#THREAD | RACHEL VAN HELSING

[starcityhq]

THE FINAL ACT —

The second the lights were down, there was the unmistakeable sounds of a scuffle on stage. Yelling erupted in the crowd as the men guarding the door were overpowered by numerous audience members, vigilantes and civilians included.

Rising above the commotion came a voice that did not belong to the Joker: “Owww, I thought stage floors were supposed to be soft!”

The lights came back up, revealing the puppeteer face-down with Detective Dick Grayson’s knee in his back. It was Chuck Brown, also known as Kiteman, and he was promptly handcuffed and hauled to his feet.

“Well hey Kiddo, normally I’d be happy to see you but I’m kinda in the middle of something right now, so if I ca - ARGH!”

Before Chuck had the opportunity to finish his sentence, Jason Todd’s fist connected hard enough with his nose for him to feel it give. “Where is he!” He hauled back for a second punch but it never had the chance to connect before Kiteman was hauled backwards and out of his reach. 

“Stop!” Dick pulled Chuck back to block him from further injury. “Handle the men with guns. He could still be here.”

Chuck tried to speak again, croaking out a ‘hell yeah’ as a dribble of blood dripped from his mouth. “Heeeeeeey.” He grinned weakly. “You fight good. Think Ol’Chuck’s gonna be seeing stars for a’week.” He chuckled a little. “No Charlie.” He waved his hand feebly. “M��good. Mr. Joker said he rented a theatre so I could put on a show for my boy. He loves puppet shows, are you all here to watch too? Or did he forget to pay the fee?” he asked, blinking a little more, vision clearing as he tried to look around, “He’s usually real good at paying people back?” 

The gravity of the situation was clearly lost on him, even once Dick started reading him his rights.    

As Chuck rambled and Dick went through the process of arresting him, the very vigilantes named by Joker searched for the clown. Instead, they discovered only another piece to the puzzle backstage. It was a recording of Joker reading the script that the puppet show had been following, which made one thing painfully obvious: they’d been had.

THEATER (SEE ABOVE FOR DETAILS OF EVENTS):

M’gann M'orzz, Billy Kaplan, Lucifer Morningstar, MJ Watson, Quentin Quire, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd (originally was at the docks), Dick Grayson (DETECTIVE & ACTING COMMISSIONER, SCPD), Barbara Gordon, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain-Wayne, Chuck Brown, Linda Martin, Venus/Felix, Zatanna Zatara, Michael Jon Carter, Susan Storm, Peyton Riley, & Peter Parker.

STAR CITY MUNICIPAL BANK: Through the efforts of civilian vigilantes, the SCPD, and NOVA's Jihl Nabel, the hostage situation at the bank was resolved with no reported deaths or serious injuries. Sudden resistance from the group of hostages gave responders and heroes outside the opportunity to intervene. The masked assailants have been taken into custody and all hostages released after questioning.

Flox (hostage), Adrian Veidt (hostage), Luna Maximoff (hostage), Steve Trevor (hostage), Anton Satan (hostage), Rachel Van Helsing (hostage), Cassie Lang (hostage), Bucky Barnes, Clint Barton, Conner Kent, Evan McCulloch, Jihl Nabel (NOVA AGENT), Thor, Peter Quill (COP, SCPD), Diana Prince, & Natasha Romanoff.

THE DOCKS: The situation resolved with several casualties, but only among known criminal gang members. The missing dock workers were recovered frightened but alive inside a locked shipping container. Multiple individuals are wanted for questioning regarding the shooting deaths. All those still present on the scene were held at the police station until they could be reasonably cleared of charges.

Kate Bishop (COP, SCPD), Kara Zor-El, Arthur Curry, Barry Allen, Bobby Drake, Dinah Lance, Lorna Dane, Slade Wilson, Ororo Munroe, Remy LeBeau, Rose Wilson, Shuri, Zachary Zatara, Sarah (Marrow), & Eddie Bloomberg.

CASCADES PARK: By the time backup for Officer Chris Gates and paramedics were able to break onto the scene, the total number of gunshot victims had risen to an alarming six. SCPD Officer Chris Gates, District Attorney Foggy Nelson, and civilians Roy Harper, Wally West, Bryn Delacroix, and Jon Kent were reported to be suffering from gunshot wounds. No casualties have been reported and all victims have been transported to Star City Memorial Hospital. Multiple vigilantes and civilians responded to the scene and were able to overpower the assailants, distracting and subduing them long enough for responding officers to apprehend all suspects on the scene.

Josh Foley, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Loki Laufeyson, Scott Summers, Foggy Nelson, Roy Harper, Emma Frost, Gar Logan, Jamie Madrox, Kurt Wagner, Pepper Potts, Wally West, Wanda Maximoff, Jono Starsmore, Pamela Isley, Bryn Delacroix, Chris Gates (COP, SCPD), & Jon Kent.

NOTE: About the power inhibitors: Even though the event is over, the entire city will feel the effects from the inhibitor test for the next 48 hours. The new inhibitors do not only target mutants. Any and all characters who are not fully human will be affected by the inhibitors. In short, they are all humans now. If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact the main!

This concludes our event! Any new threads must occur after the events in this post. Thank you so much to those who have participated in this event! As always, if you have any questions, please direct them to the main!

[starcityhq]

PLOT DROP—

After the audience members were ushered (violently) back to their seats, Joker gave a mocking bow and a dramatic flourish before he disappeared behind the set of the small Puppet Theatre. The curtains were drawn back at the same time his eerily disembodied voice filled the room. It was loud enough for everyone to hear. “Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to a one night only extravaganza! A tale of kidnapping, daring rescue, and true love awaits you! A reunion of soulmates - you can only imagine the spectacle we have for you tonight!”  

No sooner than the words were out of Joker’s that each and every powered person - whether they be an inhuman, an alien, a “God” or “Goddess”, metahuman, and mutant, lost total access to their powers without warning. Serums deactivated and any enhanced person was forced to their previous state.

The inhibitors. They were stronger and they were no longer only targeting mutants. Wherever they were hidden (if there were more than one), they were strategically placed out of sight.

Ten finger puppets, carefully crafted to have uncanny resemblances to their respective counterparts, made their debut with little fanfare. Joker continued, his voice rising in delight. “Starring, in no particular order: Bruce Wayne as Batman and his five little duckies all in a row. We have Dick Grayson as the indomitable Nightwing, Jason Todd as Red Hood - a man after my own heart - Timothy Drake as Red Robin, a boy not yet sullied, for the time being, Stephanie Brown as the Batgirl, the girl blunder herself, and - last, but not least, Damian Wayne as the first ever boy wonder who could double as a killing machine! Oh, but don’t fret: we couldn’t forget our guest stars. Where would we be without the commissioner’s own daughter, the one in everyone’s ear? I give you Barbara Gordon as Oracle - and last, but not least, the would be assassin Cassandra Cain as Black Bat. Let’s give them all a round of applause!

On cue, the masked men manning the door brandished their weapons at the audience until they conceded to clap on cue. As it died away, the last two puppets made an appearance. They were meant to be Harley Quinn and the Joker himself, wiggling enthusiastically as they made their way center stage. “And now we begin the tragic tale of a damsel... ripped from her Prince...”

THEATER (SEE ABOVE FOR DETAILS OF EVENTS):

M’gann M'orzz, Billy Kaplan, Lucifer Morningstar, MJ Watson, Quentin Quire, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd (originally was at the docks), Dick Grayson (DETECTIVE & ACTING COMMISSIONER, SCPD), Barbara Gordon, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain-Wayne, Chuck Brown, Linda Martin, Venus/Felix, Zatanna Zatara, Michael Jon Carter, Susan Storm, Peyton Riley, & Peter Parker.

STAR CITY MUNICIPAL BANK: The group of hostages were ushered to the vault by the barrel of an AK-47. The robbers couldn’t be seen behind their disguises, a colorful and grotesque mix of doll and clown masks. They didn’t say a word. Anyone with traits resembling anything superhuman, or anyone possessing unnatural enhancements, would immediately realize they no longer had access to their abilities. The robbers spoke few words and only in the form of commands. Get down. Stay down. We won’t shoot you. If you move, we’ll shoot everyone else and make you watch. One of the robbers set to work on disarming the vaults while the other three watched, their assault rifts trained with alarming accuracy.

Outside, those who hadn’t been taken hostage worked feverishly to get inside and bypass the iron vault.

Flox (hostage), Adrian Veidt (hostage), Luna Maximoff (hostage), Steve Trevor (hostage), Anton Satan (hostage), Rachel Van Helsing (hostage), Cassie Lang (hostage), Bucky Barnes, Clint Barton, Conner Kent, Evan McCulloch, Jihl Nabel (NOVA AGENT), Thor, Peter Quill (COP, SCPD), Diana Prince, & Natasha Romanoff.

THE DOCKS: Just as Kate Bishop and her measly back up arrived on scene, all hell broke loose. Thugs appeared out of nowhere and surrounded the group, as if they were waiting for something. The group’s sudden lack of power made it clear just what that something was.

Kate Bishop (COP, SCPD), Kara Zor-El, Arthur Curry, Barry Allen, Bobby Drake, Dinah Lance, Lorna Dane, Slade Wilson, Ororo Munroe, Remy LeBeau, Rose Wilson, Shuri, Zachary Zatara, Sarah (Marrow), & Eddie Bloomberg.

CASCADES PARK: First responders are blocked from the scene, unable to offer any assistance, and Gates is on his own. With sparse back up, he is left to rely on his marksmanship. The power inhibitors have effectively prevented additional assistance, as well as his own abilities - and ten shooters against one aren’t good odds. There are two civilians down so far and no doubt more would follow. Gates must move quickly to take down the threat so the victims can receive the help they need. Just as he reaches one of the perps, sudden explosions rattle the teeth in his head and almost send him off balance. There were four booms and each one in a different location.

Josh Foley, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Loki Laufeyson, Scott Summers, Foggy Nelson, Roy Harper, Emma Frost, Gar Logan, Jamie Madrox, Kurt Wagner, Pepper Potts, Wally West, Wanda Maximoff, Jono Starsmore, Pamela Isley, Bryn Delacroix, Chris Gates (COP, SCPD), & Jon Kent.

NOTE: This is the last chance for your character to be a hostage if you are located at the bank, or otherwise have not posted yet in your assigned area! About the power inhibitors: They are present at every location and characters will not have the ability to shut down. The new inhibitors (as previously discussed in the AVENGING LEAGUE MEETING) do not only target mutants. Any and all characters who are not fully human will be affected by the inhibitors. In short, they are all humans now.

If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact the main!

As a reminder, the will run from 04/22 6pm EST to 04/29 6pm EST. Please make sure you are tracking and using the “STARCCURTAINS” and “STARCEVENT” tags for event posts and are answering open starters in addition to posting your own! Please do not start non-event threads during this time without permission from the admins, but you may continue existing threads! 

As always, admins reserve the right to accept character applications at any time during the event rather than following the typical schedule. Happy role-playing!

[starcityhq]

THE EVENT HAS BEGUN! 

The admins have assigned all characters to a particular section in the city. You are free to leave your section at any time. We do ask that you start off in where you are assigned, however. If you would like to change where your character is initially placed, please send a message to the main and we will accommodate you!

To reiterate: you are not obligated to participate in this event. Additionally, if you only wish to participate as one or two characters, that is perfectly fine! The admins have assigned all characters to a section, but it is up to you if you want to be part of this event. 

Characters assigned to the bank, theater, or any other area are not expected to be inside the building or on premises at the start of the event. (Example: the batfamily is assigned to the theater because they will converge there once they hear the Joker is present.) Characters are not required to be on site from the very start, but should be close enough to involve themselves in the chaos.

We still have room for hostages and injuries! Please message the main with a specific character in mind if you’d like to volunteer someone for one or the other! If you want your character to be shot (we still have three slots open), your character will be relocated to Cascades Park. If you want your character to be a hostage (we have plenty of slots left for that!), your character will be relocated to the bank. We will update the list with any changes, so keep an eye out!

LOCATIONS & ASSIGNMENTS 

THE THEATER: Please see THIS POST to review what happens at the theater. 

M’gann M'orzz, Billy Kaplan, Lucifer Morningstar, MJ Watson, Quentin Quire, Stephanie Brown, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain-Wayne, Chuck Brown, Linda Martin, Venus/Felix, Zatanna Zatara, Michael Jon Carter, Susan Storm, Peyton Riley, & Peter Parker.

STAR CITY MUNICIPAL BANK: Two armored cars full of heavily equipped men show up right at the tick of noon, kicking in the doors and disengaging the security protocols before locking down the facility. There are an assumed fifteen hostages inside.

Flox (hostage), Adrian Veidt (hostage), Luna Maximoff (hostage), Steve Trevor (hostage), Anton Satan (hostage), Cassie Lang (hostage), Bucky Barnes, Clint Barton, Conner Kent, Evan McCulloch, Jihl Nabel, Rachel Van Helsing, Thor, Peter Quill, Diana Prince, & Natasha Romanoff.

THE DOCKS: A shipping carton full of weapons and munitions is tipped over by another group of armed thugs, clearly associated with a second gang. No reported injuries, but there were a number of dock workers who aren’t responding to messages or calls from their bosses.

Jason Todd, Kate Bishop, Kara Zor-El, Arthur Curry, Barry Allen, Bobby Drake, Dinah Lance, Lorna Dane, Slade Wilson, Ororo Munroe, Remy LeBeau, Rose Wilson, Shuri, Zachary Zatara, Sarah (Marrow), & Eddie Bloomberg.

CASCADES PARK: Reports of bomb threats in various parts of Cascades Park, situated in the heart of the city, were called in to the SCPD. Still more thugs, the differentiating colors signifying them as a third gang, have even more people held hostage near the boat house. Six gunshot victims have been confirmed and paramedics can’t get on scene.

Josh Foley, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Loki Laufeyson, Scott Summers, Foggy Nelson, Roy Harper, Emma Frost, Gar Logan, Jamie Madrox, Kurt Wagner, Pepper Potts, Wally West, Wanda Maximoff, Jono Starsmore, Pamela Isley, Bryn Delacroix, Chris Gates, & Jon Ken.

As previously stated, the event will run from 04/22 6pm EST to 04/29 6pm EST. You may still continue threads past that point, but you will not be permitted to start any new threads. Please do not start non-event threads during this time without permission from the admins. You are free to continue any threads that started prior to the event.

Please make sure you are tracking and using the “STARCCURTAINS” and “STARCEVENT” tags for event posts and are answering open starters in addition to posting your own! As always, admins reserve the right to accept character applications at any time during the event rather than holding them, so this is the perfect time to get applications in!

Keep an eye out - we will have a handful of plot drops over the course of the event. Happy playing, and please message the main if you have any questions!