etrayamods: (Default)
∎ 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

auderes: (pic#17340903)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-07-03 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
On the other hand Crane is here too.

[ There's no point in beating around the bush with that one. ]

There's a few other names to keep an eye on too, Barbara can fill you in better than me, I'm still taking it all in too.

[ He's not sure what he thinks about the fact that Aurora would decide to pull in people like that but... ostensibly there's a good reason for it, and whether or not that's true they just have to deal with it regardless. As if they needed any concrete reasons to take all of this with a grain of salt. As much emphasis as he's putting on trusting people it's hard to know exactly who, or what, is behind all of this.

None of those thoughts are particularly evident in his expression, Dick seems to be as easily confident as ever, but both Bruce and Barbara know him too well. ]


Should we find somewhere to sit?

[ The Beehive isn't bad, as far as attractions in the Saucer go, it's at least a little distracting from the fact that they're presently stuck here. ]
sabigoe: (⚙ 83)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-07-03 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
Back where I'm from, most of the machines I've seen were broken from a war...

[ She's only really seen the machine lifeforms in action by peeking through memory records.

As they come up to the corner, Fio comes to a halt. Though such a tiny gesture, it is the helpful, reassuring squeeze around her hand that urges her to continue onward. But she remains cautious as she shuffles forward, peeking around to check if there's anything that might be lurking in the eerie darkness. She looks visibly relieved when she notices there isn't anything but the usual silly spooky decor and the stairs leading back down to the lobby. ]


There's... one other that I know who's kind of like the "bots" here. [ One that's still active. ] She's a smaller machine... and she calls herself Pod. Or Mama. [ A hint of fondness and a small laugh in her voice, briefly forgetting how tense she is in the manor's dark hall. In the short time she knew her, "Mama" was far more caring towards her than her adoptive parents. It made her happy, even if it may have been a little strange hearing a kind, motherly voice coming out from such a tiny robotic creature. ] She'd talk to everyone like she really is their mother.
stylebythemile: (061)

[personal profile] stylebythemile 2025-07-03 11:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonia follows suit and, well, starts to suit up. Putting on this ridiculously itchy-looking costume over a tailored dipped-hem dress is a crime against fashion, but she'll do what she must. Luckily, he seems to have similar qualms, and moves to the bot for confirmation of approval, to see if the head of the outfit alone is enough to sell it.

It is.

Promptly slipping the bunny head over her own, she does the same. They've passed the bots' test; they're now official employees. They pass through another door together.]


Their security protocols might need some work.
repaintress: by betenoir (Thinking)

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-07-03 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Would the Dancing Plague be one such example?

How do you know that the witch trials were a mass delusion? Perhaps there truly were witches among them. Our Gifts have certainly been compared to witchcraft.


[ It isn't even a particularly absurd comparison. There were yards of boring religious tracts across the world with dusty theologians arguing about the artistic Gifts. ]

I lack the context to say, monsieur. I fail to see why it would engender disapproval. Others being able to dance does not detract from my own skill. My primary questions would be what manner of 'power' is being discussed and what cost the provisioner would extract for such a thing.

[ Since they are, of course, speaking hypothetically. ]
bluejustice: (104)

[personal profile] bluejustice 2025-07-03 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, you know! Explore this strange new hotel. Solve the mystery if this place is really haunted or not! Find the masked guy pulling the strings behind all of it, or maybe help a tormented ghost cross to the other side! Have a good laugh, and then maybe have a sleepover before hitting the hay.

[Every new experience can be an adventure if you put your mind to it, Vivi! Like exploring your parents' closet for the first time. Who knows, you might find Narnia or really embarrassing photos of them when they were in highschool!]
tinflower: (pic#17818424)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-03 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's true, he does have a certain look. One that makes Gorgug look him and up and down, and-- he's gotta ask, sincerely: ]

...are you from the countryside, or an adventurer?

[ Where else has mead halls--? ]
tinflower: (pic#17818420)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-03 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hmmmmm.

Hmmmmmmmmm.

Yuri is getting to see some hard thinking faces here, of the "should I? Do I want to? Fixing it might be easier, buuuut" varieties. A mumbled, ]
I guess, [ that's audible despite the chimes and tunes in the environment.

But before Gorgug can come to a conclusion, he feels his wrist screen activate, and turns it to look at him. ]


--Oh, it got it. It looks like... it could try and get in the programme. It's not complicated. [ He looks at Yuri, brows still together in thought. ] It could set off some kinda alarm if there's security in the game itself. Should we give it a go? Maybe if one of us plays it at the same time...

[ And by one of us: ] --You?

[ Yuri.

Wanna play a game? ]
tinflower: (pic#17331239)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-03 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's so nice.... he can do other things! But it still isn't ice-related or putting people to sleep. Unless he makes a bomb. ]

And in dreams? [ So in games or dreams... huh. ] What kind of video games are they?

[ Is this some kind of future-tech simulation that grants her powers and that's what she means....?! ]
heavensnight: (I promise 'em that you're different)

[personal profile] heavensnight 2025-07-03 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[usually Maria gives it a couple of visits before she offers up anything too intimate. not about some sense of morals but more because it gave her a good idea of what they were after. she didn't want to be a one-time deal.

but when Verso kisses her fingers, the shiver of delight that goes through her, she decides to go along with it. sometimes when people were new to this place, they returned very quickly and she had liked Verso a lot. why not give have a nice moment with him?]


Let's go. [she gives him a knowing smile and gets out of her seat, tugging him with her.]
abit_ofboth: (bored)

[personal profile] abit_ofboth 2025-07-03 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Once upon a time, Loki had been one of those people who thought Thor stupid. Though if he really thinks about it, he never truly believed that. He’s spent enough time with his brother to know better. Mostly, he thinks, he just found it annoying that Thor used it so well. Loki prides himself on his intelligence and simply hadn’t understood why anyone would want to be seen as stupid.]

I suppose Sif would know. She always seems to have her ear to the ground.

[Briefly, Loki wonders if his words might be taken incorrectly. There have been times when he might have said such a thing sarcastically. The Norns knew he’d had his fair share of conflicts with Sif, but the truth of it is, he’s always quite liked her.]

To be fair, it’s hardly my fault that so many tend to believe what I say. Sometimes I am not even trying. [He grins and clasps Thor back in return, gripping his shoulder perhaps a little tighter than is normal. It might not have been so long since Thor has seen him, but the same is not true for Loki.]

Perhaps I will surprise you and do my best instead.

[Loki grins and gets on the board with ease. Thor had put on quite the display, but Loki is a natural when it comes to things requiring balance and agility.]
restingstitchface: (Bored)

[personal profile] restingstitchface 2025-07-03 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
The Plague would be. Though one prominent theory suggests ergot poisoning from contaminated rye.

Regarding the trials, I simply provided an extended example that occured not nationally but globally.

And though I would argue the word is loaded with fear and respect, for is there truly a difference, there no such thing as a witch. The word was - still is - a label used to scapegoat and sunder those society wishes to marginalise. Wise women. Intelligent women. Assertive women.

Women, period.


[Can you tell he's an equal opportunities asshole, yet?]

In any case, others would consider such advancement without work and effort a form of cheating. But those protests always originate from those already gifted, don't they?
emeraldcoast: (pic#17938348)

[personal profile] emeraldcoast 2025-07-03 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ While Blaze has her suspicions, Sonic knows without a doubt that this is the princess he’s friends with! Not only in appearance, but presence — commanding fire as if it were her ally, no, her very will. Sonic can’t help but grin. Of all the people to run into, he's happy it's her! ]

Wouldn’t dream of it!

[ The uncertainty in the shape of her frown doesn’t bother Sonic. He’s always known Blaze to be more cautious than him, and they’re in a new place with strange rules. Any hesitance is understandable - besides, he's a "do first, ask questions after" type of 'hog!

In the time it took for Blaze to deal with the third lavalisk, the one Sonic had wounded came back for round two... with a friend. One on each side. Sonic widens his stance and tightens his fists, quills sharp and ready. There’s a confident smirk on his face as he turns to face one of their enemies, back to Blaze. A display of trust. ]


What do you say, Blaze? Wanna show these guys what a real team-up looks like?
cactusy: (I don't care if it keeps me alive)

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-07-03 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds reasonable enough; she makes no move to stop him.

"Get the hell out of here and go to--?"
emeraldcoast: (pic#17938358)

i notice, i notice, many many things that are alike ~ ♫

[personal profile] emeraldcoast 2025-07-03 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Just when Sonic was starting to adjust to the weirdness of this place! ]

Wow.

[ He places his hands on his hips and leans forward, inspecting the other hedgehog with an inquisitive eye. Surprisingly, he doesn’t look quite as confused — probably because this exact thing has happened to him before, though that version of himself was… rounder. Shorter!

After running into that other Shadow, it only makes sense that there’d be another him too. He cracks a grin as he leans away. ]


... Don’t suppose your name is Sonic?
repaintress: by betenoir (Shadow1)

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-07-03 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll be certain to threaten you often. For your comfort.

[ Of course. That's who she is, isn't it? Especially for him. Maman... he tries so much to be his own person, but he can't, can he? None of them can.

They exist as a mirage to bring Aline succor, and part of that mirage, that fantasy, is that everything can return to how it had once been, and that none of them could hold grudges against one another. That they all would be perfectly content no matter the circumstance. Verso should have attacked her when she'd come to him the second time. Refused to listen. Or run. Those would all have been normal reactions to the end of 'Expedition Zero'. If that had been real.

And yet he did not, because he does not have his own soul, and the soul inside of him loves and cares for her. Because he knows the truth of the things she tells him, and because Verso's soul still loves them. What he should feel for her is hatred. For the mistakes she's made, for the fact that the situation had degraded as it had. For the fact that she couldn't stop it, for the fact that she's the one alive and whole.

The soul of a child in the body of a man. How torturous that must be. What a conflict between heart and mind that must engender.

Hearing the words is a relief and Clea releases a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, closing her eyes and exhaling. Allowing herself to relax, even if only for seconds, her shoulders drooping.

Only for a moment, however. Then she draws in a breath and squares her shoulders back, posture returning to its usual impenetrable perfection. ]


Should I take Alicia?

[ She wants his opinion. He has seen her the most recently. Would it be more harmful for Alicia to be left with Aline and Renoir, who might abandon her, or to be stuck with only Clea for comfort? Who is a poor option indeed.

What would harm her less? ]
bubblegumheart: (pic#15901370)

I'm sorry Clea, she's just like this lmao

[personal profile] bubblegumheart 2025-07-03 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
It's so much fun!

[For some people, sure.]

You take white clothing items and you tie them off with rubber bands or something, and then you dip the tied off parts in dye.
repaintress: by betenoir (Thinking)

Weirdly she's actually into this?

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-07-03 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's certainly enthusiastic. ]

So it's a technique for applying dye in patterns? That would be interesting to see. Is it combined with other techniques?
bluejustice: (19)

[personal profile] bluejustice 2025-07-03 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's less ill prepared by the surprise meeting of a doppelgänger this time. He's already encountered the other Shadow (if getting beaten by him counts as an introduction, anyway).

He is still startled, and with the little scrutiny, but he bounces back fast. He puts his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest a little.]
Well, of course! Who else can be a blue, superfast hedgehog?
repaintress: by betenoir (Neutral 2)

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-07-03 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
If that were so, would there not be more historical examples of something akin to the Dancing Plague? It is difficult to believe that the rye would only be so contaminated once.

It is a rather gendered concept. Though a fair number of the female sex seem to enjoy their position.


[ And if Clea has to listen to one more discussion about babies she is going to Paint her hearing away. Before that was marriage and courtship. Although men tended to be as dull in different directions. Finance and erotic fixations. ]

If society did not marginalize the intelligent, wise, and assertive, they would need to confront how much of their own lives has been built from tradition and authority. They do not wish to confront their own lack of creativity or their lack of courage. They must convince themselves they are content with their small lives.

Should a man with no legs complain of those who dance? How the gift is given matters less than what one does with it.
oblige: (Default)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-07-03 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Shall we have a closer look then?

[ He nods toward a space nearer to the table. The crowding isn't so dense here that they couldn't get a better view, and the players appear engrossed enough in their game that Dion doubts they'd be disruptive purely for observing more closely. ]
Edited 2025-07-03 21:19 (UTC)
star_freckles: (Default)

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-03 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[It doesn't readily show, but Relle is nervous about those fighting at her side. It isn't anything that this stranger has done or any stranger, but Zhadin, one of her past teammates, who had been intent on finding new and creative ways to electrocute her while aiming for whatever foe they faced.]

If you- [Her response is cut off as a tentacle attempts to wriggle around her ankle. She jumps back and then lunges to catch the tentacle as it withdraws. They can talk later, for now, they're going to work together.]

Right. [Relle grins as she skirts to the right. Her feet are quick, but her blade is quicker as she slips through the writhing tentacles towards the creature's large face. The tip of her blade sinks deep before she tears it from its flesh.]
star_freckles: (Default)

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-03 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[An exasperated groan is heard in response to Alex's matter-of-fact answer. Relle messes up enough as it is, there doesn't need to be yet another way she can fuck things up.

Maybe she'll just tell people to come find her if they want to talk.]


Yeah? Well, if it is them, they wouldn't say it, but I'm sure there are plenty of creatures out there that like messing with those weaker than them. Putting a name to it doesn't usually help. [It's her excuse for why she knows so little.] So what about you? What do you think?
asgardianlegend: (Default)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-03 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[That gets a laugh out of Thor that lasts for a few moments.]

I assure you that I actually exist. I am not a figment of your imagination. Though, I doubt that helps unless you can actually see me.

[He takes a moment to think about how things worked for him.]

Are you currently able to leave the casino? If so, you will find me in front of the apartment complex in the Alexandra area.
glassescannon: (Default)

Haunted house

[personal profile] glassescannon 2025-07-03 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Seth's gaze drops to the book, and a pained expression furrows his brow. That's no way to treat a book, let alone a valuable piece of information. He reaches for the battered collection of pages, if only to remove it from the bot's hand to somehow restore it away from prying eyes.

His thoughts are interrupted by the man speaking to him. He doesn't notice him at first, too absorbed in his thoughts, but jumps when he realizes that he's being spoken to.]


Excuse me. [He turns with the book safely pressed against his chest. It might not be useful, but it still shouldn't be treated like this.] Really? [Seth is a little disappointed, but it's not going to stop him from continuing to try to learn more.] Have you been here long? I'm not familiar with this place or how I got here.

[He pauses as if only realizing something his brain has been slowly contemplating in the background.] I'm not familiar with a teleslate. I assumed this device was a magical system.
thelightshines: (more than life)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-07-03 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Better for us. [You won't hear him complaining about a painless entry, especially after dealing with those bots at the entrance. Once they're inside, he'll keep the head on for a while longer, just in case.

Moving along the facade, they'll eventually come into a main lobby type area. Music is playing somewhere nearby and the people here are certainly, well one could say they might feel underdressed amongst the more lavish folks here. There's nothing here that really stands out to-

"Pardon me, another glass of your finest wine, if you would."

A wine glass is suddenly plopped in his hands as a fancily dressed women walks pass him.]
... [He's putting that glass on the nearest table and continuing to walk through the lounge.]