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
goeswest: (five elements mountain - buddha palm)

Xuanzang Sanzang | Fate/Grand Order | VISITOR

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-14 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[city]
Is this this year's White Day Rayshift?

[An interestingly-dressed woman is wandering the city and talking to herself out loud. A glowing mark around her arm indicates that she's data - though the golden color and curled shape of it might be familiar, if it were around someone's head instead.]

I did always want to go to the moon. ...And if you think about it, the moon's kind of west, at least some of the time!

-But I don't want to be by myself! Isn't there anyone here who can guide a lost monk on her way?

[segments]
Reflect upon your misdeeds and repent!

[Sanzang punches a monster so hard that it explodes. That's the prompt, I don't know what else you want from me.]

[wildcard]
[this is the first time I've RPed her so yolo]
goeswest: (Default)

Xuanzang Sanzang | Fate/Grand Order

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-14 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
gemuinemanagement: (of indignation)

Suga Koutarou | Forest of Drizzling Rain (Imeeji CRAU) | VISITOR

[personal profile] gemuinemanagement 2024-03-14 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[A fancily-dressed young man is wandering the city. A glowing blue mark is visible encircling his neck.

Upon spotting you (unless you're someone he already knows), a telepathic message comes your way.]


Excuse me, but is this Hell?
gemuinemanagement: (Default)

Suga Koutarou | Forest of Drizzling Rain (Imeeji CRAU)

[personal profile] gemuinemanagement 2024-03-14 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
willfilled: (welcome to the storm‚ I am thunder)

a knight | Hollow Knight (Serpentine Horizon CRAU) | Visitor (for now?)

[personal profile] willfilled 2024-03-14 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
city

[ who thought giving the bug with impulse control issues the equivalent of an unlimited credit card was a good idea...

metaverse visitors may stumble upon a decent sized pile of assorted stuff from Riki's Rewards with horns sticking out of it. after a moment, it stirs, and the knight sticks their head out, grasping a Wishing Dandelion victoriously— only to spend a long moment staring at it.

how are you supposed to blow the seeds if you don't have a mouth... ]


segments

[ here is someone having an absolute blast shredding their way through just about any monster they can find— they're a whirlwind of blade and shadow, largely relying on spells made of void but also occasionally flinging arcs of glowing icicle missiles and flashbangs in the shape of dazzling stars.

a leap into the air has their cloak first sprouting into bright bug wings, then darkening and twisting into shadowy dragon ones as they hover. who's next— foe, or perhaps friend needing assistance? ]


wildcard?

[ come at me— they're going to be sticking their non-existent nose into anything they find interesting, so just about everything goes! their mark is a nail on the palm of their left hand. ]
houndofmanchester: (Default)

City

[personal profile] houndofmanchester 2024-03-14 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
For your first question, I'm afraid not.

[Barghest had noticed a familiar scent nearby, and decided to say hello to the monk.]

This isn't a Singularity, it's a full fledged alternate reality. Chaldea doesn't even know we're here.
Edited 2024-03-14 23:39 (UTC)
notdaddy: (oh what the heck)

Luciel | Original | VISITOR

[personal profile] notdaddy 2024-03-14 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I. Arrival - City
[ Well this sure is a place Luciel wasn't standing in a couple of seconds ago. He'd just been on his way back from the store--he's still got a shopping bag in each hand to prove it. Now he's...here. Wherever that is?? What the actual heck is going on here.

Also: why is there some sort of weird scribble on the back of his hand...? Luciel brings his arm up to get a better look, and it's at that moment that the bottom of one grocery bag tears and splits, dumping its contents all over the sidewalk.

Followed right by the other. Fresh produce is everywhere. ]


Oh come on...!

II. Segments
[ It's been a long, long, long time since Luciel fought a battle of any sort, and honestly? He's not all that keen on changing that. He is retired. He doesn't do this kind of thing anymore. If he had his say, he'd be back in the city, loafing the day away with a nap or drinking his 8000th cup of coffee.

But no. He's here, out in the middle of some weird...fake-but-not-quite world, trying his best to make sure no one gets an arm lopped off or anything. If he does see someone about to be in a bad way he'll be there in a flash, blocking the creature's blow with one pitch-black arm. ]


--You okay??

III. The Extra
[ Wherein sometimes...u just need to fall asleep.

in a public park.

on a bench.

with a newspaper on your face and six empty to-go cups of coffee strewn around the ground. ]
notdaddy: (Default)

Luciel | Original

[personal profile] notdaddy 2024-03-14 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
timeslip_up: (Why is this my life?)

Homura "Tamura" Akemi | Puella Magi Homura Tamura | Visitor

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-14 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Arrival

Alright, let's see what I'm dealing with this... time...

[Tamura scans the area around her. The area which is very much not the usual hospital, or even Mitakihara.]

Where the hell am I now?!

Segments

[Infinite access to Riki's Rewards means infinite ammo, something Tamura is very much taking advantage of. Monsters will suddenly find themselves surrounded by magic bullets on all sides, creating an inescapable dome of death.]

Horya! Who else wants some!

[She's maybe gone a bit mad with power.]
Edited 2024-03-14 23:58 (UTC)
timeslip_up: (Default)

Homura "Tamura" Akemi | Puella Magi Homura Tamura

[personal profile] timeslip_up 2024-03-14 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Sup
Edited 2024-03-14 23:57 (UTC)
goeswest: (bai long)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Really? Did we just disappear suddenly? Ritsuka must be worried...

[As any good disciple would be!]
believe_in_destiny: (Default)

Pyrrha Nikos | RWBY | VISITOR

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
City

[This… this wasn’t the afterlife. Wasn’t Beacon, either. Pyrrha was certain she was at least dying but, now? Here she was, alive, whole… what was this place?

And then, there’s a shriek. Pyrrha turned around to see a girl faint from shock. The clothes was different, but the cape and scythe?]


Ruby?! Oh, no, I’m sorry!

Segments

[After getting an idea of what’s going on, Pyrrha needed to get her mind off of a few things. And that means that she was going exploring the segments…

And fighting the Darkness. It was like fighting Grimm, so this almost seemed like second nature of her.

Oh, she kinda wished she did something different, but… this felt nice.]
happydreamed: neutral (dass du zu mir kommst)

city

[personal profile] happydreamed 2024-03-15 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
Are you struggling with using that?

[sup it's your local dream saying hello-]
houndofmanchester: (A fine idea.)

[personal profile] houndofmanchester 2024-03-15 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure she would be, if we were ever even gone from her perspective. Time here is asynchronous with other worlds, when we return it will be to the very moment we left. I've actually been here a few months.
goeswest: (under the same sky)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! That's good... probably?

[It would be nice if Ritsuka missed her a little, but she can't expect that if she hasn't actually been gone.]

What have you been doing here?
notbornguilty: (I swear it here today)

City

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
Pyrrha!

[Incoming tactical Weiss! Or... she wouldbe incoming if Ruby hadn't fainted. As it is, she dashes in to catch her leader.]

It's really you...
believe_in_destiny: (Uniform)

Re: City

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Weiss?! It’s… I… oh, gosh…

[She’s going to run over to hug the both of them.]

You two are safe… thank goodness.
houndofmanchester: (Default)

[personal profile] houndofmanchester 2024-03-15 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
I've been assisting in this world's fight against a potential apocalypse scenario. The one we're in right now, actually. Technically this isn't the world itself, closer to one of Chaldea' simulation rooms. It was meant to see if we could undo the worst case scenario if we were at full power, but something's clearly gone wrong.
notbornguilty: (Are you even listening?!)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
I should be the one saying that to you! Last I knew, you... you had been dead for two years.
goeswest: (five elements mountain - buddha palm)

[personal profile] goeswest 2024-03-15 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
So that's why things are all computer-ish.

[Hard not to notice the glitch effects, even if Sanzang's computer literacy is pretty poor.]

If there's an apocalypse, then I've got to do my best! Even if it's only a simulated apocalypse?
believe_in_destiny: (Profile)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Two years?! That’s… oh, gosh… what’s happened?
houndofmanchester: (A fine idea.)

[personal profile] houndofmanchester 2024-03-15 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
The real thing is quite far from this level of progression, and getting farther. However, we seem to be trapped here, so it might as well be reality for us at the moment. Luckily, we still seem to be functioning at the predicted full power state.
notbornguilty: (I've been afraid)

[personal profile] notbornguilty 2024-03-15 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
You fought Cinder as a fully realized Maiden by yourself. You lost, and she... she shot you through the heart.

[She idly squeezes Ruby's hand as she tells Pyrrha how she died.]
believe_in_destiny: (Profile)

[personal profile] believe_in_destiny 2024-03-15 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
I… yes, I remember… I thought I could take her. I felt like I did and…

[Her heel stings just a bit as a reminder.]

I’m sorry. Both of you.