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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

fledges: (089)

[personal profile] fledges 2025-07-23 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
/There's a card with your face on it?/

[She shouldn't ask, but it happens instantly. Now she's opened herself up to possible bragging, so she quickly continues--]

/Fine, fine. I wouldn't want you to have nightmares over a fake haunted house./

[Yeah, she totally just got jumpscared, but that's neither here nor there! She's secretly relieved to be heading back out onto the game floor. Maybe.]
leastdramatic: (It's not me)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-07-23 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Jason snorts, not surprised by the response]

Another thing. There's a few alternate versions of us around.
oblige: (mull)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-07-23 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, the others that should be safe. If you cross paths with flocks of brown birds with a single colorful one as their leader, they are wary but will not attack so long as they are neither startled nor provoked.

[ Such flocks are a fairly common sight in Valisthea, though they seemed rather new to others. Chocobos in general were only familiar to a select few in Etraya, in Dion's experience. ]
querulus: (x-factor - sucks to suck)

[personal profile] querulus 2025-07-23 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
/Look, you haven't seen the spider room. Terrible with a capital T. Anyway, get over here and—oh, there—/

—you are!

[He switches to speaking out loud when she's within hearing distance and waves as he jogs up. If Kate happens to pay attention, she may notice he looks perhaps a year or two older, and that his hair is slightly different: wavy and significantly less fried by bleach, with much more fuzz at the sides of his head. Also he looks? Happy?? To see her???? And only in a mildly ironic way.]

Holy crap, you're exactly who I wanted to see. [But before she starts getting any funny ideas—] Hey, does your freaky aim shit work on pinball?
fledges: (pic#13650809)

[personal profile] fledges 2025-07-23 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[The switch from thought to audible speech is a little jarring, but also weirdly endearing. Kate finds herself smiling despite herself. Quentin drives her nuts sometimes, but he's still her old teammate and - shhh - friend.

But he's happy to see her? Like, legitimately? And he's admitting it? That is weird.]


You wanted to see me? Wait-- "freaky aim shit"? Is that what you're calling it?

[Wow! Offensive!]
querulus: (sb - armchair psychic)

[personal profile] querulus 2025-07-23 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, what else would I call it?

[Skill? Talent? Athletic prowess built over many years of practice? Of course not.

Anyway, yes, he's very happy to see her, and also he doesn't have any ulterior motives so don't even worry about that. He gestures at the game floor with his thumb, and look he's smiling! Aww.]


Anyway, does it work on pinball? The personalized Triple Triad card is like ten grand, and I need like a gazillion more points.
fledges: (050)

[personal profile] fledges 2025-07-23 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
My undeniable skill? My awesomeness?

[God, this is so not the point. He's dragging her off topic, and she reaches over to give his shoulder a gentle little punch, as though blaming him for her distraction.]

Quentin. Forget the pinball. Can you tell me what's going on? Who else is here?
querulus: (w&txm - wellllllllll)

[personal profile] querulus 2025-07-23 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Ow!

[Quentin rubs his shoulder like her punch actually hurt. It didn't, but he's gotta be dramatic.]

Fine, fine. Stupid pocket dimension thing, save the world, blah blah blah. You got the welcome package, right?

[Okay, okay, he'll forgive her for the punch. Quentin huffs and crams his hands in his pockets.]

As for who else is here, uhh... mostly mutants, from a buncha different timelines and crap. A symbiote weirdo or two, couple Asgardians, a Spidey, Squirrel Girl. Oh, and Deadpool. So kind of a mixed bag all in all.
tinflower: (pic#17782385)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-07-23 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Gorgug gives a 'Yeah' in agreement to Yuri's assessment of the arrow, squinting himself at the display and how archaic the game seem, especially for a park that's otherwise creative and rich.

But he watches, and when Yuri finds his target--well, this game doesn't seem so hard, does it? Actually, he's starting to think... ]


Did we pick a bad game? This seems too easy...

[ There's no way they'll get a lot of points.

But saying that invites bad luck, when a flashing dot appears, but this time from behind their submarine. ]
Shit-- can you turn?!

[ Oh no! Either this will be a test of Yuri's reflexes (of manoeuvring a slow-moving submarine), or maybe their friend on the inside will assist at the last second...! ]
fledges: (101)

[personal profile] fledges 2025-07-23 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
What? No, I didn't get a welcome package, I just woke up in this dumb VR thing, and then a robot gave me this.

[She shows him the little earpiece, wrinkling her nose.]

But, okay, back up, you've gotta be more specific. Which mutants? Cool ones, or...

[She makes a vague, flappy gesture with one hand. Listen, some mutants are kind of a nightmare. Quentin gets it.]

And which Asgardians?
Edited 2025-07-23 20:34 (UTC)
sophielicious: (11)

[personal profile] sophielicious 2025-07-23 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
(Sophie is out here with the most extra look imaginable, her usual Cuckoo bob replaced by waist-long golden blonde hair. It takes her half a look to recognize Kate freaking Bishop, an eyebrow rising before she laughs.)

Funnily enough, yeah, super do. Sophie Cuckoo, nice to meet you, Kate.
cactusy: (I woke up today and chose violence)

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-07-24 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Guy's been holding out on me; I'm going to have to make him cook me dinner next."

Enchiladas. When the hell was the last time she had enchiladas? Pre-kidnapping, most definitely.
shieldingfoundation: DNT. Commissioned by <user name=inkonic> (pic#15953566)

Peggy Carter | MCU | New Character + New Player

[personal profile] shieldingfoundation 2025-07-24 02:38 am (UTC)(link)

COLOSSEUM: OPTION A


( Peggy's given no time to gather her bearings in this strange new place before she's thrown into the deep end. or, more accurately, the middle of an arena. strategically placed for the crowd of spectators, and something she's only ever read about in fiction. so it's no wonder the large, hostile, and ghastly creature standing in front of her is all she can focus on.

luckily for her, and whoever she's been paired to battle alongside – but has yet to acknowledge, given the current snarling situation – she's armed. it might not look like much, but the small pistol in her hands is capable of doing quite a bit of damage.

usually.

although the bullet she fires from the gun hits the intended target area of the creature, it doesn't do a thing. unless you count ricocheting off its hide. which she does! if simply to inform her where not to shoot next.

shaking the fumble off, Peggy immediately fires off several more rounds in rapid succession. aiming to hit a wide range of spots. again, they do nothing but increase her agitation. and the beast's. )


Oh, for heaven's sake! ( she mutters, turning now to her companion. ) Tell me you've a better-suited weapon we can use.



COLOSSEUM: OPTION B


( although she may appear dead – lying in the middle of the colosseum floor on her back, eyes closed, unmoving, and splattered from head to toe in the remains of the creature who had thrown her across the arena, she isn't.

Peggy's merely trying to catch her breath and assess if anything is broken. other than her pride, of course. )


That was delightful. Let us never do it again. ( she groans, cracking one eye open to glance up as her companion approaches. )



BEEHIVE LOUNGE


( Peggy's grateful to learn not only is the lounge relatively similar to some of the ones back home, but the drinks are too. because after the battle, she needs one.

maybe two.

more than that, though, Peggy needs intel. the scraps of information she'd been provided about why she's here, how she ended up here, and what's to be expected of her haven't done anything but raise further questions. and if she can't get it out of anyone in charge, well. she'll try her luck elsewhere.

so she's seated at the bar with her second cocktail of the evening, smiling warmly against the rim of her glass. the dress she's wearing – a black number with a daring slit along the side and a plunging neckline, and not one she would have picked out on her own – seems to be doing the trick catching people's attention. it helps that the seat next to her is empty. really, what luck. come join her for a drink. )



WILDCARD


( feel free to hit Peggy up with any of the other prompts. you can also reach out to me here or on Plurk @ [plurk.com profile] covfefeislife for plotting. )

ornitiers: (Come away)

[personal profile] ornitiers 2025-07-24 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
The brown chocobos? Okay. I'll be careful not to scare them. I wouldn't do anything like that intentionally, at least.

[He tries to be considerate. A good boy. Vivi likes the chocobos, so he wouldn't intentionally startle one. Not on purpose. He's not that mean. Something might happen by mistake, but Vivi would try not to upset the birds.]
querulus: (wca - i am considering)

[personal profile] querulus 2025-07-24 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Quentin gives her a slightly offended quizzical look at the "cool ones" comment, but he'll get back to that one in a bit after he answers her second question.]

Uhhh, a Thor, I think. And a Loki? They're from a different universe so the psychic signatures are all wonky, and I'm not all that up to date on my "Who's Who in Asgard" honestly. 

[He shrugs.]

As for mutants, let's see. Me, obviously. One of the Stepford Cuckoos, Hellion, Jean, Storm, Hope Summers, Icarus... Nate Grey, he's a tourist from a different universe, aaaand we've got baby alternate timeline versions of Cyclops and Laura. X-23? Or uh, Wolverine? The Wolverine who isn't Logan.
theknightshift: (pic#17899220)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-07-24 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Great. ]

How many?
fledges: (101)

[personal profile] fledges 2025-07-24 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Thank God Sophie introduced herself, because for a tiny, panicked moment, Kate thought she was going to have to guess which Cuckoo she was looking at. Crisis averted, she grins instead.]

Oh, hey. Nice to meet you too. Weird that we're finally meeting in some over the top multidimensional casino, huh?
fledges: (022)

[personal profile] fledges 2025-07-24 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, don't give me that look. Can't a girl make sure it isn't one of the mutants or Asgardians that are going to try to murder us or take over the world or something?

[She pauses, wrinkling her nose.]

Jury's out on Loki, I guess.

[She has Complicated Feelings there, and who knows what an alternate version will be like, anyway?]
sophielicious: (nyx_014)

[personal profile] sophielicious 2025-07-25 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
(Oh, she knows. Doesn't even need telepathy to remind her, because most mutants in this place also wouldn't know which one she was until she said it. It's okay, Kate.)

Well, at least it's the casino. It's dreary out there, I'll tell you that. You game?
leastdramatic: (Just for the cookies)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-07-25 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
There's a younger me who just got fired from being Robin. He's a lot angrier and could be getting into trouble.

[Though Jason really wants to be wrong about his suspicions]

There's a younger you too. No Robin yet. Can't have had the job for more than a couple of years.
fourthwalled: (side look)

[personal profile] fourthwalled 2025-07-25 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wade is actually being effective now rather than the comic relief, blades a furry of motion after stabbing its eye, cutting limbs and stabbing anything on the creature that looks important. It does seem like it's slowing down. Although, it's still very angry!

He moves behind it while Thor readies his lightning again, and Wade feels the charge of electricity against his skin.]


Hit it!
nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-07-26 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Make sure you invite me. I never miss a chance to eat his cooking." He grins back at her. "If you have requests he'll take them if he likes you. Consider it like a litmus test."
oblige: (mull)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-07-26 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
I've no doubt you wouldn't, but they can be timid. Yet it is nothing that some greens cannot overcome.

[ Fortunately for them, the chocobos' favorite treat had made an appearance alongside them. It made matters far simpler than had it been otherwise. Since Vivi is familiar with the birds, he'll surely knoe what Dion refers to. ]
Edited 2025-07-26 02:55 (UTC)
wolfish: (lean)

[personal profile] wolfish 2025-07-26 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yuri hums low, eyeing the object behind their submarine. He doesn't yet know how to target something behind their digital vessel, so he does the next best thing— he moves the submarine out of its line of fire and uses the surroundings to block enemy fire.

It doesn't resolve the matter of the enemy dot, but Yuri hopes it will pass in line of fire eventually. ]


"Level one" means it's just the start, yeah?

[ Sure enough, the hostile dot drifts across the screen and moves to the other side of the player craft, allowing Yuri to shoot it that way. ]

Not so bad.
asgardianlegend: (Image5(1))

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-26 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
When you've lived as long as I have, the stories are numerous and sometimes seem absurd. That doesn't make them any less true. But, yes, we were fine after that.

[He died not that long after, but that's a different story, okay.]

I saw some bathrooms between a few eating stalls. I can guard the door for you if you're afraid of being accosted?

[He's here as her own personal Big Damn Hero™. At least for the time being.]

I have returned and I require the unicorn kigu. [He has the tickets.] And the strange white robes as well.