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

i. knight in shadowed armor

[There’s always fun times ahead when you’re stuck in this place, huh? Either that, or Yuri’s luck is just that abysmal — it’s stubborn enough for it to follow him all the way to this simulation and everything.

For better or for worse, the experience with bad omens and terrible disasters meant that he’s mostly unperturbed by this sudden crisis. He never relied much on the network in the first place, and danger isn’t exactly a stranger to him. The green illumination is a bit annoying, though. It clashes with his colors.

What else is he supposed to do? Run around kicking monster ass, of course. It’s good exercise, and there’s always someone out there in need of saving. And you might be able to come across this unlikely savior, canine companion in tow, slashing down a silhouette with his sword.]

You alright? Nearest safe house is that way.

ii. dark enforcer

a.
[There is a man standing in front of you, and he is surrounded by an intimidating aura.

He stares with deadened eyes, expression unreadable thanks to the scarf covering his mouth. Whatever you decide to do, it doesn’t look like he’s going to let you leave peacefully.]

You there. What crime have you been sentenced by?

b.
[There are two identical men in front of you, and they are clashing each other with blades. It’s a clear stalemate, their skills mirroring each other down to the smallest detail.]

The way you keep doing these things with my face is making me sick.

[The only difference is that one seems to laugh with his eyes, while the other doesn’t laugh at all.]

Is that so? You can’t fool me — you think everyone stuck in here deserves to die, don’t you?

iii. wildcard

[Yuri is just out here having a time of his life — I’m game for any other ideas you have!]

Edited 2024-11-15 05:58 (UTC)

[out of the shadows, as yuri dispatches his current foe, steps a small child? well, he's pretty damn short, anyway, so much so that his own canine companion is easily half his height. he's wearing armor, though, a plate across his chest and greaves on his arms. he seems nonplussed at the scene, as though he's merely out for a walk with his dog and has no concern for the dangers of the perpetual night. a black mask covers his face up to his nose. he looks very...ninja.]

I'm good, thanks. Seen any other monsters around this area?

[Don't worry, Yuri's not judging - unfortunately in his world it's actually a common sight to have kids learn how to fight from a young age. That's just part of the gist when there's dangerous monsters everywhere. He wouldn't have been concerned, if not for the fact that this particular crisis is beyond and monster hunter's control.]

A couple, yeah. But you sure you're not biting off more than you can chew?

Don't worry about me, I'm a professional.

[he says without a hint of irony. dead serious, this one. his dog steps forward, tail slapping against kakashi's leg as it wags.]

And of course, I've got Rusty here for backup.

[there's nothing overtly special about rusty, he's a stray runt kakashi rescued from a gutter, but he is extraordinarily well trained. he bites and restrains on command, what more could you want from an attack dog?]

[Yuri, of course, is fond of animals himself, so he throws good ol’ Rusty here with a smile of his own. Looks like you have your own reliable companion, too.

Sure enough, Repede is already interested at the Coonhound. He prances around Rusty, sizing him up, but at the end of it he lets out an affirmative bark.]

Ha! Looks like Repede likes him too.

[ Although they haven't met in person before, Toph never forgets a voice, and she recognizes the voice of the person who volunteered to make her a cake. Toph has confronted (and lost to) her own doppelganger at this point, and is gearing up for a round two. Thanks to Ethlyn she's all healed up already, so she doesn't show any signs of injury as she steps into the fight.

A rock wall shoots up between the two of them, temporarily halting the action. ]

Okay, break it up. I'm pretty sure we can't actually defeat these guys, Yuri.

[ Don't ask her how she knows... ]

[Oh, he's definitely asking. But he knows there's a time and place for teasing - and now isn't exactly that time.]

You got a point, damn bastard knows all the tricks up my sleeve. But it's not exactly someone I can leave alone -

[Case in point, Doppelyuri is quick to change targets, charging towards Toph with his blade slicing in to kill.]

Edited (formatting lmao) 2024-11-18 15:33 (UTC)

[ You ever beat your head against a boulder over and over again, except your opponent is also you and has the same instinct? Yeah. Toph's fight with her doppelganger had been rough. There's probably a whole city block leveled from it.

Suffice to say she's in a bad mood and itching for a fight, which means she lifts a hand up and sweeps it aside in a motion like she's blocking a forearm strike. Except she uses metalbending to try to redirect the fake Yuri's blade and send it shooting across the street, potentially dragging him along with it if he refuses to let go. ]

[Doppelganger Yuri’s eyes widen at the sudden magnetism that tries to draw his sword away, forcing him to let go — it slips through his fingers, friction practically burning through them, hurtling the blade towards who knows where. It’s a huge disadvantage for the fake, but the fight’s not over yet: not when Yuri knows how to fight with punches and kicks himself.

A smile that’s more feral than human glints through the darkness, as if he’s excited at the fact that the fight is no longer in his favor.]

I was going easy on you for being a kid, but looks like you’re also worthy prey.

[Case in point: the mean left hook he’s throwing towards Toph in retaliation. Or at least, it would be, if not for the real Yuri charging in and pulling fake Yuri out with a rough grab. Needless to say, real Yuri is a bit mad himself.]

Don’t talk to her like that!

[To which Doppelganger Yuri taunts back:]

Please. You and your precious values, other me. As if you actually care for them.

[ Meanwhile, Toph loves a good bought of shit talk in her fights, and really does not need Yuri coming to her defense physically or verbally. ]

Don't go easy on me, [ she taunts, shifting her stance into something low and ready, ] it's way more satisfying that way when I make you eat dirt.

Come on, I want to see what you've got. Apart from really bad villain dialogue.

Oh, great. [Real Yuri facepalms.] Now you're just embarrassing us in front of her.

[But considering that nice little stunt she did? It might be best to leave this up to Toph. As good as Yuri is with his sword, he’s still just a swordsman. Unarmed, he’s not exactly the best fighter.

Not that Fake Yuri is just gonna give up like that. He decides to ignore Toph in favor of sneering at the real guy for a moment.]

Did you hear that? You’ve always made to be a poor villain. Not when you can’t ignore anyone who is in need. But you can’t become a hero, either. Too impatient, too bloodstained, too rowdy. You try to kill all of the evils in the world, because that’s the only thing you can do. But face it: you’re no better than the rest of them.

[Tsk. He was hoping his evil twin would pry into his insecurities without a witness around, but it’s not like he has any other choice.]

Hey! [ she yells, actually offended. ]

Don't ignore me when I'm trying to have a fight with you! Quit your yapping!

[ Toph is so not here for the whining guilt-trips. She is here to smack somebody. She snaps some quick moves with her arms, and some neat rectangular chunks of concrete, like huge bricks, rise up out of the street and go flying at Fake Yuri. There's a funny patchwork set of holes left behind in the road. ]

[It isn't until he speaks that Dante realizes that Dante realizes that the not-Distortion they've been keeping an eye out for is Yuri's. They're hesitant to reply, as much for "Yuri's" stance as anything else.

But they have a feeling that saying nothing would only provoke him further.]

< "Ignorance." ...That's what was written when I got here. >

So you don't even remember what you have done? What a joke.

[Is he referring to the system that makes this world, or for Dante to have such a crime in the first place? Either way, it is clear that this Yuri is far more cynical and disgusted with the circumstances compared to the real one.

Either way, it doesn't stop him from pointing his blade right at their clockhead.]

Didn't you hear? Ignorance doesn't excuse you from the crime.

[But the crime IS ignorance... they think confusedly.

It doesn't even seem like something to take seriously, and yet here "Yuri" is, sword leveled at their head]

< Then what am I supposed to do to make up for it? Death seems like a little much for the crime of "not knowing," doesn't it? >

Who knows? Maybe you have forgotten your crime because it was horrible enough that it warrants death.

[Alas, Yuri's doppelganger appears to be the unreasonable guest.

I hope you're good at dodging, because he's about to drive that blade towards Dante's right shoulder.]

[The statement hits them like a lance... and "Yuri's" sword strikes not long after.

They cry out, more from surprise than pain (though there's plenty of that to be had too), the ticking of their clock growing more rapid.]

< You... You don't know that either. >

[They should have stayed inside.]

[Fake Yuri scoffs.] That’s nowhere near what you deserve.

I’ve seen a glimpse of what your world is like. A crapsack world bereft of hope or peace. Do you really believe you haven’t done anything wrong when you had to survive in that hell?

[Another attack, this time the blade targeting Dante’s other shoulder.]

[The hands on Dante's clock wind in a full circle, and to Fake Yuri those hands appear to speed up, something changing in the air. While the movement is far from fluid, Dante dodges Yuri's second strike with ease, keeping their distance as they clutch their shoulder.

They don't speak. Not to retort, not to goad, and not to dissuade.]

[One can only dodge for so long. Dante might have been lucky that time, but whatever ability that was there’s no way he can use it once more. Yuri raises his sword again, triumphant, and swings it down.]

2/2

starringsecond - 2024-11-29 21:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

followyourstar - 2024-11-29 21:47 (UTC) - Expand

[Ruca suddenly enters the scene and sees the two Yuris. He quickly readies his sword to aid his friend, but before he actually does anything he hears the doppelganger say those words.

"You think everyone stuck in here deserves to die, don't you?"

How could anyone even say that? Obviously, Yuri would never think that! Ruca grips the handle of his broadsword tighter and rushes in, thrusting with his blade to separate the two, then cutting upwards at the doppelganger.]

Leave Mr. Yuri alone!

[Ruca positions himself, with his back to Yuri, sword firmly in both hands. He'll protect his friend no matter what.]

Edited 2024-11-22 00:11 (UTC)

[Yuri’s own heart sinks, seeing who exactly is here to rescue him. Probably one of the last people he wants to be around, especially when his evil twin is some homicidal freak interested in chasing down every Chosen in the city.

But what else is he supposed to say, when he’s staring at Ruca’s back like this — a frame smaller than his own yet filled with strength of his own kind, one that clearly belongs to a protector. If this were any other situation, Yuri would have been proud. Ruca has always been capable of helping others, you see. If only the younger man would realize it.

Doppelganger Yuri, on the other hand, doesn’t seem fazed at the fact that he’s now outnumbered by one. He laughs like he’s some kind of corny supervillain, shooting back a taunting gaze.]

Of course there he is, your charge. Following you around like a baby chick. Do you still think he would stick around if he actually knew what you really think?

[Ruca doesn't move an inch, his expression unchanged, his gaze fixed on the double. He doesn't even flinch at those words.]

There's nothing you could say that would affect me. I trust Mr. Yuri. I know he would tell me if he saw me as a nuisance.

[The doppelganger may not know it, but Ruca is awfully stubborn once he decides on something. And long ago he decided to put his full trust in Yuri and nothing would change that. He owes so much to the other, this time he will do whatever it takes to protect him.]

Ah, yes. Trust. Blind trust that may get you killed yet again.

[The voice that suddenly resounds makes the boy's eyes widen and he nervously looks around to find its source. Then he hears slow, heavy steps and from the darkness and mist there shows up a figure of a tall horned demon with ashen skin and white hair, eyes red and piercing. There are glowing marks on the demon's chest, he's clad in black armour and a long, lizard-like tail trails behind him as he walks. He's also carrying a broadsword, that looks like it's burning from the inside.

The demon stands right in front of Ruca, towering over him.]

You're not going to deny this one, are you?

[Ruca grits his teeth, but doesn't say anything, much to the demon's amusement.]

Edited 2024-11-25 22:31 (UTC)

[Doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this guy is bad news, and Yuri repositions himself to face this new threat. If Ruca can’t handle this one, then he would just have to watch his back.

Fake Yuri, on the other hand, is less than amused at the newcomer stealing his thunder. No matter. There is one thing this big demon is right enough:]

That’s right. Why would you blindly trust an unrepentant murderer?

[Real Yuri scowls. Great. Now they’re tag-teaming.]

It doesn’t matter if he sees you as a nuisance or not. Do you really want to associate yourself with a man like him? Someone who doesn’t care about following laws or order?

[Actual Yuri places a hand over Ruca’s shoulder in hopes that would calm him down — that is, if he would still accept it from him. But that’s not really his concern right now.]

Leave the big guy to me, alright? You don’t need to face them alone.

[The demon glances at Yuri's doppelganger then shakes his head, while a big smile plays on his lips.]

Another murderer? You definitely know how to pick your friends, Ruca. What was the name of that one you befriended before?... A reliable guy, wasn't he? And yet he sold you off eventually. True friend, indeed.

[Ruca stares, almost taking a step back, before shaking his head and gritting his teeth.]

You're... not even real, what can you possibly know? [Then he turns to the fake Yuri.] And you don't know anything either! Back home I'm a wanted criminal, I hurt--killed people, I deserted the army. I don't mind if both of you torment me, I deserve it! But leave my friends alone!

[It's so rare for him to get this angry. He can't help it. He can't listen to this anymore, how these two fakes talk nonsense about Yuri and Ricardo. He's only pulled out of it, when he feels Yuri's hand on his shoulder. Ruca looks at his friend with surprise first, then he relaxes a little.

His trust in Yuri has never wavered and that won't change now either.]

Alright, but... [He almost says "please be careful". but he shakes his head lightly and smiles slightly instead.]

Let's face them together.

[Neither of them are alone.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT #11: ADVERSITY 4590683

Yuri Lowell | Tales of Vesperia | ota!

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omg we can have dog to dog communication

of course

yessssss!!

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