Zion: Light of the New Moon, Ch 5.0
Zion - Light of the New Moon Chapter 5.0
Welcome back to Zion: Light of the New Moon. Chapter 4 has come to a close and now we only have one more chapter to go until our first Milestone. Now, as expected, it's time for some more reader interaction!
Readers may contribute fan art/stories until the midnight (PST) on Thursday the 19th. The contributions should be linked in comments below. Any contribution may be dedicated to a group (to add +1 Luck or Favor). No Group may benefit from more than 1 Luck and/or 5 Favor via this post for contributions. Contributions may also be credited to a specific character (for +1 experience). A contributing reader may apply a bonus to their own character a maximum of two times (one picture and one written piece), but may contribute as many as they wish to others. A character may not gain more than 5 experience in this way via this post for contributions.
As of the completion of Chapter 4, each group uses 3 Favor for the three posts that took pace... except for Myre, who gets the last post for free since they get to stay in a Wayside.
The current breakdown of Group Favor and Luck are as follows: Bannihar has 2 Luck and 13 Favor. Doen has 5 Luck and 09 Favor. Myre has 8 Luck and 10 Favor. Myrh has 6 Luck and 17 Favor. (Luck may decrease if the group recruits the new character). Shrad has 5 Luck and 14 Favor.
All readers may now vote for which group they think should receive a bonus Favor point. You may vote for any group you like for any reason you like (even your own if you're a Contributing Reader), but only one group will receive the bonus, and you may only vote once (not once per site).
Non-Contributing readers also have the opportunity to vote on the character they think should receive a bonus experience point. Every reader may vote on any group in which they don't have a contributed character. One character per group will receive this bonus, but only if they receive at least 3 votes (this means that a lack of votes won't benefit anyone).
The last set of the pre-Milestone Event Arcs are now votable again to contribute to the storyline for the various five groups. Unlike prior options, there are actually seven choices this time. Interesting, isn't it? Keep in mind the flavor and pace of the story will change based on the Story Seeds earned by each of the five groups during these first five chapters, so the final decision is still very important.
You may vote for which group gets what Event Arc but, if you are a contributing reader you may NOT place a vote for a group in which you have a character; you may only vote for other groups. The options are as follows:
Eye of the Storm The Caravan is fortunate enough to reach a fully reinforced Wayside. It is garrisoned, protected, and fully functional. This is the party's single chance to rest up and recover before 'the next step'. In addition, the party will have a chance to reinforce their number, turning an Ally into a full character in their own right, recruit a new Ally, or even increase their standing! It's all up to you! Complexity: 4 Success: a combination of 4 bonuses determined during the chapter... but no experience points. Failure: that's the best part! you can't fail this one... but, sadly, no experience is awarded. Story Seeds: taking the easy way out means you only get 2 Story Seeds: + New Moon + (city specific) Modifier: bonuses will be provided to the group based on the group's decisions during the storyline. Myre will also be able to receive an extra bonus if this event arc is chosen for them. The city specific storyline bonus is as follows: (Bannihar gets Earth, Doen gets Dawn, Myre gets Mist, Myrh gets Wild, Shrad gets Serpent).
The Apoc-Fur-Lypse An incredibly virulent undeath plague has struck a town along the party's route. How will everyone respond when they encounter one of the townsfolk and hear his or her story of mayhem? How will readers of the last reader-driven story, "The Apoc-Fur-Lypse" react when they see that the character met by the party is making a Cameo appearance? Complexity: 5 Success: ++ willpower, ++ favor Failure: -- Luck, -Favor Story Seeds: + Dawn, ++ New Moon, ++ Earth Modifier: character the party meets is based on their caravan (Lizzy for Bannihar, Chris for Doen, Sam for Myre, Beth for Myrh, Matthew for Shrad)
Time For Reflection What first seems like an amazing opportunity to uncover a lost Wayside of Tah'Aveen quickly turns into a fight for survival when the caravan is set against its most dangerous opponents yet-- themselves. Complexity: 5 Success: + willpower, + favor, ++ treasure Failure: - Luck, -- Willpower Story Seeds: ++ New Moon, ++ Earth, - Dawn Modifier: Readers will receive a puzzle that will have to be solved. The success or failure of the puzzle will result in a direct modifier to the party's chance of survival/success.
The Midnight Sun It is no surprise that the Cult of the Sun wishes for the diplomacy between the cities of the empire to fail... but it's never been quite so obvious as when the cultists arise en mass in an attempt to crush the caravan. Complexity: 5 Success: + willpower, ++ favor, + luck Failure: - Luck, - Favor, - Willpower Story Seeds: +++ Sun, + New Moon, + Earth Modifier: Contributing Readers will have a chance to recruit the aid of non-contributing readers. At the same time, each of the other caravans can likewise recruit votes of their own! If the caravan on this Event Arc does not win with the most support then they will be penalized, while the winning caravan will actually receive a bonus of their own!
Fleeting Hopes It is widely accepted that elves have been exterminated from the face of the world, but sometimes a strong hate or supernatural amounts of spite may linger on. How will the party handle encountering the remnants of an elven spirit wanting nothing more than the complete and total destruction of the caravan? Complexity: 5 Success: + willpower, + luck, + favor, + special Failure: --- luck Story Seeds: +++ Wild, + New Moon, + Earth Modifier: All Contributing readers from the group will take part in a/an FA/SF scavenger hunt to locate as many pictures/stories/songs/etc as they can from a specific list in a relatively limited amount of time. The more success they have the better. If they meet a baseline then they will not be penalized, but extra success will result in a bonus. Failure to meet the minimum would be bad... very bad.
Peace in Pieces The Caravan comes across the remnants of a portion of the caravan that was sent out before them. There are signs that foul play is afoot... but just what kind? Perhaps we'll have to wait and see... assuming you survive! Complexity: 5 Success: + willpower, + luck, + favor, + treasure Failure: -- Luck, - Willpower Story Seeds: + Sun, + Earth, +++ (based on city) Modifier: Story Seeds based on the city that gets this Story Seed: (Bannihar gets New Moon, Doen gets Dawn, Myre gets Mist, Myrh gets Serpent, Shrad gets Wild)
One Step Too Many Please remember that Complexity only goes to 5. If you are REALLY looking to put an end to a group, or else want to give them an exceedingly difficult challenge worth bonus experience, you're more than welcome to vote for this one. My promise is that someone WILL die... luck will only be available to save a maximum of 3 people, or one less than the number that fall (whichever is less). No... you get no more information about this horrible, horrible event-- Tah'Aveen, save us all. Complexity: 6 Success: ++ Luck, +++ Favor, +++ Treasure, ++ Willpower Failure: --- Luck, - Willpower Story Seeds: ++++ Dawn, + New Moon, + Earth Modifier: I repeat, if this Event Arc is chosen PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE!!!!!!! (and it'll be really interesting! :D)
So now's your chance to vote for what Story Arc should go to which group. If you're not a contributing reader you have even more power-- make use of it! Votes must be posted before midnight (PST) on Thursday, August 18th; contributions may be posted until midnight (pst) on Friday, August 19th. Finally, keep in mind that caravans will want to maximize their Luck and characters will want to maximize their Willpower before the culmination of the Milestone... this is VERY important!
You are now welcome to ask questions and/or start your contributions!
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Chapter 4 has come to a close and Chapter 5 is soon to follow.
A new Event Arc for each party means a new vote. Make sure you get your votes and contributions in by Thursday, August 18th-- you have until midnight (PST).
I also advise going back to check on all of the individual chapters if you're a contributing reader-- some of you have group votes in which to take part!