38 - Power Palette Swap

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Power Palette Swap Event!
When: April 15th - April 18th 2017 (March 1st - March 8th 2019)
Where: Throughout the Far Shore and Near Shore
Summary: A couple of intrepid magical investigators unknowingly trigger some mishaps among the New Gods and Shinki.



For two weeks, the Ama investigators have been combing the compound where Cultists were dealt a heavy blow by the New Gods and Shinki. Among them, two in particular had been looking to move the Crystal that the cultists had in their basement, the stand that it sat on, and the dolls nearby. Combined with Waver's analysis, Judar succeeds in using his magic to transport the Crystal out of the basement.

As they manage that, a ripple effect washes over the New Gods and Shinki. There is a slight sense of Vertigo for some, a stronger wave for others, and then things start to change...



As It Happens: April 15

Everyone was minding their own business. Perhaps they were on the Near Shore helping complete a prayer, or they were in the Far Shore attending to various godly duties. Regardless of where everyone was, it's around noon when some things start to change. A mild sense of vertigo happens to those who start to experience physical body changes, while a stronger wave seems to wash over the God or Shinki's skin if their powers are changing, or perhaps even a sudden stop-in-your-tracks deadening of feeling if being depowered entirely.

April 16

Later in the afternoon, through no extra effort of the Crystal-movers, a loud noise like a subwoofer kicking into effect issues from within the Crystal, knocking anyone away who was near it by several feet. The one-shot noise reverberates in the ears of all New Gods and Shinki, triggering another change for some. At the Crystal, the black color that appeared when the former Goddess entered the Crystal fills more of it.

April 17

Closer to 7pm, once more, the noise issues forth from the Crystal, louder and knocking people back several yards this time. The Crystal fills with black and grey. Some might swear they can see a face of the white-grey against all of the black, resembling an Inkblot / Rorschach test style picture.

Aftermath: April 18

Around 10am, the black coils from within the Crystal settle down into more of whispy smoke, much harder to see in it. There's a slight tug in the direction of the Crystal regardless of where New Gods and Shinki stand, and with that pull, the change effects go away and all are returned to as they were.

In Summary:

• Swap powers with another character!
• Gain or lose powers!
• Swap physical appearances with another character!
• Use or abuse the changes while you can!
• Investigate who and what is responsible!
• Have fun~

Questions? Leave us a question on the OOC Plotting Post and we'll do our best to answer ASAP.

Comments

16th April; Prayer #21 for Oscar

[futhark]

[ No matter what he does, Caster can't figure out a way to return his body to normal. In a sense, it is his body, but also it isn't- he's stuck with his Caster powers, but looking like a Berserker. That's enough to be annoying on it's own. The inability to change back makes it worse. So why not blow off some steam? Request for assistance spoken in his name has reached his ears. Violence turned against his follower, who bound by today's law can't do anything. Police aren't doing anything and the area is growing dangerous. Robberies, attacks, someone should do something about it. If he's looking so intimidating, he might as well use it for his duties. Perfect eh? He might also use it as an occasion for training promised to Oscar, so he shoots a short message as he descends to Tokyo. ]

[repinned]

You know, it's really unsettling to see you with all this facepaint...

[Just saying. But here Oscar is, looking for any signs of trouble.]

Why are you wearing it?

[futhark]

[ Caster seems pretty flippant about his new appearance. At least on the surface. ] I believe these are tattoos. [ He shrugs. It's kind of weird. He's still effectively himself but- yeah, a bit taller, kind of buffer, and all those tattoos... ] Look, I surely didn't plan to wake up like this, but if I can make it useful, I will. [ Pure pragmatism at it's finest ]

[repinned]

That still doesn't answer why you look like that.

[Just saying.]

A-anyway, what was the prayer about?

[futhark]

Because I don't have an answer. I woke up looking like Balor, no explanations are given. He looks like me, just so you know. [ A beat. He and Berserker always look alike, due to at their core being the same person. So that sure was very- not specific ] I mean- you know. Druid garb, no tattoos, stuff. [ He's not going to say shorter and thinner because obviously ] Anyway. There's been trouble in this neighborhood. Looks like a gang moved in next door.

[repinned]

[This place is so weird. Oscar doesn't think he'll ever understand it.

But that's not the point. He grimaces as Caster explains the problem.]

And...you plan on scaring them out with your new look?

[futhark]

[ Caster can agree, for once. Maybe later he finds a way to undo it (and maybe have a conversation with whoever is causing this stuff) ] That's right..! Might as well take advantage of what I got. [ He's not aware of it but even the way he smiles now can be read as scary. He leads them through the back streets of the area. Littered with tiny bars and pubs and... suspicious places. But it still counts as partially residential area. There are apartments on the upper floors of the buildings, people are living here. And given how much graffitti starts to show on the walls (and broken glass coming from some of the closed-until-further-notice izakayas) ] We gotta find their den first though. Any ideas?

[repinned]

[...well, if it works it works. Oscar's not gonna judge.

The graffiti is kind of a flashing neon sign, so Oscar starts looking around.]

Find a door that's not busted in and start there? They wouldn't wreck their own hideout.

[futhark]

[ And that earns Oscar a hair ruffle from a kinda clawed hand- ] Good thinking. So we check the back allies until we find a place kept un-damaged. [ So they should dive deeper into the seedy underbelly of the city, check even worse places. Further, from the main roads and routes ] If I was a leader of a gang, I'd have at least one guard on a lookout nearby. [ So it also means, if a dangerous looking guy or group of them is chilling around doing nothing- that could be a clue too. ]

[repinned]

[Thank you for not scratching his head with your claws.

Note to self, get a hold of this Berserker guy and ask wtf is up with him]

Maybe cameras, too. Sure they're a gang, but gangs in big cities can sometimes afford that stuff. You don't need guard dogs anymore.

[Oscar can't help the smirk when he says that. Sorry Caster.]

[futhark]

[ Gotta be careful with new/old additions to the family, right. He does grimace at the "guard dog" being flung in his direction, but given it's Oscar he takes it in stride ] Ha! You always need them. No matter if sitting at the door, or in some room with shining screen, their job is the same. [ To either deny the pass, or bark the alarm. Caster pauses and points into the direction of a seedy bar in the basement. Unlike others it's open, in pristine condition (for this area) and- the door that can be seen on the bottom of stairs are reinforced and tightly shut. Looks like only right people are being let in. Caster doesn't take note of it, but Oscar could - an eye of the camera on the opposite building must give a clear view on both the alley and the entrance. ] How about that?

[repinned]

[Just the one jab.

Oscar does notice the camera, and he's hit with an idea.]

Looks good. Let's, uh, let's skip this place though and turn the corner up ahead. I want to try something.

[futhark]

Sure thing, let's do this your way. [ His curiosity is piqued. What are you up to Oscar? ]

[repinned]

[Once they turn the corner, Oscar takes a deep breath and focuses on that weird bit of power in roughly the same area as his aura and tugs. And tugs. And tugs a little more until there's a second Oscar standing right beside him. This one is has a very, very faint green tint to his clothes and skin, but otherwise it looks exactly like Oscar.

The real Oscar slumps against the wall.]

What's the name of the gang?

[futhark]

[ Caster whistles seeing the copy, and so well made. A god power? Or something innate for Oscar he brought back from his world? Those questions can wait for later. Caster takes a look at one of the graffiti that bears one word that has been repeated through the district- ] "Cyanide" it seems.

[repinned]

Okay.

[He turns to his double.]

Go hide out of sight of that camera and listen for any passwords or anything that people use to get in. When you do, come right back and tell Caster, okay?

[The double nods and heads off to do what Oscar ordered.

Oscar then promptly sinks to the floor.]

That's...exhausting.

[futhark]

[ So whatever kind spell it is, the control of the double isn't just as easy as telling them what to do. As he watched the double do exactly as told, he wonders if they would want a higher vantage point ] Is that a mental or physical drain? [ Is it hard to be in two places at once, or is it more about just feeling tired and having energy sapped of you. ]

[repinned]

Physical. This is only the second time I've used them, including training.

[futhark]

Let me try something- [ Caster says and then he writes an Eihwaz rune followed by Sowilo and Uruz in close distance to Oscar's forehead. A blessing of endurance followed by strengthening of health and wish of success all in one. The endurance being most important, but others giving important factors. If it works, the spell, Oscar will less tired- and while it cannot counter how tiring maintaining the double is, it might make the strain easier to endure. ]

[repinned]

[It does seem to help, at least a little. He's not moving from where he's sitting but he doesn't feel like his arms are about to fall off.]

Thanks. Is that...druid magic?

[futhark]

No. This magic comes from god of the Norsemen. [ Druid magic is different, more intricate, takes longer but seeing it's effect in full bloom is a sight to behold. And yes, it is weird that the fake-druid carries magic of people so different from his own, which is why Caster adds. ] My mentor was a truly versatile witch, she taught her students what would fit them best. Regardless from where they came from. [ There is fondness in his voice when he speaks of her. That's when a pair of young people approaches the door- projected!Oscar, all hope with you! ]

[repinned]

Oh. What was her name?

[Or rather: how do you say it because he looked Caster up already but he's not gonna try and say that.

Fake!Oscar holds his breath, waiting for the two to speak. Finally, one of them snaps at the other:]

Y'forgot the password? Really? It's the date in reverse, dumbass.

[futhark]

...Scáthach- [ Caster and takes away the mystery of how to pronounce the name of his teacher. But he is paying more attention to the struggles of the thugs attempting to enter the base- because it must be The Base, no questions asked. He can't hear very well what they say, but the Oscar's double can. And when they finally manage to be let in, the double returns as instructed. ] Ha! Good job!

[repinned]

Thanks. It's the date reversed.

[Oscar blinks.]

That's...that's it? Really?

[The double shrugs as it fades and goes back into Oscar, causing him to rock back a bit. He's not hurt, that's just a weird feeling.]