We've got an outline, @DungeonMaster. Details subject to change/tweaking, but the main plot remains secure. Here's the breakdown post-by-post. It's shaping up for a 2-part, 17-post story.
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Part 1: The Writhing Underbelly
1: Magessa's Plight (Magessa) - candy
- Set the scene/mood. Paint the image of the prison/the unpleasant conditions. Perhaps some inner monologue. - Magessa receives news from Markel (Title: "Fetcher" / Fetcher of the Keep) for the fifth time that her execution has been pushed back another month. - She's been in Ebony Keep almost a year now, and this keeps happening. She attempts to press for the reason why, trying humor, but it never lands with him. He leaves with no further elaboration.
- Markel and Magessa have a strange "friendship". He is oddly endeared by her, and she can tell he favors her, though she's not sure why. - What Magessa doesn't know is that King Rhys still holds some fondness for her and is the reason the execution keeps getting pushed back.
- Magessa confides in Ludivine, who's been her new cellmate on the lowest level (Level 5) for the past three months. I think they've grown to have a sense of friendship with one another, even if it's primarily based in shared circumstance. - Include reflections on the uncertainty of her future (execution or no?) and wanting answers but never getting any. - They get to talking about Magessa's relationship to the King. Ludivine asks a very direct question: "Do you know who your parents are?" (or something like it) and Magessa doesn't know how to deflect. Fortunately, she is saved by the "bell." There's noise overhead in Level 4. New prisoners.
2: Separated (Samaan) - sound
- Samaan comes to visit Ludivine. It is very bittersweet. - Magessa: :| ..... can u get us out pls HAHA JOKING!! :D - Working through the tension of wife behind bars, feeling helpless to get her out, relieved he pleaded her case to not kill her but hating that he couldn't soften her sentence and now he's being watched ALL THE TIME to see if he's also a dissident. - Knows if he gets caught then it's so jover for both of them (die). - There's noise overhead in Level 4. New prisoners. Samaan makes his leave.
3: Assasin's Arrival (Aleksina) - omni
- Aleksina is led to the base level of Ebony Keep. We get the journey from her perspective, and a glimpse into the intensity of her mind. She takes in the prisoners at the lower level, scanning with one thing in mind: people to use as tools for her mission. - She had one favor to pull with a Prison Guard (Stefan) in the Keep (knows them from her past - connect it to Naru) and asks to be put in the cell with Magessa (who she maybe already knows is the king's illegitimate daughter b/c of spying/self investigation). Lands in a cell w/Ludivine and Magessa. Stefan tells her he can't just change levels without a reason. - The rest of the protestors were put in Level 4, but Aleksina, knowing her targets are in Level 5, suddenly breaks out into a struggle with the guards. After the fight lapses, the guards deem her too dangerous to keep in Level 4, and she is then escorted into Level 5. - Aleksina waits for a moment to broach the subject of escape and assassination, but knows she has to "play nice" with introductions first to gain some base level trust. I imagine, at first meeting, they don't really like each other and have to navigate their very different personalities.
4: Always Listening (Ludivine) - silvern
- Ludivine senses that more is going on w/Aleksina and presses for the truth when she knows Samaan will be asleep (and can't hear). Relieved to rush past niceties, Aleksina brings them in on the plot: she needs them to kill the king, they need her to get out. Ludivine quickly hushes her to a whisper because Samaan could be listening. - Aleksina reveals that she stole/nabbed a key ring off of Stefan that will get them out of the cell, but they need to move before they're found out -- the guard will notice the keys are missing and retrace their steps sooner or later. - Feeling the crunch of time and the pressure of decision, quick, hurried, hushed arguing ensues as the three women fight to get on the same page for a plan. Ludivine has a condition: "no killing Samaan, let me handle my husband." - They need to strike while it is still night (Magessa knows who the night shift guards are by now despite the no windows situation). Post ends with the start of their plan: Ludivine creates a cover of darkness so Aleksina can unlock the cell. The moment they're out, it's game on.
5. Chaos in the Keep (Magessa) - candy
- Magessa's POV as Ludivine and Aleksina dispose of guards on levels 5-4, and Magessa has to fight/push through.
6. The Soundwave High Sorcerer (Ludivine) - silvern
- They've breached level 4 and made it to 3. Ludivine goes ahead of the others and confronts her husband. He has already sent an alarm for backup by the time she bursts in, and they argue and plead with one another before Ludivine begs him to trust her. He finally agrees, she knocks him out, and returns to hurry Magessa and Aleksina along. -Aleksina notices that the alarm has already been called, and she gets angry at Ludivine. "If you can't handle your husband, I will." The moment is left unresolved as...
7. The Warden (Aleksina) - omni
- The Warden and several guards have entered, blocking their exit from Level 3 to Level 2 (where they can get out). - Fight commences! - Ludivine and Aleksina are not able to work together very well, and they struggle to keep the front guards off, constantly being forced back. - Aleksina says she needs her gear; where is it located? < Level 3 would have an evidence room where prisoner belongings are kept. They're on the right level. Ludivine would point to the correct door and cover her. - The battle continues, and Aleksina goes for the Warden. - She is no match for his size, but eventually she can overpower him due to a toxin on her blade. - Aleksina makes sure to end the Warden after he falls.
8. Fugitives (Magessa) - candy
- They flee the keep! Ludivine gives them the cover of darkness as they flee the keep so that the Fire High Sorcerer cannot see where to aim. They still have to dodge fireballs as they run into the rocky cliffs, jump into the forest, and flee in the darkness. - When they finally get some distance/reliable cover to hide, Ludivine is spent/exhausted (magic use), Aleksina is injured, and Magessa is freaking out. They have to recoup, recover, and figure out a plan to get into the palace. Probably processing a little Magessa crash-out. - Ludivine confronts Aleksina's comment from earlier about ending her husband. Drama! "You might think you can take whatever lives get in your way, but Samaan is not yours to take." (In reference to the warden and any fallen guards.) - They all promise to assassinate the king and find a way to the Reach to start a new life after this is all over (Samaan in tow).
Part 2: The Iron Fist
9. Lover's Recoup (Ludivine) - silvern
- Hiding out/seeking a way into the city w/out being seen. - Getting help from Samaan. He can find them easily with his hearing ability, and snuck away from the Keep while "resting" due to injuries. Maybe lied about his hearing/magic being "broken" because of a concussion. He refuses to go back to life as normal and insists on helping them (namely Ludivine) in whatever their plot is. This is the most assertive Ludivine has seen him (it's very attractive to her), and she says he would be invaluable as a help; there's no reason to refuse him. He can help them ensure there's no one lying in wait (listening powers) as they infiltrate the palace.
10. Prepare for the Kill (Aleksina) - omni
- With Samaan's help (to get into the palace), they have a game plan, and Aleksina leads them through the city's sewers, remaining hidden (so Ludivine can save her magic for the palace) until they reach the palace. - Samaan hears Stefan nearby/searching for them and informs Aleksina, who says, "Let's find him ourselves and get this over with." (She plans to kill him.) - The info Stefan offers: if they strike tonight, palace security will be preoccupied with a banquet in the outer hall in the west wing. Despite the escape, the king intends to continue with things "as normal" to not cause alarm. Therefore, the east wing will be neglected and easier to infiltrate. He suspects the king will turn in early, though, because the Fire High Mage (of Ebony Keep) mentioned Rhys "wasn't feeling well." - Aleksina, internally, believes "suspects he'll turn in early" isn't good enough. She needs a guarantee of where to find the king at his most vulnerable. - Stefan offers to help in exchange for Aleksina getting him out of the city after all this is over with. She pulls him to the side alone and reassures him that she will help him after this is over. Then, she slits his throat. It's clear at this point that Aleksina doesn't plan on getting out of this alive. When she returns to the others, she tells them that Stefan chickened out and left. Ludivine gives her an odd look.
11. Coming Home (Magessa) - candy
- Infiltrating the palace. Magessa leads them through the backways into the palace, all the while processing complex emotions about being back, the nature of her return, and what she's about to do...
12. The Socerer's Snare (Samaan) - sound
- First obstacle > Samaan and Ludivine face off against the Palace's Rock High Sorcerer while Magessa and Aleksina get away. - Markel is also there for the boss fight. He notified the Rock High Sorcerer of the plot and set a trap in waiting. - Samaan will eventually send Ludivine off to help the others. Samaan blows the Palace High Sorcerer's ears out!
13. The Spilling of Blood (Aleksina) - omni
- With Ludivine and Samaan occupied with the Rock Sorcerer, Aleksina and Magessa mow down Markel, but Aleksina has to step in when Magessa hesitates. This causes conflict, and convinces Aleksina that she'll have to do what she was considering this whole time: using Magessa against the king. She gets annoyed with Magessa's indecisiveness, and while Markel is pleading with Magessa to back down, Aleksina steps in, mercilessly, and finishes him off. She can probably tell Markel had feelings for Magessa to some degree (romantically), and takes the opportunity to say something harsh to snap Magessa out of it. - Onward to the king.
14. The Second Jester (Magessa) - candy
- The new Jester, Darim Kee, becomes the last obstacle outside of the King's Chambers... because he is also the king's personal bodyguard. It's a jest-off.
15. It's Nothing Personal (Aleksina) - omni
- In an increasingly chaotic string of events (that are bound to catch up to them quickly if they stop moving), Ludivine catches up, creates a cover of darkness, and the three of them make it to the king's chambers. - Aleksina uses Magessa against the king, threatening to hurt her so that the king will lunge to intervene. - Aleksina is one to use people, and she has noticed that Magessa, a once-famous jester in the King's court, was imprisoned and scheduled to be executed for treason a year ago, but it kept mysteriously getting pushed back. She investigates and comes to the conclusion that the jester means something to the King, as it's been royal decrees delaying every execution that this jester was scheduled to be a part of. If needed, she will use this jester to get close to the king. Depending on his reaction, she may use the prospect of her untimely death to get him close enough to deal the killing blow. - After a lot of arguing/the betrayal and Ludivine shouting that guards are catching up, Aleksina finishes the deed: the king is dead.
16. The Inevitable (Ludivine) - silvern
- She can't hold off the guards any longer, and she doesn't know where Samaan went. Doesn't even know if he's alright. Shouts for Aleksina and Magessa to get out of there but knows it's futile. - Ludivine is caught and detained first. - Guards rush in past her. - Samaan catches up just in time to witness her getting caught. They make eye contact from afar. Painful, but understood: Ludivine wishes him to flee and save himself. There's no more saving her. - He obeys, and that's their last goodbye.
17. His Illegitimate Little Girl (Magessa) - candy
- Guards are rushing in. Magessa sits by the king's dead body, wondering, in horror, what she's just done. What she let happen. Realizing this man is her father. - Beside herself, she watches as Ludivine and Aleksina are grabbed, the soldiers take in the sight of the dead king, and Magessa is detained. - The Palace High Sorcerer, Bea Rackam, comes in and makes the call: kill them all here and now. "We can't let the city know the king is dead. There will be a civil war. We have to stabilize the monarchy first and bring in Prince Nolan." The mention of her half-brother stings somehow... - They're lined up, and all of their throats are slit.
18. When the Dust Settles - Epilogue (Samaan) - sound
- Samaan, exhausted and magically overexerted, is unfortunately caught before he can escape the palace. - He is brought to Prince Nolan, who has just been rushed to his father's chambers with Queen Myrra. - The Rock High Sorcerer wants to order Samaan's subsequent execution with the others, but Nolan recognizes him as the Soundwave sorcerer of the keep. Nolan puts his foot down, and Samaan watches the young Prince step into Kingship quickly as he makes his first pivotal decision: they can't kill Samaan. He's too valuable for the crisis to come. - But Samaan doesn't care about being valuable. The love of his life lay dead. He doesn't care about anything else and begs Nolan to kill him, too. All he and Ludivine wanted was to be free of control and escape Ebony to live their own lives without being chained to royalty. - Nolan, pained and grieving, shows unexpected mercy in this moment -- and understands a bit more how his father's excessive control and paranoia may have brought this upon them. This sets the tone for how he wants to lead... especially regarding sorcerers. - "There will be no more death this night. You will have your freedom," he says. "But you may never return to Ebony again."
@DungeonMaster, the outline is updated to include our new member! If you could add silv to the main post of this thread, though, t'would be amazing :^)
