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etrayalogs2024-09-27 01:18 pm
etrayamods) wrote in etrayalogs2024-09-27 01:18 pm
MISSION 005 PT 2 & ARRIVALS
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.
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. 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. |
B
Wow, this is a lot. Not even a bad kind of a lot, but Fabian has been so occupied with the way this place seems to have been shifting and changing for the worse - and taking his friends right along down with it - that he didn't even think new people could arrive in the middle of this mess. He blinks at the other with one eye, clearly looking confused as his brain tries to recalibrate itself to deal with this information.
(One might assume it's the inhuman speed that startled him, but no, Fabian is very much used to that. It's entirely the fact that--) ]
Wait, are you new? Right now?!
[ It's not your fault, Huaisang.. Fabian is just a little baffled by this place's decisions.. ]
no subject
[And now he's babbling, his natural nervous temperament showing through as his eyes dart around as he's prone to doing when a bit stressed.]
The strange lady - Aurora, I think she said her name was? - said something about there being some sort of mission going on and apologized. I don't think we're supposed to be here? Maybe? Or we were supposed to arrive somewhere else? Anyway, I don't know what going on here at all and would very much like for that not to be the case anymore.
[He shuffles back and forth on his feet a moment, biting his lip briefly, before speaking up again, sounding a little tired.]
So if you could fill me in on what's going on, I'd be very grateful and if you're in the middle of something, I can tag along for a bit and try to help, at least.
no subject
It's a good thing that Fabian already knew most of this. Sure, he didn't know newbies would show up now of all times, but he does generally know what new people here are told when they show up.. at least, when they don't immediately try to abscond the way Fabian did, anyway. So even though it's a lot to process at once, Fabian just tries to pick out the facts he didn't know about yet, focusing on those.
That, and he's taking a deep breath in, or else he feels like he's going to scream about Aurora having to drag new people into the middle of this mess. The poor guy doesn't deserve that - he seems new and confused enough. Count to ten, Fabian. You can do it. ]
Okay. Yeah.
[ Breathe. ]
Let's keep moving. It's not really safe to stand around right now. You can come with me. [ Fabian even starts moving, looking to make sure the other is coming with him. ] That entire talk you got was the same talk that was given when I first showed up here, about-- uh, well, it's been a few months. The difference is that Aurora seems to have pulled you here while we're in the middle of a huge mess.
[ Sorry, pal. It's not great news.
But Fabian would rather have the other have all available information, rather than risk getting hurt because he doesn't know what's going on right now. ]
no subject
Tell me more about the mess, then. She didn't give us much information about that.
[Or maybe Aurora did and he was just too out of it after such a jarring transition that none of it stuck with him. Huaisang's never had the best track record for retaining information given to him in lecture format and he'd already been going through it before showing up here.]
The more information I have on what's going on, the better.
no subject
[ Not that Fabian knows every single detail, but it sounds like these new people were hardly told anything at all - so every detail he can provide has got to be better than nothing, he figures. Especially when he does have a lot of lived experience that can make up for this lack of knowledge in technical details. ]
I can't say I fully know how it works, but I do know that it is preying on our personal fears. Some things it's making appear in the city are a little more generally dangerous, but the thing it is trying to do most is that it's trying to drag you into something you personally fear. [ Which sounds a little vague, and Fabian knows it, but-- maybe that's why he's walking so fast alongside the other, like he's trying to prevent them from getting stuck in something like that together. ] So you have to watch out for that. Stay away from the hospital, it seems to be especially bad there. The apartment building is a little more safe as long as you stay away from anything that looks incredibly suspicious. Do you understand all that so far?
no subject
I think I understand so far. So the city's not usually cursed like this.
[Huaisang's trotting along, keeping up easily enough. This fellow sounds well more acquainted with this place so he'll take it at his word.]
Where is this hospital? And the apartment building? If I run into the others again, I'll try to direct them to safety.
[This place seems awfully big, quite easy to get lost in for a newcomer.]
I have some training and knowledge in how to combat dark spirits and curses if that might be of assistance. I don't know if they will be of any use against a force that's overtaken a city to this degree but...
[He trails off, biting his lip uncertainly. He's not accustomed to offering aid in this way but if one's being tested, they should try to appear to be a model student, at least?]
no subject
He'll just have to make sure the other is as prepared as he can be. ]
I'll show you the apartment building, I was heading in that direction. The hospital is pretty much right next to it, so you can't miss it.
[ But even with that important information handed out, there is something about what the other is saying that Fabian can't help but be curious about. After all-- ]
What kind of 'dark spirits and curses' are we talking about when it comes to your experience? You see, we all come from very different worlds, so it could mean an entire variety of things.
[ --it could be helpful for their situation here, depending. ]