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vestigechat2020-07-26 12:20 am
vestigemods) wrote in vestigechat2020-07-26 12:20 am
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME #2
TEST DRIVE MEME #2
is the doctor in?
► THE SETTING
- In this Test Drive Meme, characters find themselves in the husk of what was once a hospital.
- 03 - This uppermost floor appears to be a regular modern hospital wing untouched by apocalyptic disaster, with various tidy patient rooms + an empty nurse's stand. at a glance, it's difficult to tell from this floor that the hospital is run-down at all... until you try to leave. Or... go anywhere at all, really. (Consult the relevant prompts below.)
- B1 - Primarily of interest is the morgue / autopsy room (powered + in functional condition), but this floor also contains locker rooms, a laundry room, a break room, and a handful of other rooms with locked doors and covered windows that Trace doesn't want to make shit up for just yet.
The hospital has three floors + a basement. Unfortunately, characters only seem to be able to reach 03 + B1:
Outside is a flat snowy wasteland as far as the eye can see, with blizzard-esque weather conditions awaiting anyone who steps outside (or has the misfortune of waking out there in the first place). This can be seen out every window the hospital has to offer, and will blow right inside if a window is opened. This can be accessed via emergency exit doors leading from B1. Those who try to re-enter the hospital through the front doors find it locked up tight.
The prompts below mostly focus on those who first wake up on the given floor, so feel free to wing it otherwise + ask any questions you may have on discord or in the provided top-level below!
The prompts below mostly focus on those who first wake up on the given floor, so feel free to wing it otherwise + ask any questions you may have on discord or in the provided top-level below!
FLOOR 3 ► LEAVING SO SOON? YOU HAVEN'T BEEN DISCHARGED
⬛ ENVIRONMENTAL + MILD PSYCHOLOGICAL HORRORS.
- You wake in a clean white bed to the overly-hygienic scent of fake wildflowers and the morning sun filtering in through the windows. You're in a hospital room, a visiting chair at bedside, a television hanging on the adjacent wall. Perhaps you're in a private room and can wake at your own leisure. Perhaps your room is shared, and someone else is waking up in their own bed on the opposite side of the cloth divider.
You have no memory of how you arrived here, nor are you entirely sure where this is. A glance out the window is no help at all - the sun through the window is filtered not by curtains but by a thick torrent of snow, and from this height (at least two or three stories up) you can't even see the ground.
At the end of the bed, you might just find your file. At least, it seems like your file - it lists your name, one or more injuries you don't recall ever having (or perhaps injuries you suddenly have but don't recall ever receiving), and a brief but alarming summary of the cause of the injuries. That's the worst part, the summary. It's almost always something you don't want to hear - you're careful and the injury was borne of recklessness, you value your mother most of all and were stabbed by her hand, or any number of possibilities all written down in carefully clinical terms. If you've woken up alone in a shared room, you might also find a loved one's file attached to the adjacent bed, similarly concerning in content and with no loved one in sight to reassure you that the tale the document tells is a lie.
Outside of your room is a hall with many other such rooms, their occupants stirring now just as you are. A nurse's station sits nearby, thoroughly abandoned. Just beyond that is the doors to the elevator and the stairwell.
But leaving this place isn't quite so easy.
Calling the elevator earns a polite ding! before the elevator doors open to reveal an empty shaft, cables extending downward to indicate that the actual elevator lingers far below. The stairs aren't much better - you have six, maybe seven stairs attached to the stairwell landing before they seem to have crumbled away, and as you look over the edge, you find the stairwell even more empty and ominous than the elevator shaft.
Perhaps you can set to work on figuring out a way to climb down... Or maybe, with luck, someone who woke up in the basement might elevator their way up to your rescue.
⬛ ENVIRONMENTAL (PARANORMAL?) HORROR.
- Or, rather than beating your head against the metaphorical wall that is finding a way down from the third floor, perhaps you decide to explore the hallways. Maybe you think there might be another way out! (Hospitals don't just have one stairwell right? That's a fire hazard.) Or maybe you just want to know what else exists on this floor, for the sake of scavenging or even for your own curiosity.
As you venture into the hallways, you might begin to notice that they're all... very much the same. Lights dimmed as if for nighttime, room doors locked - and each time you turn a corner, you find yourself faced with more of the same hallway you just left. But as you venture deeper into this winding maze of identical hallways, you find that overhead the lights flicker more and more intensely, and each new hallway ahead besets you with an odd sort of vertigo, the far end of the hallway seeming to shift gently to and fro as if carried by an ocean's peaceful waves. The vertigo gets stronger the deeper you venture until it's nearly impossible to go on.
Lucky for you: Simply turning around to backtrack finds the hallway you awoke in just around the first corner you turn, regardless of how far you've traveled since. How fantastically merciful of the Technicians, considering what's going on three stories below your feet.
BASEMENT ► DOES IT HELP IF WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD?
⬛ PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR.
- Here, you wake in the dark and the cold.
The dark is absolute, and unless your eyes are especially keen, you'll need to use your hands to get a bearing on your surroundings - and once you do, well. The news isn't great. You've awoken in what feels like a coffin-sized metal container, cold against the inexplicably bare skin of your back. If such a thing exists in your world, you might recognize that the container is chilled artificially.
Maybe you're trapped altogether, with no choice but to shout and bang on the walls and hope someone outside is close enough to hear. - but if you're especially lucky, a kick of your foot at the far end of your container will find it unlatched, sending the floor of your container sliding out into the open air of a dingy run-down morgue. You were trapped in cold storage, and here in the light you find that you've been dressed down to nothing but a flimsy backless hospital gown, a tag tied to your toe.
Upon closer inspection, the toe tag lists your name, where you're from, and... a cause of death? Since when were you dead? Or perhaps you already knew you were dead and the cause of death isn't quite what you recall. Either way, the contents of your toe tag are disconcerting at best, abjectly alarming at worst.
Your clothes and belongings can be found in the laundry room next door. Let's see if you can make it that far without showing a friend or stranger the entirety of your bare ass.
⬛ BODY + PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR.
- Or perhaps you don't wake in cold storage. Perhaps you wake on the autopsy table itself, one of three or four spaced evenly under the flickering fluorescents of the hospital morgue. A thin layer of paper covers your otherwise nude body, and beside the table, a tray of autopsy tools (some bloody, some supposedly clean) on a rusty cart within arm's reach.
An eight-inch-long rectangle has been cut from the front of your paper gown, and you're quick to see why: Some of you have a 6-inch-long, clumsily-stitched surgical slice down the center of your chest, almost as if an autopsy was attempted but quickly patched up before it could be finished. The rest of you aren't fortunate enough to have the stitches - your surgical slice is still open and bleeding mildly. Whether stitched or unstitched, the wound isn't any kind of life-threatening, having missed all vital organs and arteries... Not that it's terribly pleasant regardless.
If you (or a helpful friend or stranger) want to patch that shit up, there are plenty of supplies to bandage the area for now, or even a needle and surgical thread to stitch that up properly. Shame there's no anesthetic.
Once you've achieved enough relative chill to actually care about your prevailing near-nudity, your clothes and belongings can also be found in the laundry room next door. Maybe try not to bleed on them?
OUTSIDE ► WALKING IN A WINTER HORRORLAND
⬛ENVIRONMENTAL HORROR.
- If you so happen to find a way outside - whether by way of the emergency exits hatches leading up from the basement or simply by flinging yourself out the third floor window and hoping you don't die in the fall - you're met with a frigid wasteland as far as the eye can see. Which... isn't very far, admittedly. Visibility is typically limited to 10 - 15 feet, though every once in a while the wind dies down enough that for a second or two you can see the flat snowy plane up to ~100 feet ahead.
This leg of the journey is... pretty straightforward. It's cold. It's windy. You almost definitely aren't dressed for the weather. Once you wander out into the snow, it's hard to find your way back to the hospital - and since the hospital's front doors are locked up tight, the only way back inside is through the emergency exits down into the basement (if you can find them, through the snow quickly piling up on the ground).
For an unfortunate few, this might be where you wake up. You return to consciousness here, confused and likely already shivering before you even properly register where you are. Here's hoping you find one of those emergency exits (whether on your own or through sheer luck as someone opens one in front of you), because otherwise you're doomed for hypothermia in a few hours at best.
MOD NOTES + CONTINUITY
- This TDM takes place in a shared dream for all participants, so as not to interrupt in-game continuity. Characters already in-game may experience this dream at literally any time between now and the next TDM, and new characters who TDM here will have this dream as their vivid introductory experience much like the first batch of characters had The Loop. Players of current Vestige characters, feel free to fudge when your characters experience this nightmare and/or when something inspires them to remember it.
- Please leave the top-leveling for new characters - this isn't the last time we'll see this hospital, and veterans can take a crack at it at a later date. (And, in fact, much of the hospital has been sectioned off via ambiguous dream mechanics in order to make sure there's lots of fun fresh shit to do when the game at large gets ahold of it.)
- The elevator does work - it just can't be called specifically from the third floor to keep in line with the feeling of being somewhat trapped. If someone brings it up from the basement, they can rescue people from the third floor at leisure. If you want your character to escape via elevator to the basement, feel free to assume that someone has brought the elevator up to the third floor and left it unattended.
- Unless otherwise specified, characters arrive with all powers intact and carrying all items that they had with them on their canonpoint.
- I recommend checking out our FAQ before you TDM for any further game info, even though this isn't set in the Containment Zone proper.
- Feel free to hop into our Discord server if you aren't there already!
Jerry Dandridge | Fright Night
The cold metal that he's laying on, that surrounds him? Okay, that's different. At first he'll push up, expecting a coffin, but nothing gives. In the small space he's got Jerry shoves at the space above his head, but that is solid too. Hmph. A light shove with his foot gives him the answer he wants, seemingly his way out is down there.
Anyone nearby will hear loud banging, over and over until a few minutes later the door to one of the cold storage containers comes flying out of the room. It lands with a loud clatter in the hallway, bent from the force of something kicking it off the hinges. Not worrying at all.
Meanwhile, Jerry has the container open now, sitting on the metal table that rolls out and is inspecting the toe tag he's got.
Name: Jerry Dandridge
Place of Death: Las Vegas, Nevada
Cause of Death: Charley
That earns a chuckle.]
Cute. Real cute.
[So he'd actually died then? He sure remembered burning up in the fucking sunlight and getting stabbed in the heart. Then why oh why, was he mostly naked in a hospital morgue now?
Question for later, for the moment he eyes the open door and the hallway out there, giving a curious sniff. Hm... anyone out there?]
no subject
[ Hi. Hello. Dimitri approaches cautiously; he had heard movement and decided to investigate. Thankfully, it only seems to be another lost individual and not an enemy.
Still, one can never be too careful so he keeps a reasonable distance and crosses his arms. ]
I don't suppose you have any idea where we are?
no subject
Jerry eyes the blond nonchalantly, still sitting and wearing just the most flattering hospital gown. Doesn't bother him a bit really.
Also his new acquaintance may notice, if he's got a sharp eye, that all the metal surfaces that normally would reflect or mirror things uh... don't seem to work on Jerry. It's like he's not even there.
Then again it could be an easy thing to miss in strange circumstances like this.]
Hey, guy. Well, I was gonna ask you, but the most I know is where probably in the basement of a hospital.
[He offers a leering smile.]
What about you? You locked in one of these things too?
[Jerry gives a little knock knock on the cooler door next to him.]
no subject
He's observant enough that he does notice the missing reflection. He chalks it up to strange magicks, however, and doesn't actually dwell on it for long. To be fair, he's keeping his gaze firmly not on the other man for the sake of his modesty. Of which he seems to have, but it's fine. ]
An infirmary? [ Same idea, Dimitri. ] No, I woke up in a bed... but I have no recollection of what might have put me in one.
[ Usually, he's at least somewhat aware when he lands himself in Manuela's care. Be it unexpectedly broken weapons or a reckless battle exercise, he tends to get hurt as much as most average teenage boys do. ]
the typos still won, this is why I shouldn't tag before I go to sleep
[Jerry repeats the name, lips curling into a... friendly(?) smile.]
Since we're introducing ourselves, hi, I'm Jerry. Can't say this is where I usually meet people, but life is wild.
[Or unlife. Whatever this counts as.]
Hmm... happen to run into any doctors or nurses before stumbling in here?
[So far he only hears/smells, Dimitri. Er well, there's also the smell of death too. Probably some of the other coolers have dead bodies in them. He's got a strong sense of smell, sometimes it's great, other times it's unfortunate.
Jerry slides off he metal table and peeks back over his shoulder at his bare backside. Shaking his head he chuckles.]
Little cold back there.
[He says like the cold even bothers him.]
sleepy fingers curses us all
I did not, no. I was trying to find any familiar faces, but so far you're the only other one I've run into.
[ The stench of decay isn't as strong for Dimitri but it is enough that he's started to get the beginnings of a headache. ]
We, uh, should find you more suitable clothes.
no subject
Hm, maybe we can find both if we have a look around.
[And he's not even going to attempt to be discreet as he walks past Dimitri to poke his head out the door, peering down either side of the hallway. There's another room across the way so he'll just head on over, enjoy the view or don't new pal.
Looks like some kind of laundry room for the hotel. There's sheets and stuff still sitting in a washer and other stuff about that makes it obvious. Towels all folded and stacked at the other end of the room... and ah, hamper with dry stuff... clothes? Hm. Clothes that look suspiciously like something he'd wear and are his size.
Convenient.]
Bingo.
[And if Dimitri has followed Jerry, he's gonna be blessed(?) as he strips off the barely there hospital gown to start pulling on the jeans and henley he's found. Some nice boots nearby too. Wonderful.]
no subject
Thankfully, the man seems to find something to dress himself with. Dimitri wonders if he'd have gone without otherwise. And the blond finds something of his own- It's a far cry from a lance but he picks up a long, metal rod and holds it upright in hand almost like a walking stick. He feels better having something akin to a weapon on his person in this strange place. ]
What could the reason for leaving us here be, I wonder?
no subject
Modesty is for boring people though.
Once he's dressed properly he'll look over at his new pal Dimitri who's found himself a "weapon". Adorable.]
Well. Typically being in that room- [Jerry points across the hallway to where he'd woken up.] Means you either work here or you're dead. Now do I look dead to you, Dimitri?
[Jerry smiles at him, holding his arms out like "look, see? not dead".]
Can't say I work here either. Heh, haven't worked in a hospital in years.
[He did once, it was easy food okay.]
no subject
I can't say that you do. [ That was a trick question, bucko, and you failed. ]
Perhaps a case of mistaken identity, or-? [ He's still trying to puzzle it together. ] Actually, that's not a bad idea. There must be medical staff here somewhere.
no subject
So are you going to "talk" to the staff with your friend there?
[He points at the rod Dimitri clutches.]
Looking like you escaped a loony bin may not be the best approach.
[He could just kill the kid and go on his way, but honestly what else does he have to do right now? This is interesting for the time being.]
no subject
It would be unwise to not have some matter of protection. While I'd hope that any infirmary staff would be welcoming, there's still too much we don't know.
[ ♫ Hello, paranoia, my old friend... Don't get too bad or he'll hallucinate the dead ♫ ]
It might be overly cautious of me, perhaps, but it's also my duty to ensure the safety of others. [ Don't worry, Jerry, the blond twink will protect you! ]
no subject
Dimitri, it's cute you think I need protecting.
[Okay, it's just no fun to not tease him now. Don't mind him if when he talks he's got some nice fangs in his maw and his eyes are blown out more black.]
Look I'll let you keep your little stick if it makes you feel better.
[Personal space? Don't know her. Jerry moves closer as he talks, leering at the blond.]
But you just worry about your own safety okay, guy?
[And he'll ruffle Dimitri's hair before backing away, grinning.]
no subject
[ He is very 'uwu', it's true, and the way that he flusters at the statement only proves that point. His face flushes even more, actually, at the muss of his hair. It's not like it was all that well-kempt to begin with considering the circumstances but- Still! He huffs indignantly before trying to compose himself. ]
I can handle myself, not to worry.
[ So, there! But AHEM. ANYWAY. ]
Now let's see about finding some assistance.