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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.”
Wind Down
The broadcast is a little familiar; it isn't the first time he has been instructed to reach Nirvana. That Nirvana had proven to be a lie, but he still believes in its existence... however long it takes.
When he speaks, it's in a calm even tone with a questioning lilt. "You don't want to go?"
no subject
She shrugs at the question. "We don't know where that radio signal came from, if it's connected to any of this, or how far away this Nirvana is supposed to be." One could assume that whoever was speaking to them on the radio was involved with the convoy that Yang gathers will be a base of operations, but that's just it; it's an assumption. One that someone might be counting them to make.
"It's better than staying here in Monster Central; we definitely won't survive another attack without that shield if the convoy leaves. But I don't think for one second we're headed to any sort of "paradise"."
no subject
Serph nods in agreement; most would not survive being in the thick of aggressive monsters. With very few other leads, the best option is the one that keeps them moving forward.
"We will know," if this Nirvana is a lie, if it is all a trick, "once we arrive." He glances over at the others about the camp. Most of those he met could fight, but he wonders how well they are coping with being torn from all they know. "It is easier to keep going with a destination in mind."
no subject
She looks Serph over more closely. "Wish I could be as relaxed as you about all this." She admits. Guy seems to have made up his mind that it'll all work out. "Why do you think this Nirvana is real?"
no subject
"I was once tasked with reaching Nirvana."
And he'd wanted to bring as many people he could, too. In the end, all he could manage was five out of hundreds.
His mouth twitches into the he smallest of wry smiles. "So the situation is... familiar."
no subject
"Okay, that's...surprising." Yang admits. "What happened? Did you get to the other Nirvana?" And if you did, what was the catch is what she thinks, but doesn't say.
no subject
"When it was time to ascend to Nirvana, our arbiters denied it to us. We tore open its gates but..."
The Junkyard was a land of endless suffering, but it had been hard to see it completely destroyed. Humans might not have seen the people he had taken under his leadership as people but he does. The loss of hundreds of his comrades still hurts.
"...We entered a world decimated by the black sun, its rays turning humans to stone."
Obviously it was no paradise.
no subject
"See, that's not exactly giving me much hope about this Nirvana. " Yang says, picking her words with some care. "After all that, you still think this isn't some kinda trap?"
no subject
"If it is a trap, we leave." His expression is utterly calm and is tone even, but there is an undercurrent of certainty to his voice. "We don't let anyone stand in our way."
He will cut a bloody path through them if they try to stop him.
no subject
"I'm Yang. This whole situation's messed up, but it's good to meet you." She nods at him. "Nice ink, by the way."
no subject
He nods in acknowledgement. "Serph."
He doesn't return the exchange of pleasantries; where he's from, it's not something that's done. But he does tilt his head in mild confusion. Ink?
"What ink?"
no subject
The question gets a laugh out of her. Must not use that bit of slang where he's from. "Sorry, I didn't mean like, ink ink, I meant—" She taps her cheek. "Your tattoo. Looks good. I like the pattern."
no subject
Not that such things matter anymore.
Feeling strangely awkward, he lowers his hand before replying, "Thanks...?"
...Okay he has to know.
"The ears." He lifts one hand high on his head, palm straight, mimicking one of the wolf ears Yang has before he drops his hand back at his side. "Are those new?"
Or did she always have those? He'd seen someone else who was apparently undergoing a slow physical change earlier.
no subject
Her first reaction to Serph's inquiry is confusion. Nope, I've always had ears. is what she's about to say when she watches his hands go up to the sides of his head. One of the wolf ears twitches in confusion.
The sensation of that is so unusual, so foreign to Yang, that she jumps suddenly in surprise. Her hands go to her head. "What the—holy crap are these ears?"
no subject
Blinking at her reaction -- they sure are ears, but probably not her normal ones, huh -- Serph can't help but observe the way one of the ears twitched. A little bit like that one cat that often seemed to look through him, actually.
"They look like an animal's." Don't ask him to name the animal because he would not have a single clue. A beat before he adds, "There's another here with altered ears."
So she's not alone in that sense, at least?
no subject
She lowers her arms finally. "So...I'm a Faunus now, I guess." She realizes. Animal ears are one of the most common traits among Remnant's other, non-Grimm inhabitants. She takes a moment for that to sink in. "Cool."
Serph saying someone else has "altered ears" immediately snaps her back to the conversation. "You did? What did she look like?" She asks, not seemingly realizing that she specified a gender Serph didn't even mention. But altered, animal-like ears makes her think of just one person...
no subject
Still, she's taking it a lot better than the other guy; he'd been quite rattled by the revelation he was changing... Turning into something other than himself.
He tilts his head. "Not a she." So absolutely not the person Yang is thinking of. "He has white hair and a single long ear." He taps the side of his head, to indicate that the ear isn't on top of his head like hers. A small pause before Serph adds, "He carries a non-gun gun."
How else would you describe a gun-shaped object that doesn't serve the function of a gun??