metamods: (Default)
meta moderators ([personal profile] metamods) wrote in [community profile] metamemes2022-03-04 04:33 pm
Entry tags:

TEST DRIVE MEME #02




TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to [community profile] metaheroes! As the game is invite-only, please bear in mind that new players must have an invitation from a current player to apply. Interested players who do not know anyone in the game can reach out to the mod team HERE to request an invite for the March app round. These invitations will be processed the day before reserves open. However, no invitation is necessary to play on the this test drive.

Threads from this post can be made game canon if players agree upon it. To facilitate this, this log has no new arrival prompt. Please see the PREVIOUS CONFLUENCES for general ideas as to how characters may have arrived. New characters will be arriving with the March 27th arrival log.

For players who do not want to thread out an arrival, they may backdate their characters' arrival to a previous Confluence. These characters were not picked up by the transportation spell used by the Alliance. These characters will have been living on their own for the last few months, so please address this in the 'Brainstorming' section of the application.


01. METASTRAVAGANZA — everywhere.
Things haven't been the same since Confluences started again. The last two months have been more exciting than the last twenty years! The skies are full of new heroes, the day is saved and threatened by unfamiliar faces, the media is having a field day trying to report on every single new face while companies try to snag them for brand deals.

But not everything in this world centers around costumed combat. Today is a perfectly normal day and you're tasked with the most dangerous mission of all - leading an every day life. Maybe you go to a perfectly normal job to maintain your secret identity - or maybe you've already abandoned that, living full time as your metahuman self.

The sun is shining, and even in the early hours of the morning, parties in the DOWNTOWN STREETS of those CITIES STRUCK BY THE RECENT CONFLUENCES are disrupting the reconstruction efforts that have gotten well underway. These parties celebrate meta efforts to save the day! The streets are full of booths selling food and hastily made knock-off toys of the newest heroes who haven't yet put a copyright on their costume.

But not everyone looks so thrilled about this celebration. Many people look disgusted at this celebration of metahumans interrupting their commute to work, muttering under their breath about what a pain in the ass metahumans are and how much destruction they've wrought in these few short months.

Meanwhile, school-aged metas board the bus to LOFTY HEIGHTS META SCHOOL, hidden somewhere in the sky. There, in-between learning about grammar and punctuation, they are trained to use their new abilities ... Notably, when powers training arrives, the new arrivals outshine the metas native to this world. Very few seem to have any powers on par with the new comers.

Later in the day, the Student Council holds an assembly dedicated to the responsible use of powers. They award any students who have helped save the day with accolades — as well as detention for skipping class to help out as an unlicensed hero. Whoops!

Maybe you should just skip today.


02. SEEDY UNDERBELLY — central city.
Central City is a hard place to live. The city is in almost constant peril, with constant power vacuums in organized crime and city government being filled by worse and worse people. Despite having the Guardian Alliance stationed at its center and doing their best to uplift the people and their citizens, the city suffers from a corruption so deep that it seems to be baked into the very concrete.

The Alliance does what it can to make the city a better place but it's a bandaid over a bigger wound. Because the nigh constant metahuman-centered destruction is the source of so many of Central City's problems - meta organizations are often the last resort for its people. Still, the Alliance makes sure to keep heroes on hand to punch muggers as well as run soup kitchens. Their healers provide healing free of charge, and many of their psychics are trained therapists who use their powers to soothe the citizens' many traumas.

But the real power in the city is held by people like FRANK KAFKA, a crime lord with a finger in every pie. Both guilds leave Kafka to his own devices because he officially possesses no metahuman abilities and he avoids any dealings with them. Tonight, his goons are running their favorite extortion scheme with a twist. A group of them marches through a run-down street, shaking down vulnerable families and businesses for protection money. If an individual resists, the gang threatens to bring the spectre of newly created metahumans down upon their head. Though Kafka himself is not present, his goons will give up his location under enough pressure.


03. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM — excelsior.
With how often the city is destroyed, one wouldn't expect the MUSEUM OF EXCELSIOR to get much in the way of priceless artifacts, but the museum's basement vault is one of the most well guarded facilities in all the country. Practically impenetrable, it stores every conceivable relic of value. But today, thanks to some villainous meddling, there's a lapse in their security that aligns perfectly with the planned time for the changeover of an art exhibit, affording some enterprising thieves a chance at millions of dollars in priceless artwork.

Heroes affiliated with the Guardian Alliance are asked to patrol and keep these relics safe, while the members of the Society of Villainous Reformation are called upon to pay favors forward by getting in their way. As the untested new kids on the block, player characters draw the short straw and are sent in pairs to complete their task, regardless of whether it's to steal these artifacts or guard them.

Villains, now's the chance to get rich quick! Heroes, protect these treasures from falling into the wrong hands!


04. DINOTOPIA — excelsior.
Confluences are back.

And that means new unaffiliated supervillains are running rampant in the streets, causing the kind of directionless, clumsy chaos that the Guild typically frowns at. A little mischief is good if it serves as distraction for a heist, but this is...

Well...

This a very large velociraptor with human arms standing in the middle of Excelsior. If anyone asks, he calls himself DINO DAN. But why would you ask when he's busy transforming people into dinosaurs - or partially into dinosaurs - using his aptly named Dino-Ray? The people of Excelsior are used to a lot of chaotic shenanigans, but this is a little much even for them. The newly transformed dinosaur-people are losing themselves to their instincts and charging at bystanders. Of those that retain (or regain) their senses, some appear strangely delighted to have this new experience, while others wail in horror at their lost humanity.

As heroes line up to stop him, he'll tell anyone who listens about his displaced rage and the revenge he seeks on an unfair world that let him turn himself into a dinosaur. Not surprising, out of an Excelsior local. However, confronted by metas who can stop him, Dino Dan hooks the Dino-Ray on his belt and grabs a second ray-gun. Anyone he shoots with this one disappears with a comical POP!

Those unfortunate enough to be hit by this ray will find themselves standing in a land before time, right beside a research station. Those clever enough to pull out their cell phones will notice that they still have reception, and rule out time travel.

In addition to clippings of ancient and extinct plants, characters who venture inside will find a half dozen prehistoric humans have apparently been displaced through time and held captive in Dino Dan's remote island research station. If that wasn't obvious enough, his research notes suggest the use of time travel — though like all other dimensional travel, it stopped working in January.

Characters may trigger a trap in the research station and find themselves also temporarily transformed into reptiles, or they may take it upon themselves to rescue the poor folks this mesozoic maniac has been holding hostage! Whatever the plan: if he's causing havoc in the city, that has to mean there's there's a teleporter in his lab to get back. But there's no shortage of Guard T-Rexes blocking the path.
dothelokimotion: (Illegal to consider their existence)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2022-03-07 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ sounds fake. he shrugs. ]

I don't particularly care about bad guys or good guys. I'm simply here to see what they're taking.
dothelokimotion: (We are not history yet)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2022-03-07 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki makes a face at that. ]

Doubtful.
skagzz: (i will eat ur face)

[personal profile] skagzz 2022-03-07 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ she shouts at the nearest person now clad in green and gold. ]

HEY I NEED YOU TO SETTLE A CORDIAL DISAGREEMENT WITH THIS VAMPIRE MAN. WOULD YOU HAVE PREFERRED PINK?

[ She points at Loki. ]
skagzz: (mahhvelous)

[personal profile] skagzz 2022-03-07 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
Embrace your talents! Teach the next generation!

[ The child is still crying. Tina grins at him. ]

You have had a great blessing bestowed upon you, tiny one. Speak of this day for ages to come!

[ The parents definitely shoos the child away from the two of them. ]
azulescarabajo: ([BB] Oh I see)

Jaime Reyes (Blue Beetle) | DC Comics

[personal profile] azulescarabajo 2022-03-07 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
i. Metastravaganza

[ Okay, Jaime has only been here a little while but the people here clearly love their superheroes. It reminds him of home, sort of. Though at home there's a lot more unlicensed merch with his face on it, especially in Texas. Here, though... nothing super familiar, yet. No Blue Beetle gracing the side of the local taco truck, no Superman t-shirts or Batman mugs. It's all unfamiliar. He's not sure how to feel about it. He pauses to pick up an action figure, turn it over in his hands as if he's considering buying it. ]

This is so weird.

[ Muttered half to Khaji Da, half to himself. Half to whoever's standing next to him. ]

What's this guy's name again? Professor Strange?


ii. Night at the Museum

[ Not that Jaime isn't thrilled to be able to keep doing the hero thing here, but he'd rather be back home with his family, focused on his turf in El Paso. Instead he's here, in this world that is familiar-yet-not, hijacked into... what, the art patrol? It's kind of hard to put a lot of effort into it when he's so focused on fretting about his parents, little sister, and whatever else might be happening at home. Actually, he's fretting enough that Khaji Da has to call his attention to whoever his partner is and what they're saying to him. Blue Beetle blinks and turns his armored face towards them. ]

Uh, sorry. I was spaced out. What'd you say?

Wildcard

[ Up for whatever! ]
arrowsguy: (t0WJzQ8)

[personal profile] arrowsguy 2022-03-07 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
One of her...twins.

[ Clint says it slowly like he's giving the words time to process. He hasn't really heard from Wanda in awhile, not after everything that happened and that's on him. He really does need to be better at reaching out but he doesn't remember her considering kids the last time they'd talked. ]

I know her. I've known her for a few years but I definitely think I haven't been under a rock long enough to miss her having a kid. So, this has to be some weird universe thing. Unless I am just really...losing it.
wordiness: (012)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-07 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
No, it's definitely an alternate dimension thing. You look a lot like the Clint I know, but not.. exactly.

[ he nods toward a seating area off to the side of some of the booths. ]

--Did you want to sit down? I can get us some coffee, you look like you could use it.
expositus: (jj15137841)

[personal profile] expositus 2022-03-07 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ they make a good pair; jess also has no interest in being polite. she may feel a little more inclined to be sympathetic towards someone who's been pulled into this situation than someone who's done the pulling, but only barely. the accent suggests that she's from somewhere like earth, which makes her feel marginally better than if she were one of those people trying to recruit newcomers into their guild.

the woman still clearly has some experience, either with cat burglary or with heroism (or both, for all she knows), and jessica observes her movements and gear with mild interest. she, in contrast, waits until the window's already unlatched before stepping up to join her on the ledge, peering into the room below them. ]


It's not really flying. [ more like controlled falling. ] But I can probably get us down, if that's what you're worried about.
thecoolerloki: (03.)

[personal profile] thecoolerloki 2022-03-07 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Give him a moment, he has to eat the bacon first. Loki truly looks like he's in Heven as he does, though. The only thing better than this would be bacon milkshakes.]

Before we met. [he says through another mouthful of bacon.] The year was 2012 on Midgard when I left it. I've already been informed of what happens... after.
thecoolerloki: (02.)

[personal profile] thecoolerloki 2022-03-07 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
The people of Midgard are more open to change, at least compared to Asgard. Which is not saying much, but even so. Though neither is particularly fond of me, Midgard has milkshakes and Starkphones. And memes.

[Speaking of milkshakes:]

You've yet to tell me where we're headed.
iboughtaplant: (Default)

Re: Parker | Leverage

[personal profile] iboughtaplant 2022-03-07 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
Parker can't help a smile at the physicality of the woman. Audacity is a useful trait, after all. Still, she has to intervene because she'd managed already to lift the card that was only one of the things she'd seen that drew her attention.

"He doesn't have it," she said, holding out the tray with the keycard prominently on it to her, well out of the would-be thief's reach. "You'd think with this much money at stake, they could find somebody good."

It hurts her professional pride a little to see the idiots crawling out of the woodwork. Just the kind of thing one might use as cover, but so far she hasn't caught a whiff of anyone competent. And she would. She's Parker.
thecoolerloki: (08.)

[personal profile] thecoolerloki 2022-03-07 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
I let no one decide anything for me.

[And he's rather proud of that, being a Loki.]
drubs: (DL_27)

gilgamesh | the eternals

[personal profile] drubs 2022-03-07 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
metastravaganza

[there's a clearly counterfeit action figure of a superhero called 'super toughman' standing next to the 'pick ups' sign of the strongman's pie's booth. the booth, manned by one man who looks nothing like the action figure he's showing off, is selling a variety of pies decorated and named after a variety of the town's new superheroes.

gilgamesh has spent a long time living away from the hustle and bustle of cities, but since the confluence that brought him there has been taking liberties to explore this world. he hopes he can find other eternals here, but so far he's come up short. which means stress, which leads to more baking.

so in his attempt to relief his worries and integrate himself into his new home, gilgamesh has opened a bakery. one with the same name as his booth.]
What can I get ya? [he asks whoever is in the front of the line, hands on his hips as he mans the register, pie cutting and distributing. he's a one man show today.] Blueberry's the best, if you haven't tried anything. That's the Captain Red, White and Blue themed one. [HAH! did he rename all the pies after the knock offs sold in the booth a little ways over? maybe!] The Red Dancing Lady Rhubarb is a close second.

dinotopia — excelsior

[fighting dinosaurs isn't exactly new or original, in gil's book. he's had plenty of experience fighting monsters larger than the human-turned-dinosaurs. he has experience coming to new worlds he doesn't remember, but the comical 'POP' that sends him back to a world that looks older than mesopotemia is new.

he turns to look around, arm still raised as if he's about to punch someone and glowing with gold energy. then he lowers his arm, shakes his head as he orients himself.]
What the hell?

[dinosaurs and humans didn't exist at the same time and the deviants didn't look like that. he shakes his head, a little tired as he rubs is lower back. clearly, he's not worried when suddenly there's a dinosaur running his way. anyone close by will witness him slowly wind back his arm, then get a velociraptor in the nose with his arm. it screeches, flying back into the foliage from the force.] And stay down. [gil calls out to it, before calling out.] Ah, what's all this now?
siracha: (HEEpisode501333)

metastravaganza — ;

[personal profile] siracha 2022-03-07 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
You look terrible.

[ Yelena is just finishing up her own street-food, perched on a street-side curb — with extra hot-sauce, of course, thank you very much — when she makes her rather unnecessary commentary in Clint's direction. Has she been watching him hobble around past a series of booths, desperately looking for whatever it is he's looking for?

Maybe.

Was she ever going to step in and help?

She's still thinking about it. Look, things are still a bit weird after she'd left him on the ice rink at the Rockefeller.

She gets to her feet and crumples up the wrapper of her now finished hot dog. ]


The food might help.
drubs: (DL_84)

dinotopia

[personal profile] drubs 2022-03-07 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[gil's used to deviants and giant monsters, but the whole popping into new dimensions thing is new. he really wishes this wasn't the second time it'd happened recently, since the last confluence.

he's wearing his battle armour, green and gold, dressed for battle because 'the forgotten one' had come to excelsior to save the day! or at least help, before he'd ended up somewhere that looked closer to the mesopotamia he'd seen when arriving on earth than the bustling city of moments ago.]
Ah, no one has to be bait. [he waves his hand, shaking his head at the young woman who spoke beside him.] This looks more like a knock-off, Raptor Island, than Jurassic Park. Hah.

[someone still has his humor about him.] That means the way out is probably that way. [gil points in the direction of an overgrown path, at the entrance of which there's a giant 'DO NOT ENTER' sign.]
interloping: (061)

metastravaganza — ;

[personal profile] interloping 2022-03-07 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
You got anything red, blue, and web-themed?

[ It is a truth universally acknowledged that Spider-Man loves pie. Well, he loves hot dogs, but pie — pie is a solid third place for favourite food. After burritos. Look, hot dogs and burritos make the best 3AM-patrolling-on-a-rooftop food; he doesn't make the rules.

But he's looking at the big guy's pie booth with equal amounts of curiousity and admiration and he's got ... you know, questions! ]


You make all these yourself?
erosh: (03.)

[personal profile] erosh 2022-03-07 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
[ He may not like it. Selina has a good heart, and also guards it well. And these goons might have it coming, anyhow. ]

[ Clark turns his head, just to listen out for them, and points. She's right. Straight line. ]
drubs: (DL_42)

[personal profile] drubs 2022-03-07 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Ha-- That'd be the cherry. [gil points at the board behind him, which lists out all the flavours he's offering.

there is indeed a cherry pie that that's latticed in a way that looks like a spider web drawn on there. and, someone's in luck, because there's just two slices left.]
One or two slice? [this young guy looks like a two slice sort of pie guy.

gil looks proud at the question, nods.]
I do. I get up every morning to make them. Pie making's an art, you know. Good for the soul. [so is brewing different types of beers, but he's not offering that to just anyone.]
interloping: (069)

[personal profile] interloping 2022-03-07 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
Well, what do you know about superhero origin stories?

[ Huh.

He'd argue that he's always been a pretty open-book kinda guy, even with the mask on. Sure, his identity's a secret, but everything else? It always feels like his story, his exploits, his victories and his losses — they're always on full display.

Maybe that's just a thing in his world, but even here he's met more people who know him than those who don't. ]
dothelokimotion: (Fear is a reasonable response to life)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2022-03-07 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
Then you have nothing to worry about, do you?
dothelokimotion: (Changing the story about you)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2022-03-07 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ some people in the crowd turn to face him. loki isn't perturbed though, carefully hiding himself with another double that runs off in another direction, leaving the crowd to chase after that instead.

he frowns at her. ]


You're making this less cordial by the minute.
exasperation: (225)

[personal profile] exasperation 2022-03-07 07:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ the parents finally decide it's not worth it and they vanish into the crowd while ripley loudly hisses at her. ]

No, no, no! Not happening.
itsbetter: (I'm Free)

[personal profile] itsbetter 2022-03-07 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Selina rolls her eyes. Amateur hour, here. ]

They're shaking down the neighborhood, using "metas" as an excuse.

[ An easy explanation, when he could just listen in. He doesn't DO that, though, for reasons that frustrate her to no end but also endear him to her, make it so she doesn't have to worry about any latent world-domination ambitions. It's hard to stay frustrated at someone so relentlessly determined to be good when they've proved that it is no small sacrifice. ]

I want to figure out why that's working so well. And I want to know what else they've got their hands into.

[ So she can steal it. ]
Edited 2022-03-07 14:57 (UTC)
erosh: (10.)

[personal profile] erosh 2022-03-07 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yes, he could just eavesdrop but a) special circumstances only, and b) there's always a bent to Selina's words. Something he's learnt to listen for, and no, he doesn't need special powers for that. ]

So they can't keep exploiting people. Got it. I'll come with you.

[ Which is just that. I'll come with you. One more step beyond that would be I'll act on the situation with you but that's no guarantee of alignment nor will Clark ask it of her. ]
itsbetter: (Neutral | Stare)

[personal profile] itsbetter 2022-03-07 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...oh no, why. Undisguised exasperation flickers across her face.

Actually -- wait, let's check something. Her gaze flicks up and down him in brief but thorough assessment. ]


Are you still -- working like you?