’Twas brillig and the discontented slithy toves did gyre through hearts and gimble into minds.
Long time the people’s manxome foe with frumious might did hold the status quo.
And as in uffish decadence Fantasia danced, the Fishbowl rose with eyes of flame.
One, two! One, two! And through and through the guillotine went snicker-snack.
They left them dead and with their heads brought revolution galumphing in.
Civil war has come whiffling through the tulgey streets of the Magic Kingdom where tradition order, and freedom are locked in frumious struggle.
Whose call have you answered?
[[I have answered the call of Prix Florian and the Steamboat Party. I am here to invest in the rich traditions of the Kingdom or fight for the Monarchy alongside other mercenaries. -> Steamboat 1]]
[[I have answered the call of Prince Henry and Commander Dippy Dawg. I am here to help maintain order and uphold the Goof Troop's reign. -> Goof Troop 1]]
[[I have answered the call of Prince Phi. I am here to fight for freedom alongside the Rescuers and Club 33. -> Club 1]]As the balance of the Kingdom’s wealth and power tipped ever further away from the masses, there were some in the Fishbowl who began to resist. What started as a handful of individuals dreaming of a brighter future for the common people of the Kingdom has grown into a full-scale revolutionary movement. The will of the people is clear. Just as the Kingdom cannot slip back beneath the waves it can no longer be governed by a blind, disconnected aristocracy.In a kingdom of the faithless, Club 33 is unique. For over a year the secret cabal of Final Knights has worked to further the Rescuer cause from within the ruling class of Fantasia. Unlike their peers who are ignorant, willfully or otherwise, to the abject suffering of the Fishbowl, Club 33 has heard the people's cry. The Knights see a singular path forward if the Kingdom is to survive. The power held in vise-grip by the stagnated aristocracy must be redistributed equally amongst the Kingdom's domains in a constitutional monarchy. For if one must build a Kingdom in which their authority may never be questioned, then their power is inherently invalid.As the [[Rescuers ->The Rescuers]]' cause gained momentum a splinter movement began to emerge within the revolutionaries. For the Court of Miracles, The revolution is as much, or perhaps more, about revenge as it is about equality. In recent months, the Court has strayed further and further from its mother organization. After the storming of the Bear Rock Stronghold during the Tournament of Roses, and the public execution of King Arthur Carrousel, Prinx Florian, Prince Henry, and a great deal of the ruling class, the Court of Miracles was disavowed by the [[Rescuers ->The Rescuers]] .For generations, the Magic Kingdom relied on tradition and a heavily structured social order. Despite the chaos of the last two years and the consequence of Fantasia's excess, a non-trivial number of the aristocrats of the former ruling class would see their way of life returned. The Steamboat Party will do anything it takes to restore the monarchy’s once absolute power.Since nearly the moment the Kingdom was pushed to the surface, the Magic Kingdoms' military has fought a losing war to maintain order. In a final act of perceived necessity, Commander Dippy Dawg executed a coup and took control of the Kingdom. The Goof Troop now attempts to keep a delicate balance of keeping order and working to meet Rescuer demands in a desperate hope to quell the revolution.For generations unknown, the economic power of the Monarchy has kept the populace of the Magic Kingdom in line. Stability is good for business. The chance at a favor from the true Monarch is even better
[[Wars are fought by soldiers. I’m happy to fill that niche… for a price. ->Merc 1]]
[[The financial power of the Magic Kingdom cannot be understated. An absolute monarch of the most powerful nation on the Broken Coast is an excellent friend to have. ->Royal 1]]To those who pledge their support to Commander Dippy Dawg and the [[Goof Troop ->The Goof Troop]], entry into the Kingdom is freely given. Whether it is via air or sea your arrival goes unchallenged by the warships circling the island nation. The jagged remnants of a once-massive dome rise from Kingdom's shores like the teeth of a great and terrible sea beast poised to swallow the island in its entirety. A haze of smoke rests over the Magic Kingdom, obscuring any distinct details a clear day might offer of the island nation. The craft that has carried you, be it yours or otherwise, is guided toward the rocky shore of the northern coast and the fortress that guards it. With the solid walls of the Bear Rock Stronghold looming above, you are invited to dock.
[[Step onto land ->Goof Troop 2]]From far afield and close at hand revolutionaries and insurgents have answer the call of Prince Phi and Captain Barramundi. [[The Rescuers ->The Rescuers]] and [[Club 33 ->Club 33]] are now faced with the manxome task of of ferrying strain and supplies across the [[Goof Troops ->The Goof Troop]] blockade to the island Kingdom. With whom did you arrive?
[[ I ran the blockade with Captain Barramundi and the Grand Duchess Madeline Hatter. -> Club Blockade]]
[[I arrived by subtler ways, helping the Marchiness Blanc and Grand Duke Liddel smuggle in the Club’s more sensitive cargo. -> Club Submarine]]From sanctuaries across the Broken Coast, the Rescuers have gathered to meet the Grand Duchess and her ship the Twain’s Convergence. I lite breeze toys with your hair and any looseclothing as together with the ragtag motley assortment of vessels that comprise the Rescuer “fleet”, the steam boat puffs its way down the river toward the sea. The river widens as it meets the sea and all too soon the smoky haze that has gathered over the island nation comes into view, along with the Goof Troop warships that guard it. You perk up and take a look around. You see no canons aboard and no enforced armor to protect the wooden ship's hull.
[[...Concerning ->Blockade 2]]From Melancholy Hill and the Razor Mounds south of El Dorado, down the river and into the sea, the precious few submersibles acquired by [[Club 33 ->Club 33]] have carried the explosive ordinance the revolution will need to bring both the [[Goof Troop ->The Goof Troop]] and [[Steamboat Party ->The Steamboat Party]] to heel. Far below the warships vying for control of the sea glides toward the port of Newo Square unnoticed and unchallenged. The craft surfaces alongside its companions. You emerge and step onto land in time to see a Saltwise, purple and gold flag in hand, step onto a smoldering Goof Troop ride and begin to speak.
[[Listen to Captain Barramundi ->Barramundi Speech 1]]
[[There is work to be done. ->Barricade 1]]A somber air hangs over the Bear Rock Stronghold like a thick blanket, indifferent to the wind that whips through tattered purple and gold banner lining the ramparts. [[Goof Troop ->The Goof Troop]] soldiers, dead-eyed and exhausted go about the military’s business of keeping the peace. The silence is broken only by the shuffle of footsteps of the cobbles and the occasional scream from Bear Rock’s medical ward.
[[Keep the Peace. ->Goof Troop Patrol 1]]You fall in line with a team bound for the Domain of Fronteira. A simple patrol, their commanding officer has said. You’d be back by sundown. With [[Court of Miracles ->The Court of Miracles]] activity on the rise, the Thunder Railway has been shut down. A glitter gulch ride, emblazoned with the purple and gold of the Kingdom, awaits.
[[Board ->Goof Troop Patrol 2]]The ride comes alive. It slowly rolls out of the Stronghold gates and into the Domain of Toontown. The Goof Troop are silent, outward masks of exhaustion serving as imperfect facades for deeper spiritual fatigue and hopelessness. The ride bounces and shudders on the cobblestones. Your companions barely notice. You pass the time in silence as the ride moves slowly through the Domains to Frontiera. It stops and one by one they all stand and jump down onto the road.
[[Follow. ->Goof Troop Patrol 3]]Captain Barramundi plants the end of the flag on the roof of the ride. “My friends, today is a great day. Today is the day where in spite of our suffering, in spite of everything each and every one of us has lost we see a light on the horizon. The dark before the dawn is at it's end."
[[A light at the end of the tunnel. ->Speech 2]]The streets of the Domain of Maintown have been filled. From the smallest stool to stately carriages, everything that can be piled up onto the barricades now stands as the Domain's defense against the Steamboat Party and their mercenary armies. The people of the Magic Kingdom, Saltwise, Full Dead, Soletros and Digitarian alike take up arms together behind their makeshift fortifications.
[[Wait. ->Barricade 2]]Smoke rises off the coast as the Phoenix Kings Mercenaries breach the [[Goof Troops ->The Goof Troop]] naval blockade.
[[Wait -> Barricade 3]]An explosion lights up the sky and a distant airship begins to fall, the purple and gold insignia of the Magic Kingdom wreathe in flame as it plummets to the sea.
[[Wait. -> Barricade 4]]Plumes of smoke expelled from mercenary ships grow closer. And soon the sound of boots on the cobblestone echoes through the otherwise silent street. A ride turns the corner flanked on both side by mercenary soldiers. The tank turns its cannon toward the barricade. “Clear the streets and return to your -” They don’t finish their command. As through of one mind and driven by a singular purpose, the people fire on those who would put a tyrant back on the throne.
[[Chaos ->Barricade 5]]The world erupts into a storm of gunpowder and blood and fire. The tank fire, its great muzzle blazing as the sun and loud enough to shatter windows and eardrums. The Phoenix Kings advance as the Barricade explodes
[[Stand and fight. ->Barricade Fight]]
[[Retreat. ->Barricade Retreat]]You stand and fight. As the Barricade is destroyed, as the tank continues to fire, as the mercenaries push forward, you fight. An explosion send chunks of cobblestone and earth flying at killing speed. You’re thrown from your feet, vision darkening, the world tumbling. You lose consciousness to the chorus of gunfire and screams as the people of Maintown are masecred on the street by their Crown Prinx.
[[Wake. ->Waking]]You run. Another explosion rocks the ground. You run. Shrapnel and bullets fly through the air, close enough you can feel their wake. You run. The people of the Magic Kingdom who stood in defiance of their Crown Prinx die on their barricade. You run until the sounds of revolution and war and pain and death fade away.
[[... ->Ending]](text-style:"fade-in-out")[Dystopia Rising: Socal Presents]
(text-style:"fade-in-out")[#The Broken Crown]The air is thick and foul. You come back to a world cloaked in darkness and smelling of rot and salt muck. You slowly get your bearings. One of the [[Rescuers ->The Rescuers]], a Full Dead, helps you to your feet and claps you on the shoulder. You fill your lungs with Galaxia’s disgusting air, hold it for a moment and let it go. Something about one battle versus the whole war comes to mind. You'll get your next shot.
[[... ->Ending]] The smells of salt and gunpowder and blood and burning flesh mingle into a singular experience that burns your lungs, nose and throat. Mortar shells come down all around sending gewsers of seawater blasting up from the waves. The Phoenix Kings have breached the Goof Troop’s blockade, but more ships will come. You take a breath as well as you can, crammed into the merc companies landing boats. You feel the surf rolling beneath the craft as you ride it to land. There’s a thud. Forward momentum pushes you forward and out onto the sand as the boat beaches itself. The Domain of Maintown sits waiting past the boardwalk.
[[Charge ->Merc 2]]The gentle thrum of Crown Prix Florians personal airship is barely audible over the chatter of nobles and the Steamboat Party’s financial backers and the string quartet tucked into the back of the observation deck. An explosion tears apart a Goof Troop warship far below, sending a column of black smoke billowing into the sky off to the west. A servant offers you a glass of bubbly hooch.
[[Accept ->Royal 2]]
[[Decline ->Royal servant]]You accept the glass, taking a moment to examine the flawless craftsmanship. You’re certain it’s solid psionic crystal. A gentle tinging sound draws your attention, and the observation deck falls silent. Another explosion erupts far below. Florian smiles at all of his guests, the light of the distant fire briefly reflecting off his perfect teeth. “It is a great honor for Us to be in the company of such excellent and noble strains on this momentous occasion.”
[[Gentle scattered applause. ->Royal 3]]They bow, “Apologies, but we must insist. His Royal Majesty King Florian, the Charming will be making a toast shortly.”
[[Accept ->Royal 2]] “Too long has Our fair and happy homeland been plagued by a weak leaderships lack of order and discipline.”
[[Smile and nod... ->Royal 4]]A glimpse of the world below shows that the Phoenix King Mercenaries have broken through the Goof Troop blockade and are making landfall. “We have fallen quite far since our proud nation was thrust up above the sea,” Civilian resistance is already buckling. “But I know that not only can we retake the Kingdom we all know and love, but that the best is yet to come.” Florian raises his glass. “A toast. To the future, to prosperity, to tradition. To the Magic Kingdom.”
[[Sip. ->Royal 5]]The airship begins its descent into Maintown as the Phoenix Kings finish subjugating the Domain. The ship floats just over the cobblestone where a space has been cleared in the square. The sounds of distant gunfire subside as Florian and his guests disembark. The mercenaries had cleared away the broken furniture that had once barricaded the streets but had done nothing to clean the blood. Such a shame to have to step around so many puddles.
[[... ->Ending]] Much like your companions, the Domain of Frontiera is quiet. The people of the Magic Kingdom go silently and cautiously about their business as though there was a predator among them. Windows are shuttered, doors are closed. The ride rolls slowly over a bridge spanning a canal. By the time you hear the steps it's already too late. A bottle stuffed with a flaming rag shatter between you and the ride. Less than a second later and explosion rocks the earth.
[[Survive ->Goof Troop Patrol 4]]You feel the bridges railing crumple under your weight as you're thrown from your feet. You fall for only a moment before the water takes hold, tumbling you around and bashing you against rocks. You think you hear another explosion but you can't be sure.
[[Try not to drown ->Goof Troop Patrol 5]]By the time you manage to free yourself from the current and drag yourself onto land the bridge is out of sight. You cough brackish water onto the bank and roll onto your back. You take a deep breath and stare up at the sky. The sun shines weakly through the haze of smoke that's settled over the island kingdom. You take another breath, and another, and come to your feet.
[[... ->Ending]] “And yet the struggle is far from over. In the bitter days to come my friends remember this feeling. Remember that this is your home. This is as much your nation as it is Dippy Dawgs or Florians.”
[[... ->Speech 3]]“Your home is here, be it in Newo Square, Maintown, Galaxia or Ventura. This is your home, and it is worth fighting for. We have tasted freedom. When the bombs come down will we cower before the [[Goof Troop ->The Goof Troop]]? When they come for us in the night will we let them take us? Will we let the dark seep back in?”
[[No.. Never Again. ->Ending]] The streets of Maintown have been filled. From the smallest stool to stately carriages, everything that can be piled up onto the barricades now stands as the Domain's defense against the Steamboat Party and their mercenary armies. Civilians armed with whatever they could get their hands on hunker down behind their barricades. You fall in line next to a Phoenix King ride as it rolls around the corner to meet the resistance.
[[Advance. ->Merc 3]]The tank turns its cannon toward the barricade. “Clear the streets and return to your -” They don’t finish their command. As through of one mind and driven by a singular purpose, the people fire on those who would put a tyrant back on the throne.
[[Chaos ->Merc 4]]The world erupts into a storm of gunpowder and blood and fire. The tank fire, its great muzzle blazing as the sun and loud enough to shatter windows and eardrums. The Phoenix Kings advance as the Barricade explodes.
[[Do your job. ->Merc 5]]You stand and fight. The Barricade is destroyed. The Tank continues to fire. You advance with the Phoenix Kings and the other mercenaries. An explosion send chunks of cobblestone and earth flying at killing speed. Shrapnel and bullets fly through the air, close enough you can feel their wake. The people of the Magic Kingdom who stood in defiance of their Crown Prinx die on their barricade. You do your job and as the last resistance is giving way a gilded purple airship begins its descent, bringing the next Monarch and your employer back to their Kingdom.
[[... ->Ending]] The Grand Duchess Madeline Hatter stands on deck, seemingly unphased. She turns, smile pristine and perfect, “A little bird has informed me that quite the hurley-burly is occurring in the south. I assure you that the Goof Troop would not moss such an occasion for the world…” She looks back toward the horizon.
[[Wait. ->Blockade 3]]Smoke begins to rise in the south. You watch as the dark shapes on the horizon begin to move. Slowly at first but gaining speed the ships that make up the Goof Troops blockade set course for the smoke rising in the south. The “fleet sails on to Newo Square in the islands Northwest, faster Rescuer ships engaging what little of the Goof Troops northern force remained. The Twains Convergence docks in the port of Newo Square. You step onto land in time to see a Saltwise, purple and gold flag in hand, step onto a smoldering Goof Troop ride and begin to speak.
[[Listen to Captain Barramundi. ->Barramundi Speech 1]]
[[There is work to be done. ->Barricade 1]]