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∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-03-28 09:16 am
Entry tags:

TDM 007

content warnings for this TDM include: violence, potential death, body horror, physical transformation, loss of senses, loss of autonomy

⏵ arrival⏴



Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. New characters are introduced to the AI, then informed of a mission that they are required to participate in before they can return to their home base of Etraya. A world called Aphaia is falling apart, and while there is nothing they can do to resolve this broken world, they can participate in the Gamerunner's Stratagem.

Their mission is simple: step through the glowing purple portal that Aurora creates once they've had time to listen to her, and survive until a similar portal reopens in front of them, allowing them to return to Etraya. The Gamerunner's Stratagem is something they have been working on building for quite some time. She informs all newcomers that they will not be present on this world that long: their exit will appear to them exactly when it's meant to, allowing them to meet the others who have been recruited to save their worlds. She provides each and every arrival with an earpiece, allowing them to communicate with the other Etrayans. Aurora suggests taking a bag full of supplies along with them, which she will fill with a few generic items as well as any specific items they may need: synthetic blood for vampires, protein bars for those who may burn through calories faster, medication for anyone who requires it.


⏵ aphaia ⏴


Aphaia is a neon-lit, chaotic planet. Cameras are everywhere, every action and inaction is judged by the 'audience'. Towering holograms advertise upcoming events while flashing leader boards track the most "popular" players. Contestants are thrown into challenges, many of which are games of skill, survival, and deception all to keep the viewers entertained. Not participating is an option! However, avoiding playing along and not putting on a show will quickly cause participants' score to go down, and scores that reach zero? Well.

Unfortunately, there are only so many resources left on Aphaia. Their wildlife has died off, their planet is falling apart, and most others in this galaxy were either destroyed from the inside out, or warring planets trying to gain control of remaining resources destroyed them to avoid others getting involved. Their natural resources are depleted, and only those who manage to keep their scores up are given the luxury of having any supplies. As soon as one steps foot on Aphaia, as soon as they breathe, they intake nanotechnology which tracks their oxygen consumption, their food, everything they do or need. As soon as their scores reach zero?

They disappear. There one moment, and completely gone the next. Their communicators go offline, and while everything they were carrying will be left behind, no one will be able to find them. They are simply--gone, erased from existence.

This is a death and counts as a death as outlined in the game FAQ! Please keep this in mind.

"Points" that go towards their total score will be assigned to contestants from the moment they drop down on planet. This will be visible using the HUD on their earpiece, and will be randomized at the beginning. For the sake of the TDM, we ask that no one be assigned Paragon initially, but you're free to use other ranks!

The possible rankings are:

100: PARAGON
99-80: LUMINARY
79-70: CHAMPION
69-50: CONTENDER
49-30: UNDERLING
30-0: SHADE

Ranks may change daily, or even hourly depending on the kind of situation one has found themselves in. Are they having a very public break up in which it comes out that they wronged their ex? They may go from a Champion to a Shade before they can even blink. Did they save a defenseless reporter from the big bad villain of the week? They may find themselves quickly elevated up to Luminary and given all the benefits that comes with being upper class. The world is their oyster, they only need to figure out how they'd like to utilize it!

Aphaia is broken up into four districts.

The Colosseum is a dynamic battle arena where combatants fight for entertainment, with shifting environments controlled by the audience. Victories earn points, while losses depend on performance.

The Symposium is a lavish social hub for top contestants, where alliances and betrayals are made under the audience’s watchful eye.

The Agora is the public center of Aphaia, where contestants engage with the audience through polls, interviews, and challenges to maintain popularity. It also houses the contestants in high-rise apartments.

And Backalleys provide hidden spaces with intentional blind spots for secret dealings, though the Gamerunner is always aware of what happens there.


⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴


Something special is happening in the Colosseum. Lights flicker as the arena shifts, rearranging itself into a grand, glittering ballroom - if a ballroom had stadium seating, paparazzi drones, and an ever-changing floor plan designed to disorient those within it. Silver chandeliers pulse with artificial starlight, their glow refracted through the crystalline floors. Music swells, but it sounds - unnatural. It thrums through your veins, setting your blood alight with the urge to dance.

Why is the ballroom designed as if intentionally put together to throw off one's balance? Well, it's time for the Panopticon Prom, of course!

The Panopticon Prom isn't just an adventure in dancing and impressing your most recent crush. It's a test of endurance, cunning, grace, and charm. The floor beneath your feet moves as if it has a mind of it's own, shifting to the beat like a living creature all of it's own. It tilts, undulates, even vanishing in sections to keep dancers on edge. After all, it's difficult to keep up one's pace if they're falling through a hole in the floor to the foam pit below.

Drones zip through the air, catching every stumble, every misstep, and every attempt to throw off others on the dance floor. This is a competition, after all; and what fun is a dance battle without having the freedom to thwart someone else on their road to victory?

The rules are simple:
  • You must dance with a partner. This can be an ally, an enemy, or someone you intend on using as a stepping stone to victory. It matters not, as long as you have one hand (or limb) on them at all times.
  • The longer you last, the better your chances. Endurance is the name of the game, meaning one must pace themselves on the dance floor. While epic twirls and impressive moves will garner more attention, it may also hurt your chances in the long run.
  • You may sabotage others by throwing them off balance, but keep in mind: everything is televised, and it won't stay secret for long.
  • The arena adapts to the chaos. Expect sudden obstacles, environmental shifts, and sudden changes in the music's tempo. Gravity may shift, walls may close in, but participants can't let that stop them - they must continue to dance, if they wish to win.
The audience is watching. Who will make the final cut and become Prom King and Queen? Everyone is vying for the titles: it doesn't matter what rank you started at when you joined the Panopticon Prom. Whoever wins becomes a Paragon until their points drop. There aren't many opportunities to sail through the rankings, but this is a sure way to do it. As long as they can keep up.


⏵ casino royale ⏴


Out in the Agora, another popular quarterly event is being set up! The Casino Royale has been destroyed countless times, but it seems as if the Gamerunner just can't let it go - every time it gets knocked down, it gets rebuilt.

There is one rule. One must take a turn at the revolving wheel just inside the door as their entry fee, and whatever the wheel lands on, they must maintain until they exit the building for the night. Sometimes, this is easier: an effect they have no control over and cannot undo even if they wanted to. Sometimes, this is more difficult: an assigned task they must complete. Failure to abide by the wheel once means receiving a penalty. Twice? Certain death if caught by any employee.

The wheel's effects are as follows:

1 You must speak entirely in rhyme. 2 Your body has become unnaturally delicate. The smallest injury hurts like a fatal wound.
3 You must avoid stepping into any sources of light. Doing so causes massive burns to appear on any area of your skin where light has touched. 4 You have been transformed into an animal! You can still think as you had before, but you cannot speak or communicate easily.
5 You have been cursed with supernatural strength, but cannot control it. 6 Time doesn't flow normally for you anymore. Each mistake you make makes you visibly younger, slowly erasing your experiences, skills, or even memories.
7 You can no longer form your own words, but only repeat what others have said to you. 8 You cannot meet another person's gaze.
9 You can no longer turn around, physically or metaphorically. If you try to return where you came from, you'll find that the pathway no longer exists. 10 You are given a specific letter that you must avoid using out loud entirely. "A"? Better hope you know enough words without one.
11 Every time you speak, your words come true - but never in the way you intended. Trying to control this is futile; the monkey's paw curls with every new sentence. 12 Within the casino, you lose the ability to feel anything. No pain, no pleasure, no warmth, and no cold. At first it may feel like a blessing - until you realize you cannot feel hunger, or tell if you're injured.
13 Regardless of if you've drunken anything, you still act inebriated. The effect only gets worse the longer you stay. 14 No one can see you. You are invisible, even if you are still able to reach out and touch or converse with those around you.
15 Any special ability you have is gone. You are reduced down to what an average human being is capable of - regardless of if you are human. 16 Violent impulses become impossible to ignore. You are rage incarnate, and you will be heard.
17 Every time you make a decision - to walk into an area, to start a conversation, anything, a small thread pulls loose from your clothing or your skin. Keep making choices, and you may become entirely undone. 18 You may speak freely, but for every syllable you say, your ability to hear slowly fades. You may want to watch your word count - too many, and you may not be able to hear at all.
19 Perhaps you arrived with a friend, or beside a stranger. It matters not: whoever came in either just before or just after you, you feel a powerful urge to protect them to the point of aggression. 20 Love is in the air - at least it is for you. Every time you meet someone's gaze, you feel the need to try and make them fall in love with you, through whatever means necessary.


The casino is alive with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the steady whirl of the roulette wheels. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet-lined tables, where fortunes are made and lost with the flick of a wrist. But something feels. . . off.

The dealers never blink. The cards never seem random. And the house always wins - always. Maybe it's just paranoia, or maybe this casino is something more than just a den of chance. Tonight, you're not here just to play; you're here on a mission.

You've arrived dressed to kill, blending into the sea of bodies filling the casino's floors. But you're not here to win points or boost your social standing - you're here to win intel. Somewhere in this casino is a single flash drive containing information on just how Aphaia maintains their system. The only problem? The House knows someone is coming for it. After all, they're well-aware of the game: whoever retrieves the flash drive will obtain information on how to flip the script, to change the rules of the game to fit their wants and needs, rather than following the current Gamerunner. After all, this is the Gamerunner's Stratagem that Aurora has sent them out on! Many apply for 'employment' within the Casino Royale in hopes of getting insider information on where the flash drive is hidden and what it looks like. However, it seems that even the employees have no clue where it has been hidden.

⏵ NOTES ⏴


This is an extension of our Aphaia Mission! We have included enough information in this post that catching up to current in game logs isn't necessary to play with it, but you are welcome to use any part of the Aphaia setting in your prompts as you'd like. Current players are also welcome to bring the events from this TDM into their in-game threads.

This mission can happen outside of time as needed! Incoming characters will find themselves introduced to Aphaia as they arrive. Current characters may find Aurora calling on them to visit Aphaia after the current mission for the Gamerunner's Stratagem.

Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game!

Please direct all questions relating to this log to our mod queries comment! All other questions can be directed to our FAQ.

FULL NAVIGATION

maximumlegend: (laughing because)

[personal profile] maximumlegend 2025-05-23 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
Heh. Inspiring. Fabian does find it a little bit funny, even if the other isn't realizing that there's a joke there in the first place. It's not like Fabian actively called out what he was doing. It'd likely require way too much explanation, especially in this place, where he has not seen a single other person use bardic inspiration. Even though you'd imagine there would be more than one bard in a place this large!

So he does let out an amused huff, but doesn't otherwise comment on how literal the inspiration here is.

"You didn't think I'd be a good teacher?" It's a good thing he was sounding amused already a moment ago, or he might have been offended now.. But as-is, Fabian is still sounding amused, especially since he knows he'll drag those compliments out of Izuku - one way or another. They will happen! This is a threat! "Why, you should know by now that there's nothing Fabian Aramais Seacaster can't do!"

Apparently he can dance well and brag at the same time, so.. that's definitely two things on the list of stuff he can do well, apparently. For better or worse.
hauntedsnowfall: (z acadimi calm 03)

[personal profile] hauntedsnowfall 2025-05-23 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Indeed… [ and Dimitri intends to do all he can to protect his people, but… ]

But what you said might be true, it could be an added test of faith. Or it could be a test in our abilities to find the knowledge ourselves…

[ So many questions, so many possibilities; all of them concerning. Especially since Rosie has been here for so long without being able to solve these mysteries- it doesn’t bode well. ]

{ ooc: No worries! Normally I would say we should call this one done and start a new thread, but Dimitri is off on Solmara and Rosie is at camp… Oh, Dimi does have a toplevel on the chocobo-mingle log if you wanted to hit that. }
maximumlegend: (i got what i deserved)

[personal profile] maximumlegend 2025-05-23 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Shut up?

[ If Fabian didn't recognize the other's attitude as some defensiveness - mostly because Fabian himself employs that sort of thing sometimes too, really.. - then he might have been offended.

Right now, though? He instead seems a little bit amused, realizing that he's got the upper hand here, just by being a bard. ]


You mean I should shut up and leave you to dance on your own? You know, down--

[ Feeling the rhythm, Fabian manages to step back just in time as a hole opens up right behind Scott, pulling him away from it. ]

--there, perhaps?

[ You want to try this on your own, Scott?? Without the help of an actually good dancer? Dude? Bro? ]
fourthwalled: (pic#17852920)

[personal profile] fourthwalled 2025-05-25 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Tons of boring ways, you mean. [Ugh, get him Maguire or Garfield instead stat!] But fine. What are you planning to do? You know how to dance? Because at least that I could get behind.

I'm thinking a joint number to Rihanna's 'Umbrella'? Or maybe I could just be one of your background dancers?
sortie: (sigh)

[personal profile] sortie 2025-05-26 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lars is unaccustomed to being looked at so happily. Accordingly, he doesn't quite know what to do with himself, shoulders bunching as best they can when he's supporting the weight of a taller man. What is that look for, Dimitri? It's a lot for a little guy to take in. ]

Well, thank some god or other for small mercies.

[ He huffs out a sigh, relieved at least that Dimitri is no longer in his death throes. The way that simply concluded the moment they stepped outside is extremely jarring, but he'll take it. It means that Dimitri's not about to kick the bucket in front of him from the sheer agony of the wall punishing him for having punched a crater into it. ]

Maybe don't go punching walls next time...just in case.
wannasmash: "What do you mean?" (huh)

[personal profile] wannasmash 2025-05-27 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Izuku would have been prepared to believe that inspiring someone as if by magic could be a Quirk. He's also learning that there are people from other worlds that have multiple powers or even bona fide magic.

Fabian's saving grace is that he can still dance well even while he's bragging. Izuku resists the urge to sigh and roll his eyes. Instead, he takes a moment to stare into the middle distance before finding his feet again.

"You're fun to dance with, at any rate. What do you do when you miss a step? I'm having trouble..."
maximumlegend: (got abundant trust)

[personal profile] maximumlegend 2025-05-27 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
You do have this!

[ There's no magic coming with the encouragement this time, but the smile on Fabian's face and the passion in his words as he says it are its own kind of encouragement entirely, really. He looks so excited for her.

Look - it's just nice to see someone come out of their shell and believe in themselves. Especially when it comes to dance, considering how important that activity is to Fabian at this point. ]


That's how it works with anything in life, you know? As long as you believe in yourself, things can only go right!
hauntedsnowfall: source ? (z acadimi blushu 04)

[personal profile] hauntedsnowfall 2025-05-28 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Honestly, he doesn’t know what had come over himself back in the game hall; he’s never been one to wantonly cause property damage. Dimitri nods all the same as his cheeks tint a further shade of red at the other’s light rebuke. He drops his gaze away, which… gives him an up-close view of Lars’ chest, which… cause his cheeks to redden more. ]

Oh, well, ha, I’m sure gods had nothing to do with it. You, on the other hand, have my full gratitude.

[ Dimitri lets go of Lars’ shirt to smooth it out there, then pat it for emphasis. ]

Truly, I am indebted to you. That was pure agony and you saved me. [ he raises his face to look back up at him ] Thank you, Lars.
keepitgoing: backstreets @ ij (pic#17199915)

1/2

[personal profile] keepitgoing 2025-05-28 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
keepitgoing: (pic#17222131)

[personal profile] keepitgoing 2025-05-28 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
... I mean, that is a really great song.

But I don't dance. And I'm pretty sure there are no dance contests here.

[DON'T LET HIM SAY SUCH THINGS, BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE]
laserguy: (my face without glasses)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-05-29 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah, shut up!! He said it!! Although, as tempting as it is to reinforce his words, the fact that Fabian pulls him from the gap just in time, effectively silences the mutant from saying anything else. Okay. Fine. Whatever. He's not going to say that again because he really doesn't want to dance on his own and die in a horrible way.

Falling down a hole in an alien planet sounds like a terrible way to die, yes. His heart thumps in his chest despite himself, the teen swallowing thickly as he focuses his attention on him.

He grips his hands on Fabian just a little tighter, silently asking the other to not let him go. He still feels sullen enough to not apologize or fully take back his words, but the way he's following his movements more probably speaks for itself.]


Just, continue to lead the way.
nimbuster: (smiley baby)

[personal profile] nimbuster 2025-05-31 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
To Cloud's credit, he's alert and moves with purpose like a good soldier, and if any hostiles did spring up, he'd be ready. Fortunately, none do, and they reach the building without any issues.

Soon, they're standing in front of the door that leads to their challenge - which, they're reminded, will result in death if they fail. The grim reminder, delivered with a sadistic sort of glee by the announcer, doesn't slow Cloud down one iota - if they were hoping to intimidate him into turning back, they must be disappointed. He opens the door and walks through it with no hesitation...and tries to ignore the way the crowd cheers about it.
fourthwalled: (unmasked: you suck)

[personal profile] fourthwalled 2025-05-31 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
You can dance if you want to, Pete.
You can leave your friends behind...

[Don't make him keep going or he will break out into song and dance.]

No fighting. No dancing. What are you good at then?
pricklybloom: (pic#17722987)

[personal profile] pricklybloom 2025-05-31 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
As she returns the handshake, Fabian might notice that she's got a pretty strong grip. "It's nice to meet you, Fabian! And yeah, you could say that! I've definitely been on a number of adventures and gotten into plenty of situations."

One normally wouldn't be so proud of how that sounds, but Amy is very happy by how far she's come.
ablazinggrace: (come with me)

[personal profile] ablazinggrace 2025-06-01 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Ordinarily, Dion is perhaps the last person Joshua would ever associate with subterfuge. But there is a thrilling kind of appeal in the thought that among all the dancers here, they alone will know the true purpose of their participation, a secret hidden in plain sight.

It's strange to be on the receiving end of the kind of courtly manners that Joshua himself was taught. Strange, but from Dion - charming, as well. Blue eyes sparkling with a delighted mischief, he takes Dion's hand, matching him bow for bow, though Joshua's is just a bit deeper. Dion is still, after all, an imperial prince.]


That you may, Your Highness.

[The upward curve of his lips suggests that this time, using Dion's title is more playing along with their little courtly tableau than truly addressing him as such.]
Edited 2025-06-01 05:34 (UTC)
oblige: (hearten)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-01 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ They're the sort of niceties Dion hardly had use for, but he knows them just as well. Etiquette was drilled into him despite his foremost purpose, though much of it had long fallen to disuse. When had he last intended any occasion that involved dancing? It seems another lifetime now, but the memory remains.

He huffs out an amused breath at the use of his title, manners matched if not exceeded outright. In his eyes, Joshua had ever been possessed of greater grace, and that hasn't changed then. ]


By your leave then.

[ With their course decided, he guides their way out onto the dance floor. He cares not who leads; they're partners in engaging in a curious form of battle, but they both know how to dance as well as any, martial or otherwise. ]
ablazinggrace: (come with me)

[personal profile] ablazinggrace 2025-06-01 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Indeed, one could say that the deadly battle they fought in the skies above Twinside was as much a dance as this. But Joshua much prefers it this way - moving in tandem.

With no reason to do otherwise as of yet, Joshua takes the lead position. He waits for the proper count and then starts them off, and at first it's just a simple dance. Despite the structured formality of it, Joshua's movements aren't stiff at all. One might almost imagine him to be enjoying himself, were one to engage in such observations.

Soon enough, though, they encounter the first peril to be overcome: a floor tile just ahead of them flips over to expose a surface full of sharp metal spikes.]
Edited 2025-06-01 07:01 (UTC)
oblige: (turn)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-01 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ The movement along the floor is what draws Dion's attention, despite the flurry of other bodies around them. It would be a difficult thing to avoid for the average person, the width of the tile and the press of competitors all but ensuring the spikes will be unavoidable, but they are not average people.

When they draw near enough, Dion simply scoops Joshua up and jumps across the treacherous expanse. They land lightly on safer ground, the leap hardly more than a hop from the perspective of a dragoon. Their reward is a withering glance from a couple that had overtly crowded them nearer to that trap moments prior, but Dion ignores them in favor of returning Joshua to his feet so they may continue on. ]


Those in power here certainly are...inventive.

[ His tone suggests his true opinion of the matter, despite the effort of employing a euphemism. ]
maximumlegend: (but always depressed)

[personal profile] maximumlegend 2025-06-01 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Dude.

[ Pause. ]

Are you telling me to look at your ass?
maximumlegend: (to have and to hold)

[personal profile] maximumlegend 2025-06-01 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He huffs. ]

Oh, they have a lot of terrible stuff here. But no warlocks, as far as I have seen.

[ And Fabian has seen a lot! Unless someone is hiding some secret warlocky business real good - and even then he's pretty sure Riz would have caught onto it, one way or another. ]

The only thing they are attempting to fool you about in this place is the story they told you when you showed up here. [ Fabian looks like he's about to say more, but then stops himself, staring over at the other. ] They did feed that dumb story to you about what they pretend is going on here, right?
rudelanguage: (pic#17730072)

[personal profile] rudelanguage 2025-06-02 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Uhh...

[Pending looks briefly guilty, looking askance for a beat before shooting a blank look back at Fabian.]

No.

[because they uh. were immediately in attack mode? and weren't listening?

anyway--]
What story.
once_reborn: All icons spiffied up by the wonderful Jax! (Default)

[personal profile] once_reborn 2025-06-04 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! Y- I can!

[She takes the pen and paper, nodding that she's ready.]
ablazinggrace: (moment of silence)

[personal profile] ablazinggrace 2025-06-04 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Joshua offers no complaints when the prince scoops him up into his arms and leaps. And what strong arms they are, too...

Their dance resumed, Joshua redoubles his vigilant watch on their surroundings, but the slight upward curve of his lips says that perhaps he is finding something to enjoy even now.]


Indeed. That was quite the gallant rescue - you have my thanks.

[When Dion stepping in to save him doesn't result in tragedy and grief, it's a lot more fun.]
oblige: (consider)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-04 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ His expression softens with mild surprise, drawn back from where his brooding inclinations might wander. Joshua calls it a rescue, but it pales to all that he has done for Dion previously. Even in the span of their earlier conversation, he had given Dion more than he knows.

It's ever the case, isn't it? ]


No thanks is necessary. We are partners, are we not?

[ As they may have been far sooner, had Dion's choices been different. But they're here now. Dion endeavors to mind their surroundings foremost, but he does notice Joshua's expression, and he somehow feels lighter for it. ]
Edited 2025-06-04 05:47 (UTC)
keepitgoing: backstreets @ ij (pic#17199915)

[personal profile] keepitgoing 2025-06-04 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I like science and math and robotics.

... Why do I feel like you're throwing mega-old pop culture references at me?

[MEGA O L D ]