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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
[He rubs at his head, to help mask the startled look flashing across his face. This place knows how to keep him on his toes, if nothing else.]
"Can't tell you how other people use their Persona; my understanding is that it's almost like a fingerprint, with how unique it can be to people."
[He's desperately trying to recall those Kirijo lectures about the concept.]
"But for me... That thing is my focus. Don't worry, I don't need to use it on other people, in order to heal them."
[He gives her arm a pointed look, at the last. Speaking of.]
"Can you trust me enough to patch that?"
no subject
[She's had a vague idea that there would be others. The Kirijo group documents she'd read. And as odd as Izanami was, shadows didn't seem like something that'd formed within the last few years.
Though she couldn't have been prepared to meet so many in quick succession. She wanted to ask for more information, but the current situation was more important.
She let him go, lifting her hand higher so he could see her wrist. ]
That would be acceptable. As odd as the method is...
[Did it really have to be a gun?]
no subject
[He's true to his word; it's little more than a flick of his wrist, and a quick motion that flashes his hand and the Evoker up to his temple. A flash of blue light, and just like that first part of the summon is over.
Polydeuces stands over them both, glowing with power that quickly turns into an aura of pale light. Akihiko narrows his eyes, directing that light to the injury. He's healed his teammates often enough, that this spell should be easy. Just a quick fix along the arm, staunch the bleeding, shed those black marks-
Except. That last part doesn't go as planned. Its like putting his hand against a wall, as something blocks his attempt. He can't sustain the spell any longer, and Polydeuces fades away.]
"...That's not supposed to happen. Everything should've gotten fixed, with that much energy."
no subject
And this was even a spell she recognized.
She watched the wound seal up. Sighing as she noticed him looking at the plating. Then she managed a wry smile.]
...Unless it's already considered 'fixed'.
[She did not like what changes she was seeing around the group.]
no subject
[He narrows his eyes, desperately trying to recall any detail he can.]
"Those broadcasts were staying stuff about staying human. Looks like we're finding out just what they mean."
[With a wince, he turns to show the side of his head and the patch of blue and new ear he's sporting.]
"It's not just you, dealing with changes. Not that I'm happy this is affecting other people. But... It doesn't look like we're in any danger of bleeding out right now, at least. Or immediately turning into something like those things."
[That isn't a pleasant prospect, recalling how wild and senseless those monsters were. Maybe that's why his heart gives a quick lurch, to remind him that his own changes are light, by comparison.]
sorry for forgetting to ""
She clicked her tongue as she lifted her head and looked at his ear.]
"If it's any consolation. I didn't see any creatures that matched what's happening to us in the attack..."
[But then there was the husks and the creature she'd seen emerge from them. Nevermind. She was going to shake her head.]
"I hate leaving things be. But I don't know how much we can do in our condition."
[People were tired, it was still dark, there were injuries to tend to.
BUT because she couldn't leave it. Not completely.]
"The broadcasts would imply there's methods of preventing what is happening..."
it's all good!
[NOT that he was about to do the second. To be perfectly clear.
...Though he was potentially considering that first option, even if that meant his best plan was roaming around the Convoy perimeter and looking for another fight.]
"Since we haven't tried to claw each other's faces off yet, guessing we don't have to worry about any mental changes. And given how you were ready to stop me from summoning, I'm also gonna guess you care about what happens to others-"
[Oh. Right. Speaking of.]
"...Sorry about freaking you out. I was running on autopilot after everything.
Point is, seems like we're in a holding pattern. And I take it you're going to keep an eye out for those preventive methods?"
no subject
His apology got a blink, then a small shake of the head.]
"I'd like to think that was the normal reaction." [She really hoped it was. Even in a situation like this.]
"I'd rather not turn into something strange, so I suppose I have no choice."
[Kinda rude really, she'd only just started liking herself...]
no subject
...I'll work on a better name for it."
[Still. Even with everything, he can't help but feel oddly at ease. No immediate crisis, a vague plan in shape, and some sort of action they take.
Though that will probably need to be tomorrow. His body is now pointing out that he essentially crammed multiple Dark Hours into one night, with everything he got involved with.]
"Maybe in the morning. Doesn't look like we've got anything immediate to worry about, now that people are getting patched up.
Think you'll be able to get any rest, between now and then?"
no subject
So she managed a shrug. Bringing her arm up to have a closer look, not that it made a difference.]
"That would be best. Though I don't think I'll sleep much. There's too much to think about and after that attack..."
[It would have been good to rest and regain her energy. But until she knew they had a secure perimeter, she wouldn't be able to sleep.]
"What about yourself?"
no subject
...But fact is, I don't think I'll be able to wind down for a while, after everything. It's going to take a lot of cool down exercises before I can convince myself to get any sleep."
[Not great to admit he's breaking his usual routine. But at least he doesn't have any fellow SEES members here that he's setting a bad example towards.
Akihiko forces himself to roll his shoulders, both in a shrug and to try and ease the tension out of them.]
"It's just gonna take some time."
no subject
It's... I'm not sure if using all your energy to get to sleep is a good idea.
no subject
But don't worry about me. I'll manage; always do, even when stuff gets this weird."
no subject
I suppose. You'd know your own limits... Though if you're capable of healing, it might be best to hold back a little.
Our lack of trained medics and supplies is concerning.