Now that Tails has spoken with you about your mission, the state of the world, and the threat you're facing, you're free to settle in to life here. While the warehouse isn't exactly the most thrilling place to set up a base, it's clean and well-maintained (despite the only one here being a kid fox?) and Tails encourages you to make it your own as best you can. You're going to be here for awhile, after all. This world needs to be saved, and you're the ones to do it.
The warehouse is thankfully quite large, so there's plenty of space. Aside from the ground floor containing Tails' workshop, there's a room for Tails, Knuckles, and Sonic, as well as your rooms. There's a large bathroom and several nice showers - this time with actual hot water! Though it may not be fancy, it's certainly acceptable accommodations for your time here. Exploring further through the warehouse reveals that there's an upper floor, with several other rooms that have already been furnished for varying purposes; after all, it seems your friendly neighborhood talking animals have been living here for quite a bit themselves.
But outside the walls of the warehouse are where things get particularly dismal. Though life goes on in the city of Chicago, it's without any sort of passion or thought at all. The humans go about their day-to-day lives in monotony, acting as though nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary. They don't acknowledge you, even if you try to talk to them. They don't recognize you as weird, even if you aren't human (or a talking animal). They simply move about, drone-like, heedless of the robots that patrol the streets.
Eggman's robots are high-tech, white chrome and smooth; these are almost a work of art as they are technology. They all come equipped with laser beams regardless of the shape or size of them, and they all seem to be set on keeping an eye on the people. There are robots watching everywhere. You can't turn a street corner without seeing one or two, and they follow pre-determined surveillance paths as they watch over the humans.
Lingering in the distance, you can see a massive robot that takes up the horizon. That seems to be Eggman's base of operations, at least as far as Tails has been able to determine. Though it poses no threat to you right now, it's a looming reminder of what awaits you.
Welcome to Eggman's utopia.
THE BASE
Though he's apologized for the base not being particularly lively, Tails has promised you the freedom to make the place your own. He's even directed you to a "crafts room" if you'd like to decorate! This art studio is surprisingly robust for something put together in an abandoned, worn-down warehouse on the outskirts of the city. You'll find plenty of markers in every color you can think of, sketchbooks and paper and papercrafts, string and glue and everything you could need for your second grade arts and crafts project. Though it may all be a little kiddy, it's here for you to do with as you wish.
The crafts room isn't the only odd one on the upper floors, you'll also find a gymnasium. It's more of a home gym than anything else, with only a couple of beat-up old treadmills, a few exercise bikes, and some weight lifting stations, as well as plenty of weights. It's not exactly the best room in the base, but it's here if you'd like to make use of it.
Next door is an open room with several soft mats - an open room for sparring and training. This one doesn't really have much in it, but you're welcome to make use of it however you'd like.
And next to that is the requisite first aid room! This one is well-stocked and even has a few cots in case of more serious injuries. You'll find plenty of first aid kits, painkillers, and other various medical supplies, though nothing that will allow you to perform home surgery or anything of the sort. Hopefully you don't need to do that, though?
Finally, the last large room is one that a lot of love and care has been put into - an entertainment room! There's a large screen TV mounted on the wall, with many couches and plush chairs. You'll find that you've access to any and all modern day media you could find on a TV, from streaming services (who is paying for these, anyway?) and knock-off YouTube, to your favorite anime and even Twitch. It seems that our three allies have quite the varied interests, given their search history and "previously watched" shows and movies. There's enough seating in here for everyone, so why not have a movie night?
Oh, and you'll find the kitchen on the ground floor behind Tails' workshop is suitable for all your needs - it's not particularly well-furnished, as your pals here aren't exactly master chefs, but you're always welcome to talk to Tails about obtaining something more for the kitchen or any room in the warehouse.
All of the items you had on you at your canon point can be found in one of the storerooms as well. This includes weapons, though anything magical will unfortunately not work properly. Please ask me about anything gamebreaking!
THE CITY
Chicago itself is exactly what you'd expect of a typical American city. Well, apart from the robots patrolling and the lifeless people going about their days endlessly, that is. Anything you'd want to find in a city, you can find here! But be mindful - those robots can and will notice you, unlike the people. Most robots will engage in combat on sight, as you're someone unfamiliar and could possibly pose a threat, but some will try to flee - you probably don't want them getting away and reporting sightings of an unfamiliar person!
While the city may have undergone some major changes in its population, the infrastructure is about what you'd expect. The people clean and maintain everything just as they always have, leaving it to almost seem as though everything's fine... were it not for the construction. Unlike most construction sites, these are clearly being maintained and built by the robots - there are buildings that have been completely taken over by Eggman's white chrome finish, leaving to odd sights of mish-mashed buildings and structures that are half-advanced technology, half-old school building materials. Though it may look like a normal city at first glance, it would seem that Eggman is quite literally transforming everything into his very image. You'll even find a statue in a local park that has been replaced with an Eggman statue.
Sadly, it seems as though the people are not the only ones trapped under Eggman's thumb. Animals - be they pets or wild ones - also go about their usual business, with absolutely none of their usual livelihood. You won't see many people playing at the dog park, just passing through taking their dog on a needed walk and returning home. Squirrels and birds likewise carry on as if nothing is wrong, even if they're perched on something that is clearly Eggman's technology rather than a proper tree. Which yes, means that even some of the trees are being taken over by Eggman's chroma, transforming the very living world around you as well.
Though businesses are still running as usual, the people aren't exactly in any state of mind to notice if you steal something from them - as long as you're careful about it, anyway. While security cameras and the like may still exist, it doesn't seem like anyone's checking them. In fact, it seems like no one's committing crimes either, as the city is remarkably peaceful at all times of the day or night.
SHARDS
You may feel as though you have more control of your powers this week... or you may not. Regardless, things are still prone to going haywire, which could pose a problem if you get into a fight with a robot. Tails has asked you very nicely not to hurt any of the people, so maybe lead the robots somewhere that won't risk causing injury? Or don't, I'm not your mom.
Starting this week, you may attempt to use your shards together with someone you have a strong relationship with, good or bad. Once this has been used for the first time, a page will be opened to explain the mechanic. Regardless, that's going to take even more work than mastering your own power... so perhaps fighting those robots isn't a bad idea after all.
And you do want to fight those robots - Tails has warned you that the robots are searching for the rebels' base. You don't want to let a robot escape to bring information about you and possibly the base back to Eggman, do you? Should you let a robot escape, let me know.
TAILS' TASKS
For those of you willing to help - or if you're just particularly bored - Tails will offer some tasks for you all to help around the base. He can always use help with organizing and gathering supplies, keeping the base clean and in good condition, or even keeping track of the security cameras and communications networks. He'll gladly teach anyone who would like to learn technology as well!
For more specific tasks, this week he will grant you a small, rectangular box with an antennae on top. It's kind of cutesy, but it has a radar function built in and it is tracking some kind of signature. Tails says that it's tracking the Chaos Emeralds, and that some sort of Chaos Energy was detected not too far from the city about a week ago, when Knuckles vanished.
Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to see if you can find this Chaos Energy reading and determine the direction it's coming from. You are to go in pairs, but you are not to try to track the readings to the source, just determine where they're located and what direction they lead to. Of course, nothing's stopping you from going off on a wild adventure if you really want to...
ENEMIES
This week's enemies are Badniks, Eggman's robots. Specifically, you'll find yourself facing the Badnik Surveillance Unit, the Badnik Drones, and the Badnik Transformer Model B33.
Badnik Surveillance Units are primarily made for reconnaissance. They can be found flying overhead, observing the people go about their lives and following scheduled flight paths and patterns to ensure every inch of the city is being observed. Well, mostly. You can find some back alleys and hidden spots here and there, and these Badniks usually won't go into buildings or out into the woods. They will immediately try to flee upon spotting you. They're easy to take down, though a bit more durable than one would expect, given Eggman's designs. If cornered, they are capable of shooting a simple laser beam that will hurt and possibly leave a burn.
Badnik Drones are the most common combat robot you will find. Small chrome white orbs with red eyes, they are capable of scanning and detecting abnormalities. They are not quite as common as the Badnik Surveillance Units, but you'll still spot several of them floating through the city at any given point in time. Unlike the Badnik Surveillance Units, these come ready for combat. They can fire lasers as well as shoot small homing missiles. The homing missiles thankfully aren't very fast and can be outrun or otherwise blocked, but they pack a punch if they do hit! These robots will stand their ground and fight if they spot you, but they will call for backup - if you aren't fast enough, you'll find yourself facing many of them!
The Badnik Transformer Model B33, more affectionately called Buzz Bombers by Tails and friends, is... well, it looks like a bee. A hornet, rather, as that stinger is actually a precision laser that moves fast. These robots typically look like Badnik Drones, but are capable of shifting and uncoiling themselves to become the B33 units. They are fast, they hit hard, and they are relentless, pursuing you nonstop until they've been destroyed. They will not call for backup, which is possibly the only saving grace about fighting them. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell if a Badnik is a Drone or a B33 until you're actually in combat - and by then it may be(e) too late.
[ The storage room...an area filled to the brim with a veritable selection of weaponry. Void Archives ends up making their way here themselves, watching as the weapon transforms from a large scythe to literally all those weapon forms.
Now, that isn't an unfamiliar sight. There are weapons that they know of which do that - though, that is a little more variety in what they anticipated. ]
Having fun? I'll have to assume the weapon you're holding isn't originally from this world.
[ Not necessarily under normal circumstances, but the way the man treats it with a sense of familiarity seems to make it obvious. ]
Oh? That's interesting...just by observing its evident versatile functions, I can understand why it would cost so much money. I would also assume gald's the name of the currency from your world.
[ How many people have gotten themselves wiped out on the other end of the weapon, they wonder? Well, whatever the case, they begin a little search to see if they can find a familiar 'weapon' themselves. ]
Are you in the habit of having weaponry such as this built, or is this a special case on account of it being a personal weapon?
The latter, though I do ensure that my guild members are all prepared for any combat they might see. Given that their job is to fight, it's important that their weapons are in perfect condition.
[ The exact problem with being a super-advanced AI...
Either way, they lay their eyes on something gold, picking up the gun in their hands. Well, isn't that fortunate? ]
...I suppose that's reasonable and logical enough.
Ah, but do they face combat from rival guild members, or is it something more wild and dangerous that is far more common to be a threat?
[ Monsters seem like they are likely to be a common theme in other worlds - though, they understand that may as well not necessarily be the case for certain. ]
[A gun??? Yeager is absolutely staring at it because like. Weapons?? Hell yeah.]
Oh, we usually don't end up in conflict with other guilds - most of us are working together within the Guild Union. But Terca Lumireis is home to many dangerous monsters; for those who cannot fight, they need to employ bodyguards if they want to leave the cities, which is precisely the sort of work my guild does.
They imagine it would be logical that Yeager's guild also must be paid well - bodyguards don't come cheap. ]
Oh? That is quite fortunate, as I imagine that tempers could easily flare. I presume this 'Guild Union' holds some sort of status quo that makes such conflicts discouraged, if not at times untenable. Though, I wonder if putting a halt to such matters would be a singular entity effort or a group effort.
As for the monster elimination...I have to imagine that your guild has earned a name for itself with being able to produce high-quality weapons.
Correct on the first part, but not the second. The weapons are a personal project, though I have no hand in creating them myself. I hire the Soul Smiths - another one of the guilds - to do all the work, since I have no experience in smithing or anything of the sort!
[He's rich af, he's gonna pay people to do all the work for him!! ☆]
Does your world have monsters? Quite a few people seem surprised whenever I bring them up.
It sounds like quite an effort - I can see why you'd leave it to someone else. Judging by their name, they must be one filled with Blacksmiths.
[ There's no reason for a leader of a guild to do all the work to make everything...well, work. ]
But, yes. My world does at times have monsters.
They're not creatures anyone would wish to encounter in the wild. You have your standard beastial-looking monsters and whatnot, but then you also have - hm, are you familiar with zombies?
They chuckle as they hear this inquiry...might as well hype it up a little.
Too bad they don't have a flashlight and the opportunity to tell this over a camp fire... ]
It's a complicated matter in its entirety, but let's start with the basics. That is, a zombie in my world and in fiction is someone who has been reanimated. The non-fictional ones hunger to stamp out the life of all humankind, while the fictional ones hunger only to consume humans. They are mindless shells who are only interested in fulfilling this goal~
The ones that exist in my world can still use high-level techniques, depending on the circumstances of their reanimation. It sounds quite nightmarish, doesn't it?
[ Surely this discussion isn't bringing back any sort of terrible memories whatsoever, huh?
Everything is fine and dandy!! Void Archives remains blissfully unaware, content to offer at least a succinct explanation while hoping it paints a perfect image of the terrors.
(It certainly may, of a sort.) ]
That's correct. But, I doubt they have anything here as unfortunate.
In the scope of reanimation, at least. [ Pause. ] I know that the populace is having issues with their lack of free choice, after all.
Are there any particular monsters on your world you would say you an experienced fighter would be hesitant to encounter?
[Okay, at least Void Archives is moving the conversation along so Yeager can. Try to focus on that. Damn.]
Ja, we've quite a few truly dangerous ones - though in general most people don't fight and instead simply remain in the cities. Those of us that do choose to fight have to rely on blastia to hope to match the monsters' power.
They're power sources, capable of doing quite a few handy things! The larger ones are capable of keeping monsters out of the cities entirely by way of a barrier, while smaller ones can control all the lighting and water supply within the cities. All fighters have a small blastia that enhances their strength and skills.
[ How very convenient. They have to wonder if there is a tradeoff for such handy little (or large) devices. But, one thing at a time, of course. ]
Are these blastia a relatively new phenomenon as power sources, or something that has been somehow mass-produced for a very long time? After all, they sound quite like the useful invention indeed.
Oh no, that's the fascinating part. Blastia cores are quite ancient, and no one's discovered a way to recreate them. So there are a finite amount of blastia in the world, dependent entirely on guilds such as Ruin's Gate who excavate the cores.
[It's truly fascinating and not at all because he had a hand in this—]
There are a few other downsides, though the limited number of them is generally the more pressing concern. But you are right; Ruin's Gate deals in business with almost all of the guilds and the Empire, so they're quite influential. Thankfully, Leviathan's Claw has an excellent working relationship with them~
Hmm... Well, they are related, in that the guilds are made up of those who left the Empire and their stuffy rules behind. Essentially, the Empire and the guilds are the two factions of power within the world, and if you don't belong to one, you belong to the other.
[ It sounds like there is no third option there. They do have to wonder if there's anyone who would consider themselves neither despite that they don't doubt that many would essentially pick one or the other in Yeager's world. ]
Well, well, how exciting!
I have to say that there are clearly a lot of complicated elements in your world. But, I believe it's the same as with any other.
Still, between the guilds and this Empire I doubt there is never a dull moment.
Ja, it certainly seems so. And you're right, of course - though they aren't at war, both powers certainly aren't on favorable terms. It can be quite the headache to deal with...
[ Collect that Gald, Yeager!! At least somebody profits (no)(but also, yes) ]
Ah, it's because it can become a clash of the two largest powers in the world, hm?
Even if it isn't physically, but more from a...diplomatic standpoint?
[ Since the guilds are made up from those who left the Empire, it'd make sense (and they did notice the comment about 'stuffy rules', which makes them chuckle in retrospect.) Which implies it was probable the Empire was at one time the singular largest power. ]
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storage room;
Now, that isn't an unfamiliar sight. There are weapons that they know of which do that - though, that is a little more variety in what they anticipated. ]
Having fun? I'll have to assume the weapon you're holding isn't originally from this world.
[ Not necessarily under normal circumstances, but the way the man treats it with a sense of familiarity seems to make it obvious. ]
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[He finally stops back in briefcase form, settling down a little not that he's gotten that out of his system.]
You're correct; this is a weapon I had specially built back home. It cost quite a bit of gald, but it's served me well over the years~
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[ How many people have gotten themselves wiped out on the other end of the weapon, they wonder? Well, whatever the case, they begin a little search to see if they can find a familiar 'weapon' themselves. ]
Are you in the habit of having weaponry such as this built, or is this a special case on account of it being a personal weapon?
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[Don't think too hard about it, Void Archives~ ☆]
The latter, though I do ensure that my guild members are all prepared for any combat they might see. Given that their job is to fight, it's important that their weapons are in perfect condition.
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Either way, they lay their eyes on something gold, picking up the gun in their hands. Well, isn't that fortunate? ]
...I suppose that's reasonable and logical enough.
Ah, but do they face combat from rival guild members, or is it something more wild and dangerous that is far more common to be a threat?
[ Monsters seem like they are likely to be a common theme in other worlds - though, they understand that may as well not necessarily be the case for certain. ]
no subject
Oh, we usually don't end up in conflict with other guilds - most of us are working together within the Guild Union. But Terca Lumireis is home to many dangerous monsters; for those who cannot fight, they need to employ bodyguards if they want to leave the cities, which is precisely the sort of work my guild does.
no subject
They imagine it would be logical that Yeager's guild also must be paid well - bodyguards don't come cheap. ]
Oh? That is quite fortunate, as I imagine that tempers could easily flare. I presume this 'Guild Union' holds some sort of status quo that makes such conflicts discouraged, if not at times untenable. Though, I wonder if putting a halt to such matters would be a singular entity effort or a group effort.
As for the monster elimination...I have to imagine that your guild has earned a name for itself with being able to produce high-quality weapons.
no subject
[He's rich af, he's gonna pay people to do all the work for him!! ☆]
Does your world have monsters? Quite a few people seem surprised whenever I bring them up.
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[ There's no reason for a leader of a guild to do all the work to make everything...well, work. ]
But, yes. My world does at times have monsters.
They're not creatures anyone would wish to encounter in the wild. You have your standard beastial-looking monsters and whatnot, but then you also have - hm, are you familiar with zombies?
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[i'M GONNA FUCKIN SCREAM THIS IS HOW HE LEARNS ABOUT ZOMBIES????]
No, I'm not. What's a zombie?
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They chuckle as they hear this inquiry...might as well hype it up a little.
Too bad they don't have a flashlight and the opportunity to tell this over a camp fire... ]
It's a complicated matter in its entirety, but let's start with the basics. That is, a zombie in my world and in fiction is someone who has been reanimated. The non-fictional ones hunger to stamp out the life of all humankind, while the fictional ones hunger only to consume humans. They are mindless shells who are only interested in fulfilling this goal~
The ones that exist in my world can still use high-level techniques, depending on the circumstances of their reanimation. It sounds quite nightmarish, doesn't it?
no subject
you kind of lost him at someone who has been reanimated?? hELLO????]
Mindless shells only interested in fulfilling this goal, hmm...?
[ohhhhhh he is trying so hard to follow this conversation and not end up internally screaming nonstop but it is difficult.]
It certainly does! I can't even begin to imagine...
[hahaha.]
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Everything is fine and dandy!! Void Archives remains blissfully unaware, content to offer at least a succinct explanation while hoping it paints a perfect image of the terrors.
(It certainly may, of a sort.) ]
That's correct. But, I doubt they have anything here as unfortunate.
In the scope of reanimation, at least. [ Pause. ] I know that the populace is having issues with their lack of free choice, after all.
Are there any particular monsters on your world you would say you an experienced fighter would be hesitant to encounter?
no subject
Ja, we've quite a few truly dangerous ones - though in general most people don't fight and instead simply remain in the cities. Those of us that do choose to fight have to rely on blastia to hope to match the monsters' power.
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Staying away from a terrible monstrous ambush. How wise of them!
...Blastia is supposed to be what, exactly? A sort of special device?
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They're power sources, capable of doing quite a few handy things! The larger ones are capable of keeping monsters out of the cities entirely by way of a barrier, while smaller ones can control all the lighting and water supply within the cities. All fighters have a small blastia that enhances their strength and skills.
no subject
[ How very convenient. They have to wonder if there is a tradeoff for such handy little (or large) devices. But, one thing at a time, of course. ]
Are these blastia a relatively new phenomenon as power sources, or something that has been somehow mass-produced for a very long time? After all, they sound quite like the useful invention indeed.
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[It's truly fascinating and not at all because he had a hand in this—]
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A finite amount of blastia, is it?
...Is that the only downside? That there's a limited number of them? If so, that's rather fortunate.
And it seems like specialized guilds taking care of the process is another reason to stay in the good graces of another guild entirely.
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There are a few other downsides, though the limited number of them is generally the more pressing concern. But you are right; Ruin's Gate deals in business with almost all of the guilds and the Empire, so they're quite influential. Thankfully, Leviathan's Claw has an excellent working relationship with them~
[heehee don't ever bring this up to raven ☆]
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Oh? The Empire? It sounds like there is quite a long range of influence indeed. Fortuitous, really.
Speaking of which...are the guilds an outside force of this Empire? Or are they at least somehow closely related?
[ It sounds like it could be either one, but Void Archives has seen enough history to know not to assume. ]
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Well, well, how exciting!
I have to say that there are clearly a lot of complicated elements in your world. But, I believe it's the same as with any other.
Still, between the guilds and this Empire I doubt there is never a dull moment.
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[Not for him though, he profits off of it! ☆]
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Ah, it's because it can become a clash of the two largest powers in the world, hm?
Even if it isn't physically, but more from a...diplomatic standpoint?
[ Since the guilds are made up from those who left the Empire, it'd make sense (and they did notice the comment about 'stuffy rules', which makes them chuckle in retrospect.) Which implies it was probable the Empire was at one time the singular largest power. ]
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