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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.”
Camp
Serph answers the question with a shake of his head without offering up information about what he was doing before he arrived instead; it won't be something he'd speak of unless asked. Without his comrades here, it means he can't have them ask the questions on his behalf so he asks in return-]
Did you?
no subject
An Anomaly. Magic.
no subject
Serph considers the answer for a moment before nodding.]
Will you go to Nirvana?
no subject
[ which might be the way, even if . . . he'll want to run some calculations with viktor to be sure. not that they have the time to wait, though.
looks like it's going to be a roadtrip thing. ]
Why?
no subject
This situation is... familiar.
[The message is a bit different and they aren't being urged to kill each other, but the goal remains the same. Seek Nirvana.]
Nirvana is a place of peace. I want to bring as many as I can there.
[Maybe this time, it'll even be the real deal.]
no subject
[ he states an evidence based supposition, but waits for confirmation. it helps to know that someone has gained deeper knowledge of where they could be going. ]
no subject
It is meant to be a paradise. Where I went... was not.
no subject
You've been to this Nirvana before?
no subject
I went to the place they called Nirvana... in my world. It sucked.
[So... not the same as the one they have been instructed to go to by that screen, he's certain of it. For one, the sun doesn't turn humans into stone here. The Nirvana of this world can't really be worse than that.]
The Nirvana of this world could be the paradise it [the Nirvana of his world] was meant to be. I won't know until we get there.
no subject
unless it's miraculously part of the meager three percent success rate. which is hard. the slight furrow in jayce's brows show some concern. ]
Isn't that risky?
[ there were taking risks, and then there were taking risks. ]
no subject
Do you have an alternative?
[Staying put is not a long term solution, in his eyes. And with no indication that the situation at this location will change, there is no logical reason to not set forth; it will be risky no matter what.]
Most will not act without a destination.
no subject
[ he kind of it's more about— hm. jayce breathes in as he thinks of the wording, then out when he thinks he's got it. ]
It's more . . . Your faith in it.
[ he wants to test theories, study possibilities on the way over. forge their own path. it feels a little . . . too easy to have it all done for them already. jayce was never one to use tools when he could make them himself. ]
no subject
What is faith?
[There are a great many things he doesn't know; his original world lacked many things and all who lived there only recently awoke to emotions. Concepts as basic as sadness or shops had been completely unknown to them.
It had been an extremely steep learning process.]
no subject
it's been a very long time, but jayce is no stranger to deluting complex notions and ideas, making them understandable to those that do not share the same technical understanding. it's a multifacet concept that just needs a simple definition. jayce doesn't think it needs an example. yet. ]
When you believe, wholeheartedly in something— no matter the odds, [ he nods, ] that's faith.
no subject
Why did he believe so strongly in the idea of Nirvana, even when the supposed promised land turned out to not be the paradise he thought it to be?
If he didn't believe... then there would be no place for monsters like himself. The suffering would never end; it could not end as long as they had their Atma. But that's a little too personal to get into with a stranger, so...
He speaks in a dispassionate tone, matter-of-fact, and without strong emotion in his response.]
I come from a violent world. In order to live, we killed. If we refused to follow this law, we would be killed and be reborn.
[And so continued the cycle of violence. Reaching Nirvana was meant to end that.]
I believe in Nirvana's existence... because I hope for a better life for my comrades.
[All he wants is an end to their pain.]
no subject
he doesn't want to be a harbinger of ill news. but he doesn't want to lie, either. ]
. . . We'll figure something out. [ that was truth; he was going to study the possibilities with viktor, put their minds to the test to run equations and theories. coupled with the runic presence that brought them here—
the chances were probable that they would figure something out, as slim as they were. ]
We'll see what this Nirvana is— then you can decide for yourself.
[ jayce knows he needs to return to his time. he's going to find a way back. he has to. ]
no subject
Serph refocuses his thoughts on the present, the man before him, rather than memories of the past.]
You wished to return.
[Though it's a question, it's spoken like a statement.]
What did you leave behind?
no subject
he allows it, as dire as it was. ]
A promise.
no subject
He has a vague sense of the word being more important than when Lupa had mentioned it when he fulfilled his end of their bargain... it's... a desire, a drive to see a wish come true, that's the feeling he has. For the first time since starting their conversation, the corners of Serph's mouth curls up into the smallest of smiles.]
Then I'll ensure you can fulfil it.
[A tilt of his head.]
Your name?
no subject
It's Jayce. [ he extends a hand in camaraderie. ] I didn't catch yours.
no subject
He grips Jayce's hand firmly before shaking it twice.]
Serph.
[And no other pleasantries like, "Nice to meet you"; it's just not something that's done, where he's from. Letting go of Jayce's hand, he gives the other man a nod.
Serph isn't really one for small talk, so if there are no other questions he'll silently take his leave; they can speak again
when the game officially opensin future.]no subject
he's thankful for the frankness of this interaction, remembers his name, and keeps him in mind for the future. ]