JANUARY TDM

[monstertruckers]

code

((OOC: Hello, and welcome to our first TDM! This month, Reserves will open on the 10th and Applications will open on the 25th! We hope you enjoy the game launch!))

After tumbling through shadow you find yourself in a shrouded, ruined garage. It’s full of shattered windows and broken mechanical equipment; watch out for shards on the floor, in between the strange symbols scrawled into the ground. Outside the daylight is fading; night is rolling in, and there’s just a few dying lights flickering on and off. It’s going to be hard to see in here and avoid bumping into things and people, if you don’t get outside soon.

Beyond the rundown garage is an overgrown gas station surrounded by thick, wetland forest. Starlight is streaming through the trees, along with light from a broken moon. The one thing that isn’t overgrown with plants is a large Convoy of vehicles, parked right underneath the station canopy.

01: START UP

The Convoy looks like a cross between a semi truck and a train; there’s no one at the front, but there’s still power humming through the entire Convoy. It’s also the most hospitable thing in sight. Why not make yourself at home a little? You just have to chase that eerie, empty feeling since there’s no one else present.

Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.

…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.

02: RUIN EXPLORATION

The ruined gas station and garage are the only man-made structures around, and have seen better days. The store still holds packaged food, and tepid drinks of all sorts. The garage has old mechanical equipment for working on cars, along with that strange summoning circle.

There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’

Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.

Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.

03: MONSTER ATTACK

The night grows darker, and the shadows grow deeper. And from those shadows comes the glint of something moving across the Husks, rippling over the metal… And breaking it apart in a flurry of too sharp claws and teeth. That’s when the radio chooses to come on in another mess of static.

Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-

The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.

The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…

03-A: MIRRORMIC

There's as a metallic shiver along one of the remaining Husks, and a strange ringing whisper in the ears. The next moment, the Husk breaks open in a gleaming pool of quicksilver. That quicksilver catches reflections, and molds itself into a darker copy of a Drifter.

The mirror monster whispers faults and secrets at the reflected Drifter, and anyone close by. It tries to goad Drifters into an attack. And when struck, the mirror monster plays its second trick; whatever damage it takes is reflected back onto the Drifter as a transformation. An injury to the arm transforms the Drifter's arm, and so on.

It's possible to banish this monster through direct lights shone on it from a car, flashlight, or magic… But such action needs to be swift, before the Mirrormic completely changes its Drifter.

03-B: BOMBADGY BOMBARDMENT

Before, during and even a little after the monster attack, there’s an extra presence scurrying around the vehicles, snuffling and barking when startled. A band of chunky, raccoon-esque monsters known as the bombadgy are raiding anything that looks like it could be food storage… And this includes vehicles!

The bombadgy’s claws are deft and sharp with tearing through windows and door seams. These creatures are a touch skittish and won’t attack unless provoked. They also can expel a flammable gas… And this means they can explode if sufficiently spooked or stressed. This also means that they can be treated as living bombs, and be lobbed at other threats if needed.

04: WIND DOWN

During the monster attack, there’s changes gripping the Convoy, and especially the people in it. It might feel like your control is getting worn away by the second… At least until something in the trucks starts to whirr to life. It’s a soft enough noise, little more than a hum as something blooms out of the engines. It fast turns into a shield that envelops the Convoy in a shimmering, glowing dome.

And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.

But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.

05: CAMP

A screen in the Convoy flickers to life. The image isn't visible through a snowfield of static. Same with the audio:
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”

After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.

A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.

MICRO ENCOUNTERS:

PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.

Race Track: There’s a race track that winds around the gas station! It’s a bit threadbare in places and little more than a mossy and muddy trail. But it’s still a race track that weaves under and over trees, and seems like a good place to test new wheels.

Gone Fishing: The gas station area eventually turns into the start of a swamp; that explains where the alligators came from. It may be possible to do a little bit of fishing, though the fish are just as weird as everything else. Still edible though. Swimming in the swamp is not advised. The alligator monsters and fish tend to bite back.

Spray Paint Messages: The paint on the trees and gas station is starting to fade and wash out, but can still be legible; most of it contains messages warning about the end of the world, prayers to the heavens for mercy, and dire warnings about husks and something called “moon warps.”

NAVIGATION || RESERVES || APPLICATIONS

Comments

Akihiko Sanada | Persona 3 | Yokai: Raiju monster form testing

[electrifyking]

01: Arrival
[Akihiko is doing his best to keep a level head. And keep moving; that helps him not get overwhelmed with everything. He’s picking his way through the garage, looking over the summoning circles, grabbing whatever looks edible (or like meat) off the store shelves, sizing up the weird bodies and scenery. And frowning over how unfamiliar everything looks.]

“…Got the feeling we’re not in the Dark Hour any more. Or in Japan, for that matter.”

[Still, he has an armful of supplies ready to give out to whoever looks like they need it. Mostly in the form of preserved sausage and beef jerky.]

“…You holding up? Whoever you are, and wherever we are?”

02: Mirrormic
[It’s no surprise Akihiko chooses to fight. He’s not about to be intimidated by hostile creatures, no matter how twisted they might be; he still has his Evoker, so he can still rain down lightning on monsters… Even if that lightning almost slips out of his control at times and violently leaps between targets. Once the Husks break open to show a new creature, Akihiko switches to his fists, ready to lay down some pain… But not quite ready for the thing to hiss and whisper at him, and reflect fire on its skin.]

”You couldn’t save her. You weren’t strong enough. You STILL aren’t strong enough-”

[It doesn’t take much to goad Akihiko into an attack, crashing his fists into the monster's face with enough force to break it, in a hail of cutting glass shards. But he doesn’t press the attack.

His ear is stinging. Bleeding… Changing, as he runs his hand over his head and feels the long, canine point one of his ears has been shaped into. It’s enough to make Akihiko drop his guard, even as the mirror monster drops to the ground.]

“…The fuck-?”

[Not often he swears that hard. Shinji would be proud. Or at least, Shinji would be proud as long as he didn’t have the same bewildered, staring look Akihiko is wearing.]

03: Triage
[It seems Akihiko isn’t much of a music fan. Though that might be due to his hearing going weird, thanks to that change gripping his ear. It leaves him wincing and rubbing at his head, trying to adjust to the transformation.]

“What… Don’t even know what’s going on anymore. But are you-?”

[He’s looking over the others, checking for injuries. And pointedly ignoring the blood still oozing from his cheek, and trying to keep his change covered with one hand.]

“…I can patch you up, if you need it.”

01

[undyingcrow]

[The first thing that catches Akechi's attention is the phrase "Dark Hour." This is not someone he knows personally, and he understands very little regarding the present circumstances, but it prompts a curious eyebrow raise as he stuffs as many supplies as he can reasonably fit into his attache case and his pockets.]

I admit, I'm not familiar with this Dark Hour, but I am Japanese.

[Which, granted, his appearance should make that clear, but better to clarify that he's not, say, Japanese-American. In a place as off putting as this, a thread of commonality is a welcome surprise. Moreover, in speaking with another, there's an opportunity to share information and resources.]

[electrifyking]

"Yeah? Well, looks like we're both far from home."

[He taps a sign hanging off of one of the shelves, squinting at the text. Certainly isn't in kanji, or anything close to that.

Akihiko hesitates at the mention of the Dark Hour; he really should've watched his volume and stuck to mumbling that, instead of saying it out loud. Too late to take it back now, though.]

"Ah... That was just a... Kind of weird thing going on. Actually not too different from this."

[The spooky green ambience is on point, at least.]

"Point being... Trying to take stock of the situation. And maybe get some supplies."

[He holds up his findings so far; which is entirely composed of beef sticks and jerky.]

[undyingcrow]

Dried meats aren't a bad choice. Easy to carry, certainly less perishable.

[He opens his case, revealing a few canned odds and ends.]

And these are so full of preservatives, I highly doubt they'll be an issue.

[Still, a 'weird thing'... Akechi chuckles at the prospect.]

In any case, I'm no stranger to 'weird things' in our country. The Phantom Thieves immediately come to mind.

[This is a good chance to gauge how much this boy knows. With how much publicity the Thieves gained, surely it'll ring a bell.]

[electrifyking]

"Phantom...? Is that one of those band groups? Don't know if that qualifies as 'weird' or not."

[Turns out he's a few years too early to recognize that. As he speaks Akihiko tosses a few sticks over.]

"Here. Things are bad enough without having some protein ready. Or having an empty stomach."

[Fact is, he's doing his best not to start chewing on one right now. He stalls that impulse with an introduction.]

"Ah, right. Akihiko Sanada. Third year at Gekkoukan High."

03: Triage - cw:bug body horror for fairy

[killjoyprince]

[There'd been a constant buzz to this place before shields had gone. But now there was something else, something Naoto couldn't place. Something was off with her hearing and something smelled so strongly it made her head hurt.

So Naoto had an almost permanent scowl on her face. Even if it softened at the question.

Then she carefully lifted her right arm, her dominant arm. One of the monsters had slashed down her forearm with it's claws. It wasn't too deep. But she couldn't bandage it with only one hand. She'd not even managed to pull away the remains of her sleeve.]

That would be appreciated.

[There was a slight problem though. What appeared to be dark scales were forming along her skin either side of the wound. ]

[electrifyking]

"Bad as that looks, I can handle that."

[He sounded pretty confident in his ability to throw down a healing spell, at least. He still had that much power left in his system, even with the battles and the bruises he'd picked up. Akihiko strode over to the exposed arm, gave it a quick look over...

...And paused once he got a good look at the dark scales.]

"...I can handle most of that."

[He corrected himself. Reluctantly, he dropped his hand away from his own change to go to the Evoker. Reminding himself this wasn't the time to be self conscious about... Whatever the hell was happening to their bodies.]

[killjoyprince]

"It was worse before that light..."

[Still not sure what to make of that. Like a lot of things that have taken place within the last 12 hours. But one thing at a time. She'd rather avoid bleeding out or infection.

So if he had a proper medical kit and could hel-]

"What on earth are you doing?"

[His dog ear was completely missed. Cause she was more focused on grabbing at his arm. Trying to keep it down because sir?? Why are you reaching for a gun??

Not that she could really hold him. Especially not with one injured arm, she was just getting blood everywhere.]

[electrifyking]

"What do you mean, 'what am I doing?' Helping you. What else does it look like-?"

[...Oh.

Oh.

Right.

In his defense, he's running entirely on auto-pilot. He sort of has to, after everything that happened. But that does mean he just completely neglected an explanation, and can't exactly blame this person for leaping to the worst possible conclusion.]

"How do I explain this without sounding crazy?"

[He mutters that mostly to himself... But still loud enough to be overheard. He knows he can wrench his arm back to the Evoker if he absolutely has to; but he'd sooner not strong arm his way and cause that wound to open any further.]

"I... It's not a real gun? Look."

[He pulls at the Evoker a little... But then he also lets it drop into his hand. No fingers on the trigger. Just holding it out to be seen and observed.]

02

[becomerobot]

[Fighting is not in Viktor's element, not the least bit. He's also not one to freeze up or flee. Makes for an awkward position to be in, wanting to help and having little physical capability to do so.

What he does have is quick wit and the mind to use any tool as his disposal.]

Guard your eyes!

[While most would reach for a crowbar, Viktor grabbed a flashlight. Utility over power. He doesn't know that light can banish these creatures, but he presumes it can blind and distract them. Viktor saw the young man go to his knees after striking a monster and flips the torch on after his warning, blasting it with a thousand lumens.

At that power, it's basically a weapon, right?]

[electrifyking]

[Eyes? Ears? Eyes-? His brain is a bit of a jumble right now, but finally his thoughts manage to focus on guard your eyes! He throws a hand in front of his face; just in time, because even with his fingers over his eyes, there's still spots dancing in his vision.

It means he can hear the tail end of the mirror monster's words, as it tries to stand:]

"Still... Weak-"

[Those taunts go quiet, drowned out from the sudden light. They get replaced by a high pitched sound, like someone is dragging a nail over glass. Akihiko forces himself to shut his eyes, to take a shaky step back.]

"How did you know-?"

[He tries to ask, while fumbling for his Evoker. If this thing hates light, and if it's somehow still standing... He has to be ready to call that stuff down.]

[becomerobot]

Eh- you might want to punch it again!

[Viktor has no clue why the light is so effective on this thing, seeming to thoroughly stun lock it in place. A wonderful discovery, couldn't ask for a better result. Except for it immediately emulating, that is. Seems like it needs one more push beyond the light blaring at it to truly dispel the thing,]

[electrifyking]

"Can do!"

[Even if he has an Evoker in his fist, Akihiko is not opposed to blinking his eyes clear and punching again. It's just...He's never really considered the application of pistol whipping someone with an Evoker, up until now. But if someone has a glass jaw, it turns out the strategy is remarkably effective. Good enough to cave in the thing's face all the way.]

"Th-thanks... I don't know what it-"

[Akihiko trails off, wincing and running a hand across his face. Something feels off in his mouth. Like his teeth have gone weird for a split second before settling back into place... Plus the twinge from his ear.]

3

[pomnilievable]

Pomni is also the furthest thing from a combatant, but she was affected quite a bit by the wayward light that seemed to enter into her. As a consequence, disorientating eyes are popping intermittently in her hat, one of her puffy sleeves and on her chest. She hyperventilates at their presence, her pupils literally swirling as they dart between each new one.

The worst part? She could see from them. New perspectives and heights that were too foreign and disorienting for her to process. As Akihiko comes closer, the eyes swivel their focus to him, causing a kaleidoscope of the young man in her field of view.

"I... I don't think..." She's beyond help, really. The eye that's on top of her hat swivels, focusing on his own gaping wound. "...hey... shouldn't you be worried for yourself?"

[electrifyking]

"My ribs aren't broken, so I can keep going."

[Pretty simple equation, as far as he's concerned. Helps keep him from wondering over this...Person? And were those just eyes on that hat?

This does have the side effect of leaving him unsure where he's supposed to be looking, exactly. And giving a quick, uneasy shift from foot to foot; both the get his balance back, and prove that he's just fine standing on two feet.]

"I've been through worse than this..."

[Liar.

The thought hisses, and he can feel his ear pinning back and turning down. Reminding him that no, this is all new territory for him.]

"...Well. I've been through stuff just as bad as this. The shape-changing is new, though."

[pomnilievable]

"You and me both." [She admits, looking around at the others that are equally upset by their sudden changes in appearance.] "Seems like this place runs by its own rules. And they're not very nice ones."

[The eyes -- both the ones on her body and the ones on her face, shift quickly between the injury and the frustration on the young man's face. None of her business, she thinks, but yet why did a man so young needed to look so determined?]

"Let me see?" [She gestures to the injury on his head and the changes to his form. She had no medical knowledge herself, but still felt the urge to offer him at least a conciliatory glance at what Akihiko was dealing with.]

[electrifyking]

"...I don't-"

[Boy does he ever want to insist that he doesn't need help. He's fine. He's tough; he's the person in charge of helping OTHER people, not the other way around. But on the other hand, shoving someone who looked like they were seconds away from having a meltdown? That's not exactly helping, is it?

So he gives a long sigh, kneeling down as he lets his breath out.]

"If you need to have a look, then okay. I promise it looks worse than it is."

[He's mostly right. Though that gash across his face is still oozing a little bit, at least he's not in any danger of bleeding out. And he's doing a pretty good job with ignoring the pain so far.

And ignoring the new ear; that's important too.]

03: Triage

[bufudine]

[Serph shakes his head.

Though he'd cut a bloodied swathe during the monster attack, there was almost no evidence of it when he'd reverted. Still, it was hard to avoid getting some blood on his shoes and lower legs walking through what remained of the corpses and viscera on the way back. So he's uninjured, all the blood belonging to the monsters and not himself.

And because he isn't with his tribe, who can understand him with nary a word spoken, he adds-]

I'm fine.

[His gaze very obviously lifts, fixing on the blood oozing from the stranger's cheek before his gaze slides over to the hand covering one ear.]

You should tend to yourself.

[electrifyking]

"All of that isn't yours, huh?"

[Not sure if he's unnerved, or impressed. He could always opt for both, Akihiko decides; that is when he isn't wondering over the stranger's clothing and mark on his face. It's a lot of information to take in.]

"Don't worry, I can patch myself up in a second. Just needed to get my breath back, and check everyone else, first."

[And he's compelled to add,]

"It's what I'm supposed to do, in a team.

Even if we just formed that team twenty minutes ago."

[bufudine]

[Serph's head tilts a little at that final comment.

His next words are spoken evenly, not quite judgemental but there's a gentle chiding in it, his gaze not leaving the hand covering Akihiko's ear.]

A medic tends to themselves before others.

[After all, if they're down, who will help the others?]

[electrifyking]

"Not used to being the only medic on the team... I guess I got too relaxed with Yukari and my leader being around to cover our weaknesses.

...And in my defense. I'm used to a lot worse. Fact that I can still move around and feel my ribs in one piece means I'm lucky."

[Still, he's not going to ignore the advice. Or risk anymore scolding. With a sigh, Akihiko, starts to draw his Evoker-

...And then he remembers how he's already freaked out a few people tonight. This guy looks like he's made of stern stuff, but Akihiko doesn't want to really test that.]

"Ah... To be clear. Not a real gun. I guess you'd call it a focus, to help me cast magic and stitch up my wounds. Normally I'd make a whole speech about how I'm not making this up, but-"

[He gestures to the surrounding area and the dissolving monster corpses. 'Normal' went out the window a while ago.]

01

[humeansfox]

Oh, no this place isn't anything like Japan...well, I suppose I haven't been to, well, most of it. But I doubt those metal things are normal anywhere.

[The young Chinese woman seems entirely too cheerful for being suddenly in a place like this, but she was loving exploring everything. She gives him a smile.]

Oh, yes, I'm fine. This is quite an interesting situation to end up in, isn't it?

[electrifyking]

"No. Unless we wandered into a weird art instillation... Which I'm putting low on the list."

[He's doing his best to stay relaxed. No point in tensing up and burning energy before any danger actually happens.]

"A little different than the situations I normally end up in...

...You're taking this pretty well, too."

[humeansfox]

Oh, I suppose I could panic, but what good would that do? Instead I would rather explore and figure out what this place is and how we got here. And meet all you interesting people!

It helps that I was not in the middle of anything back home. Though...this place is unnerving. I am glad I am not alone.

[She probably can't run away from everything.]

[electrifyking]

"Can't argue with that. Wasn't in the middle of anything either, beyond getting ready for...

...Eh. Mission stuff. And extracurriculars."

[No point in spilling about the Dark Hour just yet.]

"Haven't encountered anything like this before, then?"