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TEST DRIVE MEME: MAY EDITION
TEST DRIVE MEME
A Confluence, capitalized, is the converging of one or more supernatural forces. Typically, a Confluence only occurs in one place at any given time. Typically.
These are not typical times.
Most of the Starfallen will arrive in Excelsior, Washington, slipping from the sky one by one, needing to be helped as they come floating down. To many citizens in Excelsior – individuals who are far from fond of metahumans – their arrival is a sign of bad things to come. It’s always a sign of bad things to come. This time, however, the bad things don’t come in the typical sequence. Instead, they’re dealing with a problem when the Starfallen begin to unwittingly arrive. What’s that problem? Plants with a rather problematic taste for flesh.
While Excelsior is hoping for spring to actually stick on the horizon, they’re warding off plants left and right. At least none of the plants seem to be able to spit fire – uh, yet?
In the midwestern part of the country, a huge barrage of rain has begun to settle over the land. Rain like this isn’t normal. Stormfronts usually keep moving forward, but this isn’t. And while rain isn’t a bad thing, this rain … is a deluge. A flood upon floods. Some Starfallen individuals will be showing up in the middle of this, arriving in both Little Love and Central City. Hope they can keep their heads above water!
Making matters worse is that everything seems a bit – planned? No, that’s not the right word. Like it’s all happened before. Or happening again. People all over are definitely noticing a strange uptick in déjà vu. Most worrying is how it seems to be happening everywhere.
These are not typical times.
Most of the Starfallen will arrive in Excelsior, Washington, slipping from the sky one by one, needing to be helped as they come floating down. To many citizens in Excelsior – individuals who are far from fond of metahumans – their arrival is a sign of bad things to come. It’s always a sign of bad things to come. This time, however, the bad things don’t come in the typical sequence. Instead, they’re dealing with a problem when the Starfallen begin to unwittingly arrive. What’s that problem? Plants with a rather problematic taste for flesh.
While Excelsior is hoping for spring to actually stick on the horizon, they’re warding off plants left and right. At least none of the plants seem to be able to spit fire – uh, yet?
In the midwestern part of the country, a huge barrage of rain has begun to settle over the land. Rain like this isn’t normal. Stormfronts usually keep moving forward, but this isn’t. And while rain isn’t a bad thing, this rain … is a deluge. A flood upon floods. Some Starfallen individuals will be showing up in the middle of this, arriving in both Little Love and Central City. Hope they can keep their heads above water!
Making matters worse is that everything seems a bit – planned? No, that’s not the right word. Like it’s all happened before. Or happening again. People all over are definitely noticing a strange uptick in déjà vu. Most worrying is how it seems to be happening everywhere.
EXCELSIOR
Ah, Excelsior – the city that doesn’t ask “why” something should be explored, but how quickly it can be explored. If only someone there had developed a swift measure to deal with a sudden influx of killer plants! The good news is that these plants haven’t killed anyone – not yet, anyway – but there is all the time in the world for that to change.
As the Starfallen arrive, they’re unlikely to notice the plants, and instead will see technological marvels all around them. Although Excelsior isn’t fond of Starfallen, they like the idea of welcoming them and getting them the hell out as quickly as possible. This philosophy results in all of the Starfallen being guided down to the ground, with further instructions awaiting them once they’re on two feet. (Or four. No one’s judging!) But once they land, they’re likely to notice that things aren’t the way they’re meant to be.
After all, someone in Excelsior failed to ask “why it’s bad to create an incredibly unlikely strain of plants that is genetically inspired by snapdragons, the flowers from those plumber games, and piranhas,” and instead went ahead with “how quickly can I do it?” Their experiment proved to be far too successful, aided by cutting-edge bioengineering technology.
Even though all Starfallen are encouraged to depart for the Midwest after they receive their teleportation devices, it’s apparent that the people of Excelsior need help. Right now, their chilly reception can easily be written off as a symptom of what’s happening. Dealing with newcomers at a time like this? Preposterous! People are injured from wild, flesh-eating plants. Obviously!
So, kind Starfallen – whether you’ve just arrived or came by when you heard word of the Confluence of trouble – will you give these dour folk the hand they so desperately need?
As the Starfallen arrive, they’re unlikely to notice the plants, and instead will see technological marvels all around them. Although Excelsior isn’t fond of Starfallen, they like the idea of welcoming them and getting them the hell out as quickly as possible. This philosophy results in all of the Starfallen being guided down to the ground, with further instructions awaiting them once they’re on two feet. (Or four. No one’s judging!) But once they land, they’re likely to notice that things aren’t the way they’re meant to be.
After all, someone in Excelsior failed to ask “why it’s bad to create an incredibly unlikely strain of plants that is genetically inspired by snapdragons, the flowers from those plumber games, and piranhas,” and instead went ahead with “how quickly can I do it?” Their experiment proved to be far too successful, aided by cutting-edge bioengineering technology.
Even though all Starfallen are encouraged to depart for the Midwest after they receive their teleportation devices, it’s apparent that the people of Excelsior need help. Right now, their chilly reception can easily be written off as a symptom of what’s happening. Dealing with newcomers at a time like this? Preposterous! People are injured from wild, flesh-eating plants. Obviously!
So, kind Starfallen – whether you’ve just arrived or came by when you heard word of the Confluence of trouble – will you give these dour folk the hand they so desperately need?
THE MIDWEST
Elsewhere, both Little Love and Central City are experiencing a flood of problems. Most of the problems are the result of the flood. While Little Love is known to be the quieter of the cities in this Confluence-ridden world, it finds itself dealing with a torrential downpour that it’s never seen before. Meteorologists quickly note that this is unnatural. All the way from Kansas to Illinois to Michigan there is rain, rain for as far as the eye can see. Flood warnings have no end in sight, and the people in these cities have asked for help from outside. If this rain doesn’t stop, all summer crops will be at risk!
The source of these problems? A Confluence. More specifically: a five-year-old girl who was born in Little Love just got news that her father died in an accident. Combine that with the incoming Confluence and the girl unwittingly unleashed her sadness upon the land.
Anyone investigating would learn that the rain began in Little Love, right before it began to spread upward and outward from the little town. Soon, Kansas, and then the entire Midwest, would feel the impact of her grief. Even when she sleeps, it doesn’t go away – her pain is a constant, after all. Finding her is key. No one can truly prevent a child’s grief, but perhaps they can help her realize her impact on the world and get her newly-arrived power under control.
The source of these problems? A Confluence. More specifically: a five-year-old girl who was born in Little Love just got news that her father died in an accident. Combine that with the incoming Confluence and the girl unwittingly unleashed her sadness upon the land.
Anyone investigating would learn that the rain began in Little Love, right before it began to spread upward and outward from the little town. Soon, Kansas, and then the entire Midwest, would feel the impact of her grief. Even when she sleeps, it doesn’t go away – her pain is a constant, after all. Finding her is key. No one can truly prevent a child’s grief, but perhaps they can help her realize her impact on the world and get her newly-arrived power under control.
DIADEM HOTEL
Whether you’ve gone to investigate the rather moist trouble or you’re just looking for some shut-eye, you’ve got a place that’s waiting for you. Need to clean up some plant-induced wounds? It’s time to hit the LUXURY HOTEL to ease any concerns.
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 for just a small taste. 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 outlet shops 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 a film called BARKS OF THE DEAD, a story about a zombified dog who protects a small family during the zombie apocalypse. Despite its taste for other dogs’ brains, this dog is fiercely loyal and will do anything for its owners.
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 for just a small taste. 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 outlet shops 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 a film called BARKS OF THE DEAD, a story about a zombified dog who protects a small family during the zombie apocalypse. Despite its taste for other dogs’ brains, this dog is fiercely loyal and will do anything for its owners.
EVERYWHERE: DÉJÀ VU
Less obvious and more innocuous are the strange stints of déjà vu all over. At first, it might seem like it’s a familiar thing you’ve seen before, but then you’re certain that you’ve ordered those chicken tenders before. Wait, you haven’t even been to this city before, much less this restaurant.
The feeling of déjà vu isn’t just that. Whole days will begin to feel like they’re repeating – surely they’ve solved that rain problem? Or the plant problem? Didn’t you hear that it happened?
Anyone keen to take notes might want to – assuming you haven’t just gotten that you did and they’ve been lost to time.
The feeling of déjà vu isn’t just that. Whole days will begin to feel like they’re repeating – surely they’ve solved that rain problem? Or the plant problem? Didn’t you hear that it happened?
Anyone keen to take notes might want to – assuming you haven’t just gotten that you did and they’ve been lost to time.
CLIFF NOTES.
➢ New arrivals will be appearing in Excelsior, Little Love, or Central City – with the bulk of them arriving in Excelsior. Their arrival will be expected and handled by a number of odd pieces of technology that help them as they fall from the sky itself. None of the locals will be happy to see the arrivals, but they’ll be so frazzled that they won’t be able to give them their usual chilly welcome. Vicious plants are on the loose and it’s not a meta’s fault. This might be meaningless to newcomers, but anyone who’s old hat at this will know that Excelsior can cause its own problems just fine, thank you.
➢ Arrivals who land in Little Love or Central City will arrive to a lot of rain. This much rainfall can impact the climate, daily life, crops – you name it. Arrivals will also be very, very soggy. If they’d like, they can ignore the trouble in favor of getting answers or heading to the hotel. No one’s obligated to lend a hand.
➢ 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.
➢ As for the time stuff, feel free to treat it as a wobbly time event! Mess with memories, get a character caught in the same day, or even just make someone feel like they’ve suddenly acquired precognition as a power. The sky’s the limit!
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.
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(It’s Bruce.)
Tim will stop on the fire escape of the sixth floor walk up just past the building Batman seemed to stop on. He’s come to the conclusion that this isn’t the correct Batman. He wouldn’t have gotten off this many messages if it was. That’s not going to be easy to overcome. ]
The silence isn’t any less deafening from a distance.
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dad.
ordinarily, he'd chalk it up to this being sent to the wrong number or device because... that's not really possible. here. but he also knows this isn't gotham — this isn't home in a very earthly sense of the word. and just as he'd found himself here unexpectedly, so, too, have others.
could others.
he doesn't move from his spot there on the rooftop, doesn't unfurl the cape from around him. rather, he remains there and stares at the device for a little longer before he bothers to send a message back. )
Wrong number.
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Wrong B.
You want me to creep away slowly so you can satisfy your curiosity?
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Why are you following me?
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Which you aren’t. Possibly aren’t yet, if time travel’s in play again.
I’m leaning aren’t. I’ve never seen that prototype. Which means I’m going to follow you more and potentially warn you, if I decide you’re not from the dark multiverse.
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he's slipped away from the spot he'd taken a short break on, trying to see if he can get a look at the one messaging him like this. )
Warn me of what?
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If Batman is too obvious about it, Tim will wave. ]
How much of the fam is here. I’ll warn you the Joker was here for free. No one’s been able to set eyes on him since July.
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Joker's here?
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He’s only mildly exasperated that Batman turned up at the mention of the Joker. It figures. ]
I can only confirm that he was here and that he seems to be from my universe or a similar one. He tried to crash a shipping vessel into the Chicago docks.
[ He also spent some time torturing a Robin, but that’s not up for discussion. Bruce will find the livestream; Tim doesn’t have to revisit it. ]
We couldn’t track him down, although not for lack of trying. Due to the nature of the Confluences, you can’t ever prove that someone’s not here. He posted a deathday celebration for Red Hood, but it could’ve been a scheduled post.
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also, he doesn't know yet the years this dance with the
deviljoker will span for between the two of them. the things he's going to do and the times bruce will be teetering on the edge of putting him down for good.he lingers there near tim, cape wrapping around him some in the breeze. eyes dark through the makeup smeared under his cowl, he considers what he says — takes in deathday and red hood to revisit later before he's looking back up to tim. )
He doesn't make it easy.
( to be tracked. unless he wants to be. )
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[ If he’s easy to find, you’re looking the wrong way. Sometimes, the Joker gas is the point. Sometimes, it’s the distraction. ]
He’ll probably turn up again, now that you’re here. There’s only one audience he wants.
[ He pulls up a holographic display from his gauntlet that looks like a radar grid. There’s a few dots on it, but they’ve moved since the last time he’s looked. Everyone’s at least mobile. ]
How long have you been here?
[ What’s the likelihood Joker knows? ]
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the holographic displays that pops up catches his attention. shiny new things often will, given his profession and all. )
Not long.
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So, when are you going to tell me that you aren’t from anywhere near me on the timeline?
[ He doesn’t have to be told. The reaction to the tech, the suit, the lack of lenses. He knows. ]
You don’t even know who I am, do you? Ha, it’s true. History repeats itself. I get to explain again how I know who you are.
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I don't.
( know who you are. the only ones in masks around where he's from are criminals at this point. well... there's selina, but. he's not sure about her. yet.
still staring to him, he adds: )
But you know me.
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Obviously. Which is unfair, I know, but I'm not comfortable giving you more identifying information than I've already given you.
[ Considering that he used a Drake emoji, Tim thinks he basically gift-wrapped his identity for Batman - provided he either tracks Rook home (which Tim won't be making easy) or connects the dots via one of the other Robins. He should probably warn them. Warn Jason, anyway, so he's not hurt by Tim's inaction (again). ]
Don't worry. I have a vested interest in keeping your secrets. Strictly speaking, I haven't lied to you yet.
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things he still needs to consider, he tilts his head some. )
Are you planning to?
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No, I'm not planning to.
[ But he will. He absolutely will lie to Batman whenever the situation necessitates it, and this isn't even the right Batman. ]
Are you planning on listening?
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To what?
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To me. I’d lie a lot less if you listened for a change.
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staring, he slowly looks away, taking a moment to look around them. at this place he doesn't recognize. )
I always listen.
( he doesn't always answer, is the thing. )
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[ That’s… new. Bruce has a documented history of not listening to anyone, verified by over 16 years of Robins and Alfred’s grey hair.
(Nope. Still hurts to think about Alfred.) ]
I’m not going to apologize for setting my expectations based on your alternate selves.
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Sounds like a good way to set yourself up for disappointment.
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[ No one who’s been at this long enough to have multiverse experience- specifically multiverse experience with Batmen - would ever say that he’s setting himself up for disappointment.
And, really, Bruce is disappointing sometimes. He’s human. This is more like guarding himself. ]
First ten years, max, or you wouldn’t have the nerve to say that to a sidekick.
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( he works with gordon at times. alfred helps as well, but. neither are out there in costume with him. part of him wonders why he— some other him ever thinks to go this route. what changes in him to make him consider this? the mayor's son sitting there on his bed, looking to him— to batman as if he might be able to do something... is that it? that what slowly begins this process eventually? it's a lot to consider. to take in. and, like with everything else, he files it away.
regardless, he looks away — lets his cape wrap around him some. stares off into this city he's found himself in. )
How long have you been here?
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[ Rook will have a nice stretch and swing a leg casually. He is enjoying this a teeny bit, oh yes. He absolutely knows more than this Batman. ]
A year. I’d say that I’ve assimilated, but Central will never be Gotham and they will never let us forget that we are othered.
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