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

kyra vashenko-chao | alex rider

[upbyone]

arrival

[ Kyra bolted from the hospital as soon as she could. Being able to escape without resistance didn't put her at ease. What she sees of the half-built city makes it worse. It's not a city she recognizes, but the worst part is that there aren't any people. She can't help but stare at the robots as they go by.

And then she sees the giraffe meandering cheerfully down the roadway. Kyra stops dead on the sidewalk and gapes openly. ]

What the hell?

exploring

roxx
[ So there's no such thing as capitalism here, apparently. Which is convenient, since she doesn't have to resort to stealing, but every convenience makes her more uneasy. Blame it on her time at the boarding school from hell run by legitimate sociopaths.

But her unease isn't going to stop her from taking advantage of the free (dry!) clothes. That's how she ends up with an armful of pants and t-shirts, all in shades of black with maybe a smattering of purple. Another shirt catches her eye and she fishes it out only to find that it's the companion droids portraying the iconic Abbey Road album cover with text underneath that just says BAND. ]

Who made this?

kwik trip
[ Don't mind her going down the aisles grabbing anything electronic she can get her hands on. There isn't much, mostly those cheap handheld game systems kids get for long road trips, but she loads up. Little glasses repair kits, flashlights, and an alarming number of lighters join the massive bag she's filling.

Being a teenager, of course she loads up on snacks for herself and Alex to squirrel away if the downpour keeps up the way it does. Forgive her if she's blocking the aisle staring intently at the different flavors of crisps. ]

shadowbloom nightmares

[ In her nightmares, she's always running. The hallway is long and cavernous with thick doors on either side that resemble prison doors. Tear-stained faces of other teenagers peer out of the small windows at the top. A woman's voice calls down the hall. ] "Kyra, stop running before someone gets hurt."

[ But she doesn't stop until the hallway dead ends. At the end of that hallway is someone who looks just like her but stands like she's unused to her body. There's no time to react before the doppelganger darts forward and grabs her-- and possibly the other dreamer-- by the throat.

It leans forward with a sadistic smile on its face. ] "They're dead now and it's all your fault. Poor, poor Kyra. You shouldn't have run."

shadowbloom nightmares

[thetombkeeper]

[He isn't sure how he got here. Or where here is for that matter. All he knows is that before he can properly act or assess the situation, there's a hand closing around his throat. Marik makes a strangled noise, grabbing at the wrist of the doppelganger, trying to dig his fingernails into its skin.

The cruel irony of the fact that he himself is used to doubles. His split personality would have gladly done the same thing to him -- and did in a manner, locking him away while his dark half controlled his body.]

Lh... Let go...! I've got nothing... to do with this!

[upbyone]

[ The hand around his neck turns almost claw-like and the doppelganger morphs into a woman with red lips and a vicious smile. ]

"You don't? Interesting." [ The smile distorts into a sneer and the woman changes to something less realistic-- the way a nightmare warps and twists someone until they're more terrifying than they were before.

She withdraws her claw-like hands from his neck. ]

"Go on. Run." [ She laughs, echoing and distorted as the doors fly open and the teenagers that had once been screaming and begging have turned compliant, almost gleeful to obey. ]

"I do enjoy a good chase."

[thetombkeeper]

[This feels all too familiar and he doesn't like it one bit.

As soon as the woman lets go of him, Marik backs up from her slightly, looking over to Kyra. He doesn't know her. He doesn't know where this is.

But the similarities between this nightmarish creature and his darker half... It's rubbing him the wrong way. Normally he'd just leave Kyra here to fend for herself but... for once, he hesitates.

Does he leave her? Does he try to find a way to distract the woman so the other teen can get away? But the now-compliant teenagers seem ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

Surely he can talk his way out of this situation.]

... I don't know who or what you are but I'm not stupid enough to run away. That's clearly inviting you to hunt me.

[He rubs his neck, adjusting the gold band necklace around it. Despite wearing that, she still managed to hurt him a bit with her grip.]

Why am I here?

[upbyone]

[ The woman doesn't seem to care. Her transformation becomes more monstrous-- long fingers turning more into talons, a smile that is all sharp teeth. She becomes a creature from a nightmare. ]

If you don't want to run, we'll just end it now.

[ The kids start to surround them. Kyra snaps out of it enough to yell. ] Move!

[ She's already running down the hall. Hopefully he can keep up. ]

[thetombkeeper]

[He doesn't need to be told twice. Not with the woman transforming like that and his talking not getting him out of the situation. (No surprise there but he does have the devil's luck on his side.) Marik turns and runs away, rushing after Kyra.]

What in oblivion is that thing...?! What's going on?!

[upbyone]

[ Kyra ignores him and slams the door behind them with a loud thud before she's running again. The creature and the other 'kids' are temporarily barricaded but a loud screech of metal suggest they won't be for long.

She's only half-listening as she turns down another hallway. ]

Teacher. And I don't know.

[thetombkeeper]

[Gods, that's terrifying. They need to get out of here but how?

Marik sticks close, trying to get a better feel for their situation, location, and what they can do besides run.]

A teacher? What kind of teacher becomes a demon? What kind of school is this? Do you know the layout of this place?

[upbyone]

Shut up and run.

[ She does know the way as well as the passcode to the locked doors. The hallways start to warp and bend but Kyra doesn't stop.

Not until they hit a dead end. A door, wide open, but to a freezing cold field of white snow. ]

Shit.

[thetombkeeper]

[He makes an insulted scoffing noise at being told to shut up. Marik follows her even as the place shifts, trying his best to remain calm.

But when they reach the dead end...]

Is... Is that snow?

[He's lived in Egypt all his life. Also, Marik, that isn't particularly important right now. The teen shakes his head, not expecting an answer.]

L-Let's go! It's the only way!

[upbyone]

[ She doesn't even acknowledge the scoff.

Kyra takes a deep breath, and it feels like her lungs are freezing. They won't survive long in the cold.

But they won't survive against the monster and the army of clones running after them. No time to plan (she hates that) so she just lets her instincts take over. ]

Fine.

[ Kyra runs into the snow, but it's somehow deeper than it looks. She feels herself sinking into it. ]

[thetombkeeper]

[He follows after her, letting out a yelp as he falls into the snow as well. Gods, it's cold. Colder than what's he's experienced before.

He just had to be wearing his bellyshirt tanktop in the dream, didn't he?]

We... need to keep moving...!

[It's muffled by the snow.

They need to get out of here. If only he could just wake up like this was a bad dream...! Or else they'll both likely freeze to death.]

[upbyone]

[ Irritably: ] I'm trying!

[ But they keep falling deeper into the snow, almost like it's quicksand rather than snow.

The teacher-monster from before has found the exit and starts scuttling across the snow toward them.

The snow covers her head and then...

She's falling through a cloud, snatches and whispers of old voices falling with her, carried on the wind. ]

[once_reborn]

[She's seated nearby when the woman bursts out into the open, but she nods in the direction of the giraffe.]

Can't help you with that one. Whatever it is, it's pretty weird. Like it's all knees or something.

[upbyone]

[ Kyra shakes her head, like she's saying 'no' to the entire premise of this conversation. ]

A giraffe.

[ Either she's informing Mal what it is or she's just emphasizing her bafflement. ]

[once_reborn]

[Could go either way, really, but clearly someone is having a bad day so she'll take it slow.]

Giraffe. Well, weird creature, weird name. Makes sense.

[upbyone]

[ Not knowing what a giraffe is comes off a bit strange, but maybe the other woman speaks a different language or something.

Kyra's mind is still stuck on, well, everything else. ]

A weird creature that should not be in a city.

[once_reborn]

[She nods.]

Yeah, that did not look like, y'know, typical urban camouflage.

[She stood up to get a better view as the creature just slowly loped along.]

I've seen some pretty weird creatures in my life - that's definitely up there.

[upbyone]

Was that a joke?

[ Because they're tall? ]

[once_reborn]

Huh?

[she looks from the other woman to the giraffe.]

Oh, no, that'd be clever, though, I guess.

[upbyone]

[ The joke had come to her so unbidden that Kyra thinks she's spent too much time around Tom with his bad jokes. ]

Is this common?

[ The unusual creatures, not the bad jokes. ]

[once_reborn]

[She's watching the giraffe pick at some vegetation and takes a second to respond.]

Hmm? Oh, well, yeah. Lots of planets, lots of weirdness. Weirder stuff I've heard of but not seen, and so on.

[upbyone]

"Lots of planets?" What does that mean?

[once_reborn]

"That I've...been to lots of them?" she replies.

She's really having to adjust her sights a bit on some things - for instance, the number of people here who only know one world. Weirdly most of them are from some version of 'Earth', which she as a lot of unanswerable questions about.

"Space travel is pretty common where I'm from," she adds, by way of explanation.

[upbyone]

Kyra takes a few seconds to let that sink in. Being spirited away to some remote city run by a supposedly all-seeing AI makes things a little more believable.

Still. It's been a long day.

"Where is that?"