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∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
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TDM 008


content warnings for this TDM include: gambling references, mild horror themes and suggestive content


⏵ arrival⏴

Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. Newcomers generally find themselves waking up within the hospital, are given a brief overview of their situation, and sent on their way. Now? They wake up immersed in a game within The Gold Saucer. But it doesn't quite feel like a game: whether it's snowy mountains, riding a chocobo as you listened to the wind quickly pass by your ears, or in the middle of a battle with a beast, it feels utterly real.

It's only after the game concludes - either by winning or losing - that you find yourself back in the main game area. A bot, dressed as personnel in this lavish playground, approaches each arrival with an earpiece allowing them to communicate with those in their same situation. It also serves to inform them of their goal: collect enough gold saucer points (or GP) by playing the games to acquire a card fashioned to their own likeness from the game counter. Then, they must trade it for someone else's. Seems simple enough, right? Hopefully the cards aren't too expensive...


⏵ the gold saucer ⏴

The Gold Saucer is an ode to the very idea of fun. It’s huge, labyrinthine, colorful, and lively. Everywhere you look, there’s something to do. At the same time, it’s also impossible to tell what time it is. There are no windows to the outside, there are no clocks. This place is beyond such a thing.

There are games everywhere you look, ranging from the pseudo-gambling to sports to pixelated video games in cabinets. Yet no matter which boxing game, pinball machine, or skeeball machine you look at, the same creatures and themes arrive. Cactuars, chocobos, the fiercest Behemoth, the cuddliest Moogle… For those from the realms of Final Fantasy, this will feel natural- homey even. Everyone else will simply understand that there is a fairly strong central theme here about magic, machines, and monsters.

It’s hard to tell how long you spend here, and it seems to sit outside of the very concept of time. Still, there are many restaurants, lounges, and vending machines. There are shops and costume rentals. There are even little pharmacies with headache remedies if the partying gets out of hand. And when you grow tired, there is a hotel- though it is made up like a haunted house, you can count on getting some semi-restful sleep.


⏵ playtime ⏴
Interdimensional Games


At first, stepping through to play any of these games may make participants wonder if they have been teleported somewhere else entirely. But on closer inspection, all the skies above are merely well-constructed interiors with painted ceilings. After all, it always seems to be daytime during these games.

Snowboarding - Race to the bottom of the mountain, but avoid obstacles and complete as many tricks as possible!

Chocobo Racing- Race on Chocobo-back around a treacherous outdoors race track which can either be taking place in a desert, a swampy forest, or upon an island beach. Work in tandem with your rented bird and against your competition by throwing hazards in their way or utilizing buffs garnered on the track. Different colored birds will yield different advantages.

Yellow - Good All Rounder
Red - Fast, but hard to steer
Blue - Slower, but very easy to steer. Much easier to pick up items from them.
Green- Resilient against traps and sabotage

Colosseum Battle- Face off against the fiercest beasts around. Pair up with friends or rivals to Collaborate or Compete to do the most damage and deliver the final blow. These battles are synced to the comparative power of the one entering the competition.

We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt unnecessarily, after all. And indeed, no one will get seriously, gruesomely, or permanently injured in these battles. Those without fighting capabilities can rent weapons outfitted Materia to assist them in their trial. These will allow anyone to cast spells, though not guarantee any better wielding of weapons. There are a hundred rounds, starting with fairly simple Spriggans, ranging all the way up to blood-thirsty Behemoths to challenge even the most battle-hardened hero.

Gold Saucer Games


Leap of Faith- Players are presented with an obstacle course that stretches a hundred feet into the air upon floating platforms and islands. Both are held aloft by magical crystals. Powers are entirely nerfed, though falling and hitting the ground is strangely painless. Those who collect the most silver and gold statuettes of cactuars placed at random throughout the course will be awarded proportionate GP; though there is a bonus for those that reach the very top first.

Triple Triad- Everywhere you look, people are playing this game on little 3 by 3 boards, or any surface with enough space. You will be given a loaner deck to play with. Are you clever enough to defeat your fellows.

Fashion Report- Theobold, familiar to some, stands by himself in a little booth with a dressing room and an incredibly expansive walk-in closet. He is a robot of distinguished fashion and strong opinions on those fashions. Do you dare subject yourself to his scrutiny? Come prepare in his wondrous closets to make the best outfit for the chance to win a prize. Please submit your fashion here!

There are Arcade Machines and activities galore. If you can think of it, it’s probably there- Just with that Final Fantasy pastiche on it, of course.


⏵ the beehive lounge ⏴

There are other places to eat at the Gold Saucer, but the vending machines and cafés all pale in comparison to the dinners at the Beehive.

For all the rave reviews, there is a dress code at the Beehive, and this is literal. If you step inside and are not currently wearing a dress, you will be ushered into a sideroom and appropriately made over.

However, this is only for those trying to go in through the normal doors. Around the side there happens to be an employee entrance, manned by a bot. He will only allow those in who seem like they intend to work— and therefore must be wearing at least one piece of the Bunnysuit Collection to trick the guard.

Once you are made over or have snuck in, you are free to relax inside with drinks, dine on a fine meal, watch the dancers, or participate yourself if you feel brave enough. Why would anyone ever dance here? Well, that’s simple. It pays really well. So if you’re sick of games, or terrible at them— you can always come dance for a shift. Though, don't get any unseemly ideas about freeing yourself of your clothing, this isn't that kind of establishment!


⏵ haunted house ⏴

When you grow too weary or drunk from a day of games, you may be directed to somewhere a little quieter to sleep. Up the elevator, and through the doors reveals a modest walk through some woods until a quaint, victorian hotel appears. It is always nighttime here, and the stars and moon twinkle above.

The receptionist, a bot in a rather bedraggled-looking chocobo mascot costume checks you in and shows you to your room. You can sleep here, especially if you can tolerate the hokey haunted decorations strung up around the place. Though sometimes, late at night, there will come a vigorous thumping on the door to startle sleeping patrons awake- Only for the culprit to vanish and be impossible to locate.



⏵ ticket counter ⏴


The prize counter is manned by a bot and has a sign posted overhead. Most prizes will be handed over inside an appropriately sized wrapped box, as the contents are a mystery.


Sparklers & Glowsticks 10 gp
Bunny Suit 300 gp
Bunny Stockings & Heels 150 gp
Animal Ears (Random) 500 gp
Kigurumi (Random) 100 gp
Chocobo Barding (Random) 1000 gp
Classic White Mage Robes 500 gp
Classic Black Mage Robes 500 gp
Plush Toy (Random) 100 gp
Wind-Up Minion (Random) 200 gp
Chocobo Mascot Suit (Random Color) 2000 gp
Triple Triad Booster Pack 50 gp
Triple Triad Card in your Likeness 10,000 gp


⏵ NOTES ⏴


This TDM may be treated as a mini-Mission. Time will not pass inside of it in relation to the world outside - meaning, this can be happening at any time between late May into early July!

This Gold Saucer is a bit of a mix between that of FF7's and FF14's, but it also has some things that neither have as well. Any inaccuracies are entirely intentional, aimed to make this rest within a space of uncanny valley for those who are familiar. While otherwise being a bit of a chaotic fantastical funhouse for everyone else! If there is something unlisted, chances are it will exist if it is in either of the other versions of the Gold Saucer.

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 to our mod queries comment!

FULL NAVIGATION

repaintress: by betenoir (Neutral 2)

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-06-29 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Of course he'd make excuses. What choice does he have? Aline certainly wouldn't have created him with the ability to disapprove of her actions. Not deeply. Even the man's agreement to collaborate with Clea had been based on him thinking it would be better for Aline's family. Not out of negative emotions.

How complicated are his emotions allowed to be? Can he look at Alicia and somehow simultaneously be so worried for her future that it makes his stomach roil but also resent her for the cost her foolishness has had? Could he understand Renoir's decisions and simultaneously hate him for abandonment? When he thinks of Aline, does he only worry without also being angry that she spent their lives teaching them lessons she abandoned when the pain reached her?

Can he resent Clea for being the daughter their parents said they wanted while somehow still always being there when she'd needed it?

She doesn't know.

Clea snorts at his retort. ]


You're right. I left out part of the truth: I'm actually an immortal vampire. We're all vampires. Aline is self-conscious about the fangs; that's why you do not have them. And why there are almost no mirrors in the Canvas outside of Lumiere.

[Not at all because she'd found mirrors too difficult to Paint at the time, so she and Verso had shrugged and decided they weren't that important.

It's good that he gave her an honest answer. Well. She can't know that. He is based on Verso. But he doesn't patronize her, or reassure her that everything will be okay. Still, though, there's a naivety to his answer that unsettles her. A conversation? It will take much more than a conversation to begin to repair what has happened.]


The Gestrals barely have a concept of time and you still can't make it?

[She eyes him up and down again with a practiced, judging eye.]

Distinct and good are two entirely different concepts, Verso. Though I agree: You could look worse. You could be completely bald.
fourthwalled: (unmasked: long day)

[personal profile] fourthwalled 2025-06-29 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Mostly worried I'll say something stupid. [He usually does.] And she's not her like I said... and I'm worried I'll forget that.
nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-06-29 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
He doesn't want to admit to it, thinks it must be a disadvantage. But there's no way to hide that he has no idea what the fuck is going on.

"I just got here," he says grudgingly. "I'm supposed to be waiting for my brother. The hell is happening?"
Edited 2025-06-29 21:57 (UTC)
wolfish: (say)

🎀

[personal profile] wolfish 2025-06-29 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Likewise.

[ In turn, Yuri gives the man a jaunty little salute before he saunters off. ]
wolfish: (regard)

[personal profile] wolfish 2025-06-29 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
So your gadgets need some training...

[ It's a curious concept, learning machines. Yuri hadn't ever heard of such a thing before all of this. In many respects, the experience remains surreal despite just how much time he has spent in this place. Aurora seems to learn the way people do, aside some baseline understanding of how things work, which makes good enough sense if someone's making a person of a sort.

Gorgug's little creature might start off with less, he supposes. ]


Can the one you made build confidence? If it can panic, I'd think it could, but it's far and beyond what my world's got.

[ He's had his run-in with mechanical weapons, but they didn't seem to possess that sort of intelligence or capacity for anything resembling emotions. ]
sabigoe: (⚙ 21)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-06-29 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Calmer sounds good. Honestly, she has a difficult time telling how the other hedgehog feels just from a glance. It's like a permanent look of irritation. And she wishes she could someday see him smile for once. At least a hint of happiness. ]

...I think so. But I guess it would be tough for a lot of people. [ They all had been suddenly pulled from their home worlds after all. ]
sabigoe: (⚙ 09)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-06-29 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Fio keeps her eyes straight ahead, putting on a brave face that's unlikely to intimidate anyone or anything with her innocent features. Just a little further and a turn at the corner, then they can take the stairs down to the lobby. Maybe a bot will be available so they won't have to head out far.

Despite having come face-to-face with more terrifying situations in the past, she still gets frightened deep down. She unconsciously squeezes his hand a little tighter, though not so hard that it would be a painful grip. She doesn't have much physical strength in the first place. ]


Not... really. Someone in the city might know better. Is this your first time seeing them? I've seen some machines where I'm from. They aren't like these ones.

[ Most of them were round, short, and stumpy compared to the companion bots. The ones that she saw on Earth were no longer functional and a depressing sight seeing their bodies scattered around the ground. And there was a little machine that she fondly recalls, one that once guided her through what felt like an endless labyrinth. ]
sabigoe: (⚙ 88)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-06-29 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
...I don't really need much. [ A small amused smile. And she can't imagine "Darkie" to be the kind to shower her with prizes anyway. Though he did get something for her back in Aphaia after working with him in one of the competitions. ]

I'd just like the card. Then I gotta trade it with someone. That's the goal, they said.

[ A prize that she doesn't sound very excited about. She's following the mission, believing that somehow this ensures the survival of their worlds. She still doesn't understand how the few missions she's been part of do help the multiverse, but she continues to go along with it anyway.

Yet her eyes wander over towards the other options, to focus specifically on the display of different plush dolls. She's restraining the urge to bolt ahead, to get a closer look. One of them even looks to be a small chunkier version of the cactus they just fought. There's a few other creatures that she doesn't recognize, but they're just as adorable. If there are a couple hundred points left to spare on her card, maybe there won't be any harm getting a doll. She's never owned any toys before.

Fio turns to him, about to ask the same question. Maybe he already accomplished the task at this point. It seems like he would have an easier time accruing points to get what he needs. The prizes weren't exactly on the forefront of her mind, but he asked. And she looks at him, frowning, the dried blood quickly being an easy reminder of the earlier battle. ]


You really should wash up first. I think that's more important...
nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-06-29 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why didn't you give up after she turned you down a couple of times?" Shaw must be something special.
wolfish: (regard)

[personal profile] wolfish 2025-06-29 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yuri knows boasting when he hears it. He also knows that apparent youth hardly speaks for one's martial skill. Byleth was proof enough of that. How many men could be said to be capable of clearing out enemy forces all by oneself? That swordsman could, and it would only be a simple, likely deadpan statement of fact. ]

Good enough that I'm still alive, but that might not be saying much, depending on the world.

[ His own has its share of injustices and cruelties. Then, of course, there's the war he'd been in the midst of and thought he might yet see concluded when he got swept up into all of this. ]

Couldn't say how I'd match up without anything to go by.
oblige: (hearten)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-29 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Dion takes in the words with thoughtful silence. It seems to him that Vivi is a kind boy, concerning himself so much with someone he'd only just met. He hopes that some of his friends are here as well, isolating as that could well feel otherwise. ]

Worry not. I have seen them, and our nature is such that I can sense when they are near.

[ Though Dion had little occasion to think about it before, there is some reassurance in that simple knowledge. The Phoenix is here. Ifrit is here. He knows this remains so without needing to look upon them in the moment. ]

What say you to having a look at the card games? I only saw them in passing.

[ ooc: word of mod is Tetra Master's another card game option! ]
reincarnesiac: (huh i mean i hear you but really)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-29 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
( Alex considers this possibility, then ultimately sighs and rubs at her shoulder. )

So even when we hear more, it's not useful, and being in a place like this can pull people in for whatever reason that none of you may ever see again? That's even more bothersome than thinking of people trapped in a Protofield... if that could even happen.

( Still, what can she immediately do about it either way? )

I guess I'll learn if I'm here as a half-kidnapped guest or a fully kidnapped one sooner or later. In the meantime? I'm suddenly craving hot chocolate.

( The sugar. She has such needs for the sugar after all this. )

What about you?

( Who is holding off thinking on the inherent unfairness of taking people against their will to anywhere, for any purpose? Or taunting them by showing them others similarly displaced... but able to return home? Not Alex, that's for keeping her from sleeping later. )
theknightshift: (031)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-06-29 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The question is...ridiculous? Bruce doesn't look incredulous but he does give Jason a curious look. Multiverse shenanigans? Probably multiverse shenanigans. ]

No. We don't.
reincarnesiac: (unsure how to feel about that)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-29 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
( She shows both her hands, palms side up, empty. )

No idea. The people who told me a bit more didn't exactly have answers for that either, which tends to make me think we're not really told even if we end up where Aurora and Echo are. The fact we're on missions that include "make friendship cards to exchange with people" makes me think it's like the universe's most horrible Reality Television show.

( On the bright side? At least it's not Naked and Afraid. )
bubblegumheart: (pic#15858214)

[personal profile] bubblegumheart 2025-06-29 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe they just really like the patterns. Or maybe they're trying to see if anyone has anything to say about it!
thelightshines: (And what you lost)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-06-29 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[He probably shouldn't, but walking feels more difficult to do right now. His legs feeling like useless noodles. He's got enough chaos energy to get them going....but he could use just a little more. So Sonic might feel a tug at his own chaos energy as Shadow pulls a little from him. Not so much that it's life threatening, just enough to get them elsewhere. He'll make it up to him later if he makes a fuss over it.

They won't go far, remembering a quiet space near the waiting area of the colosseum lobby. It's here he'll drop them both, dropping onto the floor himself once they reappear and letting go of the other's hand. Blue and yellow sparks dimly dance around his body. He's spent.]
oblige: (lean)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-29 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ And so, the tension grips Dion's shoulders once more, frowning at this wall he has been met with in this exchange. Ifrit persistently nominalizes his own good deeds, yet insists that he is somehow deserving.

It all seems quite backward to him, illogical bordering on the absurd. ]


...So I will maintain that is reason enough that you were chosen.

[ The man has other virtues, but his desire to aid and uplift others is genuine. Why wouldn't such a man be chosen to represent their world? ]
repaintress: by betenoir (Default)

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-06-29 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I can respect social rablerousing, but I draw the line at crimes that cause my eyes to burn. Why not simply throw a wine glass?
theknightshift: (207)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-06-29 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Bruce doesn't turn to look. Damian didn't join him at the table which tells him he's not dressed for the occasion and he rather not compromise him more than he already has. No one seems to be paying attention to them so he he does speak up, voice low. ]

Waiting for you to do what you were planning. No one is looking so you should hurry.
herofhopeless: (soft smile)

[personal profile] herofhopeless 2025-06-29 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Clive sighs and leans back in his chair. This is going nowhere. It'll take time for Dion to either learn or re-learn his worth. That sort of thing can't be fixed in one night.]

Well, we're here together.

[Clive smiles softly.]

And I am glad it's you that'll have my back.
cactusy: (because he was stupid and I hated him)

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-06-29 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, boy. Shaw rolls her eyes up to the sky, taking a deep breath. If there were anyone else near by she'd try to pass him off, let someone else who's more suited to the task take charge of explaining things to the stressed-out new guy, but since it's the middle of the night and they're alone in the hallway...

"We're, uh-- we're running missions, weird missions, to be good representatives of our homes and prove that they're worthy of being saved," she says, fully aware of how batshit this explanation must seem, particularly if he's as new as she suspects. "It's just as messed up as it sounds. Listen, have you seen your brother here, or were you in a place that you recognized the last time you saw him?"
nottheboss: (11x04_Pope_and_Bossie)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-06-29 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've seen him here. Brandon Carver." He watches her, watches for signs she recognizes it. Signs that she might recognize Carver as an enemy, because that's all the Reapers have been for so long.
cactusy: (I feel great)

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-06-29 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Shaw isn't the most expressive person in the world, but her eyes widen a little - not with fear, but with surprise.

"You're Bossie."
nottheboss: (1104_001409)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-06-29 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
His eyes flit over her, checking for weapons. For fists. "Yeah."

Carver said he has allies here. Harold is one--Harold was okay. Maybe she will be too.

Another bang down the hall on another closed door makes him jolt, grab for a knife. "This part of the mission?"
oblige: (consider)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-29 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That is one truth neither of them can deny. Whatever the reasons behind it, they are both here.

Dion draws his hands away, resting them on his lap. ]


I shall do my best.

[ That his faith might not prove to be misplaced. ]