[center][hider=Static][color=0099CC]"Sometimes, when a glass is broken; not all of the shards are swept away. Months later, even, they could dig into your heel as you tread so pompously,"[/color] though it moved like a Shroud, and had the same ghostly presence, this exuded a menace beyond all reason, [color=0099CC]"Of course, isn't it always a pain to dig those little slivers out?"[/color] It was the worst time for this conversation, the subtext too much for Seeker [i]Vera Solaclad[/i]. The thing before her, a suit full of nothing and a twitching, static, toothy grin that hovered above a neck that didn't exist. 

[color=28AE7B]"You sayin' what I think...?"[/color] She eyed the gray and black thing with a barely veiled malice, which made his smile seem wider and the alley around shrink almost immediately. Tightness forced a quiet, dry heave as she looked away; eyes watering and mouth lightly coated with bilious regret. [color=28AE7B]"Ain't no way something like that could happen. It'd mean that Peace [i]remembers.[/i] She ain't supposed to fuckin' remember!"[/color] Vera and Peace had their bitter moments, whenever they met. An instinctual disapproval of the other that, more often than not, would lead to bloodshed. 

As she thought on this, The Suit Shroud twitched and jump-cut his way through a reality that rejected him. He was at Vera's side, a white leather glove, somehow possessing the weight of a hand, resting on her tightening shoulders. [color=0099CC]"But she will. Maybe not this time, but [i]soon.[/i] How do you think she's gonna react after finding out that [i]every[/i] Seeker in this Scenario has already tried, [i]if not succeeded,[/i] in managing to end her life?"[/color] Shrugging the glove away, Vera Solaclad stared hard at The Suit; or what existed of him.

[color=28AE7B]"Then...just means their ain't no hope in makin' this easy on her, right?"[/color] The walls seemed to move with her strangely labored breathing, undulating in time with her sharp exhalations. Neon stains inched closer, then pulled away; as though the tide of her thoughts brought them forward, only to be revolted. [color=28AE7B]"S-So we just go in for a kill when she's not expecting it."[/color] Saying it felt dirty, envisioning it a painful endeavor. Peace Lunarmada had used to be a real friend. Now, she couldn't even be used as a replacement. Vera let herself sink back, then slide down uneven brick; looking up at the night sky.

[color=0099CC]"An assassination?"[/color] He clapped. Three times...then chuckled. Vera hated Suit. So many secrets where he was involved. [color=0099CC]"It sounds like a [i]lovely[/i] plan, Vera. Do you plan to strike tonight, or will you wait for the Prismatic Hourglass to manifest elsewhere?"[/color] Vera lowered her head, clutching tight the Oracle Emblem this anomalous Shroud had given her.

[color=28AE7B]"If [i]she[/i] remembers, why can't we?"[/color] Eyes weren't lifted or locked, though she saw Suit shrug. With his silence, she carried on. [color=28AE7B]"How the hell did we get here? Why do we all have a common target? Why is it Peace? What relevance does all this have to what happened-"[/color]

In a moment, it was kneeling in front of her; though all she could see were bursts of manic static and that wide grin so characteristic of the being that owned nothing else. [color=0099CC]"I can't answer most of those questions. I don't know why we're here, either."[/color] Suit straightened, staring Vera in the face for a long moment. [color=0099CC]"It may be because someone used the original Hourglass to make a foolish wish. It may simply be because Peace Lunarmada is becoming an unsuitable Prism."[/color] A coin fell from his sleeve, following a flourish of his gloved hands. [color=0099CC]"Though if I were to place a bet on the reason...[i]I would say that this Scenario exists because every Seeker failed in their last attempt at glory.[/i]"[/color]

[color=28AE7B]"A repeat..."[/color] Vera felt her stomach drop, [color=28AE7B]"I heard about this happening to a different team, but..."[/color]

Suit rocked back and forth on his heels. [color=0099CC]"What you heard is true. Now those you called 'allies' will have no memories of you, nor you any true memories of them. I've told you only what's convenient for your understanding. Any more, and I'd be breaking the rules."[/color] Standing, it considered her for yet a moment longer. [color=0099CC]"The best place to start looking for parallels or resolved paradoxes is to find out who ended up missing from the group of Seekers present in this Scenario."[/color]

Vera Solaclad pushed herself upright, shoving the Oracle Emblem into her jacket pocket. With a flash of Steadfast Resonance, she now held a cleaver; easily twice her side, outfitted with rockets on the back and a hefty blade on the front. It wasn't her Honest Blade, but it had never let her down before. Suit took his place four or five steps behind, and as he did, Vera spoke. 

[color=28AE7B]"Alright, then, let's finish off this fuckin' doll and get that wish."[/color]

A chuckle, low and terribly pleased.

[color=0099CC]"Your heart's desire...for the price of [i]one[/i] life."[/color]

It wasn't a good bargain for Vera. It wasn't a good bargain for any Seeker.
Still, she wouldn't shy away.
Last time that happened, she'd died.
Of all the things to remember, Vera Solaclad remembered her fiery demise.[/hider][/center]

Welcome back! This is the OOC Section for [i]Prismatic Hourglass: Scenario 1[/i]. Some pertinent information from the [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/179029-prismatic-hourglass-interest-check/ooc]Interest Check[/url] has not yet been moved over. Right now, I'm just making sure the new stuff gets out there.


[hider=Cardinal Landmarks]

[i][b]Labyrinth Paths[/b] (Center Affinity)[/i]: Every alley in Cardinal City has a tie to The Labyrinth, in one way or another. Graffiti serves as warning, or guide, in the inhospitable squalor that goes unseen by most. Enter any alleyway in Cardinal City and look hard enough, there is a high chance you'll find an old warning or freshly made mark of obvious chroma. Despite the dangers, both known and uncertain, there exists one saying concerning The Labyrinth that holds true.

"Follow the red and yellow trails. All others will lead you astray."

Seekers who enter this place will find an abundance of Negative Resonance that can be harvested without effort. However, utilizing this place's dark heart will drive spikes of madness through those who are unprepared. It is not unusual to encounter people in one of the many veins of The Labyrinth, be they friend or foe.

Right now there is a rumor among the 'street artist' community of a ghost tagger, who no one can seem to find; save for the moniker they have left behind. "KOKO" which can be seen plastered in strange places, is attributed to no artist currently living in The Labyrinth's scene. Many of the Labyrinth Dwellers and delvers feel a strange 'otherness' from these tags...as though they were not meant to exist.

[i][b]Abandoned Docks[/b] (Volatile Affinity)[/i]: Since their abandonment twenty years prior, this southern stretch of Cardinal City's beautiful beachfront is marred by rotting abodes and baleful hovels constructed by the stubborn, leathery folk that still call this place their home. Most of the derelict abodes are abandoned, or being used by squatters. Few people travel to this area, alone. The sheer number of abandoned buildings is somewhat staggering, when truly considered.

Despite proximity to water, it seems the Docks have accrued a Volatile Affinity; a weave of conflagration drifts over the area, simply waiting to be ignited.

Beyond the eerie atmosphere, there are several dangerous groups that congregate in and around this nigh lawless part of town. A rumor concerning a corpse washing up on shore has left most of the residents uneasy. A quieter rumor has spread that a full scale war is finally going to break out among the creaking homes and groaning pier planks. 

[i][b]Shutter Street[/b] (Flowing Affinity)[/i]: Colloquially known as such because of 'Main Street's' appearance during the tourist 'off-season' and lack of any real entertainment or distractions. During the summer nights it is an acidic stretch of debauchery, along with a few quaint diners. Once fall sinks its talons in, the shutters are closed and many of the shop owners move away until spring returns with a small rush of customers. Then, again, will the northern beachfront and shops be populated once more.

All that remains, at the moment, is a local favorite simply called [i]Butch's Diner[/i]. Rumors swirl around this place more often than others, and the most prominent states that a local recluse has been warning those near the waterfront about a great storm lurching toward Cardinal City. Another states that someone has begun pinning strange cards to certain buildings; though these cards seem to be gone by the time morning rolls around.

The Resonance that permeates this place is decidedly positive, quite useful for Flowing Affinity Seekers who wish to have an easily replenished supply of Lingering Resonance suited specifically to their specialty. 

[i][b]Train Station[/b] (Steadfast Affinity)[/i]: No one ever really seems to come or go, at least via train, to Cardinal City. A place in disrepair, but still treated with a measure of silent reverence as a sanctuary for those with nowhere else to go; the train station holds about it a crispness of air and odd abundance of occasional roaming wildlife. It serves as the city's oldest standing building in the eastern quarter.

Other than the 'artists' from The Labyrinth, few people are willing to deface the stationary sentinels as they hold their strange vigil. Still, where others would balk; some will draw smiles and shark teeth beneath broken windows. Despite being a rather well known spot, very few people go there. A single train will leave at the end of each month. Resonance hangs over the place like a canopy, thick and constantly shifting.

Though a peaceful aura caresses the place, a few ill deeds have taken place in the Train Station over its long years. A rumor being pushed around states that the specter of a girl can be seen pacing along the edge of the boarding platform. Another states that several specters will appear, if a person approaches as the clock strikes the Witching Hour. Yet another says that the entire place is transformed at night, becoming an unrecognizable tangle of trains, tracks and trees.

Those who can harness Steadfast Resonance have an easy time in a place like this, but some can find the sheer pressure of it to be a strain on Resonance Pathways.

[i][b]Glass Tunnel [/b](Tempestuous Affinity)[/i]: A carefully crafted mosaic of deep blues and haughty turquoise, this tunnel runs from the western beachfront to the center of Cardinal City proper. It seems to catch reflections of light, water and things that may not be there at all. At its center, a mermaid greets passersby with a sly and sultry grin. Noise is carried through the tunnel with ease, and a perpetual breeze seems to push its way through.

Many students utilize this tunnel, simply stepping in at an appropriate point, to get a direct line to Karma Academy's front gates. As such, the Glass Tunnel (or Siren Tunnel, or Kraken Basket) is busy before and after classes. Rumors have persisted around this place for at least forty years; many being postulations about who the designer was, who commissioned the piece, and why even make something of that sort? Right now, rumors revolve around disappearances occurring where the Glass Tunnel meets the western beachfront. One even suggests that cruel laughter could be heard, before a sudden silence.

Despite the sometimes tense and busy nature of The Glass Tunnel, it carries Tempestuous Resonance throughout the city. While it disperses quickly, outside the Tunnel; harvesting it within can have devastating effects.

[i][b]Karma Academy[/b] (Null Affinity)[/i]: Cardinal City's most prestigious public high-school, a place of adequate (if outdated) supplies and enthusiastic (if all too tired) teachers. It is a four story building that hosts a grade on each floor, with the cafeteria being on the second. The third floor is currently under lockdown, given a strange incident involving one of the chemical labs; each entrance is held shut with heavy chains and a padlock and security staff can be seen watching over the area.

Resonance seems to wither when it reaches Karma Academy, whether it is in the courtyard or on the roof. With the constant gossip, countless rumors seem to turn up with each passing day.  Right now, rumors are all speculation about what could be wrong with the third floor. Those that aren't simply serve as the usual urban legends about Karma.

No advantage is given to a Seeker, in this area. Resonance seems to be absorbed or dispersed by the building itself.
[/hider]

[hider=Resonance Clash] As explained before, each [i]Elemental Demense[/i] has a direction and specific Element attached. Said simply, some Elements do not mesh well with one another; even if a Shroud has endowed a Seeker with their abilities.

[i]Volatile (South)[/i] vs [i]Flowing (North)[/i] = Both Elements will struggle to inflict their full potential. Consider matchups like these to be [b]WEAK[/b].

[i]Tempestuous (West)[/i] vs [i]Steadfast (East)[/i] = Once again, a [b]WEAK [/b]attack will be produced. This halved the potency of Elemental Resonance when paired against its Negative Cardinal.

[i]Flowing (North)[/i] vs [i]Tempestuous (West)[/i] = A [b]POTENT [/b]match, meaning that spell clashes will be more impressive and damage done by properly assaulting your opponent will be increased by half.

[i]Steadfast (East)[/i] vs [i]Volatile (South)[/i] = Another [b]POTENT [/b]match. Similar to what is listed above.

[i]Data (Center)[/i] vs [i]Any (Cardinal Direction)[/i] = [b]NEUTRAL [/b]match. Since Data is Center Affinity, it suffers no penalty against specific Cardinals; but nor does it gain any advantages. 

[i]Data (Center)[/i] vs [i]Data (Center)[/i] = [b]POTENT [/b]match, though not in the way Elemental Resonance tends to interact. Wielding Data Resonance against Data Resonance can cause serious problems for both contenders; though it is highly unpredictable how exactly it will go wrong...it almost invariably does. Damage against other Data Users can wildly vary.[/hider]


[hider=Pertinent Info] 
This takes place in what's equatable to our modern times; each Seeker is part of the [i]Babel Network[/i], which essentially allows them track [i]Friends and Fiends[/i], [i]Road Dogs and Rivals[/i]. Essentially, it is something attached to their 'soul' that allows them to see the world they inhabit in a different light.

As this is a tribute to anime/JRPGs you can imagine how far the functionality will go; though it will have to be unlocked through In-Character progression. Starting out, you can view other Seeker's stats [i]if their Oracle Emblem is currently active[/i]. The Target (Peace Lunarmada) will be marked on each Seeker's Map, after a time. It also eliminates the need for a cellphone, and messaging system.

[b]☆   ☆   ☆
[/b]
In Scenario 1, everyone will be highschool age. Aside from the Shrouds, who are generally ambiguous about that sort of thing. I won't say exactly [i]why[/i] this is, until later in the thread. I should also point out that I intend to carry this through several different Scenarios. 

[b]Notes on this[/b]: Seekers present in Scenario 1 have no memories of their past excursions, nor memories of one another. While those memories may be buried, however, there are certain individuals among the Seekers who are drawn to one another through bloodlust or a strange feeling of having known this person before. So far as they are aware, aside from what their Shrouds [i]can[/i] impart to them, they have come across Peace before...and killed her. Held the Prismatic Hourglass and made their wish.

After that moment, they find themselves in Cardinal City.

[i]Something is awry with this Scenario.[/i] [/hider]

[center][hider=CS Skeleton]

[b]Name[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]You weren't chosen by chance, alone, kid. What's your name? You remember?[/i][/color] 

[b]Age[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]It's on the list. Not like I wanted to ask. Guessing you're in high school.[/i][/color]

[b]Appearance[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]Step on out into the spotlight! Everyone's [i]dyin'[/i] to meet you![/i][/color] (A picture or description works.)

[b]Personality[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]Show us your heart, even if you have to tear it out; still beating![/i][/color] (Two or three sentences is fine.)

[b]Affinity[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]I can smell the Resonance on you. Weird, how that happens.[/i][/color] (Seeker Affinity.)

[b]Abilities[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]Seekers are chosen for a lot of different reasons. What can you [i]do[/i]?[/i][/color] (List three Seeker Abilities, based around your Resonance Affinity.)

[b]Oracle Emblem[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]Precious gift, ain't it? Important to you, or someone else? Tell me about it...[/i][/color] (A picture is fine, or a description. You'll also list two Shroud Abilities, here; as well as the unique ability of the Oracle Emblem.)

[b]Honest Blade[/b]: [color=0099CC][i]Before you take a bow, give the people what they really want! The truth! The cutting, rending, slaughtering shape of your soul![/i][/color] (While it doesn't have to be a blade, an Honest Blade is a manifestation of a Seeker's resolution to acquire their true desire...it should be reflective of your Seeker. Mind you, when an Honest Blade is used nearby Oracle Emblems will 'activate'.)[/hider]

[hider=Shroud CS]


[b]Name[/b]: [color=00FF7F][i]Well, that was kind of intense. Moving on! Any old name will do.[/i][/color]

[b]Appearance[/b]: [color=00FF7F][i]No, no stage. Just you and a mirror. What do you see?[/i][/color]

[b]Affinity[/b]: [color=00FF7F][i]We exist to share our power with Seekers. I hope you have something nice, for them.[/i][/color]

[b]Personality[/b]: [color=00FF7F][i]Shrouds are just like mortals, after all; we have our nuance![/i][/color]

[b]Assistant Capabilities[/b]: [color=00FF7F]If the situation was dire...how would you step in to help your Seeker?[/color] (Essentially what your Shroud can actually do while your Seeker is endangered. Now, this can be useful; but not spectacular, given that your Seeker already has an Oracle Emblem.)[/hider]

[b]Rules & Stuff[/b]:
•Two paragraphs a post, minimum. I think that's pretty fair.

•Cooperate with other Players. Sometimes a collaboration, or something similar is necessary.

•Be courteous, if not respectful. I'm not a fan of OOC drama.

•Let me know if you're in need of my help, as GM.

•Have fun!

Well, thanks for reading!

I'm sure questions will surface. If you've got them, feel free to ask.


EDIT: I'll be moving information from the Interest Check, over to here; most likely tomorrow.

EDIT: I will also expanding on Locations. I welcome any ideas/submissions.

EDIT: The flavor intros give hints as to what's going on in this Scenario. Please read both [i]Variance [/i] and [i]Static[/i]
[/center]