EVENT #14: ADVERSITY 8765456

[expiationmods]

EVENT #14: YOU'RE A SNAKE I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR FACE

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.

-Fandaniel has put his backup of the AI into the system, and now there seems to be an update on devices.

MAP UPGRADE: 80%... .... .... ...

-Viktor has changed some of the Naga from Rumpitur into their original forms -- more or less, further proving that those who live in the cities from before are former Chosen.

OOC NOTE: This event will still go on for ten days OOCly, and the aftermath of the event via the poll will be posted on the 23rd instead of the 22nd.

SSSOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMESSS

It seems like the recent arrivals aren't the only guests at Aldrip this month. Beginning on the 12th of the month, the Chosen might notice an increased presence of snakes ─ at first it's in the outskirts and in the fields, where it can be expected, but soon it becomes clear they can show up just about anywhere: in the inn, chilling in the library, and even at homes. They're not aggressive and seem to largely mind their own business, so most will probably assume it's best to leave them be.

Until they begin to speak.

"It'sss time,"

It comes as a soft whisper, cooing to you from beneath your feet as the creature slithers on the ground.

"The sssystem hasss failed you. But you have the power to change that. The power to ssstop it."

You may disregard their words, but they're quite persistent, and will keep following you, promising to share the ways for you to fight back. To find a way out. And, perhaps most importantly, to stop the cycle of sentencing for good.

All you need to do is break the system by doing the very thing it's designed to prevent: committing crimes.

But not just any crimes will do, oh no. The snakes are quick to note that there's little point in trying to antagonize the locals, as they're already part of the system. But the other Chosen? That's who you should target, they say. Steal. Lie. Cheat. Maim. Kill. They cannot stop all of you, but it's up to you if you'll end up as a victim or the victor.

The snakes will not attack or harm those who refuse them, but to those still hesitating or questioning their suggestion, they have one reminder:

"That'sss the price for freedom."

Are you prepared to pay it…?

ENTER THE GATES TO THE GOLDEN GARDEN

CW: SNAKE PICTURES LINKED IN THIS PROMPT

As the lies spill past your teeth or the item that you’ve lifted from another Chosen or the shudder of flesh from your blow, there is an elevation of energy around like the simulation itself is breathing a stuttering breath that it had been holding. Suddenly, they stand before a gilded gate that is partially ajar and welcoming.

In fact, it is the only destination available. All around otherwise is a thick fog with muffled sounds, and if a Chosen decided to avoid the sensation of welcome to enter through the Gate, they will find themselves back in front of it no matter the direction that they consider venturing into. The muffles they may think they are following grows quieter until there is an absolute oppressive silence.

Then they are back at the Gate. The longer they avoid entry, the more the temptation to do so will grow until it is unavoidable.

The moment that they slipped through the gilded elaborate gate, the world around them suddenly bursts forth with the scent of sweet flowers, the musical elation of various bird species serenading to one another, and the soft feel of foliage under bare feet. Wait, when did you lose your shoes? Oh well, the foliage is layered densities of deciduous trees with leaves of red, orange, and most proliferatively green There are fruits weighing down branches, mushrooms peeking from under unfurrowed ferns and other underbrush.

There are game trails that double as winding garden paths. They lazily verge off this way and that, taking a person deeper into this beautiful garden. One could lose themselves here if they aren’t careful for there is a blissful peace at first.

As a Chosen moves around or even just looks around, they will notice snakes sliding through the trees or along the ground in the undergrowth minding their own businesses. Big, small, various coloured and patterned but they’re heading off to wherever a snake concerns itself. There is no other wildlife here regardless of the bird songs. That’s strange, isn’t it?

Wandering around exploring either by following the paths or spelunking into the brush or even clambering through the trees will eventually find two Chosen finding each other. It’s easy to recognize each other because evidence of their crimes is marked on them whether that’s the item the lifted, bruised knuckles or a forked tongue for those who lied. Both are attracted to each other as if the impression that leaving the garden requires a pair.

But how to find their way out? The gilded gate seems to no longer be where one might think, and the forest stretches out in all directions. One could wander hours or days and not make headway on how to leave. Except, there are two common denominators: snakes are the only animals here and bird song is a constant presence no matter how much time passes.

Eagle-eyed Chosen will notice that there are certain snakes with identical colouring and patterning. Keen-eared Chosen will notice that bird songs have a certain tune around a select snake type. What could that mean? Maybe it deserves investigation?

Reticulated Python - East
Eyelash Viper - South
Rubber Boa - North
Red-Spotted Garter - West

Teams need to collect a pair of the same species of snake and follow the bird song that grows louder in a certain direction. If they follow the direction appropriately, they will discover an altar and upon placing their snake pair upon it, a quarter of the map of the garden is revealed. Collect all four pairs and take them to the altars and a map is revealed to allow the pair of Chosen to find their way out of the garden.

EVERYTHING IS NOT AS IT SEEMS

This may all seem easy, but the garden throws a curveball at you. After a little while of exploring, Chosen will start to hallucinate in the Garden. Hallucinations will vary by character – namely the worst possible endings for them. It could be either the worst possible ending in Aldrip, or in their canons, but none of them will receive a happy ending.
None of them.

Among the hallucinations of their home world or their lives, they see others. Other cycles that have ended. Those that have completed the RNG of targeted crimes from the snakes are more likely to see these visions:

Bodies of Chosen with the same tattoos on the back of their hands as the ones who’ve done crimes. The thought of I can’t let them die goes through the Chosen’s heads, and suddenly the Chosen shift. Their bodies become more snakelike, foreign of the humans that they used to be.

I have to save them.

Another scenario, this time a thriving city in a desert. A shadow passes through, almost like a plague as Chosen turn into something monstrous. They start to rip and tear into each other, infecting the next person with the shadows. A thought rips through the current Chosen’s minds, despair as the thoughts of I can’t save them happen.

The image flickers, and cuts. Then there’s just a bunch of ruins in the middle of a desert, former technology buried in the sand.

Another scenario, this time a city surrounded by water. The image looks a little hazy, but... over time, the water rises, and rises. It rises through the tiers of the city, drowning it all in water.

The water recedes, and the life that had been bustling around before are now gone.

I couldn't save them.

ON THE OUTSIDE

Chosen that won’t or haven’t committed crimes may see the Garden. While the ones who have committed crimes will find themselves in front of it automatically, the ones who don’t have to find it. They’ll find it deep in the forest, almost as if when they start looking for it, it starts to call for them. The thought of help them may even enter their minds. Once there, they may even attempt to get into the Garden, but… will find they can’t go through. They cannot fly over it or damage it by any means. Enough attempts at forced entry will have a snake come out of the wall and attempt to bite them. If bitten, Chosen may fall ill and even die – this is up to player’s discretion.

Kurt, however, and the characters he chooses to share the glimpse of the world through his item with, are able to enter the Garden without problems. The hallucinations may affect them still, but are much easier to fight through, as they can see through the illusions. They may notice that everything looks old and withered instead of the vibrance that the others see, almost as if it’s… not real. Something that isn’t really tethered to the world at all.

There may be some that would like to question the Naga-turned-people on the happenings of this, but they seem to have disappeared from where they were living with Viktor. Almost as if they ran from this situation…

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

[unsunder]

I. 🌙 THERE’S A SNAKE IN MY BOOT

[ "Something about snakes" he’d thought when he was told that those strange questions on the network usually had something to do with whatever strange thing was coming. He figured that perhaps the new-old arrivals from Rumpitur were it, but no. There was more to it.

There is always more to it.

He is skeptical at best regarding the whispers of these snakes, telling him things to do in vague or, in at least one case, oddly specific. He does not care for it. He watches, as well, as these snakes approach other Chosen, and is not shy about making his disdain clear with a scoff. ]

You are not seriously going to listen to that thing, are you?

II. 🌙 CRIME TIME

[ Emet-Selch is dubious at best regarding what these snakes want them to do, and perhaps that makes him an appealing target. He can be found all around, in the city, in the forest, investigating this, that or the other. It’s like he’s just begging for someone to try and pick his pockets (do Ancient robes have pockets) or perhaps something worse??

A harmless prank won't do more than get his hackles up, but any attempts at violence will be met with the same. Dare you try your luck against this sorcerer of eld? ]

III. 🌙 WILDCARD

[ I am down for pretty much anything! You can hit me up via PM, ping in the game discord, or drop a comment to my PWM. ]

I.

[babilun]

[ Snakes. Gilgamesh has a lot of history with them. He was often associated with it. People even call him a snake, but he disagrees. He wasn't fond of them; if anything, he would rather destroy them. ]

Hah? I would rather break a treasure than listen to a snake.

[ After all, what kind of king would listen to a snake of all creatures? ]

[unsunder]

Then you've more sense than half the rabble here.

[ He gives Gilgamesh a once-over, luminous eyes flicking from head to toe and back. ]

And you are-?

[babilun]

[ Why are there so many people that Gilgamesh met simply reeks of the Underworld? ]

Is it not common courtesy to introduce oneself before asking a King his name?

[ Yes and no. ]

Hmpf. Though I cannot expect mongrels from other worlds to know who I am. I am Gilgamesh.

[ In the end, he still introduced himself anyway. ]

[unsunder]

Is it not common sense to assume not everyone knows who you are before you begin demanding respect?

[ If they’re going to get snippy, Emet-Selch can play that game, too. ]

That was not so hard, was it? Emet-Selch.

[babilun]

[ What happens when you get two big, grumpy cats together? This is what happens. ]

Indeed, but old habits die hard. After all, it's hard to be as dazzling as I.

[ At least Gilgamesh admits his own faults. ]

[unsunder]

Are you quite done?

[ He is so unimpressed. ]

There are other matters to attend to besides your ego.

I

[followyourstar]

< It's tempting... but probably a bad idea. >

[Not to mention the fact that they're not too keen on the idea of doing anything to other Chosen with any of this.]

< Besides, since when do snakes talk? >

[unsunder]

[ Hello. This person has a clock for a face.

Yeah, sure. Why not. ]

Since right now, apparently. If not sooner. I cannot help but notice the conspicuous absence of the former residents of Rumpitur while all this is going on.

[followyourstar]

< That is pretty weird... They go back to normal, talk about fairies and the previous cycles, then disappear when things start to go bad. Not sure if I should be suspicious or worry that something worse than usual is happening. >

[After all, everyone in Aldrip's been through plenty and none of them have left when something has happened. At least, not as long as they've been here.]

[unsunder]

You recall the questions on the network, yes?

“Are snakes friends?” “Will they be mad I changed them?” They must be related.

[ A beat, as he looks over this clock person one more time. ]

Dante, was it? I’ve seen your photograph.

[followyourstar]

[A nod.]

< That's me. You look familiar too. One of the people who had their profile filled in for them, right? >

[They hadn't exactly been in the best mindset at the time, but they think they remember seeing his picture too.]

[unsunder]

That's correct. Emet-Selch, if that rings a bell.

[ They messaged briefly, if he recalls. He just didn't think the clock face... face... was a real thing. Altius' picture had been of some gardens. ]

I

[cactusy]

Hell no. This has 'trap' written all over it.

[Shaw, despite being a crimefighter, is not at all opposed to committing certain crimes in certain circumstances - but as someone who has developed a rather rigid, extremely black-and-white moral code, this ain't it, fam.

To the snake, she adds:]

Find me someone who actually deserves it, and then we'll talk.

[Maybe. The snake bit is a little on the nose, as far as temptation metaphors go.]

[unsunder]

Careful what you wish for. These snakes have no qualms giving you a name outright.

[ They’ve whispered as much to him, but he hasn’t been interested enough to pursue it. He would rather do his own legwork first, before up and doing whatever these creatures want him to do. ]

[cactusy]

"Emet-Ssssselch," the snake at their feet hisses, as if on cue. "He'sssss right here. He'll give you a run for your money, too; you'll enjoy that."

Honestly, they're not wrong on that front, but Shaw still rolls her eyes.

"Just picking people at random, huh? Pretty lame."

[unsunder]

[ Emet-Selch’s eyebrows wing up, gaze darting down to the snake. For a long moment, he considers seeing how the creature might fare if he just stepped on it.

Too much trouble, he decides. ]

I am not to be trifled with, so I’d not advise doing anything rash.

[cactusy]

Oh, the little guy knows what he's talking about; I would enjoy that.

[She's still making no move to attack, though.]

But I don't take orders from reptiles.

[unsunder]

No. You wouldn't.

[ He won't press the issue further, but his tone makes it very clear that he's way, way out of her league. She's smart enough not to just up and do what the snakes want, at least. ]

I do have to wonder what their ultimate goal is. If this is a test by the AI, 'tis a poor one.

I/bit of II

[endcaller]

[Fandaniel glances up from the grass snake hanging daintily from his fingers to blink owlishly at Emet-Selch.

The question strikes him as funny. The Unsundered surely knows his answer.]

Do I...really strike you as the sort of man who would disobey a talking snake, milord?

[He chimes.]

Would you like to be made victim to a crime? Ah, wait, is it still a crime if you consent?

[A thoughtful pause as he stares into the middle distance, then looks back with a wide grin.]

Guess what I'm about to make you an accessory to!

[unsunder]

[ Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer, he supposes. Why he thought for even one second that Fandaniel might resist what the snakes have to say, he doesn’t know. Wishful thinking, perhaps. ]

Would you like to be made a smear on the pavement?

[ Don’t try him!! ]

Stars, what are you scheming?

cw: suicidal ideation

[endcaller]

Hmmmm... Now that you mention it, I wouldn't terribly mind being a smear on the pavement.

[He crouches down and releases the snake into the cobbles as he continues talking.]

I've failed in my grand endeavor, so I might as well perish by the hands of the greatest of all sorcerers. 'Tis certainly preferable to dying by the hands of an inferior man.

[Slowly, he stands, brushes his gloved hands on his robe, then looks back to Emet-Selch.]

Were you offering?

[unsunder]

[ Once again, the flattest of all the flat looks Emet-Selch has in his arsenal gets turned on Fandaniel. ]

You and I both know that were I to end you here, you would simply be brought back.

[ Emet-Selch’s eyes flick over him, though his gaze doesn’t linger overlong. ]

With your soul worse off for it.

[endcaller]

Which is all that matters, hm? The state of my soul.

[He grasps the hem of his robe and swings it about, rattling the chains around his waist.]

'Tis all that ever mattered.

[A scowl twists his face, then quickly evaporates.]

What were we talking about?

[unsunder]

[ Wow, that was almost direct, until Fandaniel up and derailed himself again. Or else he's doing it on purpose — Emet-Selch frankly cannot tell. ]

If you've a complaint to lodge, out with it already.