Skywire: A Steampunk Adventure

 

After many months of searching, you have been lucky enough to land a job at the Wiring Eye, a company that specialized in the “quick, efficient delivery of your most precious parcels.”  You’re receiving a very modest 4 shillings a week at this job, and you are eager to prove yourself.

And it seems you will be getting your chance!  Your boss is sending you out to retrieve a parcel from the company’s most important client, a Mr. G.R.  You tell him you’re ready for this important responsibility, and get to work oiling up your messenger’s Skycycle.  

As you get your flying machine ready to head skyward, you think hopefully of the generous tip you may be receiving from such an important and wealth client as Mr. G.R.  And perhaps a raise will be not far in the future if you can manage to successfully complete your mission.

Arriving at Mr. G.R.’s estate, you are suddenly overcome will an overwhelming sense of awe, and all your daydreams poof away.  This is certainly the biggest property you’ve ever laid eyes upon, and for some reason there is also an uncomfortable chill that surrounds it which you can’t quite place.  A shiver runs up your spine, and you finally snap out of your slack-jawed stupor and make your way up the stairs to the front door.

You raise your hand to knock, but as you do, the door creeks open, seemingly of its own volition.  A figure appears in the doorway, cloaked in a sturdy waistcoat and heavy cloak.  His face is hidden in the shadows.  You have a sudden urge to bolt from this strange castle, but you manage to restrain yourself.

“Hello, Mr. G.R?  I am from the Wiring Eye, here to retrieve your parcel.  At the Wiring Eye our motto is, a quick, efficient delivery, so you can assure we’ll look after all your items with the utmost care.”

Mr. G.R. sticks out a cloaked arm, and presents to you an embossed envelope with an interesting wax seal.  “This must be delivered in less than a fortnight.  I’m counting on you to get it there on time, so please be hasty.”

This is it?  You were expecting something much larger and more grand from Mr. G.R.  A simple letter?  Why not send it by telegram, you wonder.  But no matter, this is an important job, and you will do your duty to fulfill it by any means necessary.  And anyway, the smaller the parcel, the easier it will be to fly swiftly and precisely towards your destination.

Mr. G.R. hands you a piece of paper with the parcel’s delivery address, and the quietly closes the door behind him.  Your heart sinks a bit.  The address is farther away than any place you’ve traveled before!  Getting there in a fortnight will be quite challenging.  

You consult your map and the trip seems even bleaker.  To have any hope of getting to your destination on time, you must fly through some dangerous skies.  However, it is your duty to deliver, and deliver you will.  Better get going, it’s time to fly!

Schedule of Events:

*All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).*

Aether of Accuracy Happy Hours

First session runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Friday 2/17
Second session runs from 10:00 PM to 11:59 PM on Friday 2/17

After indulging in a very strange looking absinthe before your journey begins, will you still be able to navigate the skies with great accuracy?  Perhaps a DC (Designated Cyclist) is in order.

Bonuses:
1st Place Accuracy – 10,000 points
2nd Place Accuracy – 8,000 points
3rd Place Accuracy – 6,000 points
Achieve 95% Accuracy – 5,000 points
Achieve 90% Accuracy – 3,000 points
Achieve 80% Accuracy – 2,000 points
1,000 points for anyone under 80% who still plays at least 20 cubes in either slot.
(These bonus thresholds are non-cumulative, i.e. they will not combine. If you earn 3rd place, for instance, and presumably got over 95% accuracy, you still earn a 6,000 point bonus, not 11,000.)

Treacherous Steamcubes

Begins at 12:01 AM on Saturday 2/18
Ends at 12:00 PM on Thursday 2/23

Polluted skies create a no-fly zone, and force you underground.  Will you be able to navigate the city’s series of booby-trapped angular tunnels — built by none other than world-renowned (and slightly unhinged) architect Eve L’Queb?

Bonuses:
1st Place Accuracy – 8,000 points
2nd Place Accuracy – 5,000 points
3rd Place Accuracy – 3,000 points
1,000 points for anyone under 80% accuracy who still plays all 12 cubes.
(These bonus thresholds are non-cumulative, i.e. they will not combine. If you earn 3rd place, for instance, and presumably got over 80% accuracy, you still earn a 3,000 point bonus, not 4,000.)

Wheel-Turning Trivia

Begins at 11:00 AM on Sunday 2/19
Continues until 11:00 AM on Tuesday 2/21
Finishes with Steam-Powered Hour from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Tuesday 2/21

You’re making headway on your journey, but get delayed at the border of the city of Timeflies.  After concerns about timetravelers rearranging their timeline, Timeflies officials will only let you through if you prove you’re from the current era.  Answer a series of difficult interrogation questions and prove you’re from this era, or be sent back from whence you came!

Bonuses:
For every question —
1st to answer – 300 points
2nd to answer – 200 points
3rd to answer – 100 points

Heart of Gold vs. Heart of Steel

Begins at 11:00 AM on Tuesday 2/21
Ends at 11:00 AM on Wednesday 2/22

Are you a big ole softy at heart, or more of a cool and calculating rationalist?  Let’s see which heart comes out on top!

Bonuses:
Earn 5,000 points – 2,500 bonus
Earn 15,000 points – 5,000 bonus
Earn 25,000 points – 10,000 bonus
Every additional 25,000 points – 5,000 bonus
Winning team – 10,000 bonus
Team winner – 5,000 bonus
#1 overall score – 10,000 bonus
#2 overall score – 5,000 bonus
#3 overall score – 2,500 bonus

Ticking Timeathon

Begins at 8:00 AM on Wednesday 2/22
Ends at 8:00 AM on Thursday 2/23

After a series of setbacks you only have 24 hours to deliver Mr. G.R.’s parcel on time, and protect the good name of the Wiring Eye!  Will you make it?  Hurry hurry, the clock is ticking!

Bonuses:
Complete 20 cubes – 2,000 point bonus
Complete 50 cubes – 5,000 point bonus
Complete 150 cubes – 20,000 point bonus
Complete 300 cubes – 40,000 point bonus
For every 150 cubes above 300 cubes – 2,500 points

If the cell is completed within 24 hrs, those mappers who:

• Complete at least 50 cubes will win rights to vote on a new name for the Ticking Timeathon Cell.
• Complete at least 200 cubes will win rights to nominate a new name for the Ticking Timeathon Cell.

Skywire Closing Ceremony

Begins at 4:00 PM on Friday 2/24

Come celebrate the end of this competition, where points, badges, and promotions will be dispersed willy-nilly into the crowd!  Maybe Mr. G.R.’s beloved will be revealed!  Stop by to find out!

If you’d like a promotion to Scout, Scythe, Mentor or Moderator, you can request them here.

Artwork by Daniela Gamba