Pocket Monsters? What are you talking about? Description: Write an omake centered around the Kanto Region. Reward: +Unlocks ???, +Adds ???, Chance for ???
The little furry creature looked up, blinking in confusion and anger from within the glass box it had been placed in. It resembled nothing so much as a mouse, but with bright yellow fur, a tail that came to a point, big bulbous eyes that barely fit its skull. It was a thin and scraggly looking creature, clearly not having eaten in a while. It looked odd, to say the least, a twisted parody of a familiar lifeform. Many would call it unsettling, disturbing…
The old man felt nothing but compassion and curiosity for this fascinating creature.
The man reached inside, slowly, deliberately, maintaining eye contact with the creature, careful to keep his face neutral. He was wearing insulated gloves in case the creature lashed out, but that was no reason not to be careful.
"Don't worry, little fella. I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm trying to help you here, actually…Here, have this."
He gently nudged a berry into the creature's reach, before backing away. The creature gave the berry a bemused side-eye…Before firing a bolt of yellow electricity directly into it, leaving it charred and black. The creature proceeded to gnaw on it, its expression a mix of happiness and uncertainty. As it ate the berry, it looked up at the old man with gratitude…Before remembering itself, and letting out a grumpy sounding "chu" as it turned away.
The man sighed. #026 ("Pikachu", as he'd taken to calling them) was hard to work with at the best of times. He'd studied a few specimens of this sort before, and they tended to display a stubborn streak. The whole reason he was using the glass cage is because something about that streak seemed to cause it to respond very poorly to the Pokeballs he'd helped design. The artificial feelings of calm it was meant to induce seemed to not manifest strongly, if at all. Hrm…He'd caught this little guy gnawing through his wires and had captured him for tagging purposes. Pikachu were not native to this area, meaning this was either a stray or an invasive specimen, and, in either case, measures would need to be taken.
The old man ruminated on the creature, on his life…He could sympathize with its independence, given the life he had led.
Yukinari Ohkido, as he was known then, was born in Machida, Tokyo, almost 22 years before the Invader Wars. He would freely admit he had been something of a hellion as a young man. Getting into fights, making trouble, a delinquent, even something of a bully. He'd also been socially awkward, isolated, he felt like no one understood him. He'd filled the void with hobbies, kaiju movies was a big one, but eventually found understanding, just…Not from people. Ohkido soon found a fascination with insects. He'd loved insects, had a pet stag beetle. People were messy and complicated, but insects? For some reason, he felt a kinship. A kinship that would become the seed of something more. What had gotten him off of the path of delinquency had been a TV news report about the environment, about habitat loss in Japan, as urbanization spread, including in his rapidly growing small town. That had been the moment that inspired him to think maybe he could do something more. His parents had always said he was a bright man who didn't apply himself, but he had found something to apply to. He split off from his old trouble-maker pals and began knuckling down to the subject of entomology, then zoology as a whole. Despite bugs being his first love, he didn't play favorites. He'd done amazingly, skipped several grades, and, by the time of his 20s, he was practically speedrunning his way to a PHD in Biology…And then the Invader Wars had happened.
For all his desire to save the planet from the degradation of humanity, its end had come at a very different threat. He'd shifted his focus, away from his beloved animals, and towards humans. Medical sprays and the like. The world needed that more, he'd felt. He'd nearly been drafted into the Uplift project, although thankfully, that didn't pan out. He wasn't sure he could stomach doing something like that to living beings. And then…The Crash. The long voyage through space. The City. As much as he'd felt leery around urbanization his whole life, Okidau did truly believe in Light's vision. He really did. He'd helped found Neo-Kanto, he'd worked with the corporation that came into the area, but now…
Ohkido was ripped from his thoughts by the viewscreen in the central living area of his lab flickering to life: "You are receiving a transmission from Eric Aoyama. Y/N?"
"Yes, yes…Oh dear…"
The screen flickered and changed to an image of a skinny man about Ohkido's age, with a white beard, in a suit and red tie, sitting in a corporate office. He had a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Oh, hello, Eric! How are things over at the main office, eh? Let me guess: Budget cuts."
"Sam. We need to talk about your projects."
"Ah, yes. The translator program is proceeding apace.."
"Yes, yes, i'm sure. We're scrapping it."
The not-unexpected sentence still came like a punch to the gut.
"Ah…Why?"
"Professor, you've seen the same budget sheets I have. With the recent attacks in the region, Silph Co's public approval is dropping and we're getting dangerously close to the red. And we know whose fault it is."
Whose fault indeed: Ohkido may have been more of a scientist then a corporate skullduggery expert, but he knew where Rocket sourced a significant portion of their recruits from. Something had happened on Cinnabar Island during the Mu-2 project, and while he didn't know exactly what, he could connect the dots.
"The point is, we need your expertise on other projects."
"Those being?"
"Well, for one, it may be time to reopen the weapon…"
"NO."
All joviality dropped out of Okiadu's face, becoming cold and hardened.
Eric sighed. "Look, Sammy…"
"Don't call me that."
"Sam, I know you don't like it, but desperate times call for desperate measures. You and I both know Rocket does not share your nobility. We need to keep up."
"This will just encourage the people of Neo-Kanto to see these creatures as threats…"
"That's why we have the League, Sam. Which, need I remind you, was YOUR idea."
"Yes, I believe the Pokemon could use a means to work out their instinctual aggression in a controlled environment such as friendly competition…"
Eric scoffed. "It's not that different from what I'm proposing."
"There's a difference between a sport and a war. Pokemon aren't meant to fight…"
"They aren't even meant to exist. But they do now, and we need to use them as best we can to save this zone."
"But-"
"Sam, I did not start this call to argue with you. The translator is canceled. You'll receive new instructions within 12 days."
"Eric, I helped you build this company, you can't…"
"I respect you, Professor, but you can be replaced. Isn't it better to have us as an ally then an enemy?"
Eric grinned like a Persian standing over a Pidgey.
"I…" The fight left Okaidu's old bones. "Understood."
"Good. I recommend you take the next few days off, spend some time with the family. Goodbye…Oak."
Professor Samuel Oak, an anglicized name he'd taken on in the city's de facto Lingua Franca of English, stood in his lab as the screen faded to black. He glanced on a table at the edge of the room, a table with a glass case that housed the device that had started this mess. The Silph Scope. A prototype device intended to catch early signs of genetic illnesses, that saw something…ELSE. Something from which Mu, and its 150 siblings, was born. He felt…Guilty. He'd gotten into biology to save ecosystems, and he'd created the greatest mutagen ever known. And now he sat, in this gated community of Pallet, surrounded by Silph and its employees. He'd embraced the new life Mu had birthed, trying to make the best of things. But…Humanity was repeating its mistakes. As they had with the whole city…
He was snapped out of his depression by noticing the specimen leaning against the glass. It looked…Happy. These creatures…They weren't like the humans of this city. They could be allies, they could co-exist…But how to prove it?
Oak had a brainwave. He pulled a book from a nearby bookshelf. His old notebook from when he was a boy, in which he'd sketched bugs. Hidden within it, away from prying eyes, was the blueprint for a device he hoped could help advance human understanding, and show them the true wonders of this world of Pokemon.
Project Codename: Dexter. A Pokemon scanning device…
This had potential. Now…Who to give it to?
Yep, Oak backstory. Fun fact: A lot of the details of Oak's life story, like his inspiration to study insects coming from discomfort with increasing urbanization and his hometown, are in fact, taken from Satoshi Tajiri (the creator of Pokemon's) life story and inspiration in creating the franchise. I even tried to imply he might have some form of Autism, as Taijiri does in real life. Also, there is a reason I chose Eric as the first name Silph Co's president, although it's an obscure pick and i'm curious if anyone else got it. Answer in the spoiler: It's because, in the obscure Pokémon Pocket Monsters gag manga, he is said to be Erika's dad. Anyway, yeah, bit of a character study, felt a bit derivative of Light, but I think it works.
Red shook the controller a few more times and jabbed its buttons, but when that still failed to do anything, he groaned.
"What's the matter, bro?" Adan prodded him, sucking on yet another juice carton.
"My controller's dead." He got to his feet. "Got to look for a battery."
As it turned out, his shitty ass controller only accepted one type of battery and he didn't bring any spares. None of the Sharks he asked had any extras of that type, and he declined one particular offer to try and 'kitbash the thing into an arcade machine'. He wanted a new battery, not a new controller, thanks.
In the end, he strolled back over to Adan. "Yo, my controller's dead and nobody else has the battery I need. See?" He showed him the battery compartment. "I'll go back home and grab one."
"What? Hey! The boss wants all of us here when the pigs come!"
But Red was already slipping out of the back door, rolling his eyes. "I'll be back in a jiffy. 30 minutes, an hour tops."
The night air was not refreshing. Instead, it had a sort of acrid edge to it that had Rooster's nose wrinkling. Worse, the wind felt nonexistent.
The air felt still.
Red kicked at the road aimlessly, his hands fiddling in his pockets. The streets felt like a caricature of themselves, empty and… disturbing. His fingers tightened around his pocket knife. Was he imagining it, or was someone watching him? The hairs on the back of his neck prickled uncomfortably.
He slid around the corner and whirled around with his knife in hand. But nobody was there.
Slowly, he exhaled and stuffed the knife back into his pants. The bushes rustled.
The light went out.
He didn't freeze, he didn't! He was a Shark, damn it! He was the scariest mofo in four entire city blocks! But that didn't stop him from white-knuckling his knife and briskly walking away. Not running!
It was only later that he realized how silent everything had been.
The lights in his house were off. Though he expected as much, considering how late it was, he still felt unnerved. Whatever happened just now, even if it was all a coincidence, was still kind of scary, though he wouldn't admit it to anyone.
As silently as he could, he moved to unlock the door, then realized it was already open.
"Grandma?" His whisper felt like a gunshot in the dark corridor. A dim light was shining out of the kitchen, too dim to be the kitchen light. He swallowed a lump of saliva, then pressed his back against the wall and sidled in, then a little bit more.
Sounds of chewing and crunching emanated out of the kitchen. Okay, Grandma was just getting a midnight snack. Nevermind that her eyesight was going and she usually needed the kitchen light, clearly she was just too hungry, haha! Oh Grandma, what a big appetite you have! All fours on the kitchen floor that you are, stuffing choccies into your mouth!
He quickly ran into the garage and – there! He stuffed the box of batteries into his pocket, and then another just to be safe. Then he turned back around to make his escape.
Or he would have, except the way out was now being blocked by his Grandma and… is that his neighbor? He was smiling so wide his own lips hurt.
"H – hey, hey! Um," he swallowed, "nice to meet you?"
A piece of frosting fell onto the floor with a wet splat. Grandma took a step forward, her body swaying. Maybe a car was driving by or something, because a flash of headlights went by the window, illuminating something wriggling in her mouth. The neighbor's cheek spasmed and - IS THAT A KNIFE?!
Bravely yelling, he charged forwards and juked to the right, causing the two of them to crash into each other. Then he was home free and outside, yelling back, "OKAYTHANKYOUNICETOMEETYOUSEEYOU BYE!"
Not even lying to himself anymore, Red ran the whole way back, every shadow a monster, every cranny an ambush spot. Until finally he crashed into the arcade, whereupon he swiftly collapsed into a limp puddle on the floor, greedily sucking in air, ignoring the soft whine of his fin softly scratching the linoleum with each breath.
When he finally felt like he was himself again, he uncurled himself and flopped backwards onto the floor, groaning.
"Oh hey, you're finally back!" Adan said, pulling the juicebox out of his mouth and tossing it into a pile of its empty brethren and sweet wrappers. The light of the game screen played across his face, and as flashes of color from the game flared and faded, one could almost swear that there was something else in his mouth. "What took you so long? We're playing Guild Wars next."
'Twas a trick of the light! Right? Right???
Anyway,
+10 to Diplomacy roll please.
EDIT: edited glowing red eyes to ants in mouth to fit the alien description.
So, here's my submission for the Psychic Spread bounty. The moment I saw it, the scene just clicked.
Psychic Spread
Once, Marble Zone had been a thriving home for those seeking shelter away from the iron fist of The City and its megacorps. Where the first settlers had carved out their new lives in harmony with the world around them, grateful for the second chance that this new world offered them.
And for a time, there had been peace. Children, human and uplift alike, were raised never knowing the constant paranoia of The City, where falling behind for an instant would see you ground up and thrown away.
Instead, they were born into what seemed like another world entirely, where adventure was around every corner and the beauty of the world was on full display.
Oh, there were dangers, monsters, natural hazards, and more jotting the landscape, but there was always a sense of hope in the air. The feeling that these people could face whatever the world threw at them.
A sentiment that was soon proven false once Robodyne and its leader set their eye on Marble Zone. The settlers, who had only ever experienced the occasional mutant attack or wild beast, were ill-prepared for the tidal wave of steel that descended upon them. Within a matter of weeks, the whole of the area was under Eggman's control and most of the population had been rounded up and forced into grueling labor in his factories.
Amy Rose had only been 12 years old when Eggman had taken over, but she remembered it like it was yesterday. Her aunt and uncle, who had raised her in their cozy cabin in the woods alongside her cousin since her parents passing, were dragged away by Robodyne badniks trying to buy time for her and Rob to flee. But that had just been the beginning…
The pristine lands that she had grown up in were transformed into ever-growing industrial hellscapes, with more metal and toxins than nature. Badniks roamed the ravaged zone, seeking out any survivors of the initial purge to fuel their master's corporate machine. Every day, Eggman's grip on Marble Zone and its neighbors only seemed to tighten despite the residents' best efforts to fight back.
But, despite the tyrant's best efforts, there was still hope. Eggman's world was an orderly one, where every piece could be categorized, every problem accounted for. He couldn't conceive of threats that didn't obey his sense of rationality, of a world beyond his cold numbers and machines.
Sonic and the Freedom Fighters were able to stay one step ahead of Eggman because they didn't think in any way that he could understand, because they had the strength to hit hard and fast and retreat before Eggman could bury them in bots. They were unpredictable and that was why a handful of uplifts and humans had been able to do more damage to Robodyne than an entire militia had during the conquest.
Amy wasn't as amazing as them, but she had her own strengths. Things that Eggman wouldn't understand even if she gave him a step-by-step guidebook.
After all, how could someone whose mind was so full of cold steel and mindless obedience ever consider her little old pack of tarot cards a threat? No, he'd blame her success on a security leak or scouting attempt, never once considering a mystical cause for her inexplicable knowledge and punish whatever poor soul or bot he felt was to blame.
Seated before a tree stump in a glen that had somehow been overlooked by Eggman's workers despite being within shouting distance of a factory, Amy once again began the familiar ritual.
The exact process wasn't something that she has ever been able to put into words. From the outside it seemed that she simply drew three cards, but for her it was as though she immersed her consciousness as a great sea of information. The cards gave her a way to filter that knowledge into something more coherent, as if guiding her through gentle currents.
She shuffled the deck, letting the familiar sensation guide her movements as she drew the three cards for her reading.
"Ok, so that's the emperor reversed, strength upright, and the devil reversed," Amy mused, the pink-furred hedgehog uplift looking down at the results. "Good signs."
The reversed emperor represented tyranny, rigidity, and coldness. Eggman's tyranny had ensured that this card was a common sight when drawing for the past of anything within the Zones, with so many lives shackled under his rule.
The strength represented inner strength, bravery, compassion, and focus. When interpreted through the present lens, this card conveyed the sense that the person in question was on the path to success and fighting for the right cause.
The reversed devil represented freedom, release, and restoring control. When considered in the context of the future, it spoke of the subject's actions liberating themselves or others from physical and/or metaphorical shackles.
For a moment, Amy saw a possibility yet unrealized: dozens of enslaved workers fleeing their prison, their robotic overseers reduced to scrap. Confirmation that her plan would likely succeed.
"Neat. Looks like those rumors about Eggman sending sub-bosses to every factory were just hot air after all." Amy smiled as she reshuffled the cards into the deck.
"I need to get started sooner than later, but while I'm here…" she stared down at the cards in contemplation for a moment before reaching down to perform another reading.
Amy had long-since gotten into the habit of using her tarot cards to keep an eye on the bigger picture of the city and its surroundings, you never knew when a corporate rivalry or independent actor could do something that rippled out into the war against Eggman, but for the past few months she had found herself repeating one particular reading. It was like an itch at the back of her mind, a thought that kept popping back up without fail.
Once more, she drew the spread. And, as always, she gazed upon the same results: the reversed justice, the reversed moon, and the tower. Dishonesty, unaccountability, and unfairness leading to confusion, fear, and misinterpretation that in turn results in a disaster. Unlike the previous reading, no vision accompanied the result.
"It still hasn't changed, huh?" Amy mused. "What in the world could be causing something like this? And how is it messing with my tarot cards?"
For whatever reason, Amy had never been able to view these readings as clearly as she normally could. She had caught glimpses of a shadow corrupting an eagle before crushing the world in it's talons, but those visions were increasingly fragmented and insubstantial.
More and more often, it felt like something was pushing back against her when she tried to investigate. It was difficult to notice even when she was aware of it, but the smooth flow of fate that had guided her so many times felt stilted, like it was being forcibly redirected from the proper path by an unseen hand.
"I know Eggman needs to be stopped, but this sounds pretty bad," Amy bit her lip in frustration. "Maybe I could try and do something about it? But that means leaving all those people to Robodyne's non-existent mercy…"
"Agh!" Amy clutched her head in frustration, nearly dislodging her red ribbon headband in the process. "Why are there so many things going wrong around here? Wasn't Eggman enough?!"
Granted, Robodyne did one thing right in how they kept most opposition out of the zones, but the idea that some other megacorp could just roll in and pick up where Eggman had left off once they finally brought him down never ceased to bother her.
"Right, I have to stay focused," Amy sighed, idly brushing her orange skirt as she got to her feet. "I have a factory to liberate, and I can't do that if I'm too caught up in what's going on elsewhere to see what's in front of me."
With an ease born of experience, she returned the three cards of her tarot deck and stowed it in one of her green shirt's hidden pockets in one smooth motion.
"But after I'm done, maybe it's time I really started looking into this. How hard can it be to find someplace connected to eagles anyway?" Amy asked, pulling out her trusty Piko Piko hammer and marching off toward the Robodyne factory with a spring in her step. And here's a tentative character sheet.
Amy Rose
Stats
PSI: 14
Martial: 15 (19)
Diplomacy: 14
Stewardship: 6
Intrigue: 15 (29)
Learning: 7
Piko Piko Hammer: An oversized toy hammer that can somehow be folded up and stored practically anywhere or unfolded nigh-instantly. Despite its harmless appearance, it's durable enough to crush Robodyne bots like tin cans. (Plus 4 to martial when equipped)
Tarot Cards: A set of 22 cards depicting the major arcana. Usually, you'd say anyone talking about making predictions with these is looking to con you, but Amy seems like the real deal. (Once per turn, add PSI stat to intrigue).
Power Rings: Mysterious rings that seem to appear out of nowhere. When held, they protect the user from severe damage at the cost of scattering afterward. Amy had 20 emergency rings in her possession by the time she arrived in Onnet. (When the holder's HP would be reduced to 0, negate the damage and drop any held rings. If not recovered within a turn, any unclaimed rings will vanish.
Traits:
Chasing The Wind:You aren't as fast as the blue blur, but that hasn't stopped you from trying to keep up. [Amy can take two tasks each turn so long as they don't specifically require the entire duration of the turn. Gain 1 additional AP in combat encounters]
This Rose Has Thorns:You might believe in kindness and helping others, but that doesn't make you a pushover. If someone crosses a line, then you'll make sure they realize the error of their ways in short order. Years of living under and opposing Eggman's tyranny have left Amy with a strong moral compass, and she won't hesitate to back those ideals up with force. For better or worse. +10 to any rolls dealing with opposing morally dubious individuals/actions, -10 to any rolls involving ignoring or abetting them, and -30 for any rolls for committing such actions. A SMAAAASH failure on such a roll may result in Amy turning against you depending on your current reputation with her.
Far From Home:Amy has spent most of her life living in the woods and it shows. While she's not a hermit, the Eagle Quarter is a far cry from what she's used to, which hasn't exactly helped her take her mind off the situation with Eggman back home. Amy is very much out of her element in this new environment and distracted by the situation back home. When assigned to an action that would generate suspicion, roll a 1d100. If the result is 80 to 100, no additional suspicion is generated. Otherwise, the amount of suspicion generated is increased. Should anything notable happen to Sonic or the Freedom Fighters, Amy's mindset and ability to focus will be impacted accordingly.
PSI Abilities:
Amy is a balanced PSI user, ridiculous talent with clairvoyance aside.
Lifeup α: The base healing PSI Technique. By expending PP, the user can mend injuries and damage ranging from light to moderate in a single target be it themselves or someone else. It's not enough to make a dent in severe or grievous injuries, but it's cost-effective. Lifeup cannot effect illnesses or 'status effects' as that falls under a different technique.
Speed Up β: An 'old' PSI technique, sometimes referred to as 'QuickUp'. This technique allows the user to expend PSI energy to accelerate the state of being of a single target. Allowing them to move and react faster for a moderate time, at the cost of potentially exhausting themselves. Stronger versions do not increase the amount of targets that can be affected by this technique, merely its intensity.
Flash α:A PSI technique that generates a strong flash and can make the enemy start crying uncontrollably, and in some circumstances, feel strange.
Description
A plucky hedgehog uplift hailing from Marble Zone and one of many self-proclaimed Freedom Fighters waging guerilla warfare against Robodyne's tyranny. She's also a powerful, if self-trained, PSI user who caught wind of Giygas' scheme through her tarot cards and is looking to stop it. This journey led her to the Eagle Quarter and, after some misadventures, Onnet.
Amy fits really well with Earthbound when you think about it. Tarot has long been tied to psychics and Amy has been shown to be the real deal with her predictions, somehow determining that Sonic would be on Little Planet at a specific time with nothing but a tarot reading, which makes for an easy excuse for her stumbling onto Giygas' plot and getting involved. Add in how her appearances in Sonic Battle, Adventure 2 Battle, and Frontiers all play into the idea of a more mystical skillset than her peers and she was surprisingly easy to adapt to Earthbound logic. I had to draw from pre-SGW Archie Sonic to fill a bit of her background (namely her aunt, uncle, and cousin Rob), so I hope that doesn't confuse anyone too much.
I feel like interactions between Amy and CD could be interesting. They're both fighting guerilla wars against an overwhelming threat, both have had to deal with losing people they loved in different ways, and both refuse to sit back and let bad things happen. They've taken drastically different outlooks on the situations, but at the core, they have similar sentiments. All in all, Amy makes a neat foil for CD in my opinion.
"Break the course of violence. Don't break the wind of change"
TV sets blared in town as the O.P.F began a nearly 2-hour long broadcast. Captain Strong himself took center stage during the entire thing, speaking with an intense and passionate cadence.
"The fact that some in our peaceful town acted the way they did to the encouraging signs we put up was proof of two things: Our efforts were having an effect and we must go further with our efforts." Captain Strong explained, canned applause giving a disproportionate sense of scale to the man's words.
"Of course, we here at the O.P.F would never overstep our bounds. However it's come to my attention that an increasing amount of children and teens are openly skipping school. This is happening to such a scale, and at such an alarming rate, that most of the youth of Onnet are not likely to get their GEDs."
"I think it's disgusting that so many of the troubled youth in this town fails to see how privileged they are to have access to an education. Countless children across The City can only dream of having access to such things. Not only is it utterly disrespectful to our CEO Mayor Pirkle, but it's indictive of the moral rot that's taking hold in Onnet."
"This is why, starting immediately, the OPF will be investing additional manpower in order to field truancy officers. These truancy officers will ensure that any child or teen seen out and about during school hours will be escorted to school."
"If the maligned youth of this city cannot see the value in their own futures, then we will seize those futures ourselves. And I'm sure all the good people of this community can agree that they'll better off when we take them off the streets and put them back at their desks."
The broadcast ended with sweeping shots of the restored signs looming down from the rooftops in town.
[OPF gains a greater bonus to curbing 'dissident' activity in Onnet. Some Faction actions will be made more difficult by them.]
Snap, Crackle, Pop?
Small pops and bangs have occasionally been audible from the rear of the Arcade in Onnet. They always seem to happen at night, but they're so sporadic that no one's really put much thought into them. While the Sharks aren't any less active, they're walking on eggshells around the arcade for some reason.
[The Sharks are up to something...]
...
What are you looking at?
Everything is F̴̢̛̼̼́̑͑͌̋̀̅́̉̇̚ͅi̶̢̥̼̟̝̠̗̲̠̤̼̰̐͊̎͊̈́͑͝n̴̝͓̥̯͚͈͎͍͖̗͚͙̿͂͛̉̃͆̀̉͛͒̇̓͘͠ͅe̸̼̱͍͎̖͓̜͇̫͉̻̤̍̾̔͊̇̽̕͝.
And it's going to get even better.
Just wait and s e e
[...Alien action for this turn has been delayed...]
Lockdown Difficulties
The Lockdown is beginning to effect people's mental health and emotions in a way that's no longer easy to hide. Arguments between families are audible from the streets outside, breakdowns due to bills, and a growing sense of unease has most of the population of Onnet on edge.
People are growing desperate and many find hope in the O.P.Fs actions. Some are questioning what the Lockdown is even for anymore while others are growing increasingly hostile, eager for someone to blame for all the problems going on...
Blare of Static!
Once again Onnet has received a brief alleviation from the isolation in the form of radio broadcasts. It seems something is either briefly boosting the strength of local radio signals, or making the local receivers more effective.
Arms Trade Hiccup?
Proper weapons have always been somewhat difficult to get ahold of in the Eagle Quarter. Most locally made weapons are glorified junk and anything that manages to get imported is usually defective or a dumbed down 'monkey machine' model. This has made the appearance of archaic style weaponry equal parts confusing and appreciated in the Eagle Quarter.
While some are displeased that Pre-crash solid ammo firearms aren't being brought into the quarter, others aren't as quick to complain. As old fashioned as the weapons might seem, they're straight forward and more reliable then local weapons.
It helps you don't have to buy ammo for a sword.
These weapons will likely start finding their way into the hands of groups in the Eagle Quarter in the coming months.
However the origin of the original seller is a secret...
Monotoli Corp Brushes Off Meeting
Rumor has it that Monotoli Corp has repeatedly brushed off requests by a foreign corporation to meet with them.
Despite initially agreeing to do so, it's said that Monotoli himself canceled the meeting and refused to attend after learning that the corporation in question was a "third rat nobody business".
The exact reason for the meeting is up to debate.
Some state that it was due to a canceled "roadwork project" that Monotoli Corp had begged the foreign corp to be allowed to do years ago, only to take the money and leave the work unfinished.
Others state that it was due to interest in the Eagle Quarters wildlife and unspoken concerns about some sort of 'biological contaminant'.
No one can say for sure, but what people are certain of is that unusual people have been sighted in the Eagle Quarter following the leakage of this rumor.
Some speculate the OPF's otherwise steel trap-like border security accidentally let certain people into the Eagle Quarter under the belief they'd be involved in the meeting.
The OPF has harshly denied this rumor but that simply leads to a question.
If strange visitors are finding their way into the Eagle Quarter, how are they getting here?
Eggdyne Advert
Your spare time is precious so why take a gamble with lesser attractions when you can come down to the CASINO ZONE!
LIGHTS, SIGHTS, AND SENSATIONS OF ALL KINDS!
The entire zone has been designed by Eggdyne's founder himself to ensure maximum pleasure and immersion.
There's nowhere you can go in the Casino Zone that won't offer some kind of stimulation or pleasurable experience!
And following the repair of minor damage to certain sections of the zone, entirely new experiences have been added
So what are you waiting for? Come to the Casino Zone where having fun is a gamble you'll always win! Disclaimer: Eggdyne is not required to publish or disclose win rates. Anyone that accumulates debts past a certain threshold will be expected to pay it back through Eggdynes new organic processing program. Casinos have job openings, no minimum age requirement as long as standards are met. Any mentions of disappearances may result in fines or removal from Zone.
FACTION Actions
Each turn there will be five faction actions that can be taken and CD will be able to take 4 Personal Actions.
State of Faction
THE OUTFIELDERS
Type: Criminal Size: Tiny
Reputation:
-40 General Reputation
+ 15 with Nook Real Estate
Neutral or partially positive starting rep with some criminal factions
Org. Traits:
Community Minded: Whenever your faction receives positive Reputation they receive +2 additional rep. Whenever you damage another faction's reputation, or a faction is put into a poor light by your actions, any negative reputation they receive will be increased by +5.
Assets:
Treehouse ✰ [HQ]: A simple one room treehouse located in the woods behind the local library. It provides a relatively hidden place to meet, discuss in private, and lay low. Outside of that however it lacks any real amenities, but plenty of room for improvement. [1 Slot for facilities]
Childhood Home ✰ [Personal]: Your two floor plus basement childhood home on the outskirts of Onnet's suburbs. It was where you were born and where you've lived till now. With your mother leaving, it belongs to you now. You don't think you could bear to sell it. [0 Slots for Personal Facilities]
Resources:
Baseball Bat Stockpile: A large amount of baseball bats from Onnet, enough to arm every member of your gang for some time. They're considered sports equipment first and weapons second by many.
Income Sources:
(+1) Baseball Bat Factory Investment dividends]
Current Total Funds: 4 (As of Turn 7)
Territory:
None
Average Organization Member: -Drawing to come soon!- Personnel Profile: Kids, teens, and young adults. No real adults are in your organization. Training: -Inexperienced Delinquents- They think they know how to throw a punch, but more importantly they're eager and willing to do so. Equipment: Baseball bats, rocks, and the clothes on their back and whatever they brought from home. Disposition: Enthusiastic if somewhat lost on the full scope of what this may entail. Loyalty: Placid, neither hesitant nor particularly loyal. They're more engaged with the cause then they are with you.
Suspicion Level:
▣□□□□□□□□□
9/100
FACTION ACTIONS
Current Funds: ☆4☆ Effects of Note:
[CD]'s Depression has been put to rest for the next 3 turns.
+10 to next faction Diplomacy check
+15 to next PSI training roll(with increased stat gains)
Items of Note:
Tattered Plushie: A plushie you've had since you were a baby. It has more patches in it at this point then original fabric. Despite growing older, you couldn't conceive of throwing it away or giving it to someone else, even your siblings. You carry it with you everywhere, albeit out of sight. That being said you have no idea what it's supposed to be. It's purple and cute. Some sort of...eggplant...wizard? It's weird.
[????]
Repaired Baseball Bat:A bat you've had for a long time. The resin you bought has restored it to it's prior state, it's much sturdier. Still, maybe there are even more ways to improve it? [+2 to Martial]
Sound Stone: A shard of an ocarina that was used (somehow) to 'defeat' GIygas during the first invasion. It is a PSI artifact capable of detecting places burgeoning with PSI, namely sanctuaries. It can also record special 'sounds' though this function doesn't seem to have a use to you. [Greatly reduces the DC for finding sanctuaries and largely eliminates the dangers of trying to claim a Sanctuary as your own. Provided it remains in your possession]
'Meteorite' Shard: A strange, currently unidentified stone. You have no idea what it could be, but you have no doubt someone would likely want to buy it for a high price...
Prefilled Mayoral Paperwork: A paperwork form for a 'mayoral decree' with blank spots that can be filled out to be just about anything. It was pre-signed and pre-stamped for the mayor's convenience. It can only be used once, but this could potentially be used to give out a fake order to those working for the mayor...
Lab Equipment: A myriad of stolen equipment from the Onnet Hospital's medical lab. A lot of it is out of date, but it's still professional equipment. Useless on its own, especially without the right knowhow or setup. However it would make setting up a semi-proper lab room significantly easier and remove more or less all material cost.
Beeject & NELCON: An as of yet unidentified drug with an injector. The instructions state to press the injector to the side of the neck and pull the trigger. No needle experience is needed. Anyone could use it, but it could be dangerous, or even outright lethal.
Xterminator Spray: A potent insecticide no longer produced due to it's toxicity. Could be useful when dealing with pests. One time single-use item that grants a +10 Martial bonus against Insect-like enemies. Usable in combat or with applicable checks
Martial
[] Tagging Territory [Onnet]: If the Sharks have been throwing their name up around town then it's only fair your group does the same. You need to keep the fact you're fighting aliens a secret, not the fact that you exist at all a secret. Little gangs like your get money, influence, and power from controlling territory. A certain amount of vested influence or presence in an area is needed before it can even be attempted to be taken over. No one rolls over for strangers and the force needed to make people do so is a bit beyond your reach right now. Of course, the Sharks will be pissed off that you're a new crew in town and the cops won't be pleased, but nothing you do short of bending over backwards for them is going to make them happy. The cops activity in town will make this a little trickier then before. DC: 25/50 (Reward: Additional Martial Actions in Onnet)
[] Expand Treehouse: The treehouse isn't even close to what you need it to be. Thankfully, everyone's pretty keen on the idea of building off the existing treehouse. The materials will be pretty simple and the tree is large enough to support quite a lot, some members even seem willing to bring in materials to help. They're hardly going to be professional quality, but who hasn't wanted to build their own treehouse? DC: 30 (Reward: +2 Facility Slots)
[] Build a Facility: The treehouse is the only base the Outfielders have to call their own at this time. And right now it consists of a single empty room. Maybe it's time to change that.
-[] Build a Lab:Maybe calling whatever you can fit inside a treehouse a 'laboratory' is a stretch, but with the stolen Lab Equipment you have would make it pretty well equipped. With the issue of the equipment out of the way the hardest part is already done. Well, the hardest part will be getting someone who knows how to properly USE any of it… DC: 35 (-Lab Equipment, -1 Facility Slot, Reward: Laboratory)
-[] Build a Crude Workshop: It'd be an enclosed room with a bunch of 'borrowed' power tools, benches, and vices to hold things. However even with that you'd probably be able to get up to some pretty heinous stuff. What you could make would be simple, but being able to make anything at all would be a boon by itself. DC 35: (-1 Funds, -1 Facility Slot, Reward: Crude Workshop)
-[] Build a Small Barracks: Why bring in tables when you can bring in beds? There's a chance the Outfielders might have to hold out at the treehouse at some point. Having a place to sleep, and the means to more easily live there would put a lot towards that. On top of being convenient it would provide a place to stay for the members of the Outfielders who might not want to go home, or don't have a home to go back to. This would increase the cohesion and sense of comradery amongst the Outfielders, boosting their potential in mass combat. DC: 35 (-1 Funds, -1 Facility Slot, Reward: Barracks)
-[] Build a Radio Room: With the treehouse already as high as it is, it's actually a lot easier to set up a small radio tower of sorts then you'd expect. You can even disguise it to look like just another part of the tree. It'll be expensive getting real radio equipment, but with a dedicated set up you could broadcast and receive. You might even be able to spy on the cops chatter if you tune things right… DC: 40 (-2 Funds, -1 Facility Slot, Reward: Radio Room)
[] Claim Territory by Force: Actually taking control of places requires either a lack of interest/control in an area, or a certain amount of vested influence or presence in an area. Even if a gang or criminal group doesn't own an area on paper, it doesn't mean it isn't theirs. Having kids squatting with baseball bats and rocks on street corners is the next best thing. Given the Outfielders literally just started existing, you have jack and shit for influence or presence. However there are places in town no one currently gives a shit about.
- [] The Hill: That god forsaken, bird invested fucking hill. It's not far from your house and it's got a good view of the town. Piss all is actually there, save for pain, misery, and you guess Liar's house which has been abandoned since he somehow skipped town. He did find something weird under his house and the tunnels are still down there. If you had the Outfielders 'house sit' they could do some digging themselves. Technically the town owns the hill, but you'd be genuinely shocked if anyone gave a rat's ass if you all put a flag down and started loitering there. DC: 40 (Reward: Bring 'The Hill' under your control and gain access to the tunnels under Liar's House)
[]Attempt to Abduct a "Sugared": Porky has started calling the Antoid-invested individuals in town "The Sugared". While you don't have an exact list of how many there are, or who specifically is controlled, you know enough that they're easy to pick out in a crowd. Since they're regular people being controlled and not simply aliens, most of the Outfielders aren't comfortable with simply trying to kill them. Some have suggested cornering one at night and beating them up enough so that you can restrain them. If you're able to drag them off somewhere and abduct them, you can potentially figure out a way to excise the Antoid inside them and free them of their control. Of course, you have no idea what the Sugared might do in response and won't have long before the town realizes people are missing again. DC: 70 (Reward: Capture one of the "Sugared" and hinder their operation in the town)
[] Challenge the Sharks: Walk right up to the Arcade and call the Sharks out. Fight them outright at their base of operations. They outnumber you, and outgun you, but with the backup you have maybe it can work out. As long as you can smash your way to Frankie then you can force them to bend the knee, maybe even give up or get absorbed. If it goes tits up though, the Sharks will be out for blood and there will be plenty of yours in the water. DC: 80 (Reward: Initiates Battle with the Sharks, giving a chance to destroy or absorb the group)
[] Challenge the Sharks…to Baseball?: It will be hard to meet the Sharks, or even talk to them, unless it's in a 'language' that you're proficient in. And if you can't punch them in the face, you'll have to face them on the diamond. Of course, you really doubt the Sharks will come out for a good natured game of ball. However your new friend Kyoko stated that, even in River City, they sometimes settle differences with sports. Of course, she specified, they were rarely normal 'clean' games. It's gotten you thinking. If the Sharks would laugh off a normal game of ball, maybe you can devise a version they'd be more receptive to. DC: 40 (Reward: Initiates a game of modified baseball with the Sharks. Chance to greatly improve relations or unite factions, provided risks are taken.Additional checks and options will follow on success)
[] TrainOutfielders More:Most of the members of your gang know how to throw a punch and swing a bat now. However there's still a lot of room for improvement. Of course it will be difficult to do until they have their first taste of a proper fight. Not just by themselves but as a proper gang. Difficulty increased due to lack of field experience. DC 80/100 (Reward: Increase the fighting skill of the Outfielders more.)
[] RIOT!: Fuck the police! Causing a ruckus to draw the police into a fight. Straight up beating the cops asses for the whole town to see will make it clear you're not to be taken lightly and will weaken the police a substantial amount. Of course, that's easier said than done and the cops are pretty well equipped to deal with a bunch of untrained, rowdy punks led by one or two people who actually know how to fight. DC: 110 (Reward: Initiates Battle with the O.P.F, giving a chance to end the Lockdown and permanently damage their control over Onnet)
[] Raid City Hall: The mayor hasn't left city hall since all this started. Its high security walls make it look like a fortress. Trying to bust down the front gates with the cops still walking around would be borderline suicide. If you want a piece of the mayor you'll have to build up and deal with some of the other plays in town first.
[Action cannot be taken at this time]
[] Assault Giant's Foot: The Entertainer's Shack is still sitting there. It's oddly quiet. The shack is locked up tight and there's no easy way to get to the cave behind it. Maybe you could try rushing in there, try to break in with your group but…some part of you can't help but feel that's a bad idea. It's too soon.
[Action cannot be taken at this time]
Diplomacy
[] Recruiting (Onnet):You've hit the limit on just who you can recruit at this time. Until the lockdown is broken you'll have to make due with the people you have or cook up a way to broaden who would be receptive to your recruitment attempts.
[Action locked due to circumstances]
[] Pick Up Trash: Trying to change how the Outfielders are viewed will be an uphill battle, and one that your fellow gang members might not be willing to really commit themselves to. Which is why you'll need to start small. And going around and picking up trash is about as small as you can get. There's a chance it will do something to move the needle in your favor, and maybe you can turn any cans you find in for money. Of course you'll be a laughing stock in the eyes of the Sharks, and the cops might see it as a chance to harass you. DC: 35 (Reward: +??? Reputation and +??? Funds)
[] Make Connections at School: The school is a glorified prison that only teaches how much the world sucks. But it has some useful facilities and elements to it that could be of use to the Outfielders. Talking to kids at the school, maybe trying to sweet talk or suck up to the teachers, could open up some options. Access to the school after hours or maybe getting an opportunity to recruit from the student body. With the cops threatening people to go, this might be a bit easier then before. DC: 30/75 (Additional options regarding the local school)
[] Letter Writing Campaign: Even if it's easy to ignore, sending enough letters voicing outrage or concern towards the lockdown, the police, and the mayor's policies could help erode their reputation in Onnet. You doubt the ones recieving the letters will care, if they even read them. But if people catch on that a lot of letters are being sent, they might start to send their own, or more freely speak in anger about what's been bothering them under the belief others are basically doing the same. And if you mess with the postage and addresses, no one will know just who sent the letters. Of course, you're going to need to write more then a few. Hope your gang has good handwriting... DC: 50 (Reward: Decrease OPF & Pirkle's reputation in Onnet)
[]Baseball Factory Deal: The Outfielders are…well you're a gang. But that doesn't mean you can't have some kind of front, or put on airs. No one's going to look at you and think you're out to fight genocidal aliens. With the lockdown, the Baseball Bat factory has been hurting. You could talk them into some sort of deal with your group. It won't be easy given how small the group is, but if you succeed a beneficial arrangement could be made. The deal you made before would make it a lot harder for the factory to not take an offer at least a bit seriously. DC: 60 [Additional checks or options may follow on success]
[] Talk to the Sharks: You have the vague respect of the Sharks and you haven't done anything to directly fuck with them. They likely won't take kindly to the fact you have your own posse now, but it shouldn't be impossible to arrange a meeting with their leader. By talking with Frankie you might be able to work things out with words instead of your fists. It won't be easy, even if you do meet him there's no guarantee he'll be reasonable. But if there's any chance of allying with the Sharks, or somehow pulling them into the fold, it's this. DC: 65 [Additional checks or options may follow on success] (Reward: Possibility to join or absorb the Shark or strike a deal)
[] Protest!: Like rioting, but you're not supposed to punch the cops in the balls when they attempt to mace you. Gathering up the Outfielders and protesting out front of the mayor's office and making a racket over the lockdown could cause some problems for the cops. And if they swing at you for it, that might not look super good for them. Of course, your reputation could end up having people in town dismiss everything you say. But it could shake the town into voicing their dissatisfaction. DC: 70/90/100 (Reward: -??? Decrease to OPF's reputation)
[] Confront the Police: Shit stinks to high heaven. The police are up to something. You have no clear idea of what, but they're the mayor's lapdogs and the mayor sure as hell doesn't have people's best interests at heart. It'd take a goddamn miracle to arrange a meeting with the OPF that doesn't have you looking out from the bars of a cell but…it's still an option. DC: 90 (Reward: Learn the OPF's intentions directly)
Stewardship
[] Pay the "Hint Man" for Information: Porky has brought to your attention the fact that there's a bizarre information broker of sorts named the 'Hint Man'. They're here in Onnet, but then again it's claimed that they're all over the Eagle Quarter. If you have the money, they have the information. Claiming they can give you 'hints' to just about anything that you so desire to know. Of course, the cost is quite steep. The man is apparently willing to allow for a little debt in order to pay him, but you get the feeling that might come with strings attached.
[Autopass: -4 Funds, +1 Debt] (Reward: Learn information regarding a subject of player's choice)
[] Run a Lemonade Stand(s): Look, you're trying here. It's still the warmer months and you don't have to be the one selling it. It could help make some extra money and it's better than the drip feed you currently have to work with. If the Sharks see you doing this though, they'll probably mock you for it or worse try to rob you. DC: 25/40/80 (Reward: Additional Funds based on level of success)
[]Invest More Into the Factory: You've invested in the factory and you bought their product in bulk at least once. While you don't quite have the same cash to fully invest, that doesn't mean you can't work something out. Whether it's simply getting clever, or a little fraudulent, the end result will hopefully be the same. If you can puzzle things out you can potentially increase your returns from the factory, or at the very least gain a greater control over it. DC: 40/60/80 [-4 Funds] (Rewards: Increase share in factory, chance to increase passive income. A high enough degree of success may decrease amount of money needed for investment. Minimal success or failure may incur reputation loss or debt)
[] Pawn Crap from the Woods: Having your crew searching the woods for something to sell is a bit desperate, but it could make some scratch. Plus there's no telling what could be found with a bunch of bored teens combing the forest. Well, besides trouble that is. DC: 45/80 (Reward: Chance to find Funds or Items)
[] Psychic Healing for Money: Same verse, same as the first! Only now with additional help! You're the only one who can do the actual healing, but the others can point people in your direction. It'll probably draw in a lot more attention, for better and for worse. You have a chance to make some proper money, but the spiritual healing bit will get people suspicious when they realize it's not bullshit. (This action will use the PSI Stat). DC: 40/60/80, +???Suspicion (Reward: Immediate Funds based on level of success)
Intrigue
[ ] Commit Some Crimes!: Fuck the police, and everyone else. The Outfielders need money, resources, and anything else they can get their hands on. If people assume the worst of you, souring their impressions a little more isn't going to kill you. Sending the Outfielders up to commit some petty crimes in order to accrue funds and materials could DC: 30/50/70 -Reputation (Reward: Funds and raw materials)
[] Steal Some Electronics:Some of your members have lamented the lack of equipment available to the outfielders. Namely an easy way to communicate with one another that aren't calling each other's home phones. Porky has brought up that he knows some places where radios, electronics, and other stuff is kept. If the Outfielders put in the effort, they could pilfer some goods that could benefit them. Walkie-Talkies, radios, and who knows what else. DC: 45/75 (Reward: Radio Equipment and other electronics)
[] Track the "Sugared": Now that you know where the Antoids went, you have to deal with the problem of the fact people in town are now under the alien's direct control. Thankfully you have a good idea on how to spot the "Sugared" as Porky has been calling them. If you put in the effort you should be able to compile a list of who's been effected and set up the means to start following some of them. Your limited resources will make getting everyone of them found, nevermind followed, but some is better then none. DC: 50/80 (Reward: Learn the identities of the "Sugared" and possibly set your gang members up to begin watching some of them)
[] Sneak Into the Arcade: The Sharks are packed into the arcade lately and they're pretty busy. It won't be easy to slip in, but it's not impossible. They likely won't appreciate you inviting yourself in, but if you can get to Franky you might be able to force a chat. Alternatively you could find out just what the Sharks are getting up to in there. DC: 65 [Additional checks or options may follow on success] (Reward: Possibility to join or absorb the Shark or strike a deal)
[] Look into the O.P.F's Plans: It's obvious now that the OPF aren't playing around. They're boiling the frog and chomping at the bit to use more extreme means. But why do they feel that way, and what has made them so confident that this is their best course of action? The only way to find out for certain would be to check out the police station in town. With their attention fixated on the town, their security has laxed a little. DC: 75 (Reward: Learn the OPFs exact plans and an estimate of their faction strength)
[] Steal a Police Cruiser: There are more cops on the streets lately. That said, there are also a lot of police cruisers just lying around. Unattended ones even. If you could find the right people to jack a cruiser, there's almost certainly places you could hide it. A stolen car could be refurbished, or simply broken down into parts for other uses or selling. Of course, if the police catch you trying to steal a car or pursue a stolen car, it could lead to a big incident. The truancy officers will make this harder... DC: 80 (Reward: Stolen Police Cruiser)
Learning
[] Read Up on Aliens: As far as you are aware, Aliens don't exist in The City. Or at least they're not supposed to. The only Aliens you've heard about growing up were the Invaders. But according to Buzz Buzz lots of aliens exist, though he doesn't have much in the way of specifics if they aren't related to Giygas's Army. Reading whatever you can, asking who you can, and maybe a healthy dose of speculation could help better prepare the Outfielders. Of course, it could just result in a whole lot of nothing, but it's guaranteed to give everyone some ideas at least. DC: 25/40 (Reward: Possible Alien enemy info and a chance for additional research topics)
[] Research: You don't exactly have people in lab coats pouring over computers and playing with test tubes, but never underestimate what a bunch of disgruntled teens with out of date textbooks can do. If school had kids learning how to blow things for homework then everyone would be getting straight A's. Your options are limited until you have a proper place to do research, the right people to do research, and a certain understanding of other research topics.
- [] Research Simple Weapons: The Outfielders are armed with baseball bats and whatever they brought from home. You know from experience that baseball bats are a pretty ideal melee weapon, but there has to be other ways you can arm your members. Hopefully on the cheap. DC: 40/80
- [] Research Improved Bats: Baseball bats. Beautiful in form and elegant in design. But they can be better. Though mankind's technology has improved since the crash, how much effort has been put into new baseball bat technology? Taking the steps to ascertain this could be the Outfielders first steps towards new things. DC: 40/80
- [] Research Simple Armor: It's always been easier to destroy then protect, but that doesn't make it any less important. You're limited by the materials and facilities you have, but if you can find a way to make or get protective gear for your gang members they'll be able to stay standing in fights longer. DC: 40/80
- [] Research Simple Explosives: Less 'Dynamite' and more 'Firecrackers', but even amateur chemistry can do wonders. If they fuck up though they'll probably blow off a few fingers. You can…hopefully reattach those if that happens. DC: 40/80
- [] Research Simple Pharmaceuticals: If anyone sees this, they're going to be dead certain you're trying to make drugs. And they're not technically wrong. You won't be making any Power Pellets anytime soon, but there has to be something your group can make. DC: 50/100
- [] Starman Jr. Autopsy: [This option is locked until more advanced facilities are acquired.]
- [] Meteor Identification: [This option is locked until more advanced facilities are acquired.]
- [] Study PSI Basics: [This option is locked until more advanced facilities are acquired.]
- [] Inventing: [This option is locked until certain Hero requirements are met.]
- [] NELCON Examination: [This option requires additional research before it can be done.]
[] Categorize Crazed Wildlife [Onnet]: Going out of your way to actually note what wildlife has been riled up by the aliens, and what hasn't (if there even is any that hasn't), could be useful. You can't really remember anyone ever putting the local wildlife in the Eagle Quarter to paper anyway, the names and what they do is all a matter of word of mouth and personal experience really. Being the first ones to do that could prove beneficial. Of course with the Lockdown you'll be limited to what you can find in and around town. DC: 60 (Reward: 'Bestiary' Volume 1 Item, Additional Research Topics)
[] Read Up on Different Areas: The Eagle Quarter sits at a unique crossroads in the City. The Outlands are to it's west, various paths to other territories line it's borders, and there are even rumors of extensive entrances to the Pipework below. Despite this the Eagle Quarter is relatively isolationist and has thrived primarily by not getting involved with other areas. With the Lockdown you can't leave Onnet, and unless the OPF stops existing entirely trying to exit the borders through conventional means will be tough. But that doesn't mean you can't look into better ways you could travel to other areas in The City. There's no shortage of stories of underground highways or tunnels. If you have some kids put their noses to the grindstone, you could find some direct or discrete routes to other places in The City. Just because Giygas is focused here doesn't mean he'll stay here forever... DC: 10/20/70/80/100 (Reward: Discover routes and gain access to areas Outside Onnet after Lockdown, one route per degree of success)
Personal Actions
C.D
You feel good. Better then you have in a long time. There's so much you want to do. Even with everything hanging over you, it doesn't feel like it's all pointless.
[ ] Give one of your projects some of your personal attention (Costs 3 personal actions)
-[ ] Write-In
[ ] Hang Out with a Hero: You're a mess, but you're in charge now. And bosses are supposed to check up on the people who work for them. Right? Pick one hero unit to spend time with. That unit will gain a +10 opinion of you for the next three turns and you may learn more about that hero.
-[ ] Buzz Buzz
-[ ] Porky
-[ ] Kyoko
[ ] Go To School: Attend classes, for once. It likely won't make you any smarter but it will temper your ability to put up with people. Who knows, maybe you might be able to graduate someday. It will certainly put your siblings at ease.
[ ] Study at Library: The local library has all kinds of weird books and old records from before The Crash. You've never been one for studying but going there makes it less like work and more like exploring.
[ ] Practice Meditation: Buzz Buzz told you that there's no 'simple' way to train PSI. Everyone's mind works differently. However he stated meditation can be a good start. Just being with your own thoughts sometimes can be enough to learn more.
[ ] Play Baseball: It's been a while since you were able to play a game of proper baseball. You'll get some exercise and get to practice your swinging and pitching. It will make good practice!
[ ] Do Your Taxes: You've never been good with numbers, nevermind money, but if it's a skill you need to learn eventually then why do tomorrow what you could do today?
[ ] Go Shopping: Onnet's shopping is limited, especially with the lockdown. But that might simply make any oddities stand out even more. You have the cash, might as well burn it right?
[ ] Treat Kart and Floppy to Something Nice: You realize that you've just been tending to your siblings. Making sure they're not dead isn't the same as caring for them. Taking them out for pizza, or doing something fun for them would help make up for how busy you've been.
[ ] Watch Some Television: There's nothing but crap on like always, but you actually feel interested in seeing something for a change. There's a chance you'll simply rest up, or maybe you could learn something unusual.
[ ] Help with a Construction Project: You're not an engineer, but if you can swing a bat you can swing hammer. Plus with all this extra energy needs to be used up somehow. (This option requires 2 of CD's personal actions. This allows Expand Treehouse or Build a Facility to be done as a personal action instead).
[ ] Explore Your Dreams: You're already sleeping in...but maybe taking it a step further and trying to explore them would feel even better. What do they call it? Lucid dreaming? Something about that excites you, or maybe it's just the prospect of going back to sleep.
Buzz Buzz
[ ] Invent Cover Story: Now that the Outfielders have been founded the C.D has some people to help her, directly helping her yourself might be difficult. It's one thing to have to hide from the public, it's another to have to hide yourself from the people CD herself leads. Simply revealing yourself as an alien seems deeply unwise at this time. Inventing some kind of convincing cover story for your powers and your ability to speak would eliminate the need to hide. But you'll need to take time to think of a good one.
[ ] Fly on The Wall: You're not a fly. However it's a turn of phrase that could be appropriate. By using your own time to do some personal spying, you might be able to learn some things that C.D and the Outfielders wouldn't be able to learn otherwise. Especially with how negatively people seem to react to them. The risk of discovery could lead to someone trying to swat you however.
[ ] Practice your own PSI: Outside of PSI Shield Σ, your capacity to use PSI abilities is very limited. However you still harness your PSI energy in order to fight, so practicing your abilities never hurts.
[ ] Think Back on the War: You don't like thinking about when you served in Giygas's Army, under the being that he used to be. However there's a chance you may have forgotten something. Anything you could remember might help CD in her efforts to battle Giygas, or at least help you become more comfortable with your past.
[ ] Lick Tree Sap: What? You enjoy sugar. And you don't see any of the humans crawling up and enjoying the sap that the surrounding trees occasionally secrete. Helping others means helping yourself, sometimes to a treat.
Porky
[ ] Pursue Personal Ambition (Cool Stuff): Using the Outfielders resources to pursue your personal desires and ambitions will help alleviate some stress. Whether it's acquiring cool things or simply figuring out something you want, it's bound to actually be fun for a change.
[ ] Loaf Around: If you're going to be involved in something this serious, you need to prioritize your wellbeing! Which means a good meal...and a couple more good meals after that. Stuffing your fact and lounging around might not be 'productive', but it'll ensure you'll be better prepared for whatever fresh hell comes next.
[ ] Get some GOOD Snacks: While you're not particularly caught up in the quality of what you eat, you do enjoy some fancier snacks now and then. Always in bulk of course. During your snooping around you think you might know a guy who can hook you up with some good fricking stuff. And it shouldn't cost you anything in the long run.
[ ] Try to get a...mole?: Now that you're apart of t h i s, you suppose you should have informants and spies and stuff? You have no idea what you're doing, but the time you spend figuring this out is time you're not thinking about the world shattering revelations you've learned.
[ ] Just a LITTLE Scheming...: C.D needs all the help she can get. However C.D doesn't exactly have the right mindset for this sort of thing. You probably shouldn't bother them right now. Taking some action on your own to help them would probably make them feel better. Right? (This Personal Action will allow a second Intrigue Action to be taken with all the usual bonuses. However it will be chosen at random from the Intrigue Actions available this turn that weren't chosen prior and it's exact outcome will not be made apparent to the players until later. C.D and the others will not be aware of this action being taken under normal circumstances)
Kyoko
[ ] Write A Letter: You can't stop yourself from thinking about River City. Your friends back there would probably think it's cheesy, but you miss them. Especially with how bad things got when you just left. Phone connections have been unreliable, so you'll have to resort to writing a letter if you want to contact them. It'll be a while before you hear back, but it's better to hear back at all. Right?
[ ] Go Out for a Bite: River City was known for its violence, its gangs, and the locals's propensity to throw things (and each other). But only the locals knew about the sheer variety of food there. It didn't matter if it was a standing noodle stand, or a dive bar BBQ, no matter where you fought at chances were there was a place to eat afterwards close by. Onnet has far slimmer pickings, but if you're going to get into the local fights, you might as well get into the local foods!
[ ] Brush Up On Personal Technique: While you're not out of practice, you're not fighting every day like in River City. It's sort of relaxing, but you're worried you've already forgotten things. A quick brush up might jog your memory.
[ ] Local Fight: You don't mean to pick fights, it's just your River City blood you suppose. If you try, even just a little, you can find some trouble. And trouble finds you either you learn something, or trouble regrets coming your way.
[ ] Go to Classes: Unlike C.D, you don't mind going to school. It feels weird not to attend as much as it feels weird for fights to regularly break out. It's a lot easier to learn something when you don't have to worry about a rival school takeover.
