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

Goro Akechi | Persona 5 Royal

[undyingcrow]

01. Sweet Ride

[This is not where Akechi expeted to find himself. One minute, he's in Tokyo, in the middle of some very important business, and the next he's in... a garage? Groaning, he rights himself. Really, in his school uniform, he looks so out of place. The blazer, the striped tie, the gloves... All of them exude an air of class that reminds him far too much of his time as a celebrity.

Everything's so dark, so dingy. Shards of shrapnel on the floor, strange symbols, and ominous machinery...

He grits his teeth, assessing his surroundings, but for some reason, finds himself drawn toward a rather sleek looking motorcycle, despite some wear and tear. Squinting, he makes his way over, but a flat tire is a worrisome sign indeed.

Then he hears shuffling nearby, and his posture stiffens and straightens. One thing's clear: He's not alone. He's also, not exactly armed, unless he were to brandish his attache case as a weapon.]

Who's there?! Are you responsible for bringing me here?

[Rather a harsh introduction, but... strangely, he can feel Hereward's presence in the back of his mind. Perhaps he isn't as powerless as he thought...]

02. An Ominous Sight

[In time, Akechi finds himself outside. What he finds is... off-putting, to say the least.

It's like he walked into the set of a dystopian film, but everything looks far too real. If anything, it's more akin to a Palace, yet though he can feel his Persona more strongly than he had in some time, the atmosphere does not give off the same feeling as the Metaverse.

Either way, he's on guard as he rummages around, trying to find supplies, perhaps even a blunt object to serve as a more pragmatic weapon than his case, if he can't find something more suitable.

Eventually, the tree catches his eyes, along with the metallic forms and the ominous warning.

He touches his chin, but though he surveys the Husks, he does not move in to touch them. Without a ranged weapon, it's far too reckless, especially when he's lacking the proper means to truly defend himself in case of genuine risk.

But when he hears footsteps from behind, a wry chuckle slips out of him.]

So, what will you do? Heed the warning, or tempt fate?

03. Something Wrong

[At the first sign of monsters, Akechi snaps into attention. There's a strange glow just barely visible through his clothes, but that's hardly a priority with the incoming danger.

The Pisaca are a familiar sight from all his time trawling the Metaverse. The alligators, not so much, but rather than flee, like most sensible people would, he takes a deep breath, and growls out:]

Persona!

[To his immense relief, Hereward materializes above him.]

Riot Gun, now!

[Hereward gazes down at him solemnly.]

I cannot. Something has interfered with my abilities.

Then what can you do?!

This.

[Hereward strings an arrow on his bow, then fires off a Megidolaon into the crowd. At the very least, that's one skill with spread damage, but without proper restoratives, how long can he keep this up?

The logical move is to seek reinforcements, but Akechi is a stranger in a strange world, and far from the trusting sort. But still, it's possible that the huge, magical explosion will draw some eyes, if he doesn't end up bumping into others in the struggle to fend off the monsters.

And though at first, his Megidolaon skills get the job done, he starts working up a sweat. Moreover, his fingertips start to throb. Nonetheless, he tries as best he can to maneuver and to fight, but he may need backup before long.]

04. Wiped Out

[Suffice it to say, the fighting takes its toll on Akechi. His uniform, once perfectly clean, is now scuffed, dirtied, and even bears some tears in places. His once finely combed hair's all disheveled, and he growls as he tries to smooth it back down.

The tears in his clothes have exposed a strange sigil that he certainly didn't have before, but that's not the most troubling part.

No, the real troubling part is the fact that a set of claws tore through his gloves. More like talons, if anything. Leather gloves don't exactly come cheap, and it sets a worrying precedent.

Something about this place has changed him, and he's barely been here for long, and though the glow from the fallen monsters eases his pain and mends his wound, the anger remains.]

Damn it...

[His face twists into a feral snarl, eyes narrowed to near-slits.]

When I find the one who dragged me here, I will personally make them pay...

[But for now, he cannot, and left with little else to do, he eventually returns to the convey.

Not that the message offers much relief. And, certainly, the music is soothing. Any other day, in any other place, it might even be to Akechi's tastes...

But here, now? He can only laugh, rather chaotically, in fact.]

So we're to simply play along unquestioningly? Simply ride along and hope for the best?

[Suffice it to say, he's hardly thrilled.]

03

[gerberatraitor]

[ there's a visceral squelch from behind akechi, followed by a thud as the pisaca closing in on him collapses. cima, arm replete with scales and horns poking out from her head, taps her shoulder with her non-monstrous hand. ]

Focus, brat. Stop firing randomly into the crowd. Save your artillery reserves for those alligator things- most of our weaponry can't make a dent in them. And don't stop. We don't have time for you to catch your breath. [ to emphasize her point, cima takes out two vine monsters that were taking aim at akechi with her own laser pistol. ]

...so. Magic's real, huh? Alright. [ she glances at hereward before returning her attention to the battlefield. ] Don't suppose you have a spare... whatever that is, that I can borrow?

[undyingcrow]

[The scales and horns are quite a striking sign. Was she always like this, or is there something more at play?

Though his eyes briefly widen at the surprise, Akechi's attention soon shifts to one of the alligators, and he shouts out:]

Eigaon!

[Crimson black energy crackles around one of the monsters, courtesy of Hereward. It's less of a drain, certainly, but still not a weakness.]

Regrettably, Personas are reflections of oneself. I can't exactly hand them out like candy.

[He'll launch another Eigaon at an alligator for good measure.]

And since Hereward seems to only possess two of his skills, Megidolaon is more efficient overall.

[Case in point: his dark magic only strikes one monster at a time, as shown by his two subsequent attacks.]

[gerberatraitor]

[ while the alligator staggers from the onslaught, cima dashes to its side, sticks her laser pistol under its jaw, and fires. the shot pierces straight through its skull, and it slumps to the ground, dead. ]

Take that as an object lesson, brat. [ cima begins recharging her laser pistol, not even sparing akechi a glance. ] We can control the crowds of tentcle-faces and walking weeds with the weaponry we have available, but you're the only heavy artillery we have. We need you on those alligators. And your "efficiency" is eating into your ammo reserves; even I can see that.

Now shut up, get to high ground, and use your damn head instead of firing blindly. I mark targets, you fire, and I finish them while you recover. Clear?

04

[solitarysoul]

Well...what else do we do? Staying here isn't safe.

[Its an honest question from the dog-nosed, rifle wearing boy. He's not keen on following random orders but staying behind to spite them seemed suicidal.]

[undyingcrow]

[The question draws his attention over his shoulder, and he squints as he takes in the canine facial features.

His talon-tipped fingers flex. Clearly, he's not alone in his changes.]

Oh, I'm not advising anyone to stay here. Between the monsters and limited provisions, it would be a foolish endeavor. However...

[He turns around, his left hand moving to his hip.]

I certainly don't trust our mysterious "guide."

[There's a growl to his voice, a furrow in his brow. It's aggravating, but even he knows it'd be foolish to ignore the Convoy's resources.]

[solitarysoul]

Me either. But sticking with it for now shouldn't hurt much, should it?

M-maybe we can learn about it or something.

[Yeah he doesn't know here. But this guy seems smart.]

( 01 )

[airskate]

[ Indeed, Akechi is not alone.

Granted, even then he may not be expecting to whirl around and find himself staring down a three-foot-tall bipedal hedgehog. Shadow, for his part, judges Akechi to be a perfectly normal looking teenage boy. He cocks his head at Akechi's snapped question, ears twitching and spines bobbing, and crosses his arms over his chest. ]

No, I'm not. Are you responsible for bringing me here?

[ It's a question that should be asked in a rhetorical or sarcastic way, but instead Shadow sounds perfectly serious. If Akechi's asking that question, then that means he has reason to suspect that they were intentionally brought here, which is news to Shadow. ]

[undyingcrow]

[Indeed, Shadow catches his attention, eyes wider than before. It's not as though bipedal animals are anything new, between Morgana and several types of Shadows in the Metaverse.

But this is decidedly not the Metaverse, and this creature is giving off a far more aloof impression than the likes of Morgana.

Akechi reaches for his chin, taking in Shadow's features.]

No. It would seem we've both been torn from our respective locations and brought to this unsightly garage.

[Which raises many questions. Is this a being from the Metaverse, or something more?]

[airskate]

[ Shadow can read the surprise in Akechi's expression, but the young man doesn't have the reaction Shadow's expecting. There's a lot less yelling and hostility, and a lot more getting straight to the point.

Alright, then. Shadow doesn't relax, but he does let him arms fall to his side. ]

It isn't just us. I've seen a dozen others, and no one seems to know where we are.

02

[becomerobot]

[Having grown up in the Undercity, Viktor is a man who knows how to hunt for scraps. He walks up behind Akechi and the tree, marveling at it. Under one arm he is leaning on his crutch and under the other he has a few pieces of salvage. Namely, a crowbar and pair of jumper cables.

When the young man comments on the sight ahead of them, Viktor breathes out his nose,]

As the saying goes... nothing ventured, nothing gained. [Viktor can see clearly that the husks are holding keys. Easy to imagine they go to the vehicles. Which to which, he's not certain, but he'll be approaching to get a better look. Some of the keychains hanging from their grasps have identifying symbols. Ah, Viktor should have taken notes...]

[undyingcrow]

Bold, aren't you?

[Akechi sizes up Viktor. He's well equipped for the situation, at least. A crowbar makes a solid blunt weapon in a pinch. His eyes briefly flit to the crutch. An injury, or a disability? Either way, it hardly seems to deter the man.

Far from the sentimental type, Akechi could simply stand there and watch this play out. On the other hand, curiosity does beckon, and it's more pragmatic to remain close, in case he needs to summon his Persona.]

The keys certainly are cruel bait. One has to question if they were intentionally placed here, or if it's simply a result of whatever left this place so desolate.

[The vehicles, the keys... Is this all an elaborate setup of a sort, or is it purely happenstance? Neither sits well with Akechi.]

[becomerobot]

A man like me has to be.

[Bold, that is to say. If Viktor wasn't, he wouldn't get anywhere in life. Given Viktor also has a highly engineered leg brace, rather than something so temporary as a cast, disability is the look of it. His demeanor speaks volumes to him not letting it get the better of him.

As Akechi speaks further, Viktor puts a tool in each of his own hands. The crowbar could certainly bash or leverage out the keys from stuck fingers. A more dangerous options, Viktor thinks. Disturbing these... bodies just feels wrong. The jumper cable has strong jaws on each end. He could try to pull a set of keys free with pulling, which also gives him the benefit of distance, being able to stand a ways back.]

Interesting hypothesis, either way. [he gestures with a weighing of each item, crowbar or cables, presented as former and latter options,]

Which would you test first? Brute force, no mind given to the warnings... or caution-? Granting some heed to the evidence presented to us...

4! (CW for nicotine use, et cetera)

[definitionofcrazy]

[The claws popping through the glove don't get as much of a reaction as one might expect, but she's still eyeing it warily as he does. She opts to announce her presence delicately, because she'd rather not have to deal with those claws from a surprised stranger.

So she takes out a pack of cigarettes- decorated in lurid tropical colors for some reason- and lightly smacks them against her palm before extracting one. A nice non-threatening noise he'll hear before she talks.]

I'm guessing the manicure's new.

[She opens the pack and takes a cigarette out, tucking it between her lips- and then, after a little deliberation, offhandedly offers the pack to him. The flavor was awful, but hey, if he is a smoker, he might not care.]

Smoke?

[For her part, she's got a few cuts and scrapes of her own, though hers seem minor- or maybe they're just healing quickly. She also seems pretty calm about the current state of affairs, including the danger-hand he's rocking.]

[undyingcrow]

Yes. Perhaps practical, given the threats here, but I can't say I'm fond of changes without our consent.

[It makes him feel like another play thing for some higher power, and he glowers down at those talons before resting a hand on his hip.

His eyes flit to the cigarettes, but then he shakes his head.]

I'll pass on the cigarettes, but don't let that stop you.

[definitionofcrazy]

[She nods and sticks the pack in her jacket pocket, then fishes out a lighter.]

Yeah, this whole thing sucks.

[The cigarette is lit. She takes a drag. Makes a face. Tropical splash, huh? It tastes more like somebody sprayed cheap Wal Mart perfume in her mouth. She manages to restrain her reaction and instead stuffs the lighter back in her pocket.]

Look, I can't promise anything, but I've, uh, known people who-

[Who got turned into demons. Hm. Okay, no way to say that without sounding insane.]

Might not be permanent, is all I'm saying.

[bufudine]

[ooc: Given that we both used to play at Ryslig, I assume light mention of monster eating is ok?]

[When the monsters attack, there really is no decision to be made; he must fight. And when he strides into the dark without fear, he fights with the only weapon he has; his Atma. Transforming, he makes quick work of the pisaca attacking this part of the Convoy. And... well, the Atma must still be fed.

Serph is just finishing up when he spots the tell-tale look of a Megidolaon spell in the distance. Much of this new world has been unfamiliar, but between the pisaca and this, maybe there is something connecting this to the reality he knew.

Now, to find the caster.

Perhaps it isn't the wisest thing for him to be approaching while in his demon form...?]

[undyingcrow]

[The sight of a new monster leaves Akechi on edge. It's unwise to use another Megidolaon so soon, but his glare only sharpens, and Hereward returns to his side.]

Here to avenge your "friends," I take it?

[He doubts it'll respond, but perhaps by surveying it first, he can get a better idea of what he's up against.]

[bufudine]

[Friends? Serph turns his head as another being returns to the human's side, a weapon more obviously clasped in its hand.

Hostility is evident in the stranger's voice.

He had forgotten what it is like, to have people unaware he is on the same side as them.]

I am not your enemy.

[Which might have been marginally more believable were his sharp teeth not stained red -- though it is harder to see in the darkness -- and his calm voice not punctuated by a guttural snarl.]

01

[dancinghunter]

[ the first thing she'd done once she was alone was change into the suit stowed in her backpack. clearly, though, the slow and careful approach to exploring this place wasn't going to cut it. a strange silhouette emerges from the shadows of the garage, in black from head to toe. batgirl looks the stranger over, shaking her head. ]

No. Same boat. [ the words are clipped, scratched around the edges. she pauses, looking past the boy to the bike, eyes landing on the flat tire. ]

There's spares. [ she jerks a thumb in the direction, before starting towards where she'd found them before. at the very least, she's gotten her own bike running. ] Know how to change it?

[undyingcrow]

[Quite the outfit. Akechi's eyes widen ever so slightly, though he tries his best to mask his initial surprise.

Once she speaks, he relaxes, and his attention returns to the motorcycle.]

Regrettably, I'm more experienced with ordinary bicycles. That being said...

[He fishes his smartphone out of his pocket.]

There should be tutorials, assuming there's a wifi signal.

[But, unsurprisingly, when the phone books up, no mobile signal. He sighs through his nose, tucking the phone away.]

Well, I suppose they couldn't make it too easy.

02

[thetatters]

[ A choice. John is not often the one to make this sort of call. This body he's occupying is not his, not solely, and he should not put it at risk. Not until he can find a way to undo whatever has been done to him. ]

I... I don't know. [ The man behind Akechi looks like a mundane, skinny thirtysomething with a scarred face, and yet his voice is eerily deep and faintly distorted. Not quite right. ] I don't think we should risk it.

[ The use of we is an old habit, not an intentional suggestion of teamwork, but still he comes to a stop nearby to survey the same scene. ]

Whatever supplies they hold will not be worth the danger.

[undyingcrow]

[The sound of John's voice gives Akechi brief pause. Not that strange or inhuman voices are new to him. Shadows often spoke quite strangely, and at this point, he's encountered enough people that his suspension of disbelief is through the stratosphere.

So, he nods along. It's a reasonable approach.]

Yet some will undoubtedly take a chance. If the matching keys to their desired vehicle reside in those "Husks'" clutches, they'll have no choice.

I must admit, it's a clever trap.

[humeansfox]

[The shuffling nearby Akechi hears is from a yellow fox sniffing around under a shelf. It freezes at his shout, then turns and runs from the room.]

((ooc: i dunno if he'd follow or not, but if he doesn't she'll come back in human form shortly.))

[undyingcrow]

[...A fox? Akechi blinks a few times, processing what just happened.

It's not that uncommon for wild animals to appear near more civilized areas (if you can even call this civilized), but what does that say about the area outside?

Curious, Akechi decides to follow along.]