memestertrucks | JANUARY TDM

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((OOC: Hello, and welcome to our first TDM! This month, Reserves will open on the 10th and Applications will open on the 25th! We hope you enjoy the game launch!))

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.”

NAVIGATION || RESERVES || APPLICATIONS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

M-Bot is out exploring again - it's later, now, than when V had first dashed off into the woods. Supposedly nothing else exciting/stressful is happening until morning - but the drone knows no one is really managing to sleep, its partner isn't alone and in (further) danger, and it wants to move.

M-Bot knows of the monsters by now, and doesn't like them. So seeing someone apparently having eaten one, while a surprise, is far from a red flag.

It chirps an inquiry, ready to move away in a hurry if Serph proves hostile... but someone who's merely curious can get the drone to stick around.

It's... making a strange sound. Serph tilts his head before slowly approaching. He has the appearance of being calm but a little wary. He doesn't see weapons, but he knows all too well that weapons can be hidden.

Since it sounds like it can make some kind of response -- though whether it's one he can understand it is an entirely different matter -- Serph asks it, "What are you?"

Chirp!

While M-Bot could try using voice clips, it was built for stealth and spying, not conversation.

Instead, out comes V's slightly scratchy voice - not a remote connection, just a snippet - ", M-Bot-"

And so it hovered there, occasionally repeating the 'Bot' syllable, at least until Serph asked another question - or anyone approached.

Alright. Okay. So it's a... 'bot'. He has absolutely no idea what that means! Maybe a different question would help glean some answers.

"What are you doing here?"

Scouting? Searching?

The next voiceclip is the same voice, but significantly more mangled for syllable-mining purposes.

(They're both learning things for/from this conversation!)

"Scouting for danger."

What a strange 'voice' this bot has. He's never heard anything like this before.

Ah. Scouting. Serph glances over at the remains of the creatures he had dispatched. There was plenty enough danger. Not anymore.

"Who are you scouting for?"

Itself? Someone else?

M-Bot isn't quite willing to give a direct answer; how can it be sure who V has met yet?

"Partner-"

And, almost right on cue, a rustling sound draws the drone's attention. Chirping again, it lowers to the ground, hovering carefully forward.

Partner? So this one has become separated from its friend. Serph nods in acknowledgement.

A wariness washes over him at the rustling sound -- caught in an unknown world with unknown dangers and no backup -- so he waits to see what has caught the bot's attention, ready to defend it of necessary. Though it may seem like he is weaponless -- once again, his firearm didn't make it across worlds -- Serph is never truly unarmed.

If Serph is expecting a fight, he will be surprised. A black-furred cat - much larger than a housecat, with brambles and bits of monster stuck to its fur - slinks out, making eye contact with M-Bot.

The drone chirps an acknowledgement, and V holds up a paw. "I'm not here to attack. That's my drone partner, there. M-Bot."

Hopefully the talking will also make it clear they're not hostile...

A cat!

... It's not the same one he keeps seeing around the Junkyard though; this one is far too big and doesn't have the bell or silver eyes that seem to directly peer into his soul.

And... he's not sure, but cats aren't supposed to talk, right?

Alright then. He's good at rolling with the punches. Serph nods; if the new stranger was here to attack, they would already be fighting.

"Your partner was looking for you." A tilt of his head. "What were you doing?"

Also scouting?

M-Bot floats forward, gently bumping into V's furry side. They let the touch linger, an ear flicking.

"Trying... to get used to being like this."

Their ears go back. "It was painful getting this way. It will likely be painful reversing it. I do not suppose you would know anything about that?"

V's not accusing Serph of anything - rather, they're asking for advice, if any is available.

Serph tilts his head. So... the bot's (M-Bot is its name, is it?) partner isn't normally a cat? He's... not sure if whatever has happened to this stranger works the same way as his own transformation. Strange that someone he has never met would ask him that, but it isn't like he takes particular care to hide it. Just the devouring.

Pain? At first, yeah. It was like all his cells were exploding at once.

He says in a calm voice, "When you accept pain, it gets easier."

Fear of pain makes pain hurt more. A transformation is simply a change in shape, but one is still themselves.

On the one hand (paw), the principle is sound. If pain cannot be countermanded, then avoidance is just letting oneself be used or limited.

On the other, it's still annoying to V to hear. Their tail twitches, though they don't jump.

"My first change was accidental - I am not yet sure how common forms like this are among the rest of the displaced."

There did seem to be quite a few; V had managed to gather that much.

"I did not transform straight to this shape, either. The other was much more cumbersome to maneuver."

Downsides of being taller and bulkier - all that muscle and no muscle memory, plus pain, equals Not A Fun Time.

Hm. So if he understands correctly... This stranger only gained the ability to transform after arrival?

"I am unchanged."

At least, in the sense of gaining a new shape. His demon, however, is diminished.

"What were you doing when you transformed?"

Well, that's... not terribly encouraging, but V can't really complain either.

"Trying to discern if I had self-repair abilities."

Switching which paws they are resting on, one drifts up to a spot on their now fur-covered neck. "This mark glowed. I do not know why it reacted to that in particular, or if it was random."

There was a particular undercurrent of anger at the word mark.

Self-repair? Serph glances at M-bot before his gaze returns to the stranger.

"What are you when not transformed?"

Huh. It really does sound a lot like Atma. His voice is a little quieter when he asks his next questions, concern writ across his usually inexpressive face.

"Do you hear another voice in your head? Or feel weak and unwell?"

"A Synth. Not organic, but similar to humans in shape and features."

As of yet, there hasn't been cause for V to want to hide what they are - though how Serph reacts to the concept could still change that.

The mention of a voice makes V go still.

"I do not feel unwell as of right now - it is only transforming that is painful. I- I did hear a voice, though. While fighting the monsters here."

V presses themself closer to the ground, ears going flat. "It told me the weaknesses of the monsters, how to fight them. Is that the sort of voice you mean?"

Are there more? Please tell them that's not the case.

Hm. Like SecUnit, then? SecUnit had objected quite strongly to Serph's assertation that Serph himself was human and seemed to dislike even the idea of being considered one. He wonders what this Synth thinks...

Serph considers the response, noting the uneasy demeanour that's overtaken his companion. Shaking his head, No, that isn't the voice he means.

They're probably alright, then; they would know if they had an Atma. Even now, after having grown accustomed to it, he can feel the hunger gnawing at the edge of his consciousness eat them all despite having fed recently.

But look on the bright side... "You've aquired a useful skill."

V's body language conveys relief, fairly strongly at that.

"I will agree, the answers did prove correct, but having a voice in my head whose source I cannot trace is stressful."

Someone installed that sigil - marked them - and was presumably responsible for the voice as well.

M-Bot chirps again, attempting to nuzzle and thus provide comfort; V keeps still to not disturb the gesture.

"... Would you be willing to talk about yours?" His knowledge had to come from somewhere.

Oh. "My name is V." And Serph knew M-Bot's, now.

Serph nods in acknowledgement of the offered name, offering his own in return.

"Serph."

And no additional pleasantries like nice to meet you; those weren't really part of social norms where he had lived. If V hadn't offered his name, Serph wouldn't have thought to ask, either.

Serph considers the question for a moment. Previously, providing any sort of information was asking for any weaknesses to be exploited. But he is in a new land without his old comrades, so...

Welll, Gale isn't here to object.

"Mine is an Atma. A demon." The brand upon his face pulses with blue light, once. "I've had it since before my arrival."

Maybe it's the reason he's unchanged?

V's own reaction is a nod; too many pleasantries just aren't necessary - or only get added when truly meant, once a friendship is strong.

Not that V's expecting any friendships here, exactly.

Their ears perk up, letting theirself be curious - as opposed to alarmed. "But not something you've always had?"

M-Bot likewise chirps - then repeats Serph's own word, inflecting it such that it sounds like a question: "Demon?"

Serph shakes his head. No, it isn't something he's always had.

"It was triggered within us."

He glances in M-Bot's direction. That's an interesting method of forming speech...

Well. It would be easiest to show what he means by demon; he has no reason to hide its appearance here.

Raising his left hand to his face, glowing blue lines spreading from the brand on his cheek. His form darkens, shape amorphous as he transforms into a noticeably taller humanoid. The entire process is quick and smooth, as though he has done it hundreds of times.

And so he calmly waits to see how V and M-Bot respond.

M-Bot was made for stealth and spying; there are quite a few things he can't do, but of those in its wheelhouse, the drone learns fast.

V's first thought is to ask 'triggered by what?', let alone 'who is us?', but before that can happen Serph begins his demonstration. Synth and drone alike freeze - but just like before, how V did not come here to attack, Serph isn't here to attack them, so they work to remain calm in turn.

"And is this form... also Serph? Or do you have a different name?"

Serph watches their reactions, observing what seems to be some unease and wariness. He nods. In a voice that is as calm and even as ever, he says with a slight hiss to his words, "The demon is called Varuna."

A creature that hungered endlessly, its fate was intertwined with his. The demon has a voice, but it is not the one in control.

"I am Serph, even like this."

V allows theirself to relax a little more. Slightly.

Knowing that Serph is, essentially, in perfect control does help, in this moment.

"Thank you. And... greetings to you both."

It was only polite, to not deliberately snub a being called a demon.

"My team and I have - interacted, with atypical beings before. Those who are of Golden Age tech, or who have less scrutable origins."

Such as the Bay, literal mystical water feature not so far from Ironwood Harbor.

"I must admit, however, that this shape is entirely novel to me."

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