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: (pic#14189984)

himeko inaba ♡ kokoro connect [scp crau]

[personal profile] dereban 2024-03-15 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
option i: you're in the metaverse now

    [ The worst thing about being a full time content creator is that it's so easy to get pulled into a screen when you're working in front of a screen all the time.

    But what's even worse than that is that because of the strange glitches, she feels her chest heavy and falling onto one knee, dark eyes staring at concrete because she can easily tell, her breath catching slightly as she doesn't get up just yet, only saying a single word: ]


    No...!

    [ If people attempt to help her by putting their hand on her physically at all, they might feel their powers getting nullified, but only during the duration of that touch.

    And for those who can see souls: they'll be able to see the small blue and white heart SOUL in the center - it's evident that she's partially a monster, but also... partially human. In any case, she'll probably need help off that concrete floor. ]


option ii: metaverse network | text | UN: Inaban

    This is probably a weird ask, but has anyone who has been to another world before this one suddenly feel the powers that they had from said world returning?


option wildcard

    [ Want to play something else entirely different? Hit me up at [plurk.com profile] tsundereban! ]
notbornguilty: (I swear it here today)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
I'm just glad to see you again. The real you.

[And so, Pyrrha meets her first Weiss Hug.]
anuglybloom: (pic#15924373)

Carla Morir | Original Character | Visitor

[personal profile] anuglybloom 2024-03-15 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
🐝 Bee (2) | itsabee @ discord | [plurk.com profile] gothbarbies
CAROLENA MARIANNA MORIR
She is sixteen years old. Tall, lean, athletic with brown eyes and black hair. She has a smattering of freckles across her nose. She is dressed well for her age, timelessly neat with neatly pressed slacks and a sleeveless red button up with a high asymetrical collar. Her jewelry is understated but expensive looking. She is too smart for her own good and cruel-minded.
IN THE METAVERSE NOW
[ This isn't where she was a minute ago. She gazes around thoughtfully at the snowy winter segment. She isn't dressed for the weather. She considers her options. She has either been teleported somewhere, or this is VR. Her cyberpunk home world gives strong credence to the latter. Things would be much more difficult for her if she were teleported, but she's not going to cross that bridge until she has finished investigating.

She begins to inspect herself for signs that she is in avatar. She finds the glowing mark. She finds the ugly watch that opens the menu. She scrolls through it rapidly, eyes attentive.

Perfect Temperature. Yes, that is what she could use out here. There is no cost, so she buys it and then takes it out of her inventory. She drinks one, and then is ready to focus on the game.

She stands out against the snow in her red shirt, but she decides that isn't a problem just yet. It will be interesting what notices her and comes her way... She heads for the bridge back towards Nightwake.

As she walks, she starts trying to figure out what the abilities are in this game. This results in her sending a large fireball up into the air. Sparks rain down on her as she stares with a small smirk: ]


Fun.

[ Somewhere along the way, she also seems to add a pair of black cat ears to her avatar? She doesn't know how she did or how to turn it off so she just ignores it. ]

THE DARKNESS - CW: ZOMBIES
[ She recoils from the shambling dead with a curl of her lips. She doesn't hesitate at all to shoot fire at them, but the numbers continue to increase... She's going to be overrun in the end.

She starts to look around for a way out of this boss battle. If she can at least get some breathing room, maybe she can find something in the shop to help her cheese this. ]
NIGHTWAKE
[ Well. She's made it back to town. She had to use a few more doses of the perfect temperature potion, but it was free anyway. So who cares. She met a few people along the road back to the city, but now there is a whole new crowd to watch and to eavesdrop on. She is curious about this player base.

So she introduces herself. Isn't chatting part of an MMO? ]


I'm Carla. Where are you from?

[ ASL? ]
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
📱 are you having a bad time?
WILDCARD
Go for it! I'm game.
Edited 2024-03-15 00:48 (UTC)
goeswest: (dancing on lotus blossom)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
I feel the same as usual! Maybe a little more fiery?
anuglybloom: (Default)

Carla Morir | Original

[personal profile] anuglybloom 2024-03-15 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
roundandaround: Flailing when a cold drink is pressed to her face. (kyaa what gives)

1

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-15 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Eh?!

[Rinku runs over and stops right short of touching Inaba. She frets and looks around.]

Did you get hurt? What's going on?
believe_in_destiny: (Pyrrha Nikos)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
H-huh?

[Pyrrha is surprised at this. Weiss? Hugging her? This wasn’t the cold girl who tried fangirling her the moment they met.

Her arms wrap tightly around her.]


This… this is the real you, huh?
houndofmanchester: (Default)

[personal profile] houndofmanchester 2024-03-15 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
It can be subtle if you don't know what to look for. Try bringing that fiery feeling to the surface.

[Barghest takes a step back, a wall of solid stone rising up between them.]
notbornguilty: (I swear it here today)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, it is. I know, I'm nothing like how I was back at Beacon, right?

[She's started gently nudging Ruby in an attempt to get her to wake up.]
dereban: ([m] 72)

[personal profile] dereban 2024-03-15 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
I-

[ No, she can't. She can't show weakness as she gets up on her feet, trying to speak as steadily as she possibly can. ]

I'm fine. There's no pain or anything like that.
believe_in_destiny: (Default)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
You’ve… grown up. Sorry.

[She grins sheepishly at that. Ruby mutters something, but she’s coming to…]
notbornguilty: (I swear it here today)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Please, if anyone should be apologizing, it's me. I was a self-absorbed brat back then who couldn't handle not getting everything I want. I don't blame you for not wanting to be on the same team as me.

[Weiss lets go of Pyrrha to help Ruby up.]

I wouldn't give being part of team RWBY up for the world anyway.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386950)

Segments

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-15 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Woah, hey!

[And Amy’s busy dodging bullets as she tries to catch up to Tamura.]

You’ll hit someone friendly!
timeslip_up: (Nope.)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-15 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, sorry.

[Does it say something that Tamura is hardly phased by the talking anthropomorphic hedgehog? Probably.]

Not used to being able to use as much ammo as I want.
believe_in_destiny: (Sideeye)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Ha, I’m glad there’s no hard feel—oop!

[And Ruby finally awakens to do a glomping hug on Pyrrha.]
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-15 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
Ha! I could tell!

[And she extends a hand to her.]

I’m Amy Rose!
notbornguilty: (I swear it here today)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
There's a lot we need to catch you up on. Where to start? I'd usually say "from the beginning," but the beginning is rather complicated...
timeslip_up: (Why is this my life?)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-15 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[She takes Amy's hand in greeting.]

My name is...

[She visibly deflates.]

Just call me Tamura.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386952)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-15 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Amy sees that deflation, then pulls Tamura into a hug.]

It’s okay…
believe_in_destiny: (Default)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
I know a few things from what Ozpin had told me when he was preparing me for the transfer…
timeslip_up: (Being meguca is suffering)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-15 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
My actual name is Homura Akemi, but nobody ever gets it right... No matter where in time and space I go, it's always Tamura.
notbornguilty: (Default)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
That's hardly even scratching the surface. Ruby and I know a lot more, myself a bit more than Ruby. Should I start with the Brothers or the Tree?
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-15 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
I think there’s one girl here with that name, buuuuut…

[There’s a giggle as…]

Ho-mu-ra!
timeslip_up: (Why is this my life?)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-15 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
...Please tell me she doesn't have pigtails and glasses.

[If she had to spend more time in the same timeflow with Prankster Homura...]

It's fine, I'm used to Tamura by now. If there's another Homura around it's better than "hey you," or "the Homura over there."
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386947)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-15 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Not that I know of, no.

But, hey, if the two of you are around, I’ll call you Tamura to keep you separate.