disclaimer: planning laid out here is tentative, and secondary to in-character developments. If things go differently, this may all not happen at all

Summary: a new group formed with, potentially, a core of old SoS members and aimed on serving Lord Dhracia's mandates in one of, eventually, the newly-opened regions.

As:

- The Sentinels of the Sands was created by Desert Rose and Hemlocke to guard and guide those moving through Hydra, and to train trial-goers;
- With Desert's absence, much of the activity around the SoS has wound up centering around Vargas' activities, including molding and creating Gembound to suit his needs;
- Vargas has been promoted to Master, and may soon take on new responsibilities;



I intend to form a new group, separate from SoS. I feel that the group has moved too far from Desert (Hawkweed)'s original intentions and I don't wish to usurp it; in addition, at this point Vargas would be solidifying his power and group in a more official capacity. Should Desert Rose return, he can make a solid return to the group's old purpose, where this new group is likely to depart that norm and move on with Vargas' plans.



The tentative name of this group is Chaos Forge, given their purpose: to, as before, create and test creatures that will best serve as chaotic monsters, some of whom (never forcibly; some temporary adopts, some DM'd) would be handed off to Lord Dhracia.

The location will be one of the new regions that Astraea mentioned in Town Hall, Draco, but I personally do not know much about this location except confirmation that residence should be possible. I do not know if and when Draco will become available. Group formation would occur if and when the cave becomes available to the group for use.

Goals: To preserve Origin Cave through improving its status in the eyes of Lord Dhracia. This means improving productivity: creating monstrous creatures, training to become stronger, reproducing to make Sick Kaijus, and more. Individual members may have the goal of gaining power, serving loyally, protecting the members of the caves from annihilation, creating monsters, etc.

Member Roles and Responsibilities: The following are possibilities, not requirements and overlap is more than possible. Spies and Scouts to keep constant watch on the state of all the caves. Infiltrators to join other groups and keep watch on their activities. Assassins to remove enemies of the Forge. Guardians to stand watch over growing monsters children, and ensure their safety until adulthood, and Sentries to watch over the group's region of the cave and their chrysalids. Trainers to teach the young ones how to battle, or use magic. Overseers of each branch.

IC Requirements: Loyalty to the cause, or at least to Vargas or his underlings (or at least OOC acknowledgement of the likely very fatal consequences of outright conspiracy toward rebellion/sabotage). Faith. Suitability for some task within the Forge. This group and its members are unlikely to be flippant and fun-loving, though individuals may vary.

OOC Role: The group is likely to serve as a plot-central element to the caves: nothing with heavy reveals planned, but more a semi-antagonist and general force of contention to Origin. There may be conflict now and then, but the group itself will not instigate this; however, their beliefs and behavior may well provoke rebellion, and create some form of authoritarian vs rebellious roleplay. At no point will this group attempt to take control over all caves.

Corruption will be encouraged, but not required nor unduly rewarded.



Recruitment

SoS: I will need to see where the WORMS thread leaves us. I will not attempt to force anyone to move location or ooc group, obviously. Most likely, all current SoS members would be offered a position in the new location, and those that choose to remain behind would remain allied with Chaos Forge, as SoS, serving SoS's original purpose if they so choose. Those that choose to move on with Vargas will be granted specific ranks, roles, and promised rewards based on their future performance.

Future Members: Anyone proving themselves useful and apparently loyal may be invited in; these invitations will be taken in-character. Rejection is possible. In addition, members are likely to constantly be created as new and monstrous characters.

The group-specific spell will be something chaotic, similar in unpredictability to creations of the magic carried by Corrupted characters and wielded by Lord Dhracia, though usable by all members. Most likely, a different, unpredictably chaotic effect will occur depending on the number rolled.

Group Colors: Dark purple and toxic green.

We all know which bastard is tagging along. :pensive:

To note, though!: Hemlocke will likely be staying behind in Tunnel P and the Warren with whatever SoS members. It'll be stepping up to the rank of Leader and try to adhere to their original vision of the Sentinels: retired Champions and runners sticking together in these strange new times; and, guardians for those that wish to venture through Hydra.

They'll still be allied with Vargas and his ilk, and occasionally be placed in charge of training, of course.

Aggressively shoves murder child at this!!

Bloodstone will not be following Vargas to the new location. They will join the SOS instead, seeking to be helpful rather than partake in such activities that cause such chaos and death as what is currently happening in WORMS. Little will change their minds, unfortunately.

Twobutt/V-Chaos-Two will follow (unless WORMS changes his opinion of the current group).

This idiot will be following along too, even though it certainly doesn't want to lmao

This post is intended to provide a quick framework for organizing OOC plot progression without having to thread all character progress out, for those who don't want to!

Details: I'm just slapping this here for current plotting, instead of making a new thread; I don't wanna hassle ANYONE (I'm in no rush to spam out threads or anything) BUT I also DO want to provide RP prompts to those CF members who want it, along with a sense of character progression (rather than stagnation when we're busy with holidays and stuff). I know constant practice/training threads with no payoff aren't really everyone's thing lmao so -

Concept Vargas will check and test members (whose players want it) on their progress, and those who succeed will be given their choice of reward from the following: 1) a Name, 2) reproduction rights, 3) freedom to roam at will. He'll do this stuff more than once, so there'll definitely be chances to get all 3 over time. The point is more IC motivation and reward, that whole vague cult/authority mentality, earned progress, etc.

Here's the list of characters, for my own reference, so I don't forget anyone. I'll update it as there's replies. If you want a thread of this type (whether you intend for the char to succeed OR fail, either is fine, or just leave it up to IC)--or any thread with Vargas or any of my CF chars--just post with which character, and what progress they've made that Vargas (or other CF members) might be aware of. Ex if your char has been training martial prowess/magic, fighting other CF members, hunting Lessers, etc. (Mind you, anyone's welcome to actually do this stuff on-screen too.)

For a couple members, potential plotting is just checking up on how they're progressing, without needed rewards (ex Esther, Kethri etc). YOU GUYS CAN ALSO USE THIS TO PLOT OFFSCREEN STUFF BETWEEN OTHER CF MEMBERS!! NOT just Vargyboi!

(AGAIN the following list is as much for my own reference as anything as I have a lot to keep track of here and IRL and I don't wanna forget anyone - TiP = thread in progress)

Ongoing Plot

Nidhogg - Trained briefly on-screen by Draconua/Orthoclase-Alpha; trained offscreen some by Vargas (TiPs). Plot: can spar w/ Vargas, test in combat.

V-Chaos-Two - Self-training in staff use; trained briefly by Orthoclase-Alpha in basic combat; self-training in magic healing. Plot: its own proficiency and the progress of the two children can be assessed.

Kethri/Doctor/V-Selenite-One - To be supported by Selenite-One in securing and maintaining a garden to test and grow potentially-useful plants (medicine, poison, food?) Plot: Can (self or send Orthoclase if wanted?) come assess the plot, and reward Selenite-One accordingly?

Orthoclase-Alpha - In charge of overseeing the upbringing/training of future CF fighters. Trained Nidhogg, V-Chaos-Two, and who else? (a few TiPs) Plot: Vargas can just check up with it on progress, maybe give it a frigging vacation or something poor thing

Garnet-Delta - Was given a bunch of tasks to further their own training in assassination so that they're p much a total expert! Player on hiatus?

V-Zoisite-One - To be trained to fight. Was it trained at all? Player on hiatus?

Garnet-Epsilon - To be trained as infiltrator/assassin; was given a task to infiltrate the Seven (I think?) Plot: find out progress?

V-Labradorite-One - To be trained to fight. Was it trained at all? Plot: assess, spar with? Send to beat someone up?? suggestions welcome

Ruby-Beta - To be finalized/trained in combat, hunting, assassination; player on hiatus

Khavur - To be trained further in combat; if Khavur's been trained further off-screen I'm open to direct Vargas spar, or outright testing. Plot: spar, test, reward? P. straightforward I think!

Vedette (V-Agate-One) - waiting on Madison. (Too young to reward just yet regardless)

The Sentinel - To be trained in combat. V-Chaos-Two has been training it in basic weapon use; Orthoclase-Alpha in combat (offscreen?) Plot: assess progress, too young to reward yet. (TiP)

Esther - To be assessed by Orthoclase-Alpha. Plot: can assess further with Vargas at this point, see how she's come along and go from there? (TiP)

Hit me up if I've missed anyone, but also feel free to post general Chaos Forge plotting here, or plot in the Disc and put any finalized info here to keep track of, whatever! I'll update the list above whenever needed.

Testing and Rewards

So, one core feature of the Chaos Forge is its archaic use of military-style address and promotion. Certain privileges are earned purely by proving productivity, skill and worth to the group as a whole. I've decided to set out to clarify these more clearly so that character progress can be charted with more confidence, and so the progression is something to look forward to instead of become potentially frustrated with. The goal of the system is to provide a tangible sense of progression and reward, and things to work toward for visible character development!

Rewards are privileges earned via progression. Chaos Forge members may choose one reward for each progression step they take. While there is a list of privileges, characters may also choose to request a privilege of their choice not listed here, no matter what it may be--either in advance or upon taking a progression step. Whether their "Other" choice is granted will be taken IC. A Reward may be earned once every four cycles.*

• A Name - the character chooses a name of its choice, and will be referred to by this instead of a numerical designation
• Procreation Rights - this character can procreate, unlimited by amount or frequency, but the spawn are expected to be a part of the Chaos Forge and to contribute as such
• Free Roaming - the character can wander the caves at will, so long as they aren't currently needed
• "Free" Children - the character can have one litter that isn't part of the Forge. They may reproduce in any cave and raise the children how they see fit. Procreation rights must be earned first.
• Promotion - the character can choose a rank. This reward is special, likely to only be given out when vacancy is available and a character has truly proven itself, but is something any character can strive towards and try to prove themselves worthy of!

Progression Steps are actions taken that define a character's skill, experience or usefulness. Some steps are specific to the character's role in the Forge. Character designated Assassins and Scouts answer to Overseer Garnet-Delta, who will be the one to decide on their training progress and rewards, although some rewards (ex. promotion) can only be assigned by Master Vargas.

• Complete Training - the character has fully and totally completed its training, to the point of being an expert in its field and capable of training others in its knowledge.
• Trial of Hydra - this character has survived a Trial of Hydra. (Can be earned more than once.)
• Deathmatch Win - take first, second or third place in a Arena battle (Event) in Orion. (Can be earned more than once.)
• Event Participation - play an active role in any major cave-wide Event or Quest that requires interaction. Events that would count include puzzle, exploration and combat GM-events; events that pose no risk are unlikely to count. (Take these IC; if it's something your character can brag about, they can likely claim it as an achievement worthy of rewards.) Exception: spies and scouts are likely to get rewards simply for observing these events, and reporting accurately back. (Can be earned more than once.)
• A Worthy Spawn - create a spawn that proves your breeding worth! This can be earned if the spawn is particularly impressive and worthy, or once it begins to earn Privileges of its own. (Is only earned once.)
• Assassination (Assassin-only) - Garnet-Delta may assign assassinations to specific characters as part of their progress. These are likely to be mock-assassinations with their own rules, or real assassinations with a dangerous Lesser Gembound as their target.

* There will likely be exceptions to this, ex. with chars who had other things planned before this list came about, and who have been around awhile anyway (lookin' at you, Chaos-Two); or with those who take steps to be recognized above and beyond the norm, ex. leading a successful cavewide event or the like.

tag for @V-Chaos-Two so you can see! Obvs Chaos-Two has its own personal task (create/raise the dragon bebbe) soon, anyway :3

Okay I'm putting this here for something to link

Currently (as of 3/8/2021) V-Chaos-Two is taking a test and once succeeded, will gain a name (Maximus!). As Dark posted in the thingy above, there will be an opportunity after V-Chaos-Four is taken away for Chaos-Two to go around and explore the caves. Once returned, they'll create a spawn, V-Chaos-Five, a hybrid of Blackwing (Previously Bloodstone) and themselves.

Hopefully because the design and its capabilities are REALLY COOL, they can also achieve the "A Worthy Spawn!" progression.

Tagging Vargas since he'll be the one judging these things, if this is incorrect for whatever reason, please DM me Dark! (On Discord or onsite, anytime that's good for you) And please let me know how actually achieving procreation rights will come about (eg. another test, raising Chaos-Four and getting a reward like what happened when Vedette and Sentinel turned four cycles, etc)

I will edit this as Chaos-Two's plot moves forward.

@Vargas

Nope, that's all fine!

If you want, since Chaos-Two wanted a chance to raise a spawn, we can say that is a test in and of itself? Like, its abilities/loyalty to Chaos Forge can turn out to give them the worthy kiddo progression toward w/e 2nd reward they want?

There doesn't have to be that four cycle gap since Chaos-Two's been around awhile. As you say it can go do another Big Explore then come back and make the dragon kid?

@V-Chaos-Two

Sounds good! I think when Chaos-Four turns two cycles was when Chaos-Two was going to go on their one month sort of vacation to go explore the caves more thoroughly. They'll bring back Blackwing in order to place Chaos-Five in Pegasus/Draco

@Vargas