Updating environmental system to version 2.69...
When you blink your eyes open, it is to the glare of blinding overhead lights and the sight of a pair of glassy mechanical eyes boring into your own. The face above yours moves like liquid mercury, forming an approximation of a figure that you recognize and trust implicitly: a friend, a loved one, a caretaker. Perhaps even a god or a goddess. From its lips fall the patterns of a language that is strange and robotic, and yet familiar to you:
Everything is fine.
Welcome to the ̶͓̃N̵̼̈ă̷͙m̴̝͋e̵͕͐l̴͔̋e̷̦͘š̴͙s̵̬̚ ̵̝͌I̴͙͐s̵͖̄l̷̞̓à̴͖n̷̺̏d̵̮͠.̶̼̊<
Darkness overtakes you once again. In the blackness of your dreamless sleep, you are sure you hear a strange chime. You are conscious of a choice:
Yes
Y̶o̶u̶ ̸h̵a̸v̸e̵ ̸c̷h̸o̶s̵e̵n̷ ̶w̶i̶s̵e̴l̷y̸.̷
The Augur thanks you for your loyalty.
I. Orientation
With your support, the Nameless Island will thrive and prosper -- but it may require a little more energy than usual to sustain. Step outside and you will soon see why: the skies are calm, the seas are clear and blue, and the pink sands of the beach have never looked more inviting.
Rome wasn't built in a day, but a facsimile of it certainly was. Enjoy new facades for all of the structures in the Nameless City - everything has been retooled, renewed, and restored to be sleek, shiny, and the absolute height of high tech, eco-friendly luxury, with lush greenery and futuristic architecture blending together seamlessly. You have been transported from the hospital directly to your new residence in either the Apartments or in the House of Worship, sparsely furnished with all the basics and some of your belongings. A friend, partner, or stranger may be there with you. This may be your roommate, but this place isn't hurting for space. No robot will stop them from selecting their own room if they wish.
The Augur calls everyone to the Loudinus Amphitheater, an outdoor stage nestled among the tropical foliage where 'bots put on a play about the purpose of the island, the Auspicious Acts, and the history of the past year, including the all-too-recent attack on the Augur. The robot sex scenes are numerous and explicit, and you may find yourself watching a horribly butchered version of any of your old encounters.
Pick up a free Playbook, a comprehensive list of the dramatis personae with detailed character profiles, and learn a thing or two about your fellow Islanders. No detail is too trivial!
(This play will be streamed to all devices to be viewed remotely, and a digital download of the Playbook is also available.)
II. With Great Power
As a boon for taking on guardianship of the land, characters will find themselves sublimating into the purest form of themselves, embodying a particular trait, quality, or concept to the point where they might as well be revered as its new lawful ruler. That's right: you've become as gods, right down to the development of unique magic powers OR changes to your form which reflect the very core of your being. Enjoy being able to create water, fly with your brand new wings, or even summon geese... among other things.
Of course, with semi-phenomenal, nearly-cosmic power comes semi-phenomenal, nearly-cosmic responsibility! After each expenditure of your new powers, you find yourself becoming weaker, hungrier -- but what you're craving isn't food or rest, it's eros energy. The more outrageous your power or transformation, the more your body will crave the completion of an Auspicious Act. Those who do not gather Eros Energy will be driven mad by this lust, until they begin to lose touch with their sense of self - perhaps even some of their most defining memories.
If the burden proves too great, these powers or changes may be wished away with a request to the Augur and the exchange of one Act.
No
You have chosen to exist away from the Augur's wisdom and b̷e̴n̸e̵v̵o̵l̶e̴n̵c̴e̸.
Please accept your gracious punishment. Have a p̴l̷e̷a̵s̴a̸n̷t̵ day!
III. Dis-Orientation
You awake outside of city limits, out of sight and out of mind, but with the looming sight of the bright and shiny Nameless City always on the horizon. What surrounds you is not luxury, but instead drab, run-down buildings and despair. Your orientation, an extravagant and sexually explicit play which describes the purpose and recent history of the Island, is remotely streamed to your device. Watch it if you wish. Meanwhile, there are a few 'bots to be seen among the rubble and rundown buildings that surround you -- but are they friend or foe? Ask them questions about what has happened to you, and they will be vague and evasive. You're inside a simulation, they say, and this is all very temporary while the Augur's systems update.
They do have one answer for you: if you want into the Nameless City before that time comes, it will cost you an Auspicious Act... and a visit to the Augur. The 'bots will escort you there, if you wish.
These robots are a far cry from the well-oiled machines of the Nameless City, though they're no less helpful. In a rundown shack, a robot bartender dispenses rations and bootleg moonshine. (You can even check out the bathtub it's brewed in!) The liquor is definitely real, and it can definitely strip the rust right off the robots. Whether it's fit for human consumption remains to be seen. Regardless, it's going to give you the night of your life - drinking the stuff may cause a variety of effects, from normal intoxication, to erections lasting more than four hours, to wild hallucinations.
IV. It's Morphin' Time
Later, the rogue robots bring some scavenged technology: small, pink globes with "PROJECT DAEMON" etched on the side. These globes bond to specific individuals and morph into different creatures based on the emotions that those individuals exhibit: someone feeling brave might find themselves with a bright, roaring lion, while someone scared may find themselves pocketing a small mouse. A singer may find themselves warbling alongside a siren.
They shift often and at will, and they are here to help you survive in this landscape. Need someone to help you catch fish, gather firewood, or find you a partner to complete that Auspicious Act? This little critter has your back!
These creatures can communicate with everyone in simple language, but you'll soon realize they're not just voicing their own thoughts, but the thoughts of the person they've bonded with.
These are temporary creatures who will run out of power by the end of the month, though they can be resurrected with rewards at a later date.
Continue
V. The Doctor's Back In
All of this must be a lot for Islanders to take in and process. A lot of new information, new feelings, and new surroundings to become acquainted with. But they should know they are not alone here. Dr D. Love is still as present as ever to help anyone who may need to work through accepting their new situation. He and his helpers might even be rather insistent on you having a session!
Whether you're in the city or out of it, you may suddenly awaken to find yourself sitting in a comfortable chair in the doctor’s newly remodeled office that is tastefully decorated with finely detailed, “hand” painted posters of beings in positions of pleasure. So many positions. Or you may find yourself in the Immersion Room, an equally tastefully decorated room filled with a large, comfortable bed (perfect for group therapy sessions!) and shelves full of toys and other supplies. For the duration of your session, enjoy access to anything one might need to help relieve the stress of their body and mind on their own - or with a partner, who might have been brought here just as unwittingly as you were.
The Doctor is there to help you work through your feelings and discomfort if needed, please have no fear. He knows some of you may be resistant to his help, but he’s as cheerful and devoted as ever, to the point of not letting you leave the building until you’ve admitted to whatever feelings you are holding back - not just to him, but also to your therapy buddy. What's the diagnosis? The fact is, you must not be receiving enough pleasure. You are too tense, you need to relax and allow yourself to embrace the carnal nature of this world and what it can provide you.
The more you resist, the more the Doctor shall insist. He may even choose to activate your Neural Implant, which all Islanders have been gifted with upon arrival. Said neural implant may cause immediate arousal, sexual attraction to those near you, and even turn various parts of your body into extreme erogenous zones! Once activated, the Implant's effects may kick in at the most random of times.
The Doctor knew all you needed was the right motivation.
OOC Notes:
Welcome to the updated Erku! As this is a setting shift and a re-launch of sorts, this TDM is open to top-levels from both current and prospective players. Feel free to tag around with reckless abandon, and have fun!
Whether you are new or old, it is entirely up to you as to whether your character wakes up in the Nameless City or in the ruinous world of the Simulation. Even characters who acted to attack in the Augur in Event 16 may wake up in the City and vice-versa, according to player preference. This simulation is a temporary run and will last for about two weeks (in other words, the duration of the TDM), at which point all characters will wake in their new Nameless City apartments. Even if you choose "No", you may future-date prompts for the City for this time period.
For now, previously requested safe havens and residences are not currently accessible. They will be made available again in following Simulations, but 'bots are inclined to leave characters in mystery and suspense about this!
Feel free to ask questions below.
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N A V I G A T I O N
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no subject
After all, you can learn a lot about a person from how they handle a monster. ]
That's true enough. [ Another pull from the bottle, and he turns lazily around to lean back against the bar, his elbows resting on it and his head lolling back for a moment as he savors the burn settling in his lips and throat. It's still godawful, but it's better than nothing. ] They sure want something. Even if it's to make us play puppets.
[ He snorts softly himself. ]
I don't buy anything. Not at face value. But it's a hell of a con, if they're trying to pull one. And real easy to prove or disprove.
no subject
How do you like your whiskey J?
With an active desire to do me harm.
I asked about your whiskey, not your men, but fine.
Juno grabs his glass, remembers it’s empty, then sets it back down with a huff. Focus Steel, focus. This conversation is actually important. Learn. Assess. Survive. ]
Easy to prove? You think? We get the rewards or we don't, that can be tested, but this thing about "sex energy" keeping the lights on seems a lot harder to pin down.
no subject
Yet, anyway. That'll come soon enough, he has little doubt, if only because behaving properly is boring. ]
Mm, fair enough. Seems hard to harness that to keep the lights on. [ He shrugs, a languid movement that plays interestingly through the well-defined muscles of his arms and shoulders. Almost like it's on purpose. Because it is. If sex is the currency of the realm, shit, he's well prepared to rake it in and make good use of it. ] But something always comes from something, and if that's the energy of choice instead'a alchemy or coal, well, it's at least a hell of a lot more fun if it works.
[ His head lolls to the side a bit, eyes almost glittering. ] 'Sides, I'm more interested in what it can do for me personally than the city.
no subject
Not only that, but this knife-sharp stranger poses another sort of challenge. Something other than solving the mystery of this place and the bots and god, is he hungry for that. A distraction. Maybe the important conversations can wait. Just one night. Or maybe this won't even go anywhere he can go right back to wallowing, though he knows which option he'd prefer. ]
Hard to argue with that. Not saying I like being some voyeuristic AI's personal battery pack, but I've done worse to get by. And at least it beats coal mining. [ He shrugs, eye bright and intent on Greed as he turns in his seat, elbow on the bar and facing the man properly now. ]
You tested it yet? [ He says it almost like a challenge, head cocked a little to the side. Curious. Always so damn curious about things he should really leave alone. ] Seen if you can get what you want playing the Auger’s game?
no subject
And what better way than by showing him just how a good friend Greed can be? ]
Not here. Not yet. [ He takes another swig from his bottle of moonshine, drips of clear liquor running down his chin, and he lazily licks it away from where it trickles over his lip. Nothing subtle, nothing hidden. ] I've just been waiting for the right, ah, test subject, I'd guess you say. Someone who seems interesting. And up for it.
[ A challenge can never go unanswered, of course, and Greed leans in a little closer, all teeth and bright eyes and potent alcohol on his breath, tangy and sharp. ] And you? Found yourself in any trouble yet, stranger?
no subject
Greed leans in, and Juno flashes him a smile that’s both knowing and hungry. It’s been a long time since he felt this sure about something. About going for what he wants. That what he wants is someone he should by all rights be avoiding until he has a better idea of what he’s dealing with only makes the whole thing more appealing really. ]
Trouble? Hoping I’m in some now actually. I’m overdue for it.
[ He shifts his weight forward as well, pulse racing with anticipation as he tilts his head up to keep the eye-contact. ]
Think I might know a guy that could tick those boxes for you, if you want to make a trade. I’ll give you the info for a pull from that bottle of yours. [ He nods towards the moonshine in Greed’s hand. ] The bartender left me high and dry over here.
no subject
And in such fun ways. ]
Really now? [ Greed clicks his tongue against his teeth. ] Shame. Better go and find it, then, before it finds you.
[ But ah, there's an offer, and Greed knows how to barter. He glances at the bottle himself, shrugs, and takes a deep swig, letting the acrid moonshine fill his mouth. And holds it there, so that when he reaches out and grabs Juno by the collar, he can drag him in, press their lips together, and let a tidy mouthful of the liquor flow into the other man's mouth. It's a harsh, damp, messy thing, that kiss, but Greed is still grinning when he draws back. ]
That can be arranged.
no subject
But today isn’t that day. Greed kisses him and Juno takes everything the other man has to give as he kisses him back, lips parting to the liquor and the burn and the rush of it. All the better that it’s messy. Rough. He wouldn’t want it any other way right now.
When Greed pulls back and Juno follows him, chasing after the taste of moonshine for a second more after the kiss is over. His lips stay parted, his breathing uneven, tongue darting out to chase a bit of alcohol that had trickled out of the corner of his mouth. This would be a good place for a quick one-liner, something witty or sexy. Instead, all that comes out is a rough— ]
Outside. [ He grabs Greed’s jacket and tugs, already off his barstool, on his feet and moving toward the door. ] Now.
no subject
So who is he without all that? Well, if nothing else, he's still a damn fine kisser.
At least, so says the look on this guy's face. He looks knocked silly for a moment, and whether it's from the potent moonshine or the kiss or a combination of the two, it's still damn fun to see. Especially when he grabs Greed by the jacket, leaning in so urgently. ]
Mm, down boy, [ he teases, but he's getting up to his feet, too. ] No need to rush. If you need me to rock your world, consider it done.
no subject
So yes, today is a day to fill a void. And if he’s a little overeager, a little antsy about it, it’s at least better than some of the alternative ways of dealing. More fun too. ]
Is that what you’re going to do? Rock my world?
[ He lets go of Greed’s jacket and turns around so he can see where he’s going as he exits the shack, stepping into the night outside. He could probably see stars if he tilted his head and looked up. He very purposefully does not. ]
Don’t know about that though. Not rushing. What’s keeping us from waking up somewhere else tomorrow, you think? Hell, if this is a sim it could just… end. Shut down at any point. Feels like if we want something, we’d better take it now.
[ He turns back to look at Greed with a rueful smile. ]
So where to? I don’t exactly have a room.