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holyspirits) wrote2024-02-02 07:00 pm
GRAVEYARD LOCATIONS
Not sure what you were expecting upon walking through the side of a mountain, but it probably wasn’t this. Welcome to The Lobby, a large, circular room with a high domed roof decorated with a mural of a cloudy sky in blue and gold. The walls are transparent - glass, maybe, but never smudged or dirtied and barely reflective. Peering through them you can see what lies beyond them is an endless sea of stars. Similarly to the walls, the floor is made of the same transparent material. While it’s just as useless when it comes to reflecting your surroundings, somehow a shadowed version of the mural above in red and black spreads beneath your feet.
In the dead-center of the room is some kind of structure that you can walk beneath. You can walk through as many times as you’d like! It doesn’t appear to do anything, though.
But perhaps more interesting than that are the several doorways scattered around the room. Though the arches seem to show you nothing but those stars, walking through will take you somewhere new. Through each gate, invariably, there is a large screen set up to view the living.
🏫 The Kindergarten Gate - If the colorful gate didn't clue you in, surely the sign hanging from the arch will give you an idea of what lies ahead. When you pass through, you find yourself at the bottom of a scenic, grassy hill. At the top of a winding stone path is an equally colorful school (also helpfully labeled.) This one-story building spreads out pretty far over the hillside, but walking inside you'll find it's less of a school and more of a…daycare center? Everything seems to be within eyesight, and it's easy to spot all kinds of different authority figures roaming around. The in-house doctor, the lunch-ladies, and even the principal are all chao, doing their best to look busy throughout the day. However, if you approach them they don't speak in words and they tend to wander around like lost toddlers getting into whatever they can find. That's probably fine, right? It's not like some of you brought dangerous items with you to Heaven—ohhh wait. Hm. You may want to collect your things, and fast.
😇 The Hero Gate - Through the downright angelic gate lies a warm sunny day on a small island in the clouds. While you can stand or sit on its edge, a magic barrier keeps you from ever falling. There are scattered palm trees across the island, and a few small chunks of land floating in the sky around it for those of you looking for a higher vantage point. One of these land masses hosts a bell tower, a structure that glistens in the sun and rings every hour on the hour.
Centered at the far end of the island is a fountain its crystal clear waters curving through the land. Though it isn't very deep, there's a bridge so you don't have to hop over to get to the other side of this river, and some kind of large structure that doesn't seem to have much of a purpose. Judging by how chao react to it though, it's pretty fun to climb on just because.
😈 The Dark Gate - Through the demonic gate lies a predictable opposite to the Hero Gate. The sky surrounding this floating island is an odd, dark purple, though much of it is blocked out by the tall mountains fencing things in. Unlike the waters in the Hero Gate, the lake here is a vivid red and more difficult to see through. The ground is grey and cold, and the trees look dead despite bearing fruit. The lack of sunlight may make you feel a little more boxed in, and a little more depressed, but nothing's forcing you to stay.
You can try to head upward, but the jagged wrought iron fences do very little to make the main path up the hill any safer. Should you make it, you'll find a small garden at its peak, though all the flowers are wilted. At the very edge sits one lone, dead tree, and dangling from one of its branches is a cage that hangs over the water below. Strangely, none of this seems to concern chao, who just continue to play and explore. Oh well. Probably nothing to worry about then.
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LOCATION SUGGESTIONS
no subject
The Boardwalk - A brand new gate leads you to a partial facsimile of the sunny beachside city you may have seen the living enjoy last week. You're granted a short boardwalk with a variety of fast food options and little souvenir shops full of trinkets such as sunglasses, sunscreen, customized keychains, swimsuits, beach wear, etc. The highlights of this strip are the pizza shop and fry stand, and a little ways down the street is a donut shop. Pop on in and get yourself a tasty treat from the specialty menu.
The Arcade - Continue down the boardwalk and you'll find a massive arcade. Home to rhythm games, racing games, shooters, and fighters, this is the perfect place to beat the heat and your friends' high scores. Any game you can think of it, there's a cabinet tucked away somewhere among the cheery music and flashing lights. Despite being unmanned, the prize counter does require some tickets if you want one of its incredibly desirable items. We all know you want a sticky hand or a finger puppet of your own to take home.
The Comic Shop - To make up for its limited replication of Bikini Bottom, your version has a few bonuses. The first of which is a cozy comic shop. Rows and rows of shelves overflow with comic books, and they've got every genre you can think of. There's a little nook dedicated to old VHSes, complete with a CRT TV, a VCR, and some comfy cushions. The most open area of the shop is set up with a table, several boardgames occupying the shelf nearby.
The Beach - Of course, no boardwalk would be complete without a beach. It's toasty during the day, and that makes it perfect weather for splashing around in the shallow waves. Naturally, there's a gift shop on the boardwalk with towels, swimsuits, and anything else you might need to make the most of it. Inner tubes, life jackets, floaties - you name it, you'll find it. But the beach isn't just for the daytime hours. This beach is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets, and if you look hard enough you might even find a few designated areas for evening bonfires to keep the fun going well into the night.
The Botanical Garden - Stroll down the beach long enough and the distant view of the boardwalk will disappear behind a burst of leaves. What lies here is a botanical garden with many sprawling, leafy plants: alocasia, Monstera deliciosa, philodendron xanadu, creeping velvet philodendron, Calathea orbifolia, and Licuala grandis. Enormous pitcher plants grow in groups between other plants; care should be taken with them - while they don't move on their own, they are large enough to fall into, and their belly cavities are filled with digestive fluid. A few smaller plants in between have prominent flowers budding, but much of the foliage is merely stem and leaves. Some are wide enough to create shade, especially when sitting on the curved stone bench in the middle of it all.
The Church - Up on the hilltop, where the living have a lighthouse, you instead have: a church! The windows let in plenty of bright, warm sunlight. Tidy rows of pews face the chancel. A bell in the tower chimes every hour on the hour. The door is always open. Strangely, all of the paintings and stained glass art inside is of axolotls.
The Cemetery - Despite the pleasant, welcoming vibes of the church, out behind it is a cemetery much larger than the one beyond the Dark Gate. Which is a bit of a downer, even in the sunlight. Although... on that note, it does feel a little colder out here. Though it's a sunny day everywhere else in the area, as soon as you're among the graves you feel a chill. Clouds overhead seem to blot out the sun. Stay long enough and it might even rain. But from your vantage point up on the hill, you can tell that it's only raining here. Hmm. That's fine.
Fries
(Fry Shop)
Meow or make cat puns for 2 hours.
Like... y'know, nyah?
Donut
(Donut Shop)
Float just off the ground for 2 hours.
Guacola
(Boardwalk Vending Machine)
Turn green for 1 hour! Get Elphaba'd, idiot.
no subject
The Holiday Market - Through a new, Christmas tree shaped gate lies another familiar sight if you've been watching the living. Through the Holiday Gate, you'll find a cozy market street. Unlike what you've seen, though, this street doesn't change through out the day, and where they have a library, you instead have a hotel.
So welcome to your white Christmas wonderland! Snow covers the streets and blankets the hotel rooftop, nearly weighing down the merchant stall canopies. Light, powdery snowflakes fall off and on throughout the day. In the center of the street sits a large decorated Christmas tree, covered in lights, baubles, and tinsel. Alas, the presents underneath are only decorative, and each box is empty.
The market stalls themselves, however, are not limited to Christmas staples like hot cocoa, ribbons, jackets, and scarves. Some are branching out into other holiday goods. Valentines day chocolates and wine, pumpkin sugar-cookies, candy corn, and bubbly champagne are all permanent staples on offer.
And for those night owls, there are still midnight fireworks and an aurora at three in the morning.
Autumn Alley - Among the Holiday market stalls, there is a paved path leading away from the hotel. Follow it, and you'll find a new, much more spacious branch of the market. Untouched by snow and with orange leaves in the trees, this chilly Autumn street is brimming with little food stands and shops between the still cozy little restaurants. Xianzhou architecture takes over, and the wide paved streets bustle with chao customers. The stalls, shops, and restaurants offer a wide array of food, from foreign to familiar, all prepared by exquisite chao chefs.
Overhead, warm lanterns hang over the streets. Among them, Cycranes flit around. Some of them are making deliveries, while others are keeping a looking out for troublemakers. Get too rowdy and they'll peck you until you leave the area.
The Always Hotel - At the end of the Holiday Market sits a large hotel. Inside, the spacious lobby is decorated in elegant golds and lush deep reds. At one corner, comfortable seating surrounds a large TV and an electric fireplace. At another, a piano sits beside a chao play-pen. Near the stairs and elevators rests a bar countertop, where you can order simple drinks like water, juice, wine, or tea, as well as small snacks and sandwiches to go with them, served up by a very dapper chao. (It is wearing a bow-tie.)
There is one room per person beginning on the second floor, with new rooms appearing as needed. Each room provides the same amenities: two beds, a crib, an empty mini-fridge, microwave, an electric kettle, a loveseat, a TV, a dresser, and a small table with two seats. The decor, however, is in the aesthetic of its guest's preference. Cute, cozy, elegant, rustic, or even messy if that's what they like!
Upon entering the hotel for the first time, a new app will be added to guests' phones, allowing them to order food deliveries from Autumn Alley right to their room.
Valentine's Day Chocolate
(Market Stalls)
Instantly fall in love with the nearest person.
Or suddenly hate them. It's randomized. Lasts 1 hour.
Halloween Candy
(Market Stalls)
You are wearing a Halloween costume designed for a toddler for the next 3 hours.
Festive Champagne
(Market Stalls)
You better watch out. You better watch out.
(Santa is at the periphery of your vision for 3 hours.)
no subject
The Maze - The Maze Gate appears to just be a big mirror with an ornate golden border, but should you touch it you'll find that you can step through! Straight into a hedge maze. As in “the only way forward is into the foliage.” Tall rosebushes make up many of the walls of this maze, and though the paths are wide and easy to travel you’ll find yourself being lead down a myriad of dead-end roads. It probably doesn’t help that some of the paths close off and open new ones elsewhere.
The Meadow - Once you're free from the maze, an expanse of lush, but well managed nature awaits you. Starting with a beautiful field of flowers that spreads off into the horizon. This is the perfect place for those Insta-worthy photoshoots, and bonus: it doesn't even have the passive aggressive singing flowers. Instead you can enjoy the pleasant sound of the fountain, should you follow the paved path. All around, coordinated by color, there are rows and rows of lilies, roses, mums, windflowers, hyacinths, cosmos, and tulips.
The Vegetable Patch - In one direction, treating the flowers will earn you a change in scenery as they slowly turn to something else. Sprouts and green leaves pop up out of the ground in what you recognize as a veggie garden! There's a little glass shelter with gardening tools nearby, in case you want to make use of the vacant plots of dirt. Already sprouting, you'll find carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, sugarcane, tomatoes, and wheat.
The Orchard - Beyond the flowers and the vegetable patch lies a small orchard, with trees growing apples, cherries, oranges, pears, and peaches. Don't worry! These apples make no offers. Off to the side, half in the shade and overlooking the flower, fruit, and vaggies, a small table sits at the ready for tea-time. There is a tea cart nearby with cups, a kettle that's always hot, packages of various tea flavors... some cursed and some not. And who could forget the snacks to go with your tea? There's also a 3-tiered stand with finger-sandwiches and all sorts of sweets and crackers.
Bon Bon Ranch - The last area of this gate is just as expansive. Here lies an idyllic horse ranch, where you can spend time horseback riding, racing, or grooming steeds. There are separated areas with obstacle courses and shooting targets for those who desire an additional challenge. The horses are varied in both appearance and personalities, from sweet to short-tempered, though they are always kind to chao.
To get their attention, you can offer a carrot, an apple, or cube of sugar, or simply call out the name "Adolphe," for some reason. Riding equipment, archery gear, treats for the horsies, and other typical items may be found in a comparatively small barn near the border of the fence.
Drink-Me Tea
(Orchard Tea Table)
Speak in rhyme for 1 hour.
Eat-Me Cookies
(Orchard Tea Table)
One random body part grows or shrinks for 2 hours.
no subject
The Forest - Stepping through this woodsy gate will drop you in the middle of a forest. While smaller than the big wide woods of the living, you can still find all sorts of small hills, hidden caves and even a ravine or two. Anywhere you go, you're accompanied by the sound of wild woodland creatures you can't ever seem to find. Wander from the path and you'll be rewarded with a river or a pretty little waterfall! But no bottomless pit for you. What did you even want that for. No.
The Mystery Library - Where the living have some kind of shack, in the depths of the forest you instead find a very small, unassuming little building. But the inside is impossibly massive. Despite the gothic interior, this study doesn't feel as eerie as it does secluded. Hiding away among the corners or balcony shelves is easy, and getting lost in the rows and rows of books is even easier. The only light is from ever-burning candle lanterns, or the ornate and vertical windows. Works from the world of those existing on this side can be found on the shelves, and new additions are rotated in as others join the ranks.
The Basement Lab - While sometimes hard to find among the countless rows of shelves, there is a staircase down into a basement laboratory. Bridging science and technology, the computer and building lab isn't large, but offers space for inventive exploration. The computers have simple programs for coding calculations and blueprint work, but aren't tied into any larger mainframe or database. There is a small workbench with tools and a handful of storage boxes full of junk parts and components. The space always somehow looks like a disaster.
The Gym - Just like the missing shack replaced by a library, through the forest gate you won't find the iconic diner of Twin Peaks. Instead you'll find a sick ass gym. Yes. This is a place for bros who want to LIFT. It has all the state of the art exercise machinery you can imagine. Mirrors on the walls make it easy to watch your form as you lift weights and kettlebells. There are mats aplenty! Machines, benches, and of course: a water fountain to keep you hydrated! There's also an entire running track outside.
The Cafe - A side-room from the gym is your one-shop stop for health food. Anything you could ever want to keep your energy up after a workout can be found here. There are snacks, protein bars, protein powder, fresh fruit, and drinks with electrolytes.
The Fair - Lucky you! The Mystery Fair is in town here in the forest gate, too! Temporary rides have been set up in a wide clearing in the forest. All of the rides look - and sound - a little rickety, but that's part of the rustic charm.
Take a ride on the Ferris wheel (that gets stuck at the top, so we hope you like your gondola buddy), ride one of the majestic creatures on the carousel (yikes), or go on a journey through the Tunnel of Love (and corndogs) (what does this mean.)
There are plenty of non-ride attractions, too. A changing stall and collapsible racks of costumes sit beside a cramped photobooth, perfect for putting on a silly outfit and capturing some new memories! A little ways down you'll find a funhouse made of mirrors, filled with all kinds of exciting twists and turns. Stupidly, you'll also find an extremely elaborate mini-golf course right next to this house of mirrors, and yet no matter how hard you hit the outside nothing shatters. Fore! And what's a fair without all kinds of fair* games! (*they're not fair in the slightest, they're extremely rigged.)
Mabel Juice
(The Cafe)
You have so much energy that you can't stay in one place. Literally.
Intermittently, randomly, uncontrollably teleport short distances for 2 hours.
Pancakes
(The Cafe)
Sticky! Stick to anything or anyone you touch for 2 hours.
Why do they have pancakes at a health food cafe. Don't worry about it.
no subject
The Cotton Candy Forest - Through the Candy Gate that you can imagine with your creative minds because I am just so busy this week, you will find the cotton candy forest that circles the Candy Kingdom! Trees stretch higher than the eye can see, all topped with fluffy, sweet, pink and blue tufts of sugary goodness. You can try to climb them if you wish! The branches are usually sturdy…but get too close to a double-striped one and you might fall all the way down into the nesquicksand pit. Darn!
The Candy Kingdom - A short jaunt through the forest brings you to the candy kingdom. It's a world of sweets, sugar, and all things delectable. Everywhere you look - or bite - nature and architecture alike are made of candy. All around you are small gingerbread houses and buildings. Among them:
Seraphora - A one-stop shop for makeovers! Half of the store is a clothing boutique with an endless selection of garments, shoes, and accessories. There is also a chao tailor that will happily make a matching set of tiny clothing for your chao. Unfortunately, there's still only one changing room here... The other half of the building is a beauty salon dedicated to hair and makeup. If you're feeling indecisive about what style you'd like to try, there is a chao concierge in the center that will help make recommendations.
Candy Convenience - A bodega style convenience store. The fluorescent lights inside welcome you to select anything your heart desires. They carry a wide range of... well... conveniences. Toiletries, cigarettes, lighters. Snacks, prepackaged instant foods. Anything you'd expect to find at a convenience store, really.
Fresh as a Daisy - What in Heaven is that blindingly bright building, past the convenience store, just around the corner..? Covered in flowers and claiming that you'll be fresh as a daisy in no time, spring in your step and all, is... a laundromat? It stands out like either the most psychedelic eyesore, or a beautiful ode to rainbow connections, but it does signal the promiseland of clean clothes for stinky little sinners on the road to redemption. The inside is even more brightly colored than the outside, somehow, but it's decked out in washers, dryers, folding tables, and shelves fully stocked in every kind of detergent, fabric softener, bleach, and other product you could possibly need to wash you and your clothes. Signs are posted for you to deposit any empty packaging into the recycling bin, apparently to be reused for the decor.
At the counter, you can find a single chao offering M*nopoly money to use in the change machine. Apparently you need chaorters (chao quarters) to run the machines. Every few hours, the chao will toddle over to the change machine, open it up, and take the M*nopoly money out to begin the cycle anew. When not giving out the cash for the coin exchange, it sits in a highchair behind the counter, counting the money like a miniature mob boss. Is this place for money laundering, too..?
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dramas - Did you want to grab a bite to eat? Or maybe catch a show or movie - maybe even relive or watch the living on the big screen? Good news! You can do both! No need to pull into a parking spot for it, just pull up a seat at one of these classic car booths arranged like a good ol' classic drive-in theater, drop an order with one of your chao waiters clumsily rollerblading down the aisles, and you'll be all set! There are a number of different showings all throughout the day, and in different showing rooms, but each and every one of them has this groovy theme going for it. Cars are lined up facing the screens, and there are two types: benches with minimal table space and room for two - three, if you squeeze - per bench or tables that run the longways center of the car, with three seats on each side. Menus are available in each car, all boasting delicious diner food - but you might see a familiar street food or whatever is considered "junk" food in your world, if you look long enough - with a discount on milkshakes from 5 PM to 8 PM!
For those that bring their chao with them to watch something, car seats (with trays on them for food) at bench booths and highchairs at table booths are provided. Phone holders are stationed in each booth, with signage asking that you silence your phones and not text during the movie. Lights will dim once orders are all placed, though chao will always come wobbily wheeling by throughout the flick you've sat down for to check on you. They're really working for that tip!
Chop & Chill - Somehow both rustic (read as: ye olde) and modern, this roomy and homey space allows for there to be more than enough cooks in the kitchen! Besides the fully stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer, there are numerous recipe books, cooking guides, measuring conversion cards, and more, for both the most adept chef and the nervous newbie. The typical stainless steel stovetop and oven models are available for those more familiar with the comforts of the modern world, but also available are wood-burning options for those that have experience there - or maybe are looking to get adventurous? Either way, you could very well have an audience, with the tables and chairs arranged around the room like a comfortable cafe or tavern.
The Spinny Rift - After a long trek through the kingdom, you may be expecting to find the Candy Castle that should rest in the center. But no! Instead there stands a lone gate standing tall. There's nothing on the other side but more of those candy kingdom homes and businesses. Except... there's a swirling energy that can be seen glimmering in the air of the gate, oddly spiraling.
Stepping through will bring you to a dimly, eerily lit stone corridor, a daunting silence pressing down on all sides that leads one to believe that it's only a small part of a sprawling whole, deep underground. As you follow the corridor, it will take you to only one place - the opening beneath a great spire, showing the phases of the moon in the high, distant opening through the ceiling.
Stepping into the center of the floor, one can summon a variety of temporary opponents to test your mettle against. Injuries are not permanent - but feel very, very real - and your foes disappear into blue and black energy, dissolving into the air as they fall to the floor. Dying here ejects you out of the gate, ass over tea kettle, with a YOU TRIED four-pointed star pinned to your chest.
Lollipop
(Candy Convenience)
Your hair grows and grows and grows. Get Rapunzel'd, idiot.
You'll have to cut it back to length yourself.
Big Baby Rootbeer
(Candy Convenience)
All of your emotions swing to the extreme for 2 hours.
no subject
The Lasso'd Dude - Through the gates that open up like an automatic train door, you will find a completely random assortment of places with no real tether between them. The gate opens to whichever one you wanted to go to, and you must exit and turn around and come back through the same gate to get to another. Wow! Annoying!!!!
The first of these locations is a tavern so dingy, cleaning it would make the place look worse. Unfortunately Lailah cleans it every day. This tavern serves the worst beer you've ever had in your life. Drinking it will cause immediate damage to your constitution. They also serve mystery meat stew ("a new surprise every day!") and pickled eggs.
Smoochin' Blades - A cute little roller rink! The vibes and music changes, so you can spend a night blading to some disco tunes one night, and the next it'll be Linkin Park night. Rental skates are available for all different sizes as needed. The concession stand is full of junk food. Every now and then, the doors lock down and the only way to leave is if you kiss someone who is in with you because guess what this place is named for. Do you normally have powers that could just teleport you out of there or allow you to blow up the door? Well, they are conveniently not working right now. Kiss and gooby!! It sometimes lets you leave without kissing anyone, just so that it gives people enough of a false sense of security to allow them to come back.
Write It Off - This is place for all kinds of arts and crafts. Beautiful pens, lovely stationery, cute envelopes, and sheets of pretty stickers line up against one wall for any and all letter writing needs. Fabric of all materials and yarns and threads of all colors with needles and other tools fill shelves for any sewing and knitting desires. A line of printers to print photos and notes off your phones in the best quality can be found here as well, along with frames and scrapbooking supplies. There's a section organized for paints and markers of all media. It's a haven for people who want to create.
You don't get any of the train cars that the living had last week. RIP.
Beer
(The Lasso'd Dude)
You feel compelled to rate people. On any scale. Lasts 2 hours.
Popcorn
(Smoochin' Blades)
You're branded with neon green tattoos naming your sins,
or with a number representing how many times you've sinned. Lasts 5 hours.
No this does not make any thematic sense anymore.
LOCATION CHANGES / THEFT
CHAO BLACKMARKET
Should you open what looks from the outside like a locker for cleaning supplies tucked away in the corner of the Chao Kindergarten's lobby, you will find the Chao Blackmarket! There's just a chao in here. Selling his wares. It's fine. These items can be used on the dead or the living. However they cannot be used on the living on weekends. You may buy up to 2 items per week by replying to this comment with the following form:
FULL INVENTORY LIST HERE