TDM 002

[etrayamods]

⏵ 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⏴

Comments

QUESTIONS.

[etrayamods]

[riskfalling]

Would a newcomer need to have cash on them to get a meal at the diner or clothes at the clothing store?

[etrayamods]

Nope! There is no currency required for any items on Etraya. Clothing and food are provided free of charge.

[seenitall]

Apologies if this is stated elsewhere but since Alex decided to go exploring - approximately how large an area do they have access to explore, and what stops them at the borders of it?

[etrayamods]

There are roughly 80 square miles to explore! The hospital and apartment complex are at the center of Etraya, so Alex has a large area to adventure off to in any direction.

On the border is what appears to be a clear barrier that separates them from the rest of the planet. Through that barrier, Alex would notice how empty the rest of Etraya is. There aren't any signs of life outside the city bubble. The barrier is what stops them from going further, and is impenetrable.

[thinkerseven]

do any insects/worms/other bugs show up with the rain?

[etrayamods]

Oddly enough, there are no bugs currently present on Etraya.

[untalented]

Is there anywhere that approximates a library? If not, will there be one in the future?

[etrayamods]

There isn't one currently, but new locations are added with every batch of new characters. These new locations are generally copies of places from characters' worlds; we invite players to visit our locations page and add new facilities they would like once they're in game.

[agoddessonce]

Can weather-controlling characters influence the rain? Or is it controlled by Aurora? (an almost-name-twin!)

[etrayamods]

While the rain is being caused by Aurora, it can be influenced by those with weather-controlling abilities! It won't affect the entirety of Etraya, but a smaller area around Ororo.

[lumikinetics]

For the rain influencing people, I know that hugging someone they know well won't resolve the effects that the rain is causing, but how does that work for multiversal counterparts who recognize each other but come from different Earths with different histories?

[etrayamods]

If they feel like they know a character well, then it won't work. If they feel like they don't know them well at all, then it will.

Essentially - we're leaving it up to player discretion!

Re: QUESTIONS.

[heartofthedream]

Is it possible for Jean to psychically negate the effects of the rain on someone?

Whether that's stopping it entirely or even just keeping someone from being affected by it so long as she's in their mind (but, like, it would come back if she wasn't there still doing it)?

[etrayamods]

Jean can temporarily relieve the symptoms the rain causes, but it won't last the entire time she's in their presence. It'll last about half an hour before the effects come back.

[her_own_rules]

Questions for those who are hacker extraordinaire curiously citizens--

Can anything be found by pulling apart/tapping into the earpiece, the vital reader, or any computer-like in the apartments they are given? (I'm expecting a no, but Babs would absolutely try it!)


Second -- If she had a laptop with her, in a bag brought with her etc, would she be able to use it here?

[etrayamods]

Barbara will be politely asked to stop digging into Aurora's network as soon as she attempts. There isn't much that can be pulled, but she'll be able to discern that the network is connected through Aurora's AI system. As in, nothing can be accessed without it going through Aurora herself.

She'll be able to bring her laptop and use it. She can connect it to the network to access everything one can through their earpieces.

[levelshift]

Does the Kwik Trip have canned coffee? Super important question.

Re: QUESTIONS.

[wannasmash]

How are the welcome pastries?

[relished]

would a character be able to pick the flowers and have their effects continue at a later date, or do their effects only last if they are in the ground/during the month of April? and if so, would they be able to extract pollen and grow them on their own without being effected by them if taking precautions?

[westcoasts]

another q. about the kwik trip! would it have any newspapers and IF SO, what sort of headlines would they be running? if yes, would it be the sort of stuff pulled from characters' home universes given everything, or would it just be nonsense? also if yes, what would the date(s) be for publication?

edit: actually not specifically about the kwik trip. if it doesn't have newspapers, would there be anywhere to find some kind of equivalent, or is the absence of journalism notable?

also — wheeze as someone from a country that doesn't have a kwik trip, does it JUST sell food/food-adjacent stuff, or would it include things like stationery, pharmaceuticals (low level stuff like aspirin and the like), ....electronics.......

like i'll be honest, in my mind i'm just envisioning a big tesco.
(big tesco sells fucking everything, man.)

[godsbabydaddy]

Is there anything special with the lion or leopard that would keep them from being controlled through demonic means? Likely only when said demon is present because he wouldn't bother otherwise. (Specifically, he can control creatures that have his blood inside and wouldn't think twice about letting them bite him to do it.)

[sokkcasm]

if asked, would aurora be able to tell new arrivals if people from their world are already in game? (i.e., would she be able to confirm that aang is here if sokka asked her specifically upon arrival?) also, how are characters listed on the contact list? is it by network ID only or would there be more identifiable information available if sokka were to look there?

[bookofmagic]

Is there anything specifically magical about or around Etraya that a character with the ability to sense/see magic would be able to perceive?

[reconstruction]

hi! would the rain affect an android? or would it be up to player discretion?

edit bc i forgot sorry: would thirium be provided for him or would he find it not necessary to refuel? thank you :)