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

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt's eyes widen in alarm as the wish seed is brought up, as it brings up unpleasant memories of that day.]

The wish seed?? [He frets.] You- you think that could be it? If that's still in you in some way... Man, that'd be bad!

[The image didn't really remind Kurt of how Altius was the last month, but the possibility is too alarming for Kurt to really think about any flaws with that theory.]

[chimericalclaw]

Something else of that... stayed with me. An ability I've thought to be under control.

[And he has truthfully wondered if it meant he hadn't been fully cleansed of its influence. He's felt like he's been in his right mind—but he'd thought so then, too. It was only others' reassurance that had helped to ground him, both during that time and after.

But all of that's neither here nor there, when it comes to cracks all over him. It's simply convenient.]

I can't think of any other oddities. My sentencing seemed fine...

[digthefuzz]

[Now Kurt looks even more confused as he takes in all of that.]

You - you got an ability from that? And you were sentenced?

[Kurt waves his hands in the air for a moment.]

Wait, wait a moment, can we rewind? Sorry, can you just - explain everything that's going on with you?

[chimericalclaw]

[He looks momentarily surprised at the request. He supposes he hasn't... spoken of any of that with Kurt specifically. After all, he has indeed thought he's had it under control.]

That's all there is. An ability to... erase things, which appeared after I recovered. I was sentenced for the damage I did as that creature, but I only had the odd moment of unnatural guilt during the process...

[Vertigo arises and he's starting to see two Kurts. Regardless, he's determined to stay standing, his posture relatively steady. He closes his eyes, bringing a hand over his face.]

Then this illness, after I was bitten.

[digthefuzz]

Whoa. You... you really have been dealing with a lot, man...

[Kurt frowns thoughtfully as he takes it all in. It helps to paint a picture of everything Altius has been dealing with, but it doesn't help him find a solution.]

I hope it's not the bite that's having that effect on you... but whatever it is must be bad news. We have to figure out a way to help you fast!

[chimericalclaw]

[Altius lets out a slow breath. Use just enough healing to keep yourself together. Don't overdo it.]

I didn't think it any worse than anyone else.

[Others became monsters. Others have been sentenced. ... Though admittedly he hasn't heard of anyone else getting bitten. Perhaps he just got lucky—or maybe he was the only one foolish enough to approach without the right amount of caution.]

One thing at a time. Perhaps... you should lead.

[digthefuzz]

I don't know, it seems like it's really piled up for you...

[It does leave Kurt witu some concerns, not just for Altius but for others who had been afflicted by the Wish Seed.

He does nod at the man's suggestion.]

Yeah, I'll lead the way. Just stay close, man. And don't be afraid to lean on me!

[As he speaks, he steps ahead of Altius on the trail.]

[chimericalclaw]

Thank you, [he mutters. Opening his eyes doesn't reveal his senses working perfectly, but it's good enough, and he has practice moving under dizzying circumstances; he strides forward regardless of the difficulty, staying close.

Despite the birdsong he has yet to see any birds. For that matter, he hasn't seen any creatures in here at all—not that his vision is sharp enough at the moment to spot anything small, but he would have expected something to emerge. Or maybe what's in here is only metaphysical...?]

Maybe we're meant to find an apple of some sort...

[That would be on theme, surely. Is this place that cliché?]

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt does try looking for the source of birdcalls every now and then. But even that may be an illusion. This place really does seem barren despite its misleading appearance...

All along the way, he tries to keep some attention on Altius, to make sure he's alright. The apple comment gets a laugh out of Kurt.]

A special garden, and snakes? I see what you're getting at! This actually feels like the opposite of the Garden of Eden... [Snakes getting you into a fake garden instead of kicked out of a real one?] I'm not sure if any apple here would be really good or really bad!

[He'll keep his eyes peeled just in case, because maybe it really is that simple!]

[chimericalclaw]

It would be an answer of some sort, [he replies.

Altius steps forward, and he thinks he hears and feels something strange—instead of the brushing of plants against his boots, there's the sense of something muddy, damp. He pauses and looks down.

There's a blur of red. His eyes follow the trail of it—more easily than his senses have allowed him the past several minutes. A familiar body lies at the end, some yards away: a young man he hasn't seen in months.]

Kurt, [he says, his voice only vaguely unsteady, but not with panic. It makes no sense, even if he feels the cold sweat at the back of his neck; even if a sinking feeling of dread locks him in place.] Do you see something over there.

[digthefuzz]

Huh...?

[Kurt follows Altius's eyes in the indicated direction. And he squints as he tries to see whatever the man is referring to.]

What something? I don't really see anything...

[Although something does start to appear for Kurt. A group of angry humans with pitchforks, shirts and signs emblazoned with anti-mutant messaging. Kurt is startled by the sudden sight!]

Wh-whoa!! Where did they come from??

[chimericalclaw]

Not real, [he says under his breath. Even though he smells the blood he can feel on his hands. His heart pounds and Kurt's dismayed reaction doesn't help, but it's just off enough that his mind tries to hold onto that scrap of an observation, past the fog and static in his head that threaten to drown him in horror.

His voice isn't as strong as he wants it to be, but it is nevertheless louder as he continues.]

It's not real. [He turns to the mutant, though Ferran's body remains in his peripheral.] What are you seeing?

[digthefuzz]

A- a mob. An angry one. Angry about... mutants. They're coming for me!

[He panics and staggers back a bit, but Altius's words ground him.]

Wait. Not... real...?

[He breathes as he grasppls at his glass.]

[chimericalclaw]

[Even knowing that it must be fake, that he can't see what Kurt sees, he takes a protective step in the young man's direction. But he can't guarantee that there's not something behind the illusions, something waiting to strike.]

There's no one here angry about mutants, Kurt. [Not when they're all from such different worlds where the concept would be too new to even garner a strong opinion. Gadriel doesn't count, he can be reasoned with. Hopefully that glass will show him whatever is here... if it's anything at all.

It helps to focus on the real person next to him, to block out the parts of him that want to turn and run towards the image he's seeing.]

[digthefuzz]

[The sight of them is almost overwhelming. It's like they're right here, fresh from attacking the mansion and who knows how many of his friends...

But Altius's words are like the opposite of a siren's call, coaxing him back to his senses. He starts to remember - in this world here, he hasn't encountered anything like his experiences back home. Everyone just accepts him, casually. That helps him to soften.]

You're right. This place... It's not like home at all. Not in that way.

[With that, he raises the glass starts to see that there's really nothing there.]

It, it's all in my head.

[chimericalclaw]

That's right.

[His jaw clenches and his eyes glaze over as he thinks he sees—pieces of the garden glitching away into horrible blurs of light. Kurt, as well, degrading into corrupted data.]

It's just in your head, [he repeats, closing his eyes and resting them against the back of his hand just as he sees it flicker like a broken hologram. Like they'll all turn out to be, if they're stuck here for too long. And then that body will no longer be just a hypothetical...

His breaths become shallow.]

[digthefuzz]

All... all in my head...

[He repeats that to himself and closes his eyes while trying to banish the imagery completely. It's fine. It's safe. He's in a safe place.

But as he opens his eyes, he looks to Altius. He remembers what he asked him first.]

You... saw something too, right? Are you okay...?

[chimericalclaw]

[Altius grits his teeth, forcing himself to stay steady even as a wave of dizziness overtakes him—so he only sways slightly.]

I can't afford to... hesitate. [It's not an answer to Kurt's question, but it's an answer to the images he's seeing. He opens his eyes, just barely, a stubbornness in his grimace. How many nightmares has he already endured? It shouldn't be any different just because he's experiencing them while waking.]

Keep going. I'll keep up.

[digthefuzz]

Altius...?

[He looks on with concern. That was distinctly not an answer to his question, so Kurt's unsure about this.]

I'm gonna start moving, but I'm staying close to you. [He won't let himself get more than a step ahead while Altius is like this. He holds up his glass.] Maybe my glass will help.

[chimericalclaw]

[He should be stronger than this.

... But he hasn't gotten this far by foolishly rejecting the help that's been offered to him because of his ego. He holds out his hand to take the offered glass, distantly wondering just how much of an effect the thing can have on them. As much as he doesn't like not knowing the effects of magical objects on him, he'll take it if it's a positive.]

[digthefuzz]

[He spares a concerned glance towards Altius as he takes the glass and tentatively keeps moving forward, again trying to stay close to him for the moment. The glass should be helpful for piercing any illusions at least.]

There, I hope - I hope that's good. Let's just try to keep moving... carefully!

[chimericalclaw]

[Taking it, Altius looks down at his hand—his hand, solid and clear, in one piece, not glitching or flickering or disappearing into nothing. But he sees the cracks. They're not a surprise, not really—he's felt Chaos's power eating him from the inside before in moments of weakness, deliberately hidden any sign of them. Still, to see them so clearly...

None of that matters. He directs his gaze towards the path ahead, dried up and decayed, remnants of some other time and nothing more. With the glass, his view is—clearer, even if his eyes aren't cooperating as much as he wants them to. It's enough for now.]

Let me know if you need it again, [he mutters to Kurt. His movements are labored, but he's still determined to move. There must be something here. He's convinced of it—whether that's hope or a desperate delusion.

He turns the glass and his gaze as they continue, looking for any hint of what the purpose of this place is. But no matter where he looks, it's just more brown, crumbling detritus.

But just before it's completely out of sight, he turns back to face the direction they came; where the bloodstained body of the young man once lay in his view, there's nothing, as he knew there couldn't be. He lets out a shaky breath he shouldn't have been holding.]