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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
everpromisedthunder: (Good.)

[personal profile] everpromisedthunder 2024-04-06 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
It makes the time I'm apart from her all the more lonely, but...

[She smiles again. The weariness seems to just evaporate from her, as she continues.]

I want to think it was worth all we went through. That even if she can't see my -- our home the way she used to, she still has a world she can watch over, to see as it thrives again.

And I want to think I'll be able to keep fighting to protect it as long as I can.
gentleglow: (pic#17074259)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's good to hear.

[At least she won't be left floundering. But... hm... is it too forward to ask...?]

Are you... staying somewhere nearby?
starwill: (pic#16701720)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
... I am. Did you want to take a look at what the apartment looks like?
gentleglow: (pic#17074272)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nods.]

If it's okay... I'd like to find somewhere close, if I can. I think the familiarity will help.

[But only if Stelle's okay with it. She knows this line they're walking is still fragile, and she doesn't want to damage it any further.]
starwill: (pic#17067394)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
That's fine with me.

[ She certainly doesn't have any issues with it herself, in any case. ]

I'd offer a tour, but Ellipsa's a big world compared to Penacony.
notdaddy: (SIIIGH)

[personal profile] notdaddy 2024-04-06 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Can you really call us "lovers" if we haven't done anything?

[ KEYWORDS. He'll ask that without really expecting too much of an answer; doubtless it'll be some nonsense that only makes sense to Tristan. If Luciel had to put a name to them, it would be something like...babysitter and babysit-ee?? ]
Edited 2024-04-06 20:01 (UTC)
gentleglow: (pic#17008577)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Is there anyplace in particular you like best?

[She dragged Stelle all over Golden Hour and showed her her secret spot. It's only fair to let Stelle do the same to her.]
starwill: (pic#17067383)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm... there is one place, but are you okay with randomized food?
gentleglow: (pic#17074270)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
R-Randomized...

[Even for someone who's spent as much time in the Dreamscape as she did, she looks... a bit baffled.]

As long as there's nothing dangerous there...!
starwill: (pic#17096409)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I think they'd have to shut down the place if it did... but the last time I went, I rolled the lowest tier item, so I want to see if I'll be luckier today.
gentleglow: (pic#17074270)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
... What was it?

[If it was just, like, instant ramen, that should be fine, right???]

Oh- but I can try to encourage better luck! Um... [There's a brief pause as she watches Stelle's expression. The tension broke for a moment, but... it won't get worse if she mentions the others, right?] Sometimes, Silver Wolf would pester me or Kafka or Blade to do her gacha rolls. She says it helps to switch up your rituals...?
datingsimp: (5.)

[personal profile] datingsimp 2024-04-06 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
But we're going to do a lot now that we have found a room! We can share the bed and do everything we wish. Our first night together.

[He's so excited!!!]
starwill: (pic#17067372)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
It was the tiniest piece of tofu. Dan Heng had to take me to an actual restaurant afterwards after seeing that.

[ Thankfully, she doesn't mind hearing about the others. ]

Maybe I should have a ritual...? But what kind of ritual would even work well for food?
Edited 2024-04-06 20:34 (UTC)
gentleglow: (pic#17074247)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
That just doesn't seem fair...

[But at least tofu isn't some kind of nightmare food, so.]

Maybe... if you ate something with a particular flavor earlier today, you'll have better luck if you tried to roll for something with a similar taste?
starwill: (pic#17096408)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmmm. Maybe... oh. I guess we could also buy some nice plates.
dontneedmemories: (Default)

[personal profile] dontneedmemories 2024-04-06 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds a little shady.

Yeah, actually
gentleglow: (pic#17008573)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that might work! Like tempting an animal closer with a really nice treat, right?
starwill: (pic#16701772)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Exactly like that. Although most food can't talk.

[ Actually-- ]

If food was able to eat, would that be considered cannibalism?
Edited 2024-04-06 21:50 (UTC)
gentleglow: (pic#17008579)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[W... Where did that come from...?]

I-I guess... it depends on what they eat? If a snake eats a lizard, that's not cannibalism, is it? Even though they're both reptiles?
starwill: (pic#17067383)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-06 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
. . . I think so?
captainfireball: (bitches say what)

Re: 2

[personal profile] captainfireball 2024-04-06 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe not a psychopath. A bit of a pyromaniac absolutely, but not quite a psychopath.

"I wasn't expecting museum tour guide, but I can't say that it ain't interesting. ...What's this about eating shadows, though? How does that even work?"
gentleglow: (pic#17008580)

[personal profile] gentleglow 2024-04-06 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
... If we're ever released from this world, maybe we should ask some of the floating foods in Golden Hour.

[Would food even have the same kind of views on cannibalism as humanoids do? Do they even need to eat? Would they eat peo- why is she thinking about this???

But maybe there are some things we just aren't meant to know...
ikissedaboyandlikedit: (It's old in here)

Re: City pt2

[personal profile] ikissedaboyandlikedit 2024-04-07 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
"I found a nasty robot lion when I first got here. Fought it off with a guy but got burned," He rolled up his sleeve to show his wrapped arm.

"I'm definitely not going out there alone. Just was hoping some other part was safe outside the city. Guess not. You got away from it alright. So that's good."
melodymania: (You gotta think.)

[personal profile] melodymania 2024-04-07 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Shady doesn't mean it's necessarily bad.

Well then. Good news. When this simulation ends, you may just return home. Easy as pie.
starwill: (pic#17067383)

[personal profile] starwill 2024-04-07 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
That'll be the first thing I do.

[ If she even gets back to the Golden Hour, that is. ]