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TEST DRIVE MEME #02
TEST DRIVE MEME
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
no subject
There's a pause, because Tim realizes immediately how casual he's talking about still being here in a day. He knows it's because Bart's settled presence demonstrates how long getting back to the correct 'verse could take, but Tim wasn't expecting to accept it so quickly.
"For Martha, I'm not going to stop you, but that one's not my permission to give."
no subject
Bart doesn't even think about it, absently shifting to put the chicken in Tim's arms. "See, Barbara's a total sweetheart. She already thinks you're awesome."
He doesn't really know what to say about all of this. "Is there anything else you want to go over? I mean, about this place?"
no subject
There was indeed, and Tim is trying to give the chicken space. Spooking a chicken on your lap seems like a good way to get chicken poo on your pants.
“And… I don’t know. Everything, in the end. Why don’t you start with what you think I should know, and we’ll build from there.”
no subject
"So, pet her. That's what she wants. She's not going to do anything bad. Well, there might be some bodily functions, but she's not going to want to sit in her mess any more than you want it on you," Bart said, then frowned, trying to think.
"So, there are these...confluences. And people show up randomly because of them. Or vanish. Apparently at one point they were largely under control, or at least predictable, but things have changed. And there's three factions. The two official ones, and the unaligned."
no subject
But he resumes petting the bird with one hand, the other hand bracing himself on the floor so he can lean back and get comfortable for what is going to be a long, intermingled briefing and Q&A session. “Three questions. Vanish - so this isn’t a permanent interdimensional transplant. Do natives from this universe also disappear during confluences? Two - has anyone explained why things changed? Three - how are the unaligned a faction? If they’re not aligned, they’re a series of people selecting the Other box.”
no subject
Which is partly why he doesn't trust the Alliance despite signing on. "As for the answers to your question, no, it's not necessarily permanent, but there's no way to actually get a ticket home that anyone has found. Not sure if natives vanish, though it wouldn't surprise me that if that's the case, they're keeping it quiet. Folks have enough things to get riled up about.
"And that is definitely a big question. Good luck getting a straight answer about anything having to do with the Confluences and the promises they've made to get everyone home. I am doing my best to play a low-tier guy with useful skills, but too flighty for anything serious. Like one of my Scouts. Actually, sometimes I sent one to the Alliance stuff just so I can put off being bored until I absorb the memories.
"And there's some elements of the unaligned that have organized, just not to the same level or with government involvement. This place is one of the perks of Guild membership. Although it's not meant to be just me here."
no subject
It doesn’t mean Tim wouldn’t trust them, but it’d be more on Bart’s endorsement. “And… okay, so they’re not forthcoming to the people they want to join them. How do they treat the ones who ask these kinds of questions, long-term? I kept my head down during the sales pitch.”
So no judgment on playing up the ditziness. It’s the smart move that has Tim nodding along.
Until.
“This is theirs?” His hand sort of hiccups on the petting motion, but his voice stays the same level of mildly inquisitive.
no subject
"I, uh, already told him my Robin is here, texted as soon as I realized. He's heard stories from me and Kon. Don't worry, we were always careful about anyone who wasn't there. Identities that aren't yours to spill..."
He leaves it there. Then looks at Tim's reaction.
"I decided to sign up because someone needed to see if the story changed when folks were inside the clubhouse, so to speak. Given the choice between being a legitimate guy people can see doing things and having to skulk in the shadows, I'd prefer the light. It's just...me. That doesn't mean I agree with the whole deal or won't speak up. If I have to sever ties, I will. But right now, I'm not entirely above seeing just how the perks go. Besides, you know how my memory is."
So far the stories are consistent. But that just means they have the publicity side handled. They've all seen this kind of thing too often to really trust appearances.
"It's clean. I sweep pretty regularly, and, well, remember that technopath? He'd be able to know if there were any new devices."
no subject
(No, but seriously vetting new Bart friends because Bart’s not suspicious enough and needs protecting.)
“Okay,” Tim says slowly after listening and tearing his eyes away from the walls. If there’s anything here, he’s already compromised. He would watch what he says about the guilds, but Bart isn’t holding back. “He gets to meet Robin, then. Maybe even in the light, if it won’t get me in trouble for unlicensed mask usage.”
He would’ve like to choose how he met this person after finding out more about him, but what’s done is done. Bart couldn’t have know that Tim would stroll in 15 months late with Starbucks. “The shadows aren’t so bad, you know, and I’m good at skulking. I won’t tell you what to do, though. I don’t even know what I’m doing except agreeing with your friend: money doesn’t grow on trees.”
no subject
Which isn't a new thing for any of them. "I guess we'll figure something out. I know there's a lot to take in. But he's...well, he has been a really good friend. And he knows what it's like to be both a teenaged hero and how to deal with the aftermath of that kind of life. Maybe we could start with a video chat or something."
no subject
But those problems for home, not here. And maybe not problems for Bart, until Tim has them all worked out. If he still can’t articulate what’s missing, then he can’t expect anyone else to solve it.
“Video chat sounds good.” They have to start somewhere. You can record a video chat, but you can plant cameras and record in person too. There has to be some leeway granted.
There’s one thing that stands out, though, and Tim almost doesn’t want to ask. He should leave well enough alone, but. It’s right there. “Why would you need to know about the aftermath of that kind of life?”
Aftermaths are for retired heroes.
no subject
"Anyway, when you guys decide to actually share things, I'm sure Prodigy will give you some of his stories. Or even about the people from his world that are hear. There's more of them than our end of the multiverse."
no subject
“I thought you were thinking about hanging up the tights,” he explains. He doesn’t even try to argue Bart’s stance, just admits the mistake and pushes past the implications of why Bart wants to know what comes next. Tim has less right to be afraid of that; this is where he needs to just listen. “Do we have to share things? I’m not good at sharing…”