modormenace: (Default)
modormenace ([personal profile] modormenace) wrote in [community profile] f20202020-09-15 12:53 am

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2020: THE SYNOD IS CONVENING.

All fourteen Gates simultaneously reverse polarity. For the next seven days, and only these seven days, any imPort stepping through a Gate will arrive safely in the Porter building: the only place on this fractured planet that can safely contain the energy of the imPort community in its entirety.
SO IT BEGINS
THE SYNOD
THE
DEATH
TRAIN

While the Gates are the simplest form of transportation, those making the journey to the Synod from the White Tower have the option of travelling by train, if they wish. Despite the playfully grim moniker, there haven't been any recorded fatalities on board the Death Train in many years. Or ever, really. Raw, untamed entropy doesn't do anything as simple as kill.

For that delightful reason, passengers will be reminded at frequent intervals not to attempt to leave the train once it enters the active zone of the Porter's defenses, or to do anything that could jeopardise the integrity of its shielding.

The journey is relatively comfortable and takes approximately two and a half hours. A limited menu of pastries and alcohol is available from the buffet car. The smallest tables seat two.

 

As the train passes through the entropy-saturated wasteland of the Deathdome, the view from the heavily tinted windows of each of the train's four-person cars is impossible to comprehend: every atom of the landscape is in a constant state of flux, scattered in endless possibilities across the multiverse.

WELCOME CARPET

Inside, you get the impression of three towers; no view from outside is possible. You're totally sealed inside for the week, by the same Fate-built tech that shields this place from the ravages of cosmic radiation— the train station is built into the structure, entrance tunnel hermetically sealed.

You're greeted by welcome robots, primitive little things full endless enthusiasm and covered in dents. What they lack in intelligence they make up for in persistence and durability. Each and every ImPort is assigned their own personal robutler.

Though they tend to hinder more than help.

Boop boop boop boop. They provide you with a complimentary swag bag. Inside is one (1) t-shirt, one (1) top of the line tablet (pre-loaded with this year's Agenda and a simple game app that looks suspiciously like 2048), a stress ball, personalised souvenir pen and eraser (but no pencil), and of course, a lanyard keycard for accessing the comfortably adequate accommodations provided for all attendees.

Given the week-long Synod, your room itself is a decent suite, furnished with dark colors, redolent with a smell you can't quite place. You may find yourself assigned an unexpected roommate, which may feel awkward considering you'll find arrayed on the beds, a half-dozen complimentary tickets to the spa, restaurants and the power gym, with its preternaturally durable equipment.

Robutlers constantly remind: do not attempt to leave the Porter facility or do anything to jeopardise the integrity of its shielding.

CONVENTION

Talks and panels take place in the convention area, which feels like a miniature city within the Porter's defenses, a hive with padded audience seats, wide stages, and complete with holographic audiovisual equipment that's curiously compatible with presentation software from every city.

Here, ImPorts will present and debate various topics regarded as major concerns for all. [OOCly, players are invited to suggest topics! Scroll down; they will be added below.]

This is also something of an expo, where cities practically demonstrate— or show off their good works. From the latest hovertechnology models to demonstrations of healing powers, playful duels in the forcefield-enclosed stages to magical books that temporarily transfer skills on touch, this is the place to pretend you're showing off your cards... while playing the most important ones close to your chest.

PANELS AND DEBATES

PRESENTERS
TOPIC
Joseph Kavinsky vs [N/PC]
White Tower ImPort Overpopulation and Dimensional Instability
Tony Stark and other technopaths
How Technology Will Save Us
Joshua Foley
The Mysteries and Intricacies of ImPort Physiology
Count Dooku and volunteers
ImPort Factions Must Align Against the Shared 'Resistance' Threat
Jin Bubaigawara (x3)
The Twin Cities are NOT Dimensionally Unstable No Matter What You Heard
Kang
Bridging Old and New: Maintaining Infrastructure with Limited Modern Resources
EVENING
EVENTS

Every night of the Synod, ImPorts gather to dine in a grand hall with a ballroom party. Each dinner is hosted by one ImPort city, gruntwork complete with robutlers-- which guarantees food safety, and complete with multiple cuisine options, cultural decor, and entertainment.

Given the range of cities represented, food options vary from greasy burgers to six courses of seafood and blue venison, and rarefied vegan fare.

When ImPorts aren't here eating, they're most often talking. Ergo, it's not uncommon for low-key drama to break out, but this year, the majority of Synod days seem to be passing uneventfully.

Fortunately, speeches are reserved for daytime. After dinner, it's time to dance.

 

The last song of the night is always obscure music no one can quite remember the words or melody to afterward. It's a slow dance song meant for two or more partners; the ballroom grows dark and the world seems to fade away. Or rather, it just fades back into one's hotel room.

THE BLACKOUT

On Monday, September 21st, shortly before the Gates are due to resume ordinary function and allow attendees to leave, the Porter building suffers a power cut.

Abruptly, all the lights cut out. Music stops. Your faithful robutler freezes in place, unresponsive— though its internal systems appear to be running, the centralised command hub that it relies on has fallen silent.

Though the robutlers are out of comission, technology-minded ImPorts and their tech drones hasten to reassure that systems analyses are underway. Within a few hours, repairs begin, the estimated time being two days.

In the meantime, thanks to the diversity of powers on hand, there is enough food and water. Candles start to circulate. It might even be a little romantic, if it weren't for the chaos outside. Characters might find themselves trapped in an elevator for a few hours, or compelled to seek comfort from one another.

dun_moch: (heh)

[personal profile] dun_moch 2020-09-29 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh no, not at all. I cannot take credit for the Tower’s technology. But I am familiar enough with it to wield a certain authority.

[The Count gives him a little half-smile and waves his hand. In response to the gesture, the deactivated robutler floats off to a corner.]

If you like, I can arrange a replacement servant. One whose pathways are far better calibrated.
desmodusdraculae: (064)

[personal profile] desmodusdraculae 2020-09-30 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
I... see.

[He does not see.]

I would honestly prefer not to have one. I'm not against technology, but I am, apparently, against it yelling at me to do something fun every 5 seconds.
dun_moch: (hand)

[personal profile] dun_moch 2020-10-01 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
It is far more satisfying when it is the other way around, isn't it?

[Dooku nods, knowingly. Servants exist to be commanded, after all.]

Well, if you are not to be assisted by a droid, perhaps I can be of service. Is there anything you require at our Synod?
desmodusdraculae: (150)

[personal profile] desmodusdraculae 2020-10-02 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
[No. He would honestly just prefer to be left alone in silence. He has no desire to yell at machines any more than he wants them to yell at him.]

Ah... I didn't realize you were one of the organizers.

[As for what he'd like, the answers are "less people", "a window", and "peace and quiet", so he doubts he's likely to get any of that from him.]

Uh, I was just sort of... wandering around. To see what was here, I guess.
dun_moch: (stairs)

[personal profile] dun_moch 2020-10-02 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I cannot take full credit for this event, but I have done my part to help bring the imPorts together.

[The Count stretches out his arm to his side, an inviting gesture.]

I have some time before my next engagement. Please, permit me to give you a tour.
desmodusdraculae: (087)

[personal profile] desmodusdraculae 2020-10-03 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Can he get the talkative robot back? It isn't that Dooku hasn't been a kind guest, but he can't help but feel he just stepped squarely into the political arena he's been desperate to avoid.

Instead, he smiles somewhat... pointily and nods.]


Sure, I'd appreciate it.
dun_moch: (Grin)

[personal profile] dun_moch 2020-10-05 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
My, what interesting teeth you have.

[Dooku smiles back as he starts to lead Kirk off. His smile is less pointy, yet somehow more sinister.]

Might I ask how you come by them?
desmodusdraculae: (043)

[personal profile] desmodusdraculae 2020-10-06 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Deadpan:] Consolation prize for beating cancer.

[Which is not a lie.

And yeah, he notices that smile.]


Why? On the hunt for a new dentist?

[Maybe he should shut his mouth, but this is why he's not in politics.]
dun_moch: (Sure whatever)

[personal profile] dun_moch 2020-10-09 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dooku chuckles good-naturedly.]

Congratulations are in order for your victory, then. But that is thankfully not a power I need now.

[The grin fades, replaced by a more thoughtful look.]

I am simply always interested in the special traits of imPorts. They are what make us special, after all.
desmodusdraculae: (116)

[personal profile] desmodusdraculae 2020-10-13 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Deadpan:] Oh, yippee.

[Because while he certainly doesn't miss the lymphoma, he certainly misses being able to see in the sunlight and not needing to consume human blood to survive.]

These weren't given to me when I got here.

[He's been living with it--like this--far longer than that.]

What about you? What can you do? Did you get yours here, or did you come with them?

[Because if this guy can be nosy, so can he.]