voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-03-01 05:33 am

A New Platform [Intro Post March]


PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 17
(QUICKSAND)



BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day 1 of the month of Quicksand. Points have been updated on the system."

The voice of the Voidtrecker Express welcomes passengers at the same time as always, sometime after breakfast. With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later, as the colours of the void outside the windows blur more and more.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. The weather is cold and damp. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A lurch and a jolt, and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform.

ON THE PLATFORM


1. THE ARRIVAL

At first, all your character can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. But as their eyes adjust, they find themselves on a platform.
It is cold, a slush of ice and rain on the ground underneath their feet. It's not currently raining though. The platform is made of black cobbles, slippy under their feet, dark stone gates serving as barriers giving the impression of a severe and grim place.

They stand in clothes not their own, in a style they might not even recognise. They're carrying a rucksack on their person, and for a moment it seems to just be them, alone on this platform. Before the fog starts to subside, and they'll see they're one of eleven figures: all facing the tracks, and all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies, the latter in one of four colours. Purple, red, blue or orange.

But then there's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, it it reads The Voidtrecker Express in gold lettering on the side. Every one of the doors hiss as they open automatically, and out pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. Some are human, some less so, with a majority wearing the same hoodie of four colours as they do, though some sport outfits in a variety of styles.

The train doors close behind them, and the vehicle is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform. A group of people head towards the gates of the platform, their expressions blank and unaffected by their surroundings. Ansem, Connor, Curufin, Elle Days, Freddy Fazbear, Margulis, Murderbot, Potato, Vexen, Will Stanton and Yota They disappear through the barriers, but no one else can - all people can do is wait until the train re-emerges, finishing whatever changes it's making.


2. BOARDING THE TRAIN

After a short time, perhaps ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Everyone will feel a pull when they do, a need to board, and those from the train may encourage new arrivals to board. This feeling grows into one of apprehension and turns worse the longer they stay off-board.

For those that do board, they may find themselves in a few different carriages, but most likely the standard coach. A row of seats sit available, with a few tables between each. More likely than not, some cookies have been set out with jugs of drink, and cups available for pouring.

For those that don't, however, they're likely to attract attention if they're spotted. And if that fails... an unfortunate end will await them.


3. DEPARTURE

Do a little exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour total from the train's arrival before a second horn sounds, encouraging any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air to board. After five minutes from this, the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train begins to rumble with activity, and the platform starts to disappear into a fog as the voidcraft moves. A female-coded artificial voice echoes throughout the train.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points, and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void.


ON THE TRAIN


1. EXPLORING

With nowhere to go but through the train's carriages, this is a good time for newcomers to explore. For veterans, it's back to your everyday life aboard the Voidtrecker Express.

¤ New arrivals will notice a screen and console in every carriage sharing the same message, and a stack of leaflets in holders by them offering further information to the curious (see 'Publications'). There are lavatories available on each carriage on one end, with another console with a deposit box under it at the other. This is the train shop.

¤ It'll take some time for newbies to figure out the layout, even if there's only two directions to go in. Go one end, and you'll find the food stores and washing utilities. This month's key ingredient is pineapple, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

¤ Go to the other end, and you'll find the sleeper cabins. Plaques sit on the wall by each door with the names of their occupants, and one of these will be yours - hopefully, they'll figure out that swiping their ticket against the doorpad will open it up to them. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. Room is tight, but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and, the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

¤ At the farthest end in this direction is the luggage carriage, where passengers who have bought items from the train shop will find their purchases. There are also medical kits for every one, each labelled with their full roster name. These are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags, but there's also a small fridge and kettle here with bottled water, for those who want a quiet drink.

For those of Purple team who go looking for their reward they will find simple boxes of cupcakes to share out. There's a cupcake for all of purple team, even the new arrivals, share in your new team's success!


2. ACTIVITIES

But of course, there's also everything in-between those two directions, and the people in them.

¤ Areas of note will be the training gym, where there's always regulars training to pass the time. There's a training board offering services, but maybe you'll find someone who catches your eye in here. Or even its gear?

¤ Is your character used to the appliances to be found in the kitchen? Depending on when your character wanders in, they may find someone testing out a recipe, preparing for lunch, or even dinner time.

¤ The library offers a quiet place, with a fair selection of books from fiction to non-fiction. Is your character interested in learning more about the void? Picking up an action or adventure book? Wow, there sure are a few magazines.

¤ There's also media to consume, from the games car, the cinema, to the arts carriage. Ever played a virtual reality game? Wanted to learn how to fly? Have you seen a screen of moving pictures? There's now documentaries to be found in the cinema's catalogues, from How To programming, Void-related topics, and sports.


3. REST AND SLEEP

¤ Time is difficult to track in the void, even with the few clocks around showing a 21 hour time. But the windows allowing a view of the kalediscope void will shift to a pitch black once the time reaches 12, and keep for the rest of the day.

¤ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner time is usually announced by whoever's cooking that day, and when. Sometimes it's decided by the team chores; other times, it's decided by who wants to be cooking.

¤ But sleep eventually comes to all, even if they don't want it to. When 21 hours have finally passed on the train, all passengers, whether they need sleep or not, will see black - only to start a new day in their cabin beds, with the sound of the train's automated voice greeting them with a 'Good morning' message.


NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS
redprayer: (Default)

IV

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-01 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Obviously the medical center was always going to be of interest to a man who primarily plied his trade in healing. Rezo enters with a jingling of his staff and for a few moments he simply walks around tentatively, trying to investigate the facilities without touching anything that ought not to be touched.

When he realizes that Senku is there, Rezo turns towards him.]


Ah, pardon me. This is the clinic?
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-01 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He'd noticed Rezo when he came in, but aside from glancing up briefly while he looks around, he hadn't really moved. It's not really his inventory, it was all communal things, he wasn't going to ask unnecessary questions. ]

That's right. [ Senku confirms with a nod and tucks a bookmark into his book. He happens to be reading Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, by Isaac Newton. ]

There's one that's geared more towards trama near the luggage car because on evacuation we end up there.
redprayer: (little fiends on halloween)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-01 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[A voice- masculine, young, but not a child’s. Rezo makes a polite noise of acknowledgement.]

Is that so? I’d like to look around there later, then. [The note about evacuation is ominous.] Are you the one manning this clinic?
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-01 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
At the moment. [ Senku responded and turned his chair so it would hit the desk and leaned back a little bit. ]

Those who are interested in healing take turns, if they're so inclined. It's not forced or mandated by anyone. I try to make myself available should anyone have any medical concerns, not unlike my clinic hours at home.
redprayer: (a stranger in a strange strange land)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-02 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
So you were a healer in your own world as well.

[Rezo returns to examining the room, although he keeps his ears open for the young man’s voice. Rezo’s fingertips slowly and lightly trace the edges of furnishings, reasonably confident that this person will say something if he’s about to touch anything dangerous- though Rezo can generally tell if he’s about to touch anything sharp or hot before any real damage is done.]

Do you get many patients?
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-02 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
A doctor. My world doesn't have magic.

[ He was only half keeping an eye on him, he wasn't too worried, most things couldn't harm you through touch alone as it was. If he was going to ingest something, that might be another story. ]

Not between missions. Rarely, in fact. After missions there's usually an influx of patients, or even during if we're helping out people who are injured, like our last mission. I was working at one of the base camps in medical because it was strictly a no magic situation.
redprayer: (feeling like a fool again)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-02 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
[You’ll pardon the pause. For Rezo, “we don’t have magic” is akin to “we don’t have fire” or “we don’t have a written language” in terms of “how does your society FUNCTION.” Although ironically it was only his part of the world that really relied on it.]

Isn’t that always the way? Crises never seem to come singly. [Rezo picks up a small plastic pill bottle, turning it over in his hands with a slightly puzzled look.] Have you been on many of these missions?
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-02 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ ...boy Rezo, would he have news for you. Written language and literacy is still very much a sticking point at the moment. ]

No, but it's a predictable one. Missions can be very dangerous. I've been on several missions. I've been on board a long time at this point.
redprayer: (little fiends on halloween)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-02 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rezo runs his finger over the label on the bottle, frowns, does it again. This time he’s able to read the label: Paracetamol. He replaces the bottle in its former position.]

It probably goes without saying that I just arrived. When I learned there were medical facilities aboard, I was interested in seeing them for myself.
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-03 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not gonna stop you from exploring.

[ It's not his medical car after all, because if it was there were other rules he'd institute for the safety of patients, but that was neither here nor there. ]

There's also a white team, if you're interested in doing a paramedic-like role during missions, where you can be called upon to be taken to injured people on the battlefield. Spider handles sign ups for that.
redprayer: (a stranger in a strange strange land)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-03 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I’ll do my best not to make a mess while I’m here.

[After all, exploring, for Rezo, requires a certain degree of using his hands, and not everybody is easygoing about a strange man running their hands all over their furniture.]

I believe I’ll take you up on that. [What else is he going to do, anyway?] Who is Spider?
10billionpercent: (This Is So Exciting)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-03 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
She's in the dressing carriage. She's really shy, but she likes snacks. If you use the three points they gave you to bring her a snack, she'll make you an outfit of your choosing. She used to have posters around here, but I haven't seen any lately.

[ He hums a little bit. ]

Also if you have any questions, I may be able to help you.
redprayer: (feeling like a fool again)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-03 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Despite his regular attire before he died, Rezo isn’t terribly fussed about his clothes as long as he has a modicum of dignity. Still, the fact Spider can be bribed with snacks is filed away as “potentially useful.”

He considers the young man’s question, pride and a reluctance to be an inconvenience warring with the desire for more information. Fortunately, pragmatism wins out.]


…I’m afraid that some of the medications and equipment are foreign to me. I know that the “ICP” will have information on it, but any additional information you can provide would be appreciated.

[Besides which, he’s been here for less than a day and still isn’t comfortable with anything electricity-based, such as the aforementioned ICPs.]
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-04 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
It does, you want a crash course on how to use the ICP?

[ There's no judgment in his tone, Raze wouldn't be the first person who needed to be shown how to use the more modern amenities on board. ]

And a tour of medical. Sure.

[ He flicked his wrist and vanished the book he was holding and stood up, stretching. ]
redprayer: (i want to be more than this devil)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-04 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
That would be helpful. I’ve investigated a few of them already, but…

[But they’re still weird. His world’s still taking its initial forays into steam power and a lot of that’s been happening only recently, while Rezo’s been stuck in a jar for the past few years. Poking at a flat beepy thing that narrates his every move is a little outside his realm of experience, even when it comes to fiddling with magic devices.

He’s an old man and it’s been a long week, okay!!!]


You have my thanks, ah… Mr. Whatever-Your-Name-Is.
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-04 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
It's Senku. [ He has a last name, but who really cares? He definitely doesn't. ]

Most of the stuff on the ICP is kind of useless, in my opinion. [ At least for him, and he pulls out his ticket from the pocket of his cargo pants and goes over to the screen. ]

The one in here at least, offers some medical knowledge in a pinch. The textbooks in here are better, though, far more informative.

[ He swipes his ticket, there we go, Senku Ishigami. ]

This is the screen that comes up normally, right, if you select this option here, it allows you to submit questions or requests to the train.
redprayer: (thought i'd be paid in due)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-05 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
I am Rezo. [And he also has a last name but it’s not terribly important either! More importantly, things to learn!]

Here? [He unfortunately can’t pinpoint hand gestures too closely, although when he takes a cautious poke at where he thinks Senku was indicating he does hit the correct button. Not that he can verify it right now.]

…It was speaking earlier. How do I make it do that again?
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-05 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
Don't be afraid to touch it, you can't break it just touching the screen. You can go through any of these options at will and it won't harm it in any way.

[ He actually means to be encouraging. ]

The train only speaks at certain times. But if you ask it a question it will text you back, sometimes, if it feels like it. It's not very communicative.

[ He sighs softly. ]

It's very annoying like that.
redprayer: (a stranger in a strange strange land)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-06 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[There we go. Rezo is now dividing his attention between the ICP’s narration and what Senku is saying. So these are also a direct line to the train itself…

With a slightly distracted air, once the ICP finishes reading off some options:]


Would you say that the train is alive?
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-07 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
That's a matter of debate actually, surrounding artificial intelligence. It certainly is that, but is it acting within its own programming or making its own decisions? It appears to make its own decision. It broke with protocol to capture us, and it became a fugitive under its own power.

[ He looks a little thoughtful. ]

Can you call it alive though? Depends. There's limitations to its programming, meaning it can't seem to understand humans very well. It also cannot lie, I was explained this already. It does display agitation and frustration at the thought of its previous, and lost crew. It is likely sentient, but not to the same degree other creatures are.

In the end, it depends what you call alive. I can tell you though, it doesn't understand the concept of consent well at all, but it's most recent overtures suggest it's attempting to.
redprayer: (you don't want to know me anymore)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-07 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[‘Artificial intelligence’ may not be as much of a matter of debate in a preindustrial world, but then… With golems and other magical constructs, not to mention various intelligent species that certainly aren’t human, there’s certainly debate about personhood.

He remembers Ozzel, and speaking with her about emotion, and what it meant to be a person. Only a few weeks ago, one might have considered her alive.

Focus. There are other things that need to be worked on.]


…I suppose growth is the most reliable sign of life. At any rate, you mentioned a previous crew? How did the previous crew become lost?
10billionpercent: (Let Me Explain Something)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-07 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
We don't know very much about it. The last time I asked about it, the train shouted at me to find them and stopped responding.

[ He shrugs helplessly. ]

It wants us to find the crew but won't tell us much about it. I think people have submitted those questions though, we're still waiting on answers.
redprayer: (i could have been there)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-07 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Rezo turns to Senku briefly, frowning.]

That is troubling. In a human, I would guess such a response indicated emotional trauma, and perhaps a lack of memory.

[But coming from a sapient void-traversing train…]
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-07 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
It would be. Psychology is not my area of expertise, that's more Gen's thing, but I know enough about it to know that.

[ He sighs. ]

Regardless it's not exactly helpful when the train can't tell us what we need to do.
redprayer: (a stranger in a strange strange land)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-08 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Rezo hums in agreement. There’s not much to say other than “Yep, that sounds inconvenient,” so instead he asks:]

Who is Gen? Is he another healer?

[Psychology is a word Rezo knows but admittedly, in the context he comes from it’s considered more of a very specific branch of philosophy than anything medical. So his mental image is probably slightly skewed.]

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