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memestertrucks2025-09-15 12:18 pm
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-09-15 12:18 pm
Entry tags:
SEPTEMBER TDM
This month, new arrivals will find plenty of sand and rocks strewn over the garage, as well as an oppressive heat. Day or night alike offers little reprieve, and the air is dry and dusty. It will be a task to keep cool, as well as keep control. There’s plenty of threats beyond just the oppressive temperature, and a chaotic, dangerous, landscape to match.
01: SUMMONING CIRCLE
New Drifters arrive with a feeling of stifling heat. The garage has been baking in the sun for most of the day on an exposed mesa, and as the sun goes down it’s only now beginning to cool. Heat stroke and dehydration are both real concerns. There’s water available in the gas station nearby… But it involves crossing a precarious rock arch, exposed to open air. Otherwise, there’s more water in a river further down, but the climb is equally risky and involves scurrying down sheer rock walls. (And dealing with territorial cactaurs at the bottom.)
There is also an oasis off in the distance, but it would be impossible to arrive there on foot. At least for a normal person.
Either way, it’s advised to find some form of hydration, both for the sake of newcomers and for the sake of the Convoy rolling up. With how the heat seems to be beating down on the vehicles, it’s questionable if they have much water to spare.
There is also an oasis off in the distance, but it would be impossible to arrive there on foot. At least for a normal person.
Either way, it’s advised to find some form of hydration, both for the sake of newcomers and for the sake of the Convoy rolling up. With how the heat seems to be beating down on the vehicles, it’s questionable if they have much water to spare.
02: START UP
There are various cars surrounding the garage. (And for a few unfortunates, parked across the rock bridge! Though the rocks should be able to take the weight of the cars. Just don’t look down.) Many of them parked in the shelter of rocks and caves to try and hide from the worst of the heat.
Some of the cars may still need to cool down from the heat, but regardless, there’s a certain connection between different newcomers and cars. Something that suggests a particular vehicle is theirs, backed up by possessing the key to that vehicle. The key to the vehicle may already be in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on their person, ever since they woke up in that garage. Either way, Drifters 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.
Some of the cars may still need to cool down from the heat, but regardless, there’s a certain connection between different newcomers and cars. Something that suggests a particular vehicle is theirs, backed up by possessing the key to that vehicle. The key to the vehicle may already be in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on their person, ever since they woke up in that garage. Either way, Drifters 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.
03: MOON WARP
To complicate things, the moon overhead pulses strangely. Shards of moonstone rain down as night falls over the garage and gas station. And something about these stones warps the surroundings.
A storm begins to brew overhead, with a growl of thunder. The red wasteland rocks surrounding the area begin to reflect sound of the storm, make it sound almost like song… And everyone close to the moon shard stones can feel their bodies begin to warp in turn.
New arrivals affected by the moon shower will find themselves with access to an additional monster form with two variations:
A storm begins to brew overhead, with a growl of thunder. The red wasteland rocks surrounding the area begin to reflect sound of the storm, make it sound almost like song… And everyone close to the moon shard stones can feel their bodies begin to warp in turn.
New arrivals affected by the moon shower will find themselves with access to an additional monster form with two variations:
03: MONSTER SHIFT, SPHINX
This month's monster is the Sphinx, a human-lion hybrid that may also have bird-like wings. It’s up to the player on just how leonine their facial features and bodies are. Alongside all sphinx species traits, the following also happens:
+Fluctuating Voice: voice can easily shift into a growl or a roar if emotions grow heated. This roar can also cause damage if loud enough.
+Clawing Pains: Can grow retractable claws, which may provide intense pain or discomfort. Healing magics can help alleviate this pain... Or sharpening their budding claws on just about anything, including stone.
+Compelled to speak in riddles or outright lying. This makes conveying any information found in the truck stop all the more difficult.
Compelled to guard a either people or a location. This could be beneficial for other Drifters if the Sphinx decides to protect them or the Convoy… But it could also be negative, if a Sphinx decides that they need to guard the garage and gas station, and other Drifters are intruders.
+An obsession with riddles and puzzles. And newly arriving to this place certainly counts as a riddle!
+Ambush Predator: Gains an affinity for stalking amongst the ruins, and using them to advantage when hunting other monsters. Running from or turning one's back on a Sphinx is not advised, lest it trigger the hunting instinct.
+Fluctuating Voice: voice can easily shift into a growl or a roar if emotions grow heated. This roar can also cause damage if loud enough.
+Clawing Pains: Can grow retractable claws, which may provide intense pain or discomfort. Healing magics can help alleviate this pain... Or sharpening their budding claws on just about anything, including stone.
+Compelled to speak in riddles or outright lying. This makes conveying any information found in the truck stop all the more difficult.
Compelled to guard a either people or a location. This could be beneficial for other Drifters if the Sphinx decides to protect them or the Convoy… But it could also be negative, if a Sphinx decides that they need to guard the garage and gas station, and other Drifters are intruders.
+An obsession with riddles and puzzles. And newly arriving to this place certainly counts as a riddle!
+Ambush Predator: Gains an affinity for stalking amongst the ruins, and using them to advantage when hunting other monsters. Running from or turning one's back on a Sphinx is not advised, lest it trigger the hunting instinct.
03: MONSTER SHIFT, MANTICORE
Alongside Sphinx, is the Manticore. A second human-lion hybrid, with rows of razor teeth, batlike wings, and poisonous quills/barbs on their tails. Manticores can access all Sphinx and Drakonis traits, and also gain:
+Voracious Appetite: Need to consume a large amount of meat. Husk monsters are around to feed on, otherwise may be compelled to raid the Convoy for food.
+Truth Compulsion: Manticores gain a loud, almost trumpet quality to their voice, and a need to announce truths instead of riddles. With so many books in the library, there’s lots of truth to announce.
+Guardian Compulsion: like the Sphinx, Manticores can be guards. Generally Manticores tend to be much more territorial, opting for a location and driving all intruders all of it… Or opting for one person and turning savagely protective.
+Instinct Shift: Low control of Protean form, but can subconsciously shift limbs back and forth.
+Toothing Pains: Gains rows of shark-like teeth that can chew through metal. Growing these may result in pain, and pain easily leads to berserk frenzy.
+Poison Sting: While growing the poison quills, the process can be unstable and cause manticores to shoot or shed their spines at inopportune times. The poison is still developing and cannot kill, but can cause paralysis, pain, or hallucinations.
+Voracious Appetite: Need to consume a large amount of meat. Husk monsters are around to feed on, otherwise may be compelled to raid the Convoy for food.
+Truth Compulsion: Manticores gain a loud, almost trumpet quality to their voice, and a need to announce truths instead of riddles. With so many books in the library, there’s lots of truth to announce.
+Guardian Compulsion: like the Sphinx, Manticores can be guards. Generally Manticores tend to be much more territorial, opting for a location and driving all intruders all of it… Or opting for one person and turning savagely protective.
+Instinct Shift: Low control of Protean form, but can subconsciously shift limbs back and forth.
+Toothing Pains: Gains rows of shark-like teeth that can chew through metal. Growing these may result in pain, and pain easily leads to berserk frenzy.
+Poison Sting: While growing the poison quills, the process can be unstable and cause manticores to shoot or shed their spines at inopportune times. The poison is still developing and cannot kill, but can cause paralysis, pain, or hallucinations.
04: TRUCK STOP ARCHIVES
One oddity with the truck stop this time around is just how many books are on the shelves. They hold information on the monsters here: both tales and legends, but also how to go about hunting them. There is also a section of maps, most of them worn out and illegible… But a few of them carry notes hastily scrawled into them about a place called “Nirvana.”
The following information can be gained from a quick scan:
+“Got to stay on the road. Nirvana is supposed to be a paradise.”
+“Somehow after everything we went through, it’s still standing. Still telling us to seek shelter there.”
+“It’ll take months to reach it. Doesn’t matter. Keep going. It’s the only city we have left.”
+“Crossroads Of Fate. Heard someone say it once.”
+”Only way we can make a home. Or make it home.”
+“Sits on leylines. They say that’s how the moonshards keep missing. Somehow warps time and space around it. Wonder what else it can warp.”
The following information can be gained from a quick scan:
+“Got to stay on the road. Nirvana is supposed to be a paradise.”
+“Somehow after everything we went through, it’s still standing. Still telling us to seek shelter there.”
+“It’ll take months to reach it. Doesn’t matter. Keep going. It’s the only city we have left.”
+“Crossroads Of Fate. Heard someone say it once.”
+”Only way we can make a home. Or make it home.”
+“Sits on leylines. They say that’s how the moonshards keep missing. Somehow warps time and space around it. Wonder what else it can warp.”
05: HUSK MONSTERS
There are several metallic forms around the garage and the truck stop; whenever night falls (or moonshards fall) they burst open, becoming prey for afflicted newcomers… Or threats.
First are gaunt things called Chasers that look like a cross between a human and a horse, and can easily run down newcomers on foot or in cars. The moon warp also makes something in their backs glow, before generating streams of razor wind.
Second are strange bulky armadillo like creatures. Far slower than the Chasers, these monsters prefer to roll into a ball for any form of speed and crush their quarry with their bulk. Once crippled, they tear at targets with sharp digging claws. They are often encountered with mutated moles who dig through stone like earth.
Last are the hulking chimeras shot through with poison and bad tempers, ready to pounce and tackle into prey to inject their toxins.
First are gaunt things called Chasers that look like a cross between a human and a horse, and can easily run down newcomers on foot or in cars. The moon warp also makes something in their backs glow, before generating streams of razor wind.
Second are strange bulky armadillo like creatures. Far slower than the Chasers, these monsters prefer to roll into a ball for any form of speed and crush their quarry with their bulk. Once crippled, they tear at targets with sharp digging claws. They are often encountered with mutated moles who dig through stone like earth.
Last are the hulking chimeras shot through with poison and bad tempers, ready to pounce and tackle into prey to inject their toxins.
06: CACTUARS!
Those who wander a little further from the gas station find that the landscape gets more hostile; hotter, sharp edged rocks, steep rocks... And Cactuars. These odd creatures resemble 2-3 foot high cactuses, do an odd little dance, and shoot needles at anyone who gets too close. These needles hurt a lot, but tougher vehicles (and extremely sturdy rocks) can offer protection. They are also agile creatures who require heavy fire power to bring down.
...And rather worryingly, Cactuars CAN be eaten. They resemble a vegetable or a fruit with a lot of water packed into them, or green tofu. They are disconcertingly tasty. But anyone who does eat them is suddenly, physically compelled to do the Cactuar Pose. This lasts for 30 seconds, and activates AGAIN if a Drifter eats more Cactuar. And some well meaning person has stocked the entire Convoy with Cactuar supplies, to add to the confusion: please exercise caution with eating anything green.
...And rather worryingly, Cactuars CAN be eaten. They resemble a vegetable or a fruit with a lot of water packed into them, or green tofu. They are disconcertingly tasty. But anyone who does eat them is suddenly, physically compelled to do the Cactuar Pose. This lasts for 30 seconds, and activates AGAIN if a Drifter eats more Cactuar. And some well meaning person has stocked the entire Convoy with Cactuar supplies, to add to the confusion: please exercise caution with eating anything green.
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.
Open Sky: The garage and gas station are perched on top of a mesa, with a truly massive sky stretched out overhead. Agoraphobiacs beware. Those with monster forms associated with the open sky (harpies, sphinx, wind elementals, dragons, etc) may find the open sky far more enticing than before. Just be careful when crossing the narrow rock bridges, as there’s a long drop below.
Red Hot Red Rocks: Portions of the mesa react to the heat a little too well. There are patches of rocks that can instantly burn any skin that makes contact; some of those patches are between a Drifter and their vehicle, or the convoy, or the gas station! It will be a task to either cool those patches down, or avoid them.
Vegetation: It’s sparse in the badlands, but a few plants are noticeable. First are the tumbleweeds, dried out and rolling along. These ones have sharp edges, and seem to multiply if they hit a solid object at speed. And are very flammable. There’s also a few cactus like plants; some of them even have drinkable water that won’t poison anyone! They are signified by blue fruit growing on them. And the fact that they shoot their spines at anything that gets too close.
no subject
Anyone answering to the scenarios you offered are giving just that. Guesswork.
I lean toward being here as myself, that's all. Besides, if there's another 'me', it doesn't change anything I'm going through right now.
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[ He's probably a stick in the mud that believes it's not fun to think one's way into an existential crisis about his identity in the middle of a survival situation. Boo. ]
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I guess I'll have to do the thinking for the both of us.
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I'll tell you if I find anything.
[ That may be in jest but he may also just toss relevant info her way if he happens to trip over it. ]
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[And she means that! Enough that she'll remember his username and probably follow up sometime.]
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He's also fairly easy to find on a daily basis in person, barring extenuating circumstances. Just find the gun shop with the creepy guy in red and black. It'll be fine. ]
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Do you run on the barter system?
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-Don't bother me during non-business hours unless it's an emergency.
Ammo and repairs are emergencies.
Securing salvaged firearms and ammo are emergencies.
Wanting a gun or lessons are not.
-No one is entitled to have a firearm.
-Ammo is limited. Don't waste it.
-You're required to prove proficiency and responsibility.
-Clean and maintain your own weapon.
-You may ask to be taught.
-Privilege may be revoked.
The shop hours are described as, 'From thirty minutes after the Convoy's stop for evening camp until two hours have passed barring emergencies.'
In person, and also this month, he seems to have gained some loosely leonine features. And a tail looks like it has some nasty spikes. Manticore... core. But currently, he looks more or less human, albeit one with a taste for mysterious cloaks and guns.
Root is given a steady look. ]
Depends on the circumstances.
[ He raises his left arm with a sharp gesture that flips back the front mantle of his cloak. Oh, the drama. The claw tip of the metal gauntlet points at the sign. ]
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[This guy is harder to read than most: not impossible, she thinks, but still someone who's going to merit more than a split-second cold read. He could turn out to be an arrogant, power-trippy pain in her ass. He could be devoid of social skills. But she supposes she can leave herself open to the possibility that he's just taciturn.]
I don't need ammunition yet, but can I prove my proficiency ahead of time and save myself the trouble when I do?
[She pulls one of her handguns out of her jacket, holding it up for him to see.]
no subject
[ Taciturn and perhaps devoid of social skills is what it might be leaning toward. He shows no signs of dismissing Root or surprise when she draws out her firearm.
He'd been somewhat settled back but now that there's a weapon in play, he straightens up. His right hand- the normal gloved one- reaches out to tap a finger on the counter. There's already a mat there for the purpose he has in mind. ]
Have a kit for maintenance? Or need one?
[ Not everyone's lucky enough to be carrying one around when they get suddenly summoned to a monster infested apocalypse. ]
no subject
[She affects a chagrined smile as she sets down the gun. It's well put together, well-maintained, and just a few years old: clearly the product of a well-supplied, nominally-functional world rather than a post-apocalyptic hellscape.]
no subject
[ The gunman studies the gun with interest. It is familiar to him on a design level, but the maker and model would be drastically different. Indeed, there's a gun holstered by his right thigh that is almost identical in appearance to a Colt Python revolver. True differences, like materia slots, are probably obscured by the leather. But similar to Root's weapon, it doesn't show signs of having survived decades of an apocalypse.
The same cannot be said for the small amount of display stock. Though it is the best it can be restored to and will prove to work well, it's definitely seen better days. Root will have time to look around while Vincent turns long enough to a small chest. He pulls out cleaning tools; suitable picks, brushes and pieces of cloth. A bottle of oil and one of cleaning solution. This limited amount of items are set near the mat. ]
Start with disassembling and cleaning.
[ Of course it's a request that is testing Root. Just because someone has a gun doesn't mean they know what to do. He'll be watching keenly, just as he'd watched how she pulled out and handled the gun when placing it down on the mat. And watching for signs of poor maintenance practices. ]
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But being a doe-eyed woman is useful in its own way, and it's not a persona she wants to give up quite yet - at least not until she has a better measure of this guy. And if he is condescending to her because of what she looks like, then surely she'll get a chance to use that someday: to manipulate him, or to punish him. Whatever feels right in the moment.
There's no sign of resentment in the sunny smile she gives him as she does as requested: carefully, but with practiced ease. No mistakes. No fumbling. No shortcuts.]
I'm impressed with the dedication to public safety.
[She says, because the person she's pretending to be genuinely would be.]
If only all the gunshops in New York were run by people like you. What's your name?
no subject
Vincent's just keen on certain things. ]
I don't want to get shot by an untrained idiot.
[ Certain things. The man's watching for a lot more than just the basics. The fluidity of motions, the familiarity with handling the gun. Just being able to clean the weapon and maintain it is a baby step.
And the fluidity and speed of a routine she could do with a blindfold on says she's not just a casual user. ]
Vincent Valentine. What's New York?
[ He won't be asking for the cleaning tools back. She'll need those. He was also able to observe the caliber needed during the maintenance. ]
Supply for ammo is limited. But I have what you'll need when it's time.
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[It's technically possible that someone could be from Earth but never have heard of New York - there are uncontacted tribes in the Amazon, after all! But it's such a vanishingly unlikely possibility that she doesn't bother to give it much thought.
She doesn't hold out a hand for a handshake - she's still busy with the gun, after all - but she does give him a warm, professional smile.]
I'm Detective Ginsburg. Or, well-- I should introduce myself as Alice here, shouldn't I? I'm not exactly acting in police capacity.
no subject
[ He should have expected as much by context. That being said, Vincent seems to lose interest. It probably does clarify to him that they're probably from different worlds. Relatively.
The convenience of having having maybe two or three places you could call a city across three significant continents. ]
Depends on what you want to be called.
[ He doesn't return the smile or the warmth per se, but his polite nod seems sincere enough on its own. A lack of handshake might be considered a relief. ]
I don't usually barter. I take in firearms, ammo, and weapons people are willing to hand over from salvage and battles as we travel. Fix what I can. Top off kits.
[ There isn't much more he can do if people put their mind to it. Except try to confiscate a weapon if the person really is misusing it. Fortunately, most Drifters seem to know what they're doing or at least take things seriously when it comes to learning. ]
Any more questions?
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No questions.
[She says, as she slots her gun back together.]
But that's kind of you, to offer up your services without the promise of a one-to-one exchange. Has anyone taken advantage? As communal as this place seems, I'm guessing you're not all best buddies.
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Haven't talked to everyone. But so far people seem to be willing to cooperate. Share resources. I don't expect undying bonds of friendship. Even this, you can consider self-interest.
[ That whole not getting shot in the back thing. But his sign's words 'no one is entitled' probably already suggest his last words on the matter. ]
And I'm not obligated to supply anyone.
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[Her smile isn't friendly, but the unfriendliness isn't directed at him.]
Are you the only gig in town? Have we developed capitalism yet?
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Only one willing to put up hours.
[ He glances at the door momentarily. ]
'Right of salvage' is the economy. I might have to shoot anyone that introduces gil.
[ He's probably joking. ]
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[She lets the barest hint of her natural snark shine through here. Not too much, but there's no reason Alice Ginsburg of the NYPD can't have a little bite to her.]
You should keep an eye out. Political and social systems are contagious.