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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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Just making sure.
I'll stick to Diadem until I find a place. [ 'In case you feel the need to check up on me' goes unsaid but implied. Notice that he hasn't promised to contact anyone about guardianship. ]
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I wouldn't, if I were you. We've got safehouses throughout Central.
( also not really recommended for kids, but they're all places he'd shove damian at if he showed up. but damian isn't a kid. jason sucks in a breath through his teeth, before he's--dropping a hand down to sift through his pockets for a pen. gestures dick forward once he has it in hand. )
Lend me your arm. ( so he can slouch over and write on it, thank you. he's sure dick would remember it without writing it down (or maybe he wouldn't at this age, jason doesn't knkow know) but this also gives him opportunity to, if dick does let him in close, plant a tracker on him. ) I've got an apartment, not a great one but it's not a rundown warehouse. ( because it's kyle's old apartment that he stole from him to repurposes into a safehouse. ) If shit goes south at the Diadem and you need a quick place to hide.
no subject
He doesn't notice the tracker. He probably won't until he returns to the Diadem. ]
What's the likelihood things will go south at Diadem?
[ Not that he's been complacent. Someone with a grudge against Starfallen could easily infiltrate and cause chaos. Dick hasn't even eaten the food there, opting to eat where the citizens of Central would eat. Less likely he'll be recognized as a Starfallen and potentially poisoned.
You know. Fun paranoid thoughts like that. ]
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I'd put it at 60/40. Enough of a chance to keep an eye out for trouble anyway.
( jason never stayed there. jason also shredded his credit card the moment he was out of sight of the welcome committee. but jason may also be just a little more paranoid than dick. so. )
Safehouse has shelf stable food in the kitchen, too. Three days worth for me, so--probably a week's worth for a scrawny runt like you. ( so tiny. ) There's a burner phone in the kitchen drawer to the left of the sink.
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[ Sure he's small for his age and, yeah, maybe villains fling him like a ragdoll sometimes, but that's part of the job.
He also realizes that the moment he protested to 'scrawny,' that's all he'll be called from now on. ]
You're really worried about this place, aren't you?
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Always plan for the worst, right? So shit can't catch you off guard.
( contingency on top of contingency, just in case. )
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He pulls his sleeve down over his elbow. ]
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that man-eating plants and ecological disasters aren't the worst that can happen here?
[ Both of those things, while bad, is just another Tuesday in Gotham. ]
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( so. no. the plants aren't the worst part. the plants just make him wish poison ivy was their biggest problem. )
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I'm a Starfallen that likes being alive and opposes fascism. So I guess that's two strikes against me.
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( there hasn't been a documented case of people arriving with none, so. )
You'll figure it out eventually.
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[ He's not exactly thrilled to go from zero to superpowered. ]
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( because clearly throwing someone off a roof is a great way to activate new metahuman abilities, right. )
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[ Because that's the problem here, right? ]
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You wanna go a round?
( sparring doesn't really count as fighting. )
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[ But the smile on his face suggests that he's accepted the challenge. One, he gets to see how Jason was trained and what his capabilities are. Useful to know when it comes to an ally. Two, he's pretty sure Jason is testing him. If he really already knows a Dick Grayson, Dick's not giving anything away by sparring. ]
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( ish. less the hiccups, more the being attacked and unarmed enough to make it concerning. )
Now, or later? I've got better space back in NYC and Central, but I'm betting you're wanting to find out now.
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[ He knows he's going into this at a major disadvantage, but he wouldn't be putting on the cape every night if he could be deterred by something like that.
Dick removes his hoodie and sets it aside, along with the sheath of knives. It gives him a better range of movement, since it's new equipment he isn't used to yet. ]
no subject
( but he's--snorting, a sound that comes out as if it's half between a laugh. jason shrugs his jacket off once again, folds it over before carefully dropping it down onto the ground. lowers his hands after to check over his holsters to make sure the guns are strapped in tight.
raises his hand after, to gesture dick forward. )
Show me what you've got, pipsqueak.
no subject
Whatever you say, old man.
[ He shifts into a stance that Jason would know well-- Dick's skill broadens and is refined over time, but it's still the same at its core.
He darts forward, aiming a kick right to Jason's head. He's not putting his full strength behind it-- this is sparring not a cage-match. ]
no subject
jason raises his arms to block the kick, legs spreading enough to hold himself steady. he's big, more tank than anything else, and damn near immovable for someone dick's size when he wants to be.
dick may spot the wide, almost feral grin on his lips from between his forearms. )
You wanna know why you an' I have a rocky relationship, Dickiebird?
no subject
He uses his momentum to land to the side of Jason before darting forward again, aiming at his legs this time. ]
Is it because you call me Dickiebird?
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( he doesn't anymore. but it's meant to be a threat, voice dropping into a low growl that almost matches bruce's. dick jumps in to go for his legs, and jason's pulling out a knife from a sheath at his waist. he doesn't use the bladed end, instead swinging the hilt straight for the side of dick's head.
he won't hit as hard as he could. if they're aiming to pull out any hidden metahuman abilities, they're not going to get there by play fighting. )
no subject
If you're trying to scare me, it's not working.
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( he lets dick catch his arm. starts to twist with the momentum, even, but there's a reason he'd made sure to square his hips, to not move for dick while dick closed the distance between them--because it's hard to knock a guy down when he isn't throwing his entire body into it. jason doesn't need the hand anyway.
because they're in a dark, dingy little warehouse, and as soon as dick thinks he's managing to pull jason along for the ride, there are shadows bursting loose from the walls, reaching for dick to wrap around him, to envelop him in the darkness. )
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Dick's eyes go wide and he lets Jason go, but there's no escaping from the shadows. They wind their way around him. ]
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