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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.”
no subject
Third one...got it.
[He slots the driver in the correct screw and turns it. It starts out a bit faster than needed but he slows it down (possibly almost too slow) instantly. Just needed to know how much force it needed to move.]
A quarter turn? Okay. Let me know if you need me to, uh, stop or something.
no subject
[Okay- a quarter turn was way overestimating it. Viktor yelps immediately at that too quick initial spin. That does it, right away, no need for any further. His back goes ramrod straight and he shivers down the length of it.
Then sloooowly breathes out, trying to relax and unclench his jaw from the cringe he locked into in an instant. Speaking through grit teeth,]
Thank you. Again. Hhhhfff...
no subject
I-i-i...s-sorry! I'm sorry! Are you okay?! I-i can try to make up for it or something!
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[if anybody else is wandering by this is quite the scene, huh? Just these two barking back at each other in their struggles,]
It's... actually, much improved.
[Viktor rolls his shoulders back and them up and down on each side, one then the other. Stretching out his back as the pain of the bolts is near immediately banished with the repairs. Phew. Viktor's relief is audible in his tone, no longer so strained and bitten back from pain,]
I can't even explain how much better that feels, Levi.
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Sounds fake.Or at least not as badly as he was afraid he had.He chews his lip a bit as he watches Viktor move but as far as he can tell the man seems fine? Or as fine as he could be with that thing on. And considering his trouble moving earier.]
I-I'm glad. Did, um, did you need anything else?
no subject
Viktor reaches to dust off his shirt with a brush of fingers before sliding it back on to button up at the front. The way he moves is really night-and-day difference in the ease, compared to before,]
My... crutch seems to have gotten away from me, but I could look for it myself. [he looks around and spies it slid not to far back, where it fell out from the car before that went down the hill. Good thing, too, Viktor would be extremely upset to lose it, for practical and sentimental reasons.
He looks to Levi,]
What about you? You've been more than helpful enough towards me. If there is ever anything I can help you with, please... do not hesitate in asking.
no subject
[He's pale and shaking slightly, but that's really not much different than when they started working together. At some point between then and now his nose has changed to a black, dog-like nose though. His eyes are red, too, but Viktor probably didn't manage to get a good enough look to see if that's normal or not.]
Just catching my breath. I-I don't need much.
no subject
Either way, the shaking is concerning, however slight. Viktor can imagine what is causing that and the young man might need a level headed voice of responsibility in his ear about now. Viktor can provide that.]
Well then, why don't we get back to that center convoy? They might have somewhere to rest proper, now that the chaos has calmed. Perhaps something to eat.
no subject
no subject
Would you like to stick together for now? [He wouldn't want Levi to feel obligated to keep looking after him, but it is Viktor who wants to keep an eye on the young man. Make sure Levi's okay after all that, maybe gets something to eat to quell the shaking.
A subtle repayment of the favors he's been given,]
you good with cw: hard drugs and withdraws?
[But things were feeling off. Like something bad was going to happen...as if it hadn't just.]
All good with me! Poor Levi...
[a more affirming way to put it, supportive instead of a burden. Viktor is taking the screwdriver back and tucking it into his vest, in case he could use it later. Then, he'll be trying to get himself stood back up, taking help from Levi if offered. Viktor will adjust the tension on his leg brace and walk over to collect his crutch, tucking it under his arm.
A wave for Levi to join him, heading towards the Convoy which is opened up now. He'll stick close to the young man, not scrutinizing him, but definitely wanting to keep him in the corner of his eye with that increase in his shakiness,]
no subject
[Levi will offer Viktor a hand up where the other man can probably notice that Levi's broken out in a sweat. He follows after, carefully watching Viktor. If the other man has any trouble moving Levi can move to help.]
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Honestly, given the state Levi is in, Viktor thinks that's probably overstimulating to bring him to. He banks away from it to a quieter spot, realizing it's some kind of bar once he's inside. The Hubcap? How... cutesy. Seems pretty abandoned, not many of their fellow new arrivals having discovered it yet.
He urges Levi to take a seat in a secluded corner of it, speaking very softly and low to him,]
You don't seem well, Levi. Wait here. Allow me to get you some water... [maybe a stronger drink, damn, he is looking rough.]
no subject
I-its alright, you don't have to get me anything.
[A drink did sound nice, though. It was too bad Daan wasn't here to mix something, but he could probably find a bottle of vodka if he looked.]
I-i-i just...I-i feel like something bad is going to happen. O-or I'm having trouble believing we're safe, maybe.
[On top of the withdraws, he's also got a new Doom Sense that's making him feel uneasy.]
no subject
Levi does seem really young to be given alcohol, but also... Viktor is from the undercity. If this young man is old enough to serve his country in a war, well, he should be old enough to unwind with a glass of something stiff. Viktor does also grab a bottle of vodka while he's back there, a couple of shot glasses, loading all of them up onto a tray and carrying it over at once.
The water is passed to Levi first, sounds to Viktor like he might be having (or about to have) a panic attack,]
Drink that slowly and take some deep breaths, too. We are safe in here.
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I-I'll be okay. You d-don't have to worry about me.
[He does not look okay.]
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[he is definitely worried about Levi. He takes the vodka and pops the cork off of it with his teeth, pouring the young man a shot, then one for himself.]
Cheers. To our continued survival.
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[Levi raises the shot and then downs it in one.]
Thanks. I needed that.
[He puts the shot glass down and frowns. His hands were sweaty, but he should have calmed down from the fighting. Which meant he'd gone too long without a hit. Was that why he was feeling so nervous?]
no subject
He pours some of his water into Levi's glass to top him off and encourage him back to that for a moment,]
So did I. Ohff, I swear I could feel that shot roll down my spine. [he'll straighten up his posture a moment before going back to his usual slouch,]
no subject
Right down into your heart.
[He relaxes back in the chair. The alcohol helped ease his mind but did little for the withdrawals. He had a single shot left...but now wasn't the time. Not when he was with someone else.]
no subject
[Viktor is teasing, it's clear in his tone, a bit sing-songy as he takes the bottle of vodka back and pours his own. He'll sip this one, rather than down it. Decent stuff, no taste, as vodka should be. Just a smooth burn.
An announcement crackles over the sound system. It ends off with "Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.” Then... music. Gentle and jazzy. Hmph.]
Feeling safe enough to put on a record for us, are they?
no subject
[He lifts his shot glass to take a sip but its harder to hold onto this time. His shaking has gotten worse and he has to actually focus on it to get it up. He hesitates once its at his lips then downs it in one shot before carefully putting the shot glass down.]
...Nirvana? What do you suppose that is?
[He can act normal. He just needs to focus. Maybe down the rest of the vodka. That'd help right? It'd probably help.]
no subject
[he huffs in good humor. Levi seems like the more softhearted one, though Viktor is perhaps a close second. His goal has always been to help those in need. Was just... never so good doing that directly. He feels out of his element in what he can do for Levi, given the young man is still shaking.
Viktor can't guess that's a withdrawal symptom just yet, but it might occur to him, given he'd seen the effects of shimmer on the Undercity over the past half decade...]
A place? I would hypothesize... Our destination. [Viktor will top Levi's vodka off before he takes the bottle away.]
This isn't good on an empty stomach. Wait here. I will go grab us something to eat from the dining car. Are- do you have any dietary allergies?
no subject
I hope its a nice one...
[He watches Viktor move the bottle and blinks at the question.]
Huh? Uh, yeah, I guess you're right.
N-no. I can eat anything.
up to you if you want to continue or leave this here!!
(no subject)