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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

tinflower: (pic#17818419)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-14 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hmmm. ]

I didn't use to... but it's gotten annoying. [ If he's honest. ] It's like, I know I'm different from most people, and-- telling you isn't going to change anything. I'm still going to be green and different to you.

[ And tall. And have tusk-like teeth. And pointed ears, and... ]
fromfire: (je maudis)

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-07-14 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
You're right. It isn't going to change anything.

[ Gorgug is just his new tall, green friend with tusk-like teeth. ]

You're still you. [ He says what is said a different way. ] And I'm hoping that the two of us can continue to be friends. Maybe even meet in that Etraya that I don't know anything about, but is apparently not a casino.
leastdramatic: (Waiting)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-07-14 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a fair question to ask but Jason still finds it strange to hear about a BatFamily that isn't as tight-knit like his is]

Well, it wasn't too long ago that I had to play emergency peacekeeper and diplomat between us and the Zaunites. We nearly got into a fight with them after someone wanted to steal something of theirs.
cactusy: (don't mind me‚ officer)

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-07-14 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Spice as in heat, or as in any spice?" she asks, following him. "'Cause either way the answer's yes."
nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-14 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Heat," he clarifies. "He made enchiladas last night. I asked for 'em spicy. Made me cry like a baby."

He can joke about crying when it's not real.
brat: (17087425)

[personal profile] brat 2025-07-15 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
( not a response he cares much for, given how it drops timothy's name much too casually. but he understands the point behind it, too. )

There has been evidence to prove his theory.
nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-15 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Ohhh..." That makes a lot more sense, he thinks.

Former military. "Which branch?" He has to ask, because it matters. The Army may have given him PTSD and tinnitus but it's still the best branch on offer.
reincarnesiac: (smile like you mean it)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-07-15 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, got it. So you're not originally from Earth, but she's one of the friends you made when you visited.

( Given her track record of... two people who aren't... fully (or at all) from Earth being friends (if in Sylus's case a little... questionable still) this just makes Sense to her.

Likewise, what he says makes sense, but it also prompts her into laughing a little and shaking her head.
)

I'm definitely known for being stubborn by my friends and family, unfortunately. How about this? You get the unicorn kigu, I'll get the panda bear kigu, and then I'll take a nap. It's pretty comfortable when you're in one of those things. Like a full body blanket hug, only easier to move in.
auderes: (pic#17880142)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-07-15 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, he could see that. He's not curious enough about how it would look on him to actually pass on shaving for a while, but it's far from the most unpleasant of ideas about what could happen to him in the not-too-distant future. He does laugh at the mention of the 'monstrosity,' just a short chuckle, because he will insist for the rest of time that it wasn't nearly as bad as everyone insists that it was, and actually, at the moment it was stylish. The next iterations of his suit were better, that's generally agreed upon, and naturally he likes the current one better than the rest. Barbara really has seen it all, and found him attractive no matter what he is, or isn't, wearing.

The part that she's still getting drawn back to, worrying at it, all goes back to the same issue. One that he suspects is going to plague him for a while, until he really manages to establish himself here, because from the way he sees it nothing is going to help more than just time. Which is a hard conclusion to come to, given that it means no one can do anything to make it easier, they just have to get through it one day at a time. And, most challenging, not overthink questions that just don't have any clear answers. Which isn't a new development, they didn't before either, he just incidentally brought all of that to the forefront with his arrival like this.

It's hard. Everyone looking from the outside in could be forgiven for thinking that he's impervious to doubt, he radiates confidence, both as Nightwing and in his personal life, but the truth is that he has as much as anyone else. And some of those are persistent, and they always hit him in quiet moments when he's most prone to brooding. Worrying.

He knows. He figures she does too.

"We could go in circles with that all night," he says instead, now stroking her hair, gentle and reassuring. "I know it's awkward, trying to piece all this together, but it'll work. It'll be alright. All the important things, none of that has changed, right?"

He loves her. He has practically since they met and he was hit with a huge crush, and he doesn't think that anything in the multiverse could ever change that. And, if anything, this feels like a somewhat ironic reversal of their last serious conversation.
auderes: (pic#17357281)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-07-15 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It would be impossible to find a truly isolated spot here, sure, but a table at the edge of the crowd is better than standing in the middle of it at least. It's a lot easier for people to drift in and out of eavesdropping range in a milling crowd, at least here at the tables it's easy to spot any unfamiliar faces taking a particular interest. Granted there aren't too many people here that they have to worry about, not when compared to the number of potential problems they have back home, but it's also a lot smaller space. And much higher stakes. ]

So we have to stay here until Aurora has decided that we've had enough fun.

[ It seems as if this doesn't count as an official mission, but whether or not it does Dick feels as if they're probably being monitored, and judged, at any given point, potentially consistently. It's not a great feeling, he's used to having Barbara's eyes and ears on him practically all the time, but some unknowable, detached entity? That's different.

In any case this is a helpful conversation for him too. He hasn't been here so long that everything's fully had a chance to sink in just yet. ]


Have you gotten a card? It doesn't seem like we have to but... who knows.
tinflower: (pic#17818417)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-15 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Alex will find Gorgug when she looks back--and, unfortunately, their feathery foe. But Gorgug is happy to be alive (once more); he's already had enough of this course, and the giant GOAL sign is something he wishes he could be faster about getting to. Is he going to risk his magic again for it? Hell no.

And, unluckily, he has nothing he can do to support Alex. The blue bird has completely bypassed him, and he doesn't know how to increase his speed. So, as the last person in the back: ]


Kick its ass! Kick its ass!!

[ Gorgug can only give moral support.... maybe it will provide some encouragement that will aid Alex in her time of need?! ]
her_own_rules: Babs (Even Fair Isn't Fair)

[personal profile] her_own_rules 2025-07-15 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Barbara tries to let those words sink in. She's pretty sure she could go round and round on this again. And again. And again. The same way she had before she'd finally managed to just fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion from the day and the constant merry-go-round of her mind. Of this place, and its million-million mysteries that most days she felt like she had no more real answers to than the day she woke up in this place—and given that's her job, it's a pin that doesn't stop pricking.

He's stroking her hair, he's comforting her, and that's not, it shouldn't be his job, right? Not in these circumstances? Not even a full day into being in this place and she's made a mess of things, hasn't she? Was it better when there was a table between them and all the brass facts of this place to relate, the names and places and endless missions designed to somehow meet some quota on that first ultimatum?

The one he, somehow, didn't even get on arrival this time.

And: does that mean something has changed?

Will she have to contact Aurora again?




(She may have forgotten there was a question at the end of his words.
One that was truly important no matter how rhetorically put.)
borrowers: (pic#17834976)

[personal profile] borrowers 2025-07-15 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Bless your efforts, Inara; even the small fish-shaped bottle looks so very large in her grasp. But she uses some string in her knapsack to fashion it into a huge canteen that settles across her back. She carefully takes some of the cookie pieces, and breaks off a piece of the cheese with a brightness of relief in her eyes at the sight.]

Thank you so much, Inara. This will keep me going for a while...!

[A pause, as she looks up, and then offers a slight bow in appreciation.]

When I'm able, I'll reach out to Aurora.
quibblingfunctionary: made by dethruki (lips 01)

[personal profile] quibblingfunctionary 2025-07-16 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Honestly, the cuteness is probably exacerbated by his horse-carousal dress. The number of bows. Him kicking his feet a little as he lets his legs dangle.

Sleipnir will lean on his elbow on the bar with his cheek in his hand and make the thoughtful humming noise again; the look on his face is that of a suspicious pout. The man is a shield after all; it's completely possible he is just saying this to defend those who have let him down.

But the look on Clive as Sleipnir touches him... oh, they're both drinking this up. At least they were until it's cut short with a different sort of touch. And by shooting him down? But only shooting down tonight. Oh. That's good. That's very good news. ...But also, he wasn't propositioning Clive... Sleipnir had been suggesting the man use his free time to correct the issue with anyone; he hadn't meant it as a hit-on. But... If he's only getting shot down for tonight, Sleipnir will take it as if it had been the intention all along. ]


Suit yourself. Although, there is wisdom in this- I perform far better when sober. [ he sits up again ] And if I get my hands on you: I want to take you apart piece by piece. Find the spots which cause all the pretty little noises you can make to fall right out of your mouth. See the beautiful expressions you make when I touch and explore your tender spots.
herofhopeless: (thinking)

[personal profile] herofhopeless 2025-07-16 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
[The cute dress and mannerisms didn't help, but the noise itself was in a class of its own. And there it was again. Clive couldn't help but smile a bit at the sound. How could someone who was so capable of bringing destruction and death also be cute? It made no sense to Clive's inebriated brain.

And all semblance of cuteness gets up from the bar and walks promptly away at Sleipnir's words. Clive opens his mouth just a bit then closes it, listening. He does, however, feel the familiar tell-tale burn of a blush starting at the tips of his ears.]


You are...

[His brain, still trying to wrap itself around the mental image of Sleipnir doing even a portion of these things, fails to provide an adequate response.]

Something else.

[Wow. Good one, Clive.

He pats Sleipnir's knee in as least sexy a manner as he can manage]


I think it's time you and I call it a night. But in not the same direction. Unless where you are staying is the same place I am staying. Then we have to walk in the same direction but we would each still go to our own rooms.

[Clive frowns. Too much drink. He gestures for water.]

And make sure you drink lots of water. And eat something. You don't want a hangover.
triptos: (pic#12345676)

[personal profile] triptos 2025-07-16 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ The corner of his lip turns up. Their game hadn’t started, but the tension he could feel on his shoulders was loosening up. His tie remains tight up the shirt collar, but it’s a start. ]

Likewise.

[ Norman strolls over to the machine and gets the game started. A set of nine balls rolls down the rack, ready to play. ]

You can grab me a sparkler after.

[ ‘Then it’ll be a real party,’ he muses with a small smirk on his face. He doesn’t know where this sudden boost in confidence is coming from. Call it instinct, or whatever you want to. But at least for this moment, no one’s trying to put Norman through a goddamn car pulveriser. ]
tinflower: (pic#17331239)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-16 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ahh. Gorgug nods when Thor mentions Aurora, showing recognition in what he means. It's only when he asks about flying that Gorgug blinks, then kinda...looks up. ]

I... don't know? You could try. [ But, a beat. ] You can fly around in Etraya. There's a sky. It's got to be quicker than the transport they have there.

[ Which, Aurora Tried in that regard, but... ]
tinflower: (pic#17818424)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-16 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah? [ Gorgug thinks about that. Being this guy's new pal, continuing to be friends. He looks at him curiously...

... ]


...do you usually make friends with people way younger than you?

[ Is this a thing, is this the type of guy he is. ]
fromfire: (a sunken ship; my hiding place)

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-07-16 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
When it is put like that --

[ He does the usual bounce of his head. ]

-- unfortunately, yes. But there are few people older than or my age.

[ Rubbing his chin, he strikes a pose by framing his face between the index and thumb. ]

Despite the youthful face, I am over one-hundred years old. So alas, I do often befriend many much younger than myself.

[ Important to phrase it like that cause his poor good name that his actions usually ruin but maybe not this time!! ]
reincarnesiac: (yep we're a-okay over here)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-07-16 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
( She crouches. She goes. If she could unstrap her feet to literally kick feathery butt, right now she would. As it is, the rolling bird-ball catches up to her near the finish line, and it's hard to say who exactly crosses the finish line first...

... Until the fireworks that fly skyward at their crossing forms a pixelated version of Alex's face in the clear blue sky.
)

Take that, ostrich!

( She says, victorious! Still going! And then slammed into by the now sadly warking bird, until both Alex and the chocobo are sprawled on the ground and she's hugging its giant head.

(This is to prevent it from getting leverage for a chomp.)
)

One point to the humanoids! No point to the birds!

( The chocobo, perhaps at its limit for the moment, moves its wings lightly in protest, then hwaaarks again and stays flopped. Whatever. It didn't want to win anyway! )
tinflower: (pic#17331254)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-16 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. [ There's some momentary surprise for the guy's age, a look at his face, but considering how old some people can get where he's from-- ]

I guess you're not doing bad, for over a hundred. [ Gorgug "guesses". He pretends to run a hand over his own hair, which ... is very far up, considering his goggles are up there. ] White in the hair is cool. Mine's natural, too.

[ Well, as natural as having your hair shocked white can be. But he's got to compliment it, as a fellow White Hair Haver.

....even if he's wondering in real time if he should be appreciating his own white hair when some guy over a hundred is doing the look too... ]
fromfire: (of leaving tennesse)

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-07-16 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. I, too, think I'm not doing too bad. [ A brief glance to the white hair. His head inclines to the left as he has some feelings about his own hair, but there's no real reason to get into all that. ] I guess that means that we're both cool together, yeah?

It adds a certain bit of character to our look, I'd say. [ He pauses to lightly flick a strand of white out of his face, and he breathes out a little chuckle. ]
maximumlegend: (you just can't see)

[personal profile] maximumlegend 2025-07-16 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[ Her words seem to lead to a slight pause on his end. Fabian just stares at Noelle before he tilts his head a little bit to the side, almost like he's curious or confused about something. ]

You mean you don't have a god?

[ Look, Fabian may not understand all the intricacies of being a cleric and all, but he's seen a whole lot thanks to Kristen over these past few years. And if recent stuff has proven anything to him-- well, it's that clerics without a god usually don't do all that well. Is that why Noelle is so worried about her magic, maybe? ]
usedhuntersmark: (Lo-VM-s2-006)

[personal profile] usedhuntersmark 2025-07-17 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Vex can't help the amused smile that comes on her face when he straightens his already pin-straight posture upon her slight reproach upon the breach in etiquette that's happened. Percy's done similar things.]

My mother raised me to always thank those that help you. And I've been trying to lean more on what I learned from her.

[Especially since she's in a much better place now and has to be a good influence on her little sister.]

That sounds rather cute. Back on Exandria, it just takes a wizard or an artificer a deal of time, materials and money to work on the enchantment, but it's saved our lives more than I'd like to count. [Her smile turns a bit wry as she thinks about her brother.] Of course, hearing "Jenga" out of nowhere really can take a few years off of your life.
usedhuntersmark: (inkonic lovm s2e1-3 vex (2))

[personal profile] usedhuntersmark 2025-07-17 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
I suppose it would be strange if you didn't have colorful personalities to go with your coloring.

[That explanation does nothing to explain anything. And for a moment, Vex has to stop and piece together what she's heard into something coherent.]

So, there are different versions of people you know from different versions of your world. [She has a few words for that but none of them are suitable for anyone who isn't Vax'ildan or maybe Zahra. The joys of Abyssal, right?] That sounds exhausting, honestly. How do you keep everything straight?