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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
notdaddy: (DADDY)

[personal profile] notdaddy 2024-04-04 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
That's absolutely, definitely dirt! It has rocks in it!
datingsimp: (3.)

[personal profile] datingsimp 2024-04-04 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm.

[He ignores his own advice, leans down to wipe away some dirt and gives it a lick.]

…But I thought I followed the recipe.
shatterdriven: (Strange...I'll have to look into this.)

Re: Research Center

[personal profile] shatterdriven 2024-04-04 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
It never hurt to be clear on that. MK seemed to be on top of things though, so that was good.

"That's pretty much what I've discovered as well. I noticed the glitches when the simulation launched and appeared near Blossomcrown," Nine explained. "I'm not sure why the man was trying to make deals, but I couldn't see anything that he could offer that was worth a trade, with him having been pulled here suddenly, so I didn't feel the need to ask. My main concern is that the program seems to be compromised for some reason."

If he was outside the simulation, he was confident he could help...but not from inside.
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (WTF sus?)

Re: City pt2

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-04-04 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean, you got time to think while you're here, at least," Paulo said with a nod. Then it faded as Dick explained about the darkness.

"Well that ain't fucking good. So I'm stuck in the city part? Great. I had wanted to go out and explore the other stuff. But if there are way more of those monsters and worse out there, I'm not touching it."
notdaddy: (SIIIGH)

[personal profile] notdaddy 2024-04-04 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
What recipe? Where did you find it?

[ What kind of recipe includes dirt as flour????? ]
noodleboi: (Monkey: Here comes the chaos)

Re: Darkness to the north of Cherry Blossom Parks

[personal profile] noodleboi 2024-04-04 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
dealtinthebar: (pic#17014005)

Re: Husk | Hazbin Hotel | Autumn

[personal profile] dealtinthebar 2024-04-04 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
The sudden glitching gave Husk enough pause that he stopped flapping, dropping hard but landing on his feet. It wasn't the same glitchiness that happened when Alastor was using his power, but it still sent a chill down his spine and he shivered, shaking it off.

"No kidding..."

He ran after Shadow, not wanting to lose the dark hedgehog.
roundandaround: Headtilt. (do what now)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-04-05 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
When you put it that way, I guess it makes more sense. Maybe it just means I need to try harder to understand people.
skyscrapes: cheyanne anthem | kansas (Default)

cw: talk of cannibalism yey

[personal profile] skyscrapes 2024-04-05 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Waking up."

It's a simple answer, for all the meaning it holds. Bertholdt knows he should be dead; he felt the pressure of teeth closing in on his body and then nothing at all, except the distinct knowledge he was watching the scene from the outside. He didn't get a chance to wonder at what the hell that meant before he woke up here.

Bertholdt's an observer; that's what he does. Observes and watches. As he does that, he knows that all he's learned about Eren needs to be re-evaluated in the face of this older (?) version of him. He's run into Jean, so he's not unfamiliar with the concept of people aging after he died.

He's used to the Eren that would go for the bite to his hand as soon as he could, a raging inferno. Not this detached, dead indifference, though he has no doubts he's digging those nails into his skin desperately.

Is he even the same as that young boy? Maybe that's what drives his next words. Eren's still the most dangerous person here, right now, in Bertholdt's opinion, and always will be. He just has to prove it.

"Did it make you feel like you won?" Dark green eyes are narrowed, calculating as he looks at Eren. "When you fed me to Armin."

No one has told him Armin was here and disappeared, yet, so he has no idea the hornet's nest he's kicking over.
Edited 2024-04-05 01:29 (UTC)
skyscrapes: cheyanne anthem | kansas (Default)

[personal profile] skyscrapes 2024-04-05 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
Bertholdt weighs his options, for a moment; thinks about lying to Jean. He really has no idea how he got here, though, and he suspects that'll be quickly evident. Jean already knows the truth about him; he has no reason to try to hide anything else.

"I don't know anything," he admits after an extended silence. "I ... arrived here and you're the first person I've encountered."

A non-aggression pact was hard to believe, but Jean didn't try to hurt him first thing so it must be some kind of true.
skyscrapes: (what have we become?)

[personal profile] skyscrapes 2024-04-05 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
Even before Reiner speaks, Bertholdt becomes aware of him. You don't grow up next to each other without learning specific things; the cadence of Reiner's walk, for one, the way he breathes when he moves fast or is startled. He knows so many things about Reiner.

He knows that even when Reiner forgets what he is, he touches Bert the same way. It's his eyes that give away what he does or does not know. It's why when he becomes aware that Reiner's staring he doesn't immediately look up. He doesn't want to be faced with his best friend, his everything, and see that he doesn't remember.

But those words -

Are you real?

- They have him finally lifting his gaze, forest green eyes gazing into gold. Reiner is here - all of him, for once, and he looks so broken and hopeful at the same time. He must be... after. He must be from after it happened, the way Jean was, and that's why he's taller.

Reiner, without Bertholdt. His heart aches.

The question is one he doesn't immediately answer, looking at Reiner because he's not sure himself. Is he just a simulation, the way others have been? He doesn't know if he should doubt what he is - and in the end, he settles on what to say.

"I feel real enough," He tells Reiner honestly, looking up at him for once.
Edited 2024-04-05 06:00 (UTC)
skyscrapes: (if heaven fell from above)

[personal profile] skyscrapes 2024-04-05 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Like some kind of shared dream." Bertholdt settles on describing the simulation as thus because it makes the most sense. It's not real, but things are happening and they're experiencing them and might even remember them when they wake up. It'd sound like nonsense, except Bertholdt was very much dead and now he isn't.

Maybe it's a dying fantasy.

"He told me about it," he admits. Where she won't look at his eyes, he's desperately trying to catch hers. He wants to hug her, to assure himself that she's whole and safe. He knows if he tried she'd put him on his ass in less than a second, so he has to settle on scattering his gaze over her. She doesn't look like she's been tortured - but would she? She'd heal any damage away with enough time and energy.

"... He didn't mention the really good food, though," Bertholdt says, and there's a small smile in the corner of his lips despite himself. "Annie, I'm - you're really okay? They said - Armin said they were torturing you."

He never found out any differently.
uncylion: (Move aside)

[personal profile] uncylion 2024-04-05 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't know. This creature shouldn't be this powerful. Something is possibly weakening us or strengthening it. We may need to retreat for now!" Azure unleashed more waves before he grabbed the monk and ran. He threw her over his shoulder.

"If I let anything happen to you, Wukong will never forgive me. We will need to find something we can use against this thing!"
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (What's going on?!)

Re: 1 - City

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-04-05 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
Paulo looked at the barrier and back out at the darkness.

"Then why the fuck aren't people like all out here together doing something about it?" He asked and hoped nothing else attacked them before they could get into the barrier.
noodleboi: (No CPU.)

Re: Research Center

[personal profile] noodleboi 2024-04-05 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
"So it's compromised? How?" Mk blinked and seemed a little confused. He could understand it some. He tapped his chin.

"So like a virus maybe?"
datingsimp: (5.)

[personal profile] datingsimp 2024-04-05 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
I learned it at the park! But it was for mud pies. Is that why?
shatterdriven: (Strange...I'll have to look into this.)

Re: Research Center

[personal profile] shatterdriven 2024-04-05 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Not unlikely," Nine agreed. "A virus, or the possibility that we've been hacked. Regardless, the fact that we weren't spawned at the designated point and outsiders to the world as a whole are being drawn in is no small problem. We also can't log out. I tried. So there's no telling what else isn't working as intended."
shatterdriven: (Did you even stop to think?!)

Re: 1 - City

[personal profile] shatterdriven 2024-04-05 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
"For a start, something has gone wrong. The volunteers were supposed to spawn at the Research Center, but there was some kind of glitch and I spawned outside of the barrier. It's likely the others did as well. Secondly, there's you appearing here with no information whatsoever. You may not be the only anomaly here."

Slippig into the barrier, Nine took a right and ducked into an empty drugstore, holding the door open for Paulo to join him.
dontneedmemories: (pic#16978925)

[personal profile] dontneedmemories 2024-04-05 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
That sounds very... fantastical...

There is no way to guard against it and simply go home to one's normal life?
starwill: (pic#17067360)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-05 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Stelle allows the hug to linger, not wanting to let go. Afraid to let go. Afraid that if she did, Firefly would somehow slip out of her arms and disappear to somewhere far, far away this time. Her hands are trembling and each word that comes out of her mouth is watery. ]

I-

[ Damn it. The words just won't come as the tears fall from her eyes, not even bothering to hold back her emotions, even if there's that part of her that says that she should hold back; after all, she's supposed to be strong, isn't she?

But...

What has she been able to protect, this whole time? Her hold on Firefly tightens. ]


Don't do that again. Next time you do... I'll be mad this time.
dereban: (pic#14189964)

[personal profile] dereban 2024-04-05 12:30 pm (UTC)(link)
...At least he is reasonable in that regard.
idkillforthat: (07. 🗡️ let my body count speak for me)

[personal profile] idkillforthat 2024-04-05 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's not her uncle, but she does have a little bit of him in her, even when not accounting for the Founder. Kenny likes to think there's more Uri than Rod in her features, mostly because Rod is a little fucking rat and Frieda is not. ]

[ That hand on him still makes his expression look... not quite softer, perhaps, but less severe at least. ]

[ And then he's draping his arms over the back of the bench, looking bored, and gesturing with his hands. ]


Naw, didn't see no briefing. Just popped up right here after kicking the bucket back home. Why, you gotta earn your keep in the afterlife too? Fuckin' figures.
idkillforthat: (12. 🗡️ fight for your life or die)

[personal profile] idkillforthat 2024-04-05 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hey, maybe it was some other tall, long-legged, hat-wearing psycho in that vision. He can't be sure, right? ]

Tch. As if ya would.

[ Kenny isn't interested in anybody encroaching on his fun, now that he actually gets to prove he's stronger than a Titan... er... esque creature, whatever. At least it seems the guy has the good sense to move along, so he doesn't wait for any more words and instead zips off toward the monsters again. ]

[ He may or may not be aware of the snowmobile running into some trouble over there... ]
urtitan: (Concerned)

[personal profile] urtitan 2024-04-05 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[Frieda didn't feel the usual energy transfer just now... well, it stands to reason that it wouldn't work in this virtual space. Realistic as everything may seem, their actual bodies are sleeping in the real world - or more than just sleeping, going by Kenny's words.]

So you died, too... I'm sorry.

[Granted, she hasn't died yet in her own timeline, but she knows that she will. Will Kenny be by her side? She doubts it. After all, why would she call him to her in anticipation of death for everyone on Paradis Island? Then again, she now knows that Marley will fail to eradicate the people of the Walls in their attack... will she remember what she learned here when she's sent home? Will she be able to steer things in a different direction - not so much for her sake as for that of the outside world? Well, that's for her to ruminate, not to dump on Kenny.]

This isn't the afterlife, though. It's another world.

[She's going to leave the whole VR thing aside for a moment. Being dumped in a strange new world would be enough to handle for anyone, especially if they come from the Walls!]
idkillforthat: (14. 🗡️ torture the enemy)

[personal profile] idkillforthat 2024-04-05 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Tch, yea? Should I check your eyeballs for ya?

[ He lets the chair drop back down, both his boots landing on the floor with surprising grace considering his size. That particular shade of stormy gray remains locked on Erwin's face as he cants his head slightly to the side. ]

Come t'think of it, ya look a lil' familiar yerself. Now, where've I seen that mug before? Circlin' down the drain, maybe?

[ He knows exactly where he's seen him, of course. On files and, at some point, probably wanted posters, perhaps even from a distance sometime. He knows exactly who you are, sir. In fact-- ]

Or was it, hold on, [ he snaps his fingers rudely, ] orchestratin' a royal pain in my ass?