etrayalogs | MISSION 008

MISSION 008

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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Are there? Maybe I'll look it up. I have time on my hands for reading," he said conversationally. He had been reading more, so perhaps it would be worthwhile. He was going to need to fill the time with more than exercise after all.

He shrugged his shoulders and made a point of tucking his hands into his jacket pockets as they walked. He was considering how much detail to offer about his world.

"Not sure. I've never been exploring beyond my city and its sister city. We see our fair share of travelers and traders though, and they bring stories of the world beyond the city of iron and glass." He glanced over at Jason. "Most of the population lives underground as we were founded for mining and factory work. Textiles, refineries, free trade. What you can't find in Piltover, you can probably find in the undercity somewhere."

There's a very brief pause as he absorbs what Vander's saying. There's something very familiar about the way he describes it, particularly at the mention of people living underground.

"Sounds like you come from a tough and hearty place," he says.

"Yeah, I do," he confirmed. "Our people have been struggling to survive and make life better for generations, but... we'll get there. It will come beyond my lifetime." That's because he was dead, or unfortunately, in a worst state than death when it comes around.

"Some parts of the city I saw you're from remind me of it. Architecture, buildings reaching to the sky, people in the shadows of alleys."

Jason nods.

"That's Gotham for you," he says. "We're not underground but it can seem gloomy sometimes. A real diamond in the rough depending on how you look at it. Some live with diamonds. Others see a lot more of the rough."

"That's the way it is with all cities," he replied. "Sometimes if you cut the rough, you still find a diamond underneath. The ruddier rocks just need a chance to shine."

Look, he was a miner and lived in a city that based most of their aesthetics on stones. So he had a lot of stone references.

Jason used to want to be a theater kid and is part of a family of dramatic costumed vigilantes. He's not one to judge on wordplay.

"That's for sure," he agrees. He was an orphaned street rat who got adopted by Gotham's richest man. Of course, there was much more to that particular luxury living.

"It surprises some people who comes from those parts. Goes to show it's not always about what you're born into."

"Ah well, I like surprises," he remarked as they walked. "I hate leaving diamonds in the rough, but we can't save them all." He wish it was another way, but he understood reality and mortality was high where he was from. Most were lucky if anyone remembered their names.

"Being born lucky helps. Otherwise, it's about how tenacious one is about demanding attention."

Jason nods.

"That's for sure. When you don't got much, you're forced to take matters into your own hands. Had to learn a lot of stuff fast when I was a kid. Growing up in a place like Crime Alley will do that to you," he says.

Vander gave Jason a side-glance. It was clear the other man understood what it was like, and those lessons were never forgotten no matter how much time had passed or riches were gathered.

"You have to learn or be taken advantage of. The streets are where real life is lived, and you either get with that program fast to survive or you die." He had been fortunate in that he grew bigger than other kids his age, had been taught how to defend himself early. "Crime Alley is a little on the nose..."

Jason snorts.

"Yeah, sometimes Gotham isn't subtle," he says. "Officially the neighborhood's called the Bowery but you can probably figure out why there's been some nicknames."

He knows his upbringing was not the nicest but he won't hide it. It's part of how he is today.

That stood to reason. There were plenty of places that had an 'official' name, but the nickname was far more used. Most of the time it was them flicking their thumb at the authority that kept them down in those spaces to begin with, cycling through the hardship of poverty.

"It sounds like a place I wouldn't mind," he reflected thoughtfully. "We have a place called the Lanes, but crime is basically everywhere even there. It's basically interbred into all of us at this point."

"Sounds like I would fit in just fine," Jason says. "You got others from your world around here too?"

He can't shake off the feeling that he's heard of Vander's home before.

Edited 2025-03-24 19:29 (UTC)

"Probably, especially if you had that arsenal that I saw back at your safe house," he remarked casually. "Though, we don't tend to use firearms. Too expensive and our buildings have tight corners."

He nodded his head, passing his fingers through his hair which he hadn't bothered to cut since arriving. "Yeah, a few of them are here. Ever been to the Kiramman mansion? That's from my sister city."

"Seen it. Never been there though," Jason replies. "And yeah, the arsenal you saw are all functional. It depends on what the situation calls for. A lot of my work tends to involve coming back to my old stomping grounds."

Then there's a pause. Vander's confirmed that there are others from his world around. Jason has learned from his line of work that most of the time, coincidences don't just happen. So he decides to take his chances with a question he's been pondering about.

"Is Silco from your world?"

"It's like most mansions: big, expensive, filled with relics and family portraits." It was filled with so much wealth that Vander had been uncomfortable being there in case he accidentally broke something. One of the wealthiest families and a single vase could buy incredible wealth in Zaun. "So you're investigating crimes in the place that raised you?"

It didn't sound like being a blue-belly by the law but Vander was still casting a side-eye as he considered the implications.

It was subtle, but Vander's shoulders tightened and his next step was slightly slower to continue him walking. "And if he is?"

"It's the big guys that get investigated," he explains. "There are plenty of good people in the Bowery who are just trying to survive. There's a big difference between a kid stealing some food and someone trafficking drugs or people. The problem is there are too many predators who like to pick at the most desperate."

Jason pretends he doesn't notice the change in body language. He wonders if he's hitting at something too personal.

"Just curious. He's an interesting guy. We've only talked a couple of times though."

"Big guys tend to have many protections and security," he said conversationally. "Taking one out can lead to unfortunate turf wars and people are stuck in the middle." It was true that some had to be taken out for the good of the community. As long as there weren't whole raids, he supposed he would not revise his opinion yet. "Most people don't care about the desperate. They are considered less valuable except for consumption."

He drew in a breath of air and held it in his lungs. He somehow was not surprised that this man and Silco had met.

"Interesting is a word to describe him," he finally said, relenting a touch. "Did he fling his pitch at you yet, or working his way up to it after feeling out your stances first?"

"He knows I'm familiar with moral grey areas. We've had a couple of talks about that," Jason admits. "It sounds like we stand on different shades of grey though."

Though once upon a time, he would've been much more similar to Silco. His days as the crime lord Red Hood weren't that far behind him.

"It's one of the hardest parts about working in the Bowery. What's considered a greater action? Take out the big guys but ignore the kids who are regularly getting picked on and picked up by two-bit goons? Let those people keep thinking no one cares about them? Or do you focus on the daily small crimes but let the big guys keep working on their bigger businesses? Everything has consequences."

And sometimes, Jason still struggles with those decisions.

Edited 2025-03-24 21:24 (UTC)

"Everyone has moral grey areas." He was watching Jason closer now, not bothering to hide it either. He needed to determine if this guy was a potential threat to falling under Silco's charisma and offerings. "With him, sometimes the area under your feet moves so you two align on more and more."

He tucked his hands into his jacket pockets, and he could hear himself in the words that Jason spoke next. The great debate. There wasn't enough resources or a will to use them on a grand scale, so it was up to a handful of people and it came to them to decide where to apply their time and energy. Take down the big fish? Who will fill that void next. Work with the people, they are still oppressed. Don't and they lose hope because the fight is too far above them to feel the effects.

"I know what that's like," he admitted. "It's a daily struggle. Unfortunately protecting who you can means you can't save everyone. There will always be victims as you work your way to long-term changes, but from my experience, you need to enable people to be able to stand up for themselves and their neighbours. They just need back-up to make sure it sticks and they aren't overwhelmed." He sighed, hanging his head. "It's... a fine line. We don't walk it perfectly each time."

It's strange how much Jason's relating to Vander already, even though they only just met. It seems certain types of hardships are multi-universal.

"You dealt with that all your life?" He asks. "For me, some nights are harder than others when it comes to that stuff. But I can't keep dwelling on it so I always make himself keep going forward."

He shrugged his shoulders like this topic wasn't that much of a big deal. For him, it wasn't. He had spent a lifetime fighting for equality and relevance, and he had no issue talking about it most of the time.

"I did, yeah. From my first memories," he reflected simply, reaching up to rub his chin with his palm. "It's easier if you aren't doing it alone, but sometimes, it's better because you aren't putting your support at risk either. There is strength in numbers."

"I rather have the support," Jason says confidently. "It's better in the long run. This kind of work can wear you down fast. Everyone has times when they need to lean on someone because of just how tired they are. It refreshes you and helps you hold onto hope. They remind you that not everything is dark."

During Jason's early days as the Red Hood he would've said otherwise. He would claimed he worked better alone. But he tried that and it didn't work. All it did was worsen his trauma and rage. He's deeply appreciatively of being back with his family. He wants to keep proving to them that he's no longer the black sheep.

Edited 2025-03-24 22:17 (UTC)

"It's the only way to succeed," he agreed. "Hopefully your support is based on want and not either fear or payment. You can earn more out of people if they are invested emotionally to help." Perhaps that was a little dig at Silco. The man earned loyalties yes, but everything came with a measure of willingness to sacrifice.

He had once had an excellent network of people who he could trust, who he could work with and making the necessary incremental changes necessary. It would never be fast enough for some, but Vander had lost the willingness for extreme shock and awe after the Day of Ash.

“It’s nothing material-based,” Jason says. “We all have our personal reasons for getting involved. It would take a lot for any of us to give up now.”

Jason has clocked how different Vander talks about making change in Zaun versus how Silco talks. One is much more empathic while the other is more about scorched earth and survival of the weakest.

"Ah, so it's the family business then," he reflected. It made sense given what he had seen in the memory that Jason had shared with him. "Nothing like the bonds of family to be your best support out there where the work needs to be done."

He was curious of the dynamic between Jason and all the siblings. Would it be anything like how own old relationship with his 'siblings'?

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