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

Arrival

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik was looking at the map, munching on a cupcake when the other teen storms in, goes to the trash can, and... kicks it over?

... Munch munch. With a judging expression.

Of course, Marik being Marik, he has to throw in a snide remark that no one asked for rather than asking what's wrong or trying to help. Because that's what Accelerator needs right now.]

I don't think you're going to find a puzzle in the trash.

[Although there are idiots out there willing to throw away valuable things such as that...]

[levelshift]

[He's doing very important things okay. In this very specific situation littering is important!

Accelerator looks exasperated at the remark, though his gaze remains on the trash for several more moments. Not even a little twitch, so... given Qliphah's nature, something must be stopping her from summoning herself.

Eventually he looks up, scowling.]

I'm not looking for an actual puzzle. That's a name.

[As weird as it is. He can make some guesses as to why her name is what it is, though he's never asked her for details.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Creating more work for the companion bots. Tsk tsk.

Marik turns to slowly approach him, possibly leaving crumbs behind as he nibbles on the remainder of his cupcake. Kettle, pot, black?]

An odd name and an even odder place to be looking for someone rather than something.

[levelshift]

[It's fine! Now that he's confirmed that his precious trash demon daughter can't be summoned, he's going to be knocking litter back into the trash can with the end of his crutch.]

It's just part of who she is. [Something to do with the tree of evil and her not being the type of demon with her own body.] Anyways, she isn't here, so it doesn't matter.

[thetombkeeper]

[There's a grunt in response.

Normally he wouldn't care. He'd just let Accelerator go on his own but... it would be good to get possible allies in this place...]

What does she look like?

[levelshift]

[Up until now he's been keeping her existence on the down-low, but that's kind of out the window with the fight against CRC. And if that AI is telling the truth, he isn't in a position to keep her a complete secret.

Of course, this is Accelerator, so he explains her in a completely deadpan voice.]

She's a demon that's a combination of a girl and a jellyfish, with a hole in the middle of her forehead. And she's wearing a dress made out of newspapers and duct tape.

[He's completely serious, as he knocks some more litter back into the trash can.]

[thetombkeeper]

........

[There's a moment of silence as a number of thoughts zoom through Marik's mind. We'll spare the details because the boy enjoys rambling to himself far too much and say that he ultimately decides on answering that remark with and equally deadpan:]

Are you looking for a Duel Monsters card?

[Because that sounds like something you'd find in that game.]

[levelshift]

[Duel... Monsters????

Okay, he isn't completely up on his pop culture knowledge, but that one is eluding him.]

What the fuck is a Duel Monsters card?

[thetombkeeper]

Exactly what it sounds like. A card for the game Duel Monsters.

[Duh. Surely every world has that game!]

[levelshift]

[From the confused expression on Accelerator's face, that explains absolutely nothing at all.]

You want to explain what the hell Duel Monsters is?

[Is this some crap Last Order would be into? She likes video games and stuff.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Siiigh. Guess not every world is going to have it...]

It's a trading card game. You battle your opponent with monster, spell, and trap cards. You've heard of those, I assume?

[levelshift]

[His expression shifts into a glare at the sigh, but luckily, he doesn't live under a rock and nods.]

Yeah, I have.

[And honestly, based off of his description, Qliphah really wouldn't be out of place in a game like that.....]

She might be artificial, but she isn't part of a game. She's a real person.

[thetombkeeper]

Good.

[Marik hums in thought. It's hard to believe a half-jellyfish half-girl actually exists but there are other universes out there so.]

If she's a person, she likely didn't arrive with you. We're candidates of saving our worlds but it seems like they've only chosen one per universe...

[levelshift]

[Well, that's just great. No Qliphah, no anyone from Academy City. He sighs heavily at this information, and shakes his head.]

Only one? Then they made a shitty choice with me.

[He's leaning down and grabbing the trash can, pulling it back upright.]

[thetombkeeper]

[The tomb keeper tosses his empty cupcake wrapper into the reassembled trash can. (You could have helped, jerk. He's got a crutch.)]

I'm not exactly the best choice either. Don't quote me on whether that's a confirmed thing or not about us being the only people though.

[His eyes fall to the aforementioned crutch.]

... Injure yourself?

[levelshift]

[At least the wrapper isn't ending up on the ground. Baby steps!

Interesting that Accelerator isn't the only one who's feeling less than appropriate for the supposed reason they're here. He has to wonder if this Echo person is doing that deliberately, or if they're just bad at picking people.

Something to mull over later. He raises an eyebrow at the question, not particularly minding it.]

A traumatic brain injury from being shot in the head. It's permanent.

[thetombkeeper]

[It would make sense in a cruel bit of irony that the powers that be is purposely picking ill-fitting people. Means they have to try harder to show why their world is worthy of remaining.

Marik's eyes widen at what the other teen tells him. That was not what he was expecting.]

O-Oh.

This hospital... couldn't fully treat it for you...?

[levelshift]

[Accelerator is pretty calm about the explanation, well aware that given his age and appearance, his situation would be pretty unusual to most people. It's fine, the whole incident was bizarre even by Academy City standards, so he isn't bothered at all.]

Nope. I had a really, really good doctor, and this was the best he could do. [He gives a small shrug.] Not that I'm complaining. Any other doctor would've fucking failed and I'd be dead right now.

[thetombkeeper]

I... apologize.

[He fiddles with his earring. Maybe he should have helped him pick up the trash.]

Are you going to be able to get around alright?

[levelshift]

I'll be fine, so I don't want to hear any fucking pity. Save it for some pathetic piece of shit who needs it.

[Strong language, but really, he's doing okay so far. No one needs to waste time and energy being concerned about him.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Thankfully that's all he needs to say for Marik to stop acting cautious around him. His posture relaxes and the Egyptian seems more certain about the situation now.]

Alright. You do seem plenty capable.

I'd avoid the cafeteria though, if I were you. I saw something enter it earlier and I'm not about to find out what sort of beast it was.

[levelshift]

[Great, he's glad that won't be an issue.

He does raise an eyebrow, anyways. Dangerous beings in a hospital aren't unfamiliar to him (he's missing his drones right now), but he wouldn't describe CRC or Anna Sprengel like that.....]

'Beast'? You mean like some kind of wild animal?

[thetombkeeper]

I didn't get a good glimpse but it was definitely walking around on all fours.

[He waves his hand dismissively.]

I'm sure there's actual places to eat outside of the hospital anyways so it's not super important.

[levelshift]

[Hmm. Well, clearly the safer option is to avoid the cafeteria and let someone else deal with the problem.]

.........

[So Accelerator is clicking his tongue and turning towards the direction of that area, starting to head down the hall.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Oh, don't tell him...]

... Where are you going?