f2020 | SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2020: THE SYNOD IS CONVENING.

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2020: THE SYNOD IS CONVENING.

All fourteen Gates simultaneously reverse polarity. For the next seven days, and only these seven days, any imPort stepping through a Gate will arrive safely in the Porter building: the only place on this fractured planet that can safely contain the energy of the imPort community in its entirety.

SO IT BEGINS
THE SYNOD

THE

DEATH

TRAIN

While the Gates are the simplest form of transportation, those making the journey to the Synod from the White Tower have the option of travelling by train, if they wish. Despite the playfully grim moniker, there haven't been any recorded fatalities on board the Death Train in many years. Or ever, really. Raw, untamed entropy doesn't do anything as simple as kill.

For that delightful reason, passengers will be reminded at frequent intervals not to attempt to leave the train once it enters the active zone of the Porter's defenses, or to do anything that could jeopardise the integrity of its shielding.

The journey is relatively comfortable and takes approximately two and a half hours. A limited menu of pastries and alcohol is available from the buffet car. The smallest tables seat two.

As the train passes through the entropy-saturated wasteland of the Deathdome, the view from the heavily tinted windows of each of the train's four-person cars is impossible to comprehend: every atom of the landscape is in a constant state of flux, scattered in endless possibilities across the multiverse.

WELCOME CARPET

Inside, you get the impression of three towers; no view from outside is possible. You're totally sealed inside for the week, by the same Fate-built tech that shields this place from the ravages of cosmic radiation— the train station is built into the structure, entrance tunnel hermetically sealed.

You're greeted by welcome robots, primitive little things full endless enthusiasm and covered in dents. What they lack in intelligence they make up for in persistence and durability. Each and every ImPort is assigned their own personal robutler.

Though they tend to hinder more than help.

Boop boop boop boop. They provide you with a complimentary swag bag. Inside is one (1) t-shirt, one (1) top of the line tablet (pre-loaded with this year's Agenda and a simple game app that looks suspiciously like 2048), a stress ball, personalised souvenir pen and eraser (but no pencil), and of course, a lanyard keycard for accessing the comfortably adequate accommodations provided for all attendees.

Given the week-long Synod, your room itself is a decent suite, furnished with dark colors, redolent with a smell you can't quite place. You may find yourself assigned an unexpected roommate, which may feel awkward considering you'll find arrayed on the beds, a half-dozen complimentary tickets to the spa, restaurants and the power gym, with its preternaturally durable equipment.

Robutlers constantly remind: do not attempt to leave the Porter facility or do anything to jeopardise the integrity of its shielding.

CONVENTION

Talks and panels take place in the convention area, which feels like a miniature city within the Porter's defenses, a hive with padded audience seats, wide stages, and complete with holographic audiovisual equipment that's curiously compatible with presentation software from every city.

Here, ImPorts will present and debate various topics regarded as major concerns for all. [OOCly, players are invited to suggest topics! Scroll down; they will be added below.]

This is also something of an expo, where cities practically demonstrate— or show off their good works. From the latest hovertechnology models to demonstrations of healing powers, playful duels in the forcefield-enclosed stages to magical books that temporarily transfer skills on touch, this is the place to pretend you're showing off your cards... while playing the most important ones close to your chest.

PANELS AND DEBATES

PRESENTERS

TOPIC

Joseph Kavinsky vs [N/PC]

White Tower ImPort Overpopulation and Dimensional Instability

Tony Stark and other technopaths

How Technology Will Save Us

Joshua Foley

The Mysteries and Intricacies of ImPort Physiology

Count Dooku and volunteers

ImPort Factions Must Align Against the Shared 'Resistance' Threat

Jin Bubaigawara (x3)

The Twin Cities are NOT Dimensionally Unstable No Matter What You Heard

Kang

Bridging Old and New: Maintaining Infrastructure with Limited Modern Resources

EVENING

EVENTS

Every night of the Synod, ImPorts gather to dine in a grand hall with a ballroom party. Each dinner is hosted by one ImPort city, gruntwork complete with robutlers-- which guarantees food safety, and complete with multiple cuisine options, cultural decor, and entertainment.

Given the range of cities represented, food options vary from greasy burgers to six courses of seafood and blue venison, and rarefied vegan fare.

When ImPorts aren't here eating, they're most often talking. Ergo, it's not uncommon for low-key drama to break out, but this year, the majority of Synod days seem to be passing uneventfully.

Fortunately, speeches are reserved for daytime. After dinner, it's time to dance.

The last song of the night is always obscure music no one can quite remember the words or melody to afterward. It's a slow dance song meant for two or more partners; the ballroom grows dark and the world seems to fade away. Or rather, it just fades back into one's hotel room.

THE BLACKOUT

On Monday, September 21st, shortly before the Gates are due to resume ordinary function and allow attendees to leave, the Porter building suffers a power cut.

Abruptly, all the lights cut out. Music stops. Your faithful robutler freezes in place, unresponsive— though its internal systems appear to be running, the centralised command hub that it relies on has fallen silent.

Though the robutlers are out of comission, technology-minded ImPorts and their tech drones hasten to reassure that systems analyses are underway. Within a few hours, repairs begin, the estimated time being two days.

In the meantime, thanks to the diversity of powers on hand, there is enough food and water. Candles start to circulate. It might even be a little romantic, if it weren't for the chaos outside. Characters might find themselves trapped in an elevator for a few hours, or compelled to seek comfort from one another.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Darin, however, was being given a wide berth. Likely due to his reputation among many of the factions. More than a few angry mutterings can be heard as he makes his way through the throng of people. However, no one dares step out of line to challenge him. Not yet.

He does, unfortunately, see someone get bowled over. And a moment later, Allura will feel herself get lifted up from behind and set upright.

"First time? If you're going to stop, you're going to want to make your way to one of the sides."

She might notice a large number of people glaring their way. More specifically his way.

"Forgive me, Darin. I was distracted..."

The words are out of her mouth before she even realizes she's said them. It's automatic — how many times had she responded to that voice without a second thought? Even in this strange situation, she hasn't become detached from the love and trust she feels for him.

But it hits her quickly, like a bucket of ice cold regrets being dumped on her head. Darin is here?! Why is Darin here?! This might not be the same Darin! And his tone of voice doesn't sound like someone who's just come across his fiancée from another world!

Her best bet is to play it off, and hope he doesn't pay too much attention ot that detail.

"I-I mean — hold on! Why are you picking me up? You could simply offer me a hand, you know!"

He arches an eyebrow. It wasn't uncommon for people to know him...but to sound so familiar with him...?

"Because it's quicker and your robot appears to be entirely useless."

And now that they're out of the path of the attendees.

"And you are? I know my reputation tends to precede me, but you seem alarmed."

A beat.

"You're not with the Empire..."

"No, I'm not..." ... but you are?! There's a sinking feeling in her stomach, and after some careful consideration, she omits her title: "I'm Allura."

It's simply safer that way. At least until she learns what this Empire's view of otherworldly royalty might be.

"And I'm not alarmed. I'm just — I was caught off-guard!"

"Alright, well...Allura. Judging by how easily distracted you are, I'm going to assume this is your first time here. Is there anything you've got questions about?"

And then, he adds.

"Where are you from? Are you one of the new imPorts that's come in? There's been a massive influx lately."

She doesn't respond right away. Oh, how much should she tell him? It's Darin, shouldn't she be able to trust him? But she can't help but notice the looks he's getting from others. Disclosing too much might be a very bad idea while she's still feeling out the situation.

Ultimately, she decides that she doesn't stand much to gain by outright lying, and could make a mess for herself for no reason. She'll just disclose in small bits.

"... yes, I'm new here. But I know how a convention works. I'm only trying to feel my way through the oddities of this situation, that's all." Okay, maybe she's still taking a defensive tone for her earlier embarrassment.

"In that case, I'll formally introduce myself. Name's Darin Altway, personal liaison to Master Luke Skywalker and chief enforcer of the peace of the Empire of Light. It's nice to meet you, Allura."

He offers a bow in greeting.

"Ask me any questions you feel are pertinent. But do yourself a favor and try and avoid getting swept up with any of those who ally themselves with...less desirable company."

Well, that sounds like as good of an opportunity to start prying as any.

"Less desirable? Such as?"

"Revolutionaries. Dissenters. Renegades. There's more than a fair share of imPorts out there who keep trying to upset the order of things. People trying to fight to restore balance between the powered imPorts and normal people."

"And what's their cause? No one walks into a place and says, 'I believe I will start a revolution today,' do they?"

Well, it's possible that Allura would do that, but she also has slightly better self-preservation instincts than to admit that to Darin's face.

"They're fighting for non metas. Trying to give them a voice in leadership as opposed to accepting that those of us with powers are just trying to protect them. That we have the power and ability to help and guide them."

He says this proudly.

"As the keeper of the peace of the Empire of Light, I've sworn to Master Skywalker to make sure no outside factions disrupt the peace of its denizens."

"And you don't value their insight at all?" She frowns. "These types of insurgency can usually be stopped before it ever becomes an issue, through proper use of diplomacy."

Is he even going to listen?

"Why were they not heard out?"

"Because people would sooner destroy something than attempt to understand it. And if that's not an option, than they'd try and control it. I'm speaking from personal experience."

He glowers.

"The fact is, it's us or them, and the majority of us don't want to go to war. And honestly, normal humans wouldn't stand a chance against us. I've personally leveled a few of their cities by myself. I'm not proud of it...but it's better this way. That's what Master Skywalker believes."

You know, she has a lot of opinions she could share here. There's a lot to unpack, a lot of holes in the premise itself.

But...

"You seem to think very highly of this master of yours."

... ... ...

Why is she jealous of this?

"Of course I do. Master Skywalker set me straight. He showed me how true peace could be attained. He saw me for what I was and gave me a role where I could do good. I owe my life and everything I am to Master Skywalker."

"Really. So, then, he must listen to your voice far more often than those of the... what did you call them? Metas?"

"Why? I just execute his will. ...And dissenters."

"Why not? Surely you have your own ideas of ways you would prefer things to be."

You're nothing if not creative, after all.

He waves her off.

"I prefer to just do as I'm told, honesty. It's a lot easier this way."

All right. She's gathered enough information. This Darin clearly has no recollection of his time in the other dimension — whether by having it all wiped away, or being from another timeline entirely. Instead, it's led him down a very different path, one that's stunted his mind and bloodied his hands.

But perhaps there's an advantage in that, since it means he has no idea who he's speaking with. She circles around, purposefully stopping him in his path, in abject defiance of him despite his posturing.

"Easier? I thought you said he gave you a role where you could do good. You don't even sound convinced of that yourself, and you're killing people for it?"

"I'm good at what I do. It's a small role that needs to be filled and not everyone can handle something like that."

He eyes her suspiciously.

"You speak as if you know me. In fact, you knew my name before I knew yours. And I don't recall you offering up what faction you were with."

"I told you that I'm a new arrival. Do you really expect me to be swearing allegiance while I'm still learning who all the players are?"

It's such a politician's answer, even she feels bad using it. But she has to try to keep the subject on him!

"... look. You... remind me quite a bit of someone I used to know from my home. Except that he wasn't someone who would have settled for being good at a small role. He could already do that. He took pride doing masterful work within a humble trade, one that helped people."

"But what he truly wanted was to be a hero. Someone who could use his power to rescue people!"

"People do dumb things all the time." He counters.

"And I do help people. I make sure all of those people who would disturb the peace and solace of their lives are removed. If Master Skywalker can't convert them, I make them vanish. And heroism is subjective. I might be feared throughout the country, maybe even the world, but to those who would call the Empire of Light their home, I am their hero."

"How does waging war make you a defender of peace and solace? If anything, it sounds to me you're the one perpetuating the cycle of violence, and creating enemies for your empire!"

"How did he even convert you? Surely you had to have a conversation first!"

"I didn't need converting! When I met Master Skywalker I—..."

"I...H-He..."

How did he come to be in Master Skywalker's employ? How did that conversation happen? He arrived and...he was...chosen? But why was he chosen? How did Master Skywalker know to choose him...?

"Why can't...?"

Why couldn't he remember? He remembered Master Skywalker coming to him but...everything before and during...and even immediately after...it wasn't...

It wasn't there.

CONVENTION

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