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memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
Entry tags:
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.”
swords swords swords!!
She confirms that she doesn't know any more than he does, and he tries not to be disappointed. He expected that, after all, but it still would have been nice to get some clarification!
Whatever, it's fiiine. He'll figure it out. Eventually.]
Remnant...? Uuuuh... never heard of it. [He goes ahead and admits that.] I'm from Earth - New York City.
[Maybe Remnant is just... some place he hasn't heard of? She has cat ears, so maybe she's a yokai? But she looks a little too human to be a yokai...]
no subject
I've never heard of those places, either. Sorry. I'd-- had a theory that people were coming here from different worlds just based on some people that I saw and talked to, but wow. That's so weird.
[ Okay. So. Multiple worlds exist and they're all being pulled here for some reason. What is Blake going to do about that? She has absolutely no idea. It's not like she can just cut a hole in reality and walk back to Remnant, and as far as she can tell, there's no evil smirking overlord she can go kick the ass of and demand to be sent home.
Blake bites back a sigh, and rustles around in the plastic bag hanging off her elbow. She comes up with a chocolate bar, and offers it to the turtle-guy-turtle-shaped-person. ]
Peace offering? Sorry for... almost pulling my weapon on you. [ If she starts apologizing for being jumpy, she's going to be apologizing a lot. But she still needs to say it. ] I'm Blake.
no subject
The girl pulling out a candy bar throws him off, but he goes ahead and takes it. He can't actually remember when he last ate anything (was it really pizza on the bridge? That feels so long ago...), and whatever gas station food he's found so far hasn't been much.]
Uh, thanks. [He grins, pulling apart the wrapper.] I'm Leonardo, but you can just call me Leo.
[He takes a bite, then adds,] Other worlds, huh? Man. I owe my brother twenty bucks.
[He made that bet thinking he'd never actually find out if the multiverse was true. Of course, Donnie isn't here for him to pay...]
no subject
[ Because they definitely don't have turtle-people like that in Remnant. (Blake has, in fact, met other Faunus like herself that had turtle aspects, but they weren't anything like this guy). ]
This garage is a little low tech, compared to my world. And in Remnant, our propulsion is made from an elemental component called Dust. There's canisters of liquid in the garage that I guess are meant to fuel the cars, but I'm not familiar with it.
[ She tucks her arms around her middle, a protective little gesture that she isn't wholly aware of doing. ]
So. Other worlds it is, even if it's a bizarre explanation. [ Blake's mouth twists in a wry expression. ] You really had a bet with your brother about whether other worlds exist? That's a pretty specific thing to bet about.
no subject
[He has no idea if "Dust" is flammable, so he's just throwing that out there.]
I didn't just make a bet with him about if other worlds exist. That was just one thing. [He usually wins!] But yeah, he's all about science and stuff. Always going on about parallel universes and the multiverse and blah blah blah.
no subject
I can't say I've ever thought much about parallel universes. But then, my science grades were pretty average.
[ And the only concept of parallel universes she'd ever run into was in fantasy and sci-fi fiction, which were much easier to understand than actual scientific studies of the same theories. ]
I'm guessing scientific theory might be the least of our worries, though. [ She nods toward the convoy, the long train of trailers attached to the semi-truck up front. ] Have you... looked inside that yet?
no subject
Leo follows her nod to look at the semi-truck, and its excessive amount of trailers.]
No. [Leo looks at it, then grimaces.] Why? Are there a bunch of zombies inside?
[Given how this place has looked, that's his first expectation.]
no subject
[ Blake darts a suspicious look at the convoy, as if it's suddenly filled itself with zombies. She doubts it, but she guesses it's not entirely outside of the realm of possibilities. There'd been monsters outside, why not inside?
She recovers, and shrugs. ]
I kind of doubt that someone would go to the trouble of setting up this huge convoy for us, and then fill it with zombies. I looked at the first few cars earlier, it was mostly places to sleep. I'm hoping there's a kitchen, or something like it, inside. Otherwise, eating scavenged garage food is going to get pretty old.
no subject
[So there's living space inside... That's interesting. Leo wasn't really expecting something like that... If anything, he was expecting that he was about to be doing a lot of sleeping outside.
He's still thinking that over when the rest of what Blake's saying catches up, and he looks at her curiously.]
You think someone set this all up for us? Like, on purpose?
no subject
[ Blake bites back a sigh, watching the convoy contemplative. Through the lights in the windows, she can see people moving around, probably exploring. Having only seen the first couple cars, Blake doesn't know what's beyond them yet. ]
We woke up in a garage with what I can only describe as some of magic summoning circle around us. And there just happens to be a big convoy full of bedrooms and bathrooms and kitchens parked right outside, as well a host of vehicles with their keys readily available for taking. It can't be a coincidence.
Someone had to have set this up. Someone made the beds inside the convoy, and supplied the kitchen, and parked it right here for us.
no subject
Though he still has his own theory.]
That makes a lot of sense... It's definitely plausible...
[He scratches his chin.]
What do you remember before coming here? You weren't... in some kind of mortal danger?