[Her voice is clear and determined.] Strike Force and Defense to the fountain. All others, take your positions. Hold your fire. We must learn the enemies' tactics.

[Pause. She adds more softly:]

Fight well, warriors of many worlds. We make our stand here.

[Her voice is unquestionably softer, as though her soul does not burn with the same intensity.]

I feel...different. I don't like it. And it sounds like I'm not the only one.

Jing, Azula? Are you all right? [Leon is nearby; she doesn't need to ask him through the coms.] Fayt and Skuld: ready your weapons, whatever you have.

[A deep breath, and a sigh -- holdovers from life.] What is going on...?

(OOC: Sylvanas has acquired Erk's notables: "Charming, but uptight and occasionally shy." She has lost her archery and leadership skills. Oh gods, the madness (and characterization challenges). ~_^)

(OOC: During stage 2 of the modplot, when the ash is falling. At various times througout the 24 hour period, the residents of Econtra may receive one or two of many attempts by Sylvanas to contact them (if any get through at all). The entry below just offers an idea of what the others might see/hear on the receiving end.)

[ENTRY (TEXT) MADE BY -Sylvanas Windrunner- ERROR. CANNOT ACCESS CONTENT.]


[ENTRY (VOICE) MADE BY -Sylvanas Windrunner- ]

[Stream of static in which her voice is recognizeable, but largely unintelligible.] Report.


[ENTRY (VOICE) MADE BY -Sylvanas Windrunner- ]

[Voice remote under the interference, but fairly clear.]
I am (krrkh) office. Report.


[Spoken off the network]
You should rest while you can.

(OOC: Posted a few minutes after the Warden announces his countdown.)

You heard the Warden. I want all healers to remain near the clinic. Double-check your supplies and report to me. Warriors and medics, spread yourselves out. Repair units: start reinforcing the buildings as best you can. We cannot afford to lose people in a collapse. When the Entropi appear, the strike force will gather in the fountain square with the majority of the defenders.

From now on I expect a watch to be kept at all hours. Don't forget to look up.

And then...we wait.

Warden, is there anything else we should do?

[Her tone is deceptively conversational.]

The Warden has made it clear that we must prepare for war. He seems to think we are essential to defeating the Entropi. While I do not entirely believe him, he insists that the only way to ensure our return to our worlds is to defeat them. We shall see.

I will be true to you. Even the bravest unit of warriors will fall when the odds are against them. They will fall without supplies, without medics, and without faith. We at Econtra only lack the last. And look where it has led us. Bored complaining and petty infighting. Pathetic. We could become a force to be reckoned inside in this parody of a city, despite the walls that close us in.

I call upon you to aid me in the survival of the group – for it is through others that your own life can be guarded. I call upon every single one of you, regardless of your skills, to do what you can to aid those you care for. And when the time to test our strength arrives they will underestimate the power laying in wait within these walls; we will strike with such dazzling force that they will be overwhelmed. I have seen it happen. I have led forces to swift victories. I know it is possible here.

[She pauses for a long time, meeting the eyes of those who have gathered around her.] Ask me your questions.

(OOC: After this she will lead volunteers over to the park to show off their skills under her watchful eye. She will announce that in a separate post. There will be a thread up tomorrow (if my muse is with me) for those who are there in-person which will include a subthread for the drilling, because I don't want to clutter up your friends page.)

(OOC: Posted shortly after the Warden dismantles the southwest apartment building.)

[screened to those mentioned below]

Leon, Jing, Azula, Atem, Fayt, and Zuko. This message is for you.

Tomorrow I will address the residents again. I will call for their cooperation. From you, I request your support. I do not rule the Undercity alone, and I cannot answer the needs of these people alone. I will gladly become their general -- and a target for their anger -- if you provide me with what I know you are already willing to give: your time and your effort to improve this place.

Leon will be there to guard my life. You may show up as you will. Inform others you trust.

It is time for permanent change.

[Picture this: Sylvanas lounges on the couch with a mug of cool tea resting on her stomach. For once the dark ranger has cast aside the majority of her armor, leaving only the light “dragon skin” Leon gave her at Winter's Veil. Clearly she has bathed recently: her pale hair has a messy, freshly-toweled look. She dips a finger into the liquid and traces the rim of the cup thoughtfully.]

So it is not only the people of Azeroth who become lovestruck at this time of year...Funny, that such diverse places have similar festivals. [Her cold-roughened, purplish lips skim back in a nostalgic smile.] In the Undercity they would set gifts before me, and I would make Varimathras check every single one for poison, or worse. [She chuckles softly.] But tell me, who is this Valentine? I would like to know. To sate my curiosity.

(OOC: Posted at about 9:00 PM Valentine's Day, when Leon is having his romantic dinner with Melaka.)

There are rooms available in the northern apartment building. Unless you want to be hurt in the construction, I suggest those who have been displaced to make use of them. The Warden has said his project will benefit the residents.

We shall see.

(OOC: From during Stage 1 of the modplot.)

We are facing another attack! Healers, go to the hospital and prepare to treat the wounded. Bring some of the food stores with you!

[She pauses. You can here her running. A windy, rushing noise underlays her speech, which is even more hurried than before.]

All of you who can create force barriers and wield dark energy -- necromancers, warlocks, the undead, those who can drain life; ma--

[A sizzling crackle, and Sylvanas shrieks. Even through the coms the noise is bone-chilling. She resumes more weakly than before.]

...mages...meet at...the basement of the school...to formulate a plan. If you cannot leave your location, report through the communicators. I will be there.

...Do not fail me...

[The communicator clicks on, and at first all you can hear is silence: the silence that comes from snow and bitter cold in the air and in hearts. Then Sylvanas draws a breath, and begins to speak.]

In these last weeks I have seen nothing but complaints and dissension. For example, certain people have raised questions about this "alliance" they caught wind of. How dare we impose our authority by holding an open forum to discuss the punishment of a criminal? How dare we attempt to set up a guard force, or an army, or gather to discuss the welfare of others! You seem to think we will limit your freedom. We have done nothing of the sort. As a government, the Econtra Alliance is a fledgling, nominal organization. It only wields as much power as you allow it, which seems to be none. You resented the Order when we imposed nothing on you except a sense of responsibility.

[She pauses; the silence falls back into place for a few heartbeats.]

Since most of you are so fond of independent action, I have an announcement:

Tomorrow at noon I will prepare to execute The Joker for his twisted crimes. If any of you disagree with my choice of punishment, come and discuss it with me. Oh, and don't worry. I will take care of everything, so you needn't fret about getting your hands dirty.

(OOC: I know Sylvanas is being a pain for all those people who wanted to hold a more formal trial, but she needs to get something done, and disposing of the Joker is the most ready option. After this, where will she go? This place is finally starting to fracture her.)

(OOC Backdated to after this thread, after Heero made his statement of guilt.)

[Screened shortly after posting from Harth, Atlas, and the Joker]

Greetings Econtra.

The attempt to capture Harth Fray failed.

Earlier this evening Harth Fray announced on his communicator that he "wanted to play." He then baited Heero and the male Wufei to meet him in the park. In response, I requested volunteers to aid me in his capture; Leon Kennedy and Priest Eko answered by summons. I bolstered our forces with my skeleton minions and swept the grounds.

We found Harth Fray standing in a clearing, seeminly alone. Wufei had already shot the vampire once from the shadows. It did little to stop him. Heero was the only one not in hiding at first. Then, after shooting Harth again in the neck, Wufei presented himself and urged Heero to kill him. Heero hesitated. While they talked I sent in three of my skeletons to seize the vampire; however, before they could reach him, he charged straight for Heero, who fired his gun.

The two tumbled. Heero managed to throw Harth off him...and the vampire was impaled through the heart on a stick that stood out of the snow. His body dissolved into ash. I then investigated the scene. The ash had no smell. That is impossible -- and my senses are as keen as they ever were. Magic cloyed the air in the clearing. I suspected an illusion. The "death" happened far too quickly and easily for me to believe it. I heard noises that betrayed movement in the clearing although I could see nothing. Suspecting an illusion, I brought my skeletons to bear on the spot...but whoever it was, they escaped.

Yes, Heero is responsible for the Harth's apparent death in the strictest sense; but I saw it with my own eyes, and the act was defensive. Also do not forget that Harth provoked them. If by chance the vampire met his end, he foolishly brought it upon himself. I do not mourn him.

[A puzzled frown is obvious in her tone.]

The Arbiter is gone too.

[Click. Transmission end.]

[Her voice is hard, to hide her hurt.]

After Leon's most recent transmission I found his coat in the square, near the fountain. There were no signs of struggle. He is presumed missing until confirmed otherwise. Master Chief John: you are his roommate. What have you found? [After a pause no more than five seconds long she barks imperiously,] Answer me!

[Edit -- added shortly afterward.]
Melaka, you can have this thing. I do not want it.

[screened from The Joker, Harth, Atlas, and Tomo]

Harth intends to draw out two people at the park tonight. He would not be doing it unless he had some hidden advantage. However, this is still a prime opportunity to capture him; I do not think he is expecting more than two or three assailants.

Volunteers, report to the north wall of the church in ten minutes. We have no time to lose.

(ooc: Depending on the turnout, Sylvanas will round out the strike group with her skeleton minions. She will also split people into search parties of three or four. I will set up a short thread soon. How soon will depend on how long the coffee I foolishly drank at 9:00 PM keeps me up.)

(ooc: Backdated to 12/26, a few hours after this and this.)

[Screened from Harth, The Joker, Atlas, and Tomo]

Through examining records in The Joker's communicator, I have learned that he was collaborating with Harth Fray in her capture and subsequent burial. That is all I could determine. There may be more evidence hidden within this device that I cannot find.

Regardless, he has been found guilty and must pay for his crime. I encourage you, citizens of Econtra, to watch for him and immediately report any sightings to me, Sylvanas Windrunner. I intend to capture him, not kill him. Then we will determine what should be done with him. Do not get the foolish idea into your head that you can take him alone. I do not want to find more fresh graves on these grounds. Understood?

Thank you for you cooperation.

[screened to Melaka]

Melaka, I have news. You may hear it first, since it involves your brother.

(ooc: Backdated to 12/26, a little while after Harvey Dent made this post.)

[Screened to Harvey Dent and Leon]
Harvey Dent. I heard you had a little chat with the Joker a few days ago. Was it productive? Or would you like me to take over?

[Screened from The Joker and Atlas]
I am looking for volunteers to watch for this Atlas. Several victims of the burials identified him as their attacker. His friends seem to think that this is not possible; he is normally a such a kind, quiet man. [She draws out the adjectives with gentle mockery.] Don't worry. I am not seeking to apprehend him -- yet. Tell me where he lives, where you have spotted him, if he is acting unusual, anything, and I will be sure to make it worth your while. Leave written reports as replies to this message. We will draw the net around him so slowly he won't realize he is trapped until too late.

Thank you for you cooperation.

(ooc: Joker-mun: what's the word on the bailout plan?)

I have received a gift. It is a very short white- and red-striped dress. In Thalassian they call this style "lovers' clothes;" I do not know the word for it in Common. It has been a while since I last had one of these...

To my "secret admirer:" I am not fond of stripes. For your future reference, I prefer curved patterns or plain cloth. Nothing less than silk will do.

Ying Fa: I have found what I suspect are spell reagents at the burial site. Please tell me when you are available to assess them. They may tell us something about the culprits.

The missing persons are here, in the park behind the cemetery. I can read it in the ground now; they were [slight pause or catch] buried here. Someone has already dug up one of the victims.

Those who are strong, come to the park behind the cemetery! Help me free the rest!