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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

theknightshift: (067)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-06-26 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ Despite the costume, Bruce knows exactly who he is looking at and he appreciates the familiar face. He turns to look at Jason before he graciously bows out of the conversation he's barely paying attention to, to give him his full attention. ]

So did you, apparently.

[ Nice ears, Jason. ]
leastdramatic: (Giving a little help)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-06-26 11:48 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks. Only thing missing is a holster for the carrots.

[Jason isn’t sure yet if this “his” Bruce or another alternate but he’s playing like he’s back home. Another vapid party for the idle, another opportunity to be a smartass]

Enjoying yourself so far?
theknightshift: (126)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-06-27 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ He wouldn't call it enjoyment. But he hasn't lost his patience yet, so! That's something. ]

Not as much as you.

[ A pause and then he shifts farther away from the strangers, nods for Jason to follow. ]

Are you alone?
leastdramatic: (Waiting)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-06-27 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Jason seamlessly follows Bruce]

Right now, yeah. But some of the others are around too.

[There's actually a lot that needs to be said but right now they're too exposed in public]
theknightshift: (088)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-06-28 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Which of the others is a detail he can sort out later. He's just trying to get his bearings right now. ]

Around long enough to tell me where we are?
leastdramatic: (Maybe)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-06-28 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Naturally. Though finding Etraya on a map could be a hell of a task. When'd you get here?

[Though still not sure yet if this is "his" Bruce, Jason naturally slips into a familiar family dynamic. Assess the situation and resources, exchange intel, and then plan]
theknightshift: (190)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-06-29 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
About an hour ago.

[ There's something slightly off about this Jason that Bruce cannot quite put his finger on. It isn't off putting enough that Bruce would walk away from him, but it does make him wary. ]

How long have you been here?

[ Maybe that's the source of this slightly uncomfortable feeling. ]
leastdramatic: (Just for the cookies)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-06-29 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Since October. A couple of the others have been here longer though.

[It's very subtle and if he hadn't known or been intensively trained by Bruce for this long, it would be very easy to miss. But Jason senses a question in the air]

By any chance, does the manor do an annual snowball fight?
theknightshift: (031)

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

No. We don't.
leastdramatic: (It's not me)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-06-29 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[A simple answer to a simple question and it tells Jason a lot, right down to the way Bruce replied]

We’re from different worlds then. Mine apparently has some noticeable differences compared to the others.
theknightshift: (100)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-07-01 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bruce nods; he thought as much. ]

Does that change things between you and I?

[ Read: Do you hate me and/or will you try to fight me? ]
leastdramatic: (Talk all day)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-07-01 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Jason has a guess to what Bruce means by that question]

Hopefully not a lot. I haven't thrown anything at any B in a good while. Back home I see a therapist who's been thoroughly vetted and has no connections to Arkham.
theknightshift: (070)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-07-01 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bruce had been preparing for the worst, despite Jason being civil with him. It didn't mean anything. They were in public, faces visible. But it's a relief to hear that at least for now they wouldn't have any problems. ]

Good. I like it best when we work together.

[ A sentiment he truly means, even if he doesn't always show it. ]

That's good to hear, Jason. I'm proud of you.

[ "Therapy? Who is that?" ]
leastdramatic: (It's not me)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-07-01 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a short statement but Jason can't help but feel warmth in his chest when Bruce says he's proud of him. It's similar to when his Bruce talked to him after he had a panic attack. No hiding the mistakes from the past but a willingness to move on from that and still show they were still a family]

Heh. Don't worry. Pretty sure trying to save our worlds takes priority over whatever squabbles we make.
theknightshift: (148)

[personal profile] theknightshift 2025-07-01 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's something to be proud of. And if it meant existing around each other will be easier? Bruce will absolutely take it. ]

Then you believe what the AI says?
leastdramatic: (Kind of)

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-07-01 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I think there’s at least some truth to what she’s saying. How much of it is true is another question. There’s a brother AI around too who came from a different world.

[And there was a surprising amount of personality on display when the two talked to each other publicly on the network…]