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
Then after a long moment, in an automatic motion as if the sound of the voice calling for him bid him to, he takes in a deep, shaky breath. It sounds weak and pained, like the rope's pressure has only barely let up. With all the ropes gone, the faint remnants of their burn are the only sign they were there. In fact, confusion and worry fills his eyes as he turns to the panicked figure, still feeling strange and loopy.
He reaches up, arms lacking any coordination after being held in place so long, his orgasm, and the fading out of consciousness. His vision hasn’t even fully returned, the sight above him only a blur. Trying to wrap himself around the figure above, he uses a calm, soothing voice—although sounding a little slurred at the same time. All that matters is wanting that one calling out for him to have his heart settled, to be that reliable daozhang for him, and for him to not cry out in fear anymore...]
Don't worry... I'm here...
no subject
He wraps his arms around Xiao Xingchen and squeezes a little too tightly. He wants to scream at him, claw at him, tear him to pieces.
How dare Xiao Xingchen do something like this.
How dare Xiao Xingchen make him feel like this.
Xue Yang doesn't understand what's going on or why he's feeling like this but he wants it to stop, and yet he can't let go of Xiao Xingchen.
He's not dead.
He's not dead.
He's not dead. ]
no subject
He squeezes back, burying his face in the crook of the man's neck, not caring if this makes it harder to breathe. Just as he wants to be the safe haven, he's found it here too.]
My dear friend... has something scared you?
[Still not fully sure what's happened, it's the first thing he wants to ask, his voice a little more steady than before. Perhaps he wouldn't call any attention to that and sting his friend's pride, but the words fall from his mouth in an eager desire to help the man.]
no subject
[ Nails dig very slightly into Xiao Xingchen's skin. Nine fingers. Xue Yang doesn't take any notice. ]
That's a silly question, daozhang. What would I be scared of? Of course nothing's scared me.
[ That's right... this is fine. Xiao Xingchen is still alive, still breathing and responding. There's nothing to be scared of. He wasn't scared. Whatever stupid flare of emotions he's feeling right now surely can't include fear.
Probably he ate something odd, or triggered some other effect of this place. That's the only reason why this reaction happened.
Xue Yang finally relaxes his grip. ]
Daozhang--
[ But that's when he remembers what's going on. He's not the nameless friend right now; he's still Xue Yang. Did Xiao Xingchen forget? Is it more of that effect? Regardless, he can't change his appearance right now. All he can do is work with this situation. ]
Do you really think of me as a dear friend?
[ Hopefully Xiao Xingchen doesn't think anything of him going along without questioning it at first. ]
no subject
As he releases his embrace as well, Xiao Xingchen lets his head lie back against what feels like a floor. Even if the man refutes the idea of being afraid of anything, some unusual occurrence must have came about for him to be down here.]
Of course. My dearest friend. [He laughs again, and he finds his lips moving faster than he can think.] Unless you instead became my fiancé before I slept.
[Everything feels like a blur. Anything could have happened, since none of his memories line up with the situation he feels himself in now.
With a light groan, one hand rises to his temples to rub at them, casting a shadow over his eyes. This pounding headache cuts through the tipsy and bubbly sensation, turning his attention to something more pressing.]
Ah, but what... what actually happened? Where are we?
cw: internalized homophobia
He wasn't scared. Nothing like that.
Not pretending to be Xiao Xingchen's housemate right now also avoids him having to deal with that sappy joke. Did Xue Yang fuck Xiao Xingchen so much that he's turned into a genuine cutsleeve? It's a ridiculous and hilarious thought, enough that a single snort of laughter makes it out before Xue Yang holds the rest down.
Still it's clear that something is still off with him, and Xue Yang even briefly confirms his missing finger just to be sure that it's not himself that's acting the wrong part here. ]
You don't remember, daozhang? You and I came here together and you let me tie you up. I touched you all over and got you to beg for me to fuck you, and then I did fuck you. Of course I made it all feel very good, since I'm your dearest friend.
no subject
Two images of two different men overlap in his mind, and he knows if he moves his hand, he'll see the source of the voice. He knows who it is now, but he knows... he can't deny who it just was.
The light, pleasant feeling in his chest turns cold and expands against the confines like ice, stealing away his breath all over again.
Quiet and unresponsive for a moment, he lies there. Then in a quick motion, he turns himself over to place his weight on his elbow, turning away from Xue Yang and facing the floor. A series of hard coughs erupt from his mouth as he other hand comes up to rub at his throat, as if everything that happened all set in at once. There was a rope here, tightening around his neck without him realizing.
Closing in around him as ignored the signs of danger, captivated, trusting—
Without a word, he pulls himself across the floor if only enough to get out from under Xue Yang, soon to try to push himself up to his knees. He looks around for the place he set his clothes down.]
no subject
[ Xue Yang was ready to grab Xiao Xingchen again but it's the cough that gives him pause, stilling him for just a moment and adding a hint to his voice that--is definitely not fear, nor concern.
When Xiao Xingchen moves from the spot he'd been placed it reveals the evidence of what happened: a small number of formerly-long strands of rope now lay sliced into pieces, usually twisting and turning among each other before ultimately snaking outward to end in clean cuts.
Xue Yang pays them no mind. ]
Daozhang...
[ He starts again then trails off, realizing he doesn't quite know what he was going to say in the first place. So he goes with what comes easily. ]
You certainly helped out with my bad mood.
[ And then there was some weird emotional thing that happened after that, but if that goes unacknowledged, Xue Yang can ignore that it ever happened. ]
no subject
Steadying himself the best he can despite his whole body protesting - it's easy for someone like him to do - he turns back to the door, trying to not let Xue Yang see his face as he hurries past with uneven steps.
He only utters a few words as he passes him by.]
... The last time.
[This kind of vulnerability is just too hard to continue on with. Not caring about his own needs and safety when it comes to protecting others... why is it that he always ends up feeling like a fool for it?
But no, it might not be, he can't think clearly right now—he just needs to get away from here, first of all. He'll go to the cafe to get cleaned up there. Then he can... decide what else to do next.]
no subject
Are you really saying it this time? Before you left open the possibility, you even said so yourself. If this is really the last time, then hopefully I won't be in a bad mood ever again. Right, daozhang?
[ Though the aphro in his system means he definitely prefers fucking Xiao Xingchen over destroying some of those puppets, Xue Yang far from objects to following the option of violence. ]
no subject
He can't—he mustn't close off his heart, but he can't think at all, and he doesn't know if it's a selfish instinct to protect himself, or if all this time in this island has been him trapped inside a nightmare that disguised itself so well, or—
He opens his mouth to respond, but if he managed to keep his voice stable before, it'll surely sound as if it's shaking loose the tears forming at the corners of his eyes now. All that comes out is a faint, pathetic sob, the rough sensation left from the rope forming the last barrier for the answer that he doesn't have.
Swallowing, he pushes past the door and continues on his way out of the store.]