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

[entreats]

I don't think I have either.

[ She's wrecking her brain as she says it though. After you've been here for such a long time, it can sometimes be really hard to make connections between things that are happening now and things from long ago - but she's pretty sure this is new. This doesn't even seem like thast weird maze that has appeared a few times already now..

It's just as weird, but new. ]

But that's why it has to mean something, right? [ It's hard to tell if she's either not noticing how tired Scott seems because she's so focused on the crack, or if it's so important to her that it has to take precedence for a moment. ] Maybe this could even be a way out!

[laserguy]

[Ange's been in this world for almost the same amount of time as him and if she can't recall anything like this, then it's probably something new. Sometimes it's a little hard for Scott to discern things, since everything is in a shade of red for him, so having her affirmation definitely helps. So, this is new and... yeah, what does it mean?

Scott frowns a little, even as he continues to stare through the crack. The gap is just large enough for him to shove a hand in, but.]

It's possible, I think. [He acknowledges, putting aside his own complicated feelings about finding a way home. This... this is definitely a good thing, he knows that, but it's hard thinking about leaving everyone. What this means to people that are dead back home. Luckily, he is able to shove those emotions down to focus on this.]

The reset was supposed to fix things, right? And all the glitches are gone, but now this appears...

[entreats]

[ The girl goes quiet for a moment. She glances at the gap, realizing the same thing about its size that Scott did a moment ago. Combining that realization with what he's telling her here, there's only one thing Ange can say. ]

We should put our hands in there.

[ ...

She says it so plainly too. Like this is a totally normal idea, and also totally logical. ]

[laserguy]

[What could go wrong with shoving their hands into a break in reality?? Probably a lot of things, and there's a part of Scott that thinks they should be a little more careful. Like maybe test it out by shoving a piece of clothing in first or throw a rock?? But also--]

Sure, let's test it out.

[Is Scott volunteering himself to shove his hand in there first? Yes, of course. He inches a bit closer to the crack, one hand already reaching out to do what Ange just suggested. This is probably fine. It's okay being reckless like this sometimes and honestly he is really curious to see what will happen.]

[entreats]

[ Look, Ange thought this would be the most effective plan. And the fact that Scott isn't protesting it doesn't really strike her as strange either because of that. Clearly he's just seeing her point. If this had been something dumb, she may have questioned the idea a little bit more, but this is clearly something important. It's the first thing she's seen since the world was reset that could indicate a new clue.

There's no way she can just ignore it now. ]

Fine.

[ So she moves her own hand in the direction that Scott's own is already going. There's not a hint of fear on Ange's face when she moves her head pretty quickly, just sticking it right into the crack..

.. and nothing happens.

It feels kind of like an anticlimax, really, and Ange is about to look kind of disappointed before she does realize something. It's small, but it's there. ]

Do you feel something?

[laserguy]

[Well, it's definitely nice that his hand didn't instantly disappear.

It's encouraging enough that Scott keeps his hand in the crack, face stuck in concentration even though the only thing he's doing is putting his hand through something. He's not sure if he should be feeling something, his fingers wriggling as if hoping to touch something, but no. It's nothing-- although, there's suddenly a start of something, a tingling sensation growing at the tips of his fingers that extends to his arm that's out in this break of reality.

Maybe, that should be a clue for him to withdraw his hand, but no, he keeps it out there because somehow, it feels real. Like, this is the first time he's felt something fully in over a year and the rest of him feels wrong.]

Yeah. I do. [He swallows, not knowing or understanding what this means. Or maybe, he does and... it's just a lot to accept.] It's like... more real.

[entreats]

Yeah. [ Ange slowly says, like she's still trying to focus on the feeling at the same time as she's speaking to Scott.

She also has noticeably not pulled her hand out of the crack either. ]

Whatever is on the other side.. It's probably the outside of the simulation. The real world.

[ Okay, the usage of 'real' in that sentence could be debated and all that, but it just feels like the easiest way to describe it. Especially when she's still so wrapped up in the sensation. ]

If only this crack was bigger-- There's no way we're going to fit all the way through this one. [ Yes, that does imply that Ange would just have jumped through if it had been bigger.

She is that reckless, okay! Especially when it comes to this, of all things. ]

[laserguy]

Yeah... maybe.

[If what they're feeling is 'the real world,' then anything that was created specifically for this simulation shouldn't exist, right? So, the AI can't go through there, but he and Ange can, meaning... they weren't created for the simulation? Are they actually real? Like their physical bodies are in this place? He doesn't really get it; this feels like something that needs to be examined by people who are more familiar with simulations and advanced technology.

Not to mention that anxious feeling in him that can't fully go away.]

Maybe there's a way to increase this crack? Although, I'm not sure why it formed in the first place. [At least he's not pointing out how reckless it would be jumping through a crack. Probably because Scott would end up doing the same in the end.]

[entreats]

[ That last point is interesting, but after he brings up the thing about maybe increasing the crack, Ange's mind zooms in on that immediately.

She has no idea how this crack was made, so that also makes it difficult to think of how to widen it, but-- nothing says they can't try, right? ]

Scott, can you move your arm up? Maybe it'll widen up if we push against the top.

[ Why not experiment with the weird crack! What's the worst thing that could possibly happen! ]

[laserguy]

[He tries to do just that, teeth gritting as he pushes up against the crack, but it doesn't budge or widen at all. It almost feels like he's pressing against an unmovable force or something; it'd probably take something far stronger than his arm to widen the gap. Scott frowns, but after one last wiggle, he pulls his arm out. There's still that focus on the break in front of them, something extremely serious about the mutant, before he raises one hand to his glasses.]

I can try shooting it with my powers.

[That's a strong physical force. A small part of him thinks it may be a bad idea, but as long as it doesn't fully break the simulation, then... he should try. Like just create a gap big enough for someone to go through.]

[entreats]

[ Ange does try to help, but the moment she realizes that Scott doesn't seem able to widen it even the slightest bit, she gives up as well. Even if Scott's power resides most of all in his eyes, Ange is way thinner and smaller than he is. If he can't even widen it, then what chance does she stand?

At least he has a good suggestion - especially since the girl doesn't want to give up on this crack so easily. It feels like the first big clue she's found in a long time, and her eyes widen in surprise at the good idea on his end. ]

Let's do it.

[ She pulls out her own hand as well, shaking it for a moment, like it's a strange sensation to have it outside of the crack again now. ]

Though.. let's keep a distance, just in case. [ Not just her, but him too. At least the upside of his powers is that - she's pretty sure - he doesn't have to do this from up close. ] It might have some bad effect, and I don't want us to get caught up in it.

[ If it was just her, then she wouldn't have minded as much. She would have been prepared for the consequences.

But she's not going to let Scott get hurt on her watch. ]

[laserguy]

[Scott nods to her suggestion, taking a few steps back along with her until they're a comfortable distance away. Far away enough where any bounce back can probably be avoided, but they can still see if the cracks have increased at all. Although, even with this added measure, the mutant can't stop himself from frowning just a little at Ange, a flash of worry crossing his features.]

Stay a little behind me, okay? In case my powers are reflected back at me. I'm at least immune to them.

[He offers as an explanation. Scott doesn't really think that Ange is weaker than him, but he does have more resistance to his optic blasts. A hit from his powers will hurt, but it won't be nearly as bad compared to her taking the blow. Probably. Not to mention that he can't really stand the idea of hurting her with his powers, even accidentally.]

[entreats]

[ At first she wants to protest what he's saying - not wanting to feel like she needs protection or anything. What stops her is that she gets why Scott is saying that. It's still a little awkward, but.. well, with how broken up he had seemed about everything that had happened while he was out of control, Ange doesn't want to push it. She doesn't want to hurt him just to prove her point.

So she does move over towards him, making sure that she's behind him relative to the weird crack.

And while she doesn't really protest that part, he may hear her grumble something that sounds a little bit like: ] How can anyone be immune to lasers?

[ Please, Scott. That makes no sense. You're still a very fleshy human, last time she checked! ]

[laserguy]

[His relief is so apparent when Ange goes along with what he's asked, a small grateful smile appearing on Scott as he nods. It really is important to him, especially since he still remembers almost hurting her all those months back. Of course he's fully in control of himself now, but no accidents or anything!!

At first, it doesn't look like he's heard her, or isn't about to respond to her grumbling, but as he refocuses his attention on the crack in front of them...]

Probably the same way how anyone can shoot said lasers from his eyes in the first place.

[He snorts, but his hand is already ready by his glasses before he tugs them off. As expected, two bright red beams power through the air, eyes wide and bright as his optic blasts charge towards the break in the air. However, as they approach, the crack just seems to disappear, that concussive force just passing through and hitting a tree that was right behind it. Well, that was at least lucky. No one standing behind it or anything.

After a few seconds, Scott closes his eyes, a small frown on him because... he missed, right? He's pretty sure that he did.]

What happened?

[entreats]

[ Ange isn't really startled by how sudden Scott's power kicks in when he takes off those glasses - or maybe it's because she's easily distracted by something else, only a moment later. ]

It just-- It disappeared!

[ The girl sounds so offended by this. Not at Scott, but at this place, because of course that would happen. Imagine letting them investigate anything without cheating!

Since she isn't fully sure how much Scott can see while there are literal lasers coming out of his eyes like a moment ago, she adds: ] It just disappeared, and then it hit something behind it like that crack wasn't there in the first place!

[ Yes, she's still sounding offended. And worked up. There isn't too much that gets Ange worked up, this dumb shit like this definitely does!! She will fight this place!! ]

[laserguy]

[As if it to mock the two teens, the crack reappears in front of them, but entirely unharmed. It's the same size and everything, like it just simply avoided the concussive blast that Scott sent its way. How is that even possible?? Scott lets out a small grunt upon hearing Ange's answer, before he slides his sunglasses back on to fully look at the crack with a disgruntled face. Yeah sure, it was a little nerve wracking to shoot at that in the first place, but he at least wanted something to happen!

This is just disappointing.

At the very least, he can be happy that he didn't hurt anyone from this. Look at him, thinking positively. It doesn't last long. Scott folds his arms across his chest, feeding a little off Ange's offended energy.]

That's so weird. [Although, he's not too outwardly reactive, surprisingly.] Maybe there's a self-defense mechanism in it... despite it being a strange crack.

[entreats]

It's just annoying us now!

[ It's like the world has been turned upside down, huh. For once Scott is the calm one in the face of something, while Ange is the one freaking out.

.. maybe 'freaking out' isn't the right word here, but by Ange standards, this pretty much is freaking out. Her just being so offended about what this crack is doing here. ]

If it can do that, then that means there's something purposeful about it! Either it's aware enough to protect itself, or someone made this on purpose and put that self-defense mechanism into it-- And I want to have words with whoever did that just now! [ Scott, Ange wants to talk to the manager.

That's the exact vibe being presented here. ]

[laserguy]

If we're in a simulation and it doesn't want to break, I guess it'd make sense that it would try to prevent others from further damaging it.

[Strangely enough, the more annoyed Ange gets about the situation, the more calm Scott feels. He's still stunned and confused about what just went on, but actually focusing and thinking about it... it helps to push away any agitation. With a small exhale, Scott starts waling closer to the crack again and this time, it keeps itself there and tangible. From there, it's easy for Scott to reach out and touch the 'other side' once more.

And it works, just fine.]

I can put my hand in again.

[entreats]

[ Ange lets out a huff - like she's trying to deal with the cropped up feelings within herself, even if it isn't working too well. She can still feel the annoyance swirling around the entire time. ]

I don't think that is going to change much at this point.

[ There is something to putting your hand in there, but Ange isn't sure they can find out more about it unless they can actually go in there.

Which is impossible with the crack at this size. Ange may be slender, but even she isn't that slender. You'd have to be guinea pig-sized for that.

The girl frowns at the crack. ]

At best, I guess we could put something in there that might fit. Something it doesn't perceive as a threat. [ Because otherwise it'd probably just momentarily pop out of existence again, the way it did when Scott fired at it. ]

[laserguy]

[After wiggling his hand in the crack for a few more seconds, he pulls it back out with a noncommittal noise. Well, she's right about that, nothing's really changed when he did that, but are they really just going to leave it like this? He raises a hand to his chin, as if thinking what they can possibly do.]

So, maybe a phone or a walkie talkie? [...] Want to just shove a piece of paper in there asking for help?

[Too bad they don't have a remote control toy or something.]

[entreats]

[ The girl seems to consider this for a moment. Even though she's desperate to change something - anything - about this place, it's not like she wants to do something dumb either.

But the true dumb thing to do here feels like it'd be ignoring the crack entirely. Doing nothing with it. Moving on with their day, trying to dodge monsters and figure out what the hell is up with the constant night time.

So she seems to approve of his idea. Even if she doesn't say so, it's obvious from the way she rummages through her pockets, pulling out a notebook she apparently always carries with her. Then a pen. Opening the little book, she asks without even looking at Scott-- ]

How is your handwriting?

[laserguy]

[Of course Ange is carrying a notebook around, but it's definitely come in handy so he's not going to make a snide comment about it. Now, guess they should think of a message to write? Should it be something more complicated than asking for help? Or is that too blunt?

Scott's actually putting some serious thought into this, so her question catches him off guard.]

Huh? Uh, I guess it's fine. [He answers, shrugging lightly.] You don't want to write the note?

[entreats]

It's better if you do it.

[ She tears a page out of the notebook, and then holds out said piece of paper to Scott, right along with the pen. ]

I don't know if whatever universal translator is at work here will still work on the other side of that crack. And though we can't know what the place out there is like, on Earth more people speak English than they speak Japanese, right?

[ And Ange sure doesn't know enough English to write a cohesive note. So it's your duty now, Scott! ]

[laserguy]

[Oh, guess that makes sense. Scott takes the paper and pen without much fuss, seeing the logic behind Ange's answer. Although, as he taps the pen against the paper, and mostly trying to situate himself so that he can write on it without poking a hole, something occurs to him.]

I mean, we both can send a message, just in case. No harm in that. One in English and one in Japanese. There's like more Japanese people here than English speaking people, or at least the same.

[That's what it feels like to him at least.] Maybe that's a hint?

[entreats]

[ There's just a slight bit of surprise in Ange's expression - just the way she faintly raises her eyebrows - that seems to indicate she didn't think about that yet. But it's a good suggestion, indicated by the way she's already ripping a second page out of her book for her to write on herself.

She's even already starting to write. Though by the time she's got about one sentence on there, she can't help but glance up from the paper, asking Scott: ]

What are you writing?