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memestertrucks2025-11-08 08:19 pm
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-11-08 08:19 pm
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NOVEMBER TDM
A chilling mist and storms cling to the surrounding area. The cold and the wet pierces even the garage, making for a poor welcome. This time around the garage and gas station lurks amidst multiple farms, and a fall colored forest. The seasons have decisively shifted. And the environment is doing its best to shift the new arrivals in turn.
01: SUMMONING CIRCLE
New Drifters arrive to gloomy skies seen through the broken windows of a garage… And a large barn house looming overhead. Rain echoes on the roof, along with the occasional rumble of thunder. When it isn’t raining outside, there’s a damp and chill mist that lingers over the farmlands.
It makes the large Convoy pulling up to stop at that garage seem that much more tall and imposing: though it’s also clear the Convoy has seen some wear and tear, metal scuffed and a few gashes and dents in the cars.
The summoning circle in the garage is lined with candles that can be used to ward off some of the mist and the chill, but it’s advised to find more stable shelter in cars or in the barn. The roof of the garage leaks. And wet, cold concrete isn’t very comfortable for very long.
It makes the large Convoy pulling up to stop at that garage seem that much more tall and imposing: though it’s also clear the Convoy has seen some wear and tear, metal scuffed and a few gashes and dents in the cars.
The summoning circle in the garage is lined with candles that can be used to ward off some of the mist and the chill, but it’s advised to find more stable shelter in cars or in the barn. The roof of the garage leaks. And wet, cold concrete isn’t very comfortable for very long.
02: START UP
There are various cars surrounding the garage. Some of them parked directly outside, though a few of them are parked in various farm fields and vegetable patches. Drifters are advised to watch out for hostile farm life and produce (such as exploding pumpkins) if their ride is out in the farm patch.
There’s also 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 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.
There’s also 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 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: FARM HOSTILITIES
The farm isn’t always the friendliest place; the assorted livestock are all monstrous, and ready to fight any Drifter that looks at them funny. Cockatrices, bull gorgons, bullfango, and bicorns are all present and grumpy.
In addition, Drifters should look out for scarecrows in the farm patches. Their eyes glow with an eerie light, and anyone who meets their gaze will find their fears manifesting. At first the fears last for only a blink, and appear to be hallucinations. The longer any Drifters stay under the scarecrow’s gaze, the more their fears become real and dangerous.
Leaving the gaze of the scarecrows (or destroying them) can end the effect. Though any lingering trauma and bloodshed will need different solutions.
In addition, Drifters should look out for scarecrows in the farm patches. Their eyes glow with an eerie light, and anyone who meets their gaze will find their fears manifesting. At first the fears last for only a blink, and appear to be hallucinations. The longer any Drifters stay under the scarecrow’s gaze, the more their fears become real and dangerous.
Leaving the gaze of the scarecrows (or destroying them) can end the effect. Though any lingering trauma and bloodshed will need different solutions.
04: MOON WARP
Various glowing moon shards have taken root across different farm fields. Thanks to them, there’s more than just produce and livestock growing on the farm. Magic has sunk into the buildings and the soil, and is ready to work on the Drifters in turn.
The scarecrows take on a more sinister glow some nights, pulsing violently with light before exploding; moon shards lay dormant in many of them, before activating one night and forcing changes in Drifters. Along with activating other monster traits, two event monsters are available:
The scarecrows take on a more sinister glow some nights, pulsing violently with light before exploding; moon shards lay dormant in many of them, before activating one night and forcing changes in Drifters. Along with activating other monster traits, two event monsters are available:
04: MONSTER SHIFT, KITSUNE
A fox monster possessing multiple tails. They may take the form of Kitsune, Gumiho, or Huli Jin. They may feature a full or partial vulpine transformation, and with all Kitsune traits also have:
+Trickster Curse: Anyone who steals from farms or acts with trickery/deception risks activating traits.
+Liver Eater: Begins to feel a clawing hunger that can only be satisfied by the liver from prey. The fresher, the better. Husk monsters can fulfill this craving!
+Fox Fire: can generate phantasmal fire either at will or while emotional. These fires cannot burn, unless willed to do so… Or if one’s emotions grow out of hand.
+Fox Fright: If fear or anxiety becomes too great, may become a fox (either small or giant!) in an attempt to flee and hide.
+Tails To Tell: Growing extra tails, up to nine. This may interfere with balance, or even reach out to brush against other people like they have a mind of their own.
+Thief Feet: Gains a talent for moving quietly and stealthily, even able to hide from the farm monsters and the scarecrows.
+Favored Prey: gains an appetite and a ferocity for cockatrices.
+Trickster Curse: Anyone who steals from farms or acts with trickery/deception risks activating traits.
+Liver Eater: Begins to feel a clawing hunger that can only be satisfied by the liver from prey. The fresher, the better. Husk monsters can fulfill this craving!
+Fox Fire: can generate phantasmal fire either at will or while emotional. These fires cannot burn, unless willed to do so… Or if one’s emotions grow out of hand.
+Fox Fright: If fear or anxiety becomes too great, may become a fox (either small or giant!) in an attempt to flee and hide.
+Tails To Tell: Growing extra tails, up to nine. This may interfere with balance, or even reach out to brush against other people like they have a mind of their own.
+Thief Feet: Gains a talent for moving quietly and stealthily, even able to hide from the farm monsters and the scarecrows.
+Favored Prey: gains an appetite and a ferocity for cockatrices.
04: MONSTER SHIFT, TAURUS
Hoofed monsters who can appear as minotaurs, satyrs, and centaurs. In addition to having Taurus traits the following also occurs:
+Red Flag: several of the scarecrows carry red rags on them, which flap in the breeze… And have a way of inflaming Taurus tempers, prompting them to charge. On impact, the red fabric shreds but tries to put off one more pulse of fear.
+Eat Your Veggies: on top of a craving for vegetable, Taurus can also heal their wounds or restore their stamina when eating vegetables from these gardens!
+Horn Sharpening: when horns grow in, they can itch and ache on a Drifter’s head. Rubbing and sharpening them against hard surfaces is the best way to dull the discomfort.
+Safety In Numbers: There is a sudden pressing need for Taurus to stay close to others; being alone causes anxiety and irritability.
+Raging Bull: Threats to a Taurus’ herd invokes anger and aggression from a Taurus, and they will do whatever it takes to crush said threat.
+Digging In: Drifters should take care with their steps. Pressing their feet too hard into the ground can cause a small quake… or even compel them to charge someone, if they make eye contact for too long.
+Stir Crazy: going indoors for longer than a minute causes restlessness and agitation in a Taurus, and a pressing need to get back outside.
+Red Flag: several of the scarecrows carry red rags on them, which flap in the breeze… And have a way of inflaming Taurus tempers, prompting them to charge. On impact, the red fabric shreds but tries to put off one more pulse of fear.
+Eat Your Veggies: on top of a craving for vegetable, Taurus can also heal their wounds or restore their stamina when eating vegetables from these gardens!
+Horn Sharpening: when horns grow in, they can itch and ache on a Drifter’s head. Rubbing and sharpening them against hard surfaces is the best way to dull the discomfort.
+Safety In Numbers: There is a sudden pressing need for Taurus to stay close to others; being alone causes anxiety and irritability.
+Raging Bull: Threats to a Taurus’ herd invokes anger and aggression from a Taurus, and they will do whatever it takes to crush said threat.
+Digging In: Drifters should take care with their steps. Pressing their feet too hard into the ground can cause a small quake… or even compel them to charge someone, if they make eye contact for too long.
+Stir Crazy: going indoors for longer than a minute causes restlessness and agitation in a Taurus, and a pressing need to get back outside.
05: HUNTERS
Time passes, and a fog rolls into the farm lands. It obscures much of the surroundings, but one thing does shine through the gloom; red, electric lights that look suspiciously like eyes. A metallic growl echoes through the farm fields, before robot canine shapes step out of the fog. A few of them carry speakers mounted to their shoulders, and a voice echoes out from them:
“All chromehounds, set commands to seek and destroy. Any infected you find, you eliminate. Keep Nirvana safe from their taint at all costs. Now hunt.”
At those orders, the chromehounds spring out and begin to course through the farmlands, hunting for prey. A single chromehound can be handled by a Drifter on their own, but the danger is how often they hunt in pairs or in packs; in that case, a Drifter will need help to either fight or flee from them.
Those in the midst of Kitsune or Taurus changes will also need to deal with a howl the hounds send out; it is pitched at a fight or flight frequency designed to distress monsters. Either by causing intense bouts of fear, or near blinding rage. The intent is to flush any Kitsune and Taurus out of hiding and into the jaws of waiting chomehounds… Though hounds don’t account for monsters also having pack.
“All chromehounds, set commands to seek and destroy. Any infected you find, you eliminate. Keep Nirvana safe from their taint at all costs. Now hunt.”
At those orders, the chromehounds spring out and begin to course through the farmlands, hunting for prey. A single chromehound can be handled by a Drifter on their own, but the danger is how often they hunt in pairs or in packs; in that case, a Drifter will need help to either fight or flee from them.
Those in the midst of Kitsune or Taurus changes will also need to deal with a howl the hounds send out; it is pitched at a fight or flight frequency designed to distress monsters. Either by causing intense bouts of fear, or near blinding rage. The intent is to flush any Kitsune and Taurus out of hiding and into the jaws of waiting chomehounds… Though hounds don’t account for monsters also having pack.
06: CUCCO WARNING
There's one more oddity at the farm; one that isn't immediately hostile to newcomers, though it does regard them with curiosity. It takes the form of a rather innocent (and slightly vapid looking) chicken. Many of them roam the farmstead, trying to avoid any conflict.
A few of them even gather around an abandoned pie eating booth and peck at the remarkably well preserved pies. They might even be willing to share. (And the pies themselves are still edible and tasty, somehow.)
But this good will and tolerance can swiftly come to an end if they are attacked. If agitated, the cuccos can summon more of themselves to swarm the threat, causing plenty of pecks, scratches, and assorted injuries. There's even a ruined scarecrow laying nearby, torn to death by little beaks to show how dangerous they can be.
They also don't take kindly to threats from other denizens of the farm; the robot dogs, scarecrows, and some of the angrier farm life can quickly learn that the hard way!
A few of them even gather around an abandoned pie eating booth and peck at the remarkably well preserved pies. They might even be willing to share. (And the pies themselves are still edible and tasty, somehow.)
But this good will and tolerance can swiftly come to an end if they are attacked. If agitated, the cuccos can summon more of themselves to swarm the threat, causing plenty of pecks, scratches, and assorted injuries. There's even a ruined scarecrow laying nearby, torn to death by little beaks to show how dangerous they can be.
They also don't take kindly to threats from other denizens of the farm; the robot dogs, scarecrows, and some of the angrier farm life can quickly learn that the hard way!
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.
Snow Warning: Mountains rise above both farmlands and forest, and it seems clear that the road leads on towards them. It might be wise to plunder the nearby garage and farmhouses for any winter wear, before going further.
Food Forage: The local fields hold supplies… Some of them unconventional thanks to the Moon Warps. It’s probably best not to ask why corndogs are growing on corn stalks, but they’re still edible enough.
Misty Step: Sometimes the gloom and mist can do strange things to one’s perception, and stride. Walking into the mist can easily tun a Drifter around and place them in a spot they weren’t intending to go: whether that’s back in the garage, in the middle of the approaching Convoy, the middle of a field, or maybe somewhere else entirely!
Holy Cow-Car, Batman: One last quirk of the region, is that occasionally the vehicles here (including Drifter vehicles) seem to have a mind of their own. And that mind is similar to a cow. The vehicles can be found wandering in fenced off grassy areas, flattening grass to a degree where it appears to be eaten.
The vehicles are at least fairly docile, and once they are removed from the fencing revert to being normal cars/motorcycles/etc. But until then, they retain that odd quirk.
no subject
"So nobody knows at all? Why did they bring me here? Does anybody know that?"
He perks up when he gets told that the stranger knows his brothers. The look of surprise and relief are very obvious.
"You do?! You will?! Ohmigosh, thank you!" He takes the offered hand, easily, even managing to smile. "Nice to meet you! W-Well... I mean... except for the whole 'got kidnapped to do it' part... but that's not your fault." He swallows.
"Are my bros okay at least?"
no subject
"No, no one knows. It's also unclear why we," and he's using the royal we, "were specifically chosen to be brought here. Although in your case, I imagine it may have something to do with your brothers being here already."
People from the same worlds seem to be drawn here in groups, and Edward is still quietly hopeful that someone from his own world may show up.
"A pleasure to meet you as well. I'm assuming you go by Michael or Mike rather than Michelangelo?"
As for the other turtles, Edward offers Mikey a faint smile. "I know they'll be delighted to see you."
Which isn't really an answer, but the truth is too complicated.
no subject
'Kinda' is an understatement but Mikey is determined to put on as brave a face as he can manage, like he always does. He brightens again and nods.
"Both of those! And Mikey, if you wanna. I answer to all of them." he says, "How about you? Is it always Edward or do you shorten it?"
Oh, Mikey knows that's a dodge. He knows those all too well cause his bros try to do it all the time. His jaw sets a little and his eyes sharpen even as the worry rolls through him.
"They prolly will be but are they okay?"
no subject
Edward nods in response, storing away the various acceptable nicknames. He appreciates that Mikey asks him what he prefers, and smiles at him. "Edward, if you don't mind, although I have been known to respond to various iterations of it that somehow feature the word 'spider'."
Mikey can guess which of his brothers does that.
And okay, the kid is sharper than his size and youthful enthusiasm would indicate. Edward pauses for a moment, then gestures at his spider body. "I'm aware that, in your world, people who look like myself aren't an anomaly. In the world I'm from, they are." A pause to let that sink in. "One of the things this world does is change people. It's turned me into half a spider. None of your brothers are spiders, but they've had changes of their own."
He holds up his hands, palm out. "None of them are, to my knowledge, hurt at the moment. The mental burden of the changes, though, can be... difficult."
no subject
When Edward goes on to answer his question better, Mikey's brows lift and his eyes widen. He looks the spider over again, swiftly, before looking worried.
"You were just a human guy when you got here, then? And weird stuff's been happening?!" he asks, sounding as worried as he looks. Oh... oh no. Not currently hurt but changed. The worry in Mikey spikes up really hard.
"Oh no, ohmigosh, Donnie hates changes! Especially ones he's not ready for! He's probably on the verge of a meltdown if he hasn't had one already!" He's clearly used to this kind of thing from the genius. But then he has to pause and blink.
"If they're not changed into spiders, too, then what's happening to them?" he asks, warily.
I'm sorry, I lost the notif for this!
Edward has to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling at what Mikey says about Donnie. He has certainly noticed those tendencies in the other turtle brother, but it's amusing how well his brother knows him and how baldly he states everything. Out of the mouths of babes...
He shakes his head, not without some regret, at Mikey's question. "I apologise, but I believe it would be better for them to tell you themselves. Just know that they aren't so far changed that they won't be immediately recognisable as your brothers." He smiles faintly. "They're still turtles. Just... turtles with some new features."
no subject
The answer he gets about his brothers is really worrying, if also understandable. The little turtle swallows at it and then nods.
"O-Okay, that makes sense, yeah." he frowns, though. "I hope it hasn't made doing sciency stuff hard for Donnie... that's how he relaxes when he's stressed out over stuff!" He huffs a bit.
"How much has Leo been making jokes?" he asks, "Cause if it's been a lot then he's probably not okay, either."
no subject
As for Mikey's other concerns, Edward has a ready answer for those as well. "I can assure you, Donnie is still very involved in science, and Leo has consistently been making jokes, but he can also be serious when the situation calls for it."
So for all that they've changed, they've also very much stayed the same.
The rain has started to let up, and Edward offers Mikey one of his hands. "Shall we, then? I can take you to them."
no subject
There's even more relief in Mike when Edward tells him that his brothers are still, at least mostly, acting like and able to be themselves. His shoulders actually seem to drop like a weight of tension just let go. He nods, reaching over to take Edward's offered hand with a smile.
"That's great! When things get really bad with Donnie, he starts hiding and doomscrolling rather than doing sciency things. And if Leo's just joking all the time and won't take anything serious at all then he usually needs somebody to turn him into a turtle burrito and sit on him until he gets some sleep."
All said with the air of someone who does the phone snatching to end the doomscrolling and the burrito-ing and sitting. It's very clear that Michelangelo keeps his brother's well being as a very high priority.
no subject
Edward laughs out loud when Mikey describes what he does when Leo needs help, even if he's not quite sure what a burrito is. "That sounds very effective. I'm sure they'll appreciate having you here to look after their well-being again."
no subject
The little turtle grins when he gets Edward to laugh and then he nods.
"Donnie and Leo are totally the best but you gotta keep an eye on them, too. They both like to pretend they're totally okay when they're totally not. And when that happens, you gotta bully them into taking care of themselves. Raph's pretty good at doing that with Donnie but he and Leo just kind of end up fighting a lot over it." he says, frowning lightly, before he smiles again. "But that's okay cause I know how to wrangle 'Neon Leon' pretty good when he needs it! And he usually even listens to me!"
no subject
Edward chuckles at the description of the brothers. "Yes, that... that is very accurate. I've seen it happen here as well."
It's clear Donnie and Leo love each other a lot and would do anything for each other, but they also argue like cats and dogs sometimes. It is what it is.
no subject
He smiles when Edward offers to help him, if he turns into a spider.
"Oh! That'd be great!" he says and then he frowns a little bit, "Though, is there any way to know what kind of thing I might turn into? Is it something I can, like... affect or change or anything like that? Cause turning into a spider is kinda cool! But... I dunno if I'd wanna turn into, like, I dunno... a slug or something..."
what monster did he get?
"I'm afraid not. We all have a monster form, but it seems entirely random as to who gets what." He smiles at Mikey's fears and pats him on the shoulder. "I've not seen any slug monsters, though, so I wouldn't be too afraid of that."