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

[Sorry, Kurt, he's not waiting for you to just get up—his height and broad stature imply a certain level of strength on their own, and he's not shy about using it in an emergency; Altius is very much going to bodily drag the young man if he has to to get them out of the way of the sharp beak headed their way again.]

Are your powers working?

[His hurried words aren't unkind, but they are urgent; his external personality might want to immediately check up on the young man, but they need to get away, and they need to do it now.

A few thoughts occurred to him before, when he first spotted Kurt. The simplest of them was that he wasn't going to stand there and watch once the mutant get mauled—but he had to, in some sense, appreciate the opportunity to make up for his behavior during their first meeting. It doesn't matter that he doesn't yet know what's going on; he can still take advantage of that much.

Another thought that occurs to him now is a result of noticing that strange texture on that tail and Kurt's face that he's fairly certain weren't there before and aren't just a trick of the strangely green-tinted moonlight. But those are all things to be addressed later. For now, escape to safety is paramount.]

[It's ultimately for the best that Altius isn't waiting on him, because getting up isn't the easiest or quickest thing right now.]

Y-yeah!

[But thankfully teleporting still works much more easily. This is instantly demonstrated once Altius grabs at him to pull him out of the way. Kurt teleports them right over into a nearby alleyway!]

[Once they've reappeared in the alley, the man pulls Kurt against the brick wall, into the darkness where they hopefully won't be seen. The stone bird lets out a screech as it searches for its prey, but the aimless white flame it throws about seems to confirm that it hasn't detected them once Zekarion dares to peek just far enough around the corner.

When he looks back down to Kurt, he gestures silently with his head in the opposite direction; another jump may get them to relative safety.]

[Kurt goes along with the sudden movements - it does help him feel support while parts of his body are still stone. He winces as he hears the bird's cry, and he knows it's time to keep moving once his companion confirms it.

So they teleport again! Several houses down in the opposite direction, into a different alley. With that done, Kurt hazards a look around and whispers.]

How's that?

[With an apparent sharp focus in his gaze, he turns try and hear the creature at all, but several seconds of silence and little else meets his ears, at which point he lets out a breath he's holding, and loosens his grip on Kurt.]

This should be fine for now...

[Who knows how long now is going to last, but it's a reprieve. From... whatever this is. He turns to take a proper look at his companion, though the strange lighting doesn't help matters.]

Are you hurt?

[He'll get to the stony thing in a second; first thing's first.]

[He does feel a wave of relief when there's so signs of the monster. Thank goodness. Now it's nice and quiet, but not too quiet. He leans on a wall to get a small rest for the moment while answering him with a small smile.]

Not really. Just a little scraped here and there. I didn't get hit by it or anything - thanks to you. [He says with an appreciative nod.]

...But I am still kinda recovering from a bit of, uh, a stony situation that's been impairing me a bit.

[Altius casts a glance at the indications of said stony situation, a furrow in his brow. There's some restrained concern in his tone, held back by Kurt's attempt to keep a lighter mood. It seems that's just a part of the boy's personality, for better or worse.]

I can see that...

[Still cautious of the surroundings and whatever has happened to the city, he momentarily casts another glance down the alleyway and then upwards, but he ultimately lets out a breath and decides to settle his attention on Kurt again.]

Do you know the cause?

Edited 2024-12-09 05:31 (UTC)

Oh yeah. [He says wearily, with a weak laugh.]

This is just the leftovers from my sentencing. It's been going away, but it's been taking its sweet time!

[Kurt shakes his head.]

Maybe it was a little too soon for me to jump back in the saddle.

[He gestures at the surroundings with a hand.] In your defense, I don't imagine you were expecting the sky to black out and dangerous creatures to storm into the city today.

[Kurt referring to this as just anything does bring concern to the forefront of his mind, however. With another look at the remnants of stone on his face:]

These punishments truly are cruel and unusual. [It's said with a tone that says it's less of a surprise and more of a reinforcement—he's heard and read enough at this point. More to the issue at hand, however...]

We need to find somewhere safe. Is there anywhere specific you go to escape dangers like this?

[There has to be some sort of something, for all the horrible things the Chosen have been through, right? Surely?]

It's true, it wasn't on my bingo card. But I guess when they say expect the unexpected, they really mean unexpected!

[He presents that lightly with a little smile. And he nods along with the idea of these cruel and unusual punishments. He's really hoping Morph gets off easy for theirs.

In any case, Kurt focuses on his question.]

Well, normally I'd just shelter up indoors somewhere after I'm sure that others are safe. Like at home or the Club Building - or the mansion! That's right, that's here now. The mansion's real sturdy, it should be a super safe place to hide out!

[Though there's a brief light of recognition in his eyes when Kurt mentions the mansion that's here now, it fades quickly enough, if it was even visible in the dark alleyway at all. He replies with apparent acceptance, regardless:]

Alright. [Before he gets to any further thoughts:] Do your powers tire you at all?

[Kurt answers with an encouraging smile and a soft shake of his head.]

Like any muscle, it'll tire eventually. But I can get us to the mansion without getting to that point, no problem! [He figures that's why he asked.]

[Though there's a sense of some relief in the way his posture relaxes just a tad, his concern about the situation still remains in his serious gaze.]

If you're sure. [He holds out a hand.] Let's not risk any more attacks than needed.

[It's about as gentle a hurry it up as he can come up with.]

Super sure! And super agreed!

[Kurt smiles as he takes his hand.]

Alright, get ready for another ride...

[With that, Kurt starts teleporting! He goes block by block, working his way towards the mansion... and is sure to teleport extra-quick whenever he spots other monsters! They just have to keep on moving!]

[Altius only offers a curt nod in response, and the rest of their time moving is spent watching for threats. Though he's becoming more confident of the young man's powers to escape any incoming danger, there's no telling what might happen with the unpredictability of this place—so he remains tense and alert, ready to do some moving himself if need be.

But it ends up being largely unnecessary; before long, the mansion is in sight. Well—it's a mansion, and they're approaching it, so he's forced to assume it's the one in question. He thinks he sees a quadrupedal shark stalking nearby, but perhaps the walls are sturdy enough to keep such a thing out.]

Whoa... That's wild...

[Kurt whispers as he spots the shark. But more importantly, he sees the mansion! He looks towards Altius with a relieved smile.]

Well, there it is. How about we take the express entrance?

[With that, he'll teleport them right into the foyer! Where the coast does seem to be clear.]

[And here they are. It was a short trip, really, even if the tension made it feel longer than it was... and it's very dark in here.

Letting go of Kurt's hand, he turns to inspect the area—and the windows—as his eyes adjust. His shoulders relax, just barely; they are apparently safe for now, but he doesn't want to count his chickens before they're hatched.]

Do you have any idea what's going on out there?

[He looks around for some small lamps to light - he doesn't want to light up the whole foyer, since he realizes that could attract monsters, but a few small lights should be fine. He teleports around the foyer doing so before rejoining Altius by the window.]

Aside from more madness? I don't know for sure. ...But it does look a lot of them are closer to the mansion that I hoped. This isn't good. I hope this doesn't set a new record for a mansion getting wrecked...!

Edited 2024-12-17 23:16 (UTC)

[Of course it couldn't be that easy. His lips thin before he turns back to retreat behind whatever heavy furniture is nearby, encouraging Kurt to come with him with a hand on his shoulder.]

Stay out of sight. If we can avoid their notice they might leave.

[There are too many entrances to think that blocking any of them will do much good. At least the number of windows means that many potential exits, but he'll have to hope it won't come down to that.]

Like the Jurassic Park! Good thinking.

[With that, Kurt slinks over to join him behind the sofa and sits himself down on the floor - both to hide and to rest. He knows full be well how impossible it would be to cover every possible method of entry into the mansion, especially if these guys can tear through walls, so this seems like a sound plan.]

Here's hoping this works... But if worse comes to worse, we should be safe in the Danger Room.

[Altius can't help but give Kurt a look of some exasperation as they sit. Really, must they reference a film where the monsters are smart enough to open doors...?]

I'll trust your judgment.

[With a plan decided upon, he lets his head hang down for a moment, letting out a heavy breath.]

This wasn't how I hoped to meet you again, I admit.

[He just meets that look with a sheepish smile, while he rests his partially stony self. He's not always or even often on point with his references!]

Well, as you can see, this place is full of surprises. It is, uh, good to see you again! All things considered. How... have you been settling in?

I thought that I was managing alright...

[There's some mild frustration in the answer, directed fully at the world they're stuck in, but even his true preparations couldn't have told him the details of how and when the next crisis would arrive. He shakes his head, then turns his gaze back to Kurt.]

But I need to apologize for the horrible way I spoke to you before.

[These things do have a way of throwing people off of their plans! Kurt smiles softly and shakes his head.]

Hey, don't worry. It's okay. I think that something was messing with you. And- and you seemed like you'd gone through a lot. So, completely understandable, man.

That doesn't excuse it. [His tone is one of gentle protest, but there is a force behind his expression that says how seriously he's taken it.] I know you were only trying to help—and you did help, which I'm grateful for.

[He glances up and around the dark room, his thoughts apparently turning to the current crisis in contrast to the old one.]

I suppose I should be glad there's no mental manipulation involved this time.

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