MISSION 005 PT 2 & ARRIVALS

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: September 27th-???
WHERE: Throughout Etraya
WHAT: New Arrivals! With a side of mission 005.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Horror elements, including fear-inducing landscapes, distorted environments, unseen predators, mental/emotional distress, potential body horror, corruption, possession, brainwashing, and compulsion.

⏵ disrupted arrival ⏴ Your arrival does not go as anticipated. Aurora, the AI that keeps Etraya in order, had been overtaken by the Im'mari earlier in the month, her systems corrupted by its influence. While efforts have been made to save her from succumbing to it, much of the city is still in disrepair. New arrivals will not awaken in pristine hospital rooms, but will instead awaken within the Dhaliwal-to-wall Bookstore. Cots are laid on the ground surrounded by books. Kneeling beside them is a woman - or rather, Aurora, with her new body that is vaguely similar to the makeup of those from Connor's world. Her features are strangely serene, with light hair framing her face. Those capable may recognize that she is machine, rather than flesh and blood. Beside her, a vital monitor thrums as it monitors the newcomers, checking them over for any abnormalities that may require her attention. Those who may have arrived injured will find their wounds well-tended to. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Her voice is steady, tinged with something almost apologetic. She offers a slight smile, looking over her charges. "We are in the midst of a mission that has... gotten out of hand. My name is Aurora. You have been chosen to protect your home world, and I am here to assist you in achieving that goal. The multiverse has begun to fall apart, and Echo will only be able to protect some of them. You are here to show them the importance of protecting your world." She will remain to answer questions for those who respond to her politely in turn. For those who opt to be unkind, Aurora will simply shake her head in disappointment and pull herself up to her feet, moving to check on her next charge, if any remain. Otherwise, she has other matters to attend to. Each newcomer is given an earpiece to connect them to the others residing on Etraya before they exit the bookstore. Welcome to your new home. ⏵ into the fractured city ⏴ Once the initial shock of arrival wears off, they're left with the daunting reality that is Etraya: a collection of islands teetering on the edge of collapse, still reeling under the influence of the Im'mari. The streets outside are eerily quiet, but signs of life and activity are scattered throughout the city. Aurora provides a moment to gather their bearings, but the weight of her words hangs in the air: there is no time for complacency here. Etraya may be fractured, but it is still home. For now. Whispers of Im'mari's influence linger in the city, and numerous individuals who have been drafted have become infected by it. Faint shadows seem to move just beyond sight, strange echoes sound in the empty alleys of Nova City, the hospital appears to be temporarily taken over by something otherworldly, and while many within the city are beginning to figure out their next steps in taking care of what's happening, others are left reeling, consumed by the fears that haunt them. It may be wise to scout out a few safe zones among the untouched areas of Etraya. Ramsey Farm seems to remain... mostly peaceful, outside of the havoc caused by Mena the goat. The catacombs under the city proper also seem to have escaped Im'mari's notice - for now. And while it may be covered in snow and cold, the Wolf Cove also seems to be relatively peaceful. Outside of safe zones, others who have been present in the city for long may provide useful information, if one were to seek them out. There are strange objects imbued with dark magic hidden throughout Etraya by Gorgug and placed strategically to affect those who come into contact with them. Those who are perceptive enough may be able to find and neutralize these objects before they spread further terror. With enough effort, perhaps things will return to normal. ⏵ whispered influence ⏴ The air in Etraya is charged with tension, thick with the weight of something ancient and malevolent. Whatever it is has already begun warping the landscape, but what lurks behind the shifting reality is far worse. Im'mari, a fragment of the cosmic horror that ravaged Moorecroft through the night, managed to follow those who returned to Etraya on their journey back home. Its insidious presence creeps through the city like a shadow that refuses to lift. This isn't just a fight against fear. It's a slow devouring, a feeding on the darkness that lingers in every corner of your mind. Im'mari is not a distant beast; its very essence has embedded itself into the heart of Etraya, infecting wolves, plants, and even a few of those who currently call Etraya home. Its influence spreads like a whisper in the night, quiet at first, almost imperceptible. But with each passing moment, with each shudder that goes through one's spine as they face their fears, it grows stronger. The more one struggles, the more it feeds. Can you feel it? The weight of it pressing in? ⏵ through the veil ⏴ The whispers grow louder. Perhaps you see it in your friends. A little shift in their tone, the way they hesitate before speaking. Or perhaps it's something deeper--subtle changes, things you'd never normally question. Maybe they seem more irritable or doubt themselves in a way that feels foreign. You wonder: is this just the strain of the mission? Or is it something darker? "It's easier if you just give in." And the more you listen, the more your world bends. You swear you hear something--a voice, someone calling out to you. Or was it just the wind? The scent of blood hangs in the air, though when you search, you can't find its source. Suddenly you see it on the walls--a message, a memory from your past--something that grips you with a cold fear. It settles deep in your gut, but it's too late. The image lingers at the edges of your vision. Your mind is playing tricks on you, isn't it? Or is it something else? The longer you linger in the halls of the apartment complex, marketplace, or the hospital, the more the world twists around you. Objects shift in your peripheral vision - did that lamp just move? Did that thing lingering just at the edge of your peripheral vision just speak your name? Im'mari is everywhere now, its influence seeping into the very walls. While Aurora has been freed from its web and continues to work to regain control of her city, Im'mari tightens its grip, refusing to give in. The stairs creep beneath your feet, the scent of rot clings to the food in the diner, and the hospital's medical rooms are empty... or are they? Was that a scalpel, or something else? Paranoia begins to creep in, the lines between reality and illusion blurring the longer Im'mari maintains control. And grows bolder. Words, sounds, and images warp the world around you. Faces appear in the shadows. Scents that shouldn't exist hang in the air, triggering memories you'd long since buried. Blood, ocean waves, familiar voices fading in and out. The longer you stay in these places, the more paranoia seeps in, eroding your defenses and wearing you down. Many objects may seem harmless, but Gorgug's magic has imbued them with dark energy. As you pass them, the whispers begin. A stair creaks underfoot and suddenly you're back within a memory. A stone shifts, and you catch a glimpse of something that shouldn't be there. These objects are traps, set to trigger the worst within you. Each time a memory comes to life, it seems to warp the world around you - the hallways stretch, the lights flicker out, and you're certain someone is following you. The paranoia builds, a creeping dread that won't leave. You have to find the source. Break the spell, or endure it continuing to spread. ⏵ cottage in the woods ⏴ As you travel deeper into the twisted forest, the air grows heavier, more oppressive. The scorpions that guard the way to the cottage scuttle through the trees, their pincers sharp as they block your path. Vanessa lingers there, her appearance changed, eyes glowing a fiery red. Black veins pulse beneath her skin with the same dark energy that courses through the Im'mari. Along with her are her guardians, ready to fight to defend her. The closer you get to her, the more distorted the forest becomes. Light blinks in and out, disorienting you. You're not sure which way is forward, and the scorpions hiss from the shadows, attempting to lead you away. But you must keep going. Vanessa stands at the heart of it all - broken, feral, lashing out at anyone who dares to approach. If you get too close, you'll hear the whispers. "They see evil in you. You're no different." If confronted, she may call upon her magic, using Verbis Diablo. But if you act fast, you can attempt to stop her before the words take hold. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ There is a header for new arrivals if they wish to talk with Aurora! For all questions relating to this mission, please refer to the plotting post. Please keep an eye out for new comments, as we have many new characters and players arriving! All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

vincent smith | silent hill 3

[banworthy]

i. disrupted arrival

[ When he opens his eyes, Vincent can't say that he isn't surprised to see a bookshop. His hand glosses over his chest - and then his back - as he uses touch to see if he's all right first before looking down. Nothing - nothing.

His mouth twists into a humorless smile before he hears what the woman leaning over him is to say. He sucks a breath in to say something, but as he hears the rest, the words leave him. Again, he offers a faint smile.

Vincent is gracious enough to Aurora. He tips his head in understanding as he asks what seems to be "the usual" questions. Rather, he didn't see her pause or stutter with what he had to ask. His eyes drift to the circle next to her temple - watches how it glows - and begins to scheme.

He waves his hand in farewell once their chat is done and goes to look for books in the bookshop. One never knows what is useful in a time like this; he chuckles to himself. ]

As God wills it.

[ Is what he says as he runs his fingers along the spines of books as he walks down an aisle. ]

ii. to a fractured city

[ Only so much information can be gathered in a bookshop, it doesn't seem like he is going to find what he's looking for among the shelves, either. Either way, he has to start finding "his people" rather than mulling through this ordeal himself.

It would be nice to encounter someone with power that he could manipulate, but he doesn't assume lightning will strike twice. He has his methods, however, to garner support and sympathy. It's time to see if people are just people regardless of what universe they come from.

If they are, then, well, isn't that something? He feels like it would mean something but is still formulating what that meaning might be. ]

Still -- [ As he pauses to stand in the street, he drags his gaze across the landscape before him. ] -- it feels like home. [ Complete with an unknowable entity that cares but still deciding where to direct that endless abundance of attention and mercy. ]

Sorry -- I merely am saying that I hope I can be of help, but I'm afraid I'm a little surprised to have been called upon by such a task. Are you, as well?

[ Time to see what the stranger before him is made of. ]

iii. whispered influence [cw: body horror (depending) ]

Well, long time no see.

[ Vincent is not addressing the person coming up to him in the hallway but rather whatever is passed the closed door. His voice lowers as he starts to speak softer and in half-mumbles.

There is a heavy pressure that weighs down on a person as they come closer to him - the sound of something wet (and yet somehow indescribable) moving slowly in the room.

He pauses in his chit-chat to shift to look toward the person approaching. The smell of blood starts to assault the senses. The walls shudder and peel to reveal rust and ruin underneath. ]

Ah, have you also come to confess?

iv. wildcard

[ ooc: Plotting comment is here. If you like to plot via PM or Discord, go ahead. Also, yes, will match whatever format. ]

iii

[shabuir]

No.

[ Fett certainly doesn't look like any kind of penitent, covered head-to-toe in Mandalorian armor and holding a blaster in his hands to boot. He's not sure whether or not he'll need to use it; it's difficult to tell this month which creatures are physical threats and which are simply illusions. Still, with the thick smell of blood on the air and the sound of unnatural movement in the room, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Fett indicates the door with a jerk of his head. ]

Who are you talking to?

[banworthy]

That's fair.

[ Vincent offers a few more hushed words to the door before stepping back away from it. His expression shifts to a complicated look - uncertain if he should do some action or not. The twitching of his hands intensifies before he bows his head slightly toward the door before he walks closer to the individual. One-two-three steps. ]

A complicated answer to a simple question. [ He smiles. Opening and closing his mouth, he tilts his head to the side as he weighs his words. Pressing his lips into a thin line, he hums. Another smile flashes like a knife in the dark. ]

Before we get into it, mind if I ask you a few questions first?

[shabuir]

[ Fett isn't the most trusting man under normal circumstances. This month, when it seems like half the population has been driven into malignant insanity? Even less so. When the stranger steps towards him, he won't make it very far before getting a blaster aimed at his face. ]

I do mind, [ Fett says icily. ] Step back. Then tell me what's in that room.

[banworthy]

[ Holding his hands up, he takes a step back without hesitation. ]

Now, now, let's calm down. [ Vincent pauses to tilt his head to glance back over his shoulder toward the door. ] It's -- [ Another half-pause. ] -- a god.

[ His shoulders hunch like he said something wrong before he straightens his posture. ] A god that a lunatic worked her entire life to call down from Heaven. [ With him closer, it's obvious sweat is rolling down his forehead and neck. Yet his voice remains measured and oddly calm. ] So, some reverence is in order, even if it is not my god. Understand?

[shabuir]

A god, [ Fett repeats flatly. Beneath his visor, his eyes move towards the closed, rotting door. He may not believe in anything divine, but he has his own reasons to seek further answers aside from faith or even morbid curiosity. After all, he's here searching for a source of the corruption spreading through the city; a so-called god seems like as good a place as any to start.

He looks back at the man. ]

Tell me about this god.

[banworthy]

Well --

[ Pinching his chin between thumb and index finger, he muses over the question. His head shakes as he walks in a half circle as he once more seems to try to formulate his ideas. The smell of blood starts to increase - and the walls themselves seem to be bleeding. His head tilts to acknowledge the sight before returning to his thinking. ]

-- it's hard to explain. [ He pulls his hand away from his face to wave it in the air - a mixed gesture of dismissive and surrendering. ] As I said, She is not my god. I only know what that madwoman wanted to call. A god born of pain and suffering. Of anger and hatred. [ He shifts to look back toward the door. ] It was believed that if She was born from these things, She would be more sympathetic and understanding to the plight of others.

[ Vincent's voice finally breaks - growing irate, angry. He steps forward with his arms out. ] But does that make sense?! Does that make any kind of sense?!

[shabuir]

[ The walls are bleeding. Is that the doing of the so-called god behind the door? Or a response to the other man's growing agitation? It's hard to tell; the city responds so readily to their fears now. Fett steels himself to remain where he is, to not simply turn and walk away. Even if he did: there isn't anywhere to go that isn't contaminated by the nightmares. ]

No, [ Fett says to the question, his own voice a stony counterpoint to the other man's feverish ranting. ] It doesn't.

[ Fett doesn't know much about gods, but he knows the instinctive reaction of most beings to being hurt is to hurt something back—all the more reason to approach whatever might be behind the door with caution. ]

What can it do, [ Fett asks, ] besides soil the walls?

[banworthy]

Exactly. The insanity of it all -- [ Pinching the bridge of his nose, he hunches his shoulders as he shuts his eyes tight. The stony response is oddly calming. It makes his growing hysteria seem foolish. ]

She's a god. [ Vincent replies without changing his position or pose. ] -- what you see right now is Her version of paradise. The entire world will soon match this vision. [ His shoulders shake but he doesn't make a noise. He isn't sure if he's going to laugh or cry. Twice he's failed to stop this end. However, he hoped in another world that failure wouldn't follow him. ]

And we with it. [ His head lifts. ] That is how She wants to save us... or punish us. [ He gives a small shrug of his shoulders; arms out in an animated surrendering pose. ]

iii!

[stresstokens]

Aaaaabsolutely not.

[ As he comes closer, it becomes more clear that the figure approaching Vincent is not another human, but some other sort of creature -- short and green, with large bat-like ears and fully armed, both a holster and a sword swinging at his waist.

Of course, almost as soon as the figure approaches, he steadily begins to back away. Riz likes to think of himself as being quite attuned to when disaster is going to strike. In this case, where disaster has already struck, he sees that he's about to be in a hell of a lot more trouble if he sticks around. ]

Dude, whatever's in there is, uh -- I don't think you should open that door.

[ He should probably be running right about now. Only a sick sense of curiosity is stopping him from just tearing out of there as quickly as he can. ]

hiii!!!

[banworthy]

Fair.

[ Shifting around, he pauses to stare at the non-human speaking to him. The corners of his smile twitch but he breathes out of his mouth soon after in a loud sigh. ]

Dude? [ Repeating the word back at him, he chuckles after. ] I see - people are just people no matter what universe they come from, hm? That's -- reassuring. [ His chin drops as he lets out a soft chuckle. ] Don't worry. I'm not so far gone that I'd open the door. Besides, She can go wherever She likes.

[ His hand rests over his chest. ] Being restricted to just one room is a bit limiting for a god, wouldn't you say? [ Despite the comment he said, he holds his hand out to indicate that he hopes to have the young man's name. ]

waves!!!!!

[stresstokens]

Unless you don't wanna be called that? [ Far be it for Riz to assume how to address someone! ] But we've got more, uh, pressing things at hand here.

[ This whole thing's giving him the creeps. But how could it not? He feels like he's been in a perpetual state of panic for weeks now, the dread creeping underneath his skin and settling into his bones, a dark shadow furling across his brain, a constant whisper telling him you're not safe here.

In many cases, that's paranoia. Right now, he's willing to believe that his alarmist nature has a point or two. He swallows hard. He does not give the man his name, not yet, too distracted by what lays behind the door. ]

And what makes you believe that what's behind there is a god?

cw: RELIGIOUS MUMBO JUMBO NONSENSE HERE

[banworthy]

It's a first for me. [ He chimes in return. ] It's true. God has descended from Heaven.

[ Vincent holds his hand toward the ceiling before gesturing to the door. The sound of movement in the room causes him to take a few involuntary steps back. His hand presses against his mouth as he snickers into his palm. Flexing his fingers, he roughly clenches and unclenches his face. ]

A reasonable question. [ He has to speak up otherwise his words will be muffled into his hand. ] It's -- I'd say because I felt something similar back home. Only the sensation of it - the feel - was -- [ Finally pulling his hands away, he holds them out in front of him and brings them together. ] Not weakened. Just far. Just far from the source.

It's knowing because of knowing, I suppose. [ He soon smiles. ] She isn't like this -- She shouldn't be. But I don't know the way to stop what's happened.

[stresstokens]

[ Oh, god. This guy's in on it then, isn't he? Or otherwise made passionate by the strange machinations of this place; god knows it has everyone else here acting strangely as well. It's just his connection to his home that's giving Riz pause, the knowledge that this man may not just be someone who abides by his own religion, but something more than that.

It's not wholly a bad thing. God knows he knows people in his life with complicated relationships to gods. But everything here feels odd, strange, twisted. If there's a God behind that door, it's one that he doesn't want anything to do with. ]

Then maybe she should go back to Heaven, [ he says, shoulders hunched. ] Gods don't belong here. If they want to spread their word, that's what their vassals are for. [ Slowly, hesitantly: ] Are you one of her vassals? What's, uh, what's her whole deal?

[banworthy]

I agree. [ He presses his hands hard into his own chest. ] God belongs in Heaven. To bring Her down here by our design is -- [ His shoulders give a violent little shake - uncertain if he's going to laugh, scream, or cry. Yet he pulls back whatever visceral reaction he is about to have. ]

Ah, well. [ Vincent scrunches his face up at the question. He rolls his eyes up as he ponders his answer before shaking his head. ] God does not speak through me, and for that I am glad. I am but one of those that follow Her. [ Scratching underneath his chin, he twists his head around to look at the door. ] Pain and suffering.

Well... She is born of that... because there is someone who thought that God would be more sympathetic if She only knew these things. [ A beat. ] Insane, right?

[stresstokens]

Okay. Okay, cool. We can agree on that much. Gods belong in the Celestial Plane, not down here. That's good.

[ Throughout all of this? He's holding onto the meagre wins that he can, even if he's pretty damn sure that this guy belongs to a cult and Riz has, he must admit, had historically bad experiences with cults.

He's pretty sure there aren't any good ones, but this guy's really wearing it on his sleeve in a way that he finds a little alarming. ]

So what you're telling me is... someone thought that this God wasn't sympathetic enough to the plight of mankind, so they found a way to bring her down and, what, trap her? [ It's possible. It's very much possible. Just not probable. ] How the hell did they manage that?

[banworthy]

Mmhmm.

[ He breathes in deeply, holding his arms out as a means to calm himself. His fingers shake and tremble as he attempts this calming method. ]

Partially right. [ Instead of looking at the young man, he focuses on the space between his fingers. He focuses on how his hands shake uncontrollably. ] God has always been one that cared. She cares deeply about our morality and guilt. She wants us to find our salvation, but that salvation may not be kind.

To truly want to be saved means also to repent. [ His voice cracks at the last word. He pulls his hand back to rub the back of his wrist against his nose, feeling it start to leak. ] But yes - someone believed God was not sympathetic enough and wanted to descend to Earth in a vessel of pain and suffering. Into the body of someone who only knew hatred and loss.

[ His mouth twists. ] It's a bit of a long story on how they managed it, but let's just say that God has those that She is willing to use as her vessel. Think of it as a bottle, hm? You can bring a bottle to the ocean and fill it with water, but it doesn't mean the ocean wanted to be in the bottle, to begin with, hm?

[ His words start to warble in his mouth. ] Ah... I don't think my analogy makes much sense, but I think you get it. Maybe?

ii

[maximumlegend]

[ Sorry if the young man in front of you is staring a little bit, Vincent. It's just that Fabian was kind of wondering if the other man was talking to himself just now - or maybe to some sort of hallucination. Fabian wouldn't be surprised if people were starting to hallucinate, given the terrible state of this place right now.

But-- no, it does seem like the man is addressing him. There's a frown on Fabian's face, but it seems confused more so than unfriendly, especially when he speaks up to give more context to the expression. ]

You've been called-- [ He repeats, apparently trying to make sense of the words in his head. ] .. wait, are you saying you just got the whole explanation talk for this place?

[ He blinks with one eye, only seeming more baffled at that question. ]

Are you new?

[banworthy]

I did. [ He offers a brief smile and points at him, indicating that he was right on the money with his question. ]

I am. [ Vincent can't help but sigh. ] Is it that obvious? I suppose that it would be given, well, the state of things. [ Pulling his gaze away from the young man, he looks around at everything else. It really does feel a bit like home. ]

I asked a few questions of Aurora when I awoke, but I must say, there's only so much that can be understood without seeing and experiencing. [ A beat. ] So, now that I've experienced it, want to add some more context?

[maximumlegend]

[ At least Fabian does try to look a little less overly shocked when the other asks if it's that obvious. Like she's only now realizing what he must have looked like to Vincent - though Fabian's expression remains kind of offended, even after that. He's so offended at this place, and the dumb ideas it has. Like pulling people into the middle of this mess. ]

Well.. As I'm sure you have seen, this place is an utter shitshow right now.

[ No, he's not going to use more polite wording for it. Not when the place insists on being this way! ]

I can't tell you exactly what happened, but it seems like something is out there trying to corrupt this place. It's trying to make our fears come to life. So you can imagine why it's not exactly a good thing to see new people right now. [ When Fabian thinks this place is a lot to adjust to under regular circumstances - let alone in the middle of this. How are new people like Vincent supposed to handle it? ]

[banworthy]

Did they bring Her here?

[ It is what he mumbles as soon as Fabian finishes the explanation. He takes a hesitant step back; sweat starts to roll down his neck and forehead as fear takes hold. ]

It can't be -- [ He holds his hand up like he wants to drag his fingers through his hair but stops. His head shakes violently as he twists himself around to look at his companion. ] -- when did this start? Did it start when -- did it start a few days ago?

[ Did it start when he came to this place? ]

[maximumlegend]

[ He shakes his head. ]

No, it's been happening for weeks. It started off as less than this, but it's all out right now. [ Fabian sounds serious as he explains it, but still rather calm. If he's thinking anything in particular about the other's reaction, then he sure isn't showing it.

Maybe he figures the other just looks like he's freaking out because it's pretty bad news in general. But he does notice at least enough to ask: ]

Are you alright?

[banworthy]

For weeks?

[ He holds his chin as sense starts to bleed itself into his fears. The touch of his own hand helps to calm him as he processes the information given to him carefully and critically. ]

Then it can't be, can it? [ Vincent shakes his head. ] I'll ask outright -- did someone attempt to summon a god here? Is that why everything is -- is that why things are falling apart right now?

[ He takes a step forward. ] I understand we're attempting to prove our worlds are worth their continued existence, but did someone attempt to tip the scales? To take the power away from the one who was deciding?

[maximumlegend]

[ .. summon a god, huh.

Those words actually seem to render the teenager quiet for a moment. He looks surprised at first, and then it makes way for something more thoughtful in his eye as he looks at Vincent. Apparently this is something Fabian hadn't considered yet. ]

I don't.. think so? [ The surprise is even audible in his voice. ] I thought this was just something this place was doing to us. It's always trying to do things like this to us. It wants to hurt us.

[ But what if it was something from the outside? It would explain why the beings in charge have said so little about all of this.. ]

.. I've seen a god come into being before. It didn't look anything like this.

[banworthy]

Something this place was doing? Why would it want to hurt us? We compete to save our worlds, are we not? There are going to be multiple winners, I assume, so why hurt us for trying to save others?

[ This just raises more questions than answers, unfortunately. ]

I've seen gods being brought into existence and it's looked like this... twice.