maskormods: (Default)
Mask or Menace | MODERATORS ([personal profile] maskormods) wrote in [community profile] maskormenacelogs2019-05-17 01:15 pm

There must be something in the water

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Lake Tahoe, the Nevada side
WHEN: May 17 all day
WHAT: Swear-In
WARNINGS: Some violence

Welcome imPorts new and old to the lovely city of Jeopardy! For the five minutes the swear-in is here, anyway. See, there’s been some unusual activity at the (relatively) nearby Lake Tahoe. The Better Believe It Museum of Cryptozology has appealed to the government for help, and the powers that be generously volunteered this Swear-In as a chance for imPorts to be voluntold to help. Of course, you can always skip the swear-in or just decide to kick up your feet at a nice lakeside property in May, but the local natives would really appreciate the assistance. So much so that they’ve rented out a legion of party buses to transport you from Jeopardy to the museum in style. Yes, there’s a bar and snacks (though only juice for the kids). It’s about a three hour drive, try not to get too sloshed on the way over.

Just what is the issue? It seems that Nevada’s most famous cryptid, Tahoe Tessie has...well. Been seen. And, yes, of course, there is that whole museum you are going to at the edge of the lake dedicated to fuzzy, shaky-cam ‘sightings’ of Tessie and other cryptozoological marvels over the years, but this is different. Like, ‘oh no, we actually found her’ different. And by all appearances, Tessie’s pretty pissed at being found. Any boats that attempt to go out into the lake are sunk, divers have vanished to never be seen again (whole, anyway. A few parts have washed up), and police have noted a sharp increase in random, violent attacks around the lake shores.

That’s where you come in.

The museum has requested Tessie be captured and transferred into their crypto-aquarium where she can be studied (and rubbed in the faces of all those ‘real’ scientists that called them crazy over the years). There are other options, though. The police are just fine with you killing the creatures; let the scientists dissect the corpse. And a very well funded individual party is more than willing to pay an exorbitant amount to the imPorts that hand her over to them.

While you ponder about the ethics and money involved, here’s the lay of the land.



First there is the cryptid museum itself. Not the tidiest of places, the museum is three floors of winding narrow aisles between shelves heaped with curiosities and walls covered in fuzzy photographs with plaques explaining what cryptozoological marvel is depicted in them, or poster sized print outs of ‘testimonials’ of alien abductions, bigfoot sightings, etc, along with artists interpretations of events described. There is also, of course, quite an expansive gift shop. Get your BELIEVER t-shirt before supplies run out. Please no powers in the museum, the owner is quite forceful about how everything in there is one of a kind.



For those of you not into monster hunting, or hunters that need to recharge, the cryptid museum is right next to a resort that has thoughtfully opened its doors to imPorts. It’s lingering around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit at the lake, not exactly swimming weather, but there’s charming outdoor seating, fire pits to gather around, and free drinks and finger foods abound for every one to mingle with. There’s plenty of nice walking paths around the lake, some low-key events like horse shoe tossing or croquet to pass the time with. Just a nice break by the lake to recharge after a rough month.



Then there’s the lake itself. The locals have provided you with canoes, small fishing boats with radar, diving suits and snorkels, fishing nets, pretty much anything they could think of that will help you catch dear old Tessie (if you have a specific request for an unusual item, ask here if it will be provided!). A certain eccentric (the one offering cash money for Tessie to be turned over to them) even provided a one person submarine for use- though it doesn’t have any arms to grab with or much in the way of catching power, the gesture was still nice?

But catching a cryptid isn’t that easy. See, turns out that surge in violent attacks isn’t just dear old Tessie. If you just pressed A and skipped to the lake itself, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. Those that took time to view the museum first, or chatted with the hotel staff about local legends, will have some warning of what is waiting for them. They’ll learn that in addition to cryptids lake Tahoe has a very real monstrous history- it’s a known mob mass graveyard. Through the 1900s, possibly up to today, the lake served as a very convenient spot for mobsters to send people to ‘sleep with the fishes.’ No one knows how many bodies have ended up under those placid waters, but it’s an unpleasant number. Just an interesting historical tidbit until you actually enter the lake. There you’ll see these dead are, somehow, awake. And not that happy about it.



The lake is crawling with revenants. These angry undead will fight tooth and nail anyone that comes into the waters of the lake, trying to pull you down to meet the same watery fate as them. We’re literal on the tooth part, their bites are strong enough to rip out chunks of flesh. They will follow anyone that disturbs them out of the lake, focused on destroying the life they no longer have. These creatures will need to be destroyed or laid to rest for the lake to be safe again. This can be done through sheer physical assault, break enough of the bones or destroy the skull and the creatures will collapse into the muk. Or they can be put to rest one by one with rituals specifically made for putting the dead to rest (from any religion or philosophy). Those that can talk with the dead and have the dedication can talk the spirits into releasing their mortal coil and returning to the void. Just remember their first emotion is rage at the living, and their first instinct will always be to attack. Those going for a more peaceful route may need back-up to keep the creatures at bay until they start seeing results.

Finally, there’s Tessie.



While legends have reported, and the cryptid museum lead you to expect, a more serpentine creature, characters are once more in for a surprise. Those that finally get past the undead to Tessie herself will discover she is none other than a legendary lusca: half shark, half squid, all attitude. For those still trying to apply biology to this, Tessie’s front half looks like a bull shark, a species infamous for its ability to swim in both salt and fresh waters. There is a little good news: unlike the revenants, Tessie isn’t looking so hot. Some of her tentacles are rotting off and teeth are falling out. She is mostly working to avoid anyone that wants to bother her, darting to deeper waters and running away from close encounters. Anyone that does get too close will face a fight, but it’s that of an animal in its death throes. While an unlimited number of characters can see Tessie, the final decision of what happens to her will be decided by a poll.

After a long day at the lake, imPorts are bused back to Jeopardy in the same party buses. Hopefully still more or less in one piece.

OOC PLOTTING AND QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED HERE!
marineris: (pic#12288491)

[personal profile] marineris 2019-06-03 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
2019.

[Wow, the dark ages!]

It's 2350 for me. What alien invasion are you talking about?
iminthebook: (Welp)

[personal profile] iminthebook 2019-06-03 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
Once they have finished both talking about the equipment and the spear assembly, harry nods.

"Ready to go a-hunting? I hope to see if we can help Tessie, and help people at the same time."
dawg: (WD0113653)

[personal profile] dawg 2019-06-03 01:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, like here. [The dark ages that she's currently occupying!! But then Rene briefly chokes on his food.] Twenty-three— [A cough. Hang on he's having trouble focusing on the followup question] Holy shit, we made it that long?
marineris: (Default)

[personal profile] marineris 2019-06-03 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Bobbie bursts out laughing at that.]

Kind of a surprise for Earthers, huh?

[She has to talk a little shit. It's a law.]
irwins: (056)

[personal profile] irwins 2019-06-03 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's much better," Shaun agrees because he's still not over the idea of someone trying to put on a skinsuit like a wetsuit, and he's fine letting that image die.

He straightens up. "Not so worried about discovery in this weird-as-fuck little world though, huh?" Given that they all roamed the streets as super heroes from different realities, he supposes that only makes sense.
youarespecial: (Default)

[personal profile] youarespecial 2019-06-03 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not really. The invasion's not going on in this version of Earth, and thanks to my friend who got here before me, a lot of people know about us already. Ergo, no point in keeping it a secret."

If nothing else, it means he doesn't have to go around looking like a human all the time.
dawg: (WD0122131)

[personal profile] dawg 2019-06-04 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Hell yeah it's a surprise! You seen this place? It's irradiated. [But they offered free food and party bus transportation so here he is in Jeopardy anyway...] And the ice caps are melting, everybody throws their garbage in the ocean, corporate lobbying basically run the government. Nobody regulates shit, for real. I'd have guessed a hundred more years at most.

[Talk away, Bobbie, Rene supports and encourages any and all opportunity to complain about the 1%!!!

Anyway, Earthers?]
That make you from the moon, or what?
obediences: (pic#13181663)

[personal profile] obediences 2019-06-05 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, okay. [ That slightest loosening of tension in his shoulders, an odd relaxation. ] I was wondering if that was who you meant. We've... met. She doesn't really mince words, does she?

[ Luther's voice is rueful but approving -- although he grinds to a halt, then, on what in the world to follow that up with. She's alright? I like her? He did, well enough at least, but it was impossible to describe George after that shared dream, which had trampled over intimacies never meant to be shared. Things he now knows about Shaun, in front of him. So in the end, he settles for the most carefully-phrased niceties: ]

She must be glad to have her family back. I know I would be, if I'd come here without mine.
obediences: (pic#13027279)

[personal profile] obediences 2019-06-05 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, just last month. It's a really nice base, but under repair now. That aforementioned killer robot attack, actually? [ He gestures vaguely to the museum around them. ] Word of advice: stay alert during these swear-in events. From what I've heard, they tend to go to hell a lot.

[ Luther's usually wrong-footed during small-talk with strangers -- but it's easier, with a few shared points of reference. Tactical warnings! He can do those. ]
irwins: (017)

[personal profile] irwins 2019-06-05 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Makes sense, yeah. No sense keeping a secret that's not a secret."

Shaun has a few secrets that need to be kept even here, but he can see how it might be nice not having to bother.
irwins: (080)

[personal profile] irwins 2019-06-05 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
[That particular description draws a laugh out of Shaun that he doesn't even bother trying to suppress.]

No, no she does not. [He says this with a fondness he doesn't bother trying to hide either.] It's not really her fault. She's a newsie.

[Comes with the territory, though George ramps it up to its highest setting.]

So your family is here too? [Interesting. He stands then, making his way over to hold out a hand to shake.] Shaun Mason.
obediences: (okay)

[personal profile] obediences 2019-06-05 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ After a beat, he reaches out and takes the other man's hand. Luther's is gloved -- not unusual, in this chilly setting, but the size of the hand still is. Large blocky fingers, thick arm under heavy layers. He takes Shaun's palm, delicately, and shakes it. ]

Luther Hargreeves. Nice to meet you. I heard you poke zombies with sticks for fun and profit? [ Wry, amused. As far as summaries go, it's a damned good one. ]
marineris: (pic#12309247)

[personal profile] marineris 2019-06-05 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Go to hell in what way? Are killer robots common?
marineris: (pic#12308223)

[personal profile] marineris 2019-06-05 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Mars.

[Close! Sort of. Kind of.]

It doesn't surprise me that they've fucked up this version of Earth, too. A hell of a lot of Earthers don't appreciate what they've got.

[AKA the only naturally habitable planet in the solar system.]
irwins: (006)

[personal profile] irwins 2019-06-05 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Yep. Yeah. That is a large hand, and Shaun appreciates the fact that Luther is kind enough not to crush his fingers. Very genial of him.]

That's right. Top of the zombie poking field, or was anyway.

[His own grin just broadens at that description.]

Good to meet you too, Luther. [Hargreeves though, rings a bell.] You one of Allison's brothers?
obediences: (pic#13033229)

[personal profile] obediences 2019-06-05 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
I'm pretty new so that's the only one I've experienced, personally. But I've gone back through the news records, and apparently there was a hostage crisis a couple months back with alien scarabs. And another time, a... butterfly attack? Didn't get any details on that one but it was weird enough that it stuck in my memory.

So. Worth noting, just in case.
obediences: (pic#13181569)

[personal profile] obediences 2019-06-05 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hearing that name come from those lips is jarring -- their two separate worlds collapsing again, lining up in ways Luther can't quite decide his opinion on yet, and so he blinks in a startled surprise. Immediately revealing what his answer's going to be, before he even gives it: ]

I am, yeah. You've met her, too?

There's a bunch of us, though. Seven in total. I'm, uh, sorry in advance for anything they do.

[ Probably a pretty good blanket apology for Five and Diego and Klaus in particular. ]
liverletdie: (Iron Man | wtf is that on your face?)

[personal profile] liverletdie 2019-06-05 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
He doesn't, but he's going to take it. You don't turn down a gift weapon. "You know, when you can heal from damage, it seems less pressing. It's... oh, probably less than an hour out right now?"

He caught the baton with a surprising amount of dexterity, and he swung it experimentally. "Thank you --" he said, before he turned and swiped at the one on his heels, hitting it square in the jaw.

"At least my skills aren't too out of practice these days, huh?"
liverletdie: (Analogue Reading)

[personal profile] liverletdie 2019-06-05 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I didn't bring my armor with me," he said, as an aside. He knows how it is to be unprepared. He looked over the dead one, before he rubbed his foot against the big chunk taken out of his calf. It would come back, overnight, probably, but still.

Annoying.

"I should be fine, give it a bit. I might look old, but I'm tougher than I look promise. You heading anywhere in particular?"
liverletdie: (sᴜᴘᴇʀɪᴏʀ | When I ruled the world)

[personal profile] liverletdie 2019-06-05 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah. That's... well, I've heard weirder, I guess," he shrugged, before he shifted, trying to loosen the muscles in his shoulders, and calm down after the sudden shock of running for his life like that. He wasn't used to fighting things off these days. Soft, he thought. He's going soft -- or too comfortable with his position, and too confident.

It's an uncomfortable thought, and one he needs time to settle with. Figure out how to correct his track, and move on.

"But no, not particularly. Call it... a scientist's curiosity, yeah?" Even so, he grins, more like the evil scientist he is, although slightly teasing.
liverletdie: (I just don't get this)

omg sorry for the wait! Medical issues got in the way!

[personal profile] liverletdie 2019-06-05 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Well," he said, and leaned a little more against the rail, martini in hand.

"It's a little cold for swimsuits, for one," he said, and looked around. "Personally, if I'm going to go to a beach location, I'm asking for seventies, at the minimum. If we're not allowed to lounge in our bikinis and other swimming clothes, what's even the point? You can't show anything off, nobody can show off for you... and then there's the whole atmosphere of the thing," he grinned, almost a touch sharply.

"Can't you feel it, here? It's just dour."
Edited (r u kiddin me i can type) 2019-06-05 04:50 (UTC)
liverletdie: (Is the rudest thing you can do)

(don't mind if I do as long as you're ok with some lateness! Sorry for coming in so late!)

[personal profile] liverletdie 2019-06-05 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, I think I have a bit out of me," this time, of course, it's a bit out of his shoulder, and he touched at it, and winced. It was definitely a legitimate, bite sized piece that had been ripped from the man's shoulder, the cloth of his clothes (expensive clothes) were ripped around it, but he managed to shrug it off.

"Thanks. I'm... caught without much defense, as you can see. You clearly came prepared though, huh?"
honeybadgered: (malagraphic-nqeBfom)

[personal profile] honeybadgered 2019-06-06 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[She shrugs. It's not like she had a choice. But that's depressing, so she doesn't bring it up.]

Sounds like a good deal. And as a bonus, I won't stab you either.
honeybadgered: (deadpool mask)

[personal profile] honeybadgered 2019-06-06 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wow, that was awesome!"

She claps again, not looking especially concerned about the fact that she just got a bite taken out of her. But then again, her arm looks fine. Sure, there's a lot of blood, but no actual injury.

"You're, like, a total hero!"
honeybadgered: (malagraphic-B8KHhhj)

[personal profile] honeybadgered 2019-06-06 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wow, nice!" Was it on purpose or an accident?? She's not sure, but really, she doesn't care. She stops rocking the boat and reaches over to stab her claw through the revenants head before it can float too far away. "Okay, you've got pretty good balance."

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