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
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-24 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
No way, you haven't been a pain at all. It's been great knowing you.

[The hug is happily returned, Rise taking a step back once she's let go.]

Although, there is just one thing... Keep being down on yourself like that and I'll get upset, okay?

[She gives Nanohana a cheeky wink and a grin.]
hadaeemadatawila: (Default)

Pffftttt. Sorry, poor Homura, he's seventeen y.o. and as normal as Homura so to speak

[personal profile] hadaeemadatawila 2024-03-24 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[No, he can't tell, but he now thinks she's a Stand (fighting spirit) User. Oops?]

[Suspicious glare!] I'll have my eye on you, so-
[In English now] Do you understand?
[And back to Japanese] Things might happen if you try anything funny.
shining_predestiny: (J42)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-24 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry, Rise-Chan. I’ll do better, promise.

[She giggles a bit before she picks up her visor and looks at it.]

I wonder…
wrotetheworld: (writing the world)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-03-24 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Made all of them. Whole world. Can't anymore.

[He made a face at the next can of potion, starting to register the taste and deciding it tasted like ass.]

Created it all and one day bzzz!. Dead. Then I gotta live with them.

[He tried to sit up by himself, grimacing before flopping back.]

Fuck... that hurts.
timeslip_up: (Why is this my life?)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-24 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
...Huh? I... can't say I do understand, but sure?

[Why is this man being so weird at her, she literally hasn't even done anything yet.]
maru_kyutie: (This is fine.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-24 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Penny for your thoughts?
shining_predestiny: (Default)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-24 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Just curious of something.

[She flips the visor around and fits it onto Rise. If it works, her hair would turn pink. If not, it stays the usual color.]
hadaeemadatawila: ('I lift my gaze')

😆

[personal profile] hadaeemadatawila 2024-03-24 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[She talked about time. So if she did then who was phone? not really, but. Perhaps just prejudice]

If I'm mistaken about your identity, let me apologise. But can I check, first? With your permission, fair and sqare? I don't wish to fight you.
Edited 2024-03-24 23:33 (UTC)
maru_kyutie: (No way.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-24 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[It does turn her hair pink, Rise blinking at the strands of it over her shoulder.]

Huh, I guess it isn't user-locked, then?
urtitan: (Huh?!)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-03-24 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[She smiles softly at him, grateful all over again... until her eyes suddenly go wide.]

Oh!! I missed Annika! A new episode must've come out while I was stuck in the simulation!
timeslip_up: (Default)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-24 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess? My name is Homura Akemi, but everyone calls me Tamura for some reason.
hadaeemadatawila: ('that nothing's as it seems')

[personal profile] hadaeemadatawila 2024-03-24 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Did somebody suspicious, malicious, hateful and otherwordly approach you and made you an offer tou couldn't refuse? Made you feel later disgusted with just wishing for your own survival?
If this is a nonsense question, Tamura-kun please just ignore me.
Edited 2024-03-24 23:45 (UTC)
mayoninofukucho: (Huh.)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-24 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's connecting the dots, Shang Qinghua!! He's connecting them!]

Hold up, you mean, you'd already been isekai'd into the world you came here from? And you're the author who invented it?

[Suddenly, everything clicks into place!! This is how he can be a cultivator and at the same time so comfortable with modern amenities!]

Keep drinking, okay? It's a healing potion.
shining_predestiny: (J10)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-24 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess it isn't... I always thought it was. It's weird, honestly.
timeslip_up: (Why is this my life?)

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-24 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I mean, Kyubey fits two out of those. It was really more an offer I wouldn't refuse, it wasn't my own survival I wished for, and while it's been rough, I don't feel disgusted about the wish I made. So... It's about half accurate?
maru_kyutie: (This is fine.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-24 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
It could just be one of the glitches that have been happening here. If we get the same result out in the real world, then we can start working out why that is.
shining_predestiny: (Default)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-24 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Good idea.

[And she'll remove her visor off of Rise, returning her to normal.]

Well... while I can stand here without people questioning it... did you want to do something a little more fun?
wrotetheworld: (Wrote My Ideal Man)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-03-25 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! Good things deserve to be said three times! Because those dots are so perfectly connected.]

Yep. Do I get any respect for it? Nope!

[But at at least his eyes are starting to focus as he opens them, if just to glare at the potion can.]

Bleh.
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
Have you got something in mind? I can come up with something if I need to, but I want to hear what you think.
shining_predestiny: (Default)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
Honestly, I want to go exploring somewhere. Just wander and see what trouble we can get into.

Like the Winter segment!
ideel: (83)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-03-25 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Come now, you think I would forget to record it for you?

[If there was anything he was known for, it was anticipating such things, after all. It's why he was so valuable to Azul. But in this case, it had just been a way to assure himself she would wake up. Which paid off, they now had a good activity to do while she rested.]

Finish your meal, and we can watch it together.
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Well, that gives me a chance to try out something I've been wanting an excuse to do! Hold on tight, because we're traveling by Spring teleportation!

[Rise puts her hand on Nanohana's shoulder and concentrates. Wind whips around the two of them as Rise sets her destination in her mind.]
shining_predestiny: (J65)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
Wha...?!

[And she clings to Rise as she finds herself being teleported.]
mayoninofukucho: (Not on my watch!)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-03-25 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
Does it taste crappy?

[He smells the open can and slightly wrinkles his nose. Not disgusting, but definitely not great either!]

Man, they should've--

[He interrupts himself as a couple of man-sized flying monsters appear out of the Darkness and approach them.]

Can we get a break here, or--?!

[He deploys his fire magic again, and this time, it's more effective! Even so, he has to really turn the heat up, and since the monsters are taking their time going down and might just fly into him and Shang Qinghua, he summons several fire sword to cut them up in addition.]

Damn, these monsters straight from the Darkness are such a pain in the ass!

[They're defeatable alright, but it's going to drain his mana 3 x faster than regular monsters of a comparable type would!]

Do you want to keep chugging, or should we evacuate?
maru_kyutie: (No way.)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
[The world shifts, and the next thing they know, they're surrounded by snow. The next thing after that is Rise falling on her butt.]

Whoa, that was... really disorienting. I'll be back with you once the world's stopped spinning.