Chapter 4 Results and Consequences

[Mooncalf]

Summery

* 48 people chose to absorb the fractures VS 20 people who chose to seal them.

* 4 people chose to widen the sundering VS 3 people who chose to narrow it.

* There were no impact threads which affected the chapter's outcome.

* No actions were taken by the chapter characters which affected the chapter's outcome.

* Alpha Fadebeasts were tracked and killed very quickly.


Story Update

Although the gap between number of sealed vs absorbed was significant, it was not quite as overwhelming as we suspected it might be. As such, the masquerade is not broken, and humanity is not yet completely aware of the supernatural. However, the consequences are quite significant as far as story changes go.

So many humans saw (or recorded evidence of) something strange during the past 3 months that the number of people who believe in the supernatural worldwide is quickly increasing by astronomical amounts. Although the majority of humans in the western world still doubt the existence of spirits or monsters, it can no longer be said that there is no real evidence of such things (though most still debate their legitimacy). People were killed by fadebeasts, CCTV recorded many strange things, and a massive number of citizens in Harper Rock saw at least one ghost during the period the fractures were around.

Footage and eyewitness reports have been spreading quickly worldwide. Coupled with the existence of the quarantined infected, there is no denying that the events in Harper Rock have shaken the world by no small amount.

Many governments of the world know something is going on. Some (such as Canada) are now fully aware that the disease is not like anything they've ever known, and that there was indeed a series of occurrences in Harper Rock where things resembling spirits or wraiths or monsters were seen by humans. They are attempting to keep much of this information under wraps, such as the bodies of those slain by fadebeasts, but it's impossible for them to keep a lid on all of it. However, those in charge are under no illusions; there is something strange going on in Harper Rock, and the city has become vitally important in both unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and in making sure that these dangerous occurrences do not spread. As a result, hundreds of spies, government agents, government scientists and more have converged on Harper Rock.

Ordinary scientists are busy trying to refute the possibility that anything supernatural is at work here. Most of course flat out refuse to believe that any ghosts were seen, and claim that the fadebeast attacks must have been some sort of hoax. They still attribute the existence of zombies to some sort of parasitic infection or similar. However, a growing number of scientists are now willing to entertain the possibility that something they do not understand is at work here. Many new theories are starting to arise, such as ideas about interdimensional rifts, micro black holes, time dilation fractures, and various theories about the fadebeasts and zombies which range from anything between alien origins to abyssal sea creatures driven from their homes. However, all of these things are merely theories at this time, and most are seen as laughable by the scientific community at large.

(If you character is a scientist, feel free to write a roleplay about a new scientific theory explaining some of the "supernatural" phenomenon in Harper Rock. If I like it I'll make it canon that scientists are adopting the theory in question.)

What does all of this mean for supernaturals in the city? Some will see it as a good thing, as increased human vigilance will likely mean they take better care when dealing with the quarantine zone. Perhaps while looking for monsters and ghosts, they'll be less likely to notice vampires drinking blood, or sorcerers sapping the life force from grass. However, some others will see this as a bad thing, and believe that now humans are more open to the idea of the supernatural, vampires could be exposed in time. There's also the matter of increased attention on the city of Harper Rock, which could spell all sorts of trouble.

As far as the fractures go, they appear to have inexplicably stopped for now. Whether or not they will return is yet to be seen.


Consequences

* The sundering appears to have remained the same size for now, as the rituals cancelled each other out.

* City alert level has jumped up to a "barely acceptable" rating (15 points), and can no longer drop below 10 points. It also no longer drops a little each day automatically.

* There are now twice as many government agents in the city.