in their tone. "Not an easy one, but it exists. Following it is what proves... difficult. And a moment's straying off of it can leads to unfortunate effects. Did you know there is a spot in Dogtown that is perpetually on fire? A raging, impossible inferno. Blackened trees, no other fuel, but it doesn't die. I see no smoke over town or smell it on the air, but in that spot, it burns. You would not know it was there until you walked into it."
apocalypsehownpcs: (Nia Lehrer | ADI's Warden)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-17 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
She shakes her head, expression turning a little more remorseful, but no less firm. "I'm well aware he's young. Doesn't change my impression. In the world we've got with the things we face, you're either self-sufficient or dead, so you'll excuse me if I can see the strength he's got, even if what he should have is a normal life. I'm not here to argue parenting with you, he's not my kid, but pretending the people brought here aren't constantly under threat from the Entities isn't my way of dealing with things. To that end, far as I know, there's not another 'realm' beyond this one and wherever the Entities are. At least, I assume they're in some slip between worlds or a telescope might have spotted them by now. Maybe. Anyway, I assume the only other things that might be demon realms would be the other worlds people come from."
edalyn: (dana!dapper)

[personal profile] edalyn 2023-09-19 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
"I didn't," she says, though she doesn't sound terribly surprised by that part. "But I guess it's not much weirder than anything else we've found there."

The idea of a path, on the other hand, is both surprising and intriguing. At least, if they were right about it.

"Do you have any idea... who made it? Or where it leads?" She can't help thinking she wants to see it for herself. But then, she's been trying not to put herself in more danger than she needs to, lately.
apocalypsehownpcs: (Reyes Amador | ADI PR)

[personal profile] apocalypsehownpcs 2023-09-20 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
"At a guess? The thing that wants us in there. Or things. But I suspect there is something with eight legs guiding things in there as much as out here." They shake their head slightly. "I haven't found the end of the path, yet, but it must be close. I can feel it. I get a little farther with each excursion. There are just... unfortunate accidents sometimes."
rainestorms: (pic#16299687)

[personal profile] rainestorms 2023-09-25 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
"You think I'm pretending?" There's surprise in Raine's voice, but also a little frustration.

Not to derail (Raine's not sorry, they're derailing) the speak of in-between worlds but. Perhaps not ignoring the things that bother them would be a worthy task this time.

"I'm not pretending by doing what I can with what I've been given to stay sane. I'm help people I care about. I find that to be worth something if it means people aren't doing what the fears want them to do."

It's worth something if it means more people weren't turning into Avatars, Nia.
edalyn: (hm chin hand)

[personal profile] edalyn 2023-09-27 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
While Eda's not terribly surprised by that answer, it's still not comforting. She's not sure if it's better or worse coming from someone she knows is tied to the Web, honestly.

"You've... thought about the fact it's probably some kind of trap, right?"

Which isn't to say that she's telling them not to follow it. It's not like any of them seem to have better leads, at this point. And they do need to figure out what's in there. But still, needing to do it and knowing it's a bad idea can co-exist. If nothing else, they can try to be prepared.

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