EVENT #13: ADVERSITY 8765546

[expiationmods]

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)!

♡

Comments

[laserguy]

What? No!

[Something defensive flies into his voice, maybe feeling a little like that, but for the most part, he doesn't believe it. He's been through too much with everyone to really feel that way.]

I'm saying that we're not going to be useful out there if people are spending half of their attention mad or worried about us, because we're limping around with bandages covering us up.

[battlefieldbrat]

[kakashi plays with the bag of chips a little, moving it back and forth between his hands.]

Whatever. It just feels wrong to sit here and...let things happen.

[things do tend to resolve themselves around here, that much is true. it just galls kakashi to be taken out of the fight so soon.]

[laserguy]

[Scott gets it, really. He hates feeling useless, just sitting around on his ass when his friends are still fighting out there and risking their lives. The thought of them getting hurt really sucks, but he also trusts them too. Maybe it's impossible to fully stop something like that, although it's a grim thought that Scott doesn't want to think about.]

I understand, Kakashi. It sucks, but we have to trust them.

[A small sigh breathes out from his chest. Really, this is the first time he's been this badly hurt before, so it's not an easy thing to adjust to.] Besides, you're not just sitting there, but you're getting better. I've learned that shit matters a lot.

[battlefieldbrat]

I think I could get better just as well at home.

[he's just grumbling now, resigned. of course even that statement is a lie, because there are dogs at home and he wouldn't be able to keep himself away from them. not great for recovering from massive wounds.]

[laserguy]

[Don't make him throw another bag of chips at you, kid!! At least it seems that he's beaten Kakashi down a bit, hearing the light grumbling from the other bed and causing Scott to relax just slightly. Look at him, telling people to actually sit on their asses and it working.]

Once you start recovering more, you can probably start helping out around the clinic. I'm sure Ethlyn would appreciate the help. Making sure our friends recover is just as important.

[Like what he's doing!!]

[battlefieldbrat]

[kakashi makes an immediate expression of disgust. him, willingly spend time in the hospital??? not a chance, my dude.]

I'm no med-nin. I can help by getting back out there and fighting.

[he sure seems optimistic about his recovery, all the sudden.]

[laserguy]

[He's throwing another bag of chips at Kakashi.]

I do have a visor. Warning you now.

[Would Scott actually shoot his optic blasts at his friend, even if he can control their output now? Maybe. Even if he'd never hear the end of it. The mutant lets out a sigh, before deciding to change tactics a little.] No getting up until you fully recover, got it? The more you focus on resting, the faster you can actually get out again.

[battlefieldbrat]

[he catches this bag, too, and stares down at them somewhat puzzled.]

I'm recovering, I'm recovering. Look at me, I'm in the bed.

[but also,]

Where did you get all this junk, anyway?

[laserguy]

[Squints. Maybe he'll be satisfied with that answer. He's watching though!! And armed with at least a couple more bags of chips.]

My friends brought them over. [He really worried them, huh? Kurt, Ryoji, everyone else. A thread of guilt pulls at him for making them feel that way because isn't it his thing to worry about everyone? He can almost feel Kotone frowning at him, ready to tell him that people can worry about him too and she's right. It's just kind of funny since she's still struggling with that whole thing too.

The mutant sighs. He is grateful that they've checked in on him, even if he didn't show it at the time. It's easier to feel that way now after he's recovered somewhat from his injuries.]

They wanted to make sure that I stayed put and recovered as well. [So. Yeah. He got the same lecture that he's currently giving.]

[battlefieldbrat]

Is that a civilian thing? Lecture someone about their injuries and throw food at them?

[he sounds dubious, but also like if scott goes along with it he'll probably believe it.]

[laserguy]

Yeah. It's what friends do at least.

[And Kakashi is a friend!! He's confirming it right now, with Scott steadying his gaze at him, almost like daring him to try and contradict him now. Are you going to tell Scott that he's not your friend......]

So, keep that in mind if you see your friend injured and making a fuss in the clinic. Yes, that also means that you always need to have a bag of chips ready.

[battlefieldbrat]

[he ponders that one for a moment. sure, he would consider scott....a comrade....ok, maybe a friend. if you twisted his arm. that's a short list for kakashi. and one of the only other people on it has been noticeably absent lately. but maybe he shouldn't be thinking of that right now...]

Always carry food rations, noted.

[...throwing a ration bar at someone might be more of an act of war, kakashi. but it's the thought that counts?]

[laserguy]

Good. And don't forget the 'making sure they stay put so they begin to recover.'

[Very important!! Hopefully Kakashi will keep his words in mind in the future now, Scott hopes so. He didn't just give an entire whole ass lecture for nothing, right? Man, don't make him do it again... even if it felt kind of natural in some way. What does that mean for him? He's just not going to think about more. Perfect.]