monstertruckers: (Default)
monstertruckers ([personal profile] monstertruckers) wrote in [community profile] route666rp2025-10-07 06:41 pm

October Event




Gradually the badlands fade out, replaced by brass colored grass and plains. The road is unnervingly well kept here, without a trace of wear and tear. It cuts straight through the land and into a valley. Ruins come in the form of tattered cloth scraps draped over the valley, and broken down wreckage of what could have been rollercoasters and carousels.

The Convoy makes a camp in a particularly fabric rich area; the tattered cloth flaps like flags in trees and abandoned powerlines. But as the sun sets, the cloth spreads and multiplies. In a breath the wreckage turns into tents with bright colors and patterns. Ruined rides build themselves back up again, a gigantic circus tent closes over the Convoy… And the vehicles all shift in a shriek of metal, turning into cages.

Drifters might find themselves trapped in those cages, scattered across the fairgrounds, or caught on the main rings of the tent. Right as they start to gather their bearings, a voice booms out.

“Ladies and gentlemen please, would you bring your attention to me?” The stands don’t seem so deserted anymore. There’s shadows filling the seats, and a few thousand faintly glowing eyes turned towards Drifters. “A feast for your eyes to see, in the wake of catastrophe! The world may be broken, our souls ghostly streaks, but we turn in the grave for this collection of freaks!”

A ghostly carnival is in full swing, And the Drifters are the leading stars, whether they want to be or not.

















01: MONSTER SHIFT, ALL


It feels like every aspect of the Carnival is trying to force monster changes on Drifters. Cages designed to oppress or panic, or even kill Drifters if they don’t adapt: water filled containers to force Merfolk changes, bird cages that rise to great heights and then drop Drifters through the floor, etc. Then there are the performances trying to force changes, and even the gaze of the spectators.

It all means that Drifters are forced to change and adapt… Sometimes into entirely new forms.

((OOC: FOR THIS MONTH ONLY, you may switch your character’s monster form to something entirely different! Any monster is available, but this will reset at the end of the month. You can choose to keep your bonus traits (if any!) active during this phase, or mute them to fully explore the new monster traits.

IN ADDITION, all traits and monster form switches are discounted this month as though they were Event Monsters.))
02: BLOOD AND CIRCUSES
In a ring of fire and ice is the first attraction; a red spattered fighting ring. The Carnival hasn’t bothered to clean out the last set of blood stains before a collection of Drifters are brought in to shed more of it.

Along with the fire and ice bordering the ring, various hazards spring in to shed more blood; knife throwers sometimes appear at the edges of the stage to throw blades at the Drifters. Bleeding or dodging is both part of the show. Same with the occasional fire and ice breathers spitting the elements into the ring.

And then there’s the hazards loosed inside the ring proper, for the fighting spectacle. With a crowd of spectators hungry for more sport, any number of matches are available:

02-A: HUSK BATTLE
Assorted monsters are kept in separate cages from any Drifters, and are in a bloodthirsty state when released. Any prior monster encounter from other areas is fair game here! And there are several new encounters as well:
+T-rexaur: A large red and purple striped t-rex with fearsome jaws, a tail swipe, and a bad attitude.
+Water based monster: A portion of the fighting ring is flooded, and populated with an assortment of water monsters. Sea wolves and sea lions (in the form of actual aquatic mer-lions) are both in attendance.
+Stranger, a ghastly and gaunt creature resembling a human mixed with an ostrich, with a mouthful of sharp teeth ready to bite.
+Khezu, an alarmingly wyrm like dragon with a long snaking neck, snapping teeth, and the ability to generate electric shocks.

To make things just a little more complicated, the monsters also have a coating applied to their fangs, claws, and any other weapons on them. The solution alternately burns and freezes when coming into contact with Drifter skin. And any hit that draws blood can forcefully activate a monster trait for the unfortunate Drifter.
02-B: PVP
Of course, the crowd demands more than just fights against a mindless opponent. They wish for displays of cunning and ferocity alike, and this pushes Drifters into the ring to face off against each other.

Monster wranglers wait on the margins, either to goad Drifters into a battle with strikes, and perhaps a few darts to induce a berserk status… Or to break fights off before they can become too lethal.

They wish to keep their star attractions alive, after all.

But accidents and killings can still happen; in that case, Drifters will find themselves reforming in a strange gas station/tent combo, similar to the usual revival ritual.
02-C: CHAINED MATCH
Either of the above situations apply, but to make things that little more interesting, two Drifters will find themselves chained together.

Whether by the throat, ankles, or wrists, there’s a length of chain tying them together. The chain appears to be made of a material similar to the moon shards, alternating between metallic material, and a strange glowing substance.

It keeps Drifters within 6-12 feet of each other at all times. Attempts to break the chain will reflect the attacks back on the Drifter, either as damage or as monster changes… Though this said, two Drifters working together with concentrated attacks might have better luck at shattering the chain, and making their escape in the chaos.

Granted, such a thing might also cause a small scale Moon Warp. But it certainly aids in adding confusion and chaos.
03: CENTER STAGE
Beyond the blood sport, there’s also a circus performance to be had. Drifters may find themselves roped into a variety of performances, whether they’re willing or not.

Ghostly carnival staff have weapons at the ready to threaten and prod someone into performing if they need some extra motivation. Or perhaps even threaten those close to the Drifter, for more encouragement. Similarly, there's also the blackmail of withholding healing or nourishment until a performance occurs.

Among several performances a few stand out:

03-A: HIGH FLYING ACT
The more athletic Drifters may find themselves pushed into an odd set up, and leap, dive, and weave through various hoops of different elements. Somehow the Carnival has found a way to make the hoops burn underwater and perfectly suspend them above water as needed, as well. The entire thing is an obstacle course that doesn’t care very much about the safety of the performers. Aside from the burning, freezing, and electrified hoops, there’s knife dodging, and a lot of perilous footwork in the form of platforms to jump between.

Further up, a high flying act has been set up near the roof of the tent, with swinging trapeze sets and a tight rope strung at a dizzying stretch. It’s a long way down, and there’s various hazards set up to jump through and weave between, from more hoops, knives, and even nets of razor wire to dive between.

Drifters may end up injured in the process, or need some help to get through the course in one piece.

03-B: MAGIC ACT
Drifters with any degree of magic, whether that’s natural or monster powers, are pressed into the magic section of the ring. The hazards here aren’t quite as readily visible, but still present.

Drifters are presented with dangerous objects to destroy or dispel with their various magic talents: throwing knives aimed straight at them, razor winged mechanical doves, and perhaps even a sharp toothed monster rabbit hiding in a hat.

Then there are the hazards to escape from; water tanks, binds, coffins that are set ablaze or stabbed through with swords and the like.

And there is also the conjuring and disappearing acts. Drifters are given various magic hats to pull roses and assorted magic props from… Though there’s a chance those items might explode into a wave of transforming or mind altering magic as the crowd applauds. And there is also the disappearing act, where Drifters may vanish and reappear in a completely different part of the Carnival.

03-C:OPEN TALENT
If a Drifter has a talent suited for performing, they might very well find themselves in the spotlight and with a ghostly crowd focusing on them. Time spent show casing their talents might get a haunting cheer from the crowd, and a request for an encore while getting showered with ghostly flowers.

Said flowers offer one of two things: a moment of clarity to help restore Drifters who have become too feral… Or a chance to escape in a sudden swirl of flower petals. Though if a crowd doesn’t like the performance, a collection of tomatoes might also be incoming… Oddly blood filled tomatoes at times.

This said, there’s a handful of other ghostly performers nearby who don’t take kindly to sharing the spotlight, and are more than ready to sabotage the performance. That may include forcing transformations, or finding a way for the performance to turn deadly. Or just glaring and/or heckling the performers. Ghosts are fickle like that.
04: ENSHROUD
One last thing can (optionally) be draped over the Drifters in the Big Top: the Masquerade Shroud.

The Shroud may take the form of a masquerade mask, a blindfold, a veil, or any other type of accessory that covers the head. It taps into the Drifter’s Sigil to further enhance the stage. These enhancements take one of two forms:

Euphoria: does its best to convince a Drifter they are in an ideal setting, where everything is going their way. This may also pull on their memories, showing them cherished things or people to motivate them into giving their all to the performance.
Terror: is the opposite, bringing up nightmarish hallucinations to motivate a Drifter to try and escape, or eliminate any obstacle before them. Like Euphoria, the Shroud may also pull up deep rooted fears, terrors, and regrets from a Drifter’s past.

The Shroud also makes the illusions visible to others. This is usually for the benefit of the audience, but this also means that Euphoria and Terrors from different Drifters can easily blend together.
05: FAIR GROUNDS

Drifters who manage to escape their cages (or avoid getting caught up in the main stage as the Carnival springs to life!) will find themselves wandering the fairgrounds. But just because they’re free of the performance doesn’t mean the dangers or the hazards have passed.

The fair grounds are host to a variety of specters, drifting from place to place. Oddly, any transformed Drifter seen by the specters doesn’t raise an alarm; the Drifters seem to be treated as part of the wandering entertainment, as long as they don’t cause trouble… Though trouble lurks behind many of the attractions.
05-A: HALL OF MIRRORS
Lurking inside a tent is a maze of mirrors; a decent hiding place, and an even better place to get lost in. These mirrors show more than just the Drifter’s reflection: they catch glimpses of a person’s past; past regrets, past triumphs, all of it blends together.

Longtime Drifters may also be forced to revisit their time in Revan, both the high and the low points.

And if a mirror is shattered, then it also shows any number of possible futures… Though many of those are grim, capitalizing on a Drifter’s fears.

A Drifter can reverse multiple transformations if they make contact with a more normal reflection… Though there is a price to this. They will find themselves mirroring the personality traits of anyone they make eye contact with.
05-B: FREAK AND PEEK
It’s possible for Drifters to be captured again, or even just shunted from the big top to end up here. Put in cages for various specters to come gawk and stare at. However, the staring can go both ways; anyone who makes close eye contact with the ghosts will see something strange reflected in the spirit’s eyes.

That something is a glimpse of the world before. Drifters can easily see visions of past locations, this time healed of all damage and filled with people. There’s even images of monsters emulated in carvings, read about in books, and spoken about with a certain amount of fear and reverence. And it all seems to tie back to the moon.

That’s just at a first glance; it’s possible to gain more information with a deeper look, though it risks upsetting the ghosts… And causing a vision backlash onto the Drifters, forcing a new monster type onto them for the month.

((OOC Note: Please comment under the Freak and Peak comment thread on the OOC post, and we will do an RNG roll to determine your visions and monster type!))
05-C: CAROUSEL
A carousel full of eerily life like creatures spins around and around. The various figurines are painstakingly crafted puppets and animatronics that resemble monsters. A haunted calliope plays in the center, though no-one sits there. Instead a constant wind shifts through the pipes, producing a strange melody; the song can verge on being hypnotic, drawing Drifters in.

If an unfortunate Drifter DOES step aboard, they’ll find themselves cruelly ensnared by ghostly harness and ropes and forced to take part in the ride. Their instincts can be pushed to a breaking point as the Carousel spins faster and faster: Drifters can easily be overridden by either a predator drive to hunt, or a prey drive to flee or fight back. With such instincts active, it becomes easier to break out of the restraints… But that impulse will remain with the Drifter.

The carousel also has one last quirk. It runs both forwards and backwards. Running backwards reverts a Drifter from their monstrous traits, but forces a fear into them. They have to fight that fear and urge to flee any monstrous creature, including other Drifters. Running forwards advances a Drifter’s monster transformations, and pushes bloodlust into them.
06: FORTUNE TELLER
A lonely tent stands apart from everything else, and the phantoms stream around the tent like fish around a rock. A faint, shimmering glow spills through the tent flap from dozens of candles, providing just enough light to see.

The ghostly specter inside weaves a pattern of cards between their hands. They don’t speak, but offer to show images on the cards to any curious Drifters. In exchange for price. It could be a bit of coin, a bauble, or even a bit of song or story.

All of this is explained on a sign board next to the cards. It also warns: “A bit of magic will cling to you after the reading. Creatures of fate always twist the pattern into odd quirks."

((OOC: As with Freak and Peek, please comment to the relevant thread, and we will RNG roll a single card drawn from the deck, and a quirk assigned to your character. Unlike Freak and Peek, this is not a monster transformation but instead a little oddity that lasts the month.)
07: ROLLER RACE TRACK
Flickering carnival lights shine down on a dusty wood carved path behind the tents: a crude race track stitched together with a rollercoaster. A handful of vehicles have been freed from being cages, but appear to be bolted to the roller coaster. Electric current races along the track at times, as a shocking hazard to anyone outside their vehicle.

Those metal tracks run in crazy spider patterns around the course, with plenty of opportunities to weave and crash together. The track also has both steep plunges, and even loops for the cars to clear.

Drifters may find themselves bound to their cars via a chain lashed from wrist to steering wheel. The only promise of being released is if they can finish the race alive… And the Drifters may also find that someone else has been chained to the car with them, to heighten the stakes of the race.

Fast cars have the easiest time clearing the loops, and racing ahead. But Tough cars can better manage to demolition derby portion of the race. It’s always a toss up on who might come in first… Though the prize isn’t much to write home about. Simply that Drifters are let free to wander the Carnival grounds.
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.

Bark And Bite: Outside the tents is a strange electronic arrangement. It’s a haunted barker speaker with teeth growing out of it. It tries to bite passerby in order to steal or mimic their voice to announce the next big show.

Brewing Storm: The weather is a fickle thing, alternating between a haunted twilight state, a rumbling storm brewing overhead, and a few fitful bolts of lightning and splashes of rain. The sun never seems to shine overhead, no matter how many days pass.

Haunting Melody: A persistent melody creeps through the Carnival, through mournful calliope pipes and broken speakers. It tries to match to festive tunes either from the world of Revan, or the world of the Drifters… But it always comes out sounding mournful instead of cheery.

NAVIGATION











saisdoesmatter: (Hopefully Donnie Can Fix That...)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-10-29 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"Man, I don't wanna be a horse," he complains, "knowing my luck I'll get even more neurotic if I turn into one."

It's kind of like relearning to walk - which makes him feel like he's a little kid again - but he continues to get a feel for how these legs respond. The wobble is still there but he manages a few more.

That statement makes him 'hm' at it before looking down and wriggling his toes. They've got a lot of toe grip now. "...mebbe? I almost feel noisier though?"
propatriamori: (winning smile)

[personal profile] propatriamori 2025-10-30 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Edward laughs in surprise at that assessment. "Horses are like that, it's true. The one I've known here is very relaxed and collected, though."

Besides, horses can't climb on walls, which is an underrated and very fun ability, in Edward's humble opinion.

He keeps walking backwards, helping Raph learn how to use his new legs. "I imagine that's because you're still learning. I wasn't terribly stealthy at first either."

He holds up one of his hands that was out to catch Raph, since he's walking fairly well on his own. "May I see your hand? You may have gotten some grip on your fingers as well."

Definitely going to gloss over the fact that it takes the form of little micro filaments, or at least it did on Edward.
saisdoesmatter: (Issat So?)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-10-30 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Horses also know when things aren't right in the world," he says, easily now, "but that doesn't mean that they can't be sweet." Says the animal lover. Horses were usually just more like 'wtf are you weird turtle man' in his experience.

"At least this happened now and not like...in the middle of a fight. I've had to fight before injured but whole body not responding when there's punching to be done? Sounds lame." Jokes are definitely helping his mood though. It also helps that Edward is so kind.

At the question though, he just takes Edward's hand without complaint. "I...dunno if I'll have anything like that - might not? I kinda feel like a weird armoured bug person now."
propatriamori: (pic#17907228)

[personal profile] propatriamori 2025-10-30 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, don't mistake me; I love horses. Having one to ride would be marvellous." Horses were still a pretty important part of life in Edward's time, and he misses them. He'd love to have one to ride around here.

"When I grew my second set of arms, I was halfway up a building and besieged by angry statues. It can be done, but it's not nearly as fun as it might seem."

Edward touches Raph's hand, but if he's got extra stickiness power now, Edward can't tell. "You do seem to be based on something different than myself. Perhaps a beetle of some sort?"

He lets Raph's hand go and pats his shoulder. "That's likely a good thing. My other form has its advantages, but it's fragile. I'm not terribly good in a fight."
saisdoesmatter: (Smile Like You Mean It)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-10-30 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'd be afraid of it getting hurt," he says, because really, he knows the animals would be targets for hungry critters. And maybe some of the people in the convoy. "But it'd be really cool to try and ride one." Though that makes him think about it. "...wait, and their movements could let you see your way around with how their hooves clap against the ground - that'd be awesome for you."

He winces at the thought. "Oh jeez, not cool. I mean you can't help it when it happens but..."

The fact that he's some sort of bug-turtle-hybrid is one thing - but he hasn't sprouted extra legs like Edward can. "...at least I'm not a fly. That'd be real gross." Sorry Baxter, you're super disgusting. "Maybe a beetle--ew--with my shape and all."

"Well - if this is what I got now, once I get used to it, I'll still be able to fight. Everyone's got their strengths and weaknesses - I'm just used to being able to punch people."
propatriamori: (pic#17907252)

[personal profile] propatriamori 2025-10-30 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"You've never ridden before?" That seems much more common in the future than it was in Edward's time. "Well, if one ever shows up, I'd be happy to teach you."

A pause. "Although around here, it might be more realistic to hope to befriend a centaur."

He waves aside Raph's concern about his arm-growing adventure. "Fortunately, Donnie was there with me, and we managed to get down without any major issues."

Edward tilts his head a bit when Raph says he fights by punching. "Perhaps you're one of those horned beetles. They're very tough, or so I'm told."
saisdoesmatter: (...huh)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-10-31 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
"No, not really. Might have ended up on one in like a dire situation, but not actually learned or anything. Didn't want to hurt 'em if I was too heavy for them."

Another laugh. "Maybe, but knowing my luck? The centaur would be one of the convoy and would just tell me to piss off."

The fact that Edward had backup from someone capable like Donnie though eases some of the concern - especially since his friend here is healthy and whole, given what happened and everything. "Sounds about right for Dee. He's got people's backs."

"Huh. But I don't have horns - I'll take the tough aspect though."
propatriamori: (pic#17907228)

[personal profile] propatriamori 2025-11-01 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're not that heavy, Raph." Or maybe Edward just has weird bug strength and hasn't realised it yet. Who knows? "I'm sure a larger horse would be able to carry you without a problem."

Edward chuckles along with him. "I would just assume, at this point, that any centaurs are part of the convoy and approach them accordingly."

He reaches up with one hand and lightly taps Raph on the side of the head. "You don't have any horns today. Who knows what the future may bring?"
saisdoesmatter: (Hopefully Donnie Can Fix That...)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-11-01 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, okay, maybe one of the bigger ones, but like, they're going to be weirded out by the strange turtle guy trying to put tack on them."

He's laughing about it. "Still, I don't think they'd appreciate someone going up to them and is all like 'can I ride you like a pony?' Kinda rude."

Though the hand against his head makes him quiet, considering it. "...I dunno if that's better or worse."
propatriamori: (pic#17907255)

[personal profile] propatriamori 2025-11-01 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"I certainly wouldn't lead with that, no." Probably best to ask their names first and get to know them. It hasn't escaped Edward's attention that he himself is, technically, a centaur, but spider legs are way too spindly to support much of anyone on his back.

"I imagine it would be what you decided to do with them." Edward grows serious for a moment. "I have a theory that these transformations are a type of evolution unique to this world, and that they are allowing us to protect ourselves against an environment which would otherwise be too hostile. Horns could have great potential in a combat situation, but I also understand why you may not want them. I only suggest that you keep an open mind, as much as possible."
saisdoesmatter: (Hopefully Donnie Can Fix That...)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-11-01 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"That and I don't know if there's actually anyone who is a centaur...?" he ponders aloud. Maybe Akechi counted? Hard to say - he had a lot of different monster parts and appeared to be more like a chimera of some sort. It wasn't like he knew a lot of the members of the convoy all that well.

The seriousness of the theory refocuses him, so he listens as Edward talks about the transformations and what they might mean for them. He doesn't like the idea of being some sort of bug person, but...well, anything that helps is important. "Hm...never really thought about it that way. Though that sounds like a theory to share with Donnie. He'd probably love it."
propatriamori: (pic#17907256)

[personal profile] propatriamori 2025-11-02 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Zack is at the moment, but he usually isn't." It does seem a little strange, now that they're talking about it, that there aren't any true, Greek-mythology-inspired centaurs in the convoy. Perhaps their horse bodies would make it difficult for them to drive, and so no one has evolved that way.

"I'll tell Donnie about it the next time I see him." Edward smiles. "It was something he said once that influenced the theory, in fact."
saisdoesmatter: (...huh)

[personal profile] saisdoesmatter 2025-11-02 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, he remembers Zack from when he first got here - he was pretty sure he was like...some horned critter? So the whole 'he usually isn't' at the moment makes him scrunch his face as he's thinking about the whole convoy being attacked by the circus mob. "...I wonder if this circus is like...somehow forcing new forms on us?"

Hard to tell - he was still trying to get used to the whole ebb and flow of the moon crap and now there's a weird circus. He wasn't exactly a bug-turtle before this.

"Dee's good with theory craft - might lead the smarties into a good direction with what might be able to be done for everyone."