epidemiology | EVENT ★ I PREDICT A RIOT

I WANNA START A FIGHT

RIOTS

In the time between the quarantine and now, the virus has spread unnaturally rapidly, with the amount of the population infected estimated to be around 1.5% or approximately 3,750 people. Understandably, the panic has increased considerably. People who were taking the virus seriously before have begun to work themselves up into a frenzy, and even those who were calm are beginning to get anxious.

An infected teacher went on a violent rampage at the local elementary school yesterday, leading the school board to close all Woodhurst schools for the rest of the week while the entire staff is studied for symptoms. There’s no test for the Bristol virus, however, so it’s impossible to tell for sure. This, of course, worries the parents. The unrest starts with a protest at the school, calling for schools to be closed indefinitely until the quarantine is over for the safety of the children, but it doesn’t stop there.

Unrest turns to rioting before long; the majority of the riot is focused at city hall, where citizens are demanding answers, but there’s also mayhem at stores as the people of Woodhurst loot them, stocking up for what some assume is an impending apocalypse. Those who don’t believe this have locked themselves up in their homes not for protection from the infected but the rioters. Suffice it to say, most of the citizens out on the streets are of the slightly unstable variety, although some just found themselves caught up in the riots and became worked up by the crowd.

Local police forces -- including ALASTAIR agents posing as police officers -- have been dispatched to deal with the rioters at city hall. Rioters who attempt to leave the city are taken care of by officers sent by the federal government to enforce the quarantine.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

It might be a good idea to see what supplies can be found at the supermarkets, although you run the risk of getting attacked by a violent looter. The police won’t necessarily turn away anyone trying to keep order at city hall, but any supernatural powers will only incite the already violent crowd, so it’s recommended characters keep from utilizing their powers if they want to stay in one piece. Then, of course, there’s always the option to protect innocents who happen to be stuck out on the streets in the middle of the riots.

While the entirety of the police force is focused at the quarantine borders and outside city hall, now is possibly one of the only chances to get full access to buildings in the city. There are still some workers who haven’t been sent home and some of the buildings are locked up, but there are few police officers that can be spared to go check out a simple break-in.

Now is the time to search the city, if you're feeling brave. If you’re really ballsy, you can even try to slip in through the back door of city hall and go through their records. The only important building in town that’s not able to be searched is the hospital, which is incredibly busy due to the high number of people injured in the riots and traffic accidents.

Of course, just because rioters aren’t around doesn’t mean you’ll be left alone. There’s always a chance you’ll find yourself alone in a building with someone very hungry. Willing to take the chance?

Submit all CYOA choices to this thread.

OOC NOTES

The Bounty Board is now open! If you are looking for ways to get involved in this mission's optional objective, this is a good place to start. We’d also like to remind everyone that ALASTAIR does not invent cover stories for characters -- that’s all them! The only jobs they’ll help with getting are in the police force and government; everything else is up to characters to interview for.

Questions about Woodhurst can be submitted to this thread. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ. You may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ it takes him about ten seconds to consider this plan... before he shrugs and nods. if Keith wanted someone to tell him this was a bad plan and they shouldn't proceed with it... well, Stiles wasn't the right guy for that. ]

Okay, let's do it. The longer we wait, the longer the people here are without a shelter.

[ any breaking and entering they have to do to help them is a minimal bother. the ends justify the means... at least sometimes. ]

Cover me. It'll be cleaner if I use my bayard. [His bayard, however, is magical space technology that might draw some attention. He hides his hand as he summons it, and then nods to Stiles to begin the covering.

No, it hasn't occurred to Keith that this is a bad idea.]

Wh —

[ oh god what no no ]

No, nope, you make that disappear this second, are you serious? Look, if we're doing this whole breaking and entering thing, we're not using something that someone could spot or that anyone investigating this would find suspicious! The last thing we want is for rumors to start flying about an alien invasion on top of the virus!

[ Keith, please??? maybe consider this again..... ]

They'll probably think it's a toy sword. How else are we gonna break this lock? [He tucks the sword closer to him, holding it tight while he listens for anyone approaching. He's also aware of the fact that they might be heard on the inside by the shopkeeper, but ... loud whispering is how these things happen.]

Yeah, except when your toy sword magically slices the lock clean off or something.

[ honestly, it'd be the quickest way, but it would also compromise the mission, and he's not quite willing to take that risk. ] What if we pick the lock?

[ takes slightly longer, but if they can get a distraction of some sort going... then it shouldn't be a problem. ]

I can make it disappear when I'm done, [he adds, all too stubborn. But the bayard does vanish into thin air, and hopefully someone who's looking in their direction thinks it was just some elaborate magic trick.]

But picking a lock is fine. I can do that. If you have something that'll work, anyway.

I know. But what if we say the sword's the last option? We try picking the lock, if it doesn't work, then you chop it up.

[ that's fair, right..... he breathes a quiet sigh of relief when Keith makes the bayard disappear — while also making a note to self to ask him later where exactly it goes. ]

Yeah, wait — [ he digs into his pocket, and yep, that sure is a thin screwdriver... and a straightened paper clip. ] Here. The locks here aren't too advanced, these should do the trick.

... maybe.

Unless it's a deadbolt. [Keith isn't fond of his sword being the last option, and he looks properly sullen about this fact.

Just the same, he takes the paperclip and screwdriver and considers them seriously—right before he sets to work.]

Well, if it is, then you'll just get to chop it up immediately.

[ look on the bright side, Keith!!

as his friend works on the lock, Stiles keeps watch; the police presence in the riots is heavy, and he doesn't want them to get caught breaking in. ]

[The door unlocks quickly enough, though the angry old man is waiting on the other side with what looks like a two-by-four, ready to hit the bolt of them. Keith puts up a hand and looks to Stiles, as if Stiles will somehow say the magical thing to keep them from both being knocked out by a two-by-four.

Though the reality is that ... they would win the fight. Or Keith would.]

Hey, wait! Listen to us, you're in grave danger!

[ yelling this out at once, Stiles holds up his hands, palms out as though in immediate surrender, and if nothing else, the shopkeeper pauses. quickly, Stiles continues, ]

Look, there's a bunch of infected people, trying to break the back door right now. You wouldn't let us in, so we had to do this, sorry about that by the way, but we really, really have to reinforce the back entrance if you don't want to be zombie food.

[ he delivers the entire explanation with as much of rushed urgency as it would require... if it were true, that is. ]

[The old man turns behind him and glances toward his back door. It's clear that he doesn't hear them, and he proceeds to say as much.]

Of course you don't hear them! You're focused on us. Now, come on, let us take care of that and help some other people. Who are scared. Like you.

[Nothing in what he's saying indicates that he has a single ounce of chill.]

[ at least Keith's negative amount of chill does something — that is, convince the man of the urgency. because why else would he be yelling like this, if the danger wasn't truly there?

with another glance at the back door, he finally agrees to move aside and let them in, but only if they make sure to reinforce the windows, as well!

as soon as the old man's back is to them, Stiles turns to Keith and gives him a thumbs-up, then a nod towards the back room — the office only has one door, one that seems to have the lock on the outside. if they can get the man in there and lock it... they can trap him there and commandeer the store as a safe house. ]

[Thankfully, Stiles knows better than to involve some super complicated physical movements. Keith glances toward the office, and offers a thumbs up in return. He's got it, and he knows where to lead them.]

Just in case they bust in while we're working, you should go hide. You don't know how strong these people are. [When he speaks, he's staring at that office.

Go, old man. Go willingly as they take over your store!!]

[ yeah, no need to worry about that, after the fiasco that was the Oska communications issue... he takes care to nod along to Keith's words, to show he agrees, what a good plan that is!! now please listen to them, old man...

it seems luck is on their side, for once, as the shopkeeper watches them carefully for a moment and then agrees, turning to look at any good hiding places and picking, yep, the office.

as soon as he's there, though, Stiles follows without hesitation and just. locks the door. ] It's for your safety!

[ or something.......... but success!! he grins at Keith; now they're free to commandeer the store for The Good Of The People! ]

EVENT ★ I PREDICT A RIOT

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wrapping up!!