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

[hypnagothic]

[ Ben might take his wrist, but for a skinny guy Dream sure seems strong, the pulling on his arm having no affect at all in making him move from the entrance. the only thing it does seem to do is make Dream focus on him, head tilted with a calm contemplative expression that seems wildly out of place in the disaster happening around them. ]

I assure you that I am quite safe, Ben Song.

[quantumnomad]

[ Ben freezes and the world seems to freeze around them too, but Ben doesn't notice that. He looks down at the man's wrist to make sure he's really touching him. ]

How do— [ the world starts moving again, cars honking, sirens in the background. a window cracks somewhere above them and Ben moves to try to shelter the stranger from the falling glass. ] Move first, questions later. Come on.

[ he tugs him again, more insistently this time. ]

[hypnagothic]

[ well, fine, since he's insistent of it. Dream is curious now anyway, of how this dreamer was able to focus on him. the next tug as Dream moving, thought it's more because he deigned to move rather than Ben actually succeeding him moving him. he walks at a slower pace than Ben might like, but his sleeping mind can chalk it up to being unsteady with the ground shaking beneath them, right? ]

[quantumnomad]

[ Ben isn't questioning much, he also doesn't question how they are suddenly sitting at a booth in a 24 hour diner as soon as they're out of danger. each of them as a cup of coffee in front of them, Ben is clutching his like it's a lifeline. ]

How do you know my name?

[hypnagothic]

[ the transition is easy, just as Dream's upright posture even in the booth's seat. he leaves the mug steaming in front of him for now. ]

I know all who dream.

[quantumnomad]

[ Ben frowns, mouthing "I know all who dream" under his breath as if that will make it make sense. Then says still quiet in a confused yet resigned tone. ]

What?

[hypnagothic]

You are a curious mortal, Ben Song.

[ he says, completely ignoring Ben's confusion. ]

There are not many that are so disconnected from time as you are.

[quantumnomad]

[ That doesn't make him any less confused. ]

... I don't— [ He ducks his head, pressing the bridge of his nose with his fingers as if that will make this make sense. ] Come on, man, adding gods to this is just plain mean.

[hypnagothic]

Oh? How so?

[quantumnomad]

My life is complicated enough as it is.

So, are you specific to a culture or is this more humanity's concept of the god of dreams?

[hypnagothic]

There are more than merely humans that dream. I am of all faiths and beliefs, in my way, though I am not a god.

[quantumnomad]

Why do you speak like a sphinx who's been banned from telling outright riddles?

[hypnagothic]

[ perhaps the hint of an idea of a smile. ]

A curious and reckless mortal.

[quantumnomad]

[ Ben smiles, relaxing a little. ]

You heard it too, right?

[hypnagothic]

I am familiar with the manner of sphinxes, yes.

[quantumnomad]

Do sphinxes dream?

[hypnagothic]

Not frequently.

[quantumnomad]

Would you mind telling me something I don't know? I think I'm more or less caught up but knowing you're real would go a long way.

[hypnagothic]

"Caught up", Ben Song?

[quantumnomad]

I'm dreaming, you're— probably not a figment of my imagination? I'm more likely to dream up impossible math than an elaborate metaphor. Which makes you— not a god, you said, but something like it. Some western personification of the sandman.

And while the urge to go into full denial about it is very much present, everything about my life is so improbable that I could be given a flaming sword and put in front of a dragon and my reaction would be "well, this might as well happen."

[hypnagothic]

That is indeed one of my names. Though your assumption is somewhat narrow in purview. As I said, I am of all faiths and beliefs.

[quantumnomad]

Does that mean you're a shapeshifter? Or is it like me and my leaps?

[hypnagothic]

[ his head tilts just so, clearly curious as to what he means. ]

[quantumnomad]

Oh. I said something you don't know. That's reassuring, actually.

I'm a time-traveler. I— my consciousness leaps into other people's bodies. So every leap I look like someone different.

[hypnagothic]

And what of those minds whose body you occupy?