003 - Memories of a False History

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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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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[bridge_princess]

Oh... that's a thing.

[Ahsoka's memories were even more scrambled than hers were. Uh... that was definitely a thing. she wasn't quite sure how to react to that. It took her a second to fold her arms and consider before finally just shrugging. She could cope, and if she'd picked up anything, this one would too. She seemed a pretty tough one.]

Hooookay. I'm Parsee and we met a little bit ago. Just in case you've forgotten, you're Ahsoka and I barely understand some of the stuff you talk about. You're always hoping I'll be a better person.

Still not sure why... but you seem convinced I can be. [Shruuuug] The guy I remember had this beam sword thing. Red. two bladed. used it like a staff. You had a couple blue ones. single bladed. You use them...

Honestly, you use them a bit like a samurai, though they usually switch to the shorter blade if they're using the daisho.

[realway]

[ parsee gets her to smile just with that "barely understand" part, though she feels a little bad about it. she doesn't know why but it all sounds vaguely familiar, so surely that's a good sign of things. means this isn't all a lost cause. ]

So I'm a samurai. That's cool.

[ whatever a samurai even is. the mention of the blades does itch something in the back of her mind. beam swords... there's a word for them on the tip of her tongue, but it isn't coming out. ]

It seems you have a memory of mine, and I also have one of yours. You were on a bridge, much like this one, and there was a party going on. Seemed like you had... maybe not friends, but people you knew who were there. You didn't seem to like them very much.

[bridge_princess]

Only not a dick. [AHEM. Nobles.] But you definitely fight a bit like one, yep. It was... something to watch the two of you fighting. I'm nothing lie that. Throwing each other and things with power. Sparks flying everywhere. Swords blurring with ease. Wish I was that good. Even a tenth that good.

...

Party? Oh, if it was just a bunch of people drinking and having fun in the streets, they're always fucking like that. Ignoring me like little jackasses until I get pissed off and the air starts to shimmer green. I think they do it to provoke me.

Bastards... was there anyone special?

[realway]

[ do they do it to provoke her? she can't imagine people would go out of their way to ruin someone's day, or at least someone they don't know at all. maybe that's just naive. ]

Her name was Yuugi. She was nice. I think she could tell you weren't having a good time, so she came to give you company. [ the woman smiles a little soft. ] You were grateful for it too.

[bridge_princess]

[Some almost certainly did. Youkai could be stupid that way. most absolutely did not. She could make life very unpleasant when she lost it. For the moment, though, she reached up and groaned as she scratched her head.]

Yeah, horn on the forehead, drunk as a skunk. She's... I guess I can admit we're friends, by accident of being stuck in the same place, and her not caring that I'm shitty to be around most days. She's persistent. You don't tell her no when she decides she wants something. It's pointless.

She's... I don't hate her. No.

[realway]

She sounds like a good friend for you.

[ the memory was... bitter, angry, lonely. she doesn't want parsee to feel that way, or anyone for that matter. parsee's mood instantly lifted when yuugi was around, and though she didn't feel better, ahsoka could tell she was going to be ok for the night at least. ]

But, do me a favor? Around here, there seem to be a lot of people. You should make sure you talk to them if you haven't been. Maybe you don't like the others on that bridge you were with, but that isn't here.

[bridge_princess]

What? Oh? Uhh....

...

[She looked at Ahsokha for a moment before sighing and laughing, almost to herself in the process. Yeah, this was feeling like a familiar conversation wasn't it? But she supposed...]

No, I'm aware. I'm just not used to getting my hopes up. But I do know.

[realway]

I... don't think I'm too good at it either. Keeping hope. It's easy to say, but harder to feel. If that gives you comfort.

[ maybe for a jealous girl it would? she can't be sure. emotion isn't something she was encouraged to spend time with growing up. ...why does she think that? hm. ]

The man you saw me with - did he say anything important, or did we just swing swords around?

[bridge_princess]

Oh, you were definitely talking for a bit. He wanted you to help him kill someone named Anakin Skywalker I think... And it felt like he was really important to you. You were willing to help, right up until he told you that.

You said 'bring balance,' and he said 'destroy.' The way he said it? It was almost like he thought he was clarifying what you were saying. But it was all about Anakin and this Sidious character.

[realway]

Anakin...

[ she mutters that name after parsee's first half, quieting down for her to continue. yet as she continues, an uneasy discomfort begins to creep through her skin. anakin, sidious... the discomfort she feels is dread.

ahsoka takes a step back, expression turning fearful, as the memory starts taking form again in her mind. she hesitates to take hold of it, afraid of what it will show, but it's starting to connect without her reaching for it. the memory that demands its recollection and forces its way back. ]

Maul. [ she says the name, unfamiliar. then her brow furrows down, and she scowls- ] Maul.

[ damn him. yes, now she remembers, just as parsee described. she breathes in sharp through her nose, eyes closing, then reopening again. ]

He wanted to use me for his plans. He thought he could turn me against my - my master with his lies. It's the way he operates, him and his kind.

[bridge_princess]

Hmmm.... yeah... he feels like a Maul, doesn't he? [The name felt right. Even as the memories were starting to come more clearly back to her she found she could still remember Maul even if it was returning.]

He's good at looking like he believes the lies. Helps make you an effective liar. I'll say that. Anakin's your master then?

That... kind of tracks with why you were so pissed off.

[realway]

Yes. Anakin... I don't remember him much at all. I can only trust in what the memory showed.

[ and in the memory she was furious at the accusation. it was enough to fire off a duel between her and the once great sith apprentice. she isn't even sure what that means. so much is still lost to her. her hands clench into fists, for a moment, then they unfurl. ]

You ever have someone you... not hate, but know can't be trusted? No matter what they say, or may try to tempt you with? That's what Maul feels like to me.

[bridge_princess]

Your memories being fuzzy are strange. Not everyone's that bad off. I really hope that gets fixed soon. You look really confued.

[A quick nod.]

I think I know of people like that, yeah. None of them close to me, but I have the general idea. He's got an angle, so he can't be completely trusted?