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

[thunderwave]

[ a decade . . . for lance, it's three years. the difference in time is still staggering to him, but it grinds underneath his skin that giovanni is still out, about, free.

but he listens, accepting the tongs to collect some mushrooms onto his plate. the news about the chairman is worrying, to say the least, but judging by raihan's mood, it seems it was taken care of. corruption persists, regardless of the region, lance supposes. ]

Giovanni knows better now, I think, than to come back to Kanto or Johto. I hope the same peace settles in Galar.

[ at any rate, if lance doesn't grab giovanni, red certainly will. lance doesn't envy team rocket if either of them encounter giovanni again.

but at raihan's last comment, lance does grin a little, adding a few more pieces of vegetable and kimchi to his plate. better to talk about something happier, anyway, unless raihan has more questions . . . so lance shifts the topic of conversation. ]

Do you still have the league card?

[ maybe poking fun, a little. ]

[rotomphone]

[ the gap between them is still strange to consider, but Raihan at least takes solace in knowing he can bring generally peaceful tidings from the future. sure, there have been a handful of close calls every few years, but things have generally worked out alright!

he looks a bit pensive as he swallows his first cut of meat, but maintains a smile. ]

I think it will. Things are still being shaken up, but we've got some reliable people stepping up to set things right. [ with the new Champion as a breath of fresh air for the people and Leon taking on a new leadership role, he's got high hopes for the region's future.

his smile brightens at Lance's question, more than happy to shift the subject to something more lighthearted. ]

Of course I do! [ he's a little embarrassed of the fact, but not enough to deny or be ashamed of it. it was memories like those that inspired him to stay on the track to going pro! ] It's a valuable collector's item, you know. Mine is still in mint condition!

[thunderwave]

Oh, I'm sure it is.

[ a valuable collector's item, that is. such things never really caught on in kanto, and especially not in johto. and as lance hasn't had time to return to galar, that card is the only issuance of such a thing.

still, lance's tone becomes a bit dry: ]

I've never really seen the point, of merchandise, but that doesn't stop the League from creating it. They must ask me every other week to sign off on some new idea for people to buy, or market the League in a better way. [ how exhausting, especially when he has way better things to do. ] I think my colleagues own more of it than my followers or -- I guess you would call them fans, do.

[ will absolutely has a lance poster in his lodging at the plateau, just to be spiteful, the brat. and lance mulls that over, prodding at his kimchi. ]

I guess I've never really gotten used to the idea of having fans.

[ it's a little bit of a weird thing. and burdensome. but lance is cognizant of how many people look up to him, and value his opinion. it's something he takes very seriously, but it doesn't change how odd it feels, sometimes, to see your face on a billboard or something. ]

[rotomphone]

[ he picks up on that dry tone, making sure to listen to Lance andn cut back on his playful teasing. the reception of having your likeness plastered on things isn't for everyone, but it's a reality of the League style in Galar. leaders that don't take well to attention like Allister and Kabu are left well enough alone, but that doesn't mean that their fans don't find them endearing all the same. Champions have it different - the spotlight is unavoidable no matter where you are, but there's a nuance to it. even someone like Leon, who played into the "unbeatable" moniker for his entire reign, was so genuine that it never really felt like boasting. ]

It's all about building hype. Galar's League culture is a lot more fast-paced than the year-round formula in other regions, so getting people excited for the season is important. Merch is part of it - it makes the fans feel like they're part of the experience.

[ which is not divorced from the capitalistic nature of it, but it's just as valid. hell, Raihan gladly and regularly buys branded merchandise of his colleagues - both to embarrass and support them. ]

That works in your favour too, you know. Even if you're reserved, the buzz online paints you as this mysterious guy that can't be shaken by any opponent. [ Bea got that treatment for a while, until those photos of her smiling hit the press... but that made her even more popular. gap moe is real. ] Stuff like that never gets the whole picture, but it's fun to play into.

[ he speaks from experience, of course. Raihan arguably has the most cultivated image among his colleagues, even more so than Leon, thanks to his active online presence. he's learned what qualities about him that his fans latch onto, and works them into his public persona with ease. ]

[thunderwave]

Mm.

[ in agreement, as he listens. and it does make sense. it's a wholly different culture, with different expectations of their trainers. it's not necessarily better, or worse, though lance definitely prefers the motion of kanto and johto. which is likely why he's stayed.

at any rate: ]

Johto is stepped in such tradition that most matches are relatively private affairs. Some people watch them in person, but for the most part, it is just you and the Leader. And hardly anyone ever gets to the 8th Gym, and by the same token, hardly anyone ever gets to me.

[ even as a member of the elite four, lance was rarely challenged. and as champion, lance spent three years hunting down team rocket, for the most part. he was only really needed when he received word that ethan had arrived at the plateau. and lance headed there immediately, because he knew ethan would be the one to make it to challenge him at the end. ]

Kanto is the same, though because it's a bit more . . . I don't know if developed is the right word, but more modern. And a little more commercialized. I think the Gyms in Kanto have more fans waiting outside of them than the ones in Johto.

[ lance is definitely stopped more in johto, but he thinks that's just because that's his hometown. ]

I don't know how most of Kanto or Johto would react if we had stadiums like in Galar.

[rotomphone]

[ he chews on Lance's words as he takes a bite of meat and veggies, wondering just how much he'd stand out if he decided to go to Johto or Kanto. let alone the fact that his height and foreign appearance would make him stick out like a sore thumb, he's sure his wild battling style would attract some attention, too. ]

That much I can sympathize with. [ he grins. ] I'm lucky if I get more than ten challengers during League season... most of my training goes towards qualifying for the Champion Cup.

[ he's not sure if it was the same for the Leader that preceded him, but getting the chance to battle Leon in the finals is always his top priority. that's not to say he's not going to work hard now that he isn't Champion anymore - since Gloria was the first to beat him, Raihan now has two people to crush! ]

Culture shock, probably. [ he smirks, but it gets him thinking. ] Say, what made you come to Galar to train, anyway? Not that I blame you for choosing Hammerlocke, but we're not the only ones in the world with dragon blood.

[ Unova comes to mind, with Dragonspiral Tower and the Village of Dragons, no doubt similar to the Blackthorn clan. he's always wanted to visit those places himself... ]