VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-08-01 05:33 am

A New Platform [Intro Post August]


PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)



BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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 sunny with a cool breeze. 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. The stones are cobbled beneath them and there are small stone shapes lining the edge, decorative in nature. The sun is shining but there is a cold wind, blowing through the platform at intervals, almost biting in its chill.

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 Twelve 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 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. Danielle Phantom, Fai. D Flourite, K'zeka Tia, Ruggie Buchi and John Connor 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.

e. Of course there are the new additions to explore. A fireplace has been added to the library, complete with a rug and plenty of soft reading pillows. For those less inclined to sit still there is a swimming pool carriage, complete with foam fish. Plenty of fun for all.

DEPARTURE


Spend your time exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour 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.


NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS
scorpionsect: (pic#15612873)

The Garden

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-05 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Xie'er was sitting out in the garden playing his pipa that others may think is close to that of a guitar. It was a quiet peaceful tune, nothing too fast or chaotic. He refused to wear the clothes that the train gave him and clung to the set of blue grey robes he had managed to have on hand in his handy pouch.

He would often spend time in the gardens, as they often reminded him of the ones back at home. He was aware that someone else was in the garden, but left them alone. If they wanted to talk they were more then welcome to.
borntolove: (Criss Cross)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-07 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
The Doctor continues to scroll in the garden and pauses when he hears that string instrument. Ten scrolls in the direction and sits in a criss-cross form on the ground. It's been a very long time since The Doctor has been to China and he could always appreciate beautiful music being performed.
scorpionsect: (pic#15612872)

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-07 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Xie'er gave a nod toward the Doctor's pressence, when he realized he had an audience. He played another piece before he stopped to converse with him. "I appreciate you taking the time to listen. It's not often I have an audience," Xie'er greeted. He moved to place a balled fist against his right hand and gave a low bow. "I'm Xie'er from the Tai Hu Sect."
borntolove: (:D)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-08 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
When Xie'er finishes, "That was lovely. Absolutely shunning! Brilliant!" The Doctor remarks with an enthusiastic grin. Ten hops to his bare feet and gives a slight bow in return, "Hallo, I'm The Doctor. From Earth." The Doctor meanwhile is tugging at his brain. "Sorry, Tai Hu Sect?"
scorpionsect: (pic#15641906)

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-08 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, it would seem that my world is different from yours...Doctor. The train seems to do that." Xie'er calmly stated. "Or it could be simply a sect you may not have heard about as I'm aware there are many. May I ask what you are a Doctor of?"
borntolove: (pondering)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-08 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Could be. Lots of Earth's in the multiverse. Could be that too. Been a long time since I've been to China." The Doctor touches his cheek, "Been a very long time." All the way back in his First Life, with his Grand-daughter, Susan. He misses her, very, very much but pushes his pain into the back of his eyes.

"Just The Doctor." Ten remarks simply, "Anything you could tell me about Tai Hu Sect?" The Doctor sits criss-cross on the ground again.
scorpionsect: (pic#15641908)

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-09 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"You've been to China?" Xie'er commented surprised. It was where he often saw people from other cultures visit their land. It had been a culture shock for him arriving on the train of seeing so many different type of people and species.

"As for my sect? Most our culture focuses on the martial arts. We take pride in our fighting so my sect is of no difference. But we all have different fighting traits. My adoptive father runs the sect. Perhaps some questions on what you wish to know may be more helpful on explaining."
borntolove: (Doctor Idea)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-09 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, yes!" The Doctor remarks back enthusiastically. "Quite the traveler, me." A short pause, "Now, that I can approve of. Always good to have some defense training. Oh, I know what martial arts, is. Style and techniques vary but it's about self-defense. Learned some myself, actually."
scorpionsect: (pic#15612873)

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-11 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Xie'er raised an eyebrow. "You can fight? I'm sorry you didn't seem the type that could or wanted to fight. How did you learn?"
borntolove: (Granddad)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-11 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
The Doctor's body language seems to shy away from the question and his facial expression clearly does not want to, "Because existing in the universe means having to defend yourself. I don't actively seek out trouble. In my travels... some Venusian nuns taught me."
scorpionsect: (pic#15641905)

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-16 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
...."What are Venusian nuns?" Xie'er asked completed confused by the statement. They didn't have nuns in their culture so the term itself was new.
borntolove: (Cocky)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-18 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
The Doctor waggles his tongue for a moment, "Shifu. Thar Shifu, of sorts. And they teach Venusian aikido to anyone they believe to be very clever ." The Doctor ends with the cockiest of looks, "And four arms, usually."
scorpionsect: (Default)

[personal profile] scorpionsect 2022-08-27 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
....."Four arms?" This explaination was getting more and more bizarre. It still didn't explain what a nun was. He raised an eyebrow in confusion.
borntolove: (pondering)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-27 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's how those people are. I... travel quite a bit and - well, you'd be amazed on what is out thar."

The Doctor beams and then a more thoughtful, "I'm sure you'd seen different beings because of your travels on The Train?"