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route666rp2025-09-07 12:51 pm
monstertruckers) wrote in route666rp2025-09-07 12:51 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- downton abbey: edward courtenay,
- fallout: arcade gannon,
- fallout: paladin danse,
- persona 5: goro akechi,
- persona 5: ren amamiya,
- rise of the tmnt: donatello,
- rise of the tmnt: leonardo,
- rwby: blake belladonna,
- rwby: yang xiao long,
- summer sons: andrew blur,
- tmnt 2012: raphael,
- werewolf by night: jack russell
SEPTEMBER EVENT
Beyond the mountains stretch red rocks, canyons, and deserts. The Badlands reach out for miles, with barely any vegetation to be seen. The road winds between rock formations, into canyons, and across long barren stretches. Ruins of the old world sometimes grow out of the rocks in place of trees. Husks are somewhat less common here, though there’s still a thriving monster population. And no shortage of dangers and complications.
01: STORM RIDER
A storm shows up clear against the red rocks, all dark shades and lit up by flashes of lightning. The storm itself twists about, sometimes looking like clouds, other times looking like a massive beast with a thunderous roar to match. There’s a charge in the air, that almost makes the blood thrum faster… And it’s a charge that can be utilized. The Convoy screens blink an alert:
“Caution, supercharged storm ahead. Be advised, harnessed lightning can power convoy and vehicles, but must be gathered with care.” Along the road are ruined vehicles with what looks suspiciously like lightning rods attached to them. Those rods can be removed and grafted onto other cars.
“Caution, supercharged storm ahead. Be advised, harnessed lightning can power convoy and vehicles, but must be gathered with care.” Along the road are ruined vehicles with what looks suspiciously like lightning rods attached to them. Those rods can be removed and grafted onto other cars.
01-A: STORM HARVEST
When the storm sweeps over the still-moving Convoy, the lightning is wild and erratic, and barely deflected by the shield. The shield can be strengthened with jolts of lightning, which jump from vehicle lightning rod storage to the Convoy generators.
Fast cars have the easiest time of this, capable of keeping pace with the storm. But Tough cars are better at grounding the electric currents without getting fried. Because of this, it’s advised to work in pairs of cars; one to race ahead and catch the lightning and one for the lightning to bounce back and store it. Alternately, it’s advised to be supernaturally affiliated with lightning to withstand the shocks.
Harnessed lightning is capable of souping up the Convoy; the batteries are fully charged, and the Convoy no longer needs to power down electronics at 11 PM. Meanwhile, any cars that hang onto the lightning gain the Fast quality for the month. Or if they already have that quality, gain the temporary ability to Warp to any prior location and then back to the Convoy.
Those who fail to work in pairs or ward themselves against lightning receive no benefits, and find themselves especially susceptible to Event 4.
Fast cars have the easiest time of this, capable of keeping pace with the storm. But Tough cars are better at grounding the electric currents without getting fried. Because of this, it’s advised to work in pairs of cars; one to race ahead and catch the lightning and one for the lightning to bounce back and store it. Alternately, it’s advised to be supernaturally affiliated with lightning to withstand the shocks.
Harnessed lightning is capable of souping up the Convoy; the batteries are fully charged, and the Convoy no longer needs to power down electronics at 11 PM. Meanwhile, any cars that hang onto the lightning gain the Fast quality for the month. Or if they already have that quality, gain the temporary ability to Warp to any prior location and then back to the Convoy.
Those who fail to work in pairs or ward themselves against lightning receive no benefits, and find themselves especially susceptible to Event 4.
02: LIBRARY
There’s more to this biome than just sand and rocks. Buildings are half melted into the landscape, all with regal looking architecture; the sort that suggests archives and massive libraries. And perhaps a cool interior, with some relief from the oppressive heat.
Stepping inside, it becomes clear that books of all sorts are stored here, along with scrolls, and even electric tablets that still hold a charge and data. Stories of all sorts are stored here… Including tales from Drifter’s home worlds, oddly enough. Alongside the fiction are guides that can impart knowledge, and additional effects:
Stepping inside, it becomes clear that books of all sorts are stored here, along with scrolls, and even electric tablets that still hold a charge and data. Stories of all sorts are stored here… Including tales from Drifter’s home worlds, oddly enough. Alongside the fiction are guides that can impart knowledge, and additional effects:
02-A: HISTORY LESSON
There are accounts of monsters stored here; everything from Angels to Zoanthropes, all relating to various myths… And what looks like more detailed accounts relating to speed, strength, ferocity, even weak points. It quickly becomes clear that these are hunting logs. There’s also a post-script to each entry: “May the Wardens guard the true and pure humans against corruption, as long as the moon hangs in the sky.”
Then there are the books written in more archaic script, speaking about a lost spark of divinity, taken by the moon and sealed up inside. And there are other, similar praises and prayers to the moon. Spoken aloud, they offer Drifters a vision of the moon, and a massive form stirring inside it. Drifters may realize it matches the vague shape seen inside the tunnels.
What’s more, the spells can also grant Drifters a brief clarifying touch. This bit of contact cannot reverse monster changes… But can stabilize emotions, and restore a Drifter’s mind if they’ve gone feral.
Then there are the books written in more archaic script, speaking about a lost spark of divinity, taken by the moon and sealed up inside. And there are other, similar praises and prayers to the moon. Spoken aloud, they offer Drifters a vision of the moon, and a massive form stirring inside it. Drifters may realize it matches the vague shape seen inside the tunnels.
What’s more, the spells can also grant Drifters a brief clarifying touch. This bit of contact cannot reverse monster changes… But can stabilize emotions, and restore a Drifter’s mind if they’ve gone feral.
02-B: MECHANICS LESSON
Drifters may also find more recent manuscripts regarding car maintenance… And what appears to be schematics to the Convoy! Armed with this knowledge, a Drifter can make changes to the Convoy, such as adding an entirely new trailer with locations inside, or overhauling a room to their liking.
There is also a log passage relating to the Convoy. The most legible section reads:
“Wardens of Nirvana argue over this, say we can’t risk the last stronghold. But we can’t wait to persuade them; the Convoy must still be finished and sent out. Only way to save ourselves is stop the Silver Tears rituals, and get the outlanders before the cult. The Moon is already hungry, and so are the pawns of the God, they are already reaching out across worlds. At least this will safeguard those who arrive. Give them some control over their changes. And draw them back to us.”
There is also a log passage relating to the Convoy. The most legible section reads:
“Wardens of Nirvana argue over this, say we can’t risk the last stronghold. But we can’t wait to persuade them; the Convoy must still be finished and sent out. Only way to save ourselves is stop the Silver Tears rituals, and get the outlanders before the cult. The Moon is already hungry, and so are the pawns of the God, they are already reaching out across worlds. At least this will safeguard those who arrive. Give them some control over their changes. And draw them back to us.”
02-C: HUNTING LESSON
The library isn’t without its hazards. A swarm of malformed creatures called Sucklers has made their home inside the library, hiding in the dark sections of the shelves. And they are very hungry; the Sucklers are ambush predators who try to mob Drifters and drain them. Sometimes one of the swarm will sacrifice themselves by exploding their head and sending shards of skull into the target, to weaken the prey for the rest of the swarm.
And to add to that, there is a complication for anyone who reads the books; the pages will burn the hands of the Drifters, and turn them monstrous if they are not already changed. (If they already are, it advances the change along a Drifter’s limbs.)
Alternately or additionally, the books change a Drifter’s eyes as they read, making them inhuman and altering their vision. Drifters will become sensitive to bright lights, but have excellent night vision.
A Drifter may begin to change into a Sphinx or Manticore while reading the books. (See Event 3!)
And to add to that, there is a complication for anyone who reads the books; the pages will burn the hands of the Drifters, and turn them monstrous if they are not already changed. (If they already are, it advances the change along a Drifter’s limbs.)
Alternately or additionally, the books change a Drifter’s eyes as they read, making them inhuman and altering their vision. Drifters will become sensitive to bright lights, but have excellent night vision.
A Drifter may begin to change into a Sphinx or Manticore while reading the books. (See Event 3!)
03: MOON WARP
A Moon Warp begins on the second week of wasteland exploration, after the storm and as the Convoy makes camp in a canyon. The broken moon gives an eerie glow overhead, before shards begin to burn through the night sky. The canyon walls and arches help to shield the convoy, but only so much. Shards of rock and moon alike rain down on the vehicles, crashing off the newly energized shield; those who stay in the Convoy should be safe enough.
By the end of the moon shower, the Warp has sunk deep into the canyon itself. Drifters who explore beyond the shield are caught up in the Warp, and feel new changes taking root in themselves. Those changes can easily be accelerated into new monster forms, which are detailed below.
By the end of the moon shower, the Warp has sunk deep into the canyon itself. Drifters who explore beyond the shield are caught up in the Warp, and feel new changes taking root in themselves. Those changes can easily be accelerated into new monster forms, which are detailed below.
03: MONSTER SHIFT, SPHINX
This month's monster is the Sphinx, a human-lion hybrid that may also have bird-like wings. It’s up to the player on just how leonine their facial features and bodies are. Alongside all sphinx species traits, the following also happens:
+Fluctuating Voice: voice can easily shift into a growl or a roar if emotions grow heated. This roar can also cause damage if loud enough.
+Clawing Pains: Can grow retractable claws, which may provide intense pain or discomfort. Healing magics can help alleviate this pain... Or sharpening their budding claws on just about anything, including stone.
+Compelled to speak in riddles or outright lying, which can make it very difficult to convey any information found in the libraries.
+Compelled to guard either people or a location. This can be beneficial for other Drifters if the Sphinx decides to protect them/the Convoy… But it could also be negative, if a Sphinx decides to guard the ruins, and other Drifters are intruders.
+An obsession with riddles and puzzles. The twisting passages and mazes of the library may become a fascinating subject to explore and map, not to mention any questions intriguing behavior posed by the other Drifters.
+Ambush Predator: Gains an affinity for stalking amongst the ruins, and using them to advantage when hunting other monsters. Running from or turning one's back on a Sphinx is not advised, lest it trigger the hunting instinct.
+Fluctuating Voice: voice can easily shift into a growl or a roar if emotions grow heated. This roar can also cause damage if loud enough.
+Clawing Pains: Can grow retractable claws, which may provide intense pain or discomfort. Healing magics can help alleviate this pain... Or sharpening their budding claws on just about anything, including stone.
+Compelled to speak in riddles or outright lying, which can make it very difficult to convey any information found in the libraries.
+Compelled to guard either people or a location. This can be beneficial for other Drifters if the Sphinx decides to protect them/the Convoy… But it could also be negative, if a Sphinx decides to guard the ruins, and other Drifters are intruders.
+An obsession with riddles and puzzles. The twisting passages and mazes of the library may become a fascinating subject to explore and map, not to mention any questions intriguing behavior posed by the other Drifters.
+Ambush Predator: Gains an affinity for stalking amongst the ruins, and using them to advantage when hunting other monsters. Running from or turning one's back on a Sphinx is not advised, lest it trigger the hunting instinct.
03: MONSTER SHIFT, MANTICORE
Alongside Sphinx, is the Manticore. A second human-lion hybrid, with rows of razor teeth, batlike wings, and poisonous quills/barbs on their tails. Manticores can access all Sphinx and Drakonis traits, and also gain:
+Voracious Appetite: Need to consume a large amount of meat. Husk monsters are around to feed on, otherwise may be compelled to raid the Convoy for food.
+Truth Compulsion: Manticores gain a loud, almost trumpet quality to their voice, and a need to announce truths instead of riddles. Qith so many books in the library, there’s lots of truth to announce.
+Guardian Compulsion: like the Sphinx, Manticores can be guards. Generally Manticores tend to be much more territorial, opting for a location and driving all intruders all of it… Or opting for one person and turning savagely protective.
+Instinct Shift: Low control of Protean form, but can subconsciously shift limbs back and forth.
+Toothing Pains: Gains rows of shark-like teeth that can chew through metal. Growing these may result in pain, and pain easily leads to berserk frenzy.
+Poison Sting: While growing the poison quills, the process can be unstable and cause manticores to shoot or shed their spines at inopportune times. The poison is still developing and cannot kill, but can cause paralysis, pain, or hallucinations.
+Voracious Appetite: Need to consume a large amount of meat. Husk monsters are around to feed on, otherwise may be compelled to raid the Convoy for food.
+Truth Compulsion: Manticores gain a loud, almost trumpet quality to their voice, and a need to announce truths instead of riddles. Qith so many books in the library, there’s lots of truth to announce.
+Guardian Compulsion: like the Sphinx, Manticores can be guards. Generally Manticores tend to be much more territorial, opting for a location and driving all intruders all of it… Or opting for one person and turning savagely protective.
+Instinct Shift: Low control of Protean form, but can subconsciously shift limbs back and forth.
+Toothing Pains: Gains rows of shark-like teeth that can chew through metal. Growing these may result in pain, and pain easily leads to berserk frenzy.
+Poison Sting: While growing the poison quills, the process can be unstable and cause manticores to shoot or shed their spines at inopportune times. The poison is still developing and cannot kill, but can cause paralysis, pain, or hallucinations.
04: SINGING ROCKS
The red rocks rise up in wave-like formations, or form arches, needles, and other strange shapes. There is also one other strange quality… The rocks sing. Or perhaps it is that they reflect any sound, whether that is thunder, engine noise, or car horns, and somehow twist it into a song.
The song manifests as something Drifters either desperately wants to hear, or fears hearing. It can also amplify the Haunting Echo from last month’s event, allowing Drifters to breathe the associated element (Fire for passion, Electricity for fear or excitement, Ice for sorrow) and also have it manifest on their hands/claws, similar to an Elemental’s abilities.
Though these echoes can easily mask the approach of savage, dinosaur esque wyverns that clamber along the surfaces. The fiery tigers that prowl the chasms are slightly more obvious.
The song manifests as something Drifters either desperately wants to hear, or fears hearing. It can also amplify the Haunting Echo from last month’s event, allowing Drifters to breathe the associated element (Fire for passion, Electricity for fear or excitement, Ice for sorrow) and also have it manifest on their hands/claws, similar to an Elemental’s abilities.
Though these echoes can easily mask the approach of savage, dinosaur esque wyverns that clamber along the surfaces. The fiery tigers that prowl the chasms are slightly more obvious.
04-A: DARK ECHO
This time, the song has a darker side to it. While it may renew the Haunted Echo (and the dragon effects!), it also causes any Drifter who listens too closely to forget themselves. This leads to two different results:
Reset: Drifters have their memories wiped back to their initial canon point where they were first pulled from, and have no recall of any of the game events or why they are now monsters. Players may opt for them to hear a radio transmission explaining that they need to reach Nirvana, or give them a very quick recap of the game premise if they wish to skip that step of RP.
Blank Slate: Drifters believe that they’ve ALWAYS been a monster, and their traits have always been with them. (Or are manifesting as a natural part of their lifespan.) On top of that, they may also believe that they’ve always been a denizen of this world, and act accordingly; wary of Steel Wardens as hunters, cagey of zealot Silver Tears, and other monstrous Drifters as packmates.
This effect can be undone by a few means: either a counter spell found in the libraries, powerful healing or cleansing magic, or through the passage of time… Though in this instance, the uncured effects will last until the end of October’s events, and the creepy carnival to follow.
05: RESTORATION SPRING
At the very bottom of the badlands is a spring and a broad river. It runs through the canyons, bubbles up between rock formations, forms oasis patches, and is the only large body of water for miles around.
Approaching it after the storm event is dangerous, due to the risk of flash flooding. It takes time and care to get a vehicle or Drifter to the bottom of the canyon… But well worth the effort. Not only does the spring contain drinkable water (and may well be a haven for those with mermaid transformations) but there’s plenty of discarded cans and tanks to fill and take back to the Convoy. The water itself has healing properties, and can restore memories.
But it’s advised to fill up quickly, or submerge into the water fast. There’s an odd rustling when anyone gets close to the spring, and it doesn’t take long to find the source. A swarm of cactaurs guards the area, and don’t take kindly to intruders. Only Fast vehicles have a hope of out pacing the cactaurs before they can shred Drifters and vehicles alike with their needles. And only Tough vehicles have a hope of standing against such an assault. Fighting a tide of angry cactus monsters isn’t advised, unless the Drifters have numbers, agility, and powerful magics on their side.
Approaching it after the storm event is dangerous, due to the risk of flash flooding. It takes time and care to get a vehicle or Drifter to the bottom of the canyon… But well worth the effort. Not only does the spring contain drinkable water (and may well be a haven for those with mermaid transformations) but there’s plenty of discarded cans and tanks to fill and take back to the Convoy. The water itself has healing properties, and can restore memories.
But it’s advised to fill up quickly, or submerge into the water fast. There’s an odd rustling when anyone gets close to the spring, and it doesn’t take long to find the source. A swarm of cactaurs guards the area, and don’t take kindly to intruders. Only Fast vehicles have a hope of out pacing the cactaurs before they can shred Drifters and vehicles alike with their needles. And only Tough vehicles have a hope of standing against such an assault. Fighting a tide of angry cactus monsters isn’t advised, unless the Drifters have numbers, agility, and powerful magics on their side.
MICRO ENCOUNTERS:
PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.
Arid Land: As the Convoy progresses, water becomes harder to come by. The heat begins to spike. Cars without air conditioning have a hard time of it… And even the Convoy begins to take long breaks at the hottest parts of the day. Often sheltering in canyons, or under the shadows of the library ruins that dot the badlands. Between sun and parched conditions, it can be a battle to stay cool, and result in some odd solutions, depending on the Drifter.
Ancient Guardians: Dotting the ruins and badlands are statues that look uncomfortably familiar. Lion monsters stand guard over entrances, and sometimes even at a rare oasis. But many of them have seen better days; someone has defaced them, sometimes even decapitated them or amputated limbs and wings, carving the moon piercing sword on their stone forms. Cracked offering bowls lay at their paws, empty of everything except for sand… But those who make an offering might catch a whisper on the wind, hinting at what lays ahead.
Crumbling Tomes: One last quirk of the libraries is how the melding has gone; sometimes the shelves bleed between wood and rock. And this can even extend to the books themselves, partially petrified. And ready to fall off the shelves with a heavy impact; dodging those and deciphering stone pages can be a challenge!
Check Out: It is of course possible for Drifters to take books with them out of the library. But without a library card (curiously, off world library cards count) the defenses of the library activate. The books may ignite into flames, or become too heavy to carry.
IN ADDITION we have two extra prompts for Manticore and Sphinx monsters this month! These are detailed below:
Library binding. The library itself seems to recognize the value of these monsters as protectors, and seeks to keep them there. Various restraints try to chain sphinxes and manticores in place. Manticores have a slightly easier time biting through their restraints, but still might need help being freed, if they are collared in a way their teeth can’t reach.
Gnoll attack! On top of the Sucklers taking up residence in the library, there’s a collection of Gnolls. The hyena hybrids are slowly destroying the books, using them as kindling, or feeding for their venomous Gorger-worm pets. The gnolls also want any materials the Drifters have. If they can kill and eat any Drifters along the way, all the better. They are berserk creatures ruled by hunger, but with just enough intelligence left to use basic tools and weapons. Any interloping lion monsters are seen as pressing threats that need to be killed.
Singing Rocks
[She's not hiding behind anybody, okay, that is not what we're doing here. She ostentatiously cracks her knuckles.]
I don't give a damn who this guy is, if ass needs kicked, I'm down.
no subject
Especially when it comes to the source of the laughter. Blake ran away once; she isn't going to do it again. And she isn't going to let what happen to Yang happen to anybody else. ]
He's-- mid-twenties. Strong fighter. He has an ability where he can absorb force through his sword and unleash it when he's ready.
[ The laughter sounds again, drawling, mocking. And then: are you going to fail this one too, my love? Blake grits her teeth so hard she thinks they might crack. ]
He likes to ambush people. Be ready. I can't... I can't tell which direction he's in
no subject
[She tends to do that anyway, right? But she knows what Blake is capable of, so anybody that can freak her out this badly is worth taking seriously.
See, she can learn. But the way the voice is talking pisses her off something proper, so she's at least gonna try and goad him back.]
C'mon, loverboy, what's the hold-up?
no subject
She breaks. ]
Stop hiding! Just come out and face us! [ Her shout is frustrated, and terrified, and cracked in the middle. Furious tears spring to her eyes, a liability in combat. Lightning sparks between her teeth. ] I'm not going to let you hurt anybody else-- I have people that actually care about me now, and I can't let them down!
[ And then-- nothing.
Just wind through the canyons. Not a single sound to indicate that Adam is here. Blake's swordpoint drops an inch, confusion flattening her ears. ]
I... don't understand. I can't hear him.
no subject
[She doesn't sound at all convinced when she says it, though. Her hand is conspicuously on her dagger still as she takes a few steps forward.]
Well, we know you're not nuts, 'cuz I heard him too.
[Not that she was an unyielding bastion of sanity herself, but she figures hallucinations typically don't have a group discount.]
Maybe we stick together, just to be safe.
no subject
A great swell of emotion crashes over her, frustration and fear and anger, tears burning in her eyes, teeth gritting so hard her jaw starts aching.
They must be hearing things. It must be some kind of magic designed to harness and conjure her fears. And that's so-- Blake hates how it dug out her vulnerability like that, how it so easily scooped out her worst fear and dangled it in front of her. ]
Yeah. [ Her voice is wobbly, but attempting to be hard. ] Let's just... make our way out of the canyon. If this isn't real, the voice should fade. If... if he is here, we'll lure him out into open ground.
no subject
[She's admittedly been too distracted to notice the lightning or just how serious an effect it was having on Blake, too caught up in being pissed off at the asshole.
Now that he's apparently gone- or at least no longer talking- she's taking notice of just how rattled Blake really is. This isn't just 'active threat,' this is something worse.]
...what the hell is this guy's deal, anyway?
cw mentions of grooming
It's... complicated. We were... together. I ran away -- from the group we were part of, but mostly from him -- and now he wants to kill me.
[ She doesn't even know where to begin to explain Adam. Even to her team, she's only said the bare minimum, about cycles of gradually increasing abuse and how people can seem to change into terrible versions of themselves. When she was fifteen, it hadn't seemed weird that he was twenty-one. Now that she's eighteen, she's beginning to see just how wrong it was. ]
Did I ever mention that Yang and I used to attend a school to become Huntresses, to protect people? It... fell. It was attacked by a coalition of people, and he was one of them. He killed a lot of innocent humans that day.
no subject
But this guy sounded like he sucked severely, and more than that, it sounded like there was some very personal baggage with him and Blake beyond that. Far as she was concerned, that was probably good enough to earn this guy a severe maiming.
She's not gonna pry too deep into just how personal it got.]
Well, he's not gonna touch any of ours.
[She says it with that same blunt simplicity. Just like that.]
I'm guessin' he bleeds same as you guys do. Good enough for me.
no subject
He's strong, but he definitely bleeds like everyone else.
[ Unlike another villain she might care to name, aka, the immortal witch Salem who's trying to destroy humanity. If she ever turns up... Blake has no idea what will happen.
Recovering, she slants a little smile Faith's way. ]
Thank you. It means a lot that you had my back-- even if he wasn't real.
no subject
[There's a slight twist of discomfort at the praise, and she immediately smothers it with a cocky grin and an elbow to the arm.]
I've played the douchebag ex game, I know how it goes. Y'know I used to date a drummer?