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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
[A curious dilemma. Leaving them risked some reckless fool tripping the trap. He didn't especially care, but there was always the chance they'd encounter more Husks later.
He looked Naoto over, contemplative.]
How skilled are you in a fight? I have a few ranged abilities that could test the waters, if need be.
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[She went back towards him. Putting some distance between her and the husk, one hand reaching up and-]
I'm have my firearm, though I'm not sure what their shells are made of. Or where anything vital would be...
[Ranged was best. Given the size of these creatures. Though Naoto wasn't quite ready to give anyway anything out of the ordinary. Not yet.]
no subject
[But a gun didn't exactly lend itself to proper negotiations. It wasn't needed before he came here, but now...
He blew a small sigh.]
But I do have something else: the power to summon a being called a Persona.
[He hardly expected it to mean anything to her, but best not to take her by surprise.]
p4 spoilers for passerbys
Then he'd said that. She tried her best to remain stoic, not showing any surprise, keeping a neutral expression as she stared at him.]
A Persona..?
[It couldn't be. The idea sounded the same but...it was just the team wasn't it. Izanami had given Yu-senpai his power along with Namatame and Adachi, then they'd gotten their powers from going to the TV world.
If someone else had a Persona, then what did that mean?]
no subject
Interesting.]
An embodiment of the soul, a spirit of rebellion... A mask. There are a few ways to look at Personas, but the important part is that they grant their users incredible power.
no subject
...What are you going to do to the Husk?
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[But he didn't move right away, instead surveying the motionless Husks. It was still a risk. They'd need to prepare for it to backfire...]
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But she still wasn't sure if her meant Persona in the way she knew them.
She hummed at his suggestion.]
I agree. Until we've seen it moving, it'd be best to keep our distance... Though I really wish we had more information.
[She missed Rise...]
no subject
If Hereward was in top form, navigating wouldn't be an issue, but something about this place seems to have hindered his abilities.
[Nonetheless, he didn't budge, eyes locked on one of the Husks.]
So, if you want to avoid any potential blowback, feel free to move.
[It was his idea, after all.]
no subject
[Because while these husks were humanoid, they were still bigger than Naoto. Just landing on her would do too much damage.
For now, she'd take cover behind a tree. Reading her gun, just incase.]
Whenever you're ready.
no subject
[He draws a deep breath, attention squarely on the nearest husk, and then...]
Persona!
[An archer, clad in black materializes, and after a moment, dark, crackling energy rockets at the Husk.
Its metallic body cracks, and Akechi tenses as a thorny arm bursts from the metallic shell with a shriek.]
Damn it!
[Of course there'd be something inside, though at least it looks weak, aside from the faint sparks at the tip of its thorns.]
no subject
The surprised didn't last, the shrill noises making her cringe instead.
The spindly arms flailed as the creature wiggled it's way out. Red eyes looking out at them from the bark...
....Was it bad that Naoto was almost relieved? With the shape of the husk she'd expected something more...human.
It was easy enough for her to shoot a plant. Not that the bullet killed it, it dug into the bark, making it fall and roll around. But it was rising again. The electricity crackling through it's limbs.]
I think... As long as we keep our distance, this one won't be an issue.
no subject
[He glances up at his Persona, while the enemy is down.]
Finish it, Hereward, and make it quick.
[With a silent nod, his Persona launches one more Eigaon, mercilessly striking the creature before it can retaliate.
At least a single-target strike won't affect the nearby Husks.]
no subject
...Well, that was. Kinda underwhelming really. And after a sigh she put her gun away.]
I wonder if all the husks are like that. If so, they may only be a threat in larger numbers, or if they capture someone unaware.
[It's the little things.]
no subject
I suppose it depends on if they only emerge from their shells when provoked. We can't dismiss the possibility that different Husks contain more powerful creatures, either.
no subject
It's possible that this one was manageable due to it being awoken prematurely... Which makes me wonder if it'd be prudent to open more of them.
[But she didn't want to make him do all the work so...choices.]
no subject
[He snorted out a laugh, followed by a small sigh.]
Megidolaon might well be enough to destroy them before they emerge, but that's quite the gamble for such a draining ability.
no subject
That leaves us with waiting and hoping that they do not stir. I can't say I particularly like the idea that they could sneak up on us while we're sleeping but... [Who knew what else was out here.]
no subject
[Heh. Look at him, thinking like Joker... Then again, it'd be inconvenient if someone stumbled up to these Husks and let loose a swarm of monsters.
He briefly averts his eyes, gaze distant.]
no subject
...I suppose. Though I'm not sure how people could arm themselves, there's a lot of tools that could be used in a pinch. Though using a metal tool to bludgeon a creature like the one you took care of would be....
[It really was fortunate she had her gun.]
no subject
[Akechi scoffed. It wasn't surprising so much as it was disappointing.
The vehicles were in disrepair, after all, and clearly no one had stuck around to greet them.]
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[Other than the very covenant items and the messages, there weren't any traces of others...]
no subject
[He turned his attention to one of the husks holding a set of keys. Thankfully, he'd already secured his.]
Keys to the vehicles that we're presumably supposed to take into the unknown... There's a story here, but we may have to venture further to truly piece it together.
no subject
Then she'd heard a voice, hadn't she?]
Nirvana huh..?
no subject
You heard it as well?
[That changed things, if only slightly. If nothing else, it was a clue. A goal.]
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