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redstringtheories2022-07-01 10:18 am
TDM #12
(NOTE: Changes have been made to our standard Arrival and Dogtown prompts. All players and potential applicants are encouraged to closely review these.)
(cw: potential for severe disorientation/vertigo, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, body horror)
It happens in the blink of an eye. You may have been asleep. You may not have. You may have stepped through a door or turned a corner. You may have seen a flicker of something at the corner of your vision and turned to look. Or maybe you didn't.
It doesn't matter. What matters is that you find yourself somewhere entirely new and entirely unfamiliar. The arrival point is not always the same. (If you're lucky, it might be a canteen or an open office. If you're not, well... you aren't claustrophobic, are you? Or arachnophobic. These ducts do seem to be a bit cobwebby.) You might even arrive in a section of building that has been demolished, leaving a pit of rubble open to the sky–hope you're up on your tetanus shots! There is no one waiting for you but you don’t seem to be alone, either. Even in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, you’ll find at least one person who seems to be just as out of place as you are. The one exception is the demolition zone off what used to be one corner of the building: it seems the security teams are keeping a particularly close eye on that area to document new arrivals and bring them in quickly.
If characters have arrived in a location devoid of NPCs, they may want to work together to figure out what is going on... or to avoid their 'kidnappers.' If you’ve arrived in the middle of the entry foyer or the gym, there may well be a few people who startle a bit at your arrival and try to approach (or discreetly leave the room... where are they going?). Will you cooperate or fight? Do you even understand what they're saying? You might need to find a translator, if you’re not immediately willing to follow a stranger.
After characters follow their new hosts (or are forcibly taken in) there will be a limited tour and the chance to settle in at the ADI-provided housing. (Do you enjoy living with strangers? Well. It's a new situation to navigate, anyway.)
(cw: scopophobia; paranoia; unnatural animals)
Weird things happen in Dogtown, everyone knows it. And the weird things have been getting worse. Much worse. The rise in dangerous rather than merely uncomfortable or startling phenomena has put an end to ADI's use of Dogtown as a testing ground for new recruits. Under ADI's advisement, the City of Gloucester has officially and indefinitely closed Dogtown to the public, and work is ongoing to construct barriers around the entire park to prevent trespassing. Dogtown's borders are now patrolled by Gloucester law enforcement as well as ADI employees from the Investigations and Security divisions, who document phenomena visible from outside its borders and actively keep people out. New arrivals who volunteer for the work may still find themselves dropped off outside the borders of Dogtown in order to beef up patrols and help document paranormal activity while receiving an introduction to the kind of work ADI does. An employee will give you a GPS device where you need only press a button to alert ADI there is severe danger and someone needs to come help you right away, explicitly instruct you not to actually enter Dogtown, and leave you with another person at the edge of the park. Maybe they're a new arrival, as well, or a more seasoned 'veteran.' Either way, you're together for the next while and you've been asked to record any paranormal activity visible from outside the park. Those who succeed in documenting anything peculiar will receive a $100 reward to be used as they see fit, but those who are caught entering Dogtown in pursuit of such proof will be reprimanded and receive no reward.
This month nothing appears to be out of the ordinary at first glance, which might make the increased vigilance around Dogtown seem like a bit of an overreaction. Sections of the park's border are bustling with contractors installing fences and the new police and ADI patrols are fresh enough to be alert to any hint of danger, but Dogtown itself just looks like an ordinary, if overgrown, park from out here. The sun is shining, there's a pleasant breeze to offset the summer heat, the birds are….
The birds are not singing. There's movement in the trees and undergrowth, to be sure, the sound of small animals going about their business...but no birdsong. No cawing, no hooting, no trilling. That's not to say there aren't any birds, though. Once you start to look for them, you'll spot them among the branches: birds of any species one might expect to find in the area are not only present, but present in higher numbers than normal. And they're all just...staring at you. Watching. Even when you turn away you can feel their beady little eyes on you.
It's when you step out of view that they do start to sing, or at least to make noise. They call back and forth as if to inform each other of your movements, keeping tabs on you, always keeping you within eyesight of at least one bird. They're waiting for something, waiting for the moment in which to attack, waiting for your moment of weakness.
You mustn't be weak. You mustn't give them an opening. But even after you depart the outskirts of Dogtown, they're still watching, all of them, every bird in Gloucester turning its gaze upon you as you pass. They're everywhere, making your skin crawl with the knowledge that no matter where you go or what you do, they know, they see.
Are they the only ones watching? Did that stranger look at you out of the corner of his eye? Is that child watching you from their window? What are they planning? What do they want from you? Is that pity in their gaze, or is it scorn–or is it hidden rage, biding its time? Nowhere is safe. Nowhere are you free from eyes upon you, ears listening at the door.
And the birds keep singing now.
(cw: thalassophobia; mild scopophobia)
There aren't many mandatory activities at the Apocalypse Disruption Initiative. The higher-ups prefer not to impose upon their people's free time. Everyone enjoys different things and finds different ways to relax. After recent events, though… they're making one exception: The (newly) Annual Beach Barbeque! The Staff Development Department is keen to help find new ways to get people outside to enjoy what good times there are, and have set up a few different areas for people to engage. Attendance is noted upon arrival to a particular section of the beach where the events are being held. Those who fail to turn up will find their pay docked and persistently encouraging emails to the effect that they might want to visit the Counseling Center if they're having trouble connecting with people.
Riptide
Surf and boogie boards, both, have been laid out on the beach, ready for someone to pick up and hit the surf. The waves in Gloucester aren't much to write home about, but they make an easy start for beginners. Care should be taken, though. There are reports of some rip currents in the area that seem to crop up unexpectedly. You might find yourself suddenly pulled out much farther than you expected. And the ocean stretches out into the horizon, far, far bigger than you might expect. The shore seems so far away.
If you're lucky, you're not alone out here because getting back to shore seems a daunting task, indeed. Or maybe you're playing lifeguard and spot someone in need of help. Be quick! It's unclear just how much danger these waters hold.
Poseidon Quivers
ADI recognizes that not everyone may want to actually get into the water. There are tools (some simpler, some more sophisticated) for designing sand art, whether it's a castle, a more elaborate statue, or some sort of trench to bury your enemies. One of the native ADI staff is also encouraging those with an artistic flair in the sand arts to teach others. Maybe you're learning something new or maybe you're a student. Either way, you're bound to get covered in an unpleasant amount of sand. Some of it tingles in a way that leaves patches of skin feeling numb long after the sand has been brushed away. Some might also experience a numbing of their emotions, as well, when affected by the sand. Maybe that makes it easier to deal with all of this…
We Feast Upon the Flesh
What's a barbeque without food? There's the standard fare of hotdogs and burgers (with veggie patties and tofu dogs for those less inclined toward the carnivorous), and then there are the Gloucester 'favorites.' Someone’s had the thought to bring a battery-powered fryer out to the beach, and the scent of truffle fries and fried clams fills the air.
Be careful when eating, though. The seagulls are watching. Waiting. Taking from those who look like the easiest marks. Their gaze is upon you, beady and staring. Even when they're not actively bothering someone, the sense that their little black eyes are observing is intense.
(cw: bodily harm, stalking, bullying, altered perception)
Unfortunately, it's not all sun and sand by the seaside. Saving the world never ends, and Sable at the docks has gotten word to ADI that there have been a handful of incidents involving a shipment of goods that are meant to be headed for the General Store. They’re all mundane objects, but there have been some reported mental breakdowns and a few injuries. Before anyone will touch the boxes - and definitely before they’re put on the shelves for customers - someone will need to comb through the boxes to identify exactly what is causing the issue and ADI is paying a bonus for anyone who is willing to shoulder the danger.
The problem? The workers who were affected have no idea what caused any of it. As far as they can remember, they were handling absolutely normal items. Anyone investigating will have to use their own powers of observation to figure out where the danger is coming from. Or possibly trial and error. Because the vague reports do mention that these unlucky workers were touching the objects, heavy gloves and even grabber tools will be provided so that direct contact is not necessary.
The afflicted boxes have been sequestered away in a small warehouse (really more of an oversize shed). There are a handful of them on otherwise bare shelves, as if anything else has been moved somewhere else. For a space that is holding dangerous items it's... Actually it's pretty mundane.
So are the objects that need inspecting. They range from toys to cups to cleaning instruments of all things, all perfectly normal goods. Perfectly normal. Except when they’re not.
The differences that mark out the Entity-touched goods are incredibly easy to miss. As subtle as a face painted on a mug with too-wide eyes or a plush wolf toy…that happens to have one or two little metal teeth tucked away in the back of its open mouth. There’s a crate of fancy silverware sets, engraved with patterns. Most are floral in nature, but somewhere in there, there’s a set where the pattern is more reminiscent of blood... or tears. Maybe spiderwebs.
Touch one of these wrong objects, and suffer the consequences, whether it's an unshakeable sense of being followed (or the conviction that the people closest to you are out to get you, hearing whispers of threats in the voices of your friends) when handling the toy plush, wounds appearing randomly on ones’ body when holding a knife, or the certainty that your body parts are changing in shape or size when handling the mug.
One of these things is not like the others.~
- ARRIVAL (July 1 - 31): Two people will always arrive in the same general location together. Arrivals occur throughout the early month, not all on the same day or in the same place. Arrivals are not naturally fluent in English/other languages immediately upon arrival. Characters may attempt to evade capture, but they will eventually be snagged before they can leave the building (or the rubble that used to be part of the building). PC's already in-game are more than welcome to interact with and try to guide new PC's to get them oriented. Please refer to the Arrival page for details regarding the arrival and onboarding process, as well as updated information about the state of ADI Headquarters. During characters' absence in June, it seems ADI finally received the necessary permits to demolish a portion of the building–if asked, NPCs are open about the fact that the demolition was meant to test the theory that destroying Headquarters might prevent further interdimensional arrivals. It hasn't worked.
- BIRDSWATCHING (July 1-31): Feelings of dread and paranoia regarding birds, humans, and even animals in general will follow exposure to the staring eyes of the birds in Dogtown. Characters who leave the area immediately after noticing the birds' unusual behavior will experience only minor effects; the degree of paranoia and how long it lasts is proportional to the length of time one spends near Dogtown while aware one is being watched by the birds, and the effects may last several days. Hiding under the covers or in a windowless room seems to help, a little.
- CURRENT EVENTS (July 5-Onward): While the beach barbeque only lasts for one day (the 5th), the supplies for creating sand sculptures and various water-based sports will be available for the rest of the summer for characters to avail themselves of, either as a learner or as an instructor. Escape from the riptide is possible without outside assistance, but will be challenging. There is a distorted perception of just how far away the shore is. While the sand can be collected for analysis, there will be nothing scientifically notable about it. Even removed from the beach, though, some of it seems to cause intermittent numbness (both physical and emotional). This will be an ongoing effect.
- SPOT THE DIFFERENCE (July 15-31): As indicated in the prompt, contact with the afflicted items will result in various different effects. With some of them, gloves will be enough to prevent characters from being affected, though others might be stronger (this is up to player discretion.) Feel free to play with the established effects or create your own, though please use content warnings for anything not already mentioned in the prompt. The effect from these objects will last for an hour or two and then fade away.
no subject
Peter blinks at her in response, mouth opening, closing, gesturing up at the trees as if the answer was somewhere up there.]
Well... first of all check if they're mechanical. They're just so still? And if they're not, maybe bring one in so we can examine it at the lab. If something is controlling them maybe we can figure out how they're doing it. And... and send a message. Don't send creepy birds to spy on us or we'll take them.
no subject
[She glances up, then shrugs.]
I can run interference with the guards. But if they swarm you while you're up there, you're on your own. I'm a good shot, but I am not that good.
[You know, good enough to hit small, feathery bodies without hitting the larger human one behind them.]
no subject
[He grins at her, pleased that she's not saying no and that she's kind of? ish? Advising him to be careful?]
If anything, I can take great pictures from up there. We can split the reward.
no subject
I am so going to regret this. I can buy you five minutes.
[She could probably buy him more, but five minutes is as long as she's willing to wait before checking back to make sure he hasn't been pecked to bits, or stolen away by a flock of ravens, or whatever other horrible thing Dogtown might have to offer.]
no subject
[He's walking backwards, inching closer to the fence, fingergunning at her.]
'cause you are. You're already my favorite. I'm not just saying that! I'm gonna tell 'em, gonna put you up for teammate of the month.
no subject
[There's a bit of humour in her admonishment, but still - please don't implicate her in your birdnapping adventures, Peter.
She strolls off to intercept the patrol, demeanor morphing from cautious to casual between one step and the next.]
no subject
[He switches gears as easily as he dances backwards, still grinning. His hands slip in his pockets and he looks as inconspicuous as possible, shuffling his feet as he watches her, waiting for his opening.]
no subject
That's okay. She can spin it. That's what she does.
Case in point, the arm she slings around the shoulders of one of the other guards on patrol, voice low enough that her words don't carry, though her tone does. Whatever she says, it's enough to steer them away, and give Peter an opening for his adventures in bird-napping.]
no subject
The birds are silent. Watching. Waiting.
Weird. The uneasy feeling and paranoia increases. It's uncomfortable at first, then Peter can barely stand it but he pushes through. He gets closer to one, he can almost reach it...
... and then suddenly they swarm him, a giant mass pecking at him. Peter yelps, bringing up his arms to fend them off and protect his eyes, slipping off the branch and crashing back down.]
no subject
She's not too far away to hear a yelp of distress, nor the sound of someone falling out of a tree and crashing through the branches towards the ground.
She curses, low and sharp, and wheels toward the source of the sound.]
Someone must have-
[She begins, then cuts off, because, well...it's obvious, isn't it?
The guards hot on her heels as she sprints back towards where she'd left Peter are inconvenient - but may prove useful, depending on how badly he's fallen. He has a good few inches on her, after all, and while she's strong, it's not like she could carry him out if there are broken limbs involved.
(Please, she thinks, let that be the worst of it.)]
no subject
Luckily the branches manage to break some of his fall but when he hits the ground, the air is knocked out of him. He coughs, trying to draw in a breath that turns into a helpless wheeze and then the birds are upon him. Somehow Peter manages to roll onto his stomach and cover his head but he can feel their beaks like a thousand little stabs.
They seem to be everywhere at once and he can only bat at them wildly as he crawls forward. It's like he's blind in every sense of the word and for the first time it fully hits him how different it is without his spider-sense, his strength, the way his body should move and react and be.
Instead it hurts where he hit the ground and where the branches scratched his skin. It burns where the birds peck at him. He limps away from the swarming mass, feeling blind, deaf, helpless as they hack at his arms and his neck and his shoulders.
It shouldn't be like this. He shouldn't be like this. And it's terrifying.
There are voices, he thinks, and even now that teenage part of him can't help but realize that he's in trouble. If he survives this. That's just great.]
cw: violence against animals
Stop moving! [It comes out as a whipcrack order, her voice raised to be heard over the sound of the wings.] Curl up as small as you can.
[She'd said she wouldn't shoot into the flock. She doesn't, for the exact same reason she'd cited - there's too much risk of hitting him.
She'd said nothing about hitting the birds with the shock baton that crackles to life as she unclips it from her belt. There's the sound of burning feathers as she connects with several small, feathered bodies on her first swing.
Overkill? Given the numbers involved, possibly not.]