day 177, midmorning, post surprise skeleton visitor

[kingsroads]

[ set on whatever channel they've got set up that's just "people who aren't kidnapped"

holy shit guys, it's a plot infodump. The radio clicks on to Strange, who sounds very tired, possibly because the amount of sleep he's gotten over the past week is somewhere in the vicinity of jack-shit. ]

For all our new employees, welcome to the carnival. You were rescued from the manor of a fae known as "the Prince." He has previously kidnapped some of our number and warped their minds so they believe they serve him. Some have been rescued, some are still imprisoned alongside more of your fellow employees.

Previously, we were expected to simply behave and play along as he and the Ringmaster attempted negotiations. The reason why he's changed his strategy so quickly is that some of our number managed to steal an important artifact of the Prince's. I believe he still has some of the artifact's power stored in a battery of some kind, but I'm afraid I don't know the specifics. [ fill us in on that, Childerteam + Rooftop Adventure, Strange was under a magical mindwhammy for that part of the plot ]

Along with warping their minds, the Prince has poisonous magic of some sort. He also has transfiguration magic: some of the animals from the Hunt were servants and some of the animals prowling the islands are undoubtedly servants as well. Most worryingly, he has the power to take someone's true name—something which we believe happened to Papyrus's brother. Taking a true name essentially robs someone of their identity, their very essence of self. [ though the words are clinical, Strange's tone relays the fact that this is Bad News. ] We don't know of any way to retrieve one's true name except from the Prince himself.

The remaining members of the carnival are held prisoner inside the Prince's fortress. There's some sort of ward around the fortress that blocks radio communication and, most annoyingly, my scrying. There aren't any specific entrances to the fortress itself. It is alive as well, and can respond to the servants. Likewise, the Prince is an earth elemental which means that he's strongest at this sort of defensive outlasting.

[ and then Strange finally takes a breath and takes a sip of water. ]

I think it's obvious that charging at the castle head-first and recklessly won't work. We need a plan and we need to come up with one quickly. The Ringmaster suggested the idea of a challenge, challenging the Prince with a game that he thinks he can win though we know we can win. Alternatively, we did manage to rescue most of our number in Hell through a stealth operation. Something like that could be attempted again. [ yeah, that's right, they went to hell, sorry to drop THAT bombshell on you, newbies. ] I don't think I need to tell you how risky either of those options are but if you have any suggestions, now is the time to tell us.

( ooc: feel free to use this post for threadjacking/brainstorming/asking questions/catching your characters up on the plot/whatever! )

Comments

[periphrasing]

[It's not typical for Peridot to sound quite this tired, but even despite the direness of the situation, there's still a bit of optimism in her tone as she addresses the whole carnival as well (rather than responding directly to Strange:)]

In the event that infiltration seems like our best option, I'd like to stress that we NOT make any sort of move without an AIR TIGHT PLAN in place. I'm doing my best to solve both the communication issue, and to find a way to counteract the Prince's poison. These are two obstacles that absolutely MUST be dealt with if we're going to have a chance at doing this without just getting more of us captured.

As for the challenge... I don't really do games and sports. But if I think of anything, I'll be sure to contribute.

[dontpokethat]

[Wait, if they know his name was taken, then--]

Is he back, then? The warden.

[kingsroads]

He is. It's a long story, but he's back in the carnival.

[ said long story ended up with Sans getting captured and everybody probably yelling at Strange because for fuck's sake, this is why you follow plans. ]

[kingsroads]

I don't know anything about poisons, but I am quite adept with regards to magic. If you want my help, I'll gladly provide it.

[chronosynthesis]

[Most of this, Syrlya already knows. But what's important is that this information is disseminated and discussed among the rest of the carnival. Everyone needs to know what's going on, and those in charge or with the most knowledge need to make a plan.

So he's very alert and attentive as he responds.]

You are correct about the battery. He has an orb that he transferred power from the Blue Rose to, and we suspect it is an equal match. Without the rose, the amount of power in it is limited and it will eventually run out--but that makes it no less potent, and I suspect pitting the rose against it will just result in catastrophic damage.

[So no forward assaults with the rose because they may just blow everyone up.]

As for his fortress, the Manor doesn't care for the Prince but it is under his complete control. If there was only a way to free it, he would lose his entire defense.

[prazerbutterfly]

I'll leave the planning to you since you seem to be so good at it.

[Because he's going to take a long nap/possible sleep. He knows something like this will take a bit longer.] But I want in whether it is directly at the prince or rescuing prisoners the hard way.

[kingsroads]

[ hell has frozen over, someone included Strange in a group of people good at planning. ]

I'll tell you myself if we come up with anything, Mister Mykk.

[prazerbutterfly]

[There are a lot of times where Tyki has included Strange in categories he shouldn't.

There's a pause between Strange's response given he has to think for a moment.]

...I am capable of battle when it comes directly towards his Highness but I am not sure just how easily it would be for him to guide me back under his influence. My ability is useful in both cases but one lies a greater risk.

[kingsroads]

The magic I used to break the enchantment during the Hunt likely won't work for breaking the enchantment on the Manor. It's simply too large. [ besides, he is not going to kiss a house. ]

Perhaps we could wager the Manor's freedom if we take the challenge route? The problem is, I don't know what the carnival could wager of equal value.

[dontpokethat]

How is he? I mean-- obviously, not good, but... how's he doing, physically? Where is he?

[kingsroads]

( insert bullshitted directions to the timeout trailer here because Strange is not gonna call it that icly but he knows where it is oocly )

Physically...[ this is gonna suck. ] I won't lie, it isn't good. I don't know what the Prince did to him, but he's much weaker than he should be. Mentally, he's not all the way together as well.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya hums thoughtfully.] No, I expect not. Did you ever attempt to use it on those that were under his control?

[It may not even be the size, but the nature of it. The brainwashing is something else from being turned into a horse.] I wish we had been able to learn more about the nature of it. We know, at least, that it is alive and it is being forcibly assigned to the shape the Prince decides for it. I wonder if it does not have even less free will than...

[He quiets as he considers the Warden's recent behavior. Lost, broken, afraid... all he could care about was doing what the Prince told him. Of the chance of getting his name back.]

[kingsroads]

If you do not want to directly face him, then you shouldn't. [ it's said as if it's the most obvious thing in the history of the world. Not just because of the whole brainwashing thing, but also because Strange knows he'll go to sixes and sevens if certain other fae show up to face the carnival. ]

We've some of the Prince's servants and some wounded at the carnival. Whatever we do, someone will need to stay behind and help those. If you wish, that can be your task.

[textsfromhotland]

Wait!! Papyrus' brother! I know his name! His name is------

uh.

It's right on the tip of my tongue, I swear.

[spaghettimonster]

It's on the tip of everybody's tongues, but no one can remember it... not even me.

[That should say a lot about how effective whatever the Prince did is.]

[spaghettimonster]

A ward blocking communication... So, it's safe to talk over this again? Nobody's dropping eaves back in the fortress? Scout said we should plan in person.

[prazerbutterfly]

Sometimes we don't get what we want for a better solution. [But it is true. He doesn't want to be anywhere near the Prince right now because there is a good chance he'll want to kill him. He's a problem and that would be the most effective route.]

I'll not sit around guarding others while that pathetic beast has any of ours captured. He's not allowed to take anyone else and yet he very well can, Mister Strange.

[kingsroads]

Oh, I've no idea if it's entirely safe or not. I don't know the precise magic either spell uses. But the entire carnival needs to be caught up on what's happened and where we stand and I shan't seek everyone out individually.

[ too much effort ]

[periphrasing]

...Frankly I need all the help I can get.

[And her tone implies: She doesn't admit that lightly.]

I remember a good deal about transformation magic from my Portland days, and I know about rocks. Poisons are unfortunately outside of my typical purview, but perhaps, between the two of us...

[She huffs, and mutters as an afterthought:]

What we could really use right about now is Lambert's input...

[Or Sans's. Or Rita's. UNFORTUNATELY...]

[textsfromhotland]

Serously!? That's messed up!

M-maybe we should give him a nickname for now so we're not just calling him your brother. Like, I dunno... what about Helvetica?

[spaghettimonster]

Well... I can't argue with that.

But if we ever suspect it's been compromised, let me know! I'll happily help spread mis-information. All manner of fake plans, rattled on the public channel all day.

[kingsroads]

What I know about poisons are herbal. [ thanks, bad decisions in Portland and Venice. ] And obviously, none of them could do that stone thing you saw happen to Lambert.

I did get a look at the Prince's transformation magic when I broke that enchantment during the Hunt, so that might be able to help. However, it would help moreso with the servants than our kidnapped members.

[ still, any port in a storm.

...and no comment about what they need is Lambert's input because yeah. Peridot's right and Strange misses his bro. :c ]

[kingsroads]

I have. It, erm, went poorly.

[ as Tyki can attest. Though, this does bring up another question about the house. ]

I wonder...since the Manor is alive, does that mean it has a true name as well? I've little experience with the concept, but it doesn't seem that far-fetched.

[kingsroads]

[ and thus, Strange becomes SEVERELY TEMPTED to tell Papyrus that the channel has been compromised. ]

If that were to happen, you'd be the first to know!

By the way, I don't think I ever told you this, but I quite enjoyed your reading in the manor.

[spaghettimonster]

Helvetica?? That's a little... I mean, it's a good idea, having a nickname. Even if it won't feel right, having nothing to call him... is even worse. But, uh. Not that one.

[He can't say it wouldn't be kinda fitting, but it's simultaneously too close and too far.]

Maybe we should think of something... simpler. Like 'nick' for 'nickname.'