TDM 007

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

Amy Rose | Sonic the Hedgehog | New Character

[pricklybloom]

Arrival - Colosseum

While Amy wasn't a stranger to portals to other realms or missions, she's still trying to process anything when she finds herself swept up in a sudden crowd. And as strong as she is, her height compared to most people leaves her at a bit of a disadvantage, plus she figures she might as well get a look around and try to figure out what she's doing here.

The crowd heads for the colosseum, and when she's finally able to break away she's immediately approached by one of the hosts, being informed that she's up soon to compete in the arena.

"Huh? Wait, hold on..." While she wasn't exactly afraid of a fight, she was still trying to get her bearings. "Who am I even fighting? I don't want to hurt anyone."

St★rlight Soirée

It wasn't so much a problem about dancing, or even endurance. While Amy might not be the best dancer, she likes to think she's pretty good at least. And she's built up a lot of endurance over the years, so she's confident in her ability to keep going.

The problem is actually trying to find a partner to dance with. Even though it was only for the sake of the competition, having someone you were at least bit compatible with certainly helps a lot. And while Amy doesn't entirely mind having to work with someone taller than her, she has a feeling the height difference (and only the height difference, of course, that's the weirdest thing) might be a problem for other people.

Casino Royale - 16

While Amy certainly has a temper, for the most part she likes to think she's pretty friendly. But there's something about this place - maybe it's the crowd, or all the noise - but for some reason she's feeling really angry. She doesn't like being here, and the sooner she can find what she needs the sooner she can leave.

Her irritation only grows as she heads further in, catching people turning her way as she passes by. "What are you looking at?" she growls, clenching her fists.

It's going to get bad here really quick if people don't mind their own business.

Wildcard

(( not feeling any of these prompts? feel free to do something different with her! ))

st☆rlight!

[fireboost]

The thick of the crowd may obscure Amy's view of the dancefloor around her a little too much, or maybe she's just keeping her gaze up high on those around her. The point is that it seems like Blaze spots her before she spots Blaze, and even if she thinks she might be imagining things, she's quick to follow on the trail of that pink quilled hedgehog.

It's only once the two of them are nearing the edge of the dancefloor that she manages to call out to the other girl.

"Amy? Is that you?"

[pricklybloom]

When the familiar voice reaches her ears, Amy glances around until she spots Blaze, and a relieved smile spreads across her face.

“Blaze! Wow, am I glad to see you!”

[fireboost]

"The feeling is mutual."

Blaze smiles, a little relieved to see a familiar face as she trots up to Amy. Luckily, with the people thinning in this area, she can take a breath as she catches up. The tip of her tail curls at the sight of someone so reliable here—not to mention easier to get along with than much of her company has been so far, and the relief is evident on her face.

"I didn't expect to see you in a place like this. Have you been here long?"

[pricklybloom]

Once Blaze is close enough, Amy absolutely jumps up to give her friend a hug. She knows Blaze prefers her space, but this has been a lot and she kind of needs it too.

“Not really too long. I just got here… maybe a couple hours ago?”

[fireboost]

Blaze bristles initially at the hug as Amy leaps into her, but despite her instincts, does wrap her arms around her friend still. She knows Amy is... a bit more of one for physical affection, and she feels hard pressed to deny her that in their current situation.

"I see... Not long, then. I'm glad I found you."

[pricklybloom]

To her credit, Amy tries to keep the hug brief, not wanting to make Blaze too uncomfortable. But she can’t help the warm feeling when Blaze hugs her back, before pulling back to look at her.

“Me too. This place is… crazy, huh?”

Colosseum

[thelightshines]

[While Amy is having a chat with the host, a dark hedgehog is going to walk pass her and proceed toward the holding area for combatants. He isn't in the best of moods, but when has a Shadow ever been? A lot has happened and unfortunately this world won't let him sit in one place for too long. Points need to be maintained and he came here to do just that. If they won't let him have some peace of mind, he'll let them have a piece of his mind.

A guard stops him from proceeding, puzzling him. He's being asked to wait here for another. A tilt of his head. Does he need to work with someone else? He hopes not. This place might not still be standing if they decide to put him with that guy again.]

[pricklybloom]

[ Amy is still trying to argue out of participating when the host catches sight of Shadow, and they guide Amy over to where he is, relieved the both combatants are finally here. ]

Hang on, I said -!

[ As she’s brought to the doors, she stops, surprised. ]

…Shadow?

[thelightshines]

[Someone with an unfamiliar voice saying his name immediately gets him tense, fist clenching. The glare he gives her has murderous intent behind those eyes. Again. Another face he doesn't recognize, mistaking him for the other. He's so sick of it. How many more are from their world? He scowls, turning away, taking all of his being not just lash out at them. At this point, he's not longer as enthused about meeting any other hedgehog-like individuals.]

You're thinking of the other one.

[pricklybloom]

[ Unphased by the look he gives her, her response is just an expression of confusion. ]

The other one? What do you mean?

[ Although now that she’s looking at him, he does seem a bit different. ]

[thelightshines]

[He groans. He really doesn't want to explain right now.] There are two of us. I don't know you, so you must know the other.

[This is who he has to work with. It would be that they pair him with someone else from their world to be funny. He isn't laughing though. The host and guard finally lets them through. Shadow is the first to start walking into the holding room. There are various weapons lined up along the wall, all in different stages of degrading conditions. Set there in case combatants choose to have a weapon with them. Some have mysterious stains on them that could be dried blood.]

[pricklybloom]

…oh. [ Honestly, it’s not the strangest thing she’s ever heard. And even if he isn’t the Shadow she knows, he’s still Shadow, and she feels better around him than some of the other people around her.

So she follows him, heading into the holding room. Seeing the weapons lined along the wall has her pause a moment, especially when she catches sight of the large mallet at end. ]

Here we go… [ Walking over, she picks up the mallet and weighs it in her hands a moment, and gives it a few test swings. ] Not as good as my Piko Piko hammer, but it’ll do.

wildcard

[limiterrings]

"Aren't you afraid? Well, you should be!"

The host starts off with a hearty chuckle, introducing the two, new contestants to their lucky opportunity! They should be aware that the audience wants a show, and it's a show that they'll get. As the game was advertised, two (un)willing participants must get through fifteen rooms without turning back or giving up. The catch? Every room is pitch black, they won't know who their partner is, and there's something in the rooms that should relate to their fear. If that's true or not has yet to be seen considering this is a new addition to the TV world.

They'll both be put into the same starting room, blindfolded and their mouth covered to prevent anyone giving away their location so early. Also, it's only to add a little fright to their experience, which does nothing for Shadow as he finds the entire thing idiotic. His only reason here is to acquire a couple of points to keep him away from the near death experience he may have if he "harms" another civilian.

Both individuals will hear a clicking sound from above which may be a timer to tell them to hurry.

One hand comes to his face, removing the cloth around his muzzle before throwing it on the floor. As it hits the floor, he goes to remove the blindfold as well considering that the host didn't say he had to keep it on, but what he does find is that the room is completely black. Taking a step forward, there's no panel missing or anything in his way, but the question is... in what way should he get to the next room. Knowing there's another here, he chooses to ignore them, a second individual isn't any of his concern, and the quicker he finds the exit to the next room to leave them... the better.

[pricklybloom]

Honestly, the whole thing does make Amy a bit nervous, even if she won’t admit it. She’s not scared of trying to complete challenges, even if it was for the sake of entertaining some crowd. But not being able to see worries her, and she wonders if they would really be able to include what she’s afraid of.

Trying not to think about that for now, Amy lets herself be led to the starting room, blinded as she was. When the timer goes off, she feels the cloth around her muzzle removed, so she takes that as a sign to remove her blindfold as well. Not that it helps much with how dark it is anyway.

Holding a hand out, she tries to feel around, and remembers there’s supposed to be someone else here. Maybe they could work together. “Hello?” she calls out.

[limiterrings]

There's a familiar voice, one that causes Shadow's ears to twitch within the darkness, but the thing about the unknown... anything can sound familiar. Like home, an acquaintance, or anything else that will pull unwanted memories to make this game of theirs even more fun. Fears can be anything, even this could be one considering the last thing Shadow needs would be other... familiar individuals.

Shadow glares into the darkness for a brief moment, unwilling to give away his location as he contemplates the voice. He recognizes it, but could that really be, or is that part of the game... there's a possibility he's the only one in here to add to the "fear".

Rather than respond, Shadow walks backwards to feel if there's a wall behind him or anything that will point him in the direction of which way to go. The ground feels fragile with every step, as though it may crumble underfoot if they're not careful.

[pricklybloom]

She thinks she hears steps, but she can’t be sure if she really is or if she’s just imagining it. If she’s just hearing what she hopes to hear, which is just that there was someone else here.

And she feels just the slightest touch of anxiety - she doesn’t know if it was just the therm of the room, or if they really had figured out that her fear was being completely alone, being left behind, but either way she’s starting to get a bit worried.

“Hello?” she tries again, feeling around in the dark and hoping to find at least something solid. “Is anybody there?”

[limiterrings]

"And what does it concern you?"

A foe? Something created by the technology of this place? He doesn't particularly like where he is knowing that they're able to use memories to lure unsuspecting victims into them, rearrange and try and make them spot out the differences.

He's cautious, wary, but he's been like that around every so far with the issue of running into someone with a face like his, a princess that was far too young and sloppy in technique, a young girl who should be dead and a constant pain in his heart... these are discrepancies that he's found when engaging in something or someone in relation to him. That's why this voice is...

It's best to keep his distance until he knows.

St★rlight

[enshaedn]

What could you be doing all alone?

[ there is … DEFINITELY a height difference between them, Kvothe being nearly 6’ tall, but if that at all presents a problem for him, he gives no sign. ]

Might you be in need of a partner?

[pricklybloom]

[ Standing at just under 3', Amy has to look up at the person that speaks. Still, she isn't about to complain, and offers a smile as she nods. ]

I would, actually. Would you be so kind as to help me out?

colosseum

[maximumlegend]

Does Amy look a little strange? Sure. Definitely unlike anything Fabian has seen, and Fabian has seen many different things in his life by now.

But maybe it's exactly because he has seen so much that he doesn't really sweat the way the other looks so clearly not human. It's not like Fabian is fully human either with his very long pointy ears. So despite Amy being a stranger, and the young man being unsure what she is, he just grins at her all the same.

"Come on, it'll be fine! It's just a little bit of fighting, yes?"

[pricklybloom]

Amy glances towards the unfamiliar voice to look up at the stranger. "Hmm, well..." she says, hesitating a bit. She really didn't want to hurt someone, but a part of her also couldn't help wanting to see how well she does against other people.

"I guess I wouldn't mind a challenge."

[maximumlegend]

"Now that is the right spirit!"

He grins at her, seeming kind of excited about this whole thing. Not.. in a macabre way or anything. If anything, Fabian is radiating some major golden retriever energy at her right now as he says that, especially with that dumb grin on his face.

"Besides, you don't have to worry about anything." He moves his hand and arm, making a sweeping gesture with it. "I would gladly fight by your side in there, and I can assure you that I would not let even a single hair on your head get harmed while I am there with you!"

(Yes, Fabian does wink after he says it.

It looks kind of goofy, given that he only has one eye and an eye patch, so it looks more like a blink, but-- I can assure you it's a wink. Trust me.)

[pricklybloom]

He is laying it on a bit thick, but Amy can't help a smile as she goes along with it.

"Such a gentleman," she says with a giggle. "Well, I'm pretty good at handling myself, but I still appreciate your help. I'm sure this'll be a lot easier if we're working together."

Then she holds a hand out. "My name's Amy Rose."

[maximumlegend]

Hey, as long as she's going along with it, Fabian seems satisfied enough about it. The young man grins as he reaches back to grab her hand, giving it a good and firm handshake.

"I am Fabian Aramais Seacaster!"

A mouthful, yes, but it seems important to him to introduce himself by his full name.. Especially now he feels like he's left a good first impression! Got to nail it down!

"What kind of experience do you have?" She did say she's good at handling herself, so.. "Are you also an adventurer?"