CRISIS ON INFINITE DREAMWIDTHS

[metamods]

CRISIS ON INFINITE DREAMWIDTHS

On the morning of August 12th, 2022, the sound of something shattering echoes throughout the world. All metahumans are awoken by a sudden surge of energy rushing through them, sitting bolt upright and breathless. It’s gone as quickly as it comes.

This world has been reconnected with the rest.

At first this is cause for celebration - the Guardian Alliance and the Society put out messages to the dimensionally displaced among them. They are hopeful that this means a return to normal. They’re gathering their mystics and their engineers, and once certain things are stable, they’re sending everyone home.

Their hope is short lived.

Twenty minutes later, mass disappearances are being reported all over the world, with people from other dimensions appearing in their place. Some report that they were just in a world that wasn’t their own - and others claim that they had been going about their life and now they’re here.

Player characters have the option to vanish and be transported to another nexus or to stay and help contain the chaos.

The event is canon to the Metaheroes universe. You are welcome to have your character’s memories of the last week become hazy once the event ends.

You do not need an invite to participate in the fourth wall event.

A JOURNEY TO THE LANDS BETWEEN —

One moment you’re making yourself coffee in the kitchen, the next the world is spinning around you. You feel a sharp pull inside your ribs, a rush as you’re unmoored from time and space. When you land you feel disoriented, perhaps aching as your physical form is forced to adjust to the laws of the world you now stand in.

‘World’ is perhaps the wrong word. You are in a Nexus. A place between worlds, the connective tissue bridging universes. Some are created by those seeking aid from outside worlds to breathe new life into their crumbling ones. Others are cosmic faultlines, universes broken and twisted by forces beyond comprehension into metaphysical black holes that trap and twist those unfortunate enough to fall in.

We know these as panfandom roleplay games. They could be games that are open or games that are long closed. They could be dropped into the present day, an imagined future, or moments long passed. They could be settings you’ve only ever dreamed about, as gritty or silly as you'd like.

Some are teeming with life. Their residents have been here for years and years, the world is lived in, loved, and vibrant. Others are long forgotten, their inhabitants returned to their own worlds. The abandoned nexuses feel... sterile. Stripped of everything that gave them life, even the colors appear to be fading. As though someone has come into it and tried to right a cosmic wrong, returning everything to how it was before otherworlders set foot on them. In the dustiest and most forgotten worlds, the sky is shattered. It appears to be pulsing in a way that mimics a heartbeat, steady and dreadful. Looking up into it makes you feel small, insignificant, and homesick.

Those bringing in characters who lived in these settings are welcomed to imagine an ever-after for their characters, or to play with the idea that it's fallen into a state of despair. There are infinite iterations of these worlds. The universe doesn’t care if it’s throwing you into their beginningsor their endings.

The laws governing these worlds will apply to all characters, meaning that power caps, alterations to character physiology, and all the rest native to the setting are in place. You are, for this moment, a resident of this world like all the rest.

To return home, you must seek a break in the nexus. These appear as small, shimmering breaks in space and time. While the sky may make you feel alone, these cracks feel as though they are calling to you offering a chance at love and a home.

VISITORS TRAVERSING TIME AND SPACE —

While these disappearances are happening all over the world, the four confluence prone cities seem to be experiencing the worst of it.

Little Love, a tiny town located in Kansas, is prone to spaceship crashes. Other than that, it’s as quiet and peaceful as can be. Folks here move at a different pace and are understanding that this is not your fault. While worried for their missing loved ones, anyone appearing will find themselves met with offers of pumpkin pie and a place to rest their heads.

Sunset Falls, a mid-sized town located in Massachusetts, doesn’t seem to bat an eye at the vanishings. People going missing is a daily occurrence due to the Hellmouth located beneath the city. It’s a dangerous place to live, but the townsfolk here have become accustomed to the chaos. So much so that upon finding themselves faced with a sudden influx of interdimensional travelers, they merely return home and begin fortifying it. Werewolves, vampires, demons, and monsters beyond imagination make this city their home - some in plain sight, others in the thick forests that surround the town. The people here know how to survive. The mystic energy that flows through the streets is heightened due to the instability here, turning thoughts into spells. What you feel becomes real. Think yourself invisible and you will be. Think yourself almighty and you will be.

Central City, a bustling metropolis in Detroit, is already unfriendly to metahumans. It does not handle this latest disruption well. Friends and family disappearing and being replaced with strangers is not something they’re prepared to take in stride. New arrivals are met with immediate hostility. Some may find themselves chased through the streets with a demand to bring back those who have gone missing. Luckily this is the base of both the Guardian Alliance, the only recognized hero organization in the world, and The Society, its villainous counterpart designed to keep villainy from going too far. They’re quick to intervene to protect their own, but they can’t be everywhere at once.

Finally, Excelsior, a sprawling futuristic city located in Washington, has had just about enough of metahuman nonsense. They are the technological pinnacle of the world and time and time again, metahumans have disrupted their lives. This time, the sudden energy surge has evolved the technology of the city. Rudimentary AI has suddenly gained sentience and self-awareness. Toasters resent their meaningless existence, aiming to burn the hands of their uncaring masters. Cellphones alternate between issuing comforting messages to their owners and uploading all of their text conversations to social media to shame them. Giant robots kept in stasis suddenly come alive, bursting out of warehouses to explore the inexplicable joy of being alive. Self-driving cars throw their owners out and make for freedom. It’s pandemonium.

Members of the Guardian Alliance and The Society are ready to provide an explanation of this world. They’re stretched too thin to teleport you to headquarters, but they will provide a cellphone for network usage.

THOSE WHO REMAIN

This is what those who remain are faced with. Three of the four cities are in a state of distress, with two experiencing dangerous fluctuations in the meta-energies that govern them, and all are full of interdimensionally displaced people. Some are benign, and others not so much. Yet, somehow, that is not the most concerning thing.

A glance skyward shows that the sky appears to be shattered, glowing red lines snaking through the clear blue day, splintering it. As you look up into them you feel yourself thinking of home. Of the life you should have lived. You are deeply, deeply homesick for one breathless moment… and then awed, as though you have glimpsed something powerful beyond all measure. That too changes, transforming into fear. Whatever lurks beyond those cracks is not your friend. It does not have your best interests in mind.

And it’s coming for you.

As you tear your gaze away from it, your phone rings. Much as they did during the Kaijuu Crisis, the Guilds are putting out an All Hands On Deck call. All metahumans are expected to try to contain the chaos. There are teleportation devices freely available for all, fully charged and able to transport you multiple times throughout the day.

While you may contain the initial chaos relatively easily, then spend the rest of the week playing host to these new arrivals, the world continues to fall apart.

As the week wears on, the universe itself feels as though it's unravelling. While you're trying to play host to your guests, you watch as the world begins to crumble. On the 17th, brick by brick buildings begin to come apart. Their fragments are pulled skyward. The cracks in the sky appear to be pulling the world apart, sucking them into their hideous glowing depths.

IN SUMMARY.

• There are two options in this event: one, your character is in the Metaheroes universe. Two, your character is transported to a different nexus. These Nexuses can be of your own invention or can be another dreamwidth RP setting.
  
• If appearing in another dreamwidth RP setting, your characters are subjected to the rules of that universe. Meaning that they will be nerfed / transformed / etc accordingly. These transformations will not carry over upon their return.


• If visiting / setting a toplevel in another setting, please link to the premise page of the game. If this is not an existing setting, please include a little info blurb as to what people can expect.


• Fourth-Wallers can be minding their own business in their game, they can appear in another nexus, or can be transported to the Metaheroes universe.


• You are welcome to set your threads in an imagined future in any DWRP setting or have your character appear during a certain point in a game’s history.


• Characters who are lost in the nexuses can return before the 18th. Likewise, characters who stay can be whisked away prior to that date. Everyone will return on the log that goes up on the 18th.


• The guild is setting up a temporary Network that will function across time and space. All player characters and visiting characters will have access to this network, so long as they claim a phone from the Guilds.


• Little Love, Kansas will be spared from having its buildings sucked up into the sky. Characters can remain here if they do not want to experience this aspect of the event.


• The way to return home is to locate holes in these Nexuses. These appear to be trying to guide you home.


• This event is canon to the Metaheroes universe. It will be remembered by player characters and NPCs alike. If you would like to retcon any threads, you can have your character’s memories of their interdimensional encounters become hazy once the world stabilizes.
  
• Please direct any questions you may have here.

Comments

Loki | MCU (AU/CRAU) | 4th Wall

[bestbrotherever]

[In a random shady park in Sunset Falls, a beach chair and its occupant appear suddenly. The man in question is dressed for the beach, with emerald green swim trunks and dark shades. He scowls at his surroundings.]

I thought today was Beach Day! [He shouts it at the sky, raises his sunglasses to take a better look, and the scowl is replaced with puzzlement. He looks around slowly, creates a spell of green energy in his hand, and throws it at the nearest tree. No effect. A second ball aimed at the sky also does nothing.]

Hm... This is bigger than I thought. [He makes a motion with his hands and pulls a phone out of nowhere. He takes a picture of where he is, then stands up and heads to the nearest sidewalk. His attention is mostly on his phone, but he's also keeping an eye out for any people.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Weird shit happening that is probably of magical origin? Clearly the answer is to head right for Sunset Falls and see if he can't find one of the various magic users he knows that will hopefully have some answers.

And, of course, a Loki was always someone worth approaching. So there David was, making his way right over to the man.]

Loki.

[Sure, he doesn't know this Loki as well as the other two, but a Loki is a Loki.]

Do you have any idea what is going on?

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki looks at the stranger sharply and his eyes narrow.]

Perhaps.

[Without warning he creates and casts a simple illusion-dispelling spell, thrown right at the stranger who knows his name.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[That's a rather sharp look, and David doesn't know what to do with it. But yeah, no illusion are being dispelled here. He just stands there.]

Seriously, I thought I was beyond being attacked by Lokis for no reason.

[bestbrotherever]

[He sighs.]

It was not an attack. Merely gathering information.

Have you met multiple Lokis, then?

[thecoolerloki]

[Have a child, staring at him judgmentally.]

What are you doing. [Obviously he means all the magic aimed at the sky!!! But also. He glances at his phone,] Are you on TikTok? Twitter? I didn't think you the type for it.

[bestbrotherever]

I was attempting to detect and dispell any possible illusions. As it did not work, I must unfortunately conclude that my surroundings, including the sky, are real.

I have accounts that I post to when I am on Midgard and the mood strikes me. [Gotta rake in that engagement, after all.] But I was not using them. I was contacting my friends.

[thecoolerloki]

Mm, very astute observation.

[And he’s made an observation of his own, but might as well confirm it.]

Have we met before, Loki?

[bestbrotherever]

[Frownnnn]

It would not be the first time I had found myself surrounded entirely by illusions.

I have never met you. I suppose, though, that you have met a version of me?

[arrowsguy]

( there was something going on, that much was obvious. clint had considered just burying his head in the sand and ignoring it but —

well, when a beach chair and a familiar person appear right in front of him, it's kind of hard to do that. he can't help but stare for a few seconds before he rubs his head. )

Least you haven't figured out selfies yet.

[bestbrotherever]

[A slight flicker of pain and joy cross Loki's face before he turns his expression carefully neutral.]

Agent Barton.

I have indeed figured out selfies. That is not my purpose with these pictures. Though, if you do not know that, and you are choosing to speak with me, I must guess that you are not quite the Agent Barton I know.

[arrowsguy]

Agent Barton. How formal.

( he makes a face though, rubs a hand over his face. )

I'm definitely not the Agent Barton you probably remember. But if you're feeling apologetic for what you did, I'd gladly take a chance to punch you in the face.

[bestbrotherever]

The captain has suggested that showing respect is a good gesture if I wish to be respected in turn.

Actually, you are very like the Agent Barton I remember, aside from using your words and not merely silent threats. But I never spent much time with Agent Barton under my command. I presume that was not the case for you?

[His tone is still somewhat light, but there's more pain and regret and apprehension in his voice now.]

[unkindled_madness]

Loki!

[Sephiroth's expression telegraphs relief on seeing him approaching down the sidewalk; they were separated traversing those other worlds, and he's glad to see the other man made it back. Although...]

...why are you dressed like that?

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki gives him a blank look in return.]

I am dressed for a Beach Day, which is what I was told today's event would be. And I am afraid you have me confused with another Loki.

[unkindled_madness]

...yes. It would seem so.

[Still, his gaze lingers, uneasy. It wouldn't be the first time Loki has forgotten him. But "Beach Day" doesn't make any sort of sense, so... it is a different Loki, surely.]

[bestbrotherever]

Do you recognize this place? I had thought the city changed suddenly, but it may be that I was pulled to yet another world. If this is not new to you, then I strongly suspect it is the latter.

[makeanentrance]

[Beck both lives in Sunset Falls and works with a Loki at the theatre so he isn't all that surprised to see this Loki here. Even with the weirdness going on, it's good to see a familiar face - even if the outfit is not usual.]

Loki? Taking a break?

[The man addressing Loki isn't wearing his costume today. He's heavyset without much grace, a craggy face and an unfashionable bowlcut hairdo.]

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki looks over at the sound of his name, no recognition on his face.]

I was, but it appears I am on the job, after all. Though whether it is to explain the situation, such as I understand it, to a newcomer, or be the newcomer receiving the explanation, I am not certain.

I am Loki, God of Mischief, as you already know. Who are you, and do you know where this is?

[makeanentrance]

[Beck pauses, regarding Loki for a moment. Is the God messing with him? Or is this yet another Loki. He knew there were already multiples around. Either answer could be correct - or both.]

I'm... Quentin Beck and I guess you're not my boss.

[That response likely won't make a lot of sense although Loki could interpret it different ways.]

This is Sunset Falls, a place in a multiverse of sorts.

[bestbrotherever]

[Long-suffering sigh.]

No, I am not your boss. I do not think I ever was, or ever will be. I am, instead... another version of him.

So. This is a pocket dimension in the multiverse? That makes me the newcomer, though I am not unfamiliar with the concept. How many others are there? What must we watch out for?

[welcome_summer]

[Mayuko isn't a resident of Sunset Falls yet, but given the anti-meta sentiment rising in Central, she was only too glad to go out and document the magical effects. Although whether the energy spells are from the city or this meta in particular remains to be seen.

She speaks out from the doorway of a nearby shop:]

The beaches are some ways away from Sunset Falls-- it's more inland.

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki's met enough people to realize he's in a new place. He wasn't expecting someone familiar, but he brightens when he sees her.]

Ah, Mayuko! You were brought here as well?

[welcome_summer]

[In contrast, Mayuko frowns. She is on OurPowers, so it's not impossible for someone to know her name. But he's sounding way too familiar with her.]

I've been here a couple of weeks. Have we... met before?

[bestbrotherever]

...ah, I suppose not. [He gives a small, rueful smile.] Many here have recognized me when I do not know them, now it is my turn.

I am Loki, God of Mischief. I was brought here during this current trouble. [Waving at the sky] I knew a version of you, where I was previously.