monstertruckers (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
monstertruckers) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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.”
/peruses everyone's icons in the tdm
An hour is a lot of time to get separated from people. As Yang describes who she's looking for, his gaze sweeps the garage and the assembled vehicles; those were by weapon choice alone very distinctive people. "I'm afraid I haven't seen anyone wielding scythes, but there's a small number of black haired young ladies around, I ... think one might have had cat ears?"
Where she was now he had no idea, he was just watching people in passing at best. He points, towards the ruins of garage and everything else. "She had been that way. I haven't seen any elderly women, and the only obviously middle aged man was.. onboard the caravans, and carried no weapons I saw." He's doing his best; how helpful any of that is going to be he didn't know. "..Perhaps they chose to move on already?"
no subject
Listen, sometimes the gods abandon the world they created in a fit of pique and the moon hits them on the ass on the way out. Don't ask Yang, that's just what the giant blue naked lady with all the chains showed them.The confirmation of a young lady with (possible) cat ears, puts Yang on immediate alert. "You did? Was she wearing a white jacket? Can you show me where you thought you saw her? Please, it could be my partner Blake. I have to find her." Maybe Ruby as well. He doesn't mention scythes, but Ruby might have Crescent Rose folded up, and it doesn't look very scythe-y in that configuration. But you'd figure the red cloak would have sparked a memory...well. Focus on what he did tell you; there's a good chance Blake is nearby. Find her first, and then stick to the Faunus like glue. Until they're all back together. Until they're all safe again.
She shakes her head. "No. Not until they were absolutely sure the rest of us weren't in the area. If I'm still searching, so are they." Huntresses (of which, Yang has to remind herself, she isn't actually one yet, though it increasingly feels since the fall of Beacon like a distinction that no longer matters. Becoming licensed feels so...small, now, knowing what she knows.) operate in teams, and they look out for each other. The others wouldn't stop looking for Yang in just under an hour, in a place like this, and neither will she. "They're here."
They way Yang says it is full of an unshakable confidence, not even a glimmer of uncertainty.
A quest to find a friend that will never work, cuz that's another thread.
And then he steps away, to head in the direction he thought he saw someone matching that description. "Do you know what brought us here? I don't ... intend to doubt your optimism, but some forms of technology or magic might not ... see fit to deposit everyone in the same location." He's missing his own companions, but if they were here he wouldn't have to LOOK for a temperamental redhead in a red jacket, everyone would know including himself.. "The search may need to be broadened."
Meanwhile it means winding through a lot of parked vehicles of ALL kinds, most of which he doesn't even recognize beyond 'vehicle'. Where did they all come from? Who's idea of a joke was it to dump them in some kind of overgrown junkyard??
eternal sadness yang can't introduce blake to sephiroth
She falls into step next to him. "I...hadn't thought of that, no." She admits after a moment. "But I don't know of any technology back home that could just teleport people, and magic is...super rare." Her expression does mellow a bit. "If it was a spell, then I don't know. They might have landed elsewhere. But if that's true, they'll figure it out quickly and organize search parties of their own. If we do the same, we'll probably bump into each other!" Anyway, it's almost a certainty Blake is here somewhere, and that's a start. Focus on that.
As they walk past the rows of vehicles, Yang reaches into the pocket of her coat, and fingers the yellow and black keys she found inside upon her arrival, and looks at the way Sephiroth is staring at them. "So...you found yours, yet?" She asks. That's the other weird thing.
"The car your keys unlock."
not without a three-way scene! maybe when the game opens!!
He knew better than to expect his own to turn up. The odds were astronomically against it, they were on different parts of the continent a couple hours ago. "..We also lack the technology, and I only know of one spell that could have." Sephiroth's still looking for signs of the cat-eared girl, but she's not currently present. "And it's.. rather visually different, we would have noticed the swirling blue hole."
Portal is distinctive. And obnoxious.
If her friend is IN one of these vehicles it's going to make the search so much harder. "...No." He's been ignoring that little feeling of 'go look for your car', he didn't recognize the impulse and thus it was suspicious. "..I assume you have? Did it start?"
that's hot
Sephiroth might not think there's any point in looking for his comrades, but Yang is game to try.
"Yeah, I don't remember any blue holes." Actually, she doesn't remember...anything. No holes, vortexes, sudden mists rolling in, electrical storms, or anything. One second she was riding Bumblebee through the snowy woods towards Argus, towing the cart carrying everyone behind her, and the next she was suddenly tumbling through darkness and on the floor of the garage. "It's weird how it just kinda...happened, you know? Like I kinda just tripped and fell through the world." Like that story her mom read to her and Ruby as kids. Except this definitely doesn't seem like the Ever-After. Alyx didn't run into many gas stations after her fall.
Yang's also been feeling it, but she's pushed it aside. But she does pull the yellow and black keys out, and holds out her hand so Sephiroth can see them in her palm. "No, not yet. But if it's anything like these, I should look for yellow and black." Yellow and black...a personal touch, considering yellow is her favourite colour.
"Finding my friends is more important, anyway. I'll look later. But it's weird, right?" Cars. Why cars?