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TEST DRIVE MEME #5
TEST DRIVE MEME
A Confluence, capitalized, is the converging of one or more supernatural forces.
Right on the heels of the near-apocalypse, the next Confluence comes right on schedule. Thin glowing cracks split the air like an eggshell, the aftershocks of August's great rifts. They seem normal - or at least, what has become normal over the past year. But since the world nearly ended last month, the people of this world have become far more jumpy. Maybe this isn't the kind of thing they should be getting used to.
Right on the heels of the near-apocalypse, the next Confluence comes right on schedule. Thin glowing cracks split the air like an eggshell, the aftershocks of August's great rifts. They seem normal - or at least, what has become normal over the past year. But since the world nearly ended last month, the people of this world have become far more jumpy. Maybe this isn't the kind of thing they should be getting used to.
A NOT-SO-WARM WELCOME. EXCELSIOR.
This shift in reality comes quickly and painlessly. One moment, you're going about your business in your own world; in the next, between blinks, you open your eyes to find yourself on AN UNFAMILIAR STREET.
The futuristic city you find yourself in appears to have been through some sort of DISASTER recently. Glass and strange metallic debris litters the streets, and the tall skyscrapers are pockmarked and even charred in some places. Despite all of that, nothing terrible appears to be happening right now; rather, there's an active CLEAN-UP EFFORT happening.
Despite this show of community spirit, it seems like a lot of the locals aren't too pleased to see you. People might glare, or even flee, when they see you emerge out of thin air. If you approach one of the groups to ask where you are, or what on earth just happened, it's possible that they'll grumble about "more freaking metas" and try to get rid of you.
You aren't the only personas non grata in the city. If you wander long enough, or are observant enough, you may catch sight of the odd flying car or robotic mechanism that isn't acting like the rest. The ROUGE AI who have survived this far are now in hiding, trying to avoid the destruction that's met the rest of their kin. Maybe you can work together? Or maybe they're even more hyped for the destruction of humanity now.
Eventually, you will be able to find some exhausted-seeming representatives of the (stretched very thin) Guilds, who will gather you up and take you back to their headquarters for orientation. And maybe your new robot friends, should you make any.
The futuristic city you find yourself in appears to have been through some sort of DISASTER recently. Glass and strange metallic debris litters the streets, and the tall skyscrapers are pockmarked and even charred in some places. Despite all of that, nothing terrible appears to be happening right now; rather, there's an active CLEAN-UP EFFORT happening.
Despite this show of community spirit, it seems like a lot of the locals aren't too pleased to see you. People might glare, or even flee, when they see you emerge out of thin air. If you approach one of the groups to ask where you are, or what on earth just happened, it's possible that they'll grumble about "more freaking metas" and try to get rid of you.
You aren't the only personas non grata in the city. If you wander long enough, or are observant enough, you may catch sight of the odd flying car or robotic mechanism that isn't acting like the rest. The ROUGE AI who have survived this far are now in hiding, trying to avoid the destruction that's met the rest of their kin. Maybe you can work together? Or maybe they're even more hyped for the destruction of humanity now.
Eventually, you will be able to find some exhausted-seeming representatives of the (stretched very thin) Guilds, who will gather you up and take you back to their headquarters for orientation. And maybe your new robot friends, should you make any.
DIADEM HOTEL
You're not going home anytime soon. Hopefully, the LUXURY HOTEL they've put you up in will ease that sting.
The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings just to sample. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.
There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlets that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing the highly anticipated THOROUGHBRED: HEART OF A CHAMPION movie, a biopic about the first animal-turned-metahuman superhero. It will make you laugh, cry, and determine that yes - a horse can play baseball.
CENTRAL CITY isn't exactly the nicest place in the world. Wander too far from the shopping district and you'll find yourselves thick into territory controlled by the local non-meta crime syndicate... but maybe that's where you want to be. Maybe you're here to see just what this world is dealing with. If you're going to be stuck here you might as well make yourself useful, right?
Or perhaps you're NOT the heroic type. Maybe this is simply scoping out the competition.
Regardless, it won't take long for TROUBLE to find you. Test out your new powers, do a little thieving, stop a few muggings - this is your time to use as you see fit.
The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings just to sample. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.
There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlets that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing the highly anticipated THOROUGHBRED: HEART OF A CHAMPION movie, a biopic about the first animal-turned-metahuman superhero. It will make you laugh, cry, and determine that yes - a horse can play baseball.
CENTRAL CITY isn't exactly the nicest place in the world. Wander too far from the shopping district and you'll find yourselves thick into territory controlled by the local non-meta crime syndicate... but maybe that's where you want to be. Maybe you're here to see just what this world is dealing with. If you're going to be stuck here you might as well make yourself useful, right?
Or perhaps you're NOT the heroic type. Maybe this is simply scoping out the competition.
Regardless, it won't take long for TROUBLE to find you. Test out your new powers, do a little thieving, stop a few muggings - this is your time to use as you see fit.
BITS AND BOBS. CENTRAL CITY, MICHIGAN
CENTRAL CITY is still seeing some strange after-effects from the recent interdimensional incident! Luckily, no people are appearing or disappearing anymore. Instead, it seems that INANIMATE OBJECTS are still being affected by minor dimensional rifts. Sometimes, things disappear; someone's bike may vanish from the bike rack where they left it, or you might find the furniture in your hotel room has suddenly gone missing.
Far more common, however, are items appearing from other worlds. Some of these are mundane: unusual brands of food or drink, or maybe clothes according to the fashion trends of another dimension. But a lot of them are stranger. Some are pieces of technology clearly not native to this dimension, such as small personal speeders or ADVANCED WEAPONS. Others may be MAGICAL, though if you aren't familiar with the item in question, you might just have to pick up the weird amulet to see what it does.
There's also the chance that something from your world has fallen through. A small trinket that you miss. Your favorite kind of soda, not available in this world. The keys to your car that you'll walk the city trying to find, clicking the unlock button until something responds.
This has never been the safest of cities. Interdimensional weapons are a problem in the wrong hands and those hands are quite ready to kill if you should find yourself holding them. It's a dangerous place to walk alone at night, even for some metas; the criminals here have long since gotten used to having to fight superpowered foes. Emboldened by the chaos the city descended into last month, there's been a rash of muggings and burglaries lately - and these are only made worse by the sudden availability of random, occasionally incredibly good gear.
You may run into bands of particularly ambitious thieves, using their newfound loot to rob banks or hold people up. You may also find these people losing control of these things they don't understand, causing magical or technological backlash. Either way - maybe you can find some good loot drops yourself to help out?
Far more common, however, are items appearing from other worlds. Some of these are mundane: unusual brands of food or drink, or maybe clothes according to the fashion trends of another dimension. But a lot of them are stranger. Some are pieces of technology clearly not native to this dimension, such as small personal speeders or ADVANCED WEAPONS. Others may be MAGICAL, though if you aren't familiar with the item in question, you might just have to pick up the weird amulet to see what it does.
There's also the chance that something from your world has fallen through. A small trinket that you miss. Your favorite kind of soda, not available in this world. The keys to your car that you'll walk the city trying to find, clicking the unlock button until something responds.
This has never been the safest of cities. Interdimensional weapons are a problem in the wrong hands and those hands are quite ready to kill if you should find yourself holding them. It's a dangerous place to walk alone at night, even for some metas; the criminals here have long since gotten used to having to fight superpowered foes. Emboldened by the chaos the city descended into last month, there's been a rash of muggings and burglaries lately - and these are only made worse by the sudden availability of random, occasionally incredibly good gear.
You may run into bands of particularly ambitious thieves, using their newfound loot to rob banks or hold people up. You may also find these people losing control of these things they don't understand, causing magical or technological backlash. Either way - maybe you can find some good loot drops yourself to help out?
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. SUNSET FALLS, MASSACHUSETS.
There's a DEMON in Sunset Falls. Which isn't at all a surprise - there's always a demon in Sunset Falls.
Yet this one is special. The first extra-dimensional visitor since the universe was restored to its rightful place in the wider multiverse. Attracted to the power of the Hellmouth and the lingering magic of the Willow Maiden thick in the air, a Wish Demon known as Charles has settled within the city. New arrivals will find themselves met by a friendly stranger who is oh so hungry for the energy they're radiating, their connection to this world fresh and begging to be harvested.
I can grant your hearts desire, he says. And you needn't answer him. The thought that pops into your head is precisely what he sets about giving to you... though of course, it's not exactly what you want. The demon derives his power from the misery and despair left when hope breaks. Wish to return home and you'll find yourself in an illusionary world where everything has gone wrong. Your body will remain on the ground, and all those who touch you will be transported to this nightmare.
Wish for the object of your desires to return your affections, and you'll find them suddenly obsessed with you. Either compelled to look like you, or desperate to be with you.
Wish to be the most powerful or skilled at something, and find all those around you suddenly weaker while your strength remains unchanged.
All in all, the demon thinks himself untouchable. There's no real sign that he's done anything. No contract made or signed. He's simply granting unspoken wishes. The beings of this realm don't appear to be very powerful or intelligent and so he leaves himself unguarded. Perhaps you'll rearrange his smug little face to free you and the others he's trapped from their curse.
Yet this one is special. The first extra-dimensional visitor since the universe was restored to its rightful place in the wider multiverse. Attracted to the power of the Hellmouth and the lingering magic of the Willow Maiden thick in the air, a Wish Demon known as Charles has settled within the city. New arrivals will find themselves met by a friendly stranger who is oh so hungry for the energy they're radiating, their connection to this world fresh and begging to be harvested.
I can grant your hearts desire, he says. And you needn't answer him. The thought that pops into your head is precisely what he sets about giving to you... though of course, it's not exactly what you want. The demon derives his power from the misery and despair left when hope breaks. Wish to return home and you'll find yourself in an illusionary world where everything has gone wrong. Your body will remain on the ground, and all those who touch you will be transported to this nightmare.
Wish for the object of your desires to return your affections, and you'll find them suddenly obsessed with you. Either compelled to look like you, or desperate to be with you.
Wish to be the most powerful or skilled at something, and find all those around you suddenly weaker while your strength remains unchanged.
All in all, the demon thinks himself untouchable. There's no real sign that he's done anything. No contract made or signed. He's simply granting unspoken wishes. The beings of this realm don't appear to be very powerful or intelligent and so he leaves himself unguarded. Perhaps you'll rearrange his smug little face to free you and the others he's trapped from their curse.
I DREAM A DREAM SO PRETTY. EVERYWHERE.
The Dreamers of the Willow Maiden are one of the better known cults in the world, though calling it a cult feels a little... extreme. They're harmless and sweet, offering guidance on getting the best night's sleep possible. They believe that to be well-rested and happily dreaming is to be close to the divine.
As such, they've provided a generous donation to the Diadem Hotel. Pillows.
Laying your head upon one of their enchanted pillows will allow you to fall into a deep and restful sleep. And in this sleep, you will find yourself having the most vivid dreams.
Perhaps you dream of something mundane. You go through your morning routine as normal, unaware that the words you're reading are scrambled and the clock won't tell you true time. You see nothing strange about the people around you being more concept than human. Perhaps you're the kind to dream yourself late to work, rushing to the office and not realizing until you've arrived that you've forgotten your clothes. Others blink and find themselves cast as classmates, or coworkers.
Or perhaps your mind is more given to the fantastical. You're recreating the plot of a movie you just watched, yourself as either the hero or the villain. Or the side character that's suddenly thrust into greatness. Do you fall into the fantasy of it, believing yourself to be someone else? Or are you lucid, controlling everything within the dream?
There's also the chance for a nightmare. One that twists out of your control, growing on every anxious fear. There are the regular ones - the ones that involve teeth, or falling, drowning, anxiety driven things that have you waking just before you meet your untimely end... only these dreams are so solid, so deep, that you need someone to reach out a hand and remind you that this isn't real. That you're safe back in your bed.
Whatever your dream, you'll wake rested and feeling surprisingly...loved.
As such, they've provided a generous donation to the Diadem Hotel. Pillows.
Laying your head upon one of their enchanted pillows will allow you to fall into a deep and restful sleep. And in this sleep, you will find yourself having the most vivid dreams.
Perhaps you dream of something mundane. You go through your morning routine as normal, unaware that the words you're reading are scrambled and the clock won't tell you true time. You see nothing strange about the people around you being more concept than human. Perhaps you're the kind to dream yourself late to work, rushing to the office and not realizing until you've arrived that you've forgotten your clothes. Others blink and find themselves cast as classmates, or coworkers.
Or perhaps your mind is more given to the fantastical. You're recreating the plot of a movie you just watched, yourself as either the hero or the villain. Or the side character that's suddenly thrust into greatness. Do you fall into the fantasy of it, believing yourself to be someone else? Or are you lucid, controlling everything within the dream?
There's also the chance for a nightmare. One that twists out of your control, growing on every anxious fear. There are the regular ones - the ones that involve teeth, or falling, drowning, anxiety driven things that have you waking just before you meet your untimely end... only these dreams are so solid, so deep, that you need someone to reach out a hand and remind you that this isn't real. That you're safe back in your bed.
Whatever your dream, you'll wake rested and feeling surprisingly...loved.
CLIFF NOTES.
➢ Newbies will be arriving in Excelsior. Have fun dealing with unfriendly locals and maybe-friendly, maybe-murderous fugitive robots!
➢ Current Players are welcome to treat this as a bonus event. These events are canonically happening within the game but can be largely ignored if you'd prefer to use the month for personal plots. You can tag into the TDM, reference these prompts in network posts, or use them in your own logs.
➢ The biggest rifts in reality have been fixed, but there are some lingering affects, such as random items disappearing or appearing. You can take advantage of these loot drops, but it seems that criminal elements are doing the same.
➢ There's a wish demon on the loose again in Sunset Falls! He's granting cursed wishes, even unspoken ones, though it shouldn't be too hard to find him if you want to put a stop to it.
➢ Newbies will find that the enchanted pillows have appeared in the Diadem Hotel as well! Anyone who sleeps on these can have dreamwalking adventures with each other - or nightmare adventures, as the case may be.
➢ Current Players are welcome to treat this as a bonus event. These events are canonically happening within the game but can be largely ignored if you'd prefer to use the month for personal plots. You can tag into the TDM, reference these prompts in network posts, or use them in your own logs.
➢ The biggest rifts in reality have been fixed, but there are some lingering affects, such as random items disappearing or appearing. You can take advantage of these loot drops, but it seems that criminal elements are doing the same.
➢ There's a wish demon on the loose again in Sunset Falls! He's granting cursed wishes, even unspoken ones, though it shouldn't be too hard to find him if you want to put a stop to it.
➢ Newbies will find that the enchanted pillows have appeared in the Diadem Hotel as well! Anyone who sleeps on these can have dreamwalking adventures with each other - or nightmare adventures, as the case may be.
WILDCARD.
Metaheroes takes inspiration from all walks of comics. Take a look at the CITIES to get an idea as to what day to day life is like in the other cities. Perhaps you've encountered a supervillain (or hero) who needs to be thwarted, or a metahuman with unusual powers creating bizarre effects. You can also take a look at the MISSION BOARD to get your start as a professional hero, villain, or vigilante.
no subject
[Which is a normal thing where she comes from. Since he's never heard of the Fire Force, she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have spontaneous human combustion in his home, though - and honestly, that would be for the best.
She smiles when he offers to protect her in kind. Whether or not she needs it, it's nice to have someone watching her back in this unfamiliar place, even if it's only temporary.]
I appreciate it. Lead the way.
[Anywhere would be better than dealing with this crowd of assholes. She looks down the street he's pointing at, and then back at the crowd, and at all the rubble and glass in the street.
It doesn't take a genius to see that something happened here. Something big enough to require this much cleanup.]
Maybe Metas are what caused all this damage?
no subject
[ Jayce almost trips on a loose metal piece lying on the ground after hearing that, turning to stare at Maki with big, golden eyes. She's correct, these sorts of things aren't common in his world, and he is glad for it.
He relaxes again after that smile, always willing to team up when necessary. They're both strangers in a strange land, so it's only natural that they stick together at least for a little bit, and help each other. He stays close to her as they walk, with Jayce making sure not to leave her behind. He's got stupidly long legs and can move really fast, but he's also used to walking alongside Viktor, who has a cane, and he's learned to be mindful of these things. ]
That would explain why our presence is not welcome. This doesn't make me inclined to want to talk to the local authorities, because they're not always as neutral as they should be, but perhaps we can find someone who could give us an explanation.
no subject
[Spontaneously combusting doesn't kill the victim, and their flames can't be put out through normal means. The Fire Force exists for public safety, but also to put the victims out of their misery.
Maki keeps pace with him easily enough. Shes much shorter than him, but underneath all that firefighting gear she has a fair bit of muscle. ]
Makes sense to me. If crowds of regular people are reacting this way, who knows if the police here will just throw us in jail for being 'Meta.'
The problem is that I don't know who we should talk to.
no subject
...oh. That's awful. I mean! Not that you help them, that's a relief to the poor victim, but that such a thing happens.
[ This day is proving to be more and more confusing and nightmarish as it goes on, oh well. All the women he knows back home could kick his ass in seven different ways, and he's never exactly had a macho pride, so he would be impressed by all that muscle if he ever saw it. ]
Exactly, it's better not to risk it. I'm a scientist, and our usual method is to observe first and draw conclusions before taking action. We could do that, and see if there are any trustworthy people we could talk to.
[ When they reach the building they were heading too, Jayce confirms that it is indeed a library, but that it hasn't emerged unscathed from the battle. The wall to their right is in shambles, with metal beams visible, and bricks everywhere. It's only one side, though, and the building is big enough that there seem to be people inside going about their business regardless. ]
What do you think? It's probably better than staying out in the open. Perhaps we can find a quiet place to talk without being noticed.
[ The library probably has a computer they can check for information. Not like Jayce knows what a computer is, alas. ]
no subject
No you're right. It's a terrible situation I'm just happy to be able to help in some way.
Am I right to assume that things like that don't happen where you're from?
[Maki has seen more than her fair share of fire damage, so she stops for a moment to assess the building.
Its clearly going to need some fairly major renovations, but it doesn't look structurally unsound. And if there's people working inside, that means that the local fire department probably thought the same.]
Seems like as good a place as any. Lead the way.
no subject
If you don't mind me asking, what prompts someone to pursue that kind of career? Surely there are less...gory ones out there? And no, they don't happen as far as I know.
[ Thank the gods for that. They already have enough problems without people catching fire for no logical reason. He sees her studying the building's integrity and smiles a little, but says nothing until she passes judgment.
Jayce gives her a small smile, and heads further into the building. ]
To be honest, I'm not all that sure where I am leading you. [ But people often seem to look at Jayce and expect him to do exactly that, so he soldiers on.
None of the people inside the library eye them when they walk in, but no one throws a book at their heads, and Jayce considers it a win. Looking around, he takes the first corridor to the left, it seems like there's no one there. ]
no subject
Maki, however, does not.]
I guess I just wanted to help people. I was in the army, and when my lieutenant transferred to the Fire Force, he requested that I transfer with him.
I'm a pyrokinetic, so I guess that makes me pretty useful to the Fire Force. Victims of human combustion can be... unpredictable and erratic, and I can help keep my squad mates safe while we put them to rest.
[People pretty universally lose their minds when they spontaneously combust. And then you've got a flaming body that can't die, lashing out at everyone and everything around them. Its not pretty, the force needs people like her.
She follows him into the library and is... pleasantly surprised that it seems to be still functional as a library. ]
I'm glad the inside seems to in tact. Maybe we can get some answers here.
no subject
[ Some people need specific motivations, nothing wrong with that. Jayce, much like Maki, turned his interest to the arcane because he too wanted to help people, even if it wasn't an easy path. ]
What's a pyrokinetic? Does that mean you can control fire?
[ Can't blame these poor people for going crazy when they are suffering so much, it's a terrible fate. Jayce is also relieved to see that no matter what is going on in the world, all libraries seem to be their own microcosmos, where some rules never change. It's comforting. ]
Should we ask people for information or try to find it on our own first?