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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-thor2-147)

voice ⚡un: Thor

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-02 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
[The voice that answers her is amused but kind.]

I can assure you that using these earpieces do seem rather annoying, but there are far worse ways to do so.

I take it that you are new? Welcome.... [He checks the username and hopes to the Norns that it's part of her name.] Ree.
star_freckles: (Default)

voice

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-02 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess so.

[She doesn't sound convinced.]

I'm just used to finding the people I want to talk to. This feels too much like talking to myself or some strange Fea magic.

[There is a brief pause.]

You do actually exist?
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.
star_freckles: (Default)

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-03 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[You are absolutely correct Thor.]

We can leave?

[She sounds rather surprised.]

How? I'll come find you.

[He really shouldn't trust Relle to find him, but she sounds very confident.]
asgardianlegend: (easycompany-thor2-192)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-04 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
Eventually, yes. Although, time seems to feel differently while you're there and when you leave.

[He's pretty sure it's some type of time dilation, but that's hardly something he can go spouting to a newcomer. Not many people in his acquaintance back home would understand that, so he's not going to overwhelm a stranger.]

How about I come and find you? If you stand by the area in front of the board with the rideable birds called Chocobos, I will be able to find you. You will know it is me when I arrive.

[Besides, he can fly and he's made his way through the Gold Saucer already, so he's got some idea of what he's doing by this point.]
star_freckles: (Default)

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-04 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course it does. [Time has never been Relle's friend and it continues to be a pain in the ass. Luckily, she's a half-elf, so she has more time than others.

Her head nods in reply, and it takes a few awkward seconds of silence for her to remember that he can't see her.]
That sounds better. [She doesn't need to get lost in another carnival.] I think I saw a sign like that.

[It takes her a little while to find her way back to where the cute birds were. She remembers them vividly thanks to Gwen. It's the kind of family that Gwen would have adopted in her past, and would have somehow ended up living in their home.] How do I know it's you? [She isn't sure if she's that recognizable either, though she hasn't seen many women with vibrant pink hair.

At the very least, she can look incredibly lost.]
asgardianlegend: (easycompany-aoup1-222)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-06 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[He's not even going to blame her for that comment. It's always a time issue when all things are considered. Especially when it comes to the shorter lived races he's met.]

If you stand by the chocobos for long, I believe they might come over to you and let you pet them or at least give them food.

[Her question about know how it's him is ignored, as it takes him no time to fly over to the Gold Saucer and walk to the chocobo pen. There's only a girl with long pink hair around the birds and looking super lost. He walks over to her with a smile.]

This is how you will know it is me. That is the benefit of having the option of voice. We have heard how we each sound.
star_freckles: (Default)

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-09 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's taller than she had expected but otherwise she gets the sense that he sounds like he looks. There is strength to both his tone and features that matches him well. Unlike those she's met in the fea realm, this man appears straight forward.]

I'll know it's you because you'll start talking to me? [She accepts his words as fact and quickly moves on.] Are you sure I'm not imagining you? You look like something I might think up.

[He is the complete opposite of Leo.]

Your name was Thor? Right.

[She isn't sure she's saying that right.]
asgardianlegend: (easycompany-aoup1-222)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-14 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Thor is painfully honest sometimes. It's one of the things that might irritate others in his acquaintance. He might tell white lies, but he's not that good at them, so he sticks with his strengths.]

Well, if you insist on making me an illusion, I suppose I'll just have to be a very big and loud illusion for you. I somehow doubt those around us would find that very welcoming.

[He flashes her a brief smile before nodding.]

Yes, although I believe this is the first time I've ever had someone have to confirm my name quite like this. I would welcome you here, but I'm still not sure if being here is a good thing or not.
star_freckles: (Default)

[personal profile] star_freckles 2025-07-20 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[Relle's head cants curiously to one side and then the other has if deep in thoughtful consideration. Those who are keen at reading others would notice the confusion that furrows the center of her brow.]

I appriciate it. [A useful illusion is better than nothing.] Though I'm fairly sure you're real.

[Just in case she lightly taps his shoulder to make sure that he's really there. After feeling the familiar firm muscle she's satisfied.]

Okay. Do you like being here? Are worst places to be?
asgardianlegend: (Image84)

[personal profile] asgardianlegend 2025-07-20 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[He can see the slight hint of confusion on her face and he doesn't even blame her. He would be confused as well if this had been his first time finding himself in a place that is unfamiliar with people he'd have never met give he hadn't been kidnapped.]

Well, it's nice to see that you believe I am a real person. It's not exactly easy trying to prove my own existence when I am standing right before the person trying to deny it.

[Yep, he's real. And that action gets her a slight smile before he takes a moment to think her questions over.]

I suppose being here isn't quite so bad. Everything has been relatively calm since I arrived, but I am wary of that changing rapidly. [Don't worry, it will.] And there are always worse places to be.