seasonsmods: (Default)
Seasons Mods ([personal profile] seasonsmods) wrote in [community profile] seasonsgreetings2024-03-15 12:11 am
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Event #7: Knocking on the 4th Wall (Inside the Metaverse)



Knocking on the 4th Wall
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION





Prelude (Pre 4th Wall)


On March 14th, everyone received a message. The Research Center is ready to try another test to find ways to beat the Darkness. This time the test is not done with the robots that were previously used, but instead everyone who volunteers will be participating in a virtual reality simulator. They're asked to come over to the Center on March 15th.

The researchers will explain that the purpose of this simulation is to see how several fully powered power holders fair against the Darkness. They have gathered enough data on it and the dark energy in general to determine the effects it will have on nature, monsters and wildlife if the barrier is taken off. This is the only safe way to actually test their theories.

After all the necessary explanations, everyone is asked to log in to the metaverse. Anyone logging in may notice that there are a lot of glitches as they enter.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, anyone looking at any kind of a screen (their own device, television, a digital advertisement, etc.) will have their mind sucked into the metaverse, due to the virus residing in the program. Their bodies will be left in a sleep-like state wherever they may be.



Wrong Turn at Albuquerque


The Research Center staff intended for all otherworlders to start near the Research Center so they could get used to the metaverse in peace. There are no natives in the simulator, so testing out powers around the city would have been safe as well. However, because of the glitch, people can appear anywhere, either in the city or anywhere on the segments (save from the one closed off location).

Sometimes the scenery and items in the world glitch a little bit, reminding anyone that this is the metaverse. Except the glitches weren't meant to happen. Luckily they're all mostly aesthetical, but some items may work differently than they should. You have a spoon? It actually works like a fork.

Luckily, this doesn't mean they will be without any items. They can open a menu with the device on their wrist that lets them get anything at all from Riki's Rewards during the simulator without any cost. They can think of this as special opportunity to test out all kinds of items before buying them, as they work exactly the same as they would in normal space.

For some reason, the Shady Shop also appears in the menu. That was not anyone's intention as the items are, well, shady.

Other than the two shops there are basic potion and magical item menus that people can use where needed. Even vehicles, such as airships can be summoned through the menus for easier traveling in the segments.

Some might find the glitches concerning and wish to return and tell the researches about them. The problem with that is is that clicking "Log Off" won't do anything at all, even if it's supposed to boot someone out of the metaverse. But that's not the end of the strange things going on.


You're in the Metaverse Now


Along with the otherworlders that were participating in the test, others start to join in as well due to unforeseen circumstances. Luckily, they have the same "settings" as everyone else, so they're not completely without aid wherever they end up in. They also have all of their powers unlocked for the duration of their stay in the metaverse (including all animal transformations).

As part of the strange glitch going on everyone also has access to any powers from previous worlds, if they have experienced other places before. It would seem the powers can also be shared through the item inventory, should anyone want to temporary use another world's abilities. This is possible with even a person's native powers.

And as if that wasn't enough, people who weren't on Ellipsa start appearing as well. Anyone who doesn't currently have a body on Ellipsa has a mark somewhere on their body, signaling that they're just data. This mark is somehow related to the characters that has it and emits a faint light.

All of the people who are just visiting will also be able to enjoy the metaverse the same way as anyone else. They have been sorted into a Seasons and have access to full powers - and the same item inventory. All that's different from the others is that they have no physical body to return to in this world.


Communication is the key


During the metaverse adventures, people are able to communicate through their devices, but the messages will not go out to the "normal" network. So the messages are only between those in the metaverse, but at least the network works the same way as it would in the "normal world".

Happy communicating.




It's Getting Dark, Too Dark to See


The goal of the metaverse is to have a safe environment to test powers against the Darkness. All of the barriers have been taken out, except for the one surrounding the city of Nightwake. The city acts as a safe haven to anyone who needs a break or doesn't want to fight.

Everyone is encouraged to go to where the barriers used to be and use their full, unlocked powers against everything and anything the darkness throws at them to see how well they can fight against it.

Thanks to all powers being unlocked, destroying enemies powered up by the Darkness is a lot easier, but pushing back the approaching darkness still needs something more than just raw power. Though with enough power holders of different seasons working together and crossing the different seasonal element streams fusing together different elements from each season in a single attack, it's possible to halt the advance, much like a barrier would, for 24 hours.

Due to the barriers being off, all creatures are stronger due to the Darkness's influence. Even creatures that normally have no danger level can now at least do Dark damage. Some Slime especially may seek vengeance.

Unfortunately, due to the weird glitch in the system, everyone inside the metaverse is able to feel pain when they originally weren't supposed to, to make the experience safe. It feels very real, and there's a chance any non-lethal wounds will appear on the person's real body.

Effects of "The Darkness"


The Darkness is slowly expanding from all sides. Very slowly, at a snail's pace. Everything it touches turns into black sand, before transforming into something different. Some may even recognize the things that rise from the sand, as they're monsters, fauna or people from their own world, made into more twisted forms. They may even be creatures from a popular media from back home... or at least, someone's home (players').

If a Power Holder walks into the Darkness, they won't immediately turn into anything. Instead the transformation is slow and painful. Leaving the area will stop the transformation, but any damage already done remains. If the person changes completely, they might lose their sense of self completely and attack anything in their sights.

What they turn into depends on the individual (player's choice) and the only way to reverse the changes is to die. Luckily that isn't permanent even in the metaverse. The person just gets booted out, but can re-enter anytime they want to (or in this case; is forced to). This was told to anyone before entering the program, so they could go all out and test limits as much as they want.




Wait... Did I Save?


A screen appears either when someone dies or gets forcefully booted out of the metaverse. It has two options: Remember or Forget.

Clicking "Remember" will automatically save everything that happened into a person's memory and proceed to boot them out. Clicking "Forget" will lead the person to a series of "Are you Sure" pop up windows. As the very last resort, the window suggests an option to only partially forget events that transpired in the metaverse. Choosing to still forget everything will make the person wake up from a long, dreamless sleep. The memories erased cannot be found later on, as they have been completely erased from their metaverse-selves. Even someone telling them what happened won't sound familiar.

This option is also available for any visitors during the time they're visiting. Whenever they die they get booted out and can be immediately returned to the metaverse (by the power of players) with or without their memories, depending on what they chose.

Of course, anyone can then tell the person about the very crazy stunts they made the last time they were in the metaverse. They could be complete lies, but they wouldn't have any solid proof, other than "I would never do that".

Time to Say Goodbye


Finally, on March 31st, a message comes from the outside. It's telling everyone stuck in the metaverse that they can finally leave out of their own will and stay out this time. People can then choose to leave immediately be pressing by pressing the "Log Off" button on their screen or take a moment to say goodbye to the temporary visitors of the metaverse.

The screen asking if someone wants to "Remember" or "Forget" appears, once again. This time the Forget option is even more insistent on asking if the person is sure about their choice, especially since the memories that are erased can't be taken back later.

Once everyone who exists on Ellipsa has returned to their bodies, the metaverse will be shut down. All visitors have been booted out and returned to where they came.



OOC TIPS


• Ask 4th Wall related questions here. Read the 4th wall FAQ before asking them.

• You don't need to comment on the plotting post to participate & anyone can participate in the 4th wall (there's no separate invitation needed). However, if you wish to app in later, you need an invite if you're not a friend of the mods.

• This post is open to tag and top-level by everyone! Those arriving for the 4th wall can write 4TH WALL or VISITOR on their post and/or link their top level here!

Check the Opt-in top-level if you're considering bringing in a character that already exists in the game.

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a separate entry (like to your musebox or characters' journal).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Reminder to players in the game that this month is Activity Check-in month and check-in ends on March 31th, at 23:59 PST.






code bases by tricklet
dereban: ([m] 220)

ii;

[personal profile] dereban 2024-03-15 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh?

[ Okay, she did not expect the lightning, but it is very much welcome, given that the few ways that she can use to defend herself are gun and hand-to-hand combat.

It's only when asked the question of 'are you okay?' that her mind really snaps to attention, although she's sounding even more caught off guard than before. ]


Y-Yeah, I'm fine, thank you...
starwill: (pic#16701758)

wildcarding actually

[personal profile] starwill 2024-03-15 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ (That voice...)

It definitely sounds familiar to Stelle, even if she can only barely hear it. It's enough for her to chase it, her feet already racing. When she sees Mei, she's rushing over, thinking that it's a completely familiar face. But then she blinks and realizes: her outfit's different, even if the color scheme is similar.

Except her heels don't seem to be stopping in time because she's still running straight into her, so she better watch out...! ]
dereban: (pic#14190080)

2

[personal profile] dereban 2024-03-15 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
What kind of question is that...?

[ Inaba sounds baffled actually, and it shows in every syllable that she speaks. and the look of raised brows. ]

I have died- not here- but death isn't really all that important here when you just come back. Even more so in this stupid virtual world.
goeswest: (heroic spirit)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Without hesitation:] Of course! He's my disciple.
everpromisedthunder: (Should I be concerned...?)

[personal profile] everpromisedthunder 2024-03-15 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mei's still a bit directionless when she first hears the footsteps, but when she notices they're drawing closer, it's enough to make her drop what she's doing and turn around to face their source.

Thankfully, she does have just enough time to call out, but whether Stelle catches her feet in time is another question...]


What's the rush for--?
goeswest: (under the same sky)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 12:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mischievous! He can't sit still for any reason, especially meditation. Likes to shapeshift whenever he has an excuse to. Much more clever than me."

There's clear fondness in her expression and her voice. She might want to prove she can take care of herself without Wukong, but she'd never deny caring about her disciple.
everpromisedthunder: (Let's confirm our next steps...)

[personal profile] everpromisedthunder 2024-03-15 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mei gives the younger girl a once over and breathes a sigh of relief. She looks relatively unharmed, at least, even if she looks more shaken up than Mei would have liked. It's better luck than she's tended to have...] I'm glad. That could have turned out worse than it did...

[The young principal casts a look at the monster she just downed, a hand still firmly grasping the hilt of her katana. Best to keep an eye on it in case its defeat turns out to be false.]

I suppose it's safe to assume we're not in a safe space right now.
everpromisedthunder: (Should I be concerned...?)

Segments

[personal profile] everpromisedthunder 2024-03-15 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
That was certainly something...

[That poor thing didn't even have time to get its everything back together before it exploded. The punches definitely take her back to a distant friend of hers...]

Where did you learn how to fight like that?
conceptheart: Kabu (3)

The Kabukimono | Genshin Impact | Visitor

[personal profile] conceptheart 2024-03-15 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Intrusive Thoughts Won]
[It would seem as though a responsible individual has taken pity on the clueless little puppet, and decided to accompany him on his little adventures. At some point, maybe an arm or a hand gets too close to the boy's face, and with no warning he bites. Not particularly hard, fortunately, he'd never bit anything before, and congrats, you just happened to be there when the thought occurred to him. When given the proper accusatory response, he just looks blankly and tilts his head slightly.]

I wished to know what would happen.

[Set Them Free]
[So for whatever reason, you have dragged this clueless little puppet to get some shoes. Surely, this boy shouldn't be going around without shoes! He'll hurt his feet, even if he insists otherwise. At the very least they'll get dirty.

So off he's dragged to a shoe store, where he has put on some cozy-looking boots. He stands there silent for a moment, before looking up at the one who has jailed his feet.
]

I do not like them. [And he starts shaking his leg to try and get them off, like a cat that's gotten its foot wet.] My feet have done no crimes. They should be free.

[The First to Betray Me...]
[With everything being so wildly new to him, he wandered about the city, watching as everyone had their fun, and made attempts to imitate them. He tried things like food, and pressing buttons, and throwing things into water, and juice. Juice was something he decided he liked. So he sought to find as much juice as he could find.

This was a remarkably difficult task for him, however, as he was completely illiterate. He could only go by pictures, color, and smell. You know what else has pictures of fruit, is brightly colored, and smells nice? You guessed it: Shampoo.

He has a bottle of strawberry shampoo in hand, and it sticking his tongue out while looking like he just ate a lemon. He will push that shampoo bottle into the arms of the first person that approaches him.
]

This juice is full of lies. Do not drink it.
dereban: (pic#14189977)

[personal profile] dereban 2024-03-15 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

[ She folds her arms over her chest, trying to catch herself as she lets out a heavy sigh. ]

I guess I should have expected monsters in a virtual world called the Metaverse of all places. [ You can practically hear the dryness of her voice there. ]
starwill: (pic#16701756)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-03-15 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah-

[ She does stumble a bit backwards, her balance in tact. ]

Sorry, I just thought you were someone that I knew.
everpromisedthunder: (Help me sort this out.)

[personal profile] everpromisedthunder 2024-03-15 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
That's... hm.

[Mei tilts her head. What is she supposed to make of that, exactly?]

That's a first for me, I have to admit... is it anyone I'd recognize by face?
everpromisedthunder: (Should I be concerned...?)

[personal profile] everpromisedthunder 2024-03-15 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Something about that name just makes her wince a bit. She's not sure why, but that's likely not important next to the bigger concern...]

Out of one fight and straight into another, huh... [Mei can already feel the exasperation settling in just thinking about it. It's enough to get her to turn away from the downed monster for a bit just to make sure nothing's chasing them.] You wouldn't happen to know what brought this on, would you? This feels like something that should be dealt with before it starts spreading.

[She hasn't quite noticed the new brand that's settled on the back of her left hand, but her new acquaintance just might...]
Edited (link was borked... FORMATTING WAS TOO GDI-) 2024-03-15 14:17 (UTC)
futurefriend: (Oops)

1

[personal profile] futurefriend 2024-03-15 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm a little lost, well more than a little lost too." Silver admitted as he started glowing green and floating up to talk to the stranger eye to eye. "I don't know what you mean by alost though."

Which was weird since being a walking talking Hedgehog he totally could be a lost.

"I don't know what zone this either...." Silver trailed off as he frowned in thought." Come to think of it, I'm not even sure what year it is actually..."
Edited 2024-03-15 14:28 (UTC)
dereban: (pic#14190070)

[personal profile] dereban 2024-03-15 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Inaba's observant enough, but she isn't going to point it out just yet; after all, who is she to assume that the brand actually means anything when she doesn't have enough information. ]

Wait, are you new here...?

[ How strange that she was brought into this virtual world instead of showing up in areas where the explanation would have been given to them. ]
starwill: (pic#16701755)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-03-15 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know. But she sounds similar to you, except...

[ (She seems so sad.)

But that's not what Stelle says. Maybe this is one of those cases like what Mr. Welt said before...? In the end, she answers: ]


Her tone is pretty different. She's taller than me and wields a long sword. Her outfit's color scheme is similar to yours, but it's more... [ She can't just say it's revealing, can she??? ] It's a crop top and shorts.

[ That's probably the most polite way to say it. ]
uncylion: (You can't understand)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
We were. And we all paid for it.

I am glad to hear that. That you found others who accept you, as you deserve. I hope they appreciate you, brother.

...May I hug you?
uncylion: (This can't be)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Azure didn't move. So the Demon Bull King's wife had turned her back on heaven. He had not known. He watched as the temperature stayed warm but the emotion behind it changed. It burned differently and with malice. Malice and contempt. Emotions Azure knew all too well.

"Forced? What are you talking about? How could they force the Sun Wukong to travel with the monk?"
uncylion: (Fond memories)

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Azure chuckled.

"That sounds like my brother. At least, partially. He is also loyal and dedicated to his people. He is truly a fantastic leader. And oh so clever. Perhaps too much for his own good, sometimes." The way Azure spoke, the affection for the Monkey King was very obvious.
toymonsterhunter: (Default)

Re: 1

[personal profile] toymonsterhunter 2024-03-15 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Tobias wasn't put off by the sudden floating and glowing hedgehog. The blond smiled and gave a little chuckle.

"Well, it is a good thing if you don't know what I mean. Believe it or not," He said. Tobias blinked and checked his phone.

"Zone? Is that like a dimension? Because I am also not sure. As for the year, I'm not sure either. It was 2284 or so. Give or take? They restarted the year count over. It's around 260 ADG back home. Not sure here. If we can find a local, they might be able to tell us."
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (Get out of my way)

Re: 1 - City

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-03-15 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Dude, maybe it can talk. At least say-" Paulo started until the lion roared and ran at them. Paulo's fur floofed out and he quickly hunched into a fighting stance.

"Guess not!" He threw out his hands and launched a fireball at the lion.
im_pancake: (Default)

Twilight Sparkle | MLP: FIM (Melodies of Life CRAU) | VISITOR

[personal profile] im_pancake 2024-03-15 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
City

[Among the various humans and anthropomorphic creatures wandering around, there's also... a pony. A purple pony with wings, a horn and a mane of purple with a pink stripe through it, a set of starts marked on her flank. Riding on her is a strange white creature with a pom-pom dangling off its head. A Moogle, if you will.]

I don't think we're in Crystallis anymore, Moogleton. This is way too futuristic, even for Canterlot High, too! Just wish I could find something familiar...

Library

[Oh. Oh, no. She found it. The place to stay in - a library! There are stacks and stacks of books around a bean bag chair, though the figure reading it is different - a purple-skinned girl wearing a light blue blouse and purple skirt.]

This place is so interesting! Oh, I can't wait to find out more!

The Darkness

[Oh, Twilight, you idiot. She isn't going close to the Darkness, but she is so curious about this corrupting influence. Thankfully, she's in her pony form, flying backwards from it if it got closer to her]

So, this is what's affecting the world... what happened here?

Wildcard

(OoC: Hit me with your best shot! Plot with me here or at [plurk.com profile] AshBlaze!)
outlivelf: <user name=malagraphic> (09)

[personal profile] outlivelf 2024-03-15 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[Frieren has clearly heard Mei, but she still does not look up to her for at least thirty seconds, not until she is fully done the part of spell she was currently analyzing. Another two soap bubbles float lazily out of her staff when she finally turns to face the visitor.]

Yes, how can I help you? Am I trespassing?

[One of the bubbles bursts, covering a small patch of grass with frost.]
castaside: grin, neutral, huh, serious, scheming (028d)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-15 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I have. I seem to have come across two kids who needed a parent figure. [ He hasn't really said it out loud before now, other than offhandedly, nervously putting it to Choco. But things feel solid after the heart. Not much else feels emotionally solid, but that does, and Macaque is clinging to that certainty as he grapples with the rest. ]

[ -- Hug, huh? Macaque's smile turns wry, but not harshly so. ]
Why don't we get a drink or something, and we'll see about that later. [ Not a no, he just needs more time. He can't afford another fall. ]
outlivelf: <user name=malagraphic> (12)

[personal profile] outlivelf 2024-03-15 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[A couple more bubbles fly out of Frieren’s staff before she turns around to face the source of the voice calling out to her. Some of them keep floating, causing the area to feel colder than it should while one or two burst, covering their surroundings with frost.]

Oh? My apologies, I was not modifying the barrier spell in any way. Just studying the way it was cast.

[She does not seem to be fully aware of the issue with her staff.]