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
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-07 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not at all." Senku answered, shaking his head a little bit. "I'm not sure the train has an opinion on killing one way or another. It's the people on board. I'm not someone who would choose that option, and I'm not alone."

He understood the impulse at least, but it was not something he would dirty his hands with again, if he could help it.

"I do know that of the few incidents in the past, it has not been well-received by the denizens on board."
elevatoravatar: (Pondering Liz)

[personal profile] elevatoravatar 2022-03-07 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do understand that the taking of a mortal life is no small concern. This is why I left the velvet room. Still, some things must be met and dealt with as quickly and cleanly as possible, lest they... Do things such as awaken death."

"My guest taught me that, to seal her away. But while I am gone, if Erebus prevails...."

She shakes her head and looks down.
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-07 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It might be telling, perhaps, that he didn't ask what a persona was. Simply put, he knew someone with one.

"We've been on missions where there were sentient, non-human creatures attacking us and most people had no qualms about killing them." He'd killed one, actually, but that was an accident and he felt terrible about it.

"But especially with the people on board, they're very touchy about killing humans in particular. Or at least, those that seem human."
elevatoravatar: (Oh my oh my)

[personal profile] elevatoravatar 2022-03-08 01:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Fascinating."

She shakes her head, "Once I maintained an office where I made potions that had the power of life over death, but I do not have the materials for that. I have not since I left into the sea of the soul to hunt Erebus."

Looking up and tapping her chin, "Though killing mortals is the job of the mortals. It is not the place of an avatar of power to interrupt the balance."
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-09 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
"You might find the potions we have on hand to be somewhat familiar then. I think most of them come from Tidus' world, but it's the idea of getting injured and having it available to if not completely heal an injury, but put off disaster."

Senku considered that for a moment. "I suppose you have a point there, although I'm not sure the train takes your status as an avatar...for whatever that means, into account. We all seem to be pretty much the same around here in that aspect."
elevatoravatar: (SD magic)

[personal profile] elevatoravatar 2022-03-09 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hrm. Perhaps some of these worlds will lead to things I can make salves with."

She tilts her head and ponders, "Though, will anyone mind if I go off and help the combatants instead of stay with the healers? Or was I perhaps brought to deal with any combat that comes to those who render aid?"
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-10 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
"If it's just supplies you need, you can order them through the shop when you get enough points." Senku explained. "That's what I do. I make a salve now with my learned cure spell woven into it."

He shook his head though, at her question. "No, you can pick whatever mission and role you want. You don't have to stick with the orange team. There's a lot of flexibility. It's just you have to suffer the orange clothes."