Shadow of a Demon Act 2

Shadow of a Demon’s Act 1 ends with a diverse group of heroes, including a blood mage, guardians, and a vampire, uniting against demons invading Chicago. Their individual skills, from combat to tactical planning, form a strong collective defense. Military reinforcements, including Marines and Special Forces, arrive at a high school-turned-safe zone, bringing hope, heavy weaponry, and strategic leadership, enhancing the battle readiness and fortifying the city’s defense against the demon onslaught.

Our Shadow of a Demon plot line is not also progressing into Act 2! This is the plot where demons invade Chicago. Below is a summary of the story so far.


Act 1 – Initial Attack

Victoria, Po, Abigail, and Susan

Victoria’s leadership and strategic acumen are evident throughout the story. She quickly adapts to the unfolding crisis, utilizing her knowledge of blood magic to both attack and strategize against the demonic forces. Her ability to assess situations and make quick decisions makes her an invaluable leader in the group. Her initial act of decapitating a demon sets a resolute tone, inspiring others to rise to the occasion.

Po emerges as a guardian figure, his actions driven by a strong sense of duty to protect those around him. His use of a katana and fire magic in combat shows a blend of traditional martial skills and supernatural abilities. Po’s protective instincts are not just limited to physical defense; he also plays a key role in the evacuation and safeguarding of civilians, often placing himself in harm’s way to ensure the safety of others.

Abigail contributes through her tactical insight and support. While her role is less combat-focused compared to Victoria and Po, her strategic thinking and planning are crucial in navigating the group through the demon-infested city. She helps in formulating plans that maximize the group’s strengths and minimize risks, ensuring a more effective approach against the demonic threats. Susan adds another layer to the group dynamics, especially when she helps Abigail produce eldritch flame

Emiya, Falstaff, Jasmin, Karen, Trevor, and Joseline

Emiya stands as a figure of readiness and martial skill. His choice of weapon, a katana, is not only a symbol of his preparedness but also of his bravery. In the heat of battle against the demons, Emiya’s combat prowess comes to the fore, showcasing his ability to effectively engage the enemy. His frontline presence is vital for the defense of the city, as he skillfully joins forces with others to form a robust resistance. Emiya’s actions are a testament to his importance as a warrior in this supernatural conflict.

Falstaff represents a more human aspect of the narrative, initially embodying the shock and disbelief that grips many in the face of such an unexpected and catastrophic event. His journey from a state of paralysis to active participation in the battle against the demons is significant. It mirrors the transformation from fear to action, a theme that resonates throughout the story. Falstaff’s evolution highlights the capacity for growth and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

Jasmin, with her unique abilities, brings a dynamic element to the team. Her skills, distinct yet complementary to Joseline’s, enable them to tackle challenges that would be insurmountable alone. This synergy is evident in their coordinated efforts, where Jasmin’s abilities intertwine seamlessly with Joseline’s vampire powers, creating a powerful and efficient force.

Joseline, on her part, is a force to be reckoned with. Her prowess is dramatically highlighted as she cuts a swath through the demonic invaders, showcasing her strength and ferocity. Her ability to slaughter several demons single-handedly before reaching her team underscores her formidable nature. Upon encountering the chaos, her first instinct is to join Emiya in the fray, recognizing the intensity of his battle. However, realizing the urgent need elsewhere, she pivots to assist Karen and Jasmin. This decision reflects her tactical acumen and adaptability, qualities that are invaluable in the rapidly evolving chaos of the invasion.

Her arrival to aid Karen and Jasmin is timely and crucial. It not only provides much-needed support but also exemplifies the narrative’s focus on unity and teamwork. Joseline’s intervention highlights the importance of flexibility and the willingness to respond where needed most, a theme that resonates throughout the story.

Karen, a dedicated police officer, is focused on the critical task of evacuating civilians to safety amid the chaos of the demon invasion. Her efforts, characterized by a strong sense of duty and determination, are pivotal in ensuring the protection of the city’s inhabitants. Karen’s collaboration with Jasmin and the assistance they receive from Joseline highlight the collaborative spirit essential in such dire circumstances. The unfolding events leave Karen astonished, reflecting the profound impact of the supernatural crisis on even the most seasoned professionals.

Trevor, on the other hand, enters the scene as a dynamic force. Called upon by Emiya in the early stages of the battle, Trevor makes a timely arrival to join the fight against the massive demon. His participation alongside Emiya and Falstaff showcases his bravery and combat skills. Trevor’s involvement in this critical confrontation underscores his role as a key player in the group’s strategy to repel the demonic forces. His arrival at a crucial moment in the battle signifies the importance of timely reinforcements and the collective effort needed to combat such a formidable enemy.

Marines Arrival

As the Marines arrive, they witness an intense scene: small arms fire directed at a massive Adranergash demon attempting to breach the high school’s defenses. The tension breaks into cheers and screams of delight and hope from the people as attack helicopters come into view, aggressively engaging the huge demon. The effectiveness of this military intervention is immediately apparent, as the demon, riddled with holes from the onslaught, collapses, causing destruction to the stands and field house behind the field. This dramatic fall symbolizes a turning point in the battle, showcasing the might and efficiency of the military response.

The scene is also marked by an outpouring of emotion from the civilians. While some rush to help defend alongside the Marines, others are driven by a desire to express their gratitude, attempting to hug the soldiers despite the efforts of police and others to maintain order. This emotional response underscores the desperate need for hope among the people, a need fulfilled by the Marines’ arrival.

The Marines, clad in kevlar and MARPAT, execute a well-coordinated deployment from their helicopters onto the astroturf field. They form a strategic circle, securing all directions, with a quick roll call followed by efficient communication up the chain of command. This display of disciplined military procedure underlines their preparedness and professionalism.

A key figure among the Marines is a tall man, later identified as the platoon sergeant, who immediately seeks out a marine with a radio to inform the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) of their successful landing. His actions, coupled with the efficient coordination of his fellow Marines, exemplify the level of organization and readiness within the unit.

2nd Lieutenant Maria Alvarez, another central figure, joins the platoon sergeant, giving a clear indication of her presence and support. Their subsequent interaction, along with the liftoff of the helicopters, marks the transition from a combat-focused arrival to an engagement with the public and the situation at the school.

Lieutenant Alvarez’s command to her platoon to make the school their temporary base, coupled with her and the platoon sergeant’s movement towards the school to get a situational report, highlights the shift to a defensive and supportive role. Their interaction, including light-hearted banter about the diversity and essence of their American identity, adds a human touch to the narrative.

More Military Operators Arrival

The arrival of a second set of military forces at the school, following the Marines, marks another significant escalation in the military response to the demonic invasion in “Shadow of a Demon.” This arrival is heralded by the distinct sound of rotor blades, signaling the approach of a flight of two modified Chinook helicopters, escorted by Blackhawk gunships. These helicopters perform a swift touch-and-go landing, delivering a diverse and critical reinforcement to the besieged safe zone.

From the Chinooks emerge Tal and Jasper, two USAF combat controllers, along with a mix of support personnel, cargo, and members of a Green Beret operational detachment. This arrival is not just about adding manpower; it brings with it heavy munitions, including rocket launchers and specialized rounds, signifying a substantial upgrade in the firepower available to the defenders. The Green Berets, along with the combat controllers, are there to advise and organize the various volunteers gathered at the school, indicating a strategic approach to the crisis.

The special operators, many recalled from leave and dressed in plain clothes fitted with mismatched gear, present a stark contrast to the typical military image. Their appearance, with high-tech helmets and action-movie-like rifles, adds a rugged, improvisational aspect to the narrative. As they proceed into the school to report to the command, their purposeful demeanor underscores their readiness to engage in the crisis. Above the city, an unmanned Reaper drone circles, its high-resolution sensors collecting crucial data on the unfolding events.

The last to arrive are briefed about Captain Ebner, who is in charge of the military response. Her reputation as a hot-headed but effective leader adds a layer of complexity to the command dynamics. As Tal, Jasper, and the ODA commander enter the room where the meeting with Victoria, the PC, the Mayor, and Captain Ebner is taking place, they assume positions without much interaction, focusing on their mission.

Both airmen, equipped with phones displaying ATAK for real-time updates on friendly forces and mission planning, exemplify the multitasking and high-level coordination involved in the operation. They stay alert to both the meeting and incoming transmissions, ready to adapt to the rapidly changing situation. When a crucial update arrives, Jasper tactfully approaches Captain Ebner to inform her of the development, seamlessly integrating their presence and input into the ongoing strategic discussion.

This second wave of military forces, with their diverse capabilities and focused approach, brings a new dimension to the defense of the high school safe zone. Their arrival not only bolsters the physical defenses but also enhances the strategic and technological aspects of the military response to the supernatural threat.

Time and Time Again

I’ve always told everyone that real life comes first but I never had much of a real life to contend with before. I can’t say that I’m familiar with balancing my time the way I have had to recently. Along that vein I’m not able to keep up with my obligations as the head of the various story lines that we have going on. As such, I am officially handing the reigns for all ongoing / upcoming story lines to our SysOps, @jumpingscript and @ks0908 who will coordinate with our Moderators and Founders in order to get our role play back into swing. I will likely give advise and ideas, the primary approval and focus for RP will be our collective Staff.

First off I’d like to apologize to everyone for my limited time over the last few months. School this semester has been brutal and especially demanding on my time, I’m spending roughly 70 or so hours a week on classes, class requirements (in class room experience), homework, and actual work (paychecks are nice). Even before my personal life got more complicated, the demands on my time were significant. As most of you know I have also become involved with someone, this person has quickly become very special to me and thus most of my free time (what little we can line up together) goes to her.

I’ve always told everyone that real life comes first but I never had much of a real life to contend with before. I can’t say that I’m familiar with balancing my time the way I have had to recently. Along that vein I’m not able to keep up with my obligations as the head of the various story lines that we have going on. As such, I am officially handing the reigns for all ongoing / upcoming story lines to our SysOps, @jumpingscript and @ks0908 who will coordinate with our Moderators and Founders in order to get our role play back into swing. I will likely give advise and ideas, the primary approval and focus for RP will be our collective Staff.

What to do about unfinished stories…

We have many unfinished and ongoing story lines, what I have documented is all contained in the following OneNote Notebook, this link is a view-only link and shows everything I have gathered that has yet to be posted for the game. I know a lot of people don’t care for Microsoft products but OneNote is entirely free, has apps for Android, Windows Phone, iOS, Windows, Mac, and web. The server staff has been given an editable link to allow them to make changes to all notes and read all content.

For those players who are in RP-Lock with my characters and given storylines. Overall, we can put those RPs on hold and continue them later (likely after my semester ends) when I have more time. The time-frame on that is mid-May, since finals week is the end of April / start of May. For anyone with specific concerns on how to deal with ongoing storyline issues due to my absence, I encourage you to contact me directly and we can work out specifics of how to deal with it. A few people I am going to contact privately myself.

For those wondering some of the details for things; I have compiled a rough list of who is where of the important figures…

Blazing Umbra

  • Sal D’Amico has been recalled to Markab Prime to oversee Solas Tempus operations from HQ.
  • Asher / Rosary have been ordered to stay on ready-alert during the Zone exploration from the Continuum in orbit and monitoring the situations / providing intel.
  • Lance Thomas is still listed as deceased, overall the general population does not know anything different and his passing has been mourned slowly and operations have really gotten back to normal. There are rumors throughout the station and abroad that he is still alive, most of these focus on some urgent mission that is revealed would do some horrible thing, the horrible things varies of course. Of course the core of our playable characters within Blue Team of Solas Tempus know the truth, that he is alive and being searched for.
  • Drem Confuscho has been assigned to assist with the Solerian people at the bottom of the Soterian ocean to rebuild their society. The USS Drakon has been largely left to Emily Damion to command.
  • The STV Galatine is commanded commanded by Siv Quinn who has been promoted to Admiral and made the head of Blue Team / Temporal Operations. The Galatine has been placed on a classified mission and has not been seen in the Schatten System in some time, neither has Siv.
  • Amber Cross herself is still in the system and active, she can be played as an NPC if necessary by staff but please read up on her character before playing her.

Command Structure in Schatten System

  • Nimbus Station remains the command outpost for the system and oversees all operations within the system under its current command structure.
  • The Civilian Government still maintains its primary offices on Nimbus Station for the time being, Andrea Maddox is a Human (female) and is Governor of the system while a Romulan (female) is the Senator of the system. These are both NPC’s so they can be played by anyone.
  • Sal D’Amico is largely unable to be reached at any given time, but if his orders are needed they probably take a few days to a week (real time) to get as the players in question will have to drop me a line and I can write up orders or some such. He does have a secretary and aids who can be NPC’d if necessary — I’ll leave any names up to everyone playing.

Angelic Sins

This is much easier to untangle. Lance Thomas himself has been heavily reprimanded for his behavior and for the moment is mostly working out of the Ad Undas base near Los Angeles and is investigating the supernatural occurrences that happened recently, he is essentially unreachable. My other characters there are just not present right going on other jobs, in the case of Trevor Arnell he is most likely unavailable because of having just gotten married and now has to learn the history and culture of Erica Larsson who is not human and has a significant amount of stuff that Trevor has to learn.

I will leave it up to the staff and players about the murder mystery that has been going on for a really long time, notes on that should be in the notebook linked above.

Embers of Soteria

The main story here should hold but can be used. Notes on the story are in the above mentioned notebook. Lisa Thomson herself has been leading the Souls Templar across the countryside seeking to defend the kingdoms against the horrors that are starting to come through the veil as the Peace of Ages dissolves. This plot element will remain static for the time being and can also be used by players as needed to conflicts, storylines and anything else.

Good People, Good Writers

We have a lot of good people here and good writers. I hope that everyone can continue to role play and have fun even when I’m not around. Please, create new stories, have fun, alter things, nothing would please me more than having to learn new lore and new things that happened. Don’t be afraid to break things, don’t be afraid that I’m not going to approve, run it past the staff and so long as they give the OK, then you have my blessing.

I’ll be around to chat and such periodically and I might RP now and again.

Until then. Happy plotting.