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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
outlivelf: <user name=malagraphic> (03)

i am screaming but frieren would never

[personal profile] outlivelf 2024-03-22 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[All too familiar voice almost makes her drop the books. Could this be...]

Himmel.

[This is a statement, not a question. She does not feel any kind of demonic power or any indication that this is merely an illusion, but one needs to stay vigilant, especially in an unknown place like this.]
castaside: shadow, grin, aggro, scheming (242)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-22 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's unambiguously a good sign that she's able to reach out to him. Macaque remains where he is, being her support for as long as she needs one. ]

She lost her words. I'm not sure if she did this with you, or if you know her signs, but I think she said something about more than a year.

--Here, let me...

[ He chirps some more: he's a friend, you're safe here, how long since you saw him?, what do you need? ]
mayoninofukucho: (Well-Rested for Once)

I

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-22 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hijikata was just striding past on the way to the nearest guild building, but then he slows down, and finally he backtracks. Isn't that..? Yeah, that's Levi and Hange's Commander! He first saw him here on Ellipsa during the festival to help the ghosts of the dead pass over to the afterlife, reuniting with Levi among countless candles, but once again, he can't help but also remember that memory of the battle against the Beast Titan. It was so godawful, and Levi's loss was so palpable... he felt terrible for him, then.

Before he can replace those memories with his more recent reasons to be pissed at Levi, Erwin notices him, smiles, and offers a flower, and it's frankly impossible to get mad under those circumstances.]


Ah... no, thanks, I'm on the way to, you know, fight the Darkness and whatnot. It'd probably get wrecked.

...

Erwin, right?

[That's what Levi called him in the memory, and Hijikata doesn't know his family name.]
theshadowturnedhero: (You're better than this)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] theshadowturnedhero 2024-03-22 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't need to rush. [He sees the struggling. He doesn't need her to rush. She sees him and that is enough to settle the darker feelings that want to bubble under the concern and want to help.]

[She sees him. She will get there.]

[Then he sees the frustration and signs and]

[He huffs, though he's quick to take her hand when she extends it, squeezing it and some tension eases from his shoulders.]

Phi, ya forgettin' I was a mute? Though if ya knew how to do this when we met, I might have to be annoyed with ya. The hand signs are a lot easier to figure out then whatever is going on with sounds. Probably could have done a conversation sooner over the days of watchin' everyone's mouths.

Though I'm glad yer screamin' less now. Bein' frustrated ain't so bad. Take yer time, get yer head on straight.
Edited 2024-03-22 21:35 (UTC)
outlivelf: <user name=malagraphic> (08)

[personal profile] outlivelf 2024-03-22 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Medicine. A respectable and necessary field.

[That cannot really help them in this situation, as Frieren feared.]

Still, I hope there will be no need for medical assistance. Unless these bubbles cause frostbite.

[She examines the staff for a bit longer, tries out a spell and has another bubble burst into her face.]

It appears that using magic is causing this to happen. But I still need to find out the root cause... I know you are not a mage but is this sort of malfunction common in this place?
outlivelf: <user name=malagraphic> (02)

[personal profile] outlivelf 2024-03-22 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
If that is the case and if we should not be here...

We can expect being erased from here with no explanation at any moment as well?

[And there is no telling how it would go.]

A shame. I would like to have time for sightseeing.
bluediligence: (A uniform without insignia.)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] bluediligence 2024-03-22 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Macaque's chirps are easier for her to parse.

(It's getting easier, bit by bit, moment by moment, as the vice around her heart and lungs slowly starts to loosen. It opens up space for something uncomfortably like shame to bubble up alongside the frustration, but — Korone tries her very, very best to squash that, or at the very least to bury it deep, deep down where it won't sting so bad.)

Still … she does her best to listen to Lott, and she does her best not to cringe when he asks about her forgetting. It's a sore spot she tries desperately not to think too hard about. She burrows deeper against Macaque, tucking her wings in close and tight, and gingerly squeezes Lott's hand.

Chirps, soft and shaky, Tighter. Time.

Please squish the living daylights out of her until her brain fully reboots, please, okay, thank you. ]
castaside: shadow, grin, aggro, scheming (Default)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-22 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Macaque squeezes her with both arms, using as much strength as he needs to be just shy of hurting her. He knows from experience that she'll want that. ]

She's asking for us to be patient with her until she gets her head together.

...Do you have a mark on you that wasn't there before you got here?
outlivelf: <user name=malagraphic> (03)

[personal profile] outlivelf 2024-03-22 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's already been through one Demon Lord defeat, what's the problem to do it twice.]

Oh? So everyone called in here is a capable fighter, I assume?
theshadowturnedhero: (It's suspicious)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] theshadowturnedhero 2024-03-22 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Still sensitive about the amnesia, huh? Sorry, I figured out I really like gallows humor, guess that's just me.

I know. Its hard to figure out it out when her whole body is screaming, but now the specifics aren't masked so hard. [He crosses his legs, still holding her hand, eyes looking her over. Taking in the differences, checking for injuries.] Phi has never been subtle in her feelings, I just ain't the best at figuring out the right kind of comfort. Holdin' hands has been the only consistent one with her.

I mean, depends how deep things get in the soul, but I couldn't see the multi-colored triforce on me before.
Edited 2024-03-22 22:05 (UTC)
castaside: soft, sad, lunar, neutral (003)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-22 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
She likes those sometimes. [ Just reassurance that this kid didn't do anything wrong. ] You're doing fine, she just got a lot of memories since you saw her last, that complicates things. Usually when she gets like this it's a tight embrace.

[ Macaque swears inside his own head. Another thing he'll have to break to them, but not yet. ]

I'm Macaque. I'm her parent. And you're Lott, I heard, and you clearly have vast experience with using shadow magic. We have that in common, I can feel what you do better than I can see it.
marvelloussky: (Eep!)

[personal profile] marvelloussky 2024-03-22 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Y-you think that could really happen? We could just vanish entirely with no warning?
theshadowturnedhero: (Tsssssuuuuuuunnnnn)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] theshadowturnedhero 2024-03-22 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Hm. I can do that. I could do pretty expansive hugs if she wants. [Said the 4'6, lithe child.]

I'm Lott, her pack. I belong to her and she belongs to me. [Said with the most straight faced and matter of fact face.] And I'm a shadow, so I'd hope I do.

[And now he looks at Macaque and actually looks at him.]

[And frowns.]

.....you're not from Hyrule, are ya? Pretty sure we don't have yer species...
ideel: (43)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-03-22 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
My my, you woke up in quite the lively mood.

[Well far be it from him to deny her a drink, and relinquishes his tea to her without argument. She could probably get away with quite a bit more than that for the moment, given his worry over her.]

Here, drink this, then tell me what happened. You saw Floyd there?

[He’s presuming it was just some sort of dream figment or something similar. It wasn’t like she didn’t know what he looked like.]
Edited 2024-03-22 22:46 (UTC)
mayoninofukucho: (It's like a dream!)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-22 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[He likewise introduces himself as Hijikata from the Shinsengumi armed police - sure, the police tends to be armed in general, but in his conquered Edo, where swords have been outlawed, it's a special privilege! As far as Wendy's concerned, 'Sky Dragon Slayer' sounds badass!! He wonders if sky dragons are like the local wyverns, which are a force to be reckoned with... but they don't exactly have time to chat about their adventures.

When Wendy works her magic again, he's delighted to feel the power surge.]


Wow!! Did you give me a buff?!

[This is why he loves RPGs mages from other worlds!! If there are more slimes around or something worse comes from the Darkness, he'll be ready to kick ass - and otherwise, he'll land a mean attack on the encroaching shadows themselves!]
anappleaday: (35)

[personal profile] anappleaday 2024-03-22 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...inclining her head. a touch dry: ]

You're in good company there, at least. ...I was more... concerned you were only feeling negative emotions, beforehand. Enough of us on Larkspur had lives that led that way.
theshadowturnedhero: (Chatty bros)

[personal profile] theshadowturnedhero 2024-03-22 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Trust me, I'm aware.

[Larkspur's were a MESS.]

But nah. I just couldn't feel 'em all that well 'cause I wasn't supposed to. It's why the girls were overwhelming sometimes. It was a shock to the system.
marvelloussky: (Noun of the Sky Dragon!)

[personal profile] marvelloussky 2024-03-22 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Arms is an enchantment for increasing offensive power. Vernier is for speed and mobility, and Armor increases durability and elemental resistance. I have more practice with this side of my magic, so I'm better at supporting than I am at fighting.

[Since Hijikata is attacking the Darkness, Wendy will too! She inhales very deeply as stones form in the air in front of her. The stones break apart into tiny shards as she exhales a mighty gust of wind!]

Sandstorm of the Sky Dragon!
bluediligence: (Vintage rainbow suspenders?)

[personal profile] bluediligence 2024-03-22 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, thank you, thank you! [ Her wings can't exactly fluff like this, but they can and do flutter, shedding sparkling pixels like glitter. ]

Summer's powers have shapeshifting, right? So, since Koronai is driving, she thought she'd try to look like herself! [ TWIRLS. ]
happydreamed: smile (zum eignen Strick)

[personal profile] happydreamed 2024-03-22 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you have the opportunity. [Everyone should get to look and feel like themselves.]

On the subject of powers, do you recall in Imeeji that Heart Soldier Senshi had emotion sharing?
mayoninofukucho: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-22 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah! I got the magic from the other worlds I visited back; that was pretty amazing.

[Never mind that he'd been given primarily fire magic on each world he ended up on... his Prismatic moonblessing was otherwise dormant due to the lack of the Sanguis moon in Ellipsa's sky, but his Avalonian multi-elemental magic returned, along with his death magic! For the first time since he arrived on Ellipsa, he was able to see ghosts.

Granted, he had a somewhat shoddy start overall, having gotten spat out right by the former border with the Darkness rather that in the city centre, but he met some helpful people (he's just not sure if all of them are actually on Ellipsa for real with the rest of them or were merely dragged into the simulation from other worlds).]


The people I was with and I found that if the combine our magic, it can eat away at the Darkness.

[Sadly, he was too apprehensive to try and really venture far into it, worried that the path might close behind them and they'd lose orientation and not find the way back. Blasting one's way through thick Darkness in all directions sounded like more of a nightmare scenario than he was up for!]
castaside: shadow, grin, aggro, scheming (Default)

Re: THE CITY ...

[personal profile] castaside 2024-03-22 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Size has no bearing on strength, Macaque knows this. He has no trouble believing it. ] And she might ask you to, but right now I'm more immediately familiar is all. Once her mind catches up I'm sure she'll want comfort from you too. [ For as long as you're here. ]

I'm from Earth, same as her, although different versions of it.

You've never seen a monkey before? [ "Species" is a bit odd as a question. He's gotten odd looks before, either from the ears or the fact that he acts more human sometimes than monkey, but never confusion about what he is. ]

I'm a jungle animal. I'm very old, was born with magical capacity, and I've learned human mannerisms, but at my core I'm still a monkey. That's where the chirping comes in. Because she's part pigeon now and birds chirp too, we understand each other in that way.
Edited 2024-03-22 22:54 (UTC)
urtitan: (Excited)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-22 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[She blows on the tea to cool it down and nods eagerly.]

Yes! It was really him, I'm sure of it! There were many people who got pulled in from other worlds, not only him! I have no idea if they're still here now, or if they ended up back home after logging out... if he's not here, you have to ask him about it when you eventually go home!

[But if Floyd chose the 'Forget' option, no force in the world will make him remember. Frieda will be so upset if he did; Jade will never believe her then!]
ideel: (32)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-03-22 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Bold of you to think he’ll remember. If he thinks it was just a dream he’ll probably “eject it” next time he’s in a mood.

[That is, presuming it’s him of course, and not just a cheap imitation. Still he’ll probably take a good look around later.]

But what makes you so certain it was him? Aside from his handsome face of course.

[Jade thinks he’s real funny sometimes.]
mayoninofukucho: (Not on my watch!)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-22 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Damn, her skills are so versatile... this is why he never judges a book by its cover!! She may look like a schoolgirl, but she's a great ally! Their roles in combat complement each other well.

Her attack initially startles him just a little bit - he has a bad second-hand memory of a bunch of people dying in a hail of rocks -, but he keeps it together, and their joint attacks blast into the Darkness ahead of them... and tears a path into it. Where the sandstorm and fire passed through, the view is clear.]


We did it!! We actually make a hole in it! Let's make it bigger!

[He strongly doubts that just the two of them will be able to dissipate the Darkness as a whole, but this is the first time he sees anything actually pushing it back rather than just stopping its crawl forward!]