expiationlogs | EVENT #11: ADVERSITY 4590683

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EVENT #11: ADVERSITY 4590683

EVENT #11: REMEMBER YOU ARE MORTAL

This event takes place in conjunction with a player plot that is open for participation! Participation in that plot is not needed to experience the world effects outlined in this log. You can find the log for the player event here!

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand)

-Over time, characters have discovered that the world of Expiation is actually a large, elaborate simulation run by an AI that seems to be intent on helping them atone for their crimes. This news is well-known by the Chosen, enough so that any new character who wishes to handwave this knowledge is able to do so.

-In September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-Things have been quiet in Aldrip since September, aside from the routine arrival of new Chosen. The locals seem less than happy with the Chosen, though, as if they have already branded them all criminals. As if they no longer trust them…

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

The moon looms large and full over the buildings of Aldrip this morning.

… Wait. The moon?

It’s true: Aldrip seems to have settled into an eerie perpetual twilight, lit by the full moon and little else. The ambient lighting is dim, but not dark, still light enough to see by. Which is good, because nothing else seems to be serving as a source of light. No sun, no street lamps–nothing. How odd is that?

In fact, it seems that no electronics are working during this strange week. Tablets don’t turn on, computers won’t work, even the lights inside the houses are unresponsive. STEM club’s dark web devices remain capable of some rudimentary communication, however.

The Dark Hour permeates Aldrip entirely. Well. Almost entirely–more on that in a minute. But first: monsters of all kinds will be more prominent during this time. If you would like to add new monsters to the bestiary, you can do so here! Monsters will be more aggressive and enterprising, freely roaming the streets of the city and attacking more boldly than they otherwise would.

Now, all is not lost, here. Because some Chosen-owned spaces remain immune to its effects. Notably: the Inn, the Willow Clinic, and some other player-run businesses can serve as safe houses, as well as some storehouses that were constructed long ago. The lights will still go on in these locations, though the network restrictions above still remain in effect.

For the most part, monsters and other event happenings will avoid safe houses, though if you’d like to play around with that, we see no reason why you shouldn’t. Just remember that characters and players who choose to limit their participation in the event are making use of these spaces, and be respectful of that.

As for outside of the city…who knows? A thick, impenetrable mist surrounds Aldrip, keeping all characters within the city for the duration of the event. Anyone who may have been outside of Aldrip before the event began will mysteriously find themselves inside the city as the Dark Hour takes hold. Better make your way to a safe house…and good luck out there.

MY OWN WORST ENEMY

Who is the monster and who is the man?

It seems that monsters aren’t the only obstacle roaming the city. The Chosen may find themselves facing doppelgangers, of themselves or of fellow Chosen. In terms of appearance, they may be identical to the Chosen they reflect, to the point of being difficult to tell apart. Some may have minor changes–different eye color, different clothing, things like that. But in many cases, it may be impossible to tell which is real and which is not based on looks alone.

These doubles reveal a dark reflection of the characters they look like: their deepest fears and regrets, repressed desires they refuse to admit, feelings and experiences they’ve never told anyone about…all of these things and more will come to the surface with them. These doubles desperately want to see a character’s accused crime confronted, and they will do anything to make that happen, even resorting to violence if they must. The doubles have all the original powers and abilities of their real counterparts, making them extremely difficult (but not impossible!) to fight one-on-one.

Some characters may find themselves inexplicably drawn to their doppelgangers, as if called by some force. They may feel compelled to seek them out, as if they’re unable to rest so long as their double roams free. This is an optional effect, but should you be looking for an excuse to get your character out and about–please feel free to utilize it.

Doubles can be injured and incapacitated, but not killed; the only way to eliminate them is through acceptance and recognition. Characters do not have to do this alone; in fact, having some moral support or coaching may prove useful. Confronting the double and accepting or seriously reflecting upon the crime they’re charged with will make the doppelgangers first turn docile, and then disappear, leaving the original character feeling lighter and more sure of themselves.

A MINOR TECHNICALITY

What happens to a simulation when the electronics stop working?

Good question.

Occasionally, you may see what looks like a strange, thin line, just from the corner of your vision. Early in the week, trying to look at this line straight on reveals…nothing. It seems to vanish.

As the week continues, this strange happening seems to intensify, bit by bit. By midweek, Wednesday or so, you’re able to look at this line head-on. It seems to be a small crack, little more than a hairline fracture, outlined in light. As the weekend creeps closer, this crack seems to grow, bit by bit, becoming more pronounced, the gaps between it getting larger.

By the weekend, it’s wide enough that you can see through it.

What you see is difficult to describe. You seem to be looking into a large metallic structure, so large that the end seems to curve off into the horizon. How far does this go on? There’s a ceiling overhead, so high up that you can’t make out details. Much of this structure seems to be empty within, but you see a floor at foot level, made of metal.

The gap is wide enough that you can stick your hand right through it. When you do so, you begin to feel a strange tingling, starting at the tips of your fingers and extending to the part of your arm that goes into the crack. Nothing about your hand changes, really, but when the tingling subsides, you get the strange sensation that you’ve been unable to feel anything with that hand, up til now. Something about the air against your skin feels more real, here. As if your senses were muted before…

The crack never widens more than this. It is sometimes visible to just one person, and sometimes it can be visible to a group. This crack can appear in any surface, in any location, but it always looks the same and always reveals the same structure within.

Interesting…

ENDING In conjunction with the conclusion of the player plot, the Dark Hour comes to an end one week later, on November 18. Monsters vacate the city, the sun reappears…this happens slowly, over the course of the day. By Tuesday, the network and electronic usage is restored. By Wednesday, the crack in the world seems to be gone for good. By the weekend after the event, all doppelgangers seem to have vanished.

This is fine, we always say. And it is! Everything is back to normal!

…

Or is it…?

WILDCARD Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Silco had business. He always had business, and he was not the type to allow the idea of danger stop him from accomplishing that. If anything, the twilight of the city meant that he felt more confident to move around the city as it was far more reminiscent of his home. Of course, there were inherent dangers of moving between safe spaces.

Thankfully he had Levi in his employ to assist in keeping him safe for the trip. As they stepped out into the streets, he paused to look around for the wildlife that had become so emboldened as of late.]

I'll leave the defense strategies to you. If you tell me to run, I will. If you tell me to stand, I will. As long as we arrive at the Sandwich Shack relatively unharmed.

Yes sir.

[Levi was already serious before leaving the building, but he dials it up once they step outside. As far as he was concerned this was a battle field, much like Prehevil had become when he returned.]

Just stick close to me for now. I'll follow where ever you go.

[He knew that Levi had plenty of combat experience for better or worse. The man had also proven very loyal, especially when he was the sole source of Shimmer. Still, his bodyguard was one of the functional ones when it came to Shimmer, so he had no problem continuing to provide it to the young man.

He walked ahead of Levi and not too far. He was used to being escorted after all, so he knew the best distance to keep to not impede any aggressive theatrics should it come to that.]

Your preference is to avoid confrontation as much as possible, yes?

[He follows, rifle in his hands and keeping alert to any sights and sounds.]

It always is, Sir, but its often not possible. Not with things like these.

[As much as he'd prefer to be a pacifist, Levi still saw violence as the best or only solution to some problems.]

True. We shall do our best to grant you your preference all the same.

[Silco paused at the edge of a building to look around the corner of it for signs of wildlife. If he had been with Sevika, she would relish pounding something into the ground, especially on his behalf. He needed to provide her fun for all the other shit jobs he had to give her.

The coast clear, he made his way across the open street to slip into the shadow of another building. There was howling in the distance, roughly in the direction that they were headed.]

Sir.

[Levi speaks up at the howling. He doesn't see the source yet, but that could change in an instant. And since they were heading that was it was only a matter of time before they did.]

Let me go first.

[He moves up to take a position slightly ahead of Silco. If whatever that was showed up he'd have an unobstructed shot at them. And, perhaps more importantly, be able to block if one of them rused in close.]

[He paused in walking when Levi suggested talking point, and he wasn't in the position of fighting his bodyguards for what they believed would protect him. He had a knife and the pistol that Jinx had given him, but he preferred to only use those items when he was in dire straits.]

We are upwind so they shouldn't be tracking us by scent yet.

[They still had many blocks to travel, but perhaps whatever created the noise would be distracted and move on to other prey. Time would tell, but he wasn't going to stop his progress to attend to business.]

Yeah.

[He responds, keeping his voice low.]

They might not even notice us. But I don't want to take any chances, Sir.

Perhaps not them. There are other groups of wildlife that will keep us to the shadows no doubt.

[He turned his head to look behind them. He thought that he saw movement, but the dim twilight prevented him from seeing too clearly. Zaun was a state of forever twilight in many of its layered spaces.]

I can handle it. I have more than just my gun.

[He keeps close to the buildings, sweeping his gaze across the streets and looking back every few steps. When they come to a corner or the edge of a building he holds up a hand before peeking around. So far so good. He doubts that will last.]

Oh I'm aware. You have Shimmer.

[And there were always advantages that came with that drug in moderation. He had funded that research because it had aligned with his goals, and he and the Doctor had seen mutual benefits working together.

He walked slowly and confidently, keeping his footfalls silent as he followed Levi. His head remained on a swivel as another howl in the distance. It remained far enough away to not be a direct concern to their progress.]

We should cross the street quickly.

That too.

[He'd meant magic, but Shimmer was also quite helpful.

He stops at the howl and looks around. Immediate area seemed clear...]

I'll go first and cover you once I get there.

[From what he understood, the learning curve for Shimmer use was easy. That's what made it so addictive. Power with a single drink, injection, inhalation.

He also stopped looking around, nodding his head. He pulled out the knife that he always carried, waiting for Levi to make the journey. He wouldn't be much help in the defensive department.]

[Probably didn't hurt that Levi'd gotten used to 'self medicating' before he even got here.

He nods and raises his rifle, quickly darting across the street then turning to place his back against the wall. He checks to the left and the right before motioning for Silco to follow.]

[He watched Levi making it across the street, taking the younger man's place at the corner of the building to look up and down the street to keep a weathered eye out for danger.

He stepped out slowly, still holding his knife and then made his way briskly across the street to slip behind the shadow of the next building next to Levi. There was another howl, this one decidedly closer than the last two.]

We could hide in a building if we could find one open?

Buildings may not be safe, but is better than being out in the open like this. How much longer do we have to go?

[Howling would normally be dogs or wolves, but that didn't always hold true here. Or at least not normal ones. He could handle a few, but a whole pack was an issue. The animals were smart enough to herd prey into attacks. Maybe they could find a safe building or room for Silco and he could try to drive them off. Or just wait until they went away on their own...but there were likely other things out there.]

Indeed, a building could result in us being trapped, especially if we are followed in. We're three blocks away.

[He surveyed the nearby buildings as they walked down the street, and there were a few that he was familiar with. Which one of them he could break into or even would be open for them to hide in was debatable.]

We could try the doors over there and see if we can hunker or continue forward and take the risk.

[He nods.]

Lets try for an open door. I don't think forcing our way into something would help more than it would draw attention.

[Of course Silco might be able to pick locks so that might be an option.]

[He moved over to the side of the building and tried the door, but it was clearly locked. There was another just down the way which he approached and also tried. It also happened to be locked at the moment.

He gestured with his chin across the street, silently indicating for Levi to cover him as he crossed the distance. This door was unlocked, and he opened it carefully to look for signs of life before gesturing for his bodyguard to come along.

There was more howling closer than the other two. It was best they slip inside and let the beasts pass. Clearly they were coming in this direction.]

[Levi follows Silco, rifle raised and constantly scanning the area. He relaxes a tiny bit once they're inside, but not much. No immediate danger. He speaks up, keeping his voice low and quiet.]

Stay here Sir, and stay quiet. I'll check the rest of the building to see if we're alone.

[Things often lurked inside during Termina, and he's back in that mode with this disruption.]

I don't know how smart whatever those things are, but you may want to stay away from the windows too.

[Once Levi was inside, Silco shut and locked the door. He stepped to the side into the shadows where he wouldn't be easily observed from windows or the door. He did not put in himself in the most defensible position as fighting wasn't where his strength was, so instead kept himself at a more direct line to the back where there would be another door to escape from.]

Alright. If there are other Chosen, we should increase our numbers for more defensive purposes.

[He expected that it was less about smarts and more about determination. Some animals would try to find a way in if they were hungry enough.]

[Levi does a quick sweep through of the building before returning to Silco. No monsters and no people but just some weird coffins that leave him freaked out but don't seem to do anything when poked.]

Its clear. Nobody's home...there are these weird coffins but I don't think they're an immediate threat.

[He moves over to the door so he can listen to the beasts outside. Still closer, but no clue on if they'd move on or if they'd noticed the pair or not.]

[Silco remained where he was, looking out a window and listening for howling. There was the occasional one as the pack was rallying itself no doubt. His orange iris glowed in the dark of the business, moving to show he was looking to Levi when the younger man returned.]

Good. Did you look in the coffins at all?

No, I couldn't open them. They didn't seem to do anything when I touched or knocked on them. Even if they're trouble there are only three.

[If a death mask or something popped out he was confident he could at least distract it long enough that Silco could get away.]

Has there been any movement here?

If we are to stay some time, we should set up something to fall off of the lids if they move.

[He wasn't looking to be victim inside the house when they were trying to avoid that outside of the house. He'd played this game before, and he wasn't keen to run if he didn't actually have to.]

Howling. I believe I saw one at the end of the street but otherwise, not yet. They are clearly hunting though.

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