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]

[ Bruh. The judgement in Emet-Selch’s gaze ratchets up several notches, arms crossing as he peers down at the man in the bed. ]

I rather thought you more sensible than that. To become injured is one thing, but pushing yourself to the point of collapse? What good has that done?

[ BRUH. ]

[chimericalclaw]

[Ugh... sure, maybe he's earned it, but that doesn't mean he enjoys a lecture.]

I didn't think it could get this bad.

[He's never had trouble maintaining his health. He's never had to worry about his health. But now...]

I was clearly mistaken.

[unsunder]

I have been told by several people that our abilities, and even our minds, may not always be trustworthy due to the simulation's influence.

[ He gives Altius a once-over, not at all being subtle about it. As ever, the man is a void. Simply nothing more than flesh and blood to his eyes. ]

If there is aught which shields you, then 'tis clear it is not working, and you should have listened to your body.

[chimericalclaw]

[... he's clearly slipping, if he's speaking freely enough to the point someone would guess at that sort of thing. Thankfully(?), he's distracted by the renewed sharp ringing in his ears as his headache intensifies, and he screws his eyes shut against it, hand pressed against his face even though it will do nothing. He resists the urge to try his magic again.]

Maybe it impaired my common sense, [he offers as a weakly humorous response, strained just above a whisper.]

[unsunder]

[ In some fairness, Emet-Selch has more clues than the average person. His inability to see Altius' soul means he either does not have one, or that something is blocking his abilities. The latter seems much more plausible. The man hasn't the bearings of a construct. ]

There is no "maybe" about it.

[ SIGH! ]

Were you able to find out aught of note ere you took a nap in the dirt?

[chimericalclaw]

[Maybe one of these days Zekarion will actually learn he looks like nothing to people with Special Eyes like Emet-Selch.

He tries to remember; it's definitely a struggle, given how it all became a blur, both to his physical senses and his mind. The idea of coming out of this with absolutely nothing is far more humiliating than having to be dragged out of it in the first place.

It takes him a minute.]

... I heard yelling. [It's not a lot, admittedly. But it's all he has.]

[unsunder]

[ It’ll probably come up one of these days. Emet-Selch has already advertised his ability to see souls to at least two people here. ]

From inside the garden?

[ No, that’s not a lot. But it is something. ]

So much for paradise.

[chimericalclaw]

Why anyone would trust them...

[Anyone who might have landed themselves inside that place likely brought it on themselves—either through being foolish enough to accept what the snakes were saying or through taking it as an excuse for what they already wanted to do.

Still, he'd rather no one be trapped; he didn't need any external prompting to investigate again after he heard of people vanishing inside. Speaking of minds being manipulated...]

Something urged me to help.

[unsunder]

Perhaps they but needed the excuse.

[ It seems their thoughts run parallel in that regard. He doesn’t think everyone here are the criminals they have been made out to be, but some of them? Certainly. ]

Beg pardon? What do you mean something?

[chimericalclaw]

A thought that wasn't mine.

[ Reassuring, isn't it? But not out of the scope of things Emet-Selch already mentioned. And Altius seems more annoyed by it than distressed. ]

Perhaps the AI... [ It has been more active recently than it has been. ]

[unsunder]

Are you certain you didn’t hit your head?

[ Because like, he’s not about to go doing whatever a strange voice in his head tells him to. That’s insanity. ]

[chimericalclaw]

[If he could take a deep enough breath for it, he'd heave a sigh. But he shakes his head with a furrow in his brow, just slightly—too much and he'd probably threaten another wave of vertigo.]

That's not why I went. But it's not the first time it's put something in my head.

[unsunder]

[ Emet-Selch lifts a hand to massage his temples. This whole mess is a headache that he would rather just avoid, but it seems there’s no helping it. The damn snakes are everywhere, and problems are just beginning. ]

I am going to have to ask you to elaborate. I understand the records you all found of what happened to the people of Rumpitur led some to believe that the AI genuinely wished to help.

Is this the same?

[chimericalclaw]

That was just before my arrival.

[ So he doesn't have any AI flashbacks uploaded into his brain, yet. He slides a hand over his own face, moving his bangs out of the way as he tries to put together how to best reply. ]

Before now, I'd felt foreign emotions and minor hallucinations I can only assume were the simulation's intent. This recent one was only a brief suggestion. I wouldn't be surprised by a full vision.

[unsunder]

[ Well, this is a new one on him. He's not heard of others being influenced by the simulation quite like this. ]

Do you know if it is just you experiencing these things?

[chimericalclaw]

[ An answer he thankfully has through his own questioning. Partly because he wanted to know he wasn't losing his mind. ]

A young man told me he'd also had the latter... and a friend of mine was forced into a debilitating mood entirely unlike them for a while.

[unsunder]

Oh, how reassuring.

[ Dry. ]

I would hear everything you know, if it is not too much to ask of you in your current state. In return, I have information of my own to give.

[chimericalclaw]

[Even though he's struggling to focus, he can guess at what Emet-Selch means by that information. It's something he's certainly been eager to find out... so even if he may need the rest, he decides to push through.]

Ask what you like and I'll answer what I can. I have notes I can copy for you later.

[unsunder]

[ Good enough for him. ]

Do you know if there are any connecting factors between you and the other people who have been thus affected?

[chimericalclaw]

Part of it is sentencing. Effects are forced onto us even if we're following instructions.

[Because that's fair!]

With one of the hallucinations... I don't know. I'd have to ask him specifics. Mine were after we were all forced to share dreams.

[unsunder]

'Twas going to be my next question — if the lot of you had been sentenced. I cannot also help but wonder if the AI has "Jerry" to serve as its messenger, then why bother speaking to you in such a manner.

[ For every answer he gets, it seems a dozen more questions get unearthed. ]

[chimericalclaw]

[He doesn't have the focus to even be able to hypothesize. Jerry has certainly seemed more... available, in some ways. All of it seems like nonsense at this point.]

I don't know if it knows, either. It's all so convoluted...

[unsunder]

I would posit that we may be working with more than one entity, then. If nothing else, what the snakes want runs counter to what the AI supposedly wants, so they must be the work of someone, or something, else.

Now, I cannot fathom what that might be. There is simply not enough information.

[ He gives Altius another once over. The man is fading fast and probably needs his rest, so best they begin to wrap up. ]

That aside, I spoke to Ellie and Ragna.

[chimericalclaw]

[A thoughtful furrow comes to his brow. He had considered that their apparent purpose was at odds with the AI's objective, but he'd chalked that up to it being a potential test, more than anything. Could they be a separate force entirely...?

But his thoughts along those lines are interrupted by a much more important piece of information, and he turns his eyes back to Emet-Selch, gaze as sharp as it can be in his current state.]

Did you discover anything?

[unsunder]

[ If the snakes are a test put before them by the AI, then they’re an exceptionally poor one. Still, it’s not outside the realm of possibility, if his “two entities” theory doesn’t pan out.

On to other matters for the moment. ]

Their souls showed signs of degradation, with no visible means of reparation. Whatever you lose when you die stays lost. Needless to say, dying is not advised.