Moonlit Rivals: Mid-Story Round-Up!

[libraryassistants]

We've officially passed the halfway mark of Moonlit Rivals. There are some exciting new plot developments to take us through Logs 3 and 4, and opportunity for those who haven't found their groove yet to get involved in some additional goings-on!

First of all, a few pieces of housekeeping:

• AC for February will go up on the 20th and will stay open until the month ends.
  
• Reminder to please note content warnings in the subject lines of relevant tags. The overall warnings of blood, biting, and minor violence can be assumed; but it's still polite to give the heads up if you're really leaning in to something!
  
• There will be 2 more logs for Moonlit Rivals. Further details on this will be posted below the round-up!

So without further ado, our round-up of Log 2 events so far:

At the masquerade:

Claire is performing at the ball!
Sigwulf (Sanguinis), an undisguised werewolf, attends the party in good faith... with mixed results.
Nero (Nara’a) gets dressed up for a big debut.
Armin (Laina) keeps the party moving and away from hostile turns.
Amalia (Mei) is working double-time, trying to keep the performances moving while also keeping a close eye on a shadow out of place.
John Smith (the Doctor) searches for more information at the masquerade and may or may not be lost wandering the maze.
Loic (Link) finds the buffet and so badly wants something to chase through the maze.
Lord Umbra (Shadow) minds the party with a sharp eye. It's not paranoia if there really are werewolves in your ballroom.
Viktor (Viktor) hates parties, but loves studying plants.
Sigrid (Siobhan) crashes the party but stays lowkey.
Cinthe is a vision of elegance and grace, trying to not get too unnerved by the amount of fangs on display.
Iren dances between cover stories - pun intended - to stay dancing at the party. Good thing this Editor is so quick on her feet, who's for a collab with Montica's newest author; the esteemed 'Lady Nova Aequilix'?
Rakia is practising self-restraint, but one wrong move and those hedge runners might find themselves in for a shock.

Meanwhile the vibe around the rest of Montica is a little... different.

Cassandra (Claire) mans the Laurelthirst and provides reasonable sanctuary.
Sigwulf (still Sanguinis) hovers around before and after the vampire party.
Jadis and Roberte (Hisako and Roboute Guilliman) face down some angry werewolves, with a little help from a Heron (Konrad Curze)
Jun finds out what happens when he's out and about instead of sleeping, and helpfully alerts the other Readers.
Mina is having a bad time being surrounded by monsters she’s too familiar with.
SecUnit would like the ‘fauna humans’ to cut this shit out.
Magnus the Big Red Wolf peddles potions and prowls for troublemakers.
Nyla got turned into a vampire -- give a lady a hand?
Cassandra stays safe at the Laurelthirst, and is ready to hit back if someone brings the fight in there.


And now, plot updates!

We have integrated some player plots into the overarching story of the... well, Story! Thank you to all of those who have shared your plotting with us and who have put suggestions forward. Please use this post to continue to plot further and plan for Logs 3 and 4.

The updates to Story background:

Worldbuilding

On the outskirts of Montica are a couple of relatively young vampire clans. One (Brando) is focused on very bestial approaches to vampirism and want to see the return of hunting. The other (Orlock) is more slippery - they use hypnotism as easily as they lift their arm, and like the Brando, they're resentful of the rules set by Montica's vampires.

These rogue clans have been building for a while, unnoticed by Montica's vampires due to the politicking inside Montica itself. They're located on the outskirts that are nearest the werewolf side of town, so the Wolves are their first pick of meals - even though their blood is disgusting, something is better than nothing. Only recently have they become large enough to become more than just 'annoying'.

Montica's werewolves have suffered many ambushes by these clans, and they've attributed those attacks to Montica's population of vampires. Tensions have risen to boiling point recently, especially as the Brando and Orlock have become so bold as to begin slowly 'disappearing' people - whether to be food or converted to grow their clans. As they are located closest to the werewolves, it has been werewolf loyalists who have suffered the losses. And with all the distractions of Masquerade Night -- it seems a few more people than usual have vanished from Montica's streets.

Log 3 direction

The presence of a Nue in Montica is unusual enough to cause both the vampires and werewolves to investigate. Not only that, but there are rumours of something dark lurking in the sewers - and grisly tales of what might be going on down there. The rogue vampire attacks are getting more bold, and Montica's own vampires are now chomping at the bit to seek their own retribution for the damages caused to their homes on the masquerade night.

But hope shines over these concerns. There are now whispers of what people saw at the ball - those in know swear they saw the Umbra and Guildulf heirs sneaking away. Could this herald an alliance, and an end to the fighting?

Opportunities for plotting:

• Those who haven't found a way to get involved yet - consider playing from the part of the Brando or Orlock!
  
• Calling all Adventurers: Given the missing persons, the town will organise a search party that will lead to the discovery of the Brando and Orlock clans. Sign-ups in the plotting comments below.
  
• Plan of Attack: due to the wibbly-wobbly nature of time, the Full Moon has been conveniently postponed to Log 4. This is to allow time in Log 3 for any IC treaties to be made and plans to be coordinated.
  
  The questions to be answered by the Story are:
  Will the Editors and the Heirs be successful in getting Montica to unite for the battle in Log 4?
  Or will the Wolves be battling both the outsiders and Montica's own vampires, an outcome that will surely lead to Montica's downfall?
  
  Please note - Log 3 may be delayed in posting by a day or two. We will put the link up on Discord and Plurk once Log 3 is live!