The City: An Abbreviated Introduction

Topics of General Concern

Further Notes and Studies
- On the Clock
- Escaping the Barriers
- Population Influx
- On the Deities
- The Higher Powers
- The City's Residents: A Statistical Analysis (January 2009)


Important Network Links
- City Police Force Contact Post

Welcome to the roleplaying journal of Carl (the friar, not monk, thank you kindly), a brilliant if eccentric inventor and all-around genius from the glorious B movie masterpiece that is Van Helsing.  Yes, he's really a genius.  Just ask him.  If you have anything at all to say about my portrayal of him, go ahead and leave a message.  I do believe anonymous posts are enabled, so have at it!

Carl has been lurking around Poly for some time, although I don't believe he's changed all that much.  I do hope he's in character--let me know if he's not!  Also... I try to remember to use the Queen's English when posting for him, but I'm an American and likely messing up.  If you see any errors that I make repeatedly, please let me know?  You're also more than welcome to hit me up for plotting here.

Random influxes of strangers in April and July... we should expect that again in early October, I believe.  The weekend of curses also appears to change its timing along with the season.  Can we expect the third weekend to be cursed during the autumn months?  Perhaps a tangible pattern would be asking too much of the deities.

I've had a fair amount of time to think recently--today, especially, as I was hiding from aspiring poets--and I found myself returning to the May incident with Adrastus and his mother.  There's more to it than I've puzzled out, I'm sure of it.

( Not an IC cut. )

Pet projects aside, I can't find anything on Sidhe.  They're simply not supposed to exist.  Of course, neither am I, on a purely technical level, but it's difficult to find anything that isn't simply myth and lore about them.  Endlessly frustrating. 

Back to the nitrocellulose, I suppose.  Not that the explosive compounds I was working with in my world matter all that much here in a world that's familiar with atomic warfare.  And the Cardinal thought that I was a danger to the laboratory's infrastructure!  I can't imagine what he would say about weapons that can annihilate entire cities in one go.  My God, not even I know what to say and I've had a good eight months to get used to the idea.

Perhaps I should busy myself with research and forego inventing while I'm here.  Being well over a century behind the latest technological innovations is discouraging, you see; every time I think I've stumbled across something new, someone's beaten me to it. 

I feel like something of an intellectual Neanderthal.

--how on earth you managed to shatter it! I didn't even know that lath was capable of shattering! Honestly, if you would stop using your crossbow as a cudgel, Van Helsing, we wouldn't have to endure these long--you're not even listening to me, are you?

...Van Helsing?

Oh, Heaven damn it all. How I'm expected to get anything done while moving from one universe to the next is entirely beyond me...


[ooc: Carl is back from his little vacation home. He's not as surly as he sounds, really.]

I have to question my own sanity when this sort of thing begins to feel routine.

Guests!  While you're here, would you mind glancing at this and giving me your opinions on it?  Might you consider expanding upon it?  It's all speculation, of course, since none of you were terribly forward last time.  I would sincerely appreciate concrete answers, or at least a little more to go off of.  I suspect you know more than you've revealed.

Would anyone care to discuss the possibility of being fictional?  The workings of the City?  How, precisely, these massive invasions occur?

[ooc: NOTE: After the curse day, the replies to this post NO LONGER EXIST.  Carl will, however, remember who visited and who he has promised to have tea with.  The only things he won't recall will be all things pertinent to the City, since he's too nosy.]

I highly suggest that everyone take a moment to read this entry.  It's one of the most sensible things I've read in months.

As for the recent parasitic infestation, I think it's reasonable to assume that the strange phenomena this month--the star shower, the horrible stench in the center of the City, the rampant illness--are all related to it.  It's absurd to suggest that the pests' arrival was the cause of the falling stars, but the timing of the two events  coincide nicely.  Wouldn't it be like the deities to send us a horde of disease-ridden vermin?  Perhaps, though, the pests aren't the fault of the deities.  Why on earth would the deities attempt to kill the parasites (if, of course, that was the purpose of the fog; I can't imagine what other reason they would have for nearly asphyxiating us) if they sent them in the first place?

Perhaps I'm wrong--although I seldom am--in thinking that the deities' higher-ups have a hand in all of this.  An ordeal involving hair followed by a flea infestation?  Surely that's not coincidental. 

sENEBTi xAIRe vALETe... a farewell and a promise to return.  Hm.

There was something else I was going to say, but I've entirely forgotten.  It couldn't have been all that important.

( Private to Solomon // Viewable to Artemis members )

( Private to Kara // Unhackable )

I've been doing a bit of work on varying types of weapons just lately, and I'd like to offer my services to anyone in the City who might find themselves without the weapon of their choice, in need of repairs, or short on ammunition.  I'm not familiar with the mechanics of everything from all of the worlds represented within the City, but I can replicate anything you might have with a fair degree of accuracy or whip something up to cater to your needs.  I won't accept monetary rewards, although I'd be more than happy to accept food, technical odds and ends, and even information in exchange for my services.

Additionally, I would like to remind everyone to take caution around this individual, who, as everyone undoubtedly knows, is more-or-less free and rather dangerous.  She's well under control, but anyone who feels a need to scold me for being incompetent, imbecilic, or otherwise incapable in relation to her release can have at it.

[ooc: All links IC,  Last sentence is dripping with sarcasm.

Also, my apologies for being AWOL lately.  I'll try to be a little more present, and if there are any tags I dropped or entries that any of my kids should have seen, feel free to shoot me a message.]

I’ve finished reading about the technological advances of the last 110 years, and I must say that I’m less than impressed. So much energy goes into creating weapons! Not that I mind weapons, of course, but in my mind, they should serve a defensive purpose. Investing resources into the creation of a weapon that will decimate the planet—and, therefore, will hopefully never be used—is absolutely asinine.

Take enhanced radiation weaponry for example. It’s not a terribly explosive weapon compared to fission-powered nuclear missiles, but the havoc it wreaks beyond the initial detonation…! It kills with a burst of high-energy neutrons and also releases a massive amount of heat, rendering armour virtually useless by targeting biological material. I can’t even imagine the effects of such a weapon. If it doesn’t kill immediately, it results in radiation sickness—nausea and vomiting, fever, hair loss, internal bleeding, severe disorientation, cell death, delirium, and eventual coma and death… my God! If I were in charge of the development of weaponry, we would build actual weapons, not torture devices.

Erm. Research aside…

The network seems to be more frightening than usual today. We were due for a curse, though. Heaven forbid the deities allow us to have a run of pleasant days!

[ooc: Unaffected and not entirely aware of the curse. Scare Carl at your leisure!]

Today's curse is peculiar.  I can't help but wonder if the curses, no matter how random they appear to be, might tell us something about the City itself. 

Not incidentally, I've often thought of the City as something of a circus.  I'm not entirely sure who the attractions are, or who the ringmaster might be.  Are we the caged sideshow oddities, or are we the intrigued (and horrified) audience?  Are the deities the ringmasters, or might they occupy the center ring?

No matter.  I certainly hope no one is overly inconvenienced by the curse. 

I've made still more revisions to the information I've been compiling.  For the interested, I've split the information up into three separate posts:
An Abbreviated Introduction
Topics of General Concern
Studies and Further Notes

Really, none of these suffice as guides.  I do hope someone will put one together that might be more useful to new arrivals.  Other guides would be helpful, as well; I've heard a number of requests for guides to shops and eateries, and that isn't within my realm of research. 

It's utterly impossible to keep track of time in this City.

The creatures that visited were rather interesting, though! The hair beast was a very cooperative experimental subject, although I don't fully understand why it and its counterpart were so determined to return our hair. "A great due was returned"? Utterly baffling.

I'm highly interested in the second creature. I've been going over her messages... is anyone else analyzing them? I wouldn't be opposed to comparing notes. For the interested, I'll put what I've found in this entry. ( If you would follow this, please! )

Now, Xigbar--that is your name, isn't it? I'm afraid I mix your name up with the names of your compatriots--I believe your weapon is entirely operational. At your superior's behest I didn't modify it to throw fire, but it does shoot whatever odd energy it was designed to. Whoever modified it to shoot paint left the basic mechanisms intact, fortunately, so it was a simple fix. I'm afraid I really don't know a thing about this sort of weaponry.


[ooc: Carl is a genius and a linguist. I am not. Please blame errors on me, for I have Google, not a sky-high IQ.]

When did it become the fourth? I don't remember being--oh! No, I do. I'll assume there was a curse of some sort this weekend? That would explain why I spent a portion of it as a monkey.

The City's still standing, isn't it? I'm afraid I haven't been out of the laboratory in... days. A number of them. The disease has cleared up, I hope--ugly rashes, really. I can safely say that I've never seen anything like that in my world, for which I'm immensely grateful.

Hiiragi, Jun... my profuse apologies for the unannounced absence. I assure you, it was just as much a surprise to me as it likely was to you!

Earthquakes are thrilling, aren't they? I haven't experienced one myself for some time. Just as well, I suppose, since that one time was rather disastrous. The property damage this time around wasn't nearly as extensive, although I'm glad I wasn't actually in my laboratory at the time of the quake. One of my side projects didn't take kindly to the shaking and incinerated a good part of my work space, setting off a number of smaller--

Not that it's all that important! Notes can be rewritten and equipment can be replaced, although I don't particularly look forward to doing any rewriting or replacing.

I've heard rumours concerning a crevasse in the woods...? It would certainly be worth exploring! Unsafe, no doubt, but the opportunity to explore a previously uncharted region of the City would be well worth the risk.

I do hope no one was terribly inconvenienced by today's events!

[ooc: I'm back...?]

[Oh, look--a dream!

What's this? A pleasant dream? It opens on a quiet laboratory full of gently-bubbling tubes, stacks of books, and completely indecipherable charts and diagrams. Carl is seated off to one side in an overstuffed chair that looks distinctly out of place in the setting, wearing his nightcap and reading. Yes, reading. No explosions, no vampires, just a quiet laboratory and a book.]


[ooc: What with all of the exciting dreams, I figured someone should have a boring one (and Carl likes boring dreams). Feel free to traipse on in, one and all.]

I suppose this will end poorly, but I wish I knew everything there was to know about the City!

...

Oh, for the love of--of all days to not be cursed...

[ooc: No, he's cursed. Really.]

That was an interesting curse!  I met several pleasant people.  None of them were from my world, but they were quite nice to have around for the day and proved most willing to answer questions, albeit in an indirect and vague sort of way.

Fran was rather unique.  She had animal ears sprouting from her head, but I suppose that must be common for Viera from Ivalice.  I can honestly say that this was my first time meeting a Viera, or anyone from Ivalice.  I don't suppose anyone has heard of either the race or the area?

More informative, perhaps, were two young ladies.  I believe they were of a similar nature, race, or status, or at the very least from the same world.  Both appeared to have considerable knowledge of the City and everyone within it, although they lacked information regarding entrances, exits, and so on.  It seems that there are a variety of levels in the City--the lowest being us, the highest being the deities, and the middle level consisting of something between the two.

One of these young ladies claimed omnipotence.  She said that she--and others like her--can access all network posts and are privy to some off-network information.  As far as curses are concerned, she claimed that the deities ultimately controlled them, but that her people have a certain amount of influence over the fate of individual people.  Actually, her information put me in mind of guardian angels.  I suppose the best way to go about trying to escape from curses is to appeal to your unseen personal god.

Now!  Some matters of business.


( Private to Kara // Unhackable )

( [Private to Solomon // Unhackable] )

( [Private to Dr. Horrible // Unhackable] )

( Private to Walter // Unhackable )

[ooc: Goin' to class, doin' homework.  These three papers?  They completely sneaked up on me.  But answer tags, I will--just not in the timeliest of manners.  Sorry for any potential inconveniences. v.v;]

This is either remarkable or terrifying.  Regardless... visitors!  I have questions, if you would be so kind as to answer them.  It's for a good cause, really.

Now, how did you find your way into the City?  How do you plan on getting out? 

Some of you appear to have a great deal of knowledge about the way the City works.  Care to share that knowledge?  Credit will be given where credit is due, of course, should anything be published at a later date.  I'm particularly interested in any information you might have regarding curses, entering and exiting the City, the clock, and the deities. 

I would be immensely appreciative of any and all information you might share!

[ooc: Break his brain!  No rules, no restrictions.  I'll have to cut out for class and such every now and then, but I'll tag back ASAP.  Plus, backdating is sexy.]

I've finished grading your tests, and I must say that I'm rather impressed.  Absolutely everyone who attended class--any of my classes--yesterday received an excellent score, so do breathe a sigh of relief.  Top-notch essays!  Some of you really were awake during the lectures!

For those of you who neglected to show up for the exam... well.  I certainly hope you did well on your lab assignments!

If you're eager to know your grade for the semester, simply ask.  Perhaps knowing what grade you've earned will set your minds at ease and allow you to enjoy yourselves more fully at the dance. 


[ooc: Feel free to know Dr. Carl or be in one of his classes.  If your character wants to know their grade, please indicate what kind of student they were--you know, did they attend class, are they decent students, or what have you.]

All university students enrolled in my chemistry and physiology classes--I trust all of you know who you are--are expected to show up for tomorrow's exam. I certainly hope this reminder will encourage those of you who chose not to attend the vast majority of my lectures to change your ways, if only for a day!

Remember, the exam will be open note and open textbook. This is to reward those of you who both attended and made an effort to stay awake. As I said in our last meeting, the exam will cover the full text--yes, this applies to all classes--as well as information conveyed to you during lectures. The more recalcitrant among you may want to acquire notes from your more diligent peers.

Assuming you've been reading and taking notes, however, you shouldn't need to worry about studying!  Be sure to get a full night's sleep and eat a full breakfast; I'll be very tempted to fail anyone who chooses to take a nap during the exam.

I'll be in my office, should any students have questions.

[ooc: A very helpful, easygoing professor--if you've been showing up for class!  Slackers will be fussed at mercilessly.]

Ah, Rin?  How is the exorcism taking, then?  No adverse side-effects, I hope!  Ah, not that I expect there to be, of course, but it wasn't a particularly orthodox ritual. 

My apologies to the... er, to the demon, whose proper name I can't spell.  Really, it's temporary, and we're only trying to help.  I would appreciate it if you didn't bother murdering me once you've found a proper body.  Kona is trying to find something suitable, and all of this will be worked out to everyone's satisfaction I hope.

Now, what on earth is falling from the sky today?  Pictures?


[ooc: Should you wish to embarrass Carl immensely by finding one of his pictures, your character may stumble across Carl in a jester outfit with tights and-slash-or Carl done up as a pretty lady of the night.

Not sure when I'll get to post with Justin, but also don't hesitate to have interested characters find sexually ambiguous hugging, sexually ambiguous choking, and-or Justin holding a gun like he means it.  Oh, that movie...]

Terrible curses we've been having, hm?  I can't say that I disagree with the sentiments of those who have been vandalizing the City lately, but I do wish they would express themselves without defacing the buildings.  I'm thankful that my memories weren't projected onto the network for all to see, however!

I've put together something of a rough guide to the City, based on my own observations as well as notes taken by others.  I realize there are other City guides being made, but I thought that it would be useful to have a good deal of information in a single place, simply as a starting point.  The guide will be a constant work in progress, and I sincerely hope that it might provide answers to someone.

City Guide (I)

City Guide (II)
(This portion is somewhat supplementary.)

This is a curse, isn't it? 

Of course.  It has to be.  Murder doesn't happen this often, not even in relatively violent places like this.  Since it's a curse it will be over with by midnight, everyone will be alive, and we won't have to worry about being stabbed in the back if we leave our apartments.  There aren't that many murderers in the City.  There can't be.  If it's a curse, then something about the City itself is compelling citizens to kill--a kind of mass possession. 

It has to be.  Normal people don't kill each other like this.