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
shining_predestiny: (Default)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
Aimless wandering.

[She stands back up to face Rise.]

Unless you have a spot you want to check out.
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
Not really. So let's head in a random direction and see whatever we see! Oh, and don't worry about getting lost, Himiko's generating a map as we speak.
shining_predestiny: (J65)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Random direction…

[And she tosses her visor up into the air and lets it land to the left of them.]

Thataway!
roundandaround: Embarrassed. (oh was i not supposed to)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-25 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku coughs after eating half a plate of omurice in three seconds. She rubs her eyes with her arm.]

Eh? Sorry... I just get really hungry when I don't know what to do.
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
Alright, thataway we go!

[Rise enthusiastically jogs in the direction the visor landed, though she gives Nanohana a second to actually pick it back up.]
shining_predestiny: (J2)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[And Nanohana’s right behind her, scooping up her visor as she reaches it and dusting off bits of snow as she catches up.]
wrotetheworld: (oh shit)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-03-25 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
[It wasn't TF2, he absolutely didn't care whose base he ended up at as long as there weren't more monsters coming out of the shadows. And it wasn't even the real city anyway. Clutching the potion cans, he hissed at the way the motion moved something in his back. Yep, obviously something still not healed there.]

'sfine. I'm the one who asked you to go all lord of thunder on the thing.

[Rubber boots. He should start wearing rubber boots. Because holy fuck, he'd been- Shit.]

Well, I guess there are advantages to not really being mortal anymore, huh? Not- not dead this time.

[If there's just an edge of hysterics in that voice, who's to say? Because this? Was worse than seeing a roomba zapped!]
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
You know, this is nice. It doesn't snow much in Tokyo, so I didn't get to see it often back home. I only saw this much snow that time I went on tour through Hokkaido in the winter.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386950)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-25 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, Rinku…

[She’s gonna give her a big hug because, gosh, she has a big heart.]

You’re so sweet…
shining_predestiny: (J56)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Snow was always hit or miss. I was always on the go - if not idol work, then saving the world.
roundandaround: Pondering. (but is it though)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-25 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku hugs back automatically, even if she looks somewhat confused.]

I don't think what I'm doing is anything special, though. I just want to make everyone smile. Be happy and bring that happiness to you and everyone else in Ellipsa.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386950)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-25 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
I know, but that head of yours is trying to do everything at once. Slow down.
maru_kyutie: (Default)

[personal profile] maru_kyutie 2024-03-25 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
It did snow a bit when my group was busy saving the world, but we didn't get that much.

[Rise starts floating about an inch off the ground, just because she can.]
shining_predestiny: (Default)

[personal profile] shining_predestiny 2024-03-25 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
I used to see it as a sign of victory, because good things happened when it did. I don’t know what this’ll bring, though.
roundandaround: Chided. (uguu)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-25 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
Uuu... [She hugs tighter and slumps.] I guess I'm not really good at that either. The thinking part.
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-25 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
Sshhh…! You are perfectly fine. Hear me?
roundandaround: Worriedly playing with a straw. (you think?)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-25 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
[She snuggles and thinks about it, still attached to Amy.]

Okay. I'm trying really hard for all of this. ...You're a really nice person, Amy-chan.
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-25 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
I try to be, Rinku-Chan. I have a bit of a temper, but I know not to push it on other people.

[And that earns Rinku a kiss on the cheek.]

I’m looking out for my dear friends…
roundandaround: Shameless smile. (smile smile smile)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-25 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku pulls back just enough to kiss her back. The habit is starting to set, good job.]

I bet you're good at it. Making everyone smile. That's what I always mean by 「Happy Around!」 It's always important to me, but I feel here in Ellipsa like I'm still learning.
freedomfighterhammer: (pic#16386947)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-25 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
We’re all learning! We just have to keep going and not let anything get to us! We’ll make it through this!

[She giggles a bit]

And if you’re ever sad, I can kiss it away!

[And she playfully winks at her.]
roundandaround: Earnest. (we can do it!)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-03-25 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku rubs her face on Amy with a happy sound.]

You're so cute, Amy-chan... Hehe, maybe this is a good way to make other people smile here too! No one seems to really care too much here, huh?
freedomfighterhammer: (Default)

[personal profile] freedomfighterhammer 2024-03-25 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Amy giggles at that, then nods]

Nuh-uh! Not at all! I honestly think they like it.
hadaeemadatawila: (pic#15481161)

[personal profile] hadaeemadatawila 2024-03-25 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Noriaki Kakyoin takes a step back, his hand suddenly protectively (and is it... trembling) on his own chest, pale as ghost. His mouth twists in something that he hopes is a smile, but it changes into a grimace quickly.]

[His breathing... it's apparent that he's mastering composure by almost keeping it calm and steady]

[Homura is magical and so perhaps she can see. Some weird green humanoid glaring half-transparent creature appears next to Noriaki, embracing him very protectively and sending hostile aura - harmless, though, just a feeling, it's not attacjing- at the girl]

[Kakyoin meanwhile utters]
Very funny, Akemi-chan.
hadaeemadatawila: (pic#15435358)

Re: Carla Morir | Original Character | Visitor

[personal profile] hadaeemadatawila 2024-03-25 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Sorry, he's staring a little at tge cat ears]

Are you... alright, miss?

[Noriaki Kakyoin is seventeen years old, or perhaps a few days or months from being eighteen. He'll never be eighteen, but that's fine... honestly, fine...]

[Are the cat ears real? He almost wants to touch.]
timeslip_up: (it's fine)

1/2

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-25 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
Again, I don't know anything about this "Dio" person who is apparently a vampire. I got my magic when I made a contract with an alien called Kyubey, short for "Incubator." I can go back in time to a certain day once a certain day is nearly over, and in the time between I can stop time whenever I want. I have no idea how you sniffed that out just from me saying the word "time," but I've got to commend your instincts.

[That's when she notices how off-put he seems.]