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route666rp2025-07-06 04:13 pm
monstertruckers) wrote in route666rp2025-07-06 04:13 pm
JULY EVENT
Ahead of the Convoy, a city perches on the flatlands with a hazy mountain range beyond. But there’s no glow of activity as evening draws in; no lights in the windows, the streets, or even from a stray car. And soon it becomes clear that the entire city is in ruins. Husks line the streets like spilled metal beads, contorted in poses of pain and terror. The buildings have chunks taken out of them, barely standing. With various streets winding through the city, there’s no shortage of things to explore.
And things NEED to be explored, as the Convoy comes to a stuttering halt outside a skyscraper. While the shield and electrics still work, the Convoy itself can’t move. A quick glance at the screens shows that the new shield is draining a lot of power from the engine, and needs time to adjust and recalibrate. About several weeks worth of time.
01: URBAN WARFARE
Between the Zolom attack and the brain swarm, the Convoy has taken a few knocks. It’s a similar story with many vehicles. At least here there’s no shortage of parts and materials for repairs.
And then there’s the matter of the monsters and the cyborgs. The cyborgs see clear wear and tear, and the machines in their bodies seem to be the only thing keeping them going, and hunting monsters. As for the monsters, they carry plenty of wounds and scars inflicted by cyborg weapons and traps. Both groups prowl the streets, clashing and fighting whenever they encounter each other with single minded ferocity. Strange gargoyle-esque lizards called Iguions prowl up and down the buildings or burst out of Husks. Their skirmishes damage the city even further, with crumbling buildings and broken glass.
And none of them look tired of fighting, with how they react to Drifters.
And then there’s the matter of the monsters and the cyborgs. The cyborgs see clear wear and tear, and the machines in their bodies seem to be the only thing keeping them going, and hunting monsters. As for the monsters, they carry plenty of wounds and scars inflicted by cyborg weapons and traps. Both groups prowl the streets, clashing and fighting whenever they encounter each other with single minded ferocity. Strange gargoyle-esque lizards called Iguions prowl up and down the buildings or burst out of Husks. Their skirmishes damage the city even further, with crumbling buildings and broken glass.
And none of them look tired of fighting, with how they react to Drifters.
01-A: URBAN SALVAGE, OIL
1-A: Oil Pumps
It seems the Convoy isn’t the only thing running low on fuel. Various cyborgs and robots litter the streets, the lights in their eyes fading as their power runs down. A few of them may try to spit sparks or take shots at Drifters, but that seems to break them down even further.
Some cyborgs have a little more juice in them, and are trying to harvest fuel from oil pumps. These oil pumps grow out of the city… Often literally, as they are located on buildings and grow from the sides. It’s in defiance of how gravity should work, not to mention geology, as they continue to pump up fuel for the taking. Given how the Convoy is running low, it might be wise to harvest those tanks.
If Drifters can figure out how to scale the buildings and reach those tanks. There’s the climb up the walls, along with the proximity mines and razor shards the cyborgs have set down. There’s also an odd glow to the fuel tanks, reminiscent of the moon, though that’s probably just a quirk. And same with the cyborgs harvesting the fuel and exploding; probably just another quirk.
It seems the Convoy isn’t the only thing running low on fuel. Various cyborgs and robots litter the streets, the lights in their eyes fading as their power runs down. A few of them may try to spit sparks or take shots at Drifters, but that seems to break them down even further.
Some cyborgs have a little more juice in them, and are trying to harvest fuel from oil pumps. These oil pumps grow out of the city… Often literally, as they are located on buildings and grow from the sides. It’s in defiance of how gravity should work, not to mention geology, as they continue to pump up fuel for the taking. Given how the Convoy is running low, it might be wise to harvest those tanks.
If Drifters can figure out how to scale the buildings and reach those tanks. There’s the climb up the walls, along with the proximity mines and razor shards the cyborgs have set down. There’s also an odd glow to the fuel tanks, reminiscent of the moon, though that’s probably just a quirk. And same with the cyborgs harvesting the fuel and exploding; probably just another quirk.
01-A: URBAN SALVAGE, METAL
One might wonder where all the cars are, given this is an abandoned city; the answer soon becomes clear as more roads are explored. There’s vehicles sunk into the roads and pavement, like the ground turned to liquid before freezing into place. If any Drifters opt to explore the subway beneath the city, they’ll find that the cars are sticking through the ceiling… And currently melting and forming pools of sheet metal.
The metal itself is curiously cool to the touch, and can be sculpted into parts for the Convoy.
And somehow, that isn’t even the strangest thing. The bodies here grow more numerous; robots and Husks alike, which are arranged and frozen in a way that makes it clear a battle happened here. The Husks themselves have the remains of more ornate clothing… And occasionally still find the strength to burst open. There's also still cyborg hands clutching guns, and they occasionally twitch from either a husk burst or a skip in the cyborg programming and let out a splatter of bullets.
01-A: URBAN SALVAGE, TIRES
Compared to everything else, investigating broken shops is a little easier. The only cyborgs and Husks here are all broken down and burnt out; navigating broken glass and a few old bear traps and proximity mines is the major issue.
Food, assorted retail, is all still available in these shops. Though there is one shop that appears to specialize in tires. Or at least used to: now it specializes in piles and nests of tires and odd trinkets, strewn about all over the store front. And while Drifters could easily grab some new tires (or odd items) for the Convoy or their vehicles… There is the matter of the blue reptillian shape moving through the mess of tires and giving off sparks. A young and scrawny Behir appears to have hatched from the Husks and made its lair here. And doesn’t want to willingly part with its hoard.
02: MOON CALL
Drifters have to contend with a few more problems in the city. And one of them is changes brewing in their own bodies. This grows worse at the middle of the month, as a Moon Warp tears through the city.
Buildings twist like living things, roads undulate and flow like rivers, causing things to sink into the surface. Some parts of the city don't hold up to the strain, and introduce the hazards of falling and collapsing buildings.
The Convoy remains a safe haven during this, allowing Drifters to shelter during the worst of the Warp. Though during the Warp, and after it subsides, there's a new addition to the buildings: Statues of hellhounds and gargoyles alike dot the city. Normally such sculptures don’t have glowing beacons normally fixed to their mouths or in their claws. Those who get close enough to the glow experience symptoms similar to a Moon Warp. Complete with two monster forms to prowl the city.
Buildings twist like living things, roads undulate and flow like rivers, causing things to sink into the surface. Some parts of the city don't hold up to the strain, and introduce the hazards of falling and collapsing buildings.
The Convoy remains a safe haven during this, allowing Drifters to shelter during the worst of the Warp. Though during the Warp, and after it subsides, there's a new addition to the buildings: Statues of hellhounds and gargoyles alike dot the city. Normally such sculptures don’t have glowing beacons normally fixed to their mouths or in their claws. Those who get close enough to the glow experience symptoms similar to a Moon Warp. Complete with two monster forms to prowl the city.
02: MONSTER SHIFT, GARGOYLE
Those afflicted with Gargoyle can access to all Gargoyle species traits plus:
+Night Activity: Symptoms increase during night and Drifters feel lethargic during daytime.
+Summit: The statue beacons also produce a strange call to Gargoyle Drifters. This call usually involves climbing up buildings with new claws strong enough to dig through stone, and attacking those beacons. The beacons explode into a storm of wind to knock Drifters free from the climb…
+Flight: But Drifters can find themselves growing wings capable of flying or gliding. Which is just as well, since the city can turn various passages into wind tunnels.
+Summit Pull: Gargoyles can feel a pull upwards, to the top of the buildings. The various statues fixed to the skyscrapers offer a roosting place, fit for observing potential targets below.
+Protection: Gargoyles feel a compulsion to protect the Convoy and other Drifters nearby, particularly against threats looming in the city. Guarding them against danger becomes a priority.
+Light Sensitivity: Gargoyles are sensitive to bright lights and total darkness; both of them can draw more changes out. Unfortunately there are flashbangs in the form of traps lingering in the city, ready to trigger a fast shift.
+Night Activity: Symptoms increase during night and Drifters feel lethargic during daytime.
+Summit: The statue beacons also produce a strange call to Gargoyle Drifters. This call usually involves climbing up buildings with new claws strong enough to dig through stone, and attacking those beacons. The beacons explode into a storm of wind to knock Drifters free from the climb…
+Flight: But Drifters can find themselves growing wings capable of flying or gliding. Which is just as well, since the city can turn various passages into wind tunnels.
+Summit Pull: Gargoyles can feel a pull upwards, to the top of the buildings. The various statues fixed to the skyscrapers offer a roosting place, fit for observing potential targets below.
+Protection: Gargoyles feel a compulsion to protect the Convoy and other Drifters nearby, particularly against threats looming in the city. Guarding them against danger becomes a priority.
+Light Sensitivity: Gargoyles are sensitive to bright lights and total darkness; both of them can draw more changes out. Unfortunately there are flashbangs in the form of traps lingering in the city, ready to trigger a fast shift.
02: MONSTER SHIFT, CERBERUS
The afflicted will have access to all Cerberus species traits plus:
+Ravenous Drive: With extra mouths and muscle, there’s also a powerful hunger and a need to hunt and consume any prey a Cerberus can find.
+Graveyard Synergy: if a Drifter encounters large amounts of dead Husks or cyborgs, their transformations increase. They also hear voices from the dead, but the words are fragmented.
+Sensory disorientation: any frantic movement, bright lights, or loud noises cause a sensory overload, if the Drifters are growing extra eyes/ears/etc.
+Depth Draw: There is something in the subways drawing Cerberus afflicted. It’s a combination of moon shards in the tunnels, as well as the masses of Husks down there. They emit a call that’s difficult to ignore, and demands investigation. Even if it’s to break or exorcise things for silence.
+Doom Echo: Drifters may hear echoes of violence from other Drifters: either their fellow Drifters are turning violent, or something unpleasant is about to happen to them. It can be difficult to distinguish which is which.
+Pack Loyalty: Cerberus feel a compulsion to bond with a Drifter or a collection of Drifters as their pack. They may feel they are the pack leader, or treat another Drifter as leader. They also feel an intense loyalty and protective streak, determined to carry out the will of other Drifters.
+Ravenous Drive: With extra mouths and muscle, there’s also a powerful hunger and a need to hunt and consume any prey a Cerberus can find.
+Graveyard Synergy: if a Drifter encounters large amounts of dead Husks or cyborgs, their transformations increase. They also hear voices from the dead, but the words are fragmented.
+Sensory disorientation: any frantic movement, bright lights, or loud noises cause a sensory overload, if the Drifters are growing extra eyes/ears/etc.
+Depth Draw: There is something in the subways drawing Cerberus afflicted. It’s a combination of moon shards in the tunnels, as well as the masses of Husks down there. They emit a call that’s difficult to ignore, and demands investigation. Even if it’s to break or exorcise things for silence.
+Doom Echo: Drifters may hear echoes of violence from other Drifters: either their fellow Drifters are turning violent, or something unpleasant is about to happen to them. It can be difficult to distinguish which is which.
+Pack Loyalty: Cerberus feel a compulsion to bond with a Drifter or a collection of Drifters as their pack. They may feel they are the pack leader, or treat another Drifter as leader. They also feel an intense loyalty and protective streak, determined to carry out the will of other Drifters.
03: SUBWAY
Eventually, Drifters are drawn to the subway, whether by Cerberus traits, protective compulsions, or just plain curiosity. And what lurks in the tunnels is going to require a lot of Drifters.
There’s a few tattered subway maps left on the walls that Drifters can use to navigate the tunnels. The tunnels themselves are large: large enough for most cars to fit in, though they may have a bumpy ride down the access stairs and tracks! The tunnels themselves are also rife with Husk monsters. It’s clear that various citizens ran down here to try and escape the chaos aboveground, but still became Husks. These can burst open to show mutated rats, ratmen, and worm-like Varghidpolis.
Those with Doom Echo active will hear voices pleading, directly beseeching Drifters for a way out and a release from where they’ve been trapped.
There’s a few tattered subway maps left on the walls that Drifters can use to navigate the tunnels. The tunnels themselves are large: large enough for most cars to fit in, though they may have a bumpy ride down the access stairs and tracks! The tunnels themselves are also rife with Husk monsters. It’s clear that various citizens ran down here to try and escape the chaos aboveground, but still became Husks. These can burst open to show mutated rats, ratmen, and worm-like Varghidpolis.
Those with Doom Echo active will hear voices pleading, directly beseeching Drifters for a way out and a release from where they’ve been trapped.
03: LABYRINTH
Gradually Drifters are led into the deepest reaches of the tunnels. Paradoxically, it only gets brighter, the further they go. It culminates in a massive chamber underground that looks like someone plopped a cathedral in the middle of a subway tunnel. In the center of the chamber is a massive moon shard: one more than capable of causing a Warp as Drifters get closer.
On top of having to deal with forced transformations, there’s also phantom shapes rising off the Husks. They plead with Drifters for release and mercy, trying to rise up… But it’s clear there’s something stopping them.
That something is a strange mechanical ring circling the moon stone, laced with wiring and harshly carved runes. It looks like the work of Wardens, and their seal of a sword piercing the moon is stamped into the binding circle. The phantom voices scream for it to be destroyed; and with all their abilities, Drifters should be capable of destroying the ring.
…Though there is one more thing standing in their way.
03: CY-CERBERUS
The Wardens have left a few of their machines down here, in the form of Chromehounds. They haven’t escaped the Warping effect either, and have fused into a giant three headed cyborg dog.
A set of screens around the ring flicker to life and begin to relay text, and the rails that run through the chamber crackle with electricity. The text reads off the mantra of the Wardens, with a few additions: “Purge the corruption brought by the moon mad. Anyone altered by the touch of the moon must be cleansed and removed, lest the world fall into ruin.”
While the Cy-Cerberus is imposing, it appears to have a weakness to electricity; directing it onto the third rail can deal some serious damage to it, and weaken it enough for more monstrous characters to tear through. After the Cy-Cerberus is dealt with, the ring it was guarding can easily fall apart, and the moon stone in turn crumbles to glowing dust. The screams of the Husks dims, as their spirits released from their prisons, before drifting upwards and towards the exits of the subway. It’s easy enough to follow them back out, and leave the labyrinth behind.
A set of screens around the ring flicker to life and begin to relay text, and the rails that run through the chamber crackle with electricity. The text reads off the mantra of the Wardens, with a few additions: “Purge the corruption brought by the moon mad. Anyone altered by the touch of the moon must be cleansed and removed, lest the world fall into ruin.”
While the Cy-Cerberus is imposing, it appears to have a weakness to electricity; directing it onto the third rail can deal some serious damage to it, and weaken it enough for more monstrous characters to tear through. After the Cy-Cerberus is dealt with, the ring it was guarding can easily fall apart, and the moon stone in turn crumbles to glowing dust. The screams of the Husks dims, as their spirits released from their prisons, before drifting upwards and towards the exits of the subway. It’s easy enough to follow them back out, and leave the labyrinth behind.
04: SUMMIT
Gargoyles and those bonded with them, or those with a head for heights will find themselves drawn towards a large skyscraper dominating the skyline. The very top glows with bright light, making it clear that another moon shard is fixed to the summit. This building can be scaled either externally or internally.
Rather worryingly, the moon opts to glow bright at this point, and the higher drifters climb, the more they are affected by a low-grade Moon Warp. This one is not as strong as the Warp that occurs in the middle of the month, but can still make parts of the building shift and change around, and draw out transformations.
(Drifters might also run into new arrivals, as this is also the location of this month’s Test Drive Meme.)
Rather worryingly, the moon opts to glow bright at this point, and the higher drifters climb, the more they are affected by a low-grade Moon Warp. This one is not as strong as the Warp that occurs in the middle of the month, but can still make parts of the building shift and change around, and draw out transformations.
(Drifters might also run into new arrivals, as this is also the location of this month’s Test Drive Meme.)
04-A: CLIMB
External:
Between the bullet marks and the weathering, it’s easy to find claw holds and slowly scale up. Broken windows also make it possible to jump inside and outside of the sky scraper, to vary one’s ascent. The other constant is the stone Igueon statues dotting the outside. As Drifters draw close, they come to life and act like a stone swarm defending the building.
Internal: (CW: Meat buildings with teeth) The interior is far more claustrophobic… And fleshy at times. Networks of veins line the walls and ceilings. It’s almost like the building is alive. Or possessed. And that theory gains more credence, the more Drifters climb to the upper floors.
Teeth start to grow in doorways, sharp edged and ready to draw blood. The building sometimes gives the sensation of traveling into a throat… And there is also the Husks merged with the walls. While they may try to burst open, those monsters can quickly become absorbed by the upper levels of the building.
It’s advised to travel in pairs, to avoid becoming another part of the scenery.
Between the bullet marks and the weathering, it’s easy to find claw holds and slowly scale up. Broken windows also make it possible to jump inside and outside of the sky scraper, to vary one’s ascent. The other constant is the stone Igueon statues dotting the outside. As Drifters draw close, they come to life and act like a stone swarm defending the building.
Internal: (CW: Meat buildings with teeth) The interior is far more claustrophobic… And fleshy at times. Networks of veins line the walls and ceilings. It’s almost like the building is alive. Or possessed. And that theory gains more credence, the more Drifters climb to the upper floors.
Teeth start to grow in doorways, sharp edged and ready to draw blood. The building sometimes gives the sensation of traveling into a throat… And there is also the Husks merged with the walls. While they may try to burst open, those monsters can quickly become absorbed by the upper levels of the building.
It’s advised to travel in pairs, to avoid becoming another part of the scenery.
04-B: APEX
The summit of the skyscraper is a bit unconventional. Rather than a simple tower or the like, it looks like a temple has been set down. There’s scrolls that have merged with columns that reach skyward; some of them broken, but many of them standing. And on the columns still legible is writing:
“Woe to the moon, to the madness fostered. The world frays without the guidance of the lost God. If we must be broken, let us shatter the prison in the process.“
There’s one last thing lingering in the center of the altar; a statue of a person growing out of a gargoyle’s torso and a Cerberus melted together. On the bottom of it is an inscription: “Those who reject the Moon’s blessing pay the price in blood and identity. Leave your tribute on the claws.”
Drifters can offer their blood to the altar and gain a vial containing a rejuvenation elixir. This can undo one transformation, but requires Drifters to sacrifice one aspect of themselves: it could be a memory, or a personality trait, or simply a large quantity of blood that leaves them weakened and lethargic. Drifters will only be able to regain this aspect on the next month.
“Woe to the moon, to the madness fostered. The world frays without the guidance of the lost God. If we must be broken, let us shatter the prison in the process.“
There’s one last thing lingering in the center of the altar; a statue of a person growing out of a gargoyle’s torso and a Cerberus melted together. On the bottom of it is an inscription: “Those who reject the Moon’s blessing pay the price in blood and identity. Leave your tribute on the claws.”
Drifters can offer their blood to the altar and gain a vial containing a rejuvenation elixir. This can undo one transformation, but requires Drifters to sacrifice one aspect of themselves: it could be a memory, or a personality trait, or simply a large quantity of blood that leaves them weakened and lethargic. Drifters will only be able to regain this aspect on the next month.
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.
Car Trip: Fast cars are capable of doing both events! And tough cars can sweep the streets for traps, easily tanking flashbangs and even proximity mines.
Scars: The city is clearly scarred from many battles and calamities. Moonstones are embedded in the buildings and statues, bullet holes trace through the buildings… And in the case of the main skyscraper, draw blood from that building.
Cross Fire: On occasion, Drifters will find themselves in the midst of a battle, with vestiges of monsters and cyborgs fighting each other. They are both clearly weakened, and are focused on each other rather than the Drifters; such battles can either be avoided or won… Just watch out for stray bullets and monster attacks.
Traps: The cyborg hunters are running on autopilot and broken programming code. The same can be said for their tools and traps; locations holding valuables frequently serve as bait, with snares and foot holds carefully hidden amongst broken parts of building. These traps are designed to heavily wound or outright kill… Though with all the moon shards littering the city, the effects have a 50% chance of instead triggering changes in Drifters.
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When the Moon Warp ends, he may look back on this moment with embarrassment.
Right now? There is no shame. He even cackles as he does it.
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Maybe he shouldn't be encouraging this. But he's not in any frame of mind to consider consequences. Does anything like that even affect the dead, really?
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Though maybe some will show themselves soon. Right now, Leo isn't opposed at all.
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He wonders what that would taste like...
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He supposes if they have to, for the ultimate meal.
"After you?"
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For now, he'll make do, dashing through the dark.
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Leo is pretty fast too, usually. But like this... well, let's just say Akechi might lose sight of him for a bit.
But Leo will catch up, taking shortcuts through the walls and giggling as he slips through floors. The topography of the sewers are nothing to him. The dead have no limits.
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Six red eyes blink open a short distance away, courtesy of a Varghidpolis.
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Ew, what is that? Some kind of bug?
He pulls out his katana and spins in attack at the Varghidpolis, but it slips away before he can make contact. It skitters up along the subway walls, dodging his advance.
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It narrowly hits, knocking it from its place off the wall. Perhaps now, Leo can make his move.
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"You'll never bug me again!" he crows.
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Besides, he does have to drain its life force, if there's any life left in the remains.
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"There's got to be something better deeper down," he says with an edge of a giggle. "That's how this usually works."
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His beastly instincts crave meat. His more logical mind recognizes that the Sigils help restore their stamina and strength.
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Can he even get tired anymore? Who's to say.
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Fortunately, the smaller prey, like the rats and Rat-men are easily enough to tear through while they make their way deeper. The corpses that fade into light offer rejuvenating energy to them both. A welcome prize, given the ominous presence deeper down...
To say nothing of the wails of the trapped souls, growing more audible the deeper they plunge.
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Soon, he can hear the clanking, braying sounds of the monster in the depths. He's still chuckling as he stops just outside its lair, spying the screens lit up inside.
"Purge the corruption brought by the moon mad... Heehee! Does that mean us?" He glances over at Akechi. "Rude! Heeheehee..."
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Cackling, he peers through the darkness, sparks forming in his maw. Oh, what fun... A proper opponent.
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"Right behind you! Heehee... Or right behind it..."
He slips into the wall again, to make his way to the back of the beast's chamber. Have fun with the sparking, Akechi!
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Erring on the side of caution, he fires some icy blasts at the gaps between its joints, hoping to slow its movements.
Unfortunately, the Cerberus doesn't take kindly to the attack, retaliating with gunfire that forces Akechi to shield himself with his wings.
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