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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Then he scoffs, something bitter in it. "No, it doesn't. Because it turns out he's been...together with the woman he wanted nothing more than to kill before we came here. She was the enemy. The emperor leading a war on the rest of the continent, who had already occupied most of our country. The one he swore vengeance against to the exclusion of everything else. They're together, and I have no idea how long that's been going on."
He glances up at her face for just a second at the invitation, before moving closer to her and turning around to give her better access to his hair.
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That was a lot to unpack. It also sounded vaguely familiar in some aspects — though war and fierce rulers vying for land was not an uncommon theme in many worlds apparently, including her own. So she could have just been making connections where none truly existed.
"I see." She murmured, her tone hinted with sadness despite valiant attempts to hide it so he did not think she was pitying him. When he drew in closer she urged him to sit and then scooted up behind him, carefully taking some strands of dark hair in her hand and brushing gently through them. "Your feelings are not invalid because he is with someone else. It will hurt, but you will recover — you seem like a very strong man, Felix. You just need to give yourself time."
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"And this isn't the first or even the second time I've been on this island. It's the third, and I don't remember any of it. So if the first two times weren't enough to 'recover' from a lifetime of stupidity, I doubt the third time is any kind of 'charm.'"
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That next part was...odd, to say the least. "You sound as if you have given up before you even try. If you so not recall the past two attempts - this is your chance to start anew. Allow yourself to be happy, to hurt, to heal. There are others around to help you, are there not? People beyond your king?"
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It would be impossible to explain how complicated things are with Dimitri even if he were inclined to, which he isn't.
"And I haven't given up on anything. You and that meddling automaton wanted me to talk about my troubles, so I'm talking. Obviously there are others. I'm not that pathetic. And Seteth has already given me the lecture about distancing myself from my friends, I don't need to hear it again."
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Whatever else she was going to ask or comment on with regards to Felix's feelings was ultimately discarded in the face of his dismissive attitude. Instead she ran her fingers through his hair one last time to check for knots. Finding none, she let her hand fall to the bed. "My apologies, Felix. I only wished to help." Help get them out of the room, and also help him in any other way she could. "The door has been unlocked for a few minutes. I believe we are free to go."
no subject
He opens his mouth to tell her not to apologize, but hearing that last bit has him staring at her instead. "What? And you just let me blubber about my stupid problems all that time? Ugh."
Despite his words, he's in no rush when he turns to hold out his hand for the brush. "Give me that. Your hair's a mess, too. I'll fix it."
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Seeing no point in arguing, she smiled and handed him the brush by the horribly shaped handle and turned around, loosening the half undone braid of her hair as she did so. Feet of long, ivory locks cascaded down her back and onto the disheveled sheets of the bed. "I know it is...a lot." But not terribly knotted. So it should be fine. "Thank you, Felix."
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He ignores the handle dildo, starting at the bottom of her hair with practiced strokes and using his other hand to ensure the brush doesn’t pull at her scalp. The way he works is quick and methodical, but she has so much hair that it will take a little while anyway.
“It’ll just go faster this way, that’s all.”
no subject
"Of course." Might as we just agree to keep from potentially annoying him. "I have asked a lot of questions of you. Were there any you cared to ask me?"
no subject
But he did just ramble on about his idiotic relationship with his idiotic king, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad to learn something about her in return. He continues to run the brush through her hair and follow it with his fingers each time.
"Tell me more about your people. The Lunari."
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She closed her eyes, enjoying the way his fingers threaded through her hair. "Is there anything precisely you wish to know, or shall I ramble until you are satisfied?"
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He finishes running the brush through one section of hair and moves on to the next one, falling easily into a rhythm.
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"Our main and only city is Moon's Refuge, hidden under the mountains deep in the north west of Valsheria. It is surrounded by elemental places of power, where we are born upon and infused with the energies therein. Hence these." She pointedly swirled her hand in the air to display the glowing lines he had already seen in intimate detail. "We are trained under talented mages called Magisters for as long as necessary to hone our abilities. Most do not leave due to the relative safety of our home and our inclination toward neutrality in the wars of those above ground."
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Then he frowns a bit, still carefully brushing and using his fingers to smooth the hair out. "I find it hard to believe that the wars of others have no impact on your people at all. What about trade? Do you have no allies at all? And if most of the Lunari never leave, why did you?"
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She tipped her head back slightly, careful not to dislodge him. "I never said that, did I? We do not force ourselves into conflict, but if one of our allies requires our assistance, we would be inclined to aid depending on if we are able. We have plenty of trade with the Sylvan elves and the dwarves of the Dominion. Sometimes even humans visit, but it is rare." She shrugged. "I grew... bored, I suppose. I love my home and my people, but I thought I learned all I could from them, so I wanted to venture elsewhere. Broaden my horizons. Help others."
no subject
"I've never heard of Sylvan elves or dwarves. ...obviously, since I've never been to your world."
But then he nods in approval, even though she can't see him do it. "A respectable decision. Getting too bogged down in the way things have always been just causes problems."
no subject
"Yours is not particularly diverse then? Are there only humans?" Not to be speciesist or anything but if that war was raging with only humans about, it would seem some things never changed; even in different worlds.
She nodded slowly, her gaze set toward a spot on the bed. "Instead I decided to insert myself into the political business of the nobles across the continent. It was certainly a change of pace."
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He scoffs, disgusted. "Ugh. Noble politics. Perhaps it sounds ghoulish, but there's a part of me that dreads the end of the war we're fighting. I'll have to go back to my home territory and take over for my father as duke. I loathe politics and diplomacy. And most of the nobility."
no subject
"A warrior would find comfort in war, where his blades are most useful. Not much need for them in a council meeting." Not unless things got really nasty. Lioriley was of the complete opposite opinion of Felix. She would prefer all the wars she witnessed ended so the nobles could actually do their duty and fix their country instead of constantly fighting over it. "Hereditary titles are more often a hindrance. Not everyone holds the ideals of those that came before them and some, like yourself, are simply not inclined toward such things. You do not have anyone you can offer the position to in your stead?"
no subject
Felix widens his eyes a little at the back of her head at her easy agreement with what he's been trying to tell people for years. He opens his mouth to say something about it, but then her question hits him and before he can think about it, he's snapping at her.
"No. I don't. It wasn't supposed to be mine to begin with."
Despite this kneejerk reaction, his hands in her hair remain steady, without pulling or getting any rougher.
no subject
"I am sorry, Felix." For whatever had happened. For bringing it up to begin with. "I know my words do not mean much, but I am sorry."
no subject
"You're right, they don't. Save your apologies. 'Sorry' doesn't bring back the dead."
Does she deserve this? No. He knows that, and his movements become gentler as though in acknowledgment of it, but he doesn't take the words back.
He's silent for a minute, until he's brushed all the knots out of her hair and run his fingers through it carefully. Instead of telling her he's finished, though, he starts separating her hair out into sections.
"What kind of braid do you prefer?" he asks quietly.
no subject
She expected that to be the end of it, but then it wasn't. "Oh. Um...just a simple one is fine. I am sure you do not want to waste any more time here."
no subject
He doesn't ask for or offer more, although he isn't necessarily opposed to an exchange of stories, if that's what she wants.
"Tch. That wasn't the question I asked."
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The end~