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

[upbyone]

[ Kyra has reluctantly resigned herself to having to socialize from time to time. She doesn't love it, but she can do it.

But this guy? He's a little much.

She raises an eyebrow and stares. ]

I don't know. I am not from here.

[ She is aware he asked other questions. She just doesn't answer them. ]

[cohero]

[In his own setting, Dick is used to being social. He doesn't always seek it out, especially not lately but this rain is certainly lathering on all the delightful affects, and drawing out a side of Dick that even he didn't know he had.

Glancing at the young woman, Dick's brows furrow. His crash may be around the bend, but he still has a while of this afternoon delight. ]

I'm not from here either. I imagine most of us aren't, if that hospital AI hostess was to be believed. I was getting intel based on the fact that this joint seems to have some of us who might have been here longer than others. Strictly theory, mind you. I've got no real facts, considering I only got here myself today.

[Dick's spinning, words and in circles. Things he would never do in his ordinary life. He would have offered the briefest amount of available information, while being friendly. Although, he is attempting to be more open lately. He hasn't had a lot of practice at it. ]

[upbyone]

[ Most of that is something she has already figured out.

But the he uses the word "intel" and she watches him a little more closely. Sure, it doesn't mean anything definitive, but it's an interesting tidbit to keep in the back of her mind. ]

What do you intend to do with this theory?

[cohero]

[He finally stops spinning, because he gets dizzy and figures that it's probably smart to take a break. His brain needs to not be going round about in order for him to answer questions like that.

What does he intend to do with his theory. So far Dick has only arrived, and all he knows is that he was ... there's a deepening to his mood, a heaviness. His brows furrow and he glances at her. ]

It's a theory, it needs to be tested, explored further. I have no clue about anything here yet. I have to find out more. I mean, that's how science works. There wasn't a whole ton of people coming outta that hospital at once, and you seem to be settled in more than I am. Therefore, you would have been here longer than I have. First bit of evidence gathered.

[His mood seems to be crashing and he'd rather be in an apartment when it happens. There's a new theory forming in his mind and it happens to be about this rain. Fucking mood rain. It's going to put a damper on his plans to check out the manor, but such is life. It doesn't look like he's getting rescued from this god-forsaken new world any time soon, so he'll have time, he hopes.]

[upbyone]

[ Kyra resists the urge to roll her eyes-- she knows what a theory is-- but she listens. She's never been one for idle conversation but she always listens.

Though this isn't idle at all. She remembers what she sort of promised Alex. Talk to people, figure out what they know. ]

I do not know for sure if I have been here longer than you. But my friend has been here a little longer than I have. So I can give you a little support for your theory.

[cohero]

[Normally Dick wouldn't be explaining everything to anyone. He'd have his mouth shut. It's the rain that's making him spill far too many words. He's not aware of all the ways it's making him a little nuts yet. He will learn that in a little bit.

For now, he's filled to the brim with a sort of anxious happiness that is rather unlike his normal demeanor. Sorry for the science lesson, but Dick can't help it. At least they learn a little something. ]

Thanks. I guess this means we're all being collected in stages for whatever this place has planned. Although, I'm not sure how it means to test us in order to save the multiverses, or whatever it is. I'm still somewhat unclear.

[It was a lot of information at once, and he knows that there's more in his brain that he learned about the mission, and he even had a planned laid out for what he planned on doing now that he was here, but it's foggy and less easy to access. He feels more spontaneous, and that irks something deep inside him.]

Know anything else I should keep in mind?

[upbyone]

[ 'Collected in stages'? She hadn't thought of that. It might be something, or it might be nothing. Still, if she can somehow track the arrivals and find possible connections, it might give them something to work with. ]

Stay out of the rain, watch out for the lion.

[cohero]

Lion?

[There's a small blink in Dick's voice that makes itself known in the way he raises his tone. Out of all the things that he expected when he arrived, somehow a lion was not one that he considered.

Rain didn't make much sense to him. It rained all the time all over the place and he was feeling grrreaaat!. Maybe he would get out as soon as he had his errands taken care of. There were places to go, things to be explored. He had no choice but to be in the rain if he wanted to get it all done.

A lion was different.]

Why a lion, where a lion? Thank you for the warning by the way.

[Dick, relax. Speak like a normal human being. Get out of the rain.]

[upbyone]

[ Kyra is used to weird. One of her favorite people in the world is chatty and a little odd. She's not sure she could get along with 'normal' people if she tried.

She decides to answer him literally. ]

I don't know why. It is in the common room, most of the time.