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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
mayoninofukucho: (Smoke)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Ohhh, I get it - it's not you slaying the dragon, it's the dragon who's doing the slaying!

[Hence 'dragon slayer', like he's a 'human swordsman'! Right? He nailed it... maybe! But that still leaves a very big elephant in the room. No matter how he looks at it, Wendy is clearly human... or is she? Maybe this is a shape-shifting situation? Or maybe she was adopted? How does he ask politely?]

...

Aren't you a human, though?

[Yeah, he just gave up and asked bluntly.]
bluediligence: (Perhaps if you had a wig.)

[personal profile] bluediligence 2024-03-24 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oooh ]

Oh, wow! Wow! [ Koronai takes to emotionsharing like a duck to water, because in a way, it's a part of who and what she is.

Kantera can feel her excitement and happiness, and her deep affection for him. She's so glad to be able to spend time with him here, like this … even if there's a quiet undercurrent of worry, knowing as she does that she's only out here because things got to be too much for Korone.

It's no hardship, though, to take care of things out here while Korone gets some rest.

There are other bits and pieces, too. Threads of feelings in many directions, like her warm fascination over the simple sensation of holding hands with someone she cares about. ]


Kantera feels like a warm cup of sweetened tea! Like a hug in a mug!
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
Woah!

[Amy laughs as she lets Rinku drag her back to the city, just letting her magic hover her in the air so it’s easier on them.]
happydreamed: smile (zum eignen Strick)

[personal profile] happydreamed 2024-03-24 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Do you know, I think that's one of the nicest things anyone's said about me.

[Of course he's delighted at being compared to a cup of tea. How could he not be.]

You feel... like blowing bubbles, I would say.
mayoninofukucho: (Mission Complete)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
["Evangeline-neechan"... how cute! They must be really close.]

Well, I can always be your backup swordmanship teacher, too. Between us summer power holders, we've got no shortage of skills to go around on the whole!

[Their season does live up to its fierce reputation, he thinks!]
marvelloussky: (I have some concerns.)

[personal profile] marvelloussky 2024-03-24 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
I'm human, Grandine adopted me when I was just a baby. And it is magic for slaying dragons, not all of them were as kind as Mom.
roundandaround: Smiling and swinging from the shrine bell. (life's a party)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku happily runs forward, pulling her travel crystal out of her pocket.]

Uh... Nightwake!

[With that, and Rinku putting focus in, they vanish and reappear in front of the nearest teleport crystal to the city centre. Rinku stumbles to a stop and looks around in awe.]

That's great, it still works!
roundandaround: Hands together at the side. (okay so what you do)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
That's great! Did you hear that, Mecchan? I bet we're all gonna get stronger!

[Mecchan may not fight himself, but he seems to be swept up in Rinku's excitement, smiling and blowing a few bubbles in the air. Rinku pets him.]

I dunno if I can actually teach you anything, but I can try.
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! That’s so neat!

[She hovered over to Rinku’s hand to look at the Crystal.]

I guess you got it from the store?
roundandaround: Sheepish. (well......)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah! Just last month. I got it because I keep using up all my power and then don't have enough for the crystal, so I have to walk or take the bus.
urtitan: (So be kind.)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
[This time, she'll be able to finish even her second helping entirely! She's really hungry. Gradually, she's starting to fully understand what Floyd meant when he called his brother needy... he has been feeling lonely, hasn't he?]

How about we go to the botanical gardens tomorrow? Or to your place, for a swim?

[She'd go with him right after their meal if it weren't for her sister - she couldn't leave here without first giving her a heartfelt hug and answering the many questions she must have about the experiment! Beside, she may just feel too full to move much more today after filling her stomach so well.]
urtitan: (Annoyed)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
What?! No!

[Even though she just thought that they could be lawless here, her impulse to want order kicks back in right away!]

Stop doing that! Bring the ball back!
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386946)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! You need help with that. The magic bit, I mean. Are you still living alone?
itsamoray: (15)

[personal profile] itsamoray 2024-03-24 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
Why? Ain't like anybody's missing it.

[And he comes over to retrieve the ball, only to start lazily dribbling it.

Then he gets an idea on how to make this more fun.
]

You can bring it back if you want.

[Presuming she can get it away from him.]
roundandaround: Happily dancing around. (shaka-shaka-hey)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
No, I live with Rika-chan! And Mecchan, but he's a pet, so he doesn't produce touch energy or anything. I get lots of touch energy from everyone, but I also kind of use up my magic a lot because I'm not thinking about it. [She rubs the back of her head.]
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
[And Amy giggles at that.]

Silly, you need to watch yourself when you use magic, especially if you’re by yourself!
ideel: (43)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-03-24 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps to the gardens, I don't want you to push yourself after being out for so long.

[There's a moment while dishing up his own meal where he pauses to just stare off with a frown, at the realization that he's turning into his mother with all his fretting. But quickly shakes that away and joins her at the table.]

And swimming might not feel like it, but it's rather taxing- for humans anyway.

[Much like how simply walks tended to be big tests of endurance for merfolk.]
roundandaround: Waving. (hiiii)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
I guess I kinda forget. I sort of forget about a lot of things. I turned into a giraffe once and went around town once, and then when I got hungry, I just started eating leaves.
mayoninofukucho: (Idle)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
[He wonders what happened to her human parents... but that would probably be really insensitive to ask about, given that the most likely possibilities are either them having died or not having wanted her. He'll focus on the dragon slaying!]

Okay, I've got it now. That's one hell of a situation to be in, I've got to say... but then again, it's kind of the same with us, isn't it? I don't know what it's like in your world, but in mine, humans kill each other all the time.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386952)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Amy just laughs before moving over to hug her tightly.]
marvelloussky: (I have some concerns.)

[personal profile] marvelloussky 2024-03-24 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
It was the same with dragons. There was a war between dragons who wanted to coexist with humans and those who saw us as lesser beings, and... it ended with the extinction of dragon-kind.
mayoninofukucho: (Enjoy it while it lasts!)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
That's alright, I'm an adult! I've had a headstart on you.

[Besides, Rinku already gives him a lot of motivation and positivity! She may not realise it, but it makes a big difference and has seriously decreased his tendency to bitch and moan.]

Still, I'm sure there'll be situations where you know something I don't.
urtitan: (Queen of Hearts)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
Why me?!

[Still, she holds up her hands to catch it, expecting him to toss it over! She definitely won't engage in a basketball match with him!]
urtitan: (Content)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
Jade, I'm alright, really. All I needed was some food and drink, and you gave that to me - and you and Historia took care of the rest.

[She'd never have expected to take something as absurd as being pulled into a virtual reality for many days on end more in stride than him, who is from a more advanced world - but then again, isn't it always easier to be the person going on a strange adventure than the one left behind to worry?]

Still, we can take it easy. Let's start with looking at how much the mushrooms have grown while I was away! I doubt they adequately mirrored that development in the simulation.
itsamoray: (15)

[personal profile] itsamoray 2024-03-24 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
I dunno. You’re here, I guess.

[And this is him, not tossing the ball over and just continuing to dribble it.]

And you’re the only one here that cares.

[So basically just “you’re here” again.]