expiationmods: (Default)
Expiation Mods ([personal profile] expiationmods) wrote in [community profile] expiationlogs2025-03-11 10:18 am

EVENT #13: ADVERSITY 8765546

EVENT #13: THE BEAST INSIDE US ALL


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…

EARLY MARCH / MARCH 11TH

Something doesn’t feel quite right, does it?

There’s a strange feeling in Aldrip, something tense and strained, as if something’s about to happen. The black lines outside of the Aldrip travel further into the city and begin to spread the miasma. The fields, crops and the portion of the forest continue to wither away as a result. The signs of catastrophe. The air is thick, as if it itself is waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Very abruptly, it does.

The earth quakes as something erupts from the ground: huge, snakelike heads, towering as tall as a two-story building. These heads seem to circle the city of Aldrip: a ring of threat, keeping everyone and everything within the city limits. These heads don’t change locations, and they only attack if someone gets too close. They seem almost like they’re waiting for something. At first, however, they’re invulnerable to damage. Those who get too close may be injured or even killed if they try…
TRANSFORMATION

As soon as Fauna hears the rumblings of the Beast, detects the presence of a monster, she's off without waiting for any information. Confronting monsters is what she does, after all. She transforms and attempts to destroy the Beast with her full might, but despite the fierce fight, she's unable to land any decisive hits. Eight heads are too much to fight alone, and as the fight drags on, she's cornered, and takes the Beast's attack head-on, canceling her transformation and sending her flying. But as she's blown away, from her pockets, seeds fall- A pair of seeds to grow trees from, or something greater. The seeds, divine items with no divinity to empower them, fall to the ground, and are absorbed into the Beast's black body...


What is it you wish for, deep down? What do you desire?

Those Chosen unlucky enough to be affected by wish seeds may find this wish consuming their thoughts and driving their actions. Slowly, surely, they find themselves…changing, turning into something that is not a human. These changes may be slow and painful, or they may be instantaneous. We encourage you to be creative in these changes, both physical and mental, but also to warn for potential body horror or any body part trauma that might need a content warning.

I wish… I wish…

Driven nearly to madness by their own desire, by whatever’s happening to them and whatever physical changes it brings, these Chosen may be dangerous, with uncontrollable urges or new powers they aren’t used to. Can their aggression be directed toward the coming fight? Time will tell.

SLAY THE BEAST

So much anger, hatred and pain, all rolled into a single calamitous entity, baring its fangs at the entire world. It's almost a little embarrassing for it to be out in the open like that, even if the other Chosen don't necessarily realize it's a part of him. It's not too long after the Black Beast's first appearance that Ragna makes his way to face it, though not before he makes sure everyone else has some information necessary to finish the job afterwards. But first, he would need to ensure they even stand a chance against the monster, and he came up with only one solution that could work ─ and that's to do so from within the Beast itself. And so, with a final sigh, muttering "What a pain in the ass," under his breath, Ragna approaches the giant creature unarmed. The nearest heads turn their attention to the man, immediately attacking and ripping him apart, devouring the remains.


Something has changed. Impervious until now, the Black Beast soon shows evidence of wear and tear: hits land, cuts remain, and its fighting becomes more vicious…but more desperate, too.

If the Chosen have any hopes for defeating this creature, now will be the time. Maybe if they hit it with everything they’ve got, they’ll be able to bring it down–one head at a time.

SAFE...TY?

In the past, there’s been protection. In the past, there’s been so-called “safe houses” that have been created by the environment for noncombatants or those who don’t wish to fight.

But no such thing appears.

Nothing will hold the monsters back, nothing will hold the effects of the Black Beast back as they rain destruction on the city. It seems as if the Chosen are on their own – for those who don’t wish to fight, or can’t fight, they must band together to find protection of their own. Characters who are able to fight may need to help protect these areas where those sorts of Chosen have decided to hunker down for safety. The locals have vanished completely, locked so tight into their own houses that Aldrip businesses come to a halt.

That is, unless Chosen work together to keep it going.

AFTERMATH

The Black Beast is finally put down after the hard and exhausting fighting. The black lines around the city fade away, and it seems the Chosen who have transformed… are unaffected. Those Chosen who find themselves confronting their “wish” will discover that they soon change back, shedding monstrous forms for their familiar forms. However, the Chosen who don’t confront their wishes will keep their monstrous forms, either fully or partially, for the indeterminate future. They might continue to struggle to keep their sense of self and fight against the monstrous urges. Maybe they continue to be more aggressive, have a hard time recognizing a friend from a foe and have a distorted view on what is their wish. Effects don’t wear off over time, this time. There’s no magical “reset” where they wake up one day and find themselves back to their normal selves.

No, either they confront their wishes, or they stay like this for… ? It’s up to the Chosen.

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)!
conflictresolution: (105)

Closed to Jinx

[personal profile] conflictresolution 2025-03-15 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[Of course Ragna had made it all too obvious what the idiot brute was planning, and it was so ridiculously self-sacrificial that it was sickening. Silco was not the self-sacrificing sort when it came to monsters of such nature; he let the morons throw their lives away at this point.

However, this was Ragna. This was someone Silco partially owned, and that roused a certain activity in him that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Unfortunately, this became personal despite all signs of this situation pointing towards certain death if he were to venture out on his own. He’d risked it during the various creatures and packs roaming the streets some months ago, and he had nearly lost a leg for the endeavour. Still, stubbornness invigorated him to not let this happen; this world could burn if it meant losing certain aspects of what he considered his.

No, this would not stand.

Silco contacted his daughter who must be in full on distress at this point. His message was simple: We are going after Ragna. Meet me outside the Last Drop. He expected they would need to move quickly to prevent the stupid theatrics from occurring, and then he was willing to leave town while others dealt with this nonsense.

He was waiting outside the Last Drop normally, though he was currently dragging on a cigar while checking the ammunition on the firearm that he had Jinx made for him. He had been practicing of course, though he was be no means an excellent shot. He was competent. Otherwise, he continually checked his phone and looked around for Jinx to appear. He would not go without her; she couldn’t lose two people in the same day.]
opheliac: ✖ malagraphic (nobody's promised tomorrow)

[personal profile] opheliac 2025-03-15 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[distress wouldn't be the word that would describe how she's feeling. if someone were to ask, there would be nothing she can come up with that could identify the ache burning in her chest. she's been hyperventilating what felt like hours now that she can't really recall what it was like to breathe normally. seeing the text from her father made her leave her post immediately, and without any reconsideration. yes, she promised ragna that she will watch his things, and she will continue to do so — but his items will be okay for the time being in his sanctuary.

it's times like these that she curses herself for being such a featherbrain, because she could use rhino right about now during this crisis. sure, bullets may do nothing against these monsters, but he would still pack more of a punch than her pistol. and as for the hex gemstone, well... — she brought it along just in case. it's been quiet and dull all morning, but it could awaken at any time and do some good. if worse comes to worst, she can jam it into one of her many explosives and let it evaporate whatever needs to be. jinx hope it won't come to that, it would mean losing the crystal for good, but... for her loved ones, she will do just about anything to secure their safety and to live on.

approaching the last drop, the bluenette spots her father just outside, heaving with her pistol and several chompers hook to each side of her. she isn't wearing her usual attire — but something else that she vaguely remembers putting together back in runeterra, before being transported back to aldrip. when silco meets with her daughter face to face, her eyes are puffy with her mascara running down each cheek. she's been balling her eyes out, as expected, and although she is now standing by him, she is still wheezing in panic while trying to stitch sentences together.]


Silco. Ragna, I... I-I-I don't...know whe-where he... he...— would. I've tried to... I can't. I can't go through...this. Not again, not again, I-I-...!!
Edited 2025-03-15 22:43 (UTC)
conflictresolution: (67)

[personal profile] conflictresolution 2025-03-16 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Silco looked up and spotted his daughter's approach, noting the expected panic and grief on her expression. He set his firearm into the holster he almost never wore so that he could free up his hands as she closed the distance between them.

He lifted his hands to cupped her face in them, thumbs caressing the smears of mascara and pulling her in so that he could press his lips briefly against her forehead. He was assured that she was here now, and they would endeavor on what they must together, whatever scenario that they might be walking in together. It would be dangerous, but it would be worth it if they could stop Ragna from himself.]


It's okay. He'll be near that beast, so that's where we will go, alright? You and I together, we will do whatever is necessary to find him and try to stop him on this fool's errand of his.

[He briefly pulled her against him and then moved to start walking. They didn't have time to waste and putting them both on the path of purpose was exactly what they both needed right now.]

Walk with me and tell me what the brute told you.
Edited 2025-03-16 05:30 (UTC)
opheliac: ✖ malagraphic (pic#17743571)

lord these edits, im so sorry. i should probably go to bed.

[personal profile] opheliac 2025-03-16 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
[she wanted to break down and shrink when he bowls her face, and he can certainly see her being on the verge of doing so again. but jinx is swallowing down her tears, and she attempts to breathe easy when his lips plant on her forehead. his love is giving her some strength, and she sniffles as they pace close together. she can't be like this if they're going to face danger — she needs to pull herself together and activate that jinx side within her.

so as they hike, his daughter puff out a quivering exhale, and uses her hands to quickly wipe away the invisible tears. focus, focus, focus. she unhooks the pistol from her hip and twists the knob to prepare it for firing when needed.]


Just... that he knows how to stop it. Or at least hold it off. He can buy us time? A week, he said.

[she bites her bottom lip, a little uncertain if she should tell silco this next additional information but... cat is a little out of the bag now.]

A year ago during that maze, I saw this dragon explode out of him and it destroyed everything. And when we met, his parchment said "ending the entire world". That's what drew me to him in the first place. Back then, I thought... having a guy with that much power would be great to have in my corner. He could just blast anyone away if I tricked him into being my partner and if I played my cards right.

[gosh. their relationship changed so much since then. from jinx planning to use him as a stupid stooge to being one of the most important people in her life.]

So... I think that beast is him, or a part of him.
Edited 2025-03-16 06:14 (UTC)
conflictresolution: (81)

<3 <3

[personal profile] conflictresolution 2025-03-16 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[They both needed to focus on the facts and their limitations for this situation. Ragna had tried to impress upon him how ineffective he and Jinx were going to be, and he had already accepted that consequence. They weren't there for the beast itself, just Ragna. He knew the ins and out of this city as well as, if not better than Jinx, so between the two of them they could slip away.

Buy them time, hmm? Well, that won't be necessary. There were plenty here with strange and fantastical abilities that could fight it. Besides, a week would hardly make much difference and they could lose the city regardless.]


We need a strategy, not a self-sacrifice. There is always another way, but he's too stupid to accept that possibility.

[He listened to Jinx's story of her first encounters with Ragna and it made sense to him. She had been relatively alone, and this was before he arrived to offer the support that she needed. It was smart to ally oneself with the biggest and meanest in the yard, as he had once done many, many years ago.]

He is also responsible for destroying the initial city hall, and we all knew his power was well beyond what most of us were capable. That he's accidentally released that beast upon the city no doubt makes him feel responsible. How stupid.

[He was picking up his pace, not quite running but hurrying in a manner that was very un-Silco unless Jinx was actively involved. He was hyperfocused on what they were doing.]

Did you bring the gemstone? We may have to employ it regardless of how temperamental it is.
opheliac: ✖ malagraphic (and our time on Earth was through)

[personal profile] opheliac 2025-03-17 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[that is definitely something she can agree with. they all need a better strategy than doing... whatever the hell this is. and this is why having a one profound leader of aldrip is extremely important at a time like this. an individual who will make the right call on what everyone should do and what areas to evacuate towards.

she can devise a few ideas what the chosen should be doing, but she has no power to direct them to do anything. the chosen aren't as pursuing as her zaunites, sadly so. at the mention of the gemstone, his daughter digs around in her pockets and display it for his viewing.]


Yeah, but... this thing's been out of order since I woke up.

[she'll even hand it over to silco for further inspection, and upon looking at it, the magic within doesn't seem to be swirling like it normally does. its appearance seem dull and out of life. again, will this wake up in time for it to be useful? who truly knows.]
conflictresolution: (13)

[personal profile] conflictresolution 2025-03-19 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
[First things first was to pull Ragna's head out of his own ass, and on the way, Silco could strategize once he plumbed the other man for information. Until then, they could throw the fodder in that direction and see what worked, if anything. He wasn't in the mood of Jinx being sad regardless of death not having permanence. It wasn't a risk he was going to take without effort.

He turned as they walked to look at the gemstone that had a distinct lack of spark. He took it from Jinx's fingers to examine it a bit more closely, rolling it in his gloved palm as if the warmth would awaken it. Perhaps they needed a device to activate it. Well, yet another hiccup that would need to be mitigated.]


A shame. It would have been useful, but we will use the resources that we have. We haven't time to wait for this to wake up.

[He offered it back to Jinx as he crossed the street to head into a short-cut down a narrow alley way.]

Once we locate him, you're job is to grab him and use your Shimmer abilities to remove him from the situation. Understand?
opheliac: ಠ╭╮ಠ (batter it up)

cw: schizophrenia / voices

[personal profile] opheliac 2025-03-19 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
[she retrieves the stone and pockets it back, then follows him closely as they venture off down a back street. jinx nods to him wordlessly to confirm her understanding, suddenly getting a chill of nostalgia prickling over her forearms. it's not a bad sensation, quite opposite in fact.

it's like being tossed back in time when things were a bit simpler between them, her soaring off with his crew to transport shimmer shipments and cargo, then returning to him to stand behind sevika while looking disinterested as she rambled about reports and statuses. if they were to take out the stressful aspect of their situation, this is rather nice.]


[but when they pace further in the alley way, his daughter makes an abrupt movement and sticks her arm out to prevent silco to take another step. if/when he looks over, he can see her expression darkening and then her head slightly slants to one side. the gears in her mind are turning, and then her eyes drifts down to their boots then to the path ahead. and when she speaks, her tone is monotonic — like she's reciting the words someone else is saying.]

... "Oh no, we're in the dark. Get out of the dark." [....] — "Look left, no. It's to the right. Such a baby one."
conflictresolution: (pic#16694738)

[personal profile] conflictresolution 2025-03-19 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Silco had stopped personally taking on jobs when the undercity had fallen under his control and the Shimmer usage was just starting. Back then, he had attended most hostile takeovers, letting the Lanes and the undercity know that it was he who was in control regardless of the Chem-Barons that he brought in with him. They had their factions and were poised to benefit from his strategies.

Once the undercity had fallen under his thumb, he had withdrawn from as much public appearances. Running an enterprise required all of his time not to mention the fussy temperamental child who relied on his presence as he tried to stabilize her and fell hopelessly into what would become a co-dependent relationship between them.

In Aldrip he did venture out more but never like this. He fell back into the old patterns, so that when Jinx stuck an arm out, Silco actually stopped. He looked at her, trusting her judgment even as she began to recite about the dark. Was that a by-product of the stress, an unseen enemy because of the beast, or something completely unrelated? It was difficult to tell much of the time.

He reached out, touching her wrist lightly with his fingers.]


Focus, Jinx. Is that information important or is this delay meant to distract us from our goal of Ragna?