EVENT #11: ADVERSITY 4590683

[expiationmods]

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)!

♡

Comments

[erschlagen]

[Rosen, drenched in plant secretion and whatever bile this nasty little posy possessed, could only sigh in frustration. This is completely disgusting. He has goop all over his hair now, thanks to this fucking plant monster. What the fuck is a morbol anyway? Rosen has no prior experience dealing with anything like that before. Whatever the case, Rosen is relieved he can see again. The acid that had gotten into his eyes has subsided.

Suddenly, red hot flames leap into the air as the morbol threat burns to ashes. The lancer lets out a tired sigh and hoists his red lance back onto his shoulders. He's had enough of these fucking enormous Venus fly traps to last a lifetime.]

Acid got into my eye. [He explains succinctly as he greets the prospective "hero" with one of his trademark grins.]

If you get too close, that stupid smog attack will deliver a dose of acid.

[He examines the newcomer, his gaze settling on the ostentatious gun in his hand.]

You're packing some heat, huh?

[conflictresolution]

[Silco raised a hand and brushed off slime from the creature, succeeding in smearing it over his jacket sleeve. No doubt that would come out with effort, yet he found himself distracted by sudden flames, taking a step back out of the dissipating smog in case that it was also flammable. This wasn't the mines, of course, but it wasn't worthwhile to adhere to caution.

His breathing was unaffected, and he watched the other man with interest. That lance was an impressive weapon, though perhaps his only exposure to such weapons was books he had read about Noxian war parties and their military.]

Air such as that is... common where I'm from. It will rot your lungs if one stays in smog like that long enough.

[He glanced at the firearm then shrugged his shoulders.]

A gift from my daughter. She doesn't believe I do particularly well defending myself.

[erschlagen]

[Regardless of how wild and out of control the flames are, Rosen does not appear concerned. After all, fire cannot hurt him. Rosen is a creature made of fire and shadows. There isn't much that can cause harm without a lot of effort. While the morbol menance got lucky with the acid, Rosen's eyes have already been miraculously healed.]

Common, eh? [Rosen asks with an arched brow.] That's a bloody shame.

No one should have to smell such putrid shit all the time.

[While his regenerative abilities are unparalleled, Rosen would deliberately cut off his nose if he had to smell this garbage all day. Fortunately, the noxious fumes are being purified by his brand of sorcery.]

Well, your daughter was right to give you a gun! It's been spooky hours as of lately. Every fuckin' monster ever conceived is out here tryin' to get a nibble.

[He scoffs once he overhears something munching in the distance. Probably another damn morbol or something.]

The worst part is that the townfolk don't seem to care.

[conflictresolution]

I was told that it builds character and hardens workers.

[No, that's what they told themselves as there was no escape from it, unlike here and now. The natural air and whatever this beast of a man was doing was dissipating the noxious fumes, and it wasn't difficult to breathe in a few minutes.]

No one should, but many do. That's the nature of living underground. The air is usually much cleaner in these parts. Amazing how people take breathing for granted.

[He was in agreement that Jinx had provided him a small if gaudy little pistol to use, and it had come in handy. Physicality was never his strong suit, but it seemed worthwhile when he might potentially make an ally out of the whole affair. See, this was was drew him out of his bed each morning: opportunity.]

Yes, these types of incidences tend to come in cycles. By next month, likely we will move on to some other attempt at horror.

[He shrugged, stepping away from the dead morbol; it wasn't interesting and it couldn't be harvested well for food.]

Well, they are generated to not care. Consider it better than them outright attacking us. They go through waves of worshiping the Chosen and hating us.

[erschlagen]

[Trauma builds character, huh? Yeah, no. Rosen doesn't quite believe that nonsense. Nonetheless, the comment elicits an unexpected snicker from him. This skinny guy is clearly more than meets the eye, especially given that he appears to come from a seedy place. Rosen isn't the best at reading people's intentions, but he can tell this weirdo is trouble. Rosen enjoys getting into trouble, which is good news for skinny breeches.

Also, what's up with this guy's eyes? Rosen can't help but stare a little. Talk about an uncanny resemblance, but this guy's left eye appears more red and black. Rosen's left eye has a fiery aura that makes it glow like a candle.]

Living underground? What are you supposed to be, mole people?

[Probably not. Judging from how the guy talks, it sounds like his people weren't supposed to be below ground. Maybe living underground is supposed to be some kind of punishment? Who knows? Rosen certainly doesn't.]

I assumed humans only lived on the surface.

[He murmurs before walking aimlessly to the next street corner. Despite his laid-back demeanor, Rosen is still on high alert. He can't relax because there are too many beasts lurking in the darkness.]

The Chosen. [He briefly returns his attention to the skinny guy.] That's what they call us, right?

Weird name, especially since I assumed we were here to "atone" or something.

[conflictresolution]

[Silco's left iris also had an unusual glow in the darkness, and he had noticed that he encountered yet another person with heterochromia. It seemed this place was collecting an unusual number of them, and it did amuse him that they all seemed to find some kind of association with each other eventually. At this there was some predictability in this place.

He did not stare at this beast of a man. He was unflapped by the opposite not being true; he was used to people staring at him, and it had stopped being worthwhile mentioning a long time ago.]

No, most of us are human. My city dug their way into the dark through mining, and that is where we have been kept by our sister city when it was established.

[He casually folded his hands behind his back, clasping one wrist with the other hand as he observed the man - or was he? - that he had taken part in assisting. That was unusual; normally, it was the other way around. No wonder his former brother enjoyed playing hero now and again.]

Atonement seems like a poor excuse to enslave people, but this place has an odd sense of humor. I would like to claim it is because we were chosen to be the worst of the worst, but there are too many who simply wish to live plain normal lives or escape to wherever they came from.

[He followed Rosen as a casual pace, and he seemed perfectly relaxed to be out in the streets and in this twilight. After all, this was the normal atmosphere that he was used to.]

I take it by your previous comment that you are not human? We have a dragon, people who call themselves mutants, fox-hybrids and even demons.