WEEK 1

[akudamods]

So, the first day is over. You are confined in various ways for the foreseeable future. There are two overseers you can bother, and pods they want you to get into, but many of you would rather do anything else. Honestly, even the flurry of posts on social media don’t seem particularly interested in talking up this prospect; when searches for the titles start to get results, they’re mostly about the posters’ own avoidance or occasional morbid fascination. There are even one or two newly taken pictures of the particularly outrageous and photogenic poses. At least photos are rare enough that you can be confident not every move is being watched. Conditions are much better than Saturday to wander all the way down to the Execution HQ Ruins, take the shuttle to the police station, or investigate other parts of the setting. As the weather forecast said, Sunday and Monday are smoggy and sunny.

What will you do?

INTERNET | SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

((Internet investigations of any kind go here, and for all IRL areas, please use "investigate" in the subject line of your top-level comment, or link the thread to a moderator!))

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WEDNESDAY

[akudamods]

MEETING MINGLE

[daemonis]

[Everyone is going to find the following note having been slipped under their doors today:

"Let's have a meeting to discuss what we should do here. We all want to go home as soon as possible rather than stay here, so I think it would be best if we all came together as a group to discuss ideas on how to make that happen, as well as anything useful that anyone found during our stay here so far that could help speed things along."

-- Loremaster

The other side of the note will tell people where to meet and the time, along with a message to not tell Physicist or Zealot about the meeting, at least not for now. She would like to be able to find a means to silence everyone's devices just to make absolutely sure that those two couldn't have wire-tapped them to listen in on people's conversations, but that's probably easier said than done.

Once it seems that everyone has arrived (or at least enough people looked like they bothered to show up), Loremaster clears her throat to get everyone's attention.]

Okay! If you're here, then that means you got my note, and that this is sharing info that could help us during our stay here, but especially in finding a means to get home quickly. I've come up with a theory or two after having studied the pods and a few other things here that I'd like to run past you guys for ideas on returning home, but I'm also interested in hearing anything that people may have found or heard on the internet that could be good to know.

... Oh, also! This is probably a good time to make sure everyone here is acquainted and knows each other's names if introductions haven't been made yet: I'll even go first. You can call me Loremaster--yes, my name is the same as my title on those billboards. I'm a researcher that was studying demons in Hell--yes, it is a real place, sorry to disappoint any atheists in the crowd today--before I arrived here. I know how to build and invent stuff too, so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to build a device that will help all of us while we're stuck here.

Now then, with that out of the way, let's get started!

[ooc: this is a mingle where you can reply to this comment with your own toplevel where your character can introduce themselves or share any information they wish to share from investigations or just in general, or ask questions of Loremaster or anyone else here, and you can threadjack to your heart's content, go nuts]

[your_best_friend]

Howdy! I'm Flowey, Flowey, the flower. I'm from the Underground, or Mt. Ebott. I lived with all the other monsters. Species, not just despriptors. Monsters are being comprinsed mainly of magic, so they don't really have a physical form. Despite what the billboard says, I... don't really have any powers. I dislike violence and... can't really hold my own in a fight... I'm going to need to trust other people in order to help keep me safe.

As for what I found... it's actually some very interesting things. The government of Kanto controls Kansai by a group known as The Council. Among their members are "Governer", the north ward representative, and the south ward representative. There used to be a central ward representative, but they supposedly died in a tragic accident.

More interestingly, there seems to be a cult-like fanaticism in regards to Kanto. Specifically, people treat going to Kanto as something akin to ascending to Godhood.

[fullswingkiss]

To the surprise of probably nobody, this was not the case in the Kanto of my world. The capital is in that district, but it's simply a populated area like any other.

Going off the hypothesis that my world is roughly equivalent to this world's past, something clearly changed drastically.

[ And it creeps him out, honestly. ]

[winedingroad]

[By Barbatos’ wings, the whopperflower talks.]

Re: MEETING MINGLE

[conways_retribution]

Jake Conway. Biker. _{[He was rather quick with his intro.]}

While I haven't found anything about our situation, I investigated the building that used to be the headquarters for the Executioners alongside Wolver.

Their job was to hunt down and kill powerful Akudama. However, it turns out they were killing civvies as well, and that was only exposed when the girl the statue was modelled off of was killed.

The only name I could find was a title—not unlike what us Akudama have—"Boss", who led the Executioners.

There was also a big-ass rock. That was a monument to fallen Executioners, according to a physical plaque, rather than a holographic one. That was neat.

The rest of the place didn't have any kind of plaque and was just burnt to shit, with the exception of some tools I scavenged.

[fullswingkiss]

Though I'm named Entertainer on that billboard, my real name is Ainosuke Shindo. I'm a member of the Japanese Diet in my world - I suppose politics is partially about keeping people entertained? But my work is only relevant because this place is likewise located in Japan and I did not get the impression that most other people are familiar with it.

This version of Japan is very different from my own, however - it seems to have gone through some apocalyptic event. Entire Islands have either been destroyed or wiped from the maps in an effort to conceal their existence from the public.

[inspiritus]

General, Sephiroth.

I come from a world called Gaia.

[ One of the few times he's made an intro of sorts here. The title is ... well it's something and he prefers to think as little of it as possible, really. ]

I assume you were all paying attention to that so-called introduction by that woman and her lackey. She mentioned something about our arrival having to do something with 'innate variation in location', which I took to mean that our arrival was a random happenstance of some sort due to an unknown phenomenon involving our being. In other words, unhelpful.

[hunterandhunted]

Zenos yae Galvus, or Wolver, I care not which name is used.

[As those who have already met him know he quite likes his little title.]

Other than exploring the ruined ex-headquarters of the Executioners, I learned some interesting information from Physicist.

I am unsure if there are others with abilities that transcend time or space, but while I am still able to teleport short distances, I am unable to open rifts and return home. According to her, there is nothingness on the other side... and successful travel is unheard of.

[Whether that's just lip service or not, well, his own tests of it have brought nothing to bear.]

I am interested in leaving, and open to using my abilities with others to do so.

[pr159]

Rideaux, "Medic". I'm a director at my world's largest corporation and widely known for my development of innovative new medical devices and treatments.

As far as information goes, I found a magazine at the convenience store that featured an interview with the governor of Kansai. It references his participation in a war between Kansai and Kanto some years ago before he took office, and his relations with what I assume are some other officials — he seems to be somewhat at odds with one called "Populist" with regard to criminal prosecution, and close to one called "Loyalist".

It also mentions an incident with the "Akudama Five" within the past year in which they damaged this country's high speed rail system, which is still undergoing repairs.

[ A slight smirk at that; apparently train terrorism is in right now. And here he'd thought Julius didn't have a trendy bone in his body.

Anyway, he'll set the magazine down somewhere for anyone who wants more information to give it a look. ]

With that out of the way — regarding what everyone heard from those puppets in that announcement yesterday, I've been dealing with what you could call alternate timelines for well over a decade and am willing to set straight any confusion on the subject. Feel free to ask me any related questions either here or in private.

[metamere]

Wizard, at your service! My name and my title are both the same, so not even the most moronic person has an excuse to forget ★. This isn't the usual type of fairytale I'm normally cast in, but improvisation is a skill of mine.

[voidseeing]

Gai Tsutsugami, Leader. I head up a resistance organization known as Funeral Parlor in my world. [Yes, at the age of 17, it's a long story.]

I come from Japan in 2039, but this Japan and the Japan I know seem to be different things entirely. People have brought up the theory of parallel universes or alternate timelines, so unless this Japan is the distant future of my own, that would seem to be the only explanation as to how this could be possible.

[woodeneye]

[ Ragetti shows up to the meeting more or less on time, despite his inability to read the note. When in doubt, keep your head down and follow what everyone else is doing. Never steered him wrong before.

As introductions start to go around, he chimes in: ]

Name's Ragetti. Er, I think that fancy wanted poster mighter called me Pirate, but... well, I never learnt how to read. So if ye wanted to tell me things, ye might wanter... add a few pictures or somethin'?

[ He gestures apologetically at the note in his hand, before addressing the most important takeaway from Loremaster's intro: ]

So if Hell's real - that means Heaven's real too, right?

[ Right??? ]

[intimations]

Oh, are we putting ourselves out there? Oookay. You can call me Belial, although Servant works just as well. I'm a fashion designer by trade, so all of this is a little out of my depth, you see. I do hope you'll treat me well.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything juicy to report, but it does seem like our Physicist friend doesn't know exactly why we ended up here of all places. Plus, it seems like they're quite short-staffed at the moment with their skeleton crew of two working on our "problem". Resources are apparently hard to come by in a place like this, despite everything.

[thefifthchild]

My name is Damian Wayne, I'm the son of Batman and the former heir to the Demon's Head. The poster called me Robin because that's the title I inheirited from my older brother.

The one who seems to be responsible for policing the Akumada is a woman named The Commissioner. She carries out public executions that the populace visits and watches as some form of entertainment.

Zealot seems to dislike and distrust her. That's all I will share for now.

[winedingroad]

My name is Diluc Ragnvindr--or I suppose, Vintner if you would like. I own and manage a winery so it's not like it's wrong about that part.

I come from the land of Teyvat, specifically Mondstadt. Nothing of these lands is particularly familiar, either in place names or technology.

[saucerous]

I'm Marcille. That is, I'd prefer it if you called me Marcille! [She clears her throat.] Let's see...where I'm from, it's around Year 514. I'm a researcher and an adventurer. I've never been in a place like this, but I won't give up on finding answers.

When it comes to that, I think these things... [She holds up her smartphone.] Are really, really fantastic! They have tons of little moving images in them, like a scrying device where you see action that's been recorded! Big surprise, those puppets are all over the place too. They're still talking about crime and X-Class Akudama, like we're all violent murderers or something!

[It probably takes at least a couple of tries, clicking on random Uto-Uto uploads, but she finally gets one that is immediately interrupted by the security robot PSA addroll.]

There are some pictures of different forms of those big metal creatures on here. I guess we already knew they were here to stop us, but... There are only a couple dozen of us, so it's weird to me that there's so much focus on what's being done about us. What about the people who normally live here? This isn't just a prison colony, right?

[mrfuckwit]

I'm Akira. I'm from Japan in the 1980's. The powers I possess are those of a demon's.. that is my title. Thus so, I have the ability to fly, so I did some exploring from another perspective the other day.

I witnessed an execution of another Akudama.
_{[ oh he's just dropping this in here so tactfully, isn't he? ]}

Not one that we know. It took place at the police station with quite the audience.. people had tickets in their hands and were anxious to see another execution. It was done by means of a guillotine. The Commissioner was there and performed it.

At the tattoo parlor, an artist I spoke with also mentioned a Shinkansen wreck that was Akudama Five's fault. He also referred to it as if it were a deity and a holy place. He mentioned something about a heist.

[fixingtodie]

...Rachel Gardner.

[Yes that's it, that's her introduction for those who don't know her. She bows her head a little though, politely.

She can't say she knows if it's worth mentioning but.....]

I don't know much, but-- there was an incident two or three months ago. A guy dressed like a white knight appeared out of nowhere. They say he killed someone but then... disappeared. No one seems to know what happened or where he is now. I asked for anyone who might have more information to send it to me, but... the things I've heard so far haven't been useful.

[osssuary]

... Kimimaro, shinobi of Otogakure in the Land of Sound. This land is unfamiliar to me.

[Well, not entirely, but that is getting into territory far too complicated for a cursory introduction. His arms are crossed and he is in fine wallflowering form, still clad in the overly ornate and traditional clothes he arrived in. One would presume they've been washed at some point, state of the Schrodinger's laundry notwithstanding.

It's likely he hasn't been seen much about these parts over the course of the past week -- arriving, leaving, flitting about the city; seems like he's a hard one to keep track of. But occasionally he'll deign to turn up. Case in point.]

Loremaster. You plan to work with that woman?

[depleting]

My name is Satsuki Yumizuka. It's a pleasure to meet all of you!

[ She says so with a smile, and then she bends forward in a polite bow. When she straightens up again, however, her cheerful expression is missing, replaced by something that might be best described as disconcerted. ]

Um, I'm just a little curious... about rumors. The Physicist told me it's a common rumor that if you kill one of us, you'll be able to go back in time and fix your biggest mistake. But... I haven't been able to find any evidence that that sort of rumor existed before a couple of days ago. I think... If someone else has seen something like that, it would be a little reassuring.

[queendoms]

[ Futo waits a bit, and listens to the others before speaking up. ]

I am Mononobe no Futo, retainer to Her Highness, Crown Prince Shoutoku, from Gensokyo, Japan.

Kansai is familiar to me, but...I do not recognize this city as it is. Prithee, forgive my lack of experience with these modern amenities. Much of it beyond my skill level at the moment. I believe it is the year 2017 on the Gensokyo calendar, but...

[ even 2017 is too high-tech for her. and 2017 didn't have real world 2017 level technology. she's way too goddamn old for this cyberpunk world please help her ]

Regrettably, I have not been able to discover much, but it does appear that many records of Kansai's past have been lost--I searched for them, and none appeared. They hath been concerningly spoken of as "forgotten era of princes and princesses."

[jumpropegarrote]

[Okay, so.

Everything here is still kind of scary. Especially with that weird puppet show seen yesterday-they say not to kill each other and then there's a show about them killing each other and how it could actually help them, talk about mixed messages. Really, it should all be scary.

But Debbie was never one to let fear weigh her down. Not even recently.

So, you might see her at the takoyaki stand during the day, enjoying some of the food. When did she get her hands on some money? Who knows, but she's got some, and that's what's important.

Later, she can be found at the Biriken mart, mainly just...staring at the plushies. One plushie in particular. She looks like she wants to say something about it, but is holding back.

And even later in the day, if you're just out and about, there's a good chance you'll see her before you hear her.]

WHOOOOOOOO!

[Somehow, Debbie managed to figure out a feature of those drones that have been with her since day one. That they can hover.

And with that, they can fly.]

THIS IS AMAZING!

[So I hope everyone is paying attention, because a small girl standing on a couple of drones, only three or four feet off the ground, racing through the streets without a care in the world, and there is a genuine chance she could hit you while doing so.

This is fine.]

Out and about

[conways_retribution]

FU- _{[Congratulations, Jake! You won the Crash Course With A Child lottery! He probably was big enough to cushion Debbie's fall but he wasn't just a pillow one cam body slam into without him feeling pain.]}

out and about

[thefifthchild]

I see you've figured out an alternate method of flight.

[He smiles, amused. He was sitting atop a bus stop like a perching gargoyle, enjoying a cup of noodles.]