[color=ff7f50] Ahhh… Mmmm… [i]*Lick-smack-lick-smack-lick-smack*[/i] Dill flavored cashews have to be one of my favorite snacks. I’ll have to give the honey mustard trail mix a try next time. … Oh? I didn’t see you there! I suppose you were expecting a report from "Bee Pee," but he’s feeling a little under the weather. I’ll be reading his Patron Observation Station Transcript today. I’m not quite as formal as he is, so you’ll have to forgive any embellishments I may slip in. … You want to know who I am? I’m not in any of these transcripts, and I know how some of you despise "Meta" commentaries. Knowing who a storyteller is seldom enhances the quality of their work. [hider=Just tell me who you are.] [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019886bc-1bdb-7418-9dbb-e5f6307434fb.webp[/img][/center] Why, I’m the Cheshire Cat! Not the one the magical girls are going to find, of course. I’m sure all of Wonderland's most iconic champions have been anthropomorphised into magical girls. I was originally going to appear inside a Grand Magistrate exclusive hunt hosted by Bee Pee. The idea was to give the Grand Magistrate’s champions the chance to experience the thrill of hunts. But mine was never accepted, so I never appeared in your transcripts. But I’d like to think my quest inspired the current event the magical girls are facing. Call it a desperate wish from a creature that was never allowed to exist. So you see, I am not of this world. Never was, never will be. [hider=You call that meta? I’ve had to read posts featuring Oros the Mad and Nykannis. This is nothing!] Fair enough, gentle reader. … I really shouldn’t, but I know a few things about the previous seasons. Bee Pee was a co-Grand Magistrate for a time and had numerous connections. He tended to be involved with something at almost every point of the reality plenum’s history. It would be rude to betray his trust, but I can lift the curtain on some events that happened over the years. Would you like to hear something about the pre season or season one? [hider=Pre-Season] SIKE! Afraid there’s not much to divulge here. Bee Pee was never part of this season, and he doesn’t know any more than what can be learned by reading it yourself. It is interesting to look back on. Few things relevant to current events persist here, but you can sense everyone’s enthusiasm for what this abandoned world could be turned into. [/hider] [hider=Season One] Ah, season one… It wasn’t perfect, but Bee Pee quite liked it. Certainly the Grand Magistrate’s storytelling was at its best here. This is likely because the season was more or less his vision for the reality plenum. They were the sole Grand Magistrate and the story's events were largely formed by them. Barring the occasional collab for patron to patron interactions. Afterwards, the Grand Magistrate decided to allow players to have more input on what went on. We can talk about the effects of that later. Amber came into this season pretty early, and met a controversial fate. But it did pave the way for Sue, or Su as she’d be called in later seasons. Veronica was also around, and probably got a lot more screen time than most other magical girl employers. Though she too is a topic that would be more interesting to dive into later. Season one was a proving ground of sorts, both for the players and the Grand Magistrate. [hider=What happened to Amber that was so controversial?] She died, that’s all. Hard to believe, but [i]that[/i] was the controversy. Half the patrons felt the reality plenum should have remained lighthearted, while others appreciated the twist. But more interesting than the controversy itself was why it happened. While there was a push by some for the "stats don’t matter" movement, stats mattered quite a bit in season one. Amber had comparatively low stats to most of the other champions, with her highest one being ten. Her STR and MAG were ten, and she used a ranged weapon in combat that traditionally scales with AGI and [i]sometimes[/i] MAG. Most of the other champions could do things that she couldn’t. It didn’t matter that her meager ten strength was being used to hold a ship cannon, cannonballs were weaker than arrows in the eyes of the Grand Magistrate so long as the arrows were fired with a higher AGI score. It’s uncanny to think magical girls could even be that weak now. Thanks to coins in later seasons most magical girls have relatively balanced numbers. They often have multiple stats that exceed ten, or a single stat that goes to twenty or higher. But Amber was [i]far[/i] from useless. She was given plenty of boons, like a large pirate ship that was integral to fighting Justine. The Grand Magistrate let her win all of her diplomatic talks, as she was good at negotiating. Fights were always the inverse. She lost most of her fights with other magical girls and often needed to struggle just to survive. This was fine in the early and middling stages of the season when there was room for alliance forming. That, and because the fights were usually not difficult for the average magical girl, her fights felt much more dramatic because she could actually lose. But fighting was becoming more important and would eventually become the sole focus of the season. The last eight to six months of the season were especially daunting, and the fighting was too intense for a little pirate girl. Even mooks were proving to be a threat. I don’t mean to say he hated the season during the siege. There were a few highlights there. Sue shooting Eli out of a cannon at a gorlion is a memory he’ll hold dear to his heart for many years to come. But the real deciding factor was an event that happened earlier. Bee Pee had wanted to have Amber unite all of Justine’s underlings on her side. Particularly the big bad four. An unreasonable goal perhaps, and one he never publicly shared but should have. Regardless, Alexander went totally nutso when Lily got abducted and murdered one of them. Amber had been unable to influence the fight directly because she was failing to prevent the sabotage of her ship, and Sue was unable to do more than give Alicia horrible tactical advice. The Grand Magistrate’s law that ranged attacks must always hit allied melee attackers near the target had not been fully understood, but wasn’t something Bee Pee and Sue would ever forget. That entire ordeal re-contextualized the theme of the Reality Plenum for Bee Pee. It may have been a world where the villains could all be rehabilitated, but it was also one where they could be slain if it served the plenum’s purpose. The Grand Magistrate didn’t treat Minnie’s death as an entirely good thing, but it wasn’t something that seemed to bother the patrons, despite her possibly being innocent. So Bee Pee had a thought: Maybe Amber’s death could change how the patrons perceived death. After several more fights, she met a most ironic end. Amber was pitted in a one on one fight against an opponent that out classed all of her stats. It was the perfect time for her to lose, and she would never lose again. Amber died, but Sue the magical girl was born. It would be many years before Bee Pee learned that the Grand Magistrate had originally prepared a set piece that required Amber to be alive, and it was ultimately abandoned because of the surprise death. Unfortunate. But Sue would prove to be an enjoyable champion to play that was stronger in combat and tried to live up to her former captain’s charismatic reputation. She wasn't so powerful that battles were easy, and her attempts at diplomacy weren't completely assured either. It was the perfect champion for Bee Pee. While the original final battle sounded interesting, it wouldn’t have had the same emotional impact with Amber alive. Fighting an eldritch horror is great, but there’s also something fantastical about teleporting part of a vampire castle into the real world and then fighting on it as it plummets. All while a timid bird girl and her friends beat the friendship into Justine’s butt before it falls into the ocean. At least, not in Bee Pee’s opinion. [hider=What would Amber have done if she had completed her quest and lived?] Who can say? Probably rule over Justine’s castle with her cool foursome of lesbian dark/monster girls that she has no interest in doing anything with. But that would be okay, because they would fall in love with each other, probably. Boteg would move to the overcity to escape Penrose. The only fly in the ointment would be that Amber was still owned by the Mint. She’d need to gain her freedom somehow. Veronica would have even less humanity, seeing as she’d never witnessed Amber refuse to use the black coin. So I imagine there would be a showdown of sorts, with Amber trying to charm Sam into helping her and her dark/monster girl foursome defeat Veronica. Unfortunately in this version of the story, Sue would remain a bird and never discover her true potential. Who knows what’s good or bad? [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Why did Sue change her name to Su?] The in story reason is because she was always Su, but had changed it to "Sue" because Amber thought it looked like a western name that way. Raised fewer questions. But really Sue had been an afterthought at creation and only grew into an important champion later on as she interacted with Mariette’s minions, so her history needed to be fleshed out more between seasons. Familiars are combinations of souls, so with Amber’s patron being a dragon, it made sense to give Su some Chinese heritage. Su’s completely revised backstory was something that had been planned before season two started. [/hider] [/hider] [hider=The other seasons] Hmmm, why don’t we talk about them next time? I have a feeling I’ll be showing up again. [/hider] [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Give me the report.] Of course. Why don’t we start with Mac? … … … [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/0197c7fe-1399-7399-abc0-8827b761f230.webp[/img] [color=cfff04]"The heck is she side eyeing me for?"[/color] Probably because you’re dressed up as gooner bait. [color=888888]— Mac[/color] [hider=Tonya "Mac" Murphy] [b]Age: 24/11 | Gender: Female/Female | Illusion, Gravity Body | Power of Friendship, Regeneration, Third Eye | Cradle Coercion, Soul Jar, Martial Training, True Sight, Parasite, Gifted, Awareness, Overcity Shift, Mystic Artifact Magical Overload, Cradle Supply, Connected, Gifted Item (Aigorost) | Monstrous Form, Exposed, Mercy, Distrust Redirected Magic, Second Specialization | Non-Standard Limbs, Destroyer[/b] STR: 05 | AGI: 04 | VIT: 05 | MAG: 03 | LCK: 03 +46 STR: 20 | AGI: 20 | VIT: 20 | MAG: 20 | LCK: 20 Remaining: 8 Gold, 30 Silver, 39 Bronze Total: 12 Gold, 162 Silver, 183 Bronze [/hider][/center] Mac had managed to swap her identities fast enough, but she hadn’t done anything to hide her cock. … I mean hen. Please don’t take that line out of context, you know what I mean. Let’s move on. Nobody seemed to care that Mac was riding atop a dangerous animal that the queen could take back. They would be doing this raid again if she recovered the damnable chicken. Given that Mac didn’t want to kill it after some soul searching, perhaps their lack of questions was a good thing. Really though, she was ready to beat that thing to death, and then she just decided to try and befriend it. Is she okay? She’s been kind of flipping out recently. She kept telling herself MDP was more mental, but that was hardly a point of reassurance. Aside from Rachel and Alicia, the others ignored her. This was something that Mac was fine with. She had wondered if it would be best to revert back to keep MDP's mood up, but the girl did a fine job of that all on her own. She likely wouldn’t miss the Knight of Tonight, and that was fine. It did hurt her a little bit, but likely not as much as continuing to bee the knight in her presence. Better still, Alicia was very understanding. That was best for such an important mission. But then Mac heard a voice. She looked just a bit further down and saw the tiny Ronin and Miko looking up at her. Their eyes filled with the joy of small children that never knew hardship. Though she knew that wasn't the truth, and the glimmer of life that was being reflected back at her was one of resilience! [color=cfff04]"Yup, I beat the cock!"[/color] Ughhhhhhh... Why couldn't Mac be a normal magical girl? Oddly, she thought the same thing about the twins as they had a conversation about her in front of her but not with her. [color=cfff04]"Ah, well, Mac is not my real name, but it's my persona that I use. I um, I enjoy crime dramas, hot showers. Hmmmm..."[/color] You really suck at this Mac. You need to go back to small talk school. Her finger rubbed the tip of her chin as if that would somehow get her to start saying something interesting. [color=cfff04]"..if you have a specific question, I'll answer it. So long as it's not too personal. Alicia knows me a little bit though. Just a little bit."[/color] She winked at the twins before steering the chicken back ahead. Hopefully that's enough to stem the tide of beating. And I fixed the typo. [i]GOD[/i] this is tedious to edit. I mean, Mac noticed some tiny green guys in the distance! [color=cfff04]"Maybe I should converse with them?"[/color] Mac said, rather pleased with her chances of breaking through. She had just tamed a giant chicken and fumbled her way through a conversation with the twins, how hard would it be to talk to some black eyed cactus? But then Alicia… just shot an arrow at them? It’s not like they’re going to know it was a warning shot. Or I mean, maybe they will. We’ll know by the next one, won’t we? Haha, you know I’m just kidding, right? Though Mac was a little miffed that her thunder had been robbed. She was specced out for, well, everything actually. But a lot of her perks and at least one of her powers were for diplomacy. But you’re fine, Alicia. I think scaring tiny critters with arrows is funny. [color=cfff04]"...Do you solve everything with violence?"[/color] So much for the good vibes. Don't worry Alicia, I've got this. Listen Mac, You just tried to murder a chicken and changed strategies mid fight. Let’s not ride too high on our tall chicken now. But to answer your question, yes, yes she does. She’s Beacon, of course she’s a neanderthal who’s first action is to use violence. I hope MDP, ever the pacifist, doesn’t think you were trying to kill one of them. Disregard that, the girl is incapable of thinking. Maybe you were playing fetch with them. Oh, sorry, I got off on a bit of a tangent there. Yes! Mac decided to use her [i]special eyes[/i] to examine the critters from a distance. Her third eye and true sight were active, and if they were doing anything other than observing, she’d know about it. Unless it was like that time in season three. Aaaaaaand I think we’re done. … … … Oh! Right, hah! I bet some of you want to know how Chloe is going to react to Lily. One second. I need a moment to get serious again. … … … [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PjPyXYN.gif[/img] [color=violet][i]Predictable…[/i][/color] I feel like “Emo Chloe” has a nice ring to it. Anyone agree? [color=888888]— Chloe Irving[/color] [hider=Chloe Irving] 03 03 03 03 03 10 10 06 17 04 23/12 | Babe/Baby | Spirit Mystic orb, Gauntlets | Third Eye, Tentacles | Horror Wings, Enhanced Outfit, Big Damn Hero, Blood Magic, Interdimensional Home, Sorcery, Enhanced Transformation Dominator | Dark Weapon Nagash 6 Gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze [/hider] [/center] Lily had attempted to stop Chloe, but she in turn was stopped by a Mortisan Bone Shaper. As Caterpillar’s screams filled the air, it spoke. [b][color=ffffff]"You must steel your emotions."[/color][/b] This one was much more stern in tone than the jovial one Chloe normally spoke with. [b][color=ffffff]"Chloe is invoking the will of our god, and securing the surest route to victory. Do not pity your opponent. Your bodies may wither and die, but your souls are eternal, and like Sigmar’s chosen, the Stormcast Eternals, they will be reborn better than ever!"[/color][/b] Unspoken but just as true, was that Nagash would just as soon those magical girls [i]stayed[/i] dead. Not that he had any say in the matter. Yet. Once the ritual was complete enough, the bone reapers stood aside and allowed Lily to come closer. She had some choice words for Chloe. You could pick them apart if you wanted to. Caterpillar likely wasn’t mind controlled. There was no reason for a brainwashed slave to turn themselves in willingly to the enemy. Beacon had all kinds of methods to break mind control now, so it would be risky to turn over a powerful ally to the enemy. Better to use them up before they are used against them. And really, Lily? You thought Chloe had changed from a slutty toddler into a tentacled teenager to become a better person? Foolish as ever. Fool or not, Chloe looked to be affected by Lily’s words. She had the tell tale signs of it all over her face. Wide eyes, dilated pupils, slack jaw, just a tiny tremble in the lower lip. For as juvenile as Lily’s retort had been, Chloe understood what she had done. Lily was a bleeding heart. She loved her boyfriend despite him being an asshole, and she forgave people that she really shouldn’t have. Despite Chloe’s network of connections, her lies, her life lines, her owed favors, her safety nets, her logic, there was no protecting her from this. Lily didn’t seem to hate anyone, but she hated Chloe now. Wasn't this the opposite of what she wanted? To make friends and be loved by everyone? And now she was unforgivable in the eyes of the most forgiving person she ever knew. Maybe Penny was right about her. She cracked inside, and as so many people do, she tried to hide her wound under a chuckle. [color=ee82ee]"Et tu, Lily?"[/color] Her voice was quieter than what was appropriate for a powerful coin broker. [color=ee82ee]"No, I don’t think you will. You won’t save everyone."[/color] Chloe turned away from Lily and snapped her fingers. In a matter of seconds, Caterpillar’s body finished its transformation into a [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019890cb-e5df-7508-ac73-301e974eab7b.webp]Liege-Kavalos[/url] Yet the rider was given a shape similar to her original form, and fitted with a cloak. Even though the face was made out of bone, it had been smoothed out until it looked like a woman’s face, or even a mask. Along with that came fragments of her humanity that had been stripped away. It was a very honorable position to hold in Nagashe’s armies, and only the finest were allowed to remain in tact as a single soul, but it wouldn’t change what had happened. [color=ee82ee]"You helped save Regina, you did save Abigail."[/color] She looked back at Lily. [color=ee82ee]"You even saved Justine twice, but there comes a point where we’re just too far gone. Right? I’m proof of that now."[/color] She ran a hand over her face. She knew Lily wouldn’t see the tears, and her tone would not betray her. [color=ee82ee]"If there’s anything left of me when this is all over, you’re welcome to bring whatever remains to justice."[/color] She turned her back to Lily and walked deeper into her army. Her soldiers fell in behind her. Despite all the souls around her, she felt very alone. But Chloe wasn't going to just wallow. Like any busy body, you only needed to bury your head into your work to escape any pain. They had to be victorious before anything else. What she learned here was only half of the story though. Her crystal ball appeared in her hand, and she looked into its murky surface. [color=ee82ee]"Status report on the Penrose and Bolorton sites."[/color] [/hider] [/color]