A New Platform [Intro Post July]

[voidtreckermods]

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PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

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BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Symphony. 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 cool with light rain. 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 a small platform, a dusty strip of concrete next to the tracks. The barrier is at the far end, housed in a brick shelter. The sky is dark with clouds and the air is damp. A fine drizzle falls, not heavy at all but they will find their clothes quickly become damp.

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 are alone: facing the tracks.

But then there's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, 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. 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. Altair Kallig, Aya Brea, Darth Nox, Eli Vanto, Elizabeth, Shen Qingqiu, Soma Cruz, Thrawn. 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, about 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.

a. 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.

b. 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 broccoli, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

c. 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.

d. 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. 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 curious about the reward for Purple Team they will find it here

SOME MISCHIEF

Those exploring the train will find that some passengers have been busy in the kitchens. Three bowls of hard candies are out for display, each labelled with a placard. All are free for the taking.

Energise! Provides an extra boost of energy.

Refresh! Like dipping tired feet into a cool spring.

Calm! Allowing you to start relaxing, like a prelude to meditation.

Energise is a red coloured candy that tastes faintly sweet. When eaten it provides about five hours worth of extra energy. This may lead to characters bouncing off walls, being easily distracted, being extra curious, or blurting out whatever comes to mind, including their feelings for other Voidtreckers. When combined with the Calm candy, a character's focus is increased, though they may feel more inclined to try new things or take new risks or chances.

Refresh is a green coloured candy that tastes faintly salty. With rivigourating divine energy within the candy, those who take it will feel mildly euphoric and floaty, bubbling, or otherwise happier. Literal floating of under a metre off the ground is possible while traveling the void, as well as having characters turn into small eastern styled dragons for about an hour. When combined with the Energise candy, characters may find they're capable of limited flight in the void. They may also find themselves as a tiny dragon with an obsessive focus on something small or silly, lasting as long as their dragon transformation, so about an hour.

Calm is a blue coloured candy that tastes faintly floral. This candy aids with rest and slowing down an overbusy mind. There's a side effect of grogginess after it wears off that grows proportionate to how many candies are consumed. Combined with Refresh candy, characters will find themselves more inclined toward open discussions, forgiveness and letting go, or engaging with people in ways they'd usually inhibit themselves from. So yes, a bit like being gently buzzed, with no hangovers.

DEPARTURE

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.

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NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS

Thank you to Rakel (player of Lan Jingyi) for the enchanted candy mischief. Any questions about those should be directed to them.

Comments

[sevenyearsasleep]

"But the pen wouldn't have to know that. You don't have to make it complicated, just useful. We make the pen so it copies what is in the book, and you can read and comprehend it yourself later, at your leisure."

Link could tell Clef was vaguely upset with him, but he couldn't fathom why.

"If you make enough of them you could copy a library within a few hours."

[guru_clef]

"The pen cannot make a judgement call. A person can."

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Why would a judgement call come into it? It's just copying words, right?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "Forget it."

[guru_clef]

He had opened his mouth to reply, but when his son said forget it, he closed his mouth again. He had messed up again, somewhere. So soon after Link came back too...

But he didn't know how or why. His hand gripped his staff even tighter. Why were there no books that actually helped with this being a father thing?

[sevenyearsasleep]

“After all, I told you the same thing about books. Why I didn’t want to put my instructions into one.”

He shrugged. “I was just trying to help you.”

[guru_clef]

Anything he could say could just get them to argue. But he just got his son back, he didn't want the boy to leave again, even if it was just to stalk off to another car. But he didn't know what he should say and even if he did... he wasn't sure if he opened his mouth anything civil would come out.

[sevenyearsasleep]

“…”

Link rubbed his neck. He still had no idea why this was a big deal.

“Hey, I’m gonna go find Zelda and tell her I’m okay. Then we can meet up in the kitchen. You can write and I can do some work.”

[guru_clef]

"I... I can go with you..." He was afraid to lose sight of his boy. He really was.

[sevenyearsasleep]

“You’re acting really weird. Are you okay?”

[guru_clef]

"I'm fine, Link. You're back, I now have the time to study the tethers at more leisure." Look, he can attempt a bluff.

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Uh-huh. You do know that no one just vanishes from the train right? They leave on the same day the new people come aboard."

Link had a vague idea of what was wrong, but....he was still missing a few details, he was certain.

[guru_clef]

"We do not have sufficient evidence to guarantee that. Lacking it, I do not intend to lose sight of you for the foreseeable." At least this was a safer topic.

[sevenyearsasleep]

"We have...every platform we've ever gone to...." Link fiddled with the cuff of his hoodie sleeve.

"But, that aside, you can't follow me everywhere. Not because I'm mad at you or anything, but, because, that's not healthy. And I need to talk to Zelda alone."

[guru_clef]

He winced when Link said he had to talk to Zelda alone. His head dropped, his shoulders drooped. "I... see."

[sevenyearsasleep]

"I'm not mad at you. Just try to keep in mind that the last time I vanished on her I was gone for seven years. I need to make sure she knows I'm okay."

[guru_clef]

"And my presence for that... will upset her?"

[sevenyearsasleep]

"It's easier for me to talk one on one."

[guru_clef]

"Oh." So it was his son... who didn't want him there.

[sevenyearsasleep]

Link had a sinking suspicion that Clef didn't get it. "What's wrong?"

[guru_clef]

"....Don't worry about it..."

What else could he say?

[sevenyearsasleep]

"I'll let you come along when I look for Shadow."

[guru_clef]

A small nod. "Thank you..."

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Should we get on board, then?"

[guru_clef]

"Yes, yes, of course, my boy."

[sevenyearsasleep]

"How are Zelda and Shadow, anyway? Are they okay?"