Return to Unfiction unforum
 a.r.g.b.b 
FAQ FAQ   Search Search 
 
Welcome!
New users, PLEASE read these forum guidelines. New posters, SEARCH before posting and read these rules before posting your killer new campaign. New players may also wish to peruse the ARG Player Tutorial.

All users must abide by the Terms of Service.
Website Restoration Project
This archiving project is a collaboration between Unfiction and Sean Stacey (SpaceBass), Brian Enigma (BrianEnigma), and Laura E. Hall (lehall) with
the Center for Immersive Arts.
Announcements
This is a static snapshot of the
Unfiction forums, as of
July 23, 2017.
This site is intended as an archive to chronicle the history of Alternate Reality Games.
  

The time now is Sat Nov 23, 2024 4:29 am
All times are UTC - 4 (DST in action)		 View posts in this forum since last visit
View unanswered posts in this forum
Calendar
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
[UPDATE] Sentinel - September 8th
View previous topicView next topic
Page 1 of 1 [12 Posts]  
Author Message
step
Veteran


Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 119
Location: Boston-ish

 		[UPDATE] Sentinel - September 8th
Quote:
View from Earth: Religious Freedom
By WIGLAF

WiglafWhen a society faces a crisis, it naturally takes action to right the wrong and to defend itself. But sometimes action is taken simply so that the authorities can be seen as taking action, and certain groups are targeted as scapegoats. This has happened many times in the history of Earth, and I worry that it is happening also in Perplex City.

The theft of the Receda Cube is a tragic loss for your people and it is understandable that your citizens would want to do anything in their power to secure its retrieval. Understandably the Reconstructionists came under suspicion for the theft because of their belief in prophesies that the Receda Cube "be delivered from the faithless hands of the Academics." But the fact that the "Recon 8" were arrested simply because of an anonymous tip, and held for months without enough evidence to even bring them to trial, is shocking to this Earth observer -- especially as such detention of citizens, while illegal in most of our nations, is currently taking place on Earth in response to crimes in the name of religion.

Even after the Recon 8 were released, the prejudice against the legal Reconstructionist religion became even more evident when Sente Kiteway, the supposedly rational head of the Academy, turned Aiko Entrescore -- who had been working diligently to retrieve the Cube -- to the police for simply belonging to this persecuted religion. The Sentinel itself fired Ryan Klein shortly after learning that he is a Reconstructionist.

Advertisement

Thankfully, brave members of the community such as Keenan Thoreau have come out to freely express their religious beliefs. Thoreau's bravery and support from his bandmates in Roll for Damage make me eager to learn more about them (and I hope that the people of Earth will also be able to enjoy their album someday).

Perhaps the thieves will turn out to identify themselves with the Reconstructionists, even if the theft of the Cube ultimately was not religiously motivated. Here on Earth, terrorists and criminals ally themselves with various religions, but these criminals pervert these religions and many of them are far more interested in power than religion.

Now, I am not looking to lay blame. Kiteway is clearly under a lot of pressure, and I am heartened that the board of the Sentinel has decided to change its administration and rehire Ryan Klein. But if such reliable institutions such as the Sentinel, and such pillars of the community as Kiteway, can briefly fall prey to this hysteria, then we must all be on our guard.


Quote:
Iona Interviews...
Sente Kiteway
By IONA RODIE

Academy Master Sente Kiteway greets me at the front door of his official residence in Milamont Parade at 7am, smiling and apologetic for the early start. It was, he explains, the only time he could fit me into his schedule in the next month. Despite the smiles, he looks every inch the forceful executive: more broad than tall, he is an imposing presence, a reminder of his wrestling prowess as a young man. His short steel-grey hair frames a face which shows its 60-something years, but the penetrating blue eyes seem to belong to a much younger man. He's wearing a well-cut suit; I wonder whether he ever wears anything else. "Only in bed," he twinkles. "No, I don't really do casual clothes; can't see the point."

He shows me into the spacious living room, its high ceilings typical of the Milamont houses. The room is comfortably furnished: Ultra-modern Zingiber sofas and armchairs, Hausam-period urns on either side of the fireplace, bowls of fresh flowers on side tables around the room. No books? I wonder aloud. He promises to show me his personal library later, "but honestly, with the Academy library just across the park, it seems rather a waste to accumulate books here."

That efficiency, and the species of ruthlessness that goes with it, are central to Kiteway's character, as he himself would admit. Elected by the Senior Fellows to head the Academy five years ago, he took up the position at a time when the institution's powers seemed to be declining, its atmosphere calcifying. Within three years of taking office, Kiteway had turned that around, cutting back extraneous departments ("there's no reason for the Academy to be the finest teaching hospital in the city," he says, "that's just not our core work. Look at the motto: we're not here to teach students about questions that have already been answered. We're here to ask new questions, ones that push forward our understanding."), and securing the Academy's power base through a series of top-level alliances with finance, big business and government across the city.

Advertisement

Now, of course, he faces his most difficult challenge, one which has already seen him come under personal attack, both in the media and by some of his more outspoken colleagues. In January of 267, the Receda Cube was stolen from the very heart of the Academy; not only stolen, but completely removed from our world, taken across to Earth. There are so far no good leads as to who might have taken it, why they did so and, indeed how they transported it across. Faced with this seemingly insoluble problem, Kiteway, the puzzle-solver, the bridge-builder, produced a radical solution: Involve all the people of Earth in a vast game whose solution, he hopes, will be the recovery of the Cube.

So, how did he devise this ingenious strategy? "I'd love to say it was a flash of genius, but in fact it came out of long hours of anthropological research. The anthro team at the Academy worked round the clock to give me all the information they could about Earth. ... We had thought their work was a little, well, marginal, but they've certainly proved their worth now. So, I read a lot, I thought a lot and then," he smiles broadly, "only then came the flash of genius. It simply became apparent to me that, actually, these people love puzzles as much as we do, that they're playful and enjoy being engaged on a quest. And they're incredibly resourceful, in some ways. So I thought, why not set them the puzzle of a lifetime -- to find the Cube?"

The obvious question, of course, is why Kiteway did not simply deliver to the people of Earth every scrap of information on the theft of the Cube straightaway. Kiteway harrumphs and declares that point of view disingenuous. "Of course we could have sent over many long lists of dry facts and reports, but who would have paid attention? We feel our chance of recovering the Cube is greater if we can only engage the widest number of people possible."

Kiteway's strategy has been hailed in some quarters as brilliant: Darrant Rue, the reigning Advantage champion of the city called it an astonishing quarter-wheel manoeuvre. Inevitably, this unorthodox approach has also been condemned, even among Kiteway's own inner circle, the senior fellows of the Academy. The outspoken Estelle Sedgewick, head of the Languages department and widely regarded as something of a loose cannon within the Academy, went on-air to accuse Kiteway of putting the entire city in peril. How, Sedgewick asked, could we be sure that the theft of the Cube was not an act of war, perpetrated on us by the people of Earth?

Advertisement

Kiteway sits forward in his chair, thoughtful. "Look," he says, "Estelle Sedgewick is a brilliant scholar and a good friend. I have complete faith in her abilities as a linguist, as a department head, as an Academician, but there are parts of this puzzle she just hasn't had access to. ... Having seen what I've seen, and heard what I've heard, her interpretation of events seems pretty implausible to me. Still, she must be allowed to voice her concerns, just as I," he gestures with a hand, "must be allowed to over-rule them."

And has he been stung by the gibes and accusations of the press? He smiles and leans back, relaxed. "Look, journalists have to sell papers. They like to find a scapegoat, because a dramatic accusation is more saleable than a measured assessment of the facts. Not that your paper would be guilty of any such sensationalising of course." He gives me a somewhat sardonic look.

Surely it must have hurt, though, to read headlines accusing him of incompetence, irrationality and, occasionally, insanity? Kiteway sighs. "Would I like everyone in the city to approve of what I'm doing? Of course I would. Is that likely? No. In a job like this one, you learn to take a few hard knocks and a few hard words. Besides," a flicker of amusement passes across his face, "I've lived with two teenage daughters; I've been accused of much worse than incompetence and insanity."

Our hour is up, and Kiteway, courteous as ever, shows me to the door and thanks me for coming; he has a breakfast meeting at the Academy at 8:30am, and then a full day ahead. I manage to ask one final question as I'm leaving; is there any truth to the rumours that he'd considered resigning? He shakes his head. "Not at all. Absolutely not. After all," he smiles again, "it wouldn't do to lose the thing and leave someone else to find it, would it? Matter of principle."


Quote:

Bank Deal Questioned
By ALWHIN COPI

The Office of the Council announced today a plan to review the PCBC's Fivebridge & Remton Consolidated Bank acquisition to be sure the move won't be detrimental to ordinary citizens. City finance deputy Hova Lonehart has indicated that there appear to be some flaws in the PCBC's economic report on the buyout's ramifications, and that no approval will be given until that matter is fully addressed.

The report submitted by PCBC to the city paints a sunny picture of ease and convenience for consumers after the deal is completed. Customers are likely to experience only benefits as the two bank's financial networks are gradually integrated, according to the report. City officials now say that the analysis did not take into consideration a wide enough data set, however.

"The report focuses primarily on the effects to people living in central Perplex City, but we have an obligation to the people living in even the outermost areas," said Lonehart. "It's unlikely that the acquisition will receive city approval unless the PCBC and Fivebridge & Remton prove to us that there will be a ... net positive outcome for every geographic area affected."

Advertisement

PCBC declined to offer a formal comment, saying that the matter was between itself and the Office of the Council; however, a highly-placed executive at Remton & Fivebridge complained that the office is throwing up arbitrary obstacles in the interest of publicity. "Politics, pure and simple," said the source. "Centrifuge and KSI didn't have to go through this kind of ridiculous process, and neither did Agilon and Cognivia. ... This is city officials trying to play to the back row with an election year coming up fast."

Lonehart denied these allegations, saying that other mergers have not been subject to this kind of scrutiny in the past because they have not affected individuals so directly.

The consulting economist who allegedly wrote the initial draft of the report, Monica Grand, could not be reached at her PCBC offices at press time.


News in Brief
Quote:

Rudon-Birch Weds

Society matron Paulina Rudon-Birch, 103, married 98-year-old Roland Carrick in a private, family-only ceremony in her Ascendancy Point home. The marriage is Rudon Birch's fifth and Carrick's third. The couple have been friends for many years, their publicists said. Together they have five children, twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. (Full text)


More News in Brief
Quote:

Stalking Legislation Reviewed

The City Council is seeking public comment regarding the effectiveness of anti-stalking legislation passed three years ago. "We were looking to balance individual liberties with adequate protection for people who feel in danger," said council member Armand Levi. "Now we need to look back on that decision and see if we got it right." (Full text)


More Headlines
Quote:
# Study Investigates Kam Syndrome
# Wildfire Damages Wind Farm
# Allerdun Sending Diplomat


Letters
Quote:
RUMOURS OF WAR

I'm very concerned about this idea that the Academy Museum may put up a war exhibit. Those dark days are long over, and I think it would only cause more injury to the city to dredge up such an awful time in our history. Let's focus on our proud moments, and not on our suffering.
Lucia Hanover

I hope it's not true that the Academy is thinking of covering the war in their museum. Dwelling on the tragedy would only glorify the acts of violence perpetrated in those times -- look at Earth, where war memorials dot every city and there is a war always going on. Do we want to follow that permissive example? Too clearly studying violence can only create a situation in which committing violence upon our neighbours becomes too easy.
Emilio Chen

PCAG PRESSURE

Thank you for writing about the PCAG's critically flawed drug testing policies. The way testing is implemented, successful players have in the past been statistically less likely to be selected for random testing -- and the successful players are just the ones who might be guilty of illicit cognitive enhancement! Articles like this will hopefully turn up the heat on the PCAG, and lead to a truly anti-drug culture within professional sports.
Camille Fournier

Ed. Note: We at the Sentinel would like to express our dismay and profound sympathy to the people of Earth regarding the tragic weather event in the southeastern United States. We in Perplex City are keeping you in our thoughts.

_________________
Every step 3 brings with it new perspectives.
[Synagoga Nick: Puppy, Team Tollin, CoD: Stephen7]

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:25 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
neophoenix
Boot


Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 68
Location: where you can't celebrate the Kindling of the Flame

 		EDIT: Noticed the other thread had *huge* mistakes. Good post, step, faster and more detailed and accurate. Wink
_________________
neophoenix³ │ 023/100 Scarlett's card distribution challenge
Save the blue smarties, they are an endangered species

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:30 pm
Last edited by neophoenix on Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Seej
Unfettered


Joined: 30 Nov 2004
Posts: 614

 		Heh, I ignored the first thread since it says the update was August 8th, not September 8th. This one has more details too.

Interesting that Paulina Rudon-Birch is so old as well. As Cassandra suggests, the name has relevance to The Advisor but I find it hard to believe that a dangerous weapons expert capable of pulling off the theft of The Cube could be 103 years old, even given PXC medical advances.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:47 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
GuyP
Unfettered


Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 584
Location: London, UK

 		Although, it would be a cool twist... Pietro never knew anything about the identity of The Advisor, and one rather gets the impression he thought of her as a bit glamourous and mysterious (from "the affair" note.) In fact, she turns out to be 103! Her position as "society matron" would make her blend right in on the night of the ball... I bet she could blag her way into all sorts of areas Smile

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:08 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
zoombini
Boot

Joined: 19 Aug 2005
Posts: 24

 		So Monica Grand's an economist, eh? Interesting . . .

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:04 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
neophoenix
Boot


Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 68
Location: where you can't celebrate the Kindling of the Flame

 		OMG. Big mistakes. Was in a hurry when I posted at work. Sorry. I see you have already locked the other thread. My apologies. Embarassed
_________________
neophoenix³ │ 023/100 Scarlett's card distribution challenge
Save the blue smarties, they are an endangered species

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:52 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Guest
Guest
zoombini wrote:
So Monica Grand's an economist, eh? Interesting . . .


Yeah, so far there are two references for Monica in the Sentinel. The first one was on August 29th. Last info has been updated to the wiki. Could it be that her report may have been biased? Guess it's her time to give some answers...

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:50 pm
 Back to top 
cassandra
Entrenched


Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 831

 		has anyone written to Sylvia Salk?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:29 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
neophoenix
Boot


Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 68
Location: where you can't celebrate the Kindling of the Flame

 		What's the average life expectancy of Perplexians? Even though I find "Rudon-Birch" being much of a coincidence, I still can't figure out that the dangerous weapons expert known as "The Advisor" is 103 years old.

Do we have more proof than her last name? I wonder if Sylvia Salk would believe it. And even if Sylvia knew that Paulina Rudon-Birch is in fact TA, I wonder if The Advisor would confirm her real identity to Sylvia. That would endanger Sylvia, wouldn't it? She would know too much.

Honestly, OOG I thought that this was a way used by the PMs to say that we are barking up the wrong tree (Birch, no pun intended). But this is Perplex City, so you never know.
_________________
neophoenix³ │ 023/100 Scarlett's card distribution challenge
Save the blue smarties, they are an endangered species

PostPosted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:07 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
dawh25
Boot

Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 21
Location: Michigan

 		I foresee Monica Grand in a bad situation very soon. As it's almost certain that she's the Advisor, she is in grave danger and it's about to get worse, I think. That article about problems with the merger of PCPB and Fivebridge & Remton identifies her as the writer of the initial draft. This may force her into the open. Invesigators are going to be looking for her soon to try to determine the reasoning behind her draft of the report. If something isn't done soon, I fear our source will be quickly stemmed, similar to Pietro.

I hope I'm wrong, but it would be fitting for the PMs to give us a snippet of info and then end it. With info from the Advisor, we would have access to the details of the theft and that would move us considerably closer to unraveling this knot of people and events.

However, I don't think it will work out that simply. Neutral

PostPosted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:29 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
drizjr
Unfictologist


Joined: 28 Nov 2003
Posts: 1700

 		[UPDATE] PXC Banking Corp-Fivebridge & Remton take over
There was news on the Perplex City Banking Corporation site which read...
Quote:
A formal offer to take over Fivebridge & Remton Consolidated Bank was announced by PCBC today. Monica Grand, a consulting economist at PCBC, will be overseeing the integration of the separate financial networks, a move that will greatly benefit customers of both banks.

I believe this is an update that we missed; but it's old news, so I'm posting it here with the Fivebridge & Remton stuff. I actually went looking on the site to see if they would write anything about Monica's demise when I noticed it.

Note to Mods: If you think this update is worthy of a new thread, please, feel free to move it. I searched and didn't find it mentioned elsewhere. If I'm mistaken; sorry 'bout that.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:43 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
cassandra
Entrenched


Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 831

 		Nope, hasn't been mentioned, though I was thinking about adding it to one of the threads a few days ago. You can bring it up in one of the Monica-murder mystery threads if you like, so others can read it, but I don't think it needs its own thread at the moment.

Makes her report a little sketchy anyway, if she's both the one hired to oversee the merger and the one to analyze it.

But {commence spec} I'm just curious about the whole Fivebridge (V?) & Remton (connected with Joya? Is Joya Remton Joya?) aspect of it anyway...

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:10 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Display posts from previous:   Sort by:   
Page 1 of 1 [12 Posts]  
View previous topicView next topic
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
You cannot post calendar events in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group