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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
I never said I was okay with it, but it is what it is, and I'd rather be proactive about my circumstances.
[No. Of course he isn't happy about it. His hands curl up into fists, and he draws a slow breath.]
If that means traveling through this desolate world, so be it.
no subject
Well, I don't think we really have a choice anyway. If we stick around here we're going to probably face worse tomorrow night.
I don't know about you, but I plan on sticking with the group. It looks like we've already got the makings of a convoy. I think I even saw a big robot man that I definitely want on my side when things get worse.
no subject
I encountered him earlier, along with some others with a great deal of combat prowess, whether their abilities stemmed from supernatural abilities, or weaponry. So, by all accounts, we are safer as a unit.
I just wonder what consequences will come from placing so many people from differing worlds and backgrounds in the same place.
no subject
[Her explanation of everything was predicated on all of the strange inconsistencies being understood as a part of the program she believed herself to be in. The idea that people came from different places was foreign and strange. So much so that she almost took a turn into a parked vehicle as she looked to Akechi for an explanation.]
no subject
Shit. That abrupt turn makes him wince, teeth clenched, though perhaps he brought it on himself.
Well, might as well get to the point.]
Exactly what it sounds like.
[He pauses.]
I've encountered people from vastly different realities, as well as someone who shares a reality with me, but resides in the past. Between the mutant turtle, the large robot, and the sheer diversity in skills and lived experiences, it's more or less convinced me that the principles of multiverse theory are at least partially true.
[Truthfully, it's not even that absurd after everything else he lived through.]
1/2
[The pupils of her eyes are replaced with white spheres and her field of vision dims. Her driving similarly takes a bit of a dive which is only alleviated by the fact that her foot was off the accelerator, causing the mini car to begin to slow down.]
2/2 tw: mental instability(?)
I mean, that's a bit silly if you think about it. C'mon. Which seems more likely: that the computer game gave them a strange backstory that they believe or that they actually come from different locations across time and space?
OH NO, POOR POMNI...
[He's dabbled a little more recently, sure, but... hmm.
Clearly, he needs to handle this delicately, given that they're in a moving vehicle, with her at the wheel. His fate is, quite literally, in her hands.
So... hm. How to put this.
When he resumes speaking, he does so slowly, lightly. But really, she deserves to know what she's in for, difficult as it is, and far be it from him to entertain delusions of simplicity.]
Prior to my arrival here, I was walking through the Shibuya station en route to an important meeting. The closest thing to virtual reality I experienced was the Metaverse, a parallel, cognitive world accessed via a supernatural app that no longer functions.
That's not to say that your experiences aren't aligned with what you know. I could believe that you were plucked from a simulated world the same way any of us were brought from our previous whereabouts.
She's trying her best and her best is suffering ;w;
[So she'll hold on to the delusion, though her confidence in it is shaky.]
That's just it. It makes sense to me! Which is to mean it makes no sense at all. We were all together in the circus about to go on some adventure, I stepped into the portal, as usual, and wound up here!
So of course it's going to be some sort of Mad Max hell hole where monsters come out and there are people around that can blast them to smithereens! It's how the game is meant to be played! And as soon as we all get together, we'll probably get information of our objective and be expected to go off and do something or suffer the consequences!
[Nice, neat, logical. To a madman. But when your MC is a rogue AI that seems to enjoy having his occupants suffer, this all makes sense to her.]
no subject
[Or a well-meaning fool, at any rate. So there's that commonality. Perhaps that will at least provide... something calming. He certainly can't afford her to have too drastic of a breakdown when she's the driver.]
However, it may become necessary to accept that this is outside any of our comfort zones. Not to say that it will be easy, but the truth can often be quite the bitter pill to swallow.
no subject
[She pauses for a moment, the tension not really going away as the vehicle moves on for a bit in silence.]
no subject
I suppose it'd be more pertinent to make our way to the others, as you said. I can handle assisting in combat, but I hardly expect you to do the same.
no subject
[She hates the feeling, but is also mulling the possibility that Akechi is right and what she is experiencing is reality.]
[It's a sobering thought, and one she can't dismiss readily.]
[Fuck.]
Are... uh... are you injured at all? I did meet a medic earlier... I... huh, I don't think I got his name. But, uh, it might be good to know that we have someone around that can look you over.
...you know, if you need it...
no subject
A little banged up, but nothing too severe. Still, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to at least identify the medic for future reference.
no subject
I lost sight of him after everything happened. I hope he's alright.
You know, if it's all the same to you, I think I'll look around for where everyone spawned in. I think that might be the most likely spot that people would start to group up. Y'know... since we would be familiar with the location and a good number of us would have found our cars.
And, with any luck, we might be able to find that doctor... ah... I think.
no subject
[He looks down at the crowbar on his belt. It worked on some of the weaker monsters, at least, but not so much with those accursed alligators.]
no subject
[Pause.]
That's where we got split up, you see. My keys were dangling off of this weird... tree... with strange metallic people, and by the time we were able to get it down the sun was starting to set.
And that's when things got... bad.
I'm going to take my chances out here, where things aren't overrun.
no subject
[Akechi nods, remembering his own encounters earlier.]
I had done some experimenting prior, and it appears the Husks are like pupae that contain individual monsters. So, I suppose something coaxed them out of their shells...
[Which is inconvenient, obviously. They wouldn't be in this predicament otherwise.]
It almost makes me regret not annihilating them all before they hatched, but with their current numbers, I doubt I would have been able to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.