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memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
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JANUARY TDM
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
“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.”
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Rita pauses. "... That part'll be nice once I know what to put in it, I guess. Good for storage, at least."
A pause. "Oh. right. I'm Rita Mordio, mana researcher."
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She pokes her head up and grins when Rita gives her name. "Hey, Rita. I'm Yang Xiao Long, Huntress, and apparently, a part-time mechanic."
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She blinks, looking over the engine. "... And those vehicles were powered by something completely different. What kind of technology backs the formula that runs this???"
The idea that this tech doesn't require a formula like what she knows hasn't yet crossed her mind.
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Sounds pretty low-tech for the most part, but Rita also sounds fairly smart if she's got the right tools, talking about formulas and self-propelled machines. If she can grasp the basics, then there might be another mechanic in the making here.
"Well, engines like this run on combustion." She explains. "Fuel in the tank gets pumped into the cylinders...see, here?" She points out different spots on the engine to demonstrate. "Then it combines with air and gets compressed by the pistons, which creates heat, ignites the fuel, and forces the pistons down, which is what powers the whole thing."
She stands back. "Honestly, it's in better shape than I'd expect from sitting in a place like this for so long." Assuming that's actually the case, which, to be fair, Yang has serious doubts about.
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"Sheesh. Where I'm from the dangerous monsters just try to eat you. We used to have barriers, thankfully removing the adephagos helped reduce that problem. The Empire's still working on it, but."
And then it's into the basics of the engines. "... Seems like a highly evolved version of steam systems. Not a popular tech on my world, but we had Blastia until really recently. The fuel is... Well, it seems available. Mind..."
She blinks.
"Did one of these. Like, was there a key in your pocket and a weird sense it was Yourd on some level that goes beyond logical sense? Because, yeah, it did that for me."
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"Most people live inside the four big kingdoms, those are pretty well-defended, but there are smaller communities out in the wilderness who aren't as well protected." Lot of villages that start out with people full of hope trying to build something new, only to end in ruined villages, and empty farms.
She knew Rita seemed like a smart cookie, she's picking it up fast. "That's it, yeah. Might not be as advanced as what you're used to, but they can be a blast-ia all on their own." Sorry Rita, this is just who Yang is.
In response to Rita's question, Yang just pulls a set of yellow and black keys out of her jacket pocket. "You mean like these?" She asks. "Yeah. Dunno how I knew it, but as soon as I saw her, I knew I had the keys for them." She points across the gas station to another car sits. "Wouldn't you know, it turned out I was right."
Which, you know, great, thanks for the car, but what's the catch.
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... Rita seems confused by the pun for longer than it takes for her to groan realizing it's, well, a pun.
"The context does help, though. Thanks. Can't help but notice the car matches the colors on your..."
... A pause.
"... Wait, is that a gauntlet, or... What kind of level of tehcnology does your world have?!?!"
Rita, you may be forgetting about how a member of your party had an artificial heart.
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She's sticking the keys back into her pocket when Rita latches onto her how the car matches her arm. "What, this?" She holds her arm up and flexes her fingers, and there's faint sound of clicking in the joints as she does so. Now it's time for her other favourite party trick.
"Why don't you tell me?" This is kind of a dangerous gamble given the circumstances and she only just met Rita, but Yang's got a good feeling about her. So she reaches up to near her elbow, twists, and detaches the arm, sliding it out of her sleeve, and holding it out for the other girl to take a better look at.
"What, you couldn't tell I was handy already?" She'll be here all week folks, try the steak.
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One part of Rita Mordio is sincerely wowed. The prosthetic is... That kind of fine manipulation, even with her talent the kind of formula it'd take was amazing.
But that pun. The second groan was absolutely involuntary. And followed by Rita realizing that while this girl wasn't going to be Judith's idiosyncrasies, she had her own... Habits.
"... Wow, though. Uh. Hopefully it's maintainable with what we find here?"
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And neither is she. Or at least give the impression she's not.
Yang slides the arm back into her sleeve and reattaches it. "That's...a good point." She admits. And one she hadn't really thought about. "I've made my own alterations to it, but the original design wasn't mine." Some Atlas egghead put it together for her, is what she was told when it was delivered. And even with the communications system down and Atlas' Dust embargo, General Ironwood spared no expense in having it sent to her at Patch.
She looks up at Rita. "I can do minor repairs with the basics, at least." Anything more extensive will require more than what a gas station can probably provide, but she can at least deal if the arm ends up looking a little banged up, so long as it remains functional. "And hey, it sounds like I've got another gearhead right here. I'm sure if we put our heads together we can work something out." Still, assembling an emergency toolkit it seeming like a better and better idea. She'll circle back to the garage after this and see what she can find.
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... Many logistical questions. She has to figure out a new type of technology out, with only the aid of others only familiar with related, possibly not matching, technologies, with limited parts and incomplete context.
"... Nothing I can't solve, I don't think."
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She leans against the van as Rita goes over the problems. "You know, you say that, but...something isn't adding up to me there." She looks at the van and the garage around them. "I know these aren't in the best condition right now, but they're still a lot better than the state of this place. The cars can't have been here for very long, or they wouldn't just be a little scuffed up, they'd be scrap. Just can't wrap my ahead around it."
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"I suspect we're going to want to travel together, so we can bring a lot of kit for sure."
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Actually, that raises a question. "That big train out there. You know if anyone's actually looked inside it yet?" It's the only thing here that doesn't look run-down or decrepit, which means maybe someone with answers is inside. Yang had been too busy trying to locate Ruby, Blake or Weiss to worry about it though.
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Two, maybe three at most
"It doesn't look beat up the way everything else does here. Might be stuff inside we can use." And at the rate things are going, the garage is going to be picked clean soon.
"Van's not going anywhere. Wanna give it a shot? Quick look around, see what we can grab?"
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She held up her sash. "About all I've got is swinging this until I can work out formulas that work here."
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Well, anyway.
They head off towards the train, looking for a spot to climb on. "So when you say formulas, you mean like for your spells?" She asks. "How does that work, exactly?"
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"Skipping the details, Blastia cores no longer exist, and almost all Aer is converted to Mana thanks to... Well, long story. I was involved. Mana-based formulas are an entirely new research... Aaaand Mana doesn't exist here. Not in the same way, at least. I should still be able to use the sash to strike things, but that's about it. Not precisely optimal, but what can you do other than develop entirely new methods of processing formulae?"