etrayamemes | TDM 002

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!tdm

TDM 002

⏵ arrival⏴
Arrival goes as anticipated. Characters awaken in the pristine, new hospital, greeted by Aurora and potentially getting a rundown of what's happening depending on their approach to being dropped somewhere new. The door to their room opens, and new arrivals are left free to explore their new environment.

When the first round of citizens arrived, Aurora and the companion bots had been largely unprepared. This time? They made sure to put up welcome banners, even if the sentiment isn't quite right. There are cupcakes and cookies set out in the hospital's lobbies, and a digital map has been placed just in front of the entrance of the hospital, telling others how to reach the various locations throughout Etraya. Companion bots wander throughout the city, some carrying construction equipment to half-built facilities while others act as nurses, servers, or sales associates throughout the constructed buildings.

⏵ rainy awakenings ⏴

Many concepts are new to Aurora, including rain. She is familiar with how it functions, and its purpose, but rain has never been present on the lands of Etraya. Given how new it is, that may not be all too surprising - but the method of how it’s being introduced is… a little much. Rainfall commences in the early days of April, a persistent downpour that waxes and wanes in intensity but never ceases entirely.

Most nights in Etraya are characterized by a soothing patter of rain against rooftops. Yet, some nights leave the grounds flooded come morning. Rivers begin to swell, the current much too strong to justify trying to go for a swim. These showers also bring a new assortment of plants blooming across the green lands: bright blossoms whose petals spread wide when the yellow sun shines down on them, while numerous cherry blossom trees have grown out of nowhere, flourishing despite the rainfall. Clover carpets the grassy expanses of the islands, weaving a beautiful tapestry of color across the grounds.

⏵ Getting drenched by the rain can trigger a surge, followed by a slump. Initially, individuals will feel giddy, excited, full of energy, and ready to take on the world. However, in the subsequent days, they’ll find themselves feeling depressed, lacking the energy and motivation to move forward. Aurora advises that these effects are only temporary and should fade within the week, but they can be resolved more quickly by embracing a stranger. Attempting to hug anyone they already know well will not produce the same effect.

⏵ With the rain comes a significant increase in the greenery around Etraya that isn’t fake. Most of these plants will resemble ones originally found in the characters' universes.

⏵ A couple of these plants contain magical properties:

The Emberloom is a bright red, fiery flower that only inhabits smaller land masses. Those exposed to its pollen will experience heightened aggression and impulsivity.

Shadowbloom resemble tulips during the day, but during the night the petals open and it looks more like the night sky: dark petals with specs of white throughout them. Growing too close to the apartment building for comfort, those who look at the petals after nightfall will fall into a deep sleep. Worse yet: the dreams they find themselves in are not their own, but are the dreams of other residents. Ones who had not looked into the Shadowbloom, but had drifted off to sleep elsewhere on the planet. The one who looked into the Shadowbloom will find they cannot awaken until the person whose dream they have entered does.

These flowers will continue to bloom through April, after which the companion bots will search for and remove them from the atmosphere bubble.

⏵ If there is a specific, unique plant that those in game (or those accepted during the next round!) would like to add, please comment to the LOCATIONS page! We’ll add mentions of these to the Outskirts section.

Along with the botanical resurgence, numerous new animals appear: glowing fish swim freely through the waters. In the canopy above, new species of birds and critters flit among the branches. Some diligently construct new nests in anticipation of the coming spring, while others seek refuge in the shelter of trees, retreating from the weather.

Not all the creatures are so small, or so peaceful.

⏵ Small critters make themselves comfortable in the forested area around Etraya, staying mostly out of the way. There are the occasional visitors that will let themselves in through windows for a quick visit, or maybe a snack, but they’re mostly harmless.

⏵ Several larger beasts make their way into the city to try and find land that’s more habitable for them. Giraffes navigate gracefully through the areas designated for new arrivals, using their elongated necks to reach for the foliage near the hospital when they aren’t finding new places to make themselves comfortable. An eclectic array of cats, ranging in all sizes and breeds, brazenly saunter into buildings they don’t belong. Hopefully, the lioness lounging in the apartment complex's common area does not prevent residents from reaching their rooms, because she has no intention of yielding.

⏵ The leopard adorned with a rattlesnake tail in the hospital's cafeteria may be difficult to ignore, given his determination to devour everything in sight and attack anyone in his way.

⏵ Cat scratches and bites pose a significant risk of infection. In the event a character is injured, individuals can expect the companion bots to quickly seek them out and approach them with a special antibiotic cream developed specifically for these cats. Refusal of treatment may result in severe symptoms, including high fevers and itching. In extreme cases, individuals may begin to exhibit cat-like characteristics, ranging from physical alterations to changes in mental traits.

⏵ Numerous other creatures of all shapes and sizes will be coming and going through the city. You may play with this as you wish!

While the uproar caused by these guests doesn’t particularly bother Aurora, she does send out a message to everyone wearing an earpiece to request their assistance in capturing the larger animals that her companion bots may not be able to handle themselves. She has converted an island to the East into a temporary holding area until the companion bots can set them up with something a little more permanent.

⏵ network ⏴

Welcome to Etraya! Upon your arrival, Aurora provided an earpiece, a device to make communication with others stuck in the same situation more simple. The device connects to an internal network, which is accessible by everyone else currently residing on planet. Whether you’re looking for guidance, camaraderie, or want to see if there are any familiar faces around, this is the perfect place to do it! Please feel free to post any questions, offer your name, ask for assistance, or maybe complain to the powers that be about how you’ve got better things to be doing than sitting around here completing their missions. Maybe they’re listening. Maybe they’re not.

⏵ NOTES⏴

⏵ During April, Etraya’s getting a little wet! Those who spend too long in the rain may experience a few unfortunate effects.

⏵ The rain brings in new flora, including a couple that may cause characters to experience aggression and impulsivity, or take a stroll through others’ dreams.

⏵ New animals also appear! While many of them are friendly, others… are less so. The cats specifically seem to be a little grumpy. Characters scratched or bitten by these cats may find themselves becoming just as catty.

For any questions relating to the contents of this log, please reply below. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. The TDM is game canon, meaning everything happening above is occurring within the game properly. Those who apply to join in the April application round may keep their TDM threads as game canon.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Dooku was in for quite the surprise at not being the only living being in the catacombs -- and one who was also at ease in such a place. Despite his hatred for being forced into the role, Marik couldn't deny that the place felt like home to him.

It was a needed comfort from time to time.

The young tomb keeper traces his fingers along the inscriptions of a row of ossuaries, glancing over his shoulder when he hears someone approaching. He has a small knife strapped to his belt just in case, even if the likelihood of a grave robber in this place is low.

Best to make it apparent that he knows someone is does here with him so Marik calls out:]

You've picked a strange place to take a stroll.

Only strange to those disquieted by the presence of the dead. For those at-ease with such places, there's few better options for some peace and quiet.

[The youth was a curious sight. Dooku was unsure if he was aware of just how much the pot was calling the kettle black, or if he was being intentionally hypocritical, but it was unusual to see someone walking so morbid a venue by choice.]

Something I'd wager you understand all-too-well, given that you walk it too.

[Marik turns to face him with a raised eyebrow. Dooku was right in assuming the teen is purposely being hypocritical.]

I do.

Can't say I was ever expecting to stumble across anyone else who found comfort in these halls. I'm guessing you're here to enjoy the quiet as well?

It was more a sense of curiosity if I'm being honest. A place as rife with the aura of the dead as this was not something I expected to find in Etraya. It seems quite at-odds with the rest of this realm.

[Dooku turns to face the young man, better revealing his appearance in the low lighting of the catacombs, and walks towards him. As he approaches Marik the footfalls of his boots echo off the cobblestones like a distant thunder, and as he closes the distance it becomes more-and-more apparent that the older man is formidable in stature despite his refined appearance.]

But, then again, so do you. Though I know better than to judge by appearances you have the look of a rebellious youth to you, and that's something far-removed from the antiquated morbidity of this place. Does such a place call to you in some way, or is it simply the ever-present drive of adolescent contrarianism that's led you to seek sanctuary here?

It does, doesn't it?

[The teen tenses just slightly as Dooku approaches him. He's only seen one other man be that tall and that's his brother, who is much more docile in nature.

There is something familiar about the energy about the older man, although Marik can't quite place it at the moment. But just as with Hannibal, he knows not to take the man lightly. There's definitely more to him than meets the eye. Why else would he be down here?

And he knows better than to lend too much information (even if he ends up talking to much in the end) but there's no harm in telling him the truth.]

... The construction and energy about the place reminds me of my home.

[Not that he hadn't been home for over the past four years but that's beside the point.]

[Any youth who would be reminded of home by the ambience and energy of a catacomb has a story to tell, but whether that tale would be anything worth hearing was something the Count wasn't holding his breath on. It was still strange for someone who looked like they belonged in the more affluent ends of Coruscant's underbelly to find a feudal mass grave comforting, and that only added to the skepticism he regarded the young man with for being down here in the first place.]

Given the variety of architecture in this place I'd say it's fair to assume different cultures and worlds have been drawn upon for its construction. What led to the creation of so macabre a place as this, though, is something I'd very much like to know. This is no small number of dead, and if this place is only populated by those brought here by Aurora then a tomb like this is cause for concern.

The text on the ossuaries are in French from what I can tell. I can't read it though.

[He shifts his weight to one side, his hand on his hip.]

As far as why a tomb is here, I assume it's because Aurora borrowed a place from one of our worlds just for aesthetic. It would have been pointless before our arrival given the only true citizens are the companion bots.

[Dooku nods in agreement with the young man's appraisal of the situation, casting his eyes across the shelves of remains as he listens. He's never heard]

My point exactly. If this place isn't some sort of crass facsimile created in the image of one of our own worlds then it would raise all manner of questions. We can only hope that is the case, or else it would raise questions as to whether this was the first time that Aurora has tried something like this.

[He stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before continuing.]

Such questions are a concern for another time though. Even if we weren't the first to be brought here there's little we could do about it, and the threat of erasure is certainly something that demands our attention not wander.

Right. I agree.

[He gives Dooku a look over, taking in more of the man's appearance. Military of some sort...?]

I think they only judge our actions during the broadcasted missions. Time in between them we can do whatever. Which is why they've created all of these different locations for us to explore.

[Dooku purses his lips momentarily, making a disapproving expression.]

I find that idea to be something of a landmine. If the threat of oblivion does indeed hang above us then it would be all-too-easy for our hosts to roll back such a restriction further down the competition and eliminate all those who'd let their guard down. No my friend. Far better to carry on as if you're always under observation to than to take the easy road and live to regret it.

[The Egyptian pouts in response.]

Well, obviously I'm not going to go around committing crimes in our "time off." I'm not that stupid.

[Dooku shrugs exaggeratedly, billowing his cloak in the process.]

New world, no law enforcement to speak of, and bountiful plenty everywhere you look? There are many who'd see such events as destiny writing them a blank check. Why anyone would bother to commit crimes in a place where everything is given freely, though, I have no idea. Some eggs are just born rotten I suppose.

Exactly. It's idiotic and pointless to commit crimes here. No one benefits from it.

Even with death not being permanent here, I doubt Aurora or Echo would allow someone to kill people over and over again. That would leave the victims a literal empty husk when things are taken away with each death.

I might not be a model citizen but I'd rather not get the attention of those in charge for bad deeds.

[Now there was some information he hadn't gotten in the welcome briefing. Death not having a lasting effect could be what caused him to return to life, but he suspected that was more to do with the whims of whatever powers held dominion here in Etraya than the rules of this little game of elimination they'd all found themselves in. Knowing that death would not be the end of him meant that he could sell his life less dearly in whatever challenges laid ahead, but what the young man had said about becoming an empty husk didn't sound like a pleasant end.]

Well that certainly is an interesting thing to learn. The logistics of how such a thing can be is something I'd be most curious to learn though. If our bodies are left behind when we fall, for example, then that could explain all the remains here quite simply. If they aren't then that's much more appealing, as it suggests resuscitation rather than duplication.

[He gives Marik a look of displeasure.]

While I am of course pleased to be among the living again, I'm sure a sharp lad like you would agree that the concept of being a simple copy of the original "you" is a distinctly unappetizing prospect. Infinitely preferrable to avoid the existentialism of such a disagreeable situation.

Edited 2024-05-27 01:35 (UTC)

[... He looks to the various ossuaries along the wall as Dooku speaks then eventually back to him.

Marik hadn't thought of that before. That this could be everyone's body that died and they just get replicated when they wake up.

He swallows audibly.]

There's some people here that know more about it than I do. I only know that it takes something from you every time you die. A memory, an object...

[Just like Shadow Games.]

Y-Yeah. I don't... I don't believe bodies are copied when they die here... but I haven't died here nor do I plan to, so I'm not about to test that theory.

[The Count nods grimly in agreement with Marik's assessment.]

It's something I would like answers to, but I doubt we'll have anything satisfying until something happens to send one of our number back to the starting line, as it were. I've stepped close enough to death's door to not want to speed towards it again, particularly if what you say of losing pieces of your consciousness is true.

You can ask on the network. Other people know more about it than me.

[He shuffles a bit and fiddles with an earring.

So this man has gotten close to dying before. Hm.]

How recently did you arrive here?

[Dooku nods. That explains what that headset had been for. It's less ideal than the holonet, but it's good to know that this place still has a form of information network.]

I found myself in the hospital this morning and have endeavored to familiarize myself with the place. It's been an interesting experience to say the least, but not entirely unpleasant.

[He looks towards Marik.]

And how long have you been here in Etraya?

Oh.

[Then he's certainly been busy since his arrival. Marik only learned the basics before giving himself a break.]

I've been here for... almost two months now. I arrived back in April.

[He rubs the neck of his neck.]

I can't believe it's been that long already...

Two months? Then that Aurora has been pulling people here incrementally I'm assuming.

[Dooku walks a few steps away from Marik, moving further down the tunnel before stopping again.]

I'm assuming you've already established yourself in the living quarters then, if you've been here the better part of a quarter-year. Have there been any of the challenges they mentioned, or have those yet to begin?

The earliest I've heard people arriving here was March.

[The teen decides to follow after Dooku. No point in remaining in the same spot if they're conversing and the man's heading down the hall.]

Yes. There's a bunch of apartments still available. If the door isn't locked and there's keys on the counter, you can take it. If you want to live in the complex, that is.

[Marik frowns at the question, running a hand over the area he was injured during the past mission that would have killed him had it not been for a certain heavenly demon.]

We all just escaped from a Labyrinth. It was...

[His expression shifts slightly to looking vulnerable for a moment before Marik steels himself again.]

... ridiculous and extremely dangerous. I don't ever want to experience something like that ever again.

Edited 2024-05-28 01:37 (UTC)

[The Count reaches into his breast pocket and produces a pair of keys, dangling them in his hand so that the youth can see.]

I've already procured one. Lodgings seemed the logical place to start, alongside sustainable sources of food, but such accommodations were pleasantly easy to secure in this place.

[Details of Etraya's first challenge are enough to make Dooku turn to face Marik once again and he contemplates what he's being told. Forewarning of the kinds of things they can expect are something he wagered would be worth their weight in gold, so he had little intention of squandering a chance to "peek behind the curtain".]

A labyrinth? That is an interesting choice for a challenge. You said your home was similar to these very catacombs, though, so I would have thought that helped to give you quite an edge.

Ah. Nevermind then.

[No surprise a grown adult would have taken care of all of that before exploring a tomb. He was foolish for thinking Dooku wouldn't have done that first.

Marik looks up at the older male for only a moment before looking back down at the floor.]

I'd have thought so too but it was completely different. The maze constantly changed and moved... there were obstacles, gimmicks, challenges, and strange creatures all throughout it.

It's a miracle I lived through it.

Strange creatures?

[Dooku turns his head inquisitively.]

Are you saying there were monsters unleashed upon the contestants?

[It's far more direct than he would have expected from the challenges, given Aurora's explanation of them, but it didn't seem the kind of thing that pitted the participants against each though, and he would be grateful if the contest didn't skew in such a direction. Having to navigate the constant hurdlles of a "there can be only one" sort of scenario was endlessly tiring, and the idea of having a simple monster hunt to beat sounded preferable by-far.]

It sounds like exactly the sort of maze you would hear spoken of in folklore. Riddles, puzzles, and beasts to ensure any who tackles the labyrinth must be of sound body and sound mind. A trial such as that could be quite taxing, but even more so if those who enter it are unprepared to face lethal opposition.

[The older man pauses a moment, letting his words marinate for a moment before looking directly at Marik and continuing.]

If you survived by a miracle do you think you're prepared to face what they'll send at you in the next challenge?

They did. I came across sirens, mimics, sphinxes, and other random mythological beasts.

[He becomes self conscious about the fact that he's been rubbing the area that got ripped apart during the mission, dropping his hand to his side instead.]

That's exactly what it was. There was even a film based on the idea that they aired before hand to give us reference in what to expect. A bunch of the other people held a meeting to go over things and try to prepare everyone.

[Gods, another mission... He really hopes these aren't a monthly thing.]

Am I prepared...? It really depends on what the challenge is. I don't do direct involvement like that.

Edited 2024-05-28 14:55 (UTC)

Catacombs

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