Event Post: Stepford Summer

[hadrielmods]

THE RUNDOWN

Have you gotten a little too used to the caves of Hadriel? Don't worry. Tranquility and Confusion are here to change things up and give you a taste of something new and different! Maybe you'll even be sad when it's gone - or maybe it'll just be really creepy that they can mess with your mind so thoroughly.

If you were around during Tranquility's resurrection beach event, this will be similar - though much more all-encompassing. On the morning of July 16th, you wake up to an entirely new setting: a small, friendly town, all green lawns and white picket fences. The roads are clean and well-maintained, the sky above is a clear blue, and you can remember growing up here. This is the town of Pleasant Valley, and it's your home. Your family and friends are here, your job, your whole life.

For a little over a week, you'll believe that this has always been your life - except that as time goes on, it might not quite seem to fit. You might remember bits and pieces of your old life, or see hints of the real Hadriel under the illusions. Maybe you like this life better, and you'll ignore the cracks forming. Or maybe you'll pursue this new mystery until you tear the blinders off your eyes and see the city as it truly is. Or maybe you won't see any cracks at all.

Whatever else happens, on July 25th the gods' illusion shatters for everyone. You remember who you really are and where you really are - and hey, maybe that's a good thing! Or maybe it's a huge disappointment, and all you want is that white picket fence back.

THE DETAILS

While your character will still be the same person at their core, for the duration of this event they will have a false set of memories consisting of an entire life spent growing up in a stereotypical small town. Within that framework, they can be essentially anything - as long as it fits the setting. Were they a heroic defender, fighting evil? Maybe now they're a small town policeman. A brilliant scientist? Hey, the town high school needs a science teacher or two. Or maybe they're a housewife, or a student, or the town doctor. Any role that might fit in the setting is possible, and don't stress too much about the details - your character won't, after all. No one will think too hard about what's outside Pleasant Valley, because who would ever leave? This town's pretty perfect, after all.

Hadriel itself will be cloaked in illusion to strengthen the effects. There'll be sky overhead, a sun in the sky, no cave walls. The broken buildings will be replaced with nice little storefronts and houses, and the well-known locations of the city will be replaced by small town landmarks. The armory? A police station. The colosseum? A school. The temples? Churches, of course.

There will be cracks in the illusion, and how much your character notices them is entirely up to you. Maybe they'll be curious about how their advertising company gets any business when no one ever calls from out of town. Maybe every once in awhile they see a glimpse of a different city or have dreams of a different life. Maybe they wonder why no one leaves, or why those who do venture out often never come back. (After all, the tunnels are still there, and all the monsters in them - just hidden, for the moment, by the gods' illusions.) Or maybe they're perfectly content where they are, and will allow nothing to shatter their happiness.

It's not just them, after all, it's their family and friends too - because they do have a family. Whether it's made of perfectly loving NPCs or other player characters, your character has grown up in Pleasant Valley and their loved ones are there. It's up to you who you'd like them to be, and we certainly encourage new CR! Whoever they are, your character remembers a whole life with them in it.

Everything in Hadriel will be geared towards supporting this illusion. The city, people's lives, the way they see each other. Nonhumans will not be changed, but will simply be accepted as if it's totally normal to have skeletons delivering mail and elves making you a burger. As for powers, they will not be removed but, essentially, forgotten - your character will have no recollection of ever having strange powers. Which doesn't mean they aren't there... and maybe that'll contribute to the cracks in this perfect illusion, too.

Who knew your high school sweetheart could summon demons?

THE OVERVIEW

► July 16th: A happy town is formed
► July 25th: Aaaand now it's gone

Comments

[thechoiceisyours]

HEY HE IS NOT except he totally is

But yes good. 8D I'm all for this~

Edited to add that I also forgot to mention that Lance is Adam's older brother, so there's potential for fun CR with Ronan there too. c: