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

[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. ]

[shabuir]

[ Fett's helmet turns to appraise the bleeding, rotted walls. It hardly looks like any sane being's version of paradise. Still, Fett's tone is unmoved. ] I've seen worse.

[ The Yuuzhan Vong flagship. The Sarlacc's guts. Yes, if this is the worst this so-called god can muster, he's not impressed. But could this be the source of the corruption plaguing Etraya? This man says that whatever is beyond the door is attempting to remake this world, and certainly, that is what seems to be in the process of happening to the city.

Could the answer really be that simple? Fett needs more information—namely, how such a creature might be stopped. ]

Have you tried to destroy or contain it?

[banworthy]

It'll get worse.

[ Vincent breathes out a small sigh. The shaking of his hands doesn't cease; he lifts them to clasp his hands together in a prayer. His shoulders start to shake as soon as he hears the question -- he drops his head as he snickers loudly. ]

Oh, yes. I did. [ What a hilarious question. ] You really think She's -- I guess you do. [ He lightly shakes his head as he lets another shiver run through his body. ] Do you know the difference between a god and a demon? [ Without waiting for an answer, he replies: ] It's how you look at it.

But more than that -- She cares. She cares. [ He smiles as the snickering wheezes through his teeth. ] About our miserable morality and sense of guilt. She cares so much but is only shown suffering, pain, and hatred. [ Breathing in, he can feel the snot start to run down his nose as his fear spikes. Lifting his clasped hands, he wipes his nose with the back of his wrist. ]

I wondered if you were one of us. Though the helmet isn't quite right, I realize. The questions also -- that's my mistake.

[shabuir]

[ Fett's patience wanes as the man rambles on. He's wasting his time here, trying to gather intel from a giggling, sniveling madman. ]

Yes, [ he says coldly to the man's admission. ] It was.

[ He steps forward, helmet jerking to the side in a gesture of dismissal. If this man won't give him the answers he needs, he'll just have to see what he can learn on his own. ]

Out of the way, [ he orders. ] Let me see this 'god' for myself.

[banworthy]

If you want --

[ Vincent holds his arm out in a gesturing motion. He steps back out of the way, bowing low as he does. Not in reverence to the man but to the God that he wishes to meet. ]

-- She cares, you know. [ His eyes fixed on the ground as he carries on: ] She cares about our morality and our guilt. If you hold any in your heart, well, She'll help you face it. [ He doesn't rise from where he is instead chuckling to himself. Sweat rolls off his face and pitter-pattered on the floor.

His eyes unfocus. The floor is changing from tile to rust and blood seeping in through the cracks. ]

I suppose I, too, feel some guilt...