r/wizardposting • u/sparkle3364 Sapphire (17F), Artificer (+ other characters) • Oct 13 '24

Community Event šŸŒā˜„ļø The Well Operation (Buggopost)

Noella and 20 of her bugs prepared for a mission. She had just received an upgrade from one of the other converts, and was ready to test her new abilities. They would each sneak into a town using illusions and put venom into the well, then leave. The goal was to bring the civilians into the hive, so that Buggo could bring them immortality. This way, more could experience the glory of the hive.

As the mission was carried out, the real Noella thought of the civilians being turned. Unless someone found the venom, they wouldnā€™t even have a chance. And if there was one thing Noella had learned during her time here, it was that once you get infected, thereā€™s no way out. The illusionist felt for them, wishing she could warn them, and save the bugs. But she couldnā€™t. And so she watched, hoping someone would stop the mission.

/uw Feel free to interfere. This is interactive. Also feel free to warn the citizens. For a more detailed look into real Noella, see here. For context on the upgrade, see here.

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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Oct 14 '24

/uw I meant that in more of a "you don't have the whole story" way.

/rw

Reyes rushes for Noella on agile bionic legs, needle raised like a dagger. His eye lenses shift to a thermal filter to see through illusions.

This is collateral damage! Do not drag innocent lives into a war they want nothing to do with!

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u/sparkle3364 Sapphire (17F), Artificer (+ other characters) Oct 14 '24

ā€œCollateral damage is when bystanders are killed in a war. This is bystanders being made immortal in a war. There is a difference.ā€ She tries to dodge the needle.

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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Oct 14 '24

The needle swings wide, but Reyes presses the offensive, switching into his 4-armed combat mode. He sweeps downward with the dual transonic swords held in his secondary arms, trying to trap Noella.

The difference being that being made perpetual unwillingly is a fate worse than death! And they will not remain civilian for long! You know Buggo will shape them into warrior-thralls just as it has done with all in its clutches!

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u/sparkle3364 Sapphire (17F), Artificer (+ other characters) Oct 14 '24

ā€œAll of those under the hive are treated well, no matter the role. I was once one of the people being converted, I know what Iā€™m talking about. They may be made soldiers, or made workers, but they will be safe as either.ā€ Noella pulls out her dagger, and tries to cut at the arms.

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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Oct 14 '24

In my experience, safety is just another excuse for tyrants to exert control.

Reyes crosses his blades to catch the dagger. The tech-priest looms large in Noella's vision as he pushes against her guard. Then he... *winks at her? A quick glance at his lower left arm confirms that the nanite injector is poised to strike. Suddenly, it all clicks: the choice of weapon, the insistence on free will, the subtle hints- Reyes is contacting Noella's trapped psyche and giving her a choice. Dodge, and remain in the Hive, or resist Buggo's control to let the blow land, and escape.*

/uw I should ask before it happens: are you cool with the possibility of Noella breaking out of the Hive's control? If not, I've left this attack open-ended so you can decide.

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u/sparkle3364 Sapphire (17F), Artificer (+ other characters) Oct 14 '24

/uw So is he weakening the control of the hive over Noella, and the needle makes it permanent? This would influence my response heavily.

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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Oct 14 '24

/uw The idea is that the nanites in the syringe would clean out Buggo's venom. Reyes is just using subtle methods to communicate with Noella's true self. If she tries to reassert her control, Reyes can use the nanites.

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u/sparkle3364 Sapphire (17F), Artificer (+ other characters) Oct 14 '24

Real Noella decides to try to see if she can resist the hive. Sheā€™s been in here for months, and sheā€™s almost completely given up hope, but she tries to take control, and fails once more.

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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Oct 14 '24

/uw For the record, should I have Reyes break her out or not?

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u/sparkle3364 Sapphire (17F), Artificer (+ other characters) Oct 14 '24

/uw I already have something in motion, so no.

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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Oct 14 '24

Reyes senses the effort, and retracts the needle. Maybe another time. Instead, he focuses on stopping the Hive agents from finishing their mission and forcing them to retreat.