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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

asgardianlegend: (easycompany-aoup1-240)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-07 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's already lived through Loki "dying" twice. It's not his favorite thing, honestly. No. Dying. Please.]

If Jane were here, she could explain it to you in a way you'd understand. But she's probably far too busy to be caught by the people in charge here.

[Even if they're not dating anymore, she's still the smartest and humblest person he knows. He'll talk her up any time.]

I'm not so sure that this is a downgrade. That city was... Well, it was strange, even for someone raised in Asgard. This bastion of pleasures is at least tame and clean. I will take that any day. [He gives her a flash of a smile.] Even if the beds are haunted.

[He looks back at the prizes before looking back at her and noticing the look of someone who has been relying too much on coffee and not sleeping.]

Alex, you look as if you would fall over if a human child hit you. Do you perhaps need someone to guard you while you sleep?
ornithologist: (016)

[personal profile] ornithologist 2025-07-07 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Harold is absolutely going to run off and immediately read everything he can on 'Kaeya' from the network, he just tends not to declare his stalker intentions out loud. It makes them harder to carry out effectively.

"Yes, thank you," he agrees, explicitly accepting the reassurance.

Then he has to explain the second rule, which he wants to do as levelly as the first but understands might not make sense without proper context. Maybe the only thing to do is just repeat it exactly as stated to Carver, and see what Bossie takes from it. Stating it differently in summation might run him into trouble in terms of needing to articulate when violence is acceptable for self-defense and when it isn't, and that isn't really the point of the rule.

"The second rule. For as long as you work with us, if I have reason to believe someone is harming you, physically or mentally, I will not stand by passively as it occurs." A split second hesitation before he adds, "No matter who it is."

He wouldn't just stand by if he knew anyone was being hurt, but it carries a different tenor here. Harold wants it known that he can't be asked to allow them to come to harm.
asgardianlegend: (easycompany-aoup1-182)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-07 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Encouragement is great. And Thor needs so little of it for his attitude to pick up. One of the benefits of being a mostly good-natured person.]

I will have to keep an eye open for doors to other realms. I doubt there will be a Rainbow Bridge to your home world here.

[Thor will just have to keep an eye open for what's available. With his superhuman constitution, very few things can actually intoxicate him, but he does have a soft spot for Asgardian meads and ales. Which he's fairly certain he won't be able to find here.

The other man's interest makes Thor smile and then frown a bit in memory.]


I would be happy to help you get your gadgets... I did not get your name. I apologize. You may call me Thor.

nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-07 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
It makes him go quiet. It's a solemn kind of promise, isn't it? That you won't hurt a person or allow them to be hurt.

"You must really like Carver," he says, because he's not sure how to take the notion that a near stranger would care what happened to him. Working together or not.

Maybe he's just used to being a grunt.
ornithologist: (182)

[personal profile] ornithologist 2025-07-07 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
It is a very solemn promise, and Harold isn't expecting this response at all. It provokes a surprised quirk to his mouth, a hint of a smile that's there and then gone.

"Well," he says, "I do. But that isn't the reason why. No one is irrelevant, remember?"

In a gentler tone: "That includes you."
nottheboss: (1104_002029)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-07 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Bossie glances at him quick, holding his eyes for just a second before he looks away again.

He wonders if Harold would still feel that way if he knew the full depth of what he and Carver have done to people. A lot of people. In God's name or not, he suspects humans would loathe him for it.

But he wants to believe.

"Those are really your only rules?"
ornithologist: (pic#17489325)

[personal profile] ornithologist 2025-07-07 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
It's tempting to make a quip about how he only accepts properly brewed tea, but it's probably far too early for Harold to be showing his irreverent sense of humor.

"For the moment. Perhaps I'll think of more," Harold allows. "This really goes unstated, normally, so it's a bit challenging for me to articulate it. I can't say we ever intended to ... become what we are now. It happened organically."

But he absolutely believes that John and Shaw and Root and even Fusco all understand and abide by those rules. They won't betray one another, they won't harm one another, and they'll protect each other as best they can. It just didn't ever need to be said aloud. Harold is trying very hard to figure out what these unspoken assumptions are that Carver and now Bossie have so he can address them, but it's a bit like searching for a light switch in the dark, hoping he hits the right one.
nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-07 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"How many of us are there here?" He's only met Harold, but Carver mentioned a Shaw.

If he's going to live peacefully with this little group, he needs to know faces and names, know who to protect.

What a strange thought that is: protecting people he doesn't even know. People he hasn't bled for yet.
levelshift: <user name=sakurouji site=tumblr.com> (what)

1/4

[personal profile] levelshift 2025-07-07 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[That... what? Now on his feet, Accelerator can't help but stare at the popsicle, as if it will somehow explain what the kid just said.]
levelshift: <user name=sakurouji site=tumblr.com> (what)

2/4

[personal profile] levelshift 2025-07-07 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[]
levelshift: <user name=sakurouji site=tumblr.com> (what)

3/4

[personal profile] levelshift 2025-07-07 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nope.]
levelshift: <user name=sakurouji site=tumblr.com> (what)

4/4

[personal profile] levelshift 2025-07-07 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
... What?
usedhuntersmark: (inkonic lovm s2e1-3 vex (10))

[personal profile] usedhuntersmark 2025-07-07 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's terribly perceptive anyway, but it's nice to be around someone who has an honest face. It's been a while since she's spent time with Keyleth or Pike. And as much as she loves Percy, he's only honest when they're alone. Like a good ruler.

But, to say that she's relieved to meet someone who knows her brother would be an understatement. She doesn't want to talk about how long it's been since she's spoken to him. It would hurt. But, dear Dawnfather, she doesn't want to start crying when Vax isn't even here to yell at.]


Do you know where he is? I have to speak with him.

[And if there's an intense edge to her voice, well, it can be boiled down to anxiety to see her brother.]

He's the one that gave them to me, so it makes sense that he'd mention them. I will forever be the girl who has feathers and a bear. It's not a bad life, I suppose.
usedhuntersmark: (Lo-VM-s2-030)

[personal profile] usedhuntersmark 2025-07-07 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, I'm his beautiful, smarter sister. [She's not his only sister and she'd hardly dismiss Velora or Pike like that to claim otherwise.]

I will be glad to see him as well. As soon as he shows his face. Of course, if I have to pull him out of the shadows myself, it will hardly be the first time.

[The fact that the girl mentions Vax'ildan teaching anyone archery is a little absurd.]

I'm surprise he isn't teach you to sneak around corners and lift off small trinkets that catch your eye. I'm the archer of the two of us. Although, I suppose he does know how to use a bow. Just not well.
limiterrings: (pic#17723470)

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-07-08 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ he'll come out the portal following, eyeridge raising in curiosity as he sees where he is. returning to this place so easily...

hm. ]


Hm...

[ rather than follow along where the other is going, shadow stands in place looking back at where he came from.

did the previous place they went to also have this? ]
pricklybloom: (pic#15093388)

[personal profile] pricklybloom 2025-07-08 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ Knowing the kind of teasing people do when they're close, Amy only giggles at that. ]

Well, it's nice to meet you! I know Vax really missed you.

[ And she has noticed Vax's tendency to disappear sometimes, but that's hardly her place to really talk about it. Still, she's glad that he has someone he knows here now. ]

Well, it was kind of a thing. There was this camp, and we all had things we were assigned to help out with, and his was the archery area. And he did mention that you were the archery expert, but he also said that the things he showed me are things he picked up from you.

[ So there's that? ]
thelightshines: (reconsidering)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-07-08 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Shadow proceeds into the area where there was a stage for people to dance on. Patrons were showering gold and money if the dancers performances was to their liking. Other than that...he couldn't find anything strange or out of place. Why was this place so heavily guarded then?

At some point, he had removed the rabbit head. He was getting tired being asked to bring more food, or clean the tables and whatever else. He eventually ends up leaning against a wall, some distance away from all the patrons and workers. His ears turning slightly as he picks up on the various conversations being had here. He lifts his head when Sonia rejoins him after her own investigation.]


Nothing. Just...people with a lot of money to throw. [Is this place closed off because there are shady dealings going on in here? Eitherway, he didn't feel there was any information that could really help with their situation.] I thought there might have been something being kept here.
usedhuntersmark: (inkonic lovm s2e1-3 vex (2))

[personal profile] usedhuntersmark 2025-07-08 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Wait until Amy sees Vex and Vax side-by-side. She'll see just how close they really are. Things are different when you share a womb at the same time.]

I have missed him as well. So, it's good that we're both here. How was he when you last saw him?

[She's not crying, but her voice is a bit tight. She's not talking about why though, because she will cry then. And that's the last thing she wants to do with this stranger. Better to cry all over Vax's stinky shoulder.]

I remember trying to get Vax to teach me about his knife work. He's not a terrible teacher. I suppose he was sufficient, but now that I'm here, I'll have to check his work to make sure he's not as bad as I remember.
thelightshines: (But listen carefully)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-07-08 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't go far, stopping to observe the other as they look back at the portal.]

...I don't know what dictates there being a means to return from wherever we're sent. Aurora certainly made no mention this was available the whole time. [Was it meant to be a challenge for them to figure out and find?]
pricklybloom: (pic#15093402)

[personal profile] pricklybloom 2025-07-08 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
He seemed... okay? He's always really nice when we meet to practice.

[ But she doesn't quite know him well enough yet to tell when or if something is wrong.

Vex's choice of words does make her curious though. ]


You weren't with him before being brought here?

[ She'd heard that time was supposed to stop back home for them when they're brought here, but if Vex noticed her brother missing then that would change things a bit. ]

Oh yeah, he's a great teacher! I've never really done archery before and he's really helped me out.
reincarnesiac: (yep we're a-okay over here)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-07-08 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
( Living only pact forming right now, at least in the metaverse. )

Is Jane a friend of yours? From this other city, or from home?

( She snorts at the haunted bed comment, then gives him a mildly surprised look at the comment about falling over if a human child hit her. )

Wow, I'm not that tired. Maybe not up for another battle in the Colosseum quite yet, but even that'll be fine after another few hours sleeping.
restingstitchface: Handmade - DNT (Default)

[personal profile] restingstitchface 2025-07-08 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, a couple.

But as much as I hate their inefficency, I enjoy the challenge.
ornithologist: (151)

[personal profile] ornithologist 2025-07-08 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
"There's few of us, and even fewer here," he admits with a slight grimace, looking down at his neglected beer bottle. He misses Root so profoundly, and even Detective Fusco, and the countless others they've made allegiance with along the way. The list goes on so long. Harold will never see them again. He'll never trade obscure old paperbacks with Elias.

"It's myself, John Reese, and Sameen Shaw. And yourself and Mr. Carver, of course. We have other allies we could pull on as need be, but nothing formal."

Nothing quite of the same variety he has with his real team, where Harold can give an instruction and have it followed instantly, with absolute faith. He treasures and cherishes that immensely, and never takes it for granted -- every such instruction is measured with care.
nottheboss: (1104_001896)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-08 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
That's an even smaller group than he thought. But maybe it's better that way.

"What's Reese like?" How did he end up in this group? He's next up on Bossie's list to meet, unless he runs into Shaw first. Either way he intends to meet everyone, get a feel for all of them, decide how far he can trust his life to them.
repaintress: by betenoir (Default)

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-07-08 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
Without them, we become complacent. If Hell is other people, complacency is death.