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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.
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He smirks. Looks like he and Kavinsky are going to get along juuuuust fine with that similar mentality. "Definitely. We're all just trying to live here. It's not anyone's fault with what's going on with the moon and junk."
"You race a lot back home?"
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He had questions he didn't want to ask, things he would just hold onto for now. The answers might make themselves obvious to him sooner rather than later, considering the things he did know. If everyone here was going through changes, he doubted he'd be left wondering for long, about when his own were going to start. "Yup." All he'd ever been doing was trying to live; some things never changed, in comparison.
"Every chance I get," he confirmed. "That's how my boys and I spend a lot of time, when there's not parties." Or whatever other things they got up to while they kept themselves entertained.
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"It's kind of a lot," he answers, knowing full well that it is. "Nobody's going to be surprised by it. Or if you have questions. Hell, I still have questions sometimes and I've been here fer a bit."
"Man, I'm sure you could probably convince some people to take a break to do that once and awhile. Well, if the road layout lets ya and everything. Sometimes we're traveling through some pretty rough terrain."
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But he appreciated that people wouldn't mind, in theory anyway, if he had questions. He just didn't know what he really wanted the answers to right now. ...He was also wondering if he could smuggle one of these chickens with him or if it'd throw a fit at being separated from the others. Or if the others would throw a fit. It might be more risk than it was worth.
"What kind of rough terrain? If the road's wide enough-" and he really hoped there was a road everywhere, or else he might have to reconsider some things, himself "-it should be decent enough." Unless there were cliffs involved or something.
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Raph gives another chicken a scritch, smiling as they cluck and keep milling about like the fluffy birds they are. It'd be nice to have a pet again, but he isn't about to disrupt a flock. He knows bird flocks are important to their own safety.
"Well, we just went through this desert area earlier--some of the paths were flanked by cliff faces--and there was the living city that like, had the weird skyscraper monster... sooooo... not ideal when you're running for your life."
fr I need the laugh every time I'm reminded of wet pies
"Okay, yeah, cliff faces make it not worth it unless someone's got a death wish." But even he would think twice about cliffs. A living city though, with a skyscraper monster... that made him imagine a skyscraper with legs--and arms, grabbing everything it could get its hands on to eat it.
"What fucked up fever dream did a skyscraper monster escape from?" It was a rhetorical question, but the one he followed it up with wasn't. "Was every building a monster or just one of them?"
if it makes people laugh I will drive a joke into the ground
"There's bound to be SOMEplace we'll come across where you might be able to race though. I know a few peeps in the convoy who would probably enjoy it."
A shrug. "Man, I don't even KNOW - it was terrifying. Just like, morphed right out of the side of a building and was trying to eat people. It was like the tallest building in that city, but there were plenty of other monsters wandering around so it was definitely dodgems time."
I've laughed every time, so I genuinely appreciate that
"Yeah? Good, good." At least he had the possibility of some races to look forward to.
A monster coming out of the side of a building did sound pretty terrifying. Kavinsky hadn't even dealt with anything quite at that level in his worst dreams. His were different kinds of horrors, usually. Quieter, more insidious. "Sounds like a whole bunch of nightmare fuel there. Glad I missed all that. People make it out of that alright?"
I live to make people laugh so I'm glad to hear :D
"Oh yeah. I'd offer to do it but my bike's not set up for speed. Leo might jump at it though - I think his bike is faster and he'd probably enjoy it."
Though he nods at the question. "From what I know, yes. I basically joined the pack during that adventure, so I only heard smatterings of it from the others. Still, not exactly something you were expecting to happen in the middle of a city."
<3
"It's more the small town mentality," he added, shrugging a shoulder.
Mmmm, not being set up for speed in a place like this probably made sense. There were other things that were important to. That said- "I've never raced anyone with a motorcycle before; never really saw any in town." And before he'd moved, he'd been too young to drive. "So I can't say I wouldn't be curious about how that'd shake out." He was very curious.
"Good to hear. And yeah, no, that's the last kind of thing I'd expect to see in the middle of a city." But it would be the kind of thing he'd expect people to be stopping and taking pictures of if it happened back home. Because people.
no subject
"So you adjusted, huh? M'sure there was something good about it, even if it's out in farm country."
Another laugh. "If my buddy Casey were here, he'd be all over racing since he worked on the one car when we were out in farm country. Helped him with it some. Bikes have different levels of handling though so I don't know if it'd shake out the same way you might like."
"Yeah, apparently it like, activated when the moon got nuts for that pit stop. That happens a lot - people are going to mention that too. M'still getting a handle on it but the moon's like, the reason why things go sideways for us here. The convoy's got protections but sometimes you gotta deal with things ya don't wanna."
no subject
"I guess, yeah. Met my boys there, and they're the best friends I could've ever asked for." And, if he'd have felt inclined to add, farm land was good when...the animals were close to the fences by the road. Which reminded him, all the same, of his desire to try smuggling one or two or three of these chickens with him. He wouldn't have any place for them right away, but he could work on that.
"Your friend sounds like someone I'd like. And you know, I've raced enough that it's not always about winning. Racing for the sake of it is just as fun." And he'd lost enough times to Ronan, though he had reasons for that.
The moon sounded like it had a mind of its own, and maybe it did, for all Kavinsky knew. "Got a lotta practice dealing with things I don't want to, so it's whatever." A pause, while he considered things. "Any idea if the moon bullshit follows the cycle? Like when it's a full moon and all that?"
no subject
"Case is a good egg; he'd be thrilled to race people and smash monster heads in if he were here." He doesn't mention that it might be because Casey is a smidge nuts. The good kind, but that's Casey for you.
"I think it does correlate with the full moon, yeah. Been trying to track it with a couple of the convoy crew to kind of prepare for the weird stuff that happens, but it's not always the same time frame. I figure it's just the fact that it's all weird stuff here."
no subject
"Definitely sounds like I'd like him," Kavinsky said. That description could be applied to any of his boys, too, though they'd be much more wary about monsters at first.
Hm. The moon bullshit potentially matching up with full moons was an interesting idea. Maybe just because he liked astronomy. Maybe not. "Not always the same time frame in what way?" Full moons didn't happen the same time every month, but if it varied from those times, too, then. Hm, again.
no subject
"I bet you two would get along like a house on fire." It's fond though. He misses his friend.
The moon magic stuff was complicated and he did his best to try and help with figuring things out. Even if he wasn't the best at it, he did alright with it, but focused more on helping out the crew. "Not always. You'd think it'd follow the cycle where it ebbs and flows, but sometimes it just...happens. Which makes it even more complicated. It drives us nuts trying to piece it all together."
no subject
That was a good phrase to use, in Kavinsky's opinion, and he grinned. "I do like fire." He also knew what it was like to miss friends.
Huh. "Well, it is some kind of fucked up magic moon." So who knew exactly what caused its patterns. Or maybe it was glitchy, so its patterns were interrupted. He'd be interested in lending a hand to trying to figure it out, sometime.
no subject
Another chuckle. "Maybe you'll get fire powers here if you like it."
"It really is. It's frustrating but...well you just gotta make do with what you can. The convoy crew's kind of this gaggle of misfits from all sorts of worlds, but dying ain't on the docket, so we do what we can."
no subject
Arching an eyebrow, he looked up as he gently ran his fingers along counter chicken's back, not interrupting it as it pecked at the pie crust. "Is that legit a possibility? Because yeah, I'd be into that."
A gaggle of misfits. "That almost makes it sound like I'll fit in." He'd never fit in, not really, but the idea of it was nice.
no subject
But he nods, gesturing to the black sclera and his much brighter than normal eyes. "These? Not actually my stunning good looks, but something I acquired here. Everyone changes in some way. The moon stuff, like I said, so yeah, you could potentially get some sort of powers. Wish I could tell you what but it seems to be different for everyone."
"Ya probably will, man. Just gotta give it a shot."
no subject
He might have been dodging asking these kinds of things before, but now that the subject had come up directly, he wasn't going to not ask.
"And what are the... options, for powers and shit here? The changes and all that?" There was probably a more eloquent way to word it, but that wasn't one of his strong suits. Not unless someone needed some very creative swears.
"I always give it a shot," he added with a grin. And he was absolutely not going to bother saying anything about how many of those times ended in failure.
no subject
He explains what he can though. "One of my crew, Donnie? Another turtle like me, but he's like... part bird-harpy thing. Can fly now. Another one of my buddies is Edward. He's got extra arms and can turn into like...a spider-dude. And it's not even a comic book hero, though he's nice like Peter Parker is."
"But man like...there's a lot. Some people can fly. Others can breathe fire. One dude's like a sphinx chimera amalgamation. But he's got a sense of humor and hasn't tried eating me so we're chill."
Another grin. "M'sure it'll be fine."
spider-dude, legally distinct from spider-man
Bird-harpies, spider-dudes, sphinxes. Kavinsky nodded as he listened. Flying or breathing fire were definitely on the interesting side of things. Actually, everything was, but he could imagine the downsides to it all, too. Everything had pros and cons.
"Aren't chimeras already amalgamations?" Though so were sphinxes, in a way, but not to the same level as chimeras--he didn't think. Combining them together though, sure sounded like...something.
"Got a whole buffet of options." No, uh, joke or pun intended, when in the context of not being eaten. "Is there a reason you'd have to actually worry about someone trying to eat you?" He felt like there was some piece of information there that he was missing.
exactly! who knows if an actual spider-man will show up!
Raph focuses on petting a chicken for a moment before he laughs. "I suppose so, but Akechi's got a lot of different abilities and powers, so I kind of just roll with it."
He considers that. "Well, ta be fair, that's nothing new. You'd be surprised how often something back home was trying to eat my brothers or myself. I guess it's just a default setting for me to be concerned about it. But people here are compelled to eat the flesh of the monsters and stuff, so uh...just be on the lookout? Nobody here has tried anything directly but it's best to just kind of...be prepared?"
gotta keep 'em from getting mixed up!
"Fair." He could appreciate that sort of mindset, just rolling with something without any judgement. If he was more confident about how people would react to what he could do, he might not have been so lonely back home.
He raised both eyebrows at the idea of things trying to eat anyone so frequently that it became a default concern. And the next part was even worse. Definitely concerning in a way he hadn't anticipated. "Well that's a bit fucked up. People like, the ones like us, or other people here? And why the fuck are they compelled to eat monsters?"
He probably should have made his question clearer, but really, it was everything. Were the people who'd been brought here the ones compelled, or were they the monsters that other people were compelled to eat. Or...were they both the monsters and the ones compelled. He didn't think he could've actually stated any of his intended questions more clearly, thinking about it.
could always call him dude-spider but it doesn't have the same ring to it
The whole eating people or critters was a thing. He hadn't seen it, per se, but he knew about it from what others had said. He shrugs. "Bit of column A, another bit of column B - I figure it's because of the changes. Stuff compels people. I know when I fought a critter with one of my crew, it dying ended up healing us. Still can't explain that one---and no we didn't eat it. It just like, happened. Magic ju ju or whatever."
dude-spider just brings to mind cursed images. cursed
it's like the fly only worse
the one with the human head on the fly body was my first thought with dude-spider, lmao
oh god it's like that weird creature in r.e.p.o
ohgod, I think I know the one you mean
just a scurrying horror that yells at you
the worst (the critter designs are neat though, honestly)
they do have some pretty neat creature designs!
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