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memestertrucks2025-11-08 08:19 pm
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-11-08 08:19 pm
Entry tags:
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, yes, he can help. Though, for now, he remains perched atop the garage.]
In summation, we were summoned here from our worlds to fix a botched ritual that fractured the moon and unleashed cataclysm upon the land. The ones performing the ritual were a bunch of religious zealots who worship said moon and have been at war with a legion of merciless cyborgs who seek to slaughter anyone who gains monstrous traits, which is a problem for us when we're all destined to undergo changes ourselves.
[His explanation is calm, as if this is all incredibly mundane.]
...I should also note for transparency's sake that I did survive the destruction of Maruki's reality.
[What she makes of that is her choice, but there's little point in pretending otherwise.]
no subject
I see. So once again, we're called to help keep the world from certain ruin.
[ She appreciates his tone. It's comforting in its familiarity. And in the same breath as he brings up Dr. Maruki, she is thinking about him in that false world, and of their last conversation on Shido's ship, and about how cruel it was for her last words to him to have been that she would never forgive him.
Her breath catches, though, when he finishes speaking. Yes, she held that grudge against him. He murdered her father, and nothing changes that. But she couldn't hate him, ever. Not really. Not when he was as much a victim as anyone else. ]
You... did? [ A soft sigh. Then, equally softly, ] I'm glad.
[ Defeating Dr. Maruki was difficult, but she never doubted it was right. Losing Akechi as a result... well. That was never a happy thought. ]
I... I never wished for you to die, you know.
no subject
[It's... quite the admission, and he averts his gaze. She sympathized with him before, even with her lack of forgiveness. They kept their distance during January, but she remained civil with him in Mementos.
Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. She's always been kind, even in the face of adversity.]
Does it not bother you, then? That I live, and yet...
[Well. Surely she can fill in the blanks.]
no subject
It hurts, [ she admits, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment before she meets his gaze. She isn't angry right now, though. The last hour or so have overridden that emotion. Survival first. Survival is easiest with allies. Allies are people you can trust.
January proved to her that she can trust Akechi, when their goals align. And they align here, don't they? ]
But... he won't come back even if it hurts enough to make me scream and-- and want to hit you. And even then, hitting you won't bring him back. I've accepted that he's gone... and that you were suffering then too. Maruki-sensei's fake reality showed me that.
[ And maybe she'll feel like she can tell him this eventually: his willingness to die to right things impressed her. What's it like to have convictions that strong? ]
In any case, I don't think of you as an enemy. Not here, and not in our world. It will take me some time to get used to your new features, but... well, I'm going to change too, aren't I? We'll be even.
no subject
[His words are clipped, and certainly subdued. Like Haru, he avoids direct eye contact. At the very least, the illusion conceals the more obvious tells of his mood. In a human guise, he needn't worry about ears flattening against his head or tails twitching.
He's less of an open book.]
But... if you truly consider me an ally, then I will respect that decision.
[He shuts his eyes, inhaling slowly. He could leave it at that. Before, he most certainly would, but...]
...For what it is worth, I do regret the burdens I placed upon you by killing your father.
[He had no love for Okumura, but that's not what Haru needs to hear. She must already know.]
no subject
So she's not going to think about it. Not going to fight the memories. ]
Thank you for saying that. [ It means that he cares, in however small a way. That he was never the monster Shido was, or as self-righteous as Dr. Maruki was. ] By the sounds of things here, being allies is the best choice, and-- I know that you won't betray your allies when it counts. So, yes. We are allies.
In the spirit of that... do you think you can help me make a mobile greenhouse out of this vehicle?
no subject
[So no, he won't betray Haru, nor will he betray Ren. It's a simple statement, paired with a calm expression, and after a moment, he slides down from his perch. He even lands with cat-like grace that wouldn't be out of place in the Metaverse.]
But, yes. I believe it's only fair. In fact, I inherited a selection of plants from another Drifter that may be of interest to you.
[Viktor cared greatly, but gardening is hardly Akechi's area of expertise. Perhaps someone with a more natural green thumb would appreciate them more.]
no subject
I think i'll keep them to one side of the van, and leave enough space to climb up to an elevated bed for sleeping. Like a loft, but without blocking the planters from the sunlight. It'll be a lot of work, but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end.
no subject
It would give you more privacy than sleeping within the Convoy itself. Ren and I have taken similar measures, though I imagine that with plants it's a more delicate arrangement.
[There are... things he could say, regarding Ren. One thing at a time, however.]
no subject
It seems bigger on the inside, now that I take another look.
[ Oh, this will be fun. Terraced plant beds? A hammock? Or a cot? Her own little jungle? ]
I'm relieved to know that Ren is also here. Having him around sets my nerves at ease. In a place like this, it's an added comfort.
[ Akechi is... familiar, if nothing else. And she does feel sympathy, and she does trust him on a practical level. It's a start. She's only human, after all.
For now. ]
We'll need tools to start building the plant beds with.
no subject
The garage may have some tools to work with. In the past, I've found dusty toolboxes, although finding the proper materials for the plant beds may require a bit more improvisation.
no subject
[ Despite finding herself somewhere completely new (and finding Akechi looking so different), Haru is optimistic. Plants and gardening tend to lift her spirits, or at least soothe them. ]
Have you ever done any gardening, Akechi-kun?
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[Well, 'beings' might be a weird way to put it with plants, but it's the sentiment of it. His gaze clouds, head slightly downcast.
After his mother... well. It speaks for itself.]
no subject
Well, if you're strong, you can help me carry heavy things like bags of soil. Then I can get started on growing things sooner.
no subject
[His lean physique certainly doesn't exude raw muscle, but looks can be deceiving. Either way, her question brings a vague hint of a smile to his lips.]
no subject
[ Unlike her late father, she won't overwork the people who help her. ]
Then let's get started. Wood, nails, a hammer...
[ Haru lists things to herself, just loud enough for Akechi to hear, as she goes to look around the garage for anything that can be useful for her mobile plant project. ]
no subject
If you can't find a toolbox, I'm sure you could locate hammers and nails with enough digging. There may also be—
[Aha. Off in a corner, and slightly coated in dust, he spots an axe. It's worn, perhaps a bit rusted, and certainly not up to the standard that Haru is used to in the Metaverse, but it may be useful in chopping fresh wood, so he moves to fetch it.]
I trust you've no trouble with axes in reality?