etrayalogs | MISSION 002

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: May 3rd-28th
WHERE: Within the Labyrinth
WHAT: The second Mission
NOTES\WARNINGS: Potential death, violence, injury. Please add additional warnings as needed within threads.

⏵ into the labyrinth ⏴

Aurora's announced time for the mission was correct: four days after, as she had promised, the door to the Labyrinth opens, connected to Etraya's atmospheric bubble by its entrance point. Characters are directed to come to the entrance on May 3rd, and warned that they may want to bring medical supplies, weaponry, and any important artifacts along with them. She warns that large vehicles will not fit within the limited space available, and smaller ones may be difficult to remove, thus advises those to stay behind. Aurora also offers to watch over any companion animals and keep them safe while competitors complete the Labyrinth.

They are given a short amount of time outside of the entrance to speak with one another, to plan and organize themselves, before they are ushered into it in groups of two to four. Once passed the entrance, they'll find that they are unable to turn around and exit out of it: a barrier keeps them from going back into the city proper, and as soon as they are far enough forward, the walls around them shift, closing them in, moving in complex patterns meant to separate them and bring them together.

Characters with extraordinary abilities may find some of them inaccessible: super strength may be downgraded to closer to ordinary strength, magic may prove to be less predictable than it should be, and regardless of how strong, fast, or clever characters are: passing over the Labyrinth walls or destroying them proves to be impossible. While one may be able to run through the pathways at superhuman speeds, the pathways compensate for it by running them in circles, refusing to allow them to make any progress on their own.

⏵ pathways collide ⏴

Junctures of the Labyrinth often present competitors with choices, some that may have consequences: a left turn down a darker path may prove to be harmless, whereas the well-lit path may be full of traps intent on slowing them down: a trip wire that activates a swinging massive axe, or arrows that shoot straight out of the wall as soon as one gets close enough.

Other junctures may present characters with choices that have consequences: they can choose the shortest pathway, but at great personal risk to themselves or their partner (ie, you can go this way, but your arm isn’t going with you) or they can choose the lengthy pathway full of traps and trials they’ll have to surpass to get to the end.

⏵ balancing act ⏴

The pathway opens up into a massive space, but it's not one with an easy path out: instead, competitors will find an obstacle course that will not let them continue forward until they complete it. Many of the tasks involve things that one cannot do on their own: they must walk across multiple wooden boards balanced precariously on a tall beam, but to ensure it's balanced, there must be one person on both sides of the boards and make sure that they're walking on the board in just the right space to ensure their weight doesn't cause it to sink too far on the opposite side. If a smaller child is on one end, they may want to stand significantly further away from the beam than the larger person on the other half.

⏵ help! i'm bleeding! ⏴

A large garden area spawns off of a pathway. The peaceful chirping of birds can be heard among blooming cherry blossom trees, and it all seems utterly peaceful and calm. An area one might wish to take a breather in, enjoy the sunshine reflecting from above, and get a good nap in. Or would, except a companion bot whose abdomen is covered in ketchup appears to be struggling across the ground, crying out for help. They state they are bleeding profusely and require immediate medical attention, otherwise, they will die.

The companion bot also carries a bag of medical supplies and MREs, which player characters are welcome to utilize. The pathway out of this open space will not open until after the companion bot no longer states they are dying. Whether it's because they're "dead", or because those who came across them offered "medical attention" and patched them up until they've stated they're good and no longer need assistance - well, both will technically suffice.

⏵ choice is an illusion ⏴

After walking down an additional pathway, characters will find themselves trapped within a glass box. In front of them is a pedestal with two buttons: one red, and one green, as well as a tablet above it displaying the image of another group of characters. The tablet states hindering them will help you. You may either choose to make the second group's time through the maze more difficult, or hinder your progress by pressing the green button and helping the other group forward.

Characters are given two minutes to decide which path to take; the timer, on the tablet, counts down regardless of any attempt to break or hack it.

Pressing the green button will drop several squishmallows into the glass box. Inside one of them is a key that unlocks the roof of the glass box. Pressing the red button, while it promises to hinder the other group, actually. . . causes a toxic yellow gas to flood the glass box. The gas will burn the lungs of those who breathe it in, but it also begins slowly melting the glass box. This gas will make breathing difficult for the next 24 hours, but will not kill those who inhale it. Healing factors will not offset the gas.

⏵ who deserves the knife? ⏴

A group of two characters will walk through one corridor and find themselves strapped to two chairs, the backs of which are leaning against each other. In front of the both of them are drills, slowly approaching their chests. They cannot go sideways but can push forward and backward. They can push backward and get themselves further away from the threat of injury - forcing the person behind them to suffer but allowing themselves to escape - or they can push into the drill and free the person they're with. Alternatively, they can choose not to push either way, potentially sacrificing them both.

Three options, but they are left with minimal time to decide as the drill continues to press closer. If they choose to go out together, they'll find that as the drills press against their chest - they simply stop. Minimal blood will be spilled, and they will have all the time they need to figure out how to squirm out of their bindings.

⏵ the Siren waits for thee ⏴
A seemingly harmless pathway turns into much more trouble than it's worth. A few steps through a corridor, and suddenly competitors will find the floor falling out from under them, revealing a body of water and - no solid ground on either side of it. There are the walls, but they lack any good climbing holds. Within the water are numerous Sirens - beautiful androgynous creatures that sing soft songs meant to entice others into following them deep into the water. While they may look beautiful, their mouths are full of razor-sharp teeth, and their intentions certainly aren't innocent. However, the Sirens can only touch competitors once they have initiated touch first. They will do their best to encourage this: holding out their hands, crying out for help, pretending to drown, or trying to coax them into coming in close enough for a kiss. As long as they remain on the path, they're harmless. But the moment they reach out for the Sirens... getting away from them will not be easy. Their tails are powerful, built for moving swiftly throughout the water and dragging others along with them. They bite hard and will dig their teeth deep into flesh to discourage struggling.

If one gets captured by them? They're lunch. Or worse yet: if they get bitten but manage to escape, they may find themselves becoming a bit.. scaley around the neck, eyes shifting color to a too-soft green, and an almost impossible-to-resist urge to take a bite out of their friends.

This effect will continue until May 28th regardless of when the character reaches the end of the Labyrinth. After May 28th, they will find that their scales slowly begin to shed, their eyes begin to turn back to their normal shade, and any other new features slowly turn back to how they were before they were infected.

⏵ don't forget your ball of twine ⏴

The Labyrinth is large, and there are many challenges around each corner. There may be space for breaks in between monsters, challenges, riddles, places to sit and recuperate between battles and mind games. It's not all chaos and challenges meant to test one's strength of will.

⏵ NOTES ⏴
May's mission is completing a massive Labyrinth. All characters must enter the Labyrinth; whether or not they participate once they're inside is up to them, but no one will be permitted to stay behind in the city.

The duo who completes the Labyrinth first will be allowed to assist in choosing the next mission. Sign-ups for this are here. We will contact the chosen characters on May 13th.

This mission will cover the time between May 3rd and May 28th. After May 28th, any characters who have not yet exited the Labyrinth will be gathered by the companion bots and brought back into the city. The companion bots will be aiming for nonviolent intervention. If more is needed, please let us know here.

The first to exit will be returning to the city on May 15th.

There will be powercapping during this mission, but the extent of which is fully up to players. We want the Labyrinth to be challenging but don't want to hinder gameplay too much. If you have any questions relating to this or want assistance coming up with ways to powercap your character, please feel free to ask us here. We will be largely leaving this up to player discretion.

Food is scarce within the Labyrinth, but not impossible to find. There are chests (or maybe they're mimics?) strewn throughout with various useful items. One might have a sword, another might have a fresh chicken nugget Happy Meal from McDonalds. Or an entire birthday cake, candles included.

Large vehicles will not fit in the Labyrinth and must be left behind in the city.

Numerous challenges are throughout the Labyrinth. You are welcome to make your own, but we will also provide several you may utilize! Please feel free to throw down wildcards, or your own challenges into your prompts! The limitation is that characters must remain themselves throughout the challenges. There are no mirror replicas, nothing within the Labyrinth will affect their personalities or core values. It’s meant to challenge, not change them.

Deaths that occur within the Labyrinth will last 24 hours. Please report these on our Death Tracker.

All new locations will appear after player characters have returned to the city. Feel free to note the differences from the May 3rd map, versus what characters will be returning to on May 15th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Xingchen has been looking for Xue Yang since stepping into the labyrinth and discovering it's much harder to figure out a good path than usual. Something is interfering with Shuanghua helping him avoid bumping carelessly into things! So he has to move slower than he likes.

But he knows Xue Yang's voice when he hears it. Part of him is relieved when he finally hears it, but the rest registers just what the other might mean by that statement. It has him frown in concern as he turns one last corner.

He smells blood. His heart seems to freeze before he hurries forward, just hoping he doesn't run into anything before reaching Xue Yang. ]

A-Yang! Where are you hurt?

[ Now he's even more grateful he'd listened to the suggestion of gathering extra medical supplies, as he pulls out a small bag full to the brim with various useful things. ]

[He hurts and so he isn't fully aware that his body is going through...changes. Not that poor Xiao Xingchen can notice them (right off the bat anyway) either! All that matters is his Daozhang is with him. Xue Yang smiles tiredly and hurries towards the other man, standing close.]

There are monsters in the water, Daozhang. They tried to rip into me!

[He smiles wider at the sight of the bag and kisses Xingchen's cheek.]

You've saved me again!

[ When has there been enough pain to allow a fresh start? It's a question he's been thinking hard on for a while.

But in the end...he hates knowing Xue Yang is hurting. So once again, he reaches out to try and find just where the other man is wounded this time. The kiss to his cheek brings a flush but he smiles, though his brow remains furrowed in concern at the news of monsters. ]

You're safe now. I won't let them hurt you again. Is there a good place to sit so I can tend your wounds?

[He has no idea. His whole existence has been pain on top of more pain. Xiao Xingchen has been the solace, the quiet, between. The sole quiet, in fact.]

This way, Daozhang. [Xue Yang leads Xingchen as far from the edge of the water as possible.] Don't listen to their singing. They act like they want to kiss you, but then they bite!

[Sitting down on a rock, he keeps hold of Xingchen's hand. Then he guides said hand to his bloody shoulder.]

I'm a good fighter. That's the only reason I got out.

[ Xingchen follows, letting the sure hand guide him. Kiss...? ]

That's rather cruel of them. Have many others fallen into their hands so far, that you have seen? Once I've healed your wound, we should try and get them to stop. Or at least, place up warnings to others who might come this way.

[ Ah. His brow smooths as his hand is guided to the wounded shoulder after he sits. Setting the small bag on his lap, using his fingertips, he checks the wound for any debris as gently as he can. But then plucks out a pain pill and presses it to Xue Yang's lips. Going back to the bag, he rummages for a healing salve and bandage. ]

[A very bloody kiss!]

Probably. [Xue Yang had noticed...remnants...in the water. Whoever had been caught probably isn't alive anymore.] I'm not sure how we can warn anyone, Daozhang. Did you bring any paper with you? I sure didn't.

[Cursing under his breath, he tries to sit still under the inspection. But it's strange. He is always aware of Xingchen's proximity and of course the man smells good, but right now? He smells delicious. A new urge rises within him, slowly unfolding and he licks at Xingchen's fingers when the pill is offered.]

Daozhang, I like you. I like you more than sweets.

Edited 2024-05-12 00:58 (UTC)

[ His heart sinks with regret. ] I am glad you got free, A-Yang.

[ Shaking his head a little at the question. ] It's been a while since I used any talismans, I haven't kept any paper on me.

[ Thinking he's hurting Xue Yang by how the man fidgets, he starts to pull out a piece of candy as well when his fingers are licked! He can't help the sharp intake of breath or how his cheeks darken! But he doesn't pull back, though maybe he should. His heart races at the words. ]

You said...you love me. [ He remembers this from before! ] But you don't have to. Not for me to take care of you.

It was tough! I'm lucky she didn't rip my arm off.

[Xue Yang could make a joke about him being too sexy to resist, but he doesn't. Not in front of his Daozhang.]

Ah it's okay. We can only do so much, you know? Don't beat yourself up about it.

[Scales are creeping up his neck and the tips of his ears soon grow fins. His teeth have sharpened too and that, more than the other changes, spooks him into realizing something is wrong with him.

But why can't he enjoy it a little?]

I do love you. [His voice drops silkily and he draws Xingchen into his arms.] You're adorable and kind. No one is here, but us and some monsters. A-Chen, may I kiss you?

[ Xue Yang is very sexy~ Xingchen remembers the gremlin having a handsome, mischievous face! ]

I'm glad she didn't! [ Putting an arm back on would be much harder! He gently works some salve into the bite though. Even with the new distraction of...are those scales? roughening the skin.

But the new quality of that voice sends a shudder through him and it's easy for Xue Yang to pull him close. That request really shouldn't come as a surprise! But he still gasps and flushes more. ] Y-yes.

[His mischievousness has increased thanks to the Siren's curse! Yet, tellingly, because he loves Xiao Xingchen so, so much, he isn't just biting into the man like a wild thing. Instead he first pulls his Daozhang into a slow, hot kiss.

See, Sirens? This is how you kiss!

But the hunger rises in him quickly, too quickly, and he ends up biting Xingchen's lip with his sharp teeth, growling lowly.]

...Daozhang...!

Edited 2024-05-12 01:30 (UTC)

[ Victory.

He gasps into the kiss before melting with a moan against the other man. Heat throbs through him only for the bite to make him jerk and flush darker. He tries to gentle his grip as he finds himself clinging to Xue Yang's shoulders.

Perhaps he should be afraid, but...somehow...he isn't. ]

It's alright...

[He... He should find Tianlang-Jun! Daozhang is... Xue Yang frowns worriedly and runs his hands over Xingchen, searching for scales. Maybe... Maybe the spell won't take?]

Are you in pain? [He licks at Xingchen's lips, unable to completely stop kissing him. He doesn't need to be a Siren to want the other man!]

MISSION 002

Siren obvs XD

>:3 /sings

/swoons~

:D ... >:D

/smooshes

/adores

/purrs~

<3 <3 <3

<3!

no subject

SO LATE

/runs at!