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
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (It's old in here)

Paulo Somali | Bittersweet Candy Bowl | Visitor (for now)

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-03-15 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
1 - City

Paulo awoke to find himself in a new world. Again. Of course, again. That was just his luck, wasn't it? he looked around first for Breaker but couldn't find him. Guess the little guy didn't get to come too. How long had it been? Years at this point. From the digital world, back home, and now here. Wherever here was. He groaned as he stood up.

"This shit again?! And I don't even get a cool email telling me why? But I get a...phone. Okay. This ain't bad," Paulo stopped bitching to pick up his phone.

"Cool. This ain't bad. Flower charm? Couldn't it be something cool? Oh well. Sunflowers are...fine. I guess. Anyone here?! Hellooooooooo!" Paulo called out.

2 - City pt 2.

Paulo knew one thing he could do well. Well, several things but this one he could do out in the open and not get arrested for it. That was make burgers. He found a store front that seemed empty. So he opened up the restaurant, got the lights on, the grills hot, and was waiting for people to show up. They didn't need to eat here but maybe they wanted to. Just to feel normal.

"Welcome to Burgertron! Ignore what the sign says outside. This is Burgertron now. Can I take your order?"

3 - Wildcard

[You know the drill. Hit me.]
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (Welcome to Burgertron)

Paulo Somali | Bittersweet Candy Bowl | Visitor (for now)

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-03-15 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
toymonsterhunter: (You're cute)

Tobias McLauferty | Hunter the Vigil/Chronicles of Darkness/Changeling the Lost (OC)

[personal profile] toymonsterhunter 2024-03-15 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
uncylion: (Brothers!)

Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
believe_in_destiny: (Default)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
Ahh... the Brothers?
shatterdriven: (This isn't what I expected.)

1 - City

[personal profile] shatterdriven 2024-03-15 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
"If you have questions, you should be asking over the network," Nine answered, walking around the corner and looking him up and down. He didn't recall seeing the Somali and the briefing, but that didn't mean much right off the bat. "Unless you're trying to attract monsters, at which point feel free. It's a large part of the point."
timeslip_up: (Why is this my life?)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-15 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
...It's promising so far, but that still remains to be seen.
uncylion: (You can't understand)

Re: city

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Seems we are in the same situation then," Azure said with a somber tone. He nodded.

"Perhaps we should explore together. Strength in numbers. I am Azure Lion. And what is your name?" The outfit this woman wore was interesting. Though her staff was similar to ones he had seen monks wield. Surely she wasn't a monk, right?
notbornguilty: (Default)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
Well, first of all... Yes, they're the same Brothers you're probably thinking of. The Gods of Light and Darkness that created Remnant. A long time ago, before even the most ancient history...

[Hurray for offscreen exposition we've already heard!]
castaside: grin, neutral, huh, scheming (245)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-15 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ The movement he spotted was only a shadow, so there's nothing there when Azure starts speaking. ]

[ And then suddenly, there is someone there. Behind him. ]


Didn't expect to see you here. [ But his luck has been going that way, lately. ]
goeswest: (bai long)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
-Woops. No, wait, hang on, there's probably a reasonable explanation for this.

"Oh! Is that maybe a really common name for lions? I met an Azure Lion once or twice, but he tried to eat me and wasn't as polite as you."

Oh, right, introductions- "I'm Xuanzang Sanzang."
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (What's going on?!)

Re: 1 - City

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-03-15 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Paulo blinked when he saw the yellow fox walk out. He looked familiar. Wait! He saw him back in the digital world.

"Tails? Long time no see. Monsters, huh? Is it more digimon? They're pretty harmless. I mean, if you talk to them. Sometimes. Network, right. I figured someone had to be around though. Glad it's a familiar face. Those are new," Paulo pointed at the mechanical tails Nine had.

"Badass looking, by the way. You going all edgy lately? It suits you."
believe_in_destiny: (Default)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[And Pyrrha just listens, awed about it all.]

All of this... because of someone unwilling to accept things...
uncylion: (Concern)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Azure blinked. He swore, then the voice. A familiar voice. He turned around and blinked. Oh.

"You," Azure said in surprise. He turned around fully to look at the dark monkey. "Hello, brother. I did not think I would see you here either. Wherever here is."
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386945)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-15 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
You can stay with me! We'll have the best time together, I'm sure of it!
uncylion: (Me)

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Azure blinked. Tried to eat her? Why would-then the name.

THAT name.

His face hardened. The monk? But the monk was a man, was he not? But the name was...

"You. You're the monk who led Sun Wukong on his journey. The one who turned him to an agent for the celestial body, are you not?"
castaside: neutral, grin, happy (128)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-15 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ "You" as a first reaction sure sums up their entire relationship, doesn't it? ]

[ Macaque does a fantastic job seeming nonplussed despite that his emotions are still settling after the heart. ]


Ellipsa, sort of. A version of it. An intersection of worlds.
Edited 2024-03-15 03:16 (UTC)
goeswest: (heroic spirit)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
"That's right! So you've heard of me!"

Hostility, what hostility? Sanzang smiles, bright and sunny.
uncylion: (The scroll)

Re: Azure Lion | Lego Monkie Kid | Visitor

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
"An intersection of..." He looked up at the night sky above them. He was quiet for a moment.

"Did I drift here after I-" He stopped himself. He blinked and looked at Macaque. "Are we both dead?"
uncylion: (Do not stand against me)

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, I have," Azure said as his face hardened. "We've met before. When you and my brother killed myself and my other brothers. When you turned him against us."
goeswest: (bai long)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh."

Even Sanzang isn't dense enough to miss that level of hostility.

"He didn't mention you being brothers."

That's... not a great defense, but it is the truth.
notbornguilty: (I've been afraid)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
And that's not all. Do you remember the story of the girl who fell through the world?
shatterdriven: (You're failing to impress me.)

Re: 1 - City

[personal profile] shatterdriven 2024-03-15 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
Nine's nose wrinkled as Paulo started talking, his hands going to his hips. It was a lot like listening to Sonic actually, and he kept going. Nine's foot tapped. "My name is Nine. Tails may be around somewhere, but you've got the wrong fox. I don't know what you're referring to for Digimon though..."

He had a thought pertaining to an earlier conversation. "Where exactly were you last?"
uncylion: (Concern)

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-03-15 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Not...you. Exactly. But someone with your name. And a man," Azure explained. The response threw him. Wukong never mentioned? Well this...

"I am quite confused. You are the great monk but your Sun Wukong didn't inform you of our brotherhood? At all?"
believe_in_destiny: (SORRY!)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, I do. Read it all the time as a kid...

...wait, don't tell me it's real.