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apocalypsehowcomm2023-09-02 07:01 pm
NPC Interactions - September 2023
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.
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. 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 is dealing with the fallout from a fae being named Milo deciding they don't like their room downstairs anymore after receiving some unexpected visitors. The situation has left her on edge and even more intensely focused on Dogtown and working with people to explore it and get to the heart of the problems there. She is convinced the solution to getting people home is there.
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 continue to be absent for long stretches of time in Dogtown. They return from one of these excursions bearing severe burns. Word on the street is that they're heavily invested in investigating Dogtown. And it seems to be scarring them in an ever-increasing variety of ways. They have begun to neglect their PR duties at work with others in that department needing to pick up the slack.
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 is still worrying after the visibly non-human members of ADI, in particular. But with the new agreement with Milo, some measure of that anxiety has dissipated. Now she's worried about geese and what they could mean, especially as they seem to be congregating in areas around the new town square construction.
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 continues to be 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. Bonnie is around sometimes, and seems to be a bit more dour than her usual spark. Are there traces of dried blood on her clothes sometimes? Hard to tell. Maybe they're other sorts of stains? Her Etsy Sticker Shop is ailing, and she doesn't seem to be putting much effort into it anymore. She's unusually anxious. But then, with Reyes being injured, maybe that's not so surprising.
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.
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. Cole is actually making more progress on Bonnie's Etsy shop than she is at the moment. He's developed a few fiery designs that aren't actually half-bad. You might catch him while he's drawing. Cole is increasingly concerned about Bonnie, her demeanor, and her absences.
A local “friend” found in a room in ADI’s basement. It’s been discovered they’re perhaps one of the oldest people from another world still around as well as the being responsible for the glamours that have kept non-humans from being discovered. Through the off-worlder’s efforts, they have decided to stick around and help…for now. ADI isn’t willing to let a known monster stray too far, however, and they can be found under heavy and varied forms of observation in their little house not far from ADI’s gates.
This month,Milo is laying low for the most part. The seemingly average and partially decrepit property that used to be on the street has blossomed into a cozy cottage overflowing with plant life. Literally overnight, much to the quiet confusion of the neighbors. While there’s no way to stop by without being seen doing so, nothing obstructs any visitors who happen by. Not even the eternally unlocked door.
no subject
They wouldn't dream of it. Not yet. This tenuous peace is likely to hold for a couple months at least.
[Now they do sit more comfortably, a long leg draped over the arm of their seat as they settle a curious look on rue.]
Then we'll make my own part brief: this is an improvement, I've got room to spread out now and there's little to complain about right now. What has plagued your thoughts, my dear?
no subject
Freedom suits them.
Rue settles equally in kind, not quite slouching - because Delloso de la Rue does not slouch - but it is not the pin straight posture they've always carried. Their hands rest in their lap, shoulders relaxed, wings settled at their side. Maybe it is strange, how easy this is with Milo, but Rue trusts them in a way that they would hardly trust most of those left with ADI. And because of that, they perhaps feel the slightest bit responsible for them, for their comfort and happiness and ease.]
It warms me so to hear that, friend, but if complaints do arise, do not hesitate to tell me. I will do all I can to make sure improvements are followed through with.
[Nia will be sick of Rue by the end of it, certainly, but she does bear some responsibility for all of this. Asking for a few new accommodations are hardly anything compared to the messes they've already had to clean up.]
I will not keep you waiting, but I ask that you be honest if I am sticking my beak where it is not wanted. It will not wound me, I swear. My worries are my own, it's only that - My friend, I can not stop thinking of your true name. Was it lost before you came to this realm? Or - or is there someone within ADI in possession of it? Do you remember when it taken from you?
no subject
Your concerns are for me? I am...touched. And surprised. It was...a much longer time ago than I thought initially, I am discovering. Since I arrived here, I mean. I don't recall my name from then and I know I used others before, but whether I remembered it or not...I'm not sure. My arrival here was...confusing. Jarring. There are aspects of my own home I now doubt and I know that's little to do with the state of my name.
[They're quiet again and then slide their gaze back to Rue.]
I do know I've been known as 'Milo' for a very long time now. I do not believe that name came from my home.
no subject
Milo is a very good name, for what it is worth. You have come into it well. But still -
[It is not their true name. And what holds more magic within it than the magic of a true name on its owner's tongue?]
I will look for what I can, ask who I am able, and see if I can find a lead. Perhaps it is not too far gone. I wish that I could vow in my success in this, but know that I will do all that I can.
no subject
The fact you would offer to search at all with such earnestly is...beyond kind. You know...it is likely well beyond what I deserve.
[They fix a curling, slightly wrong smile onto their face.]
I don't think I've been a very nice thing for a long time. Most are happy to accept that and respond in kind.
no subject
I believe the same could be said of any of us here. None of us are beacons of goodness, but that does not mean that we can not strive to change. Our lives may be different than our lesser-lifespaned counterparts, but we all travel the same road. Sometimes we stumble, other times we take the wrong path completely, but that does not mean we can not find our footing and try again.
[Even glamoured, Rue still adorns themself with flowers, pulling one pretty pink bloom from behind an ear to reach over and tuck it behind Milo's instead.]
I can not promise that everyone you meet shall greet your kindness with equal kindness in turn, but if you show them the same tenderness that I showed you, we can change this whole world for the better, can we not? Perhaps into a world open enough for those like us to live openly within it.
no subject
I...do hope you're right. It would be nice to simply exist again.
You should know, lovely...there's webs and things in the forest near here. Do be careful, won't you? I think I might just be upset if you weren't.
no subject
I will be as safe as I am able. Thank you for the warning. It truly is appreciated.
Now, let us put that unpleasantness aside. [Their touch disappears so that Rue can lift the basket they've brought along with them.] I brought goodies. Let us drink and enjoy one another's company before I must return.
no subject
I can think of nothing else I would like to do, thank you my dear. Tell me of your home, won’t you? Or whatever happiness you’ve found here, if that subject isn’t pleasant for you.
no subject
I would be happy to. There are no secrets between us.
[And they settled in to spend the rest of the afternoon with their friend, to talk of their life before this realm and the life they have lived here, the happiness that they have found, no matter how brief. And Rue is happy to remain as long as they'll allow them.]