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Tabula Rasa Mods ([personal profile] tabularasa_mods) wrote in [community profile] tabularasa_rp2020-09-15 10:58 pm

003 - Memories of a False History

Memories of a False History State of the World Locations Bestiary
OOC Comments
Please refer to the original Event Announcement for more information or to ask any questions you might have! For the disaster prompt, players are not restricted to the versions given, but they are intended to be the most common. Feel free to borrow ideas from the disaster suggestions thread as well!

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The Sound of All Things Bad
The sound comes without warning. What the sound is cannot quite be made out - it is at once artificial and natural, bestial and mechanical, rumbling and roaring and crunching, shattering and crashing and screaming. Everything about it feels like a threat, warning of danger. The cacophony of noise reaches throughout the entire Void, loud and inescapable, the mangling and clashing of different sounds leaving each individual with a different idea of what it could possibly have been. It sounds different to everyone, each person able to pick out a part of the sound that ties to their own fears.

What if...?

How long the sound lasts would depend on how the individual perceives time. It might last for seconds, or it might last for minutes, but once it stops it does not repeat. Where it came from or what it is does not become the slightest bit clearer, and people are left to only speculate.

Disaster
No one can quite be sure what has prompted them to remember that day. It might have been that noise of approaching doom, or perhaps it is seeing the crumbling ruins of Hammerlocke itself. Once a stray memory surfaces, it is easy enough to look into the details and recall in full the vivid memory of Hammerlocke’s destruction - the ‘truth’ of what caused the mountainside city to crumble into ruins, as so many have wondered since their first appearance. Though the memory is clear and detailed, vivid enough to have been witnessed in person, it is out of place and does not belong, and anyone who can recall the events knows it.

Attempting to discuss the matter will soon reveal that while others recall the event with similar clarity, the details vary from person to person. Over time, their own memory changes and adapts, occasionally changing to something new entirely, yet the original is never completely forgotten. Memory is a strange and fickle thing, so easy to influence and manipulate, that the truth is difficult to find.

While memories differ from person to person, there are three particular tales that recur:

From the Sky

Though the sky above did not change from its paper-like blank white, the land grew darker and darker as though cast in shadow. The source of the shadow was clear: above, slowly descending towards the wings of the castle, was... something. Something immense, yet shrouded in crackling storm clouds.

As it continued to grow closer and closer, something in the clouds began to swell. It grew larger and larger, an electric hum of energy in the air, until with a resounding crack it burst and a great shadowy beast fell to the ground, landing with such force that the resulting shockwave shook the earth and tore through the stone buildings, causing so much of the city to tumble in an instant. It moves, and it screeches, raising its head up as the great storm above continues to swell and crackle.

This would not be the only beast.

(Based upon: Meteor, the Lunar Cry, and the Darkest Day)
The Battlefield

It was never clear why the fighting eventually made its way to this defenseless city, but it came without warning. The chaos was heralded only by explosions as the city walls were blasted through by tanks that had somehow made their way along the treacherous and narrow mountain path that simply was not meant for such heavy machines. The thundering explosions and the collapse of buildings could surely be heard for miles, and people and animals alike were quick to flee.

Though they reached Hammerlocke first, the tanks seemed like nothing compared to the enemy. The enormous shadowy monstrosity that swooped in from the sky seemed to be made from far more advanced technology. Even just the one towering machine, as large as the castle falling to ruins beneath its feet as it lands, proves deadly as it fires upon the approaching tanks, blasting them all to pieces within an instant before turning fire on whichever buildings remain standing.

(Based upon: Tanks, and Reapers)
The Mysterious Storm

There had been no way to predict the change in the weather, never mind how destructive it would prove. One moment, everything had been still and quiet, and the next the city was assailed by howling, violent winds and freezing, glittering snow and ice. Though the city was built of stone and had stood the test of time for centuries, it could not stand against these combined forces. The only shelter was underground, for the furious storm was so powerful it could rip through earth, lift up and fling any object in its path with devastating force, shattering windows and toppling buildings.

Propelled by such force, the ice and hail proved destructive in its own right. As the storm froze everything in its path, the hailstones became like bullets and great chunks of ice became missiles. By the time the winds began to grow calm, there was little left standing.

Something about the storm seemed somehow unnatural, but where it came from was anyone’s guess. Some, however, may have spied a vague figure through the tempest, of unclear appearance but its presence somehow threatening.

(Based upon: Weather, El shortage, and Diamond Dust)

Misplaced Memories
Worries about whatever disaster must have befallen the ruined city of Hammerlocke aside, people quickly become aware that memories of the disaster are not the only invasive, foreign memories. How the other memories come to them seems, on the surface, to be very similar: a connected thought occurs, and upon realizing the memory is not theirs, people are compelled to think more about it until the memory is uncovered in full detail. Unlike the memory of the disaster, however, this one quite clearly belongs to someone else. Someone who is here.

On puzzling this out, some might find they have more than one stray memory sitting in their minds. More importantly, however, is the feeling that something from their own memory is missing, and whatever memory is missing feels like it is something important. It could just be their own phone number, or it could be their name, or the face of whoever is most important to them. It could be something small, it could be something big, but all people know is that it’s something important and it’s gone.

There is no clear, immediate answer as to what people can do about their lost memories. With regards to their new memories, however, the path might seem a tiny bit clearer, for surely it seems a bit unfair that they can see into someone’s past in such a manner without their knowing. Perhaps it’s best to talk to them about it?

Although the lost memory is not always the same as the ones borrowed, taking the memory back to its source and prompting them to discuss and think about it proves a great help - as they talk, the invasive memory leaves, a lost memory is restored, and those who succeed are able to tell others the solution.

While the invasive memory is gone, people can still recall having it, and can still recall the details, but they will no longer remember it from the other’s point of view. Perhaps it might change how they see each other from now on?

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symbolofstrength: (affectionate)

[personal profile] symbolofstrength 2020-10-31 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Funnily enough, that's not far off from how Sam would have described her when he still had his memory; he would always introduce her as his daughter, not his daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, his eyes light up at the revelation.

"I see, so I have a daughter!" He takes a better look at the photo, smiling affectionately down at it. Though oddly, there were no pictures of women his own age in his collection, nor do his fingers show any signs of ever bearing a ring... so how he got a son for his daughter-in-law to be married to will forever be a mystery.

"Do you know anything else? From that 'memory'?" He nods, at least, at Leo's question. He understands their relationship well enough, now he just wants all the details he can get.
gitgudprincess: (head bowed)

[personal profile] gitgudprincess 2020-11-01 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm sorry."

[Hornet sits silently for a long moment, head bowed, considering her hands. Then, quietly, she speaks again.]

"May I ask what it is you remembered of me? The statue is familiar, but... I cannot place it."

[Knowing what other memories she had lost, she fears what secrets might be revealed to Ahsoka. But she cannot stomach not knowing her own self.]
gitgudprincess: (Default)

[personal profile] gitgudprincess 2020-11-01 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"You'd be surprised how common patterns are in seeming chaos. They're simply too intricate to make out at a glance."

[She considers the matter a moment longer, then sighs and drops her shoulders.]

"I suppose you are right, though. Whatever is going on, we are nowhere near the full picture."
forwearemany: (Default)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-11-01 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
(The logical answer, to them, is to choose ones own people. It's why they asked Shepard and not Tali to help save the Geth even though it would risk the Quarians destruction.

But there are more immediately relevant matters.)


You are familiar with an individual known as Dekker?
rotomphone: (Default)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-11-01 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
It's all good. [ he responds to her concern with a smile, hoping to ease it. ] With how random stuff happens around here, I'll bet it'll happen any day now. My team is way too cool and strong to keep hidden away!

[ and he's sure Torkoal would nip at his ankles in repremand at that declaration - even Duraludon looks like he's rolling his eyes a little, prompting a wider, unapologetic grin. ]

Right? Wouldn't be a bad thing to have every now and then. [ he's always wondered what the simulated environments would look like for each of his team members - maybe something like a swampy marsh for Goodra? it would make sense. ] I dunno who originally thought up the idea, but I bet they made a killing off of it! You can't even think about being a proper Trainer without using 'em - they're pretty much synonymous with the profession.
rotomphone: (pic#13642769)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-11-01 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
All sorts, really! It doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason to it... Duraludon and I found a toaster down there the other day, but I've seen stuff like chairs and tables, too.

[ he can see the excitement in her eyes, and it's hard not to smile along with it. her enthusiasm is infectious! ]

Not a bad idea to take a look if you're thinking about redecorating. We can pitch in if you need some extra hands!
theforgottenboy: (I'm kinda done with hanging out)

[personal profile] theforgottenboy 2020-11-01 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[The edges of the memory become clearer as Blue goes on, until it's been pulled fully back into place. Ah... it's a memory that hurts. But it's one he doesn't think he should forget.]

[He's quiet a moment.]


He knew. He knew bad things could happen, but the things I had done were wrong, and caused trouble for him and the other mages.

[He didn't fully understand at the time, and he didn't know at all that he wasn't even real.]

It was harder to understand, then. But if he'd known what I really was, maybe he would have killed me.

[Would that have solved the problems he'd caused? Probably not, but it would have made sense for him to do, right?]
rotomphone: (pic#13679824)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-11-01 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
It's hard to not meet people when you're taking Galar's challenge. Everyone gathers at the opening ceremonies and pretty much starts at the same time, so there's plenty of people out on the road. Even if you don't make it to the end, you're bound to make a friendship that'll last a lifetime.

[ hell, a few of the people he met on his own challenge ended up being his colleagues, years later. that was the sort of determination that the Gym Challenge bred. he'd met lots of people on his travels, but Leon was always the one person that really made him want to get stronger.

Blue's admission surprises Raihan, looking at him with a cocked eyebrow. he thought that the other man would be the social Beautifly type, but maybe things were different when he was younger... it was that way for himself, after all. the quick-tempered wild child that was Raihan in the past is nigh unrecognizable now, with his remnants only showing on the pitch. ]


Can't imagine there was a lot of talking going on if Red was your only company.
halloflamer: (congrats on the sex)

[personal profile] halloflamer 2020-11-02 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
H-huh....?

[Blue looks a little flabbergasted by Turing's admission, but then again.... he supposes there's something he has of Turing's too, now that he realizes what that familiar voice was, what that familiar feeling was, in the back of his mind. Memories were things you didn't recall until something forced them back into the forefront- and talking to the person it really belonged to was plenty good enough.]

[Sheepishly, he thinks back to that day, meeting Eevee's cheerful gaze. There were a lot of complicated feelings about that day, and Eevee himself is aware of that, but.....]

[It was happy, too.]

[Eevee bumps his head against Turing's hand for more pets, and Blue sighs, leaning on the counter with a big grin.]
Oh.... really, now? Sorry about that. I was a pretty big brat when I was little- I put Eevee here to shame!

[Eevee huffs, but Blue just laughs.] Well, you don't seem to mind hanging out with brats, though.
begetblue: (💾 - 20)

[personal profile] begetblue 2020-11-02 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ With that particular memory excised, the mention of that name only brought questions instead of anything more heavy or frightening. Of course, it wouldn't last for long. ]

Oh, yes, but I wouldn't say we're much more than acquaintances at the very most. Is he a large part of this memory?
memorate: (u (109))

[personal profile] memorate 2020-11-02 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
You disobey orders often?

[ He realizes, perhaps a second too late, that his question was unintentionally rude. He was merely wondering why something like this would be a trend for her or anyone, and if it was a trend, then it's pretty clear where they need to start examining the problem.

Not that Cloud sees it as her responsibility. ]


Listen... you made a choice, but so did they. Everyone knows the risks in war, right?
anciently: (and we stood tall)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-11-02 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Genesis? [ A story for another time, maybe? ] Well, I'm glad you were able to fight them off, at least...

[ Whatever the case may have been... ]

This memory stuff has been pretty weird, huh? Having experiences in your head that aren't yours...

[ Well, to be honest, the whispers of what might happen (what did happen?) in their own lives that she'd gotten from the Planet were...kinda similar. ]
anciently: (what we lived for)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-11-02 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
He didn't seem happy about it, did he? [ Aerith chuckles, moving her hands behind her back. ] I guess that'll have to be a once-in-a-lifetime event...even though he did look pretty great.

[ Don Corneo and his men had been fooled, at least...somehow... ]
anciently: (but i won't rot)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-11-02 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Good point. Maybe take some time to gather more data before meeting up, then!

[ For now, they'll just have to wait. She doesn't love that fact, but Parsee is right in that trying to take action now might not be a worthwhile endeavor based on the information they all hold. ]
bridge_princess: (003)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-11-02 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I believe we might have enough to go off of in a little bit, but we're still ... this is all kind of new for us. I want to look into it a little. I'm sure you do to.

Ngh. This place is so weird sometimes isn't it?
anciently: (Default)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-11-02 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Right. So, all we can do for now is to gather all the clues we can, right? Starting with...this train!

[ Without further ado, she'll step toward and onto it, starting to examine the interior with great scrutiny. After a moment, she pauses to glance back to Hornet, still outside the car. ]

You coming?
anciently: (i run and run as the rains come)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-11-02 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe they wanted to give you something to look forward to, and you'll be able to have one more by your side every month! We just don't know, so there's no use worrying.

[ Or so she'll continue to assert! ]

I'm glad they're able to relax in such luxury. [ Aerith giggles, smiling up at Duraludon. ] It's really incredible: the kinds of technology that exists in other worlds. It's the kinds of things that I never would've thought of in a million years... But somebody somewhere did! And I'm sure you can't imagine life without the Pokéballs, right? But they don't exist in my world at all. Neither do Pokémon, sadly...
psychokinesia: (I-0168)

[personal profile] psychokinesia 2020-11-03 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't realize he has a backup singer until he stops. At least that means this plan is working... even if he still doesn't want to open his eyes. He'll suffer without the knowledge that Leo is probably holding back laughter right now, ugh.]

... th-that's enough of it, right? You've got the melody now. Don't you dare lie to me about not remembering.

[he didn't even finish the chorus... but he's no longer sure if he'll be able to survive this experience. he's going to die from embarrassment.]
psychokinesia: (I-0177)

[personal profile] psychokinesia 2020-11-03 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
... Eh? [He's quick to return from his thoughts for once, spurred by their unusual suggestion. Is it possible that... he doesn't need any of those things?

... he's really not sure how to feel about that. Sure, it would be convenient—]


But if the substitution doesn't need the right properties... is a substitution even needed at all? Or, wait, how am I supposed to know how to apply a fix in the first place? Dynamo still won't power on at all so there must be something wrong with them...

[He's lived his whole life solving problems with science and shunning illogical things like magic... how is he supposed to just throw all that away and start solving things with the void's bullshit, huh?? The real problem might actually be his inability to suspend disbelief.]
forwearemany: (gaze)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-11-03 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
(Turing has lost all traces of their memory, apparently.)

He tried to murder you.

(Blunt and to the point. Perhaps that will help jog their memory.)
memorate: (u (127))

[personal profile] memorate 2020-11-03 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not from Midgar, you know, I've seen what's out there.

[ Not all of it, of course, but he is (quite mistakenly) convinced that he knows all about the outside world. ]

Anyway, you don't need to worry about me. Looks like we'll both get to see plenty now that we're on a new journey.
memorate: (pE2eJSh)

[personal profile] memorate 2020-11-03 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I killed him.

[ He did want to know if justice has been administered, and Cloud isn't going to sugercoat it. He's not shy about going too far when someone deserves it, and he probably would have crossed the line a few more times if it had not been for Tifa stopping him. ]

...Thought I did, anyway. [ No, he knows he did the deed. ] Thing is, he's still out there, and we're trying to stop him again.
begetblue: (💾 - 8)

[personal profile] begetblue 2020-11-03 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Turing was happy to oblige with Eevee's request for more pets, even after he got a bit huffy. Awwww. Blue had called his younger self a brat, but for the most part, Eevee was, at worst, a little mischievous. If Blue truly was a brat in every sense of the word, wouldn't Eevee mirror at least parts of that behaviour after they had been together for so long? Not only that, but the empathy they felt upon seeing that memory the first time still hadn't faded. What was it like to be together with a companion for that long? It sounded very nice...

Blue's last remark snapped them out of that reverie, which was probably a good thing. ]


Excuse me? Which brats are you referring to?

[ They frowned. If he was talking about himself and Eevee, that was bad. If he was talking about their friends, that was also very bad! ]
realway: (Eo7Qvn4)

[personal profile] realway 2020-11-03 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ she breathes in, then out, knowing she cannot get lost in her grief at this time. there will be a time after they have parted to process. for now, she looks up to the statue again as hornet makes note of it again. ]

The Hollow Knight was there. As were you. It must have taken place a long time ago - you were a child then I suppose. The two of you were in a palace of pure white. [ she recounts rather sternly, making sure not to lose the details of the memory. then, a smile cracks. ] The Hollow Knight was helping you get treats. You had to hide under their cloak to keep hidden.

[ it was charming and warm, watching a young child being so sneaky and tactile. it reminds her of herself... though she does not know why that familiarity is there. it must be buried away. ]
realway: (NPMib7e)

[personal profile] realway 2020-11-03 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
...

That isn't acceptable.

[ she decides on plainly, not knowing the whole context but also knowing she doesn't need to. right then. ]

You were with two people - a commander named Shepherd and a woman wearing a purple mask and hood over her face. The three of you together were standing over a large machine called a Reaper, which you had just destroyed. Because of that however, your people were vulnerable to an attack.

You suggested uploading the Reaper's code to the Geth to give them independence, but Shepard and the woman told you not to. Even if it meant the death of the Geth, they didn't want you to do anything. And then you...

[ she stops there, trailing off, but she knows she has to tell the full truth. legion did so for her. ]

You tried to do the upload anyway. The woman stabbed you.