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
mayoninofukucho: (Noir Mood)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry to hear that. It seems like you've got your hands full enough in your own word, so thanks all the more for jumping head-first into our mess here.

[She didn't hesitate for a moment to deploy her full arsenal in support of this mission she was apparently just thrown into without warning!]
marvelloussky: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelloussky 2024-03-24 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
Things are actually fairly calm at home now that Acnologia's been defeated, so don't worry too much. It's a bit like taking on a high-ranking request for me. Wizards all over Fiore do this sort of thing professionally, so it's not too much of a bother to do it for another world.
ideel: (21)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-03-24 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
I’m just being cautious. You haven’t physically moved for a week. I don’t want you accidentally pulling something out otherwise harming yourself by accident.

[Someone (not naming any names) may have gone to the library equivalent of Web MD in his spare time, and scared himself silly reading up stories of coma victims and their recoveries.

At least mushrooms do prove to be a rather distracting topic.
]

You went to check them in the simulation?
roundandaround: Confused. (eh?)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Hm... Maybe! That makes sense. Everyone's good at different things, right?
urtitan: (Stern)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
[She exhales with a huff. This is too aggravating!!]

Alright, then. I'll stop caring.

[Surely, that'll make uninteresting for him faster! She leaves him to his play and turns back to the shoe display. While other noblewomen back home would wear heels, especially on special occasions, she always found them impractical and even dangerous - how easy would it be to break an ankle! -, and despite the pretty shapes of some models, she ultimately is ready to move on sooner rather than later... which reminds her:]

Why did you want to visit the shoe shop, anyway? You're not even looking at the shoes!
roundandaround: Hugging and rubbing her face on Muni. (zoom attach snuggle)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Hug!!!]

It's a really nice place, though, isn't it? Ellipsa, I mean. Aside from getting kidnapped here and the Darkness and stuff.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386945)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
It really is. Maybe if we fix this, we can figure out a way to either stay here or be able to come back...
mayoninofukucho: (Mission Complete)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[So the worst conflict is in the past for her... that is reassuring!]

Well, if you stick around after this simulation ends - not that I expect you guys to get a say in that -, you'll feel right at home. While the Darkness situation is the main issue, there's lots of other stuff that crops up, like monster attacks and rare ingredients needing to be retrieved from dangerous locations.
roundandaround: Confused. (eh?)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
You mean like maybe people could visit back and forth and stuff? After we save the world?
marvelloussky: (A happy sort of embarrassed)

[personal profile] marvelloussky 2024-03-24 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
It sounds just like the request board back at the guildhall. People hire wizards for all sorts of things too. Anything from slaying dangerous monsters to helping out school teachers.
urtitan: (Amused)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
I did, and so did Floyd! I think he was hoping to find you there.

[Of course, she won't tell Jade about her embarrassing mix-up! That really would be the only reason she might appreciate it if Floyd did end up choosing the 'Forgot' option.]
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
Uh-huh! Wouldn't that be neat?
mayoninofukucho: (Happy)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
That's right.

[And, with impeccable timing, one of the native researchers smoothly inserts himself in between them with drinks and snacks and little survey forms for them to fill out! They'll be interviewed, too, so no important information gets missed. Much as this experiment got sabotaged again, Hijikata is grateful that this time, it was comparatively less traumatising (and they made a breakthrough discovery)!]
ideel: (32)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-03-24 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
You found Floyd there?

[He was going to remark about the mushrooms not being destroyed- but then he realized that there was no way Frieda would know Floyd was Floyd upon first seeing him. He could only imagine how that interaction went, and he needed to know.]

I can only imagine your surprise to discover that you had the wrong Leech.

[He says with a big cheeky grin, resting his chin in his hand, blissfully unaware that his brother gave her sufficient ammunition to use against him in retaliation.]
Edited 2024-03-24 03:22 (UTC)
roundandaround: Worriedly playing with a straw. (you think?)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Of course! I've moved around a lot, and I'm used to leaving people behind, but... I dunno, I don't like it. It'd be great to be able to stay with everyone and see my other friends too.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386950)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
I know that feeling. There's so many cool people here... like you.
roundandaround: Hesitant. (uhhh)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku happily answers everything (and lets Mecchan put some pawprints on the paper so he can be included). All's well that ends... decently, anyway.]
roundandaround: One arm to the side in a "come in!" gesture, dressed as Cocoa from Is the Order a Rabbit. (welcome!)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
You're gonna come to the Arts Festival, right? I'm performing again! It's gonna be a lot of fun!
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Of course I will! I'll cheer you on!
itsamoray: (29)

[personal profile] itsamoray 2024-03-24 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I did. I’m kind of a big shoe freak.

[He dribbles the ball a few more times before catching it and trying to get it to spin on his finger. He’s a little wobbly at it, but he can do it.]

But then I found this ball and wanted to play with that instead.
roundandaround: Waving penlights. (hai! hai!)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, you're the best!

[Which she says to everyone, but also, she means it for everyone, so.]

You wanted to try the Gacha Restaurant a bunch, right?
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Amy giggled and blushed at that]

Y-Yes, I did! Is that okay?
roundandaround: Dancing. (can we? yes!)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-24 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
Eh? Of course! It's fun there. Are you doing okay, Amy-chan?
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386947)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-24 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
I'm fine - just not used to having everything to mess with like this. Thank you for asking.
mayoninofukucho: (Enjoy it while it lasts!)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, it's pretty much like that! Granted, so far the schoolteachers haven't asked for help, but who knows if that's not still upcoming?

[He exhales, satisfied for the moment. With Wendy not having any pressing concerns about the situation back home (granted, even if she did, the usual rule about eventually being sent back to the point in time she was taken from would surely apply to her) and him having logged their findings, they can jump back into the fray... or not.]

I'll go grab a bite somewhere around here before I get back to work. With what we found out, I think I'll focus on looking for other newcomers. If more people besides you were dragged in here from other worlds, chances are not everyone will be able to take it in stride like you.