locomodo: (light mode)
locomo mod acct ([personal profile] locomodo) wrote in [community profile] locomo2021-08-13 04:59 pm

Downtime Log - Intro


Log 01 Downtime Intro
Maybe you were walking to class, or riding into battle, or at your father's funeral, or gazing into the abyss as you brush your teeth and think about your waning youth. Maybe you're from 1000 years ago, or the far-flung future. But it doesn't matter how different you are, because all passengers will wake up sprawled on the same floor of the same car...


The Perfectly Average Everyday Normal Train Car
As characters stir from their slumber, they'll notice their new(?) phones vibrating in their pockets. An unread message is waiting for them...

FROM: clownductor one

Welcome to the Existential Express, car #83045029342000001.

[CHARACTER NAME] is currently engaged in Tutorial Mode.

Objectives:
> Read the Existential Express (E2) brochure.
> Access the user directory and send a message.
> Ask one of the other passengers to be your friend.
> Find the exit door.

By completing car objectives, passengers may proceed through the exit and onto the next car.

Thank you for riding with the Existential Express. Please enjoy your journey into the great unknown.

>>>>SUBJECT: New Passengers
How is that? I attempted to make it sound welcoming.


The message, strangely, cuts off there. The brochure goes over all the basic 'what is a train' questions people may have, but nothing else.

However, characters may find that the exit door is locked until they complete the objectives, so it's icebreaker time! On the bright side, it seems this is a dining car, so there's a few nice plates of treats and a bar that magically serves beverages when people make orders. The exit door will be locked until the objectives are complete! (Please see OOC notes below for more details.)

In any case, when they unlock the door and move on through the exit, there is a walkway to the next car. Please watch your step, and check out the FAQ for more details on trying to leave the train!

Immediately proceeding the intro car is...


The Land of Corginia Car
As characters enter the car, their phones will notify them of a new objective…

> Lend a helping paw.



Because this historical city is occupied with... dogs! Mostly corgis. They are smart, verbal, and very good boys and girls. The dogs are happy to play with anyone, and will also help passengers get to anywhere they want to go. The car itself is basically Rome, with low doorways and ceilings.

And because corgis do have short legs and zero thumbs, they will sometimes need and ask for assistance. For example, you and a partner may need to help the corgis cross a river, give them belly rubs, or reach a ball on a high shelf. They are easily distracted, squirmy little babies and will make life very difficult, but they're just so darn cute!


The Museum Car
(tw: body horror)

As the characters enter the car, their phones will notify them of a new objective…

> Complete yourself.



As passengers enter this car, they'll find themselves feeling notably lighter. This might be because they're suddenly missing a leg, or perhaps an arm, or their eyes, or tongue. Whatever it may be, a part of them has been taken away. There's no pain, or danger to their lives from the missing part, it simply isn't there.

It's been whisked away and hidden somewhere in the musty old museum that they've found themselves in. Luckily, it's currently closed, so there's nothing stopping them from raiding everything in sight! The displays span all manner of topics, from history to biology to space. Passengers might even find displays on familiar historical events or persons from their home worlds as they search—the collection is seemingly endless! Just watch out, because sometimes objects (and body parts) will come to life and lunge through the glass at anyone who walks a little too close.

NOTE: Characters can snipe items from the display cases in the museum! However, they'll discover the items are actually toy replicas made of flimsy plastic. They're completely non-functional and will break if handled too roughly.


The Birth of the Wind Car
As the characters enter the car, their phones will notify them of a new objective…

> Collect all the korogu seeds.



The world that lies ahead of the passengers is vast and lush; a spectacle of nature that spans snow-capped mountains, dense forests, deserts, and lakes. Aside from unusually large and extremely territorial fauna (1, 2, 3), the car appears devoid of any signs of civilization, and passengers might think themselves completely alone…

… Until they hear the tinkling of a bell, and a cheery, "yahaha!" in the distance. Upon closer inspection, the car is in fact populated by small, wooden creatures known as korogus (here). They hide at the tops of trees and mountains, on lone islands in large lakes, and under rocks. Once a passenger stumbles across their hiding place—whether knowingly or otherwise—they'll appear in a puff of magic holding a golden korogu seed. Simply finding them isn't enough for them to hand over the precious item however, and they'll require passengers to offer up one truth in exchange for a seed. And don't bother lying, they'll give you a solid bonk on the head and disappear if you do!


Numbers
Numbers! Everyone starts with one that glows on their bodies — as a fun thread mechanic, we suggest they're somewhere visible, but it's up to you!



Because while this is not IC knowledge yet, numbers are determined by how troubled your character is. This may be based on their past actions and crimes, but also alienating habits, regrets, personality flaws, trauma, etc — a higher number does not necessarily mean they're a bad person, but it may signify a difficult time in their life, or substantial personal issues.

Numbers change as characters work through their issues... which we'll cover next time! However, for this log, please note that numbers will remain static. They may flicker or warp occasionally, but don't worry about them going up or down for the intro! As a bonus, numbers can glow in any color you would like.


OOC Notes
Car Order: While the cars are linear and in the order shown, characters can freely move between these four cars for the next three weeks — players may assume 1:1 IC:OOC time ratio.

Locks: Passengers may follow other characters out of cars after they've been unlocked — so in general, players can assume optional cars on downtime months are unlocked if they don't want to play in them. Likewise, if your character ICly would not participate in a car but you still want to play with those prompts, you can assume they're locked in and must complete objectives. Feel free to pick and choose what you'd like to play from any downtime log!

Update: We will also have a small update in the coming weeks — the setting won't change, but there will be a few more (optional!) aspects to play with later.

Feel free to direct questions to our Discord help channel. Welcome to Locomo, and have fun!





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neriticism: (13)

[personal profile] neriticism 2021-08-16 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ Listen, Anakin, it's about understanding your place in the food chain and respecting the absurd power of the unknown. There's nothing quite like wrangling monstrous creatures as part of your day job to hammer home the indisputable fact that humans are so fucking squishy. Eventually there’s just a certain level of your own mortality you have to accept and get on with your life. It’s called admitting your flaws. It’s healthy or something, right. ]

[ That doesn’t make him reckless. They have the high ground at a healthy distance, partial cover, and the sun on their side. He knows what’s what. Anyway, eyebrows raised, Vidal watches the little korogu just about biff it over the ledge only to be yoinked back up. ]

What, you think they look a little more my size? [ he scoffs. Thanks bud. ] No, you go ahead and give them an answer they don’t want to hear, you’ll see what I mean.

[ Except don’t, then they’ll have to go find it again… ]
unrepentant: (103)

how dare u mention the high ground with no tw!!!

[personal profile] unrepentant 2021-08-16 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sounds fake. Anakin is pretty sure that his place on the food chain is right at the top, and while he's been made well aware of his flaws since his early years among the Jedi- he's not about to start accepting or admitting them. What good would that do anyone in the middle of a war? He needs to be invincible, just like everyone else.

But despite the conversation and the four-legged beast prowling around below and the established squish-ability of the man that's still laying on his stomach taking pictures- it looks like none of them are really budging. Not the lynel, not the nature photographer, and not the korogu currently trying to climb into Anakin's boot simply because there's nothing else for it to do with its time. And because despite what others say he can take a hint- Anakin picks the thing up by its head a second time and decides to sit on the ground too. At least if the lynel decides to start lobbing arrows he can grab this guy by the scruff and toss him out of range. ...Probably.]


Why would you tell them something they don't want to hear? [Bold words from a guy who has yet to figure out that he's supposed to talk to the korogus, not just let them follow him around.] Isn't that a little counter-productive?
neriticism: (4)

ur right I’m so sorry how insensitive of me u_u

[personal profile] neriticism 2021-08-18 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Well not all of us have space wars to fight, Anakin, not all of us have lightsabers and mind powers!! ]

[ Anyway, yes, come join the sitting party if you’re not going to leave him be. Vidal shifts a little to prop himself on his good arm, keeping the lynel in his peripheral vision as he turns the mildly incredulous look from the little runt to the man it continues to impotently heckle. ]

Well on account of them not being particularly specific about what they do want to hear and me not being a mind-reader, statistically, some things that come outta my mouth are gonna be the wrong thing. That’s kinda the downfall of small talk, y’know, don’t know if you’ve done much of it.

[ With the korogus or, like… at all, dude... Either way, he’s gonna gesture not a little deliberately up at the boot-hugging korogu that’s now changed tactics and is instead attempting to crawl into Anakin’s lap. ]

Usually, getting up in your business means something would like your attention.
unrepentant: (77)

your u_u is accepted u have been pardoned

[personal profile] unrepentant 2021-08-19 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Unfortunately for Supernatural Steve Irwin, Anakin has a gift for sticking around like a burr. And unfortunately for Anakin, Supernatural Steve Irwin doesn't look like he's going to stop trying to take pictures of that lynel's teeth. And because they've started talking this means that he shouldn't just walk away from a guy that's just a few inches from becoming lunch.] Yeah, they're kindof a handful.

[He settles easily on the ground and while he isn't slouched, there's something about his posture that suggests this isn't the first time he's been tenaciously climbed on by the locals. It finishes climbing one of his thighs only to tip too far forward and face plant on the other side.] Apparently not as much of a handful as you. If you're getting smacked during small talk you're definitely doing something wrong.