Downtime Log - Intro

[locomodo]

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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Comments

3

[mugen]

[Listen: it isn't that Satoru intends to be loud, even if it is arguably one of his natural states. Though he has no qualms with disrupting the observance of wildlife and is maybe a little guilty of frequently interrupting peaceful moments, he actually intends to traverse this cliff in peace for once. It's been a long few days and he's a little tired, which isn't typical for him but happens to be a consequence of missing one of his very important techniques. What he really needs is a nice, long nap and a solid few hours of Infinity-free existence so he can recharge, but that's asking for a lot from someone who's accustomed to being untouchable.

But a short doze while encased in Infinity is better than no nap at all. So! He's made his way to a cliff that overlooks a big scary creature in hopes that he'd be alone. Who would want to hang around on ledges while animals leer at them from below? Only crazy people, right?

It's bad luck, really, that Satoru happens to be making his way by one such crazy person, quiet for the first time in possibly forever, only to have to pause behind him because of a sudden need to sneeze. Someone out there must be talking about him, which makes sense, because he's already annoyed his fair share of people on this train. The sound is both loud and sudden.

Which is unfortunate all around, because it's definitely going to attract the Lynel's attention. And there's also the risk that this guy will go plummeting off this edge in surprise. Absolutely his fault, even if this is trouble he actually didn't intend to cause for once. But he's responsible for it nonetheless so he'll go ahead and grab the back of Vidal's shirt preemptively, just in case.]

Close one.

[If Vidal wasn't about to fall, that's unfortunate for him, because Satoru's now sort of holding him over the ledge by the grip he has on his shirt, which means he averted no crisis just to give Vidal the impression that he's about to be fed to that angry Lynel.

Satoru sounds completely relaxed and unbothered by this near-disaster. And he seems in no hurry to get them away from the ledge and out of sight of the disturbed Lynel.]

It looks pretty mad, huh?

[neriticism]

[ There's people about, milling across the plains all working towards their own personal participation quotas, he knows that much. And the knowledge is enough to keep Vidal from leaping into the stratosphere at the sudden sneeze from behind. And he's got enough instinct to move back from the ledge, rather than springing forward, but that doesn't do much good when something's seizing and hoisting you by your shirt. ]

Jesus—! [ Squirming, he throws a hand back to get a grip on the wrist of who- or whatever's got him, inadvertently chucking his phone back to the safety of the ledge in the process. The other hand doesn't even make it to chest height before he's biting back a yelp, and all that accomplishes is sliding his overcoat off of his arm and flinging it right off the edge. ]

You fucking— What the fuck?! Close what?! Let go, you piece of—

[ We can assume the expletives will continue endlessly for as long as he's wriggling and kicking, 'cause he looks pretty mad too. But honestly compared to the lynel, his violent fury is about on par with a scruffed kitten in this position. ]

[mugen]

[Perhaps your average well-meaning "rescuer" would be at least a little concerned by such an angry reaction, but Satoru takes all this kicking and wriggling in stride. In fact, he's in no hurry to release Vidal or step out of his line of fire, because no matter how hard he is grabbed, kicked, or otherwise pummeled, he remains (annoyingly) untouchable. His Infinity barrier keeps him nice and snug in an invisible layer of protection.

But he can still hear, which means all that yelling and swearing is definitely getting through to him. Hence after another moment of seemingly carefree dangling, he finally pulls Vidal back away from the ledge and releases him. You're welcome!

While Satoru is sure this guy wants to keep giving him an earful, he glances back down over the edge and says:]

Your coat's gonna become a chew toy.

[Maybe. Or maybe it'll just get trampled. Satoru doesn't know anything about lynel behavior.

He looks back with a grin.]

Want me to get it for you?