MISSION 008

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: March 14th - April 11th
WHERE: Aphaia
WHAT: Mission 008
NOTES\WARNINGS: Survival horror elements, violence, (mild) body horror, potential death.

⏵ APHAIA ⏴ At the request of those inhabiting Etraya, Aurora has adjusted the mission schedule a little in order to send everyone into a world that is actively dying. Which means that, on the morning of March 14th, everyone will be directed to a glowing, purple portal situated just outside the hospital. Aurora will recommend that those with pets leave them behind; given the mission parameters of survive, she anticipates that it will not be a place for companion animals to accompany their owners to. She will not, however, force this: people are welcome to bring their companions if they'd like! Once they have stepped through the portal, it will become clear that survival will not come easily. The sky overhead is fractured into a kaleidoscope of neon colors, artificial stars blinking in and out of existence among shards. Towering structures resembling stadiums and coliseums stretch endlessly into the horizon, their surfaces plastered with massive holographic advertisements displaying the face of past "champions" - many of whom appear to be long-since deceased. From the moment they step through the portal, cameras whir to life around them, zooming in on their expressions while loudly announcing their names, their specialties, and what they are capable of. Applause echoes through unseen speakers when talents worth the excitement are announced: those with fighting capabilities, unique extraordinary powers, or odd talents seem to get the loudest reaction. And once introductions are complete, a loud, booming voice cuts through the noise: WELCOME, CONTESTANTS! ARE YOU PREPARED TO SEE WHO AMONG YOU IS THE SMARTEST, THE HOTTEST, THE STRONGEST, AND THE SHINIEST? ONLY THOSE AMONG YOU WHO ARE WORTHY WILL SURVIVE. KALI TYCHI!! There is no introduction to the voice. No explanation. Welcome to Aphaia. ⏵ SURVIVAL SPOTLIGHT ⏴ Aphaia is a dying world. Once vibrant, now it is little more than a stage - an arena where survival meets spectacle and death is a form of entertainment. Cameras are everywhere, their mechanical eyes dissecting every action, hesitation, every moment of weakness. To the residents of Aphaia, it's all a game. After all, they know they are living on borrowed time - why not make it fun? Towering holograms flicker with advertisements for upcoming challenges, massive leaderboards shift constantly, tracking the contestants' popularity in real time. Every move is judged, and every breath is measured. Participation is not mandatory, but refusal comes with some hefty consequences. Those who refuse to play fade into the background, their scores slowly dropping closer and closer to zero. And when it does bottom out? They disappear. No body, no remains, just - erased entirely from existence. Now, survival is not just about brute force (although there is some of that too!), but about entertainment. Contestants are not simply fighters, but performers earning the favor of other contestants. Each contestant has a score, visible using the HUD of their earpiece. Scores range from 1-100, with 80+ reserved for crowd favorites. The moment scores hit zero, they disappear, presumed (and are) dead. New contestants start with a randomized score, assigned the moment they step onto Aphaia's surface. From there, their survival depends on strategy, skill, and showmanship. Nanotechnology laces the very air they breathe, embedding itself into their bodies. It monitors oxygen, tracks food intake, measures every potential need for everyone, including alien species whose needs differ. Supplies are scarce - meaning only those who keep their scores up receive rations, shelter, and medical aid. The lower one's score? The less they get. And there are no second chances. ⏵ DISTRICTS ⏴ Aphaia is separated into four districts. The Colosseum is where blood is currency. A high-tech battle arena where combatants are pitted against each other for entertainment, the Colosseum is always prepared for any battle one may wish to take part of. The floors shift, and the environment changes at the whim of the audience. It's built to support any challenge that requires physicality: the floors will break into massive labyrinths meant to confuse individuals, or the walls will raise to create rooms that are difficult to escape to test one's intellect. Within the Colosseum, contestants are invited to battle one another and others for glory. Are you a warrior? Built for combat? Do you have capabilities that shine through with physical action, rather than mental stimulation? This is the place for you. A place of luxury, the Symposium is where alliances are forged - and broken. Here, the highest-rated contestants (those who rank Luminary or higher) are invited to partake in fine dining and lavish parties. Violence is not permitted within the walls of the Symposium; while this may provide the false illusion of safety, it is anything but. Whispered betrayals are passed between contestants within the walls of the Symposium, with deals struck to ensure that those who rank high enough to enjoy all the benefits it offers continue to be able to visit. In the heart of Aphaia is the Agora. Pulsing with flashing billboards featuring the faces of many past and current contestants and live polls of the current scores of those who are still alive, the Agora is where contestants are invited to engage with the public to shape their own narrative. In the streets, many contestants can be found putting on quirky performances, participating in challenges, or conducting interviews with other contestants. Charisma can be just as valuable as brute strength, and this is the place for those who rely on their ability to sweet-talk others to make sure their points remain high. This is where the facilities for the non-physical challenges resides, such as Echoes of the Past and Tychaios. The Agora contains the housing district in which contestants reside. There are a few massive apartment towers stacked to the sky. The high-ranking live in luxury, enjoying rooms up to two bedrooms with plenty of space - the lower ranking individuals reside in smaller apartments, with significantly less amenities. On the edges of Aphaia are the Backalleys, where rules are meant to be broken. A maze of shadowed corridors and hidden tunnels, there are multiple "convenient" corners where camera blind spots can be found. Here is where people come to converse between one another outside the eyes of the audience or to find temporary sanctuary from their lives being consistently narrated. However, it is also well-known that while they may be able to find areas where the cameras cannot reach, the Gamerunner is also aware of these blind spots. ⏵ RATED & REVIEWED ⏴ While the highest rated contestants get to go to The Symposium, those middling or in danger of falling off get invited to only the finest of trashy talk shows. Anyone can see how this daily, midday TV show plays out. Stand in front of a television long enough and you’ll see reruns of bruised competitors hashing it out in front of an audience over failed plans, ruined alliances, and broken friendships. If you want to see the worst in others Kathiki Pidón is the show to watch. Though one might wonder why anyone would ever go on this thing, it is a nearly universal guilty pleasure. There is a chance to raise one’s own rating without risking one’s life. But say the wrong things, and you may become more unpopular than ever. It is a desperate place to go- but they do always give a hot meal to anyone who agrees to come on. It might be your only chance to recuperate. This is also a great opportunity to try to lower someone else’s ranking by airing out private grievances very publicly. Was the only reason you lost because you were tricked or betrayed? Is there a secret alliance you want people to know about? Or perhaps you need a platform to earn a little sympathy. Kathiki will be more than happy to host you, donning his usual black and gold suit and holding his slim microphone for you to speak into. For those who are a little shier, Kathiki has a private booth in the back of the studio where you can pour your heart out in front of a camera. This can have the same benefits, but it may be edited in very unfortunate ways before the public sees it. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Please use our NPC Threads toplevel on this post for any NPC interactions you'd like! This includes Kathiki. For all questions relating to this mission, please refer to the plotting post. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

npc threads.

[etrayamods]

gamerunner.

[badfengshui]

[ Henry can't say that he fully understands what is going on. But he supposes people could be reacting much worse to the impending death of their world.

Everyone is a contestant and everyone is given a number by the masses. He wonders if that makes things "fair." Or does that not matter anymore? It's strange to be part of what's happening, but also feel like a spectator.

However, that's nothing new. He's felt for a long time that he's more someone who watches events unfold rather than feel like he's part of them. Even with the madness that happened back home, he can't say that he was anything more than an unwilling audience to the horrors that unfolded.

But in any case, he takes it upon himself to meet the Gamerunner. Is it because his ranking is so high? Or is the person running these games willing to meet with any contestant? Henry has no idea but either way, he's grateful(?) for the meeting. ]

... hi.

[ Strong opening. ]

First, before I forget, could I get your picture?

[ As a souvenir for Aurora. ]

damian wayne » open

[brat]

( open and closed starters below! pick whatever and i'll run with it. )

open » the COLOSSEUM

[brat]

( the mission requirement had been to survive, meaning - aphaia calls for robin, not damian wayne.

robin had left most of his casual-wear clothing behind, deciding it wouldn't be necessary for the mission as it had been announced. damian wayne is meant to be a relatively clever but ultimately useless child, not someone capable of making it on their own in these circumstances. and definitely not one who would walk into the colosseum with a katana just barely dragging in the dirt behind him. so it's robin who raises the katana up, wipes off the bloodstains onto the forearm of his uniform, and places the sword back into it's sheath without pause before his head tips up and - looks towards the challenge board, mouth twisted into a scowl. )

What's next?

( or who, depending. this is the space in which he feels most at home, most like he belongs, and if survival means showing off his battle prowess through different physical challenges? well. robin's not going to say no. rather, he'll wait for any partner, or opponent, to show up for whatever challenge they're meant to be taking on next. )

Sameen Shaw | Person of Interest

[cactusy]

A - the Agora (OTA)

[Kill me now, Shaw thinks, and then plasters on a fake, strained smile at the overeager contestant who's currently sticking an unsolicited microphone in her face. If she had her druthers, she'd be earning points by doing the battles and obstacle courses all day long - but unfortunately, she doesn't get to make those decisions, and she occasionally finds herself shuffled out here: a place where she has to make an effort to be charming. Her would-be interviewer is yammering on about her score (still on a sharp upward trajectory from her impressive Colosseum showings, but starting to falter a bit), and his score (lower than hers, but he's upwardly mobile), and how if the Gamerunner saw fit to pair them together for a Chained Duel, the audience would surely--]

Absolutely.

[Shaw says with feigned politeness, her smile tight and frozen as she scans the throngs around them, doing her best to look like she's paying attention.]

You never know what the voters will do next, but I'm so pleased we've both been getting our day in the sun. And, uh-- actually, you know what, I need to talk to them for a sec. I'll be right back. Kali tychi!

[And with that, she makes a break for it, jogging to catch up to literally anyone who's walking with purpose as they pass by.]

Pretend you're talking to me.

[She hisses in their ear as she keeps pace.]

B - Chained Duel (OTA)

[Shaw knows that rattling the chain between them won't do a damn thing, but she tries it anyway, tugging hard and finding zero give. Sorry to the person who's arm she's currently yanking around, but she'd have felt pretty stupid if she didn't bother to check and it turned out to be entirely breakable.]

-- Okay.

[She sighs a second or two later, once she's given up on that course of action. She rolls her eyes upward, taking in the arena around them: the key high overhead, too far away to properly see, and the mess of obstacles standing between them.]

Look, no matter what you say I'm not going to screw you over, but I have to know up front. How much can you pull your own weight here?

C - Echoes of the Past (closed to those who already know at least a few things about her; this is a tough one for new CR!)

[Shaw isn't wild about a single thing that's happening on this entire planet, but even so, this is the first time that she actually balks. She stares down at the VR headset in her hands, her body tense and very, very still.]

Yeah, uh-- no, I'm good, I'm not doing this. Can we get another challenge or what.

[Even as she says it, she knows it's a lost cause. She doesn't have a choice, and one way or another, she's going to have to put on the headset. She might need a little encouragement (or reasoning, or berating, or force) from her assigned partner, though.]

D - Chained Duel/Tychaios (closed to Brandon Carver)

[Shaw has never seen Carver run an obstacle course, let alone one as large, varied, and treacherous as this one: but she knows that he's strong and well-trained, has a military history, and works out on a daily basis. Probably no one can be fully prepared for this particular brand of absolute bullshit, but as far as forced pairings go, he's one of a very small number that she feels fully confident about being matched up with - and it shows in the slow grin that spreads across her face.]

What do you think?

[She asks, shooting him a cocky eyebrow-raise.]

I think we got this.

E - Tychaios (closed to John Reese)

Doors. Again.

[Shaw says flatly, crossing her arms over her chest as she stares, wholly unimpressed, at their only options in this otherwise empty room. Most of the non-arena challenges seem pointless to her (the arena challenges themselves are merely offensive). But this? This takes things to a whole different level.]

I dunno, Reese; I did this one yesterday, and we just walked out that door--

[She points to the one on the right.]

-- and went on our merry way. What do you think's behind door number one, a new car?

F - wildcard (OTA)

[Hit me up with something random, or contact me to plot out something specific!]

[aimsforknees]

[ Doors it is. At least he's paired up with Shaw, he trusts her. Whatever this ends up being, he won't get thrown under the bus; they make a good team. ]

I don't know, let's each pick one and see what happens?

[ They're supposed to be putting on a show for their scores to go up, though at least Shaw's is pretty decent. He should be more worried about his score, but he doesn't care all that much as long as he's not living in the dregs. But since he doesn't care, and since it's Shaw, he doesn't do anything out of the ordinary. ]

dr robert romano » open and closed

[badlydisarmed]

→ Arrival (open)

[ Experience at Solmara has taught Robert enough to know how to prepare for survival mission. He couldn't get a tent, but he's carrying enough on him to make it without having to scavenge for at least two weeks, assuming he's not mugged. ]

At least the sky's pretty.

[ He says to whoever's close enough to overhear. Maybe they'll want to team up, he's got supplies, he could use a bodyguard. Robert's 5'6" and missing an arm— he does have a working prosthetic one for now, thanks to Harold Finch, but there's only so much it can do.

→ The Colosseum (closed to Barnabas)

[ Gun to his head, Robert would not be able to explain how he ended up signed up for a fight. He's been calling himself a pacifist and a doctor precisely in hopes to avoid something like this. But here he is anyway, keenly aware the odds of him winning whoever he's set up against are slim, and even if he's lucky enough to end up facing some helpless child then what? He can't kill a kid, that's a surefire way to ruin his own score.

There's armor and weapons to choose from, he grabs a helmet that more or less fits, some protection that doesn't impede his movement too badly, and a club, which he chooses to grip with his prosthetic arm; the arm is useless anyway, and if some wizard comes at him with a fireball he'll live longer if he hides behind a shield. ]

First and foremost, I would like to apologize to our viewers. This will be both quick and boring.

[ On the bright side, if he survives no one will ever ask him to fight again. ]

→ Life in Aphaia (open)

[ Robert may not have a lot of good qualities, but he is entertaining to watch; he's clever, unafraid of being rude, and every so often he'll show genuine kindness. So his score remains steady, if not particularly high. He settles in the housing district of the Agora, landing a small studio apartment.

He doesn't have anyone he'd call a close friend, but people who are friendly towards him will get word of where he's staying, and he'll reluctantly often a bed and a meal if they're struggling with the rankings. He'll also be running a clinic from there. He's still a doctor, and well, if giving water and protein bars to the less popular gains him points with the audience, then that's a bonus. ]

→ Wildcard (open)

((hmu fullofmystery or at #xolpup on discord for something else!))

life in aphaia, cw blood and injuries

[imperatour]

[ Furiosa is maybe working through some of her shit in the Colosseum. She could certainly do a better job avoiding if if she really hated it.

One match is more even than she expected, and Furiosa took a particular walloping.

Problem: she doesn't trust anyone. She doesn't even really trust Romano, but she knows he's reliable if a little rough around the edges. That's fine. He's polite by wastelander standards. So, she shows up to his apartment with dried blood paints the lower half of her face. She holds her one good arm around her waist, as if it can keep back the ugly purple bruises blooming on her skin under her clothes. ]

Organic. Think I need you to set my nose.

[ And maybe check that none of her internal organs have burst. ]

Accelerator | Open and closed

[levelshift]

Survival Spotlight - OTA

[It's a ways into By now Accelerator has gotten up to speed on how this world works. It's a way less bloody Battle Royale, or like the illegal fighting rings going on in Academy City's dark side. Fight, compete, do whatever you can entertain the audience, and you get to live a little longer. His competition with Jayce had made that clear.

It's pitiful, but since their stay is temporary and he knows of some younger kids who are here, he doesn't really mind playing along. Even if he's a surly grump most of the time he knows how to play to an audience. When he saunters out onto the battlegrounds of the coliseum there's a cocky, slightly unhinged grin on his face, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. He's underwhelming, looking like some skinny twig that had all the colour sucked out of him. He doesn't even have a weapon.

Maybe it's a simple one-on-one fight, which seems a bit unfair, putting a child with no weapons or armours up against someone else. Or maybe you're supposed to team up to take out another duo, in which case... same concerns, really.

Except Accelerator doesn't look concerned. He gives a bored sigh.]

That all?

Echoes of the Past - Preplotted characters only

[Agora isn't as comfortable to him as the Coliseum, but Accelerator still makes his way over there once in a while to try and mix things up. Partly for himself - curbstomping weaker fighters gets boring fast and reminds him too much of home - and partly to keep the audience entertained.

He ends up in one of the competitions involving VR, despite having little interest in video games. They were more the clones' thing (maybe that's why he's doing it? He isn't sure, he doesn't want to think about it), though he's familiar enough with the technology that he doubts it'll be anything he can't handle.

He puts the headset over his eyes, turning it on, and....]

Agora - OTA

[Accelerator spends most of his downtime curled up in bed, sleeping. They may be on a mission, but all of this performing is tiring and he needs his rest. Actually engaging in all this entertainment beyond throwing himself into fights and competitions is beyond him. He was never interested in this kind of thing back home, like social media or reality television or whatever, so he naps instead.

Except for those rare times when he needs to go out and find food, or more specifically, coffee. Even being in another universe doesn't cause his caffeine addiction to let up, and he only carried so much cans of the stuff through the portal, so late one night he drags himself out of bed and goes on a hunt.

With the hood of his hoodie yanked up he can be found stalking the streets, though his unique crutch still stands out in the crowds. Swerving around performers and cameras, he grumbles in irritation under his breath.]

Wildcard.

((Open to other ideas! Feel free to reach out to me cryptophyta and cryptophyta on discord!))

Echoes of the Past

[leastdramatic]

[For Jason's part, he's doing the challenges in Agora as a way to not let himself get too beaten up at the Coliseum. He doesn't have superpowers and he still has some ways to go before he can get the best resources on this planet. Besides, he was trained to use his wits as much as his fists. He feels confident he can handle it.

He's dressed in most of his Red Hood gear except for the helmet for this challenge. In place of the helmet is a simple domino mask. He slips the VR headset over his eyes and enters the simulation]

John Reese | Person of Interest | Closed

[aimsforknees]

>> Echoes of the Past — Closed to Carver and Riz

[ Delving into memories is not John's idea of a good time, but here he is, in the Agora, signed up to do just that. It wasn't actually his choice but he stands with a fancy headset in hand, waiting for his partner to show up. He should probably put on a good face for the camera, but he can't find it in himself to plaster on a smile this time; the task in front of him is too unappealing. At the sound of someone approaching he turns around to face them, equal parts curious and dreading who it will be. ]

[fortitudosalutis]

[ This is some kind of bullshit. Unfortunately, it's the kind that can't be dodged easily. And sometimes a body just has to survive. What was it the Marines used to say? Embrace the suck?

Something like that.

Carver shows up, scowling and tense. But he recognizes his partner for this particular game and maybe that makes it a touch easier. Maybe. ]

Reese.

eddie brock + venom | open

[decodex]

    I. TURN UP THE LIGHTS IN HERE
    ↳ cw: cannibalism likely.

( more concerned with bringing supplies to those in need, eddie hadn't given much thought to what exactly might be walking into. 'survival' invokes images of war, starvation, and imbalance. and, yeah, that's clearly what's going on here, but this is a really, really bright way of making it known. so much so that eddie has to shield his eyes when he first arrives, bombarded with light pollution from giant, neon signs. if they want to budget their resources, the electricity bill might be a good place to start.

the call for combat of the cyberpunk gladiator variety really doesn't appeal to eddie, but venom says what he usually says [don't be a loser, we can win this, i will eat everyone who stands in our way, blah, blah, blah], so it's not like eddie has a choice. when he asks to, uh, be entered into the coliseum deathmatch, maybe, if that's cool, he gets a pitying look. canon fodder. a match with this sweaty, nervous werido is bound to be bad. it might not make it to television.

maybe handcuffing him to a stranger will make his fight more bearable? or at least entertaining?

it must be what the producers are thinking, because why else would they strap him to someone and toss the two of you into the ring? ratings. the only reasonable explanation that eddie can come up with is ratings. )

Hey, I know we don't have a lot of time before our opponent shows up and all, but... I would really, honestly prefer if we weren't handcuffed. Nothing personal. It's not like because I think you smell or anything.

( venom, get him out of this!! )

    II. EXTRA BRIGHT
    ↳ pick your poison.

( so, his score is low. that's fine; he's dealt with low ratings before. normally the only thing on the line when he show would dip too low is, like, an annoyed phone call from his producers and the threat of cancellation. neither of those things are good, but they're way better than dying, or whatever it is that happens here when your scores hits zero. he's assuming it's death.

he's going to have to get wild with this, it seems. desperate times and all. within the agora, beneath a disturbingly large billboard of his face, eddie addresses the masses. )

I don't really think fighting is a good idea right now.

a. mostly hinged

I've got a family. ( he shrugs helplessly at the nearest camera. ) Gotta set a good example. You know, for the kids. Teach them that violence isn't the way. We gotta find ways to work out our differences.

Don't really think battling to the death in a gladiator pit is showing my kids healthy coping skills.

b. reasonably unhinged

We're just... so in love. Madly. Incredibly. Words cannot describe how I feel for... my... love. This person. Right here.

( 'this person' might toss him a bone and go along with this, but watching this plan go up in flames is really just as valid a decision. )

And I can't bear the thought of facing the light of my life in the arena.

c. do not pass go; do not collect $200

( he struggles. he coughs. he doesn't want to say it because it might be the most nonsensical thing he's ever gone on record with. but venom's seen chicago one too many times, so— )

I, uh... I don't think all this stress is good for the baby.

( whose?? baby??? )

    III. I WANT Y'ALL TO SEE THIS
    ↳ cw: canon typical violence

( when it comes time to step into the coliseum again, eddie pulls on his headset and finds himself transported back to his apartment in california. it should feel good to be home, but it feels too far away now. it doesn't even feel like his apartment anymore. [though, to be fair, he hadn't been there when he was pulled here, hadn't been there in some time before that, either], but he'd still expect a bit of homeness from what was once his favorite place in the world. his couch still has the imprint of his body from all the naps he's taken. he squishes a cushion and poof of feathers jump into the air.

from what he knows is his bathroom down the hall, eddie hears his own voice. that makes him wince. it's worse than hearing your own voice on a tape recorder, or in a video. )

"You didn't mean to, but you did it. I mean, you just decided, I dunno, BLAAUGH, that's it. You did it.

You know, you didn't even think that we might get caught? You might get killed? No, you don't think about things like that, do you? You just think about chickens, and you think about you, and you think about what you want, and you think about... you."

( to normal viewers, eddie brock is storming out of his bathroom in his tattered red robe talking squarely to himself, not a single soul in sight.

please, viewers, call a doctor. )

reasonably unhinged

[imperatour]

[ At a healthy 88, Furiosa is already a Luminary. The one-armed wonder crowd favorite who earns roars of cheers. This is just another role she's been forced into, those with everything turning survival into a game for their own whims.

It makes her sick, but she also is well used to playing the role of a tool.

She squints as her opponent emerges, a familiar silhouette. But... it's not Max, it's Eddie. Given the, uh, vast canyons between their demeanor, Furiosa doesn't expect him to fight like Max either. But she likes fighting Max. His physicality was a challenge. They fought like feral animals against each other, it'd be good to revisit it. So at least Eddie maybe has echoes.

Or not. Furiosa's squared fighting stance loosens as she peers at him, her expression outright baffled.

She hisses a question, fist in front of her mouth to hide her lips from the cameras. ]

What are you doing?!

The Archive | Dresden Files | Closed

[constants]

Chained Duel — Accelerator

[ The Archive is fairly confident in her abilities to accept this challenge. Her magic is versatile and while she doesn't go exercise very often, she's nimble enough given her age and size. She remembers how it feels to be old and can appreciate the youthful body she has. She doesn't, however, know who her fellow competitor is, but when Accelerator walks up she almost smiles; a tiny twitch at the corners of her mouth. She remembers his powers and is suddenly bursting with confidence at their chances of winning. ]

Hello, Accelerator.

[levelshift]

[Accelerator arrives and is a bit taken aback to see Archive, if only because she's a kid and it throws him off-balance to see the other kids taking part in competitions. It makes him wonder what her ranking is, if it's too low to get any good supplies.

He catches the slight shift of her mouth and has a sudden urge to punch out the Gamemaster, and he pushes that feeling down as he rubs the back of his neck.]

Shit. You gonna be okay?

Dylan Brock | OPEN | will match style

[codicies]

[ Starters will be posted below! Or you can start one if you want. ]

Aphaia Kart Double Dash - OPEN

[codicies]

[ Two challngers to one kart. One drives, one fires.

Dylan would much rather be driving, but he didn't get to pick his role, so he's stuck riding shotgun — almost literally. While he's not got a gun in hand, there are several littered around the racetrack waiting to be picked up, along with many other weapons and power-ups. The organizers had given him a chain with a grappling hook to grab items, but most of the teams had an easier time slowing down to grab them by hand.

Of course, most people didn't have years of experience slinging chains around New York City.

It took a minute or two to get used to the feel of it, and then to figure out the best angle for hooking packages. Once he had it, though, there was no stopping him. ]

Don't worry about slowing for items. I think I've got this down.

[ Dylan hooks a package and reels it in, revealing it to be a plastic gallon jug of oil. It was probably meant to just be an oil slick, but as another kart starts tailing them, Dylan opens the jug and shakes it out behind the kart, sending splatters of oil through the air onto the driver's behind them. It covers the road and the opponent driver's goggles. ]

Jason Todd | Batman: Wayne Family Adventures

[leastdramatic]

((OOC: Open and closed starters for Jason! Feel free PM me on plurk or Discord or comment here if you want something that’s not one of the choices below))

OPEN | Out and About in Agora

[leastdramatic]

Jason’s in his full Red Hood gear as he explores the Agora district. It was bad enough how few resources he had during the previous mission. He has no intention of doing a repeat for this one.

Cameras being everywhere makes investigating harder. So he keeps parkouring from one rooftop to another. Every so often he also uses his grapple gun and swings to his destination.

There are some occasions when he decides to risk it and be at the ground level though. But he’s choosing to do it with style. Jason bought his motorcycle with him for this mission and besides using it as faster transportation, he’s using it to do some stunts on Agora’s streets. He’s not necessarily looking to win but getting a higher rank could give him access to better resources. It might come in handy while investigating what’s going on with this planet.

He doesn’t have the same amount of space as he does in Nova City but he can still do some impressive wheelies, a few jumps, and weave around obstacles.

Kirk Langstrom AKA Batman | Justice League: Gods and Monsters

[godsandbats]

((OOC Note and Content Warning: Kirk will have a tougher time getting blood for this mission so his threads might have more mentions than usual that are about blood, gore, and how he eats. Please also see here for additional potential content warnings.

Below are open and closed starters for Kirk! Feel free PM me on plurk or Discord or comment here if you want something that’s not one of the choices below.))

OPEN | Housing District

[godsandbats]

Right from the start, Kirk knew this mission was going to be a critical problem for him. His usual blood supplies were now greatly limited, which meant the monster in him had a higher chance of coming out. He hates that cameras are all over the place. Being publicly known as a vampire in his world was difficult already. Getting discovered as one in another world is one of the last things he needs.

Which is why whenever he’s done with a challenge, he’s quick to head back to his apartment. He doesn’t care for cameras or spectacle and cares about points only for survival instead of for winning. He has to be careful if he doesn’t want to trigger his bloodlust even further.

You may catch a glimpse of him on one of these quick trips, be it on the ground or him flying towards the building.

Manny | Ice Age | Open

[bigpoofymammoth]

[OOC: Will post starters below soon. If you have other ideas, feel free to contact me in discord or plurk at HyperGaming999.]

Arrival

[bigpoofymammoth]

[Ever since he'd seen Aurora's post regarding the mission on the network a week ago, Manny has been on guard as for what’s going to happen. Unlike the previous mission, he decided to leave his smaller elephant companion back at the hospital. He's not willing to lose him in the event the mammoth dies at some point on this planet.

After he steps through the portal, he was immediately greeted with an unexpected announcement that he hasn’t been prepared for.]

AND HERE'S MANFRED, ALSO KNOWN AS MANNY! THE SOLE REPRESENTATIVE OF A BYGONE ERA, A CAPABLE LEADER OF A HERD AND A FORMIDABLE BEAST IN HIS OWN RIGHT! HIS SIZE COMES WITH AN EQUALLY LARGE STRENGTH AND DURABILITY AND CAN KNOCK DOWN EVEN THE TALLEST OF TREES! WILL HE STOMP HIS WAY UP THE LEADERBOARDS OR WILL HE SINK DOWN TO EXTINCTION?

[Manny narrows his eyes as he tries to pinpoint the exact source of the voice. After the introductions had wrapped up, anyone nearby could overhear the mammoth muttering to himself about this whole predicament.]

I don’t know how it is they know any of us, but I have a bad feeling about this.

Barnabas Tharmr | Open

[odinpusrex]

[Open and closed starters will be posted below, here is his OOC plotting comment!]

Colosseum - OPEN

[odinpusrex]

I. Duels

[These challenges are where Barnabas has spent most of his time, and for good reason. He is a fierce competitor, and with his score starting so abysmally low it is best to focus on where he excels. Barnabas is donning his armor, which obscures his features entirely. So upon first glance one who might otherwise be familiar with him may not realize who he is—that is until the announcer introduces him:]

HERE WE ARE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! TAKING TO THE ARENA IS NONE OTHER THAN KING BARNABAS THARMR—FIRST OF HIS NAME AND THE ONLY DOMINANT OF ODIN! WHATEVER THAT MEANS! PURPORTEDLY A SWORDSMAN OF UNPARALLELED SKILL, A MAN WITHOUT EQUAL—WILL TODAY PROVE OTHERWISE? LET'S SEE IF HIS MAJESTY CAN DOMINATE MORE THAN JUST ODIN!

[His helmet does well to hide any annoyance that introduction might have inspired in his otherwise stoic expression. Looking to whoever his dueling partner may be, he raising his black blade to point at them in challenge, blue swirls of magic dance across it like abstract waves of water, whirling and cascading over the length of it.

But there he waits, appraising his opponent, maybe he is simply waiting for them to make their first move...or for the announcer to introduce them, as he had done Barnabas just a moment ago.]

II. Chained Duel

[A different type of duel, though Barnabas is not bothered by it. It is less straight forward with how one might achieve its conclusion and victory. An interesting sort where both might prove themselves victor, or fall to pettiness and both fail. The challenge is not something that Barnabas finds particularly bothersome, seeking a key while avoiding or overcoming dangers is simple enough, but what if he were to make it more interesting?

What if he were to...withhold his powers for the sake of challenge? Why rely upon them as a crutch, when this could prove far more engaging?

There are different ways these challenges present themselves. One such way is, once the two duelists are situated with their chain and cuffs which were mysteriously danging from above, a (a) fiery pit with spikes on the outer perimeter opens beneath them. They are lifted by their chained arm so that they do not fall down below, forcing them to softly collide with each other as they begin to dangle. Below them at about 15ft, the pit yawns dangerously as they are fully suspended by the chain that serves to connect them by the wrist of their dominant hand, its length reaching towards the ceiling roughly 20ft up. It rests in what looks like a pulley directly above them. The key to their cuffs dangling just below it, between their chains on either side.

Should one start to climb their own chain, they will find their partner lifted instead as one might expect with a pulley. Thus if they grab their partner's chain and use that to climb upward, they will indeed find themselves more easily lifted towards the key. They simply have to deal with their Barnabas' opinion about how that actively lowers him towards the fiery pit! Certainly there is some manner in which they both can come out of this unscathed, even if there seems to be blades waiting in the wings for something... Perhaps they are there to act as an incentive to not take too long? Who's to say!

Barnabas, for his part, simply observes the situation, then his partner, an unnerving calmness to him despite the intense heat below them and the ache he should be feeling in the arm that is holding up his weight.

There is also the more (b) standard option, one less seemingly stationary with moving platforms, filled with booby traps, rotating and swinging blades, arrows firing off when you least expect it and what have you. The arena is in a spiral shape, the key in the middle, with openings along what looks like a pathway, but it certainly couldn't be so easy as that. This one seems far more a test of reflexes and awareness. Far more chance being at play, than putting deliberation on the contestants, though there is plenty of that too.

As Barnabas looks on at what awaits them, noting the key hanging high above what looks to be a whirlpool of blades, he offers his duelist companion an aloof and scrutinizing stare. The dangers ahead do not phase him one wit, but he should like to take measure of his companion. Note just how prepared for the dangers they might be, before he starts to head towards their goal without a word.]

III. Free For All

[It is not only the duels that have pulled Barnabas in, but the chaotic battles that also take place within the Colosseum. While observing the carnage has its own...enjoyment for him, he is also one partial to join the fray. Especially if there are those that prove themselves far greater a combatant than some ordinary human. Barnabas longs for battle, longs for a challenge that does not disappoint him, though he has long since accepted the reality of his situation. That such challenge is not likely to exist. Still, it does not stay his blade, not when an opportunity—a possibility—arises.

Should one prove themselves to be of an inhuman quality for fighting, then it is very possible that Barnabas will single them out. Clearing the way of other obstacles to challenge them, his black blade singing with magic as he cuts down others or parts of the arena to make way. Magical darkness rippling through the air as he tears anything that dares serve as a hurdle asunder—severing it all as if it were nothing.

Though, it is also possible that one might just be the last one standing after whatever he destroyed, should they not be of any particularly notable fighting quality when the dust has settled. Proving themselves lucky, or unlucky, in that regard.

Regardless, he gestures with his blade, his face obscured by his helmet yet still there is the distinct feeling that his eyes are locked upon whom he addresses.]

Come.

Popp | Adventure of Dai

[snapp_crackle]

[ The separate comments for starters a lot of people are doing are a neat idea! I'll also do this. Here is a plotting comment, but also hit me up on MadarFoxfire if you like. ]

Colosseum | Open

[snapp_crackle]

Arena Battle

They have fighting tournaments where Popp is from, and he's familiar with the concept. People take them seriously, but they're also, you know, fun to watch... And yeah yeah okay they're doing that here, too, they just also think that killing people is fun?! Popp's face has gone pale, watching the premium ultraviolence in the match right before his, and he is not going out to the one he's been signed up for with confidence!

"Wait, look, okay, I'm not going to throw the match or anything, but could we have... a friendly one? No killing, everyone keeps their own limbs and eyeballs where they started out... that kind of thing? Sounds good, right?"

He knows he sounds pathetic, but he would rather sound pathetic than kill someone for glory! ...He's also worried about his own hide, but less than you might think from his general... tone? Body language? Scrawny build? General everything.

Chained Duel

You know what stops you from getting signed up for battles to the death? Signing yourself up for cooperative death experiences, on purpose! Was this a good idea? Mmmmaybe. It was a Popp idea, that's for sure. Popp experimentally tugs on the chain and looks his co-dueler up and down, evaluating how difficult it would be for one of them to pick the other one up.

"Would you say that you're good at this kind of thing?"

A long blade on a pendulum whirs by, between the pair and a platform that is within a realistic jumping distance but also doesn't look particularly stable. It only gets more parkour-flavored from there. The drop isn't that far but there are spikes on the floor, because of course there are.

Chained Duel - Extra Fire!

The arena situation right now is heavy on vertical movement. There are multiple "floors", with various gates and pulley systems and pressure plates blocking them off from each other, and there are large pipes sticking out of the walls.

The ground floor has a series of raised pressure platforms with animals carved into them - eel, tortoise, octopus, squid, shrimp - as well as about a dozen heavy square blocks the height of a grown man with pictures from famous Aphaian landmarks painted on the sides. None of those places exist in their depicted state any longer and it's very unlikely that Popp's partner knows any more about the cultural context for them than he does. All of them depict the night sky, though.

"Young Popp's been blazing right through these courses, so we've set up a special one just for him! Now, we know he could skate on right through on his ice like last time, so here's a special rule, too! Double points for this one! Double or nothing! Break it, and both of you get a penalty! Fire Magic Only! No flying up to the key either! That's too easy! We want to see you ~*~shine bright like the stars~*~!"

Popp looks at first smug at the hype from the announcer, then increasingly worried and also belligerent.

"F-fine! Bring it on! You've picked the type I'm best at, idiot!"

Grimy water rushes out of the lower pipes, and the arena promptly begins to flood.

(( I use Rot13 for the code if you'd prefer to know the solution for the first puzzle right away: Gur oybpxf nyy unir qvssrerag ahzoref bs fgnef ba gurz pbeerfcbaqvat sebz abar gb ryrira. Gurl'er zrnag gb zngpu gur cerffher cyngr jvgu gur ahzore bs yrtf ba gur navznyf. Fuevzc unir gra yrtf. Vg pna or zber qvssvphyg gb pbhag nyy bs gur fgnef ba n oybpx qrcraqvat ba ubj zhpu crevy naq lryyvat jr jnag gb unccra. You can assume that getting it wrong will result in some manner of perilous trap going off. ))

shadowheart | baldur's gate 3 | ota

[tocastashadow]

i. chained duel

[Shadowheart has fought for her life before. Hells, before arriving in Etraya, she'd spent her time doing little else. But the spectacle of all this, the roaring crowds and the expectation that she not only survive, but perform? That's out of her wheelhouse, and despite the initial excitement that the announcer seemed to have when describing her magical abilities, she's teetering on the edge of dying, not from lack of skill, but from lack of points.

She can only hope this show will be enough to keep her alive a little while longer.

Her first thought when being chained to another person and facing a potentially deadly obstacle course is to remove the chains. But when she tries to cast freedom of movement to allow herself to slip her bonds, the spell fizzles out before taking effect.]

Hells, why isn't it working?

[The Weave is there, she can feel it, but there's something wrong. Almost as though there's not enough of it in this place for her to cast more powerful spells.]

Well, then. It's just you and I and a foot of slack against whatever horrors they decide to throw at us.

ii. echoes of the past

A. (cw: potential mention of religious abuse; this one'll be a tame memory for people who don't want to witness the horrors)

[Show off her memories to a partner who has to guess what's wrong with them? Shadowheart can think of a whole host of things she'd rather do – a stroll across hot coals or a dip in boiling oil might be comparatively nice – but before she can object she's been shoved into a room and handed some fancy helmet-like contraption.]

To be clear, [she says to her assigned partner,] I have no desire to circulate my past like the front page of a broadsheet.

[There's a sneer on her face largely born of defensiveness; she doesn't know what memories this thing might show, and she doesn't know whether it could probe her mind to find the ones she herself has forgotten. So much of her past is a blank, and what she does remember is a vulnerable, private thing. Must she bear the humiliation not only of having it exposed, but perhaps of experiencing it herself for the very first time before an audience?

Given how low her score is, it seems that, if she wants to survive, the answer is 'yes.']

B. (cw: religious abuse, child abuse, torture)

[The second time is worse. Perhaps she should have refused, walked out, accepted that she's going to die of unpopularity rather than face another forgotten moment from her past. Perhaps dying would be kinder than putting that blasted headset on and watching a woman in a black cowled gown, face hidden by a white mask with a black disc on its forehead, drag a very young Shadowheart towards an altar while a dozen or so other masked figures look on.

She doesn't remember this, but when the woman pulls out an ornamental dagger with a thin, sharp blade, Shadowheart knows what's going to happen.]

This isn't for you to see!

[She starts tugging at the headset, trying to get it off, in the moment not caring what that would mean for her score.]

iii. tychaios

Our deadliest foe to date: doors.

[She sounds sarcastic, but there's every chance the doors will prove as bad as, if not worse than, anything Shadowheart has yet faced in Aphaia. If nothing else, she's been told that this challenge relies on trust, and trust is not something easily given.

From a distance, she eyes the two doors, looking for any differences between them or anything that might give away which they should walk through. Perhaps she ought to simply destroy them; would a well-placed fire bolt put an easy end to this situation, or only make it worse? The latter, knowing her luck.]

Which do you think? Left or right?

iv. wildcard

[Feel free to hit me with anything! I only did Echoes of the Past starters for Shadowheart's memories, but if you'd like Shadowheart to see somebody else's memories I'm totally down for that! And if you'd like a custom starter, I've got a plotting comment here or hmu at sprucemoose/sprucemooses@discord!]

chained duel.

[batsymbol]

( Given the lack of genuine opportunity he's had while in Etraya to fight alongside another as The Batman, he figures it's why he's placed here in this chained partnership with another. It's never that he doubts his own capabilities of surviving a match against another, regardless of how much bigger or skilled they seem to be, it's that of whoever he ends up chained to that concerns him as the last thing he needs it having to watch not only his own back, but the back of another who may not be capable of handling themselves.

The spell, however, has him glance over some as it's not anything he really expected. The thought of this potentially not being as bad as his concerns warn him crosses his mind then, until he sees the spell fizzle out and fail to free them. Granted, he didn't think it'd be that easy to win their freedom so quickly. )

Don't suppose any of that can be used offensive or defensive, can it?

( Her magic, he means. )

Shiraki Mayuko | Fruits Basket (CRAU)

[welcome_summer]

[Mayuko took the gamble that for the Etrayans’ entrance, “entertainment” is going to beat out “survival”. As such, she brought out her steampunk outfit, complete with traffic-cone-orange longcoat, gave Daichi lots of nuzzles good-bye before consigning him to the companion bots and headed to the departure site with her packed bags.

…okay, she may have stopped by the Bar(cade) for a shot of liquid courage somewhere in there. Maybe.

When it’s her turn to step through the purple portal, she has to back up, square herself up, and take a few steps forward to settle into a catwalk-strut pace just before she goes through.

The payoff is worth it as the cameras whirl around, and the commentator(s) gasp as she strides up.]

“Oh~, and it looks like someone has read! The! Assignment!!! We are expecting a strong social game from this competitor, and with wits sharper than a dagger's edge? She could go far in the Gambits. A 5-year resident of zombie summer camp, well-versed in shapeshifting and shotguns alike! Coming off of a nice, friendly stay in the City of Fixed Stars. I’m sure there are still some surprises we can spring on her!

The real question is… did she bring the puppy??? We were promised an adorable pupper....”

That causes Mayuko to pause and shake her head. Addressing the nearest camera, she hopes they are all linked up to the same source as she says, “I haven’t even requested she be brought over yet?!”

“Nooooo! What about the kitty?”

She has to point behind her at the portal with a bewildered shrug that changes to panic as points start getting deducted in real time. “I do have videos?! And lots of pictures! Soooo many pictures!”

“...ACCEPTABLE.”

The score stabilizes at a 74.

“Let’s give a hearty Kali Tychi to the far-traveling interdimensional librarian!
The stepmother of dragons! Ally to all the avians!
The memorable and bewitching Ms. Mayuko Shiraki!”

((OOC: All starters will be posted below. OOC Plotting Comment here))

Closed: Echoes of the Past

[welcome_summer]

[Of all the status effects Aphaia could have been enthralled with, memory-sharing had to be the one trending up when the Etrayans were in town.

Mayuko was getting more than a few nudges that this might be a venture worth investigating. The factoids must have found out that she had experience with different types, or her personal wariness over getting involved with other people's memories. It's like she has some canon vicarious trauma about memories being tampered with or completely suppressed! Shocking!

However, some of the proposed match-ups didn't seem so bad. And it wouldn't do to decline too many suggestions. So Mayuko shows up at the scheduled times in sensible clothes, shaking out her hands in an attempt to burn nervous energy.]

Another trip through Memory Lane... are you ready?

Vander - Arcane

[cantilevers]

The Colosseum (Hard Mode: Forced Alliance) >> Open

[cantilevers]

He might not have fantastical abilities, but Vander had decades of experience in combat. He also was someone who could improvise most weapons with that experience, and he knew that half of the combat here was about making a statement, earning cheers. Pit fighting was a common place for people who knew how to throw and take a punch, and he’d earned extra coin there as a teenager now and again.

This felt just like that, and he wanted this to be a fairly easy win for points to elevate his ranking. He was starting low anyway, but he had once relished the cheers and jeers of a crowd. It had been some time, but he was naturally charismatic to at least know how to appear interesting as he sized up his contender in the ring. This wasn't a stable playing field with the arena shifting and changing, and that's what made it even more worthwhile.

"Let's make some people giddy, shall we?"

[OOC: I’m good at writing combat out or my fellow tagger be in an alliance against NPCs.]

bruce wayne/batman — the batman.

[batsymbol]

threads to be listed below. these will primarily be batman interactions because he's the champion of vengeance and all. reserving challenges for pre-planned/discussed threads. if you prefer prose, i can match. feel free to PM the account or hit me up on telekinetics if you want to discuss or plot anything.

Hernan Guerra (superman) | DC animated

[sonofzod]

[ Starters will follow. Let me know if you want something specific! PM or poke me on plurk @ tapsters ]

open.

[sonofzod]

The agora

[ If nothing else, Hernan Guerra knew how to put on a show. When he became Superman and finally learned how to embrace just who and what he was, it did nothing but feed an already rather inflated sense of self. So he had not dreaded coming to Aphaia. He reveled in it. Hyped up the crowds, gladly demonstrated just why they called him Superman in the first place. He turned himself into a spectacle and he loved it.

He's most often found in the Agora, soaking up the limelight and watching his score creep higher with all the smugness one might come to expect from the Man of Steel. Well, this Man of Steel. It fluctuates, of course, but it never declines in a way that would make him concerned. He could work a crowd to his favor easily enough.

If anyone were to look up, that's where he could be found, floating eye level with the billboard flashing scores across the screen, arms folded, and the tail of his duster billowing out in the light breeze. For a moment his face flashes across the screen, illuminating his score. 79. Better than when he arrived. But he'd hoped for higher today. When he's satisfied, he comes back down to earth and offers whomever he lands by a smile. Especially if they're featured next. Especially if they're score is lower than his. ]

Tough crowd.

[ He says it like it's nothing but the amused glimmer in his eye says that it is everything. ]

Echoes of the Past
cw: death mention

[ To say that Superman never had a reason to be afraid of anything is a true statement. A mostly true statement. He had plenty of reason to be afraid of Steve Trevor armed with a weapon that could make him bleed and orders to eliminate him by any means necessary. He had plenty of reason to be afraid of that strange glowing rock Damian had cut him with. But those things did not scare him. They only made him angry. Angry enough to send servicemen hurtling to their deaths. Angry enough to let a kid hit the pavement face first.

But, all that to say Hernan did not hesitate at anything. Until right now. He's staring at the VR headset, mouth set grimly. There was plenty of things in his memory he'd really rather not have other people see. But he was also not a man who shied away from difficult challenges. He was built for them. Built from them. And he would have to look at this as another to add to the list.

So he looks over at the person joining him in this challenge and nods. ]

Let's get this over with.

Wild card

[ Hit me with your prompt. Would prefer to plot first before any fighting threads, otherwise go wild. Just hit me up if you have an idea. ]

Max Rockatansky | Mad Max: Fury Road | OTA

[theroadwarrior]

[Max had known that peace within the walls of Etraya would be an exceptionally short-lived thing. Solmara had it's own challenges, but one thing the two bubble cities shared was this: if there was a horrible mission to endure, it would happen soon enough. It's why he's not surprised when they all have to walk through a portal and into a wretched world that is still somehow too much like home.

He'd spent his time in the Thunderdome, and the deja vu had struck him pretty deftly. 'Contender'. That's his ranking. Fitting enough: he'd never felt much like a champion or luminary. Was content to hover in the 60's as long as he could. That meant having to potentially go up against powered people — not so good an option. He knew he would be thoroughly turned head over heel by a good majority of people in Etraya, and this place was really no different (just dying).

So he attempts the less violent options first.

As it turns out, he might hate those infinitely more than the violent options.]

I. Echoes of the Past

(CW: Needles, blood transfusions, dehumanization of a person.)

[It takes a good amount of convincing by those familiar with the system before he puts on the VR set — he's seen a lot of things, but this? This was something completely out of his means of understanding. You see pictures from your mind, it says, which sounds like a true nightmare; he considers his memories and finds very, very few worth revisiting. The one he's put in is no different.

The interior of the Citadel is dim and dusty and stifling. Dark, rock hallways are lined with pipes, smelling like petrol and the kind of sickly smell that comes with an army made up of ailing half-lives. These warboys with shaven heads and skin covered in white make-up pace through the area with resolve, passing by people-sized cages hanging from the ceiling — cages shaped like the kind that keep in songbirds, or canaries for mines. People have been crammed into them one a-piece, and each of them are miserably waiting for the next moment they're needed.

Max has been crammed into one of the hanging enclosures, too. His knees are pulled up close to his chest and his hands are bound tight behind his back with rusty chain. There's a few gaps of jagged rock in the ceiling that're opened up, letting light spill in. Is it sunlight? Moonlight? It's hard to tell in a place like this. Regardless, Max just stares up into it tiredly while the light gleams off the metal muzzle affixed over his nose and mouth.

The moment is disturbed by an obnoxious voice that bounces off every corner of the room: "Got another warboy who could use a top-off."

Max steels himself in the cage, helpless panic in the tension of his body. The doctor of the Citadel — the Organic Mechanic — gestures for a warboy to help him. This newly elected pale teenager shoves a long pole through the bars of Max's prison and gives a laugh. The taser at the end of the pole electrocutes Max 'til he falls out from the bottom, hangs and jostles around upside down. "Rise and shine, mutt," the eager young man hoots, with the same inflection as a boy playing a little prank on his friend. "Rise and shine. Got thirsty veins!"

Max is left to hang with his head toward the ground, because that's the best way to get blood out of a person. The Organic Mechanic pokes a fat needle into the jugular of his neck and unspools the IV tube as Max's O Neg blood begins to race through its track. "Gonna make you good as new," the doctor says as he turns toward his patient: a warboy who is curled up tiredly on a flat rock made into a seat. The other end of the IV drip goes into the sick figure's arm.

And just like that, Max is a bloodbag, a thing used to keep Joe's soldiers alive a little longer.

The memory lingers here.

Now standing within this scene, a perplexed Max steps toward this memory of himself with fixed interest. Watches as blood pulses through the plastic artery that connects him to the sickly warboy. He murmurs:]

"High octane crazy blood."

II. Chained to Someone

[He absolutely hated the nonviolent options of earning points. So now? He's going to just have to visit another challenge. One that doesn't get so miserably personal. Even if that means... wait — what was that about being chained to someone else? His eyes bug a little as one of the challenge workers snap a shackle around his wrist.

The space itself is unbelievably big, with corridors and platforms to traverse that would have reminded Max of old side-scrolling videogames — if they'd have ever had a chance to be invented, anyway. (What a shame.) The announcer is clearly has a lot of passion for his profession, as he boasts over the speaker system: 'One key, one way to survive! Will these two unlikely contestants make it across the platforms and escape to safety in time?!'

Max immediately turns to look at the person he's chained to — and makes a face like he's stepped in dog shit.]

... For fuck's sake.

[You may or may not deserve the lack of faith there.]

III. The Thunderdome Colosseum

(CW: descriptive violence/blood, hallucinations/symptoms of psychosis.)

[A knockdown drag-out in the main arena is where Max gets his big points, though.

He's fortunate enough to be pitted against people in his own 'weight class' — normal folks, no special abilities, just a hand-to-hand fight among dozens who have agreed to a Last Man Standing. The first few people are easy enough. They clash, they end up on the ground, they roll through dusty floors. Max's hand finds loose gravel and grinds it into his enemy's eye, slams his forehead into someone's skull after they try and fail to get him into a chokehold. When the headbutt doesn't stop the fighter's onslaught, Max pulls him in and snaps his teeth around the man's lobe, ripping off part of his ear as he flies back and screams in pain.

The crowds are cheering at the viciousness.

This is all familiar to him. As he spits what lingers in his mouth, his mind goes back to the Thunderdome — fight for your life, it's you or them, kill, kill! — and he starts battling on autopilot. The faces of people he's killed dance in front of him and replace real people. They spit blood with their words: 'Murderer! You killed me! My neck, it won't stop bleedin'-!'

Max looks through the Etrayan in front of him, as he grabs them by the collar and pulls back a fist with an urgency to strike. Before he can throw the punch, though, a ghostly child only he can see cries out: 'Don't, Max!

It's enough to make him freeze.

Are you a friend? Are you a foe? Are you scared? Are you punching back?

In that moment of hesitation, anything is possible.]

IV. Wildcard/closed starter

[Something you wanna do that isn't listed? A particular memory or AU you wanna do, separate from these ones? Got a Tychaios AU you wanna write? Hit me up, I love doing all kinds of stuff! I don't particularly care to keep a strict, clean timeline of events, so have at me. My plurk is simpledog if you need to reach out! PM also works.]

wildcard

[imperatour]

[ The stranger is persistent.

How long has he has been following her now? The white robes she has worn when presented to the Citadel's leader are torn and tattered by the pursuit. No doubt to return the errant stolen daughter to the Horde, having chased her through this portal.

Her small legs ache as she runs. She had lost agility and stamina, cooped up like a kenneled dog. At least the dogs got to run free sometimes.

She startles on lookers, huge eyes follow her as they scatter out of her way. She growls at them, snaps her teeth. No extended hand is trusted.

The alleys blunt into a dead end, panic spiking as she tries to scramble up the wall. The stranger's hands grab at her, and she uses all of her might to twist and kick out of his grasp. She howls, inhumane, mimicking the dogs she prefers the company of to any human in gas town. When his hand gets too close to her mouth in the scramble, she opens her jaw and bites fiercely, clenching until she can feel the press of bone. ]

Laura | XMCU | OTA!

[shoplifter]

I. The Colosseum

(CW: potential harm and violence toward child with quasi-immortality/healing.)

[Those watching from the spectator seats will perhaps not be terribly surprised when Laura walks into the arena. Or, well, maybe they are if they've never seen Laura in the middle of combat. Some within the crowds gasp or murmur amongst themselves. Laura just looks around the wide space full of people like it's another Las Vegas to gawk at, some strange new world that she's seen for the first time in her short life.

But that is short-lived. The person she's put up against is a humanoid alien five times her size and six times her arms (not too unlike a particular warrior in a common earth game). Before anyone can voice any opinion on the matter, the fight begins, and it's clear the alien man has no qualms with fighting her. He launches himself forward with fists raised up before he brings them down in an attempt to mash her into the earth. She sprints up his arm, wraps both of her own around his thick neck, and proceeds to yank him into a neck-breaker that would put the tear in the eye of a pro-wrestler.

For the record, no neck was broken.

But it did start a lengthy series of duels between a child mutant and a bunch of annoyed fighters who were starting to really dislike that a kid was earning points off them — all while losing their own. Once her claws were out, plenty of the competitors ended up on a one-way track to the local hospital.

But... she doesn't kill anyone. She never kills.

Her father wouldn't approve.

The question now is... is she going to be facing an Etrayan next? Or maybe there's a collaboration in the works, a two vs. two? Tag team between her and a familiar or not-so-familiar face? The possibilities are endless. Just don't panic if she gets punted across the arena.

She heals.]

II. Chained Together

(CW: potential harm or violence toward child with quasi-immortality/healing.)

[The challenges aren't so difficult. Laura figures that it may be the best place for her to be, because maybe she can help anyone who has trouble with their own abilities. She heals, after all; anything that could kill them in these life or death situations probably won't have any effect on her. She's not really sure who she'll be cuffed to until they're there beside her — and as the shackle is applied to both her wrist and theirs, she looks over and gives a short, casual nod.]

Hola. ¿Cómo estás?

[Cool as a cucumber. There are worse situations to be in.

Besides, if they want to bail on the chain she can just cut it off them.]

III. Intermission

[The televisions in front of you flip from a commercial for soap back to a cheerful, clapping audience of Kathiki Pidón, where one of the hosts with far too side a smile leans in and gives the camera one of those schmoozing smiles. Maybe you're even in the audience, or standing behind the scenes, waiting for your own turn.]

Host: Welcome back to Kathiki Pidón, where we have one of our rising stars in the guest chair today! The one and only Laura, who has steadily remained in the top 10%! [Applause, as he joins in the clapping. Laura looks mildly confused in a chair that almost swallows her up.] Forgive our excitement; we haven't seen a child in such a long time. You really caused a stir. Outrage at first, but once the crowd saw who you truly were out there in the arena... Tell us, how does it feel to have so many adoring fans rooting for you?

Laura: It is... nice, I think. What is rooting?

[Some of the audience chuckle; others aww. The host reaches over, putting a hand on hers for a moment.]

Host: Just that we're all in your corner, Laura. You're something special.

Laura: I am?

Host: Why, sure. Every person with a paternal bone in their body is worried sick about you. They want to see you win and succeed. And boy do you! It's like your possessed out there. [A laugh, as he gestures to her.] Are you sure there's a sweet little girl under all that carnage?

Laura: [Squirms a little, caught off-guard.] I am a little girl.

Host: Oh, of course. Of course — it's just, you know. With what people say about you behind the scenes... If the audience here knew, they'd be fuming. But just know this. [He puts a hand to his heart, and a member of the crowd shakes their head in disappointment as they flash on the screen.] No one here thinks you're a 'monster'.

[Cheers in agreement, as Laura anxiously looks around at faces in the studio's bleachers.]

IV. Echoes of the Past

(CW: child experimentation, child abuse, drugging.)

[The memory begins almost peacefully. White halls, pale tile floors cleaned to a polish, paintings of cartoon animals in vivid colors along one wall in particular. It seems like a hospital of some kind, but the longer one inspects, the more they notice something is... off. Off, like the drains in the floors that stink like bleach. Off, like the anxious glances of the nurses as they pass each other in the walkways. Off, like the distant, muffled scream of a child in distress, followed by a slight shudder that runs through the building.

One can hear the children before they arrive. They're of all ages and sizes, shuffling in, dragging their feet as they sing softly:

De colores, de colores se visten los campos en la primavera
De colores, de colores son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera—

There is a dazedness to their expressions, as if some of them are not quite all there. The line stops, and a man in tactical gear nudges a child into their cell. The door is shut. The line moves along. Rinse, repeat, rinse repeat, all while they continue their quiet singing.

De colores, de colores es el arco iris que vemos lucir
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí,
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí.

Suddenly:]

Hey.

[It's a voice from within one of the cells. There is a small window on the door, and someone is looking through it; the only visible part of the face is a pair brown eyes owlishly staring back.]

Can you open the door from that side?

... I'm having trouble using my claws.

[She seems a little wobbly, like she's putting effort into standing at the cell window.]

V. Wildcard / Misc. Starters

[Something you wanna do that isn't listed? A particular memory or AU you wanna do, separate from these ones? I'm probably game for it! I don't particularly care to keep a strict, clean timeline of events, so have at me. My plurk is simpledog if you need to reach out! PM also works.

Hit me up if you'd like a closed starter for Tychaios — I can either provide a younger, more nonverbal Laura to coax into returning to the room, or a teenaged Laura from Deadpool and Wolverine who is more likely to believe you and go back. ♥]

colosseum.

[batsymbol]

( Regardless of where he seems to end up, it feels as if some unknown force is ever so keen in throwing him together with unruly, stubborn, and determined children. Whether it's a means to prepare him for it all back in his own Gotham at some point, or for the delight in seeing how he might handle them when he's so used to doing everything on his own, he doesn't know. Regardless, when he enters the arena and catches sight of his partner for the two-on-two match about to happen, he stands there and stares — ignores the cheers that come at seeing vengeance there alongside the girl unable to be kept down.

A sweep of the arena, he remains calm as he tries to get a sense of who or what they're going against here. )

Didn't expect to see you here.

Loki | MCU | OTA and Closed | Rank 77 Champion

[abit_ofboth]

Aphaia Arrival (OTA)

The moment he steps through the gateway, Loki is overwhelmed by how much this place reminds him of Lamentis. There are many differences as well, of course. Lamentis wasn’t monitoring his every step and forcing him to compete in order to survive. But it also has the same smell. That scent of desperation and death that seems to permeate all worlds on the brink of an apocalyptic event.

Loki doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to that smell. Nor does he think everyone should have to.

This does give him a better idea of what might actually be going on though. The idea, or at least as explained to them about this being a dying world and what might happen has actually given Loki a new view on things without having to do much more than step through the portal. All this time he’s been thinking they’ve been talking about saving entire timelines when really they meant one world or planet. Like there could be someone here from Lamentis trying to save their world.

It doesn’t make him feel any better about being taken away and in fact it might mean things are much worse if not just worlds but whole branches start to crumble, but at least he can understand the confusion now. Unfortunately, Loki doesn’t think there is a way to prevent most apocalypses. It happens to all worlds eventually.

Loki will turn to whoever is nearest with a sigh as he sees his rank and status light up on one of the screens. “Well, I have been meaning to brush up on my hand to hand combat. Though I do not see what good this will do anyone.”


Challenges

i. The Colosseum (Closed to Hob)

At first, Loki thinks his first challenge is going to be easy. He knows there’s a few different types of battles they might have to perform in this place, but so far this one seems rather straightforward. That is until he looks around and sees Hob just across the way. Loki’s heart sinks into his stomach. For the one moment he worries that they are supposed to fight each other, something Loki will never do, but then other opponents make their way onto the battlefield.

Quickly, he assesses their surroundings, looking for any sort of advantage before he quickly makes his way over to Hob. He cares a lot for this man, knows he’s capable of a lot of things, but he has never struck Loki as a fighter. Maybe he’s wrong though?

”Listen to me, everything is going to be fine. I will not let anything happen to you.”

ii. Chained Duel (OTA)

As suspected, the next time Loki finds himself in the Colosseum, the challenge seems much more difficult. Though nothing, he thinks, could be more difficult than spending the entire battle trying to protect both yourself and one of the people you care about most. But being chained to a stranger is coming in a close second.

”I think we should probably discuss any abilities we might have that will help us get to that key, unless you wish to be chained to me forever.” Loki’s tone is a mix of annoyance and his old anger wrapped up in a failed attempt at humour. This place is getting old, fast. He only hopes he doesn’t have to do all the work to get that key.


Wildcard!

[I’m open to pretty much everything else. Shoot me a DM or prettyapathetic if you want something specific, or have an idea you want to run by me. ]

II

[godsandbats]

Dressed in his full Batman suit, Kirk tugs on his end of the chain and is also annoyed by the whole endeavor. He really doesn't want all of this attention but he doesn't have much of a choice if he wants to survive.

"Flight, infrared vision, enhanced speed, enhanced durability," he replies to Loki.

Then he tags at his end of the chain.

"Enhanced strength as well but apparently not enhanced enough," he dryly adds.

He can smell that Loki isn't human so he hopes whatever special abilities the man has will be helpful.

Cidolfus Telamon | Final Fantasy XVI

[levindicated]

(Open and closed Cid prompts below. Feel free to find me in the discord!)

CLOSED : Damian Wayne

[levindicated]

[This couldn’t even go smoothly from the beginning, now could it? Cid, caught between wanting to be prepared enough though not so married to a plan that he was inflexible- decides to travel fairly light.]

[And when it comes time, the portal opens up and everyone gets called down to come through it, leaving the safety of his fortress behind.]

[As the setting comes into focus, as Cid hears the announcement rip through the crowd of them his jaw tightens. Oh, this really wasn’t a matter of cooperation, was it? And as he thinks about all those implications and recalibrates what to do next- he is utterly open.]

riz gukgak | ota!!

[stresstokens]

daily life prompts

[stresstokens]

a. arrival.

[ Riz has wanted to see evidence of a dying world since his arrival in Etraya. He's not comfortable dealing with hypotheticals and never has been; his entire life has been guided by his love of evidence, reason, facts. To take a mysterious entity at their word is an absolute impossibility for him, but now he's at least given the opportunity to see it with his own eyes.

He marched in, briefcase filled to the brim with supplies, expecting some sort of nuclear wasteland, lines of bunkers, maybe underground civilizations or desolate plains, and instead... ]

Holy shit, [ he utters, immediately overwhelmed by the lights, the sounds, the colours, the city! More than that is the constant cameras, and he finds himself immediately trying to shrink away from them even as he frantically flicks on the HUD of his earpiece, eyes widening as he sees just how much they're measuring. ] This is insane. This is what a dying world is supposed to look like?

[ Panic prickles over his skin. Despite the fact that it in no way will help him, he can't help but hold his breath. ]

b. the agora.

[ The Agora is most overwhelming of them all. There's a frantic desperation to people's performances, knowing that their very lives are at stake; he watches in horror as a juggler drops one of his knives, sending the whole thing toppling to the ground, everyone immediately looking up at the leadership boards as his numbers suddenly begin to plummet. It's at that point that Riz finds a microphone shoved into his face, some animated person in front of him peppering him with more questions than he can fathom. When he looks up, he sees his own face magnified on the screen. ]

Um. Uh. I'm sorry, you, um, you wanted to know -- uh. [ He rubs his hands together, realizing that he is very visibly sweating in high-definition. Most social interactions feel insurmountable to him. To be watched like this? He swallows, adjusts his glasses. ] The juggler? It's chill. Everyone makes mistakes, right?

[ Or perhaps you find him later in the month, well after he's made the realization that what the people want is to be entertained. The next time a microphone is shoved in front of him, he summons up the strength of generations of Goblins before him. He looks directly into the camera, lips curled up to reveal a row of deadly-sharp teeth, pupils constricting into tiny slits, dexterous hands primitively curled, and hisses, more animal than man. The crowd goes wild. He turns his head up towards a screen and, with mixed feelings, watches his score steadily climb. ]

c. backalleys.

[ Riz knows the backalleys aren't secure. No place is. But it is away from the cameras, at least, and he just needs a break, just for a little while. He wedges himself into one of the backalleys between a dumpster and the wall of a store where he becomes, for all intents and purposes, truly invisible. Perhaps you get a scare when he feels he's gotten his wits together and he appears to pop out of normal? Or perhaps you've retreated to the very same backalleys, at which point Riz will give you a sympathetic nod of and a muttered, ] Just getting away from all that shit for a second?

[ Or maybe you're looking for a blindspot and can't find it, at which point a small, green hand will shoot out to grasp your wrist and simply drag you there himself. He's not above sharing the wealth, after all. ]

d. wildcard!

[ This is for any sort of slice-of-life you'd like during this month! Riz can be found performing, living in the assigned apartments, and has a wealth of resources at his disposal due to his handy dandy briefcase that he'll be willing to share. Hit me with anything and let's roll with it! ]

[ ooc: Down for anything! Feel free to hit up my plotting comment, on plurk, or on the Discord! ]

Jay Guthrie | Marvel Comics

[waxen_wings]

[ Starters will follow as I think of them. If you want something specific, let me know. ]

open | arrival

[waxen_wings]

[ Jay steps through the portal and immediately takes to the air - he doesn't go very far, though, because the neon noir sky does not strike him as friendly.  Pretty, in a 90s folder art way, but that's not a color scheme he's used to seeing in the air.  

He looks confused as the announcer starts in describing him as Jay "Icarus" Guthrie and won't shut up about how hard he is to kill or his "crimson wings", and Jay grows increasingly concerned as the introductions continue one after the other.  ]

They know all about us, and Aurora couldn't tell us more than 'you have to survive'?

[ They've certainly gotten the short end of the stick, but that isn't even the worst part.  The announcement at the end - calling them contestants  Contestants in what?  That, and the cameras, and Jay has a real bad feeling about this.  ]

Uh.  Anybody know what Mojoverse actually looks like?