MISSION: WOODHURST

[futurologists]

MISSION: WOODHURST All characters, established or new, will receive a form of this dossier to their devices. Thus, consider all information hereon as ICly available to all characters. Please direct questions here. Refer to Woodhurst locations for mission areas. The Bounty Board for Woodhurst will have extra side-missions for your character to take until the end of the mission, which is currently slated for early April. WOODHURST BRIEFING The mission will take recruits to Woodhurst, a suburb of the larger city Wakefield, located in an alternate version of New England. The year is 1993, and for all intents and purposes, it closely matches the world we're familiar with... except for one thing. The Bristol virus, named after patient zero Adam Bristol, has begun to appear in the population. Transmitted by bodily fluids and with no known cure, the virus causes: Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain Sunken eyes and sallow skin Varicose veins Irritability followed by intense, heightened aggression Decreased stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus, leading to uncontrollable hunger Finally, complete loss of individuality and sense of self, with violent, cannibalistic tendencies Estimates put approximately 1% of the population (approx. 2,500 people) in Woodhurst as infected, but the number is quickly growing; the disease is highly contagious, with sufferers originally indistinguishable from the regular population. It takes 3 to 5 weeks for the infected to descend into pure animalistic hunger, but they can pass on the virus at any time. Doctors have also discovered the existence of asymptomatic carriers within the population. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Stop the virus from spreading. While it's unknown if a cure is at all possible, the most important end goal is to protect those who remain uninfected from the spread of the disease. Should the virus be allowed to make its way outside of Woodhurst, the universe would quickly and surely descend into madness, finally collapsing in on itself when it no longer has any humanity left on it. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: Eliminate the virus entirely. Whether this is through finding a cure (which includes rounding up the infected and administering it to them) or killing all of the infected, eliminating the virus is the only way to ensure complete stability of the timeline. Should this not occur, recruits may find themselves visiting again later. OPTIONAL OBJECTIVE: Discover the origin of the virus. While the virus can be traced back to patient zero, little is known of its actual origin. If its source is found, ALASTAIR can be sure it will not pop up on any other worlds. WOODHURST OVERVIEW Until just a couple months ago, Woodhurst -- like the rest of this universe -- was, by all accounts, mundane. When Adam Bristol showed up to the mall in a frothing rage and bit six people, however, everything changed. The Bristol virus quickly spread, and has been directly responsible for multiple deaths in the area; those in the latest stages of the disease don't hesitate to kill in order to sate their hunger. Those who escape with their lives will soon find themselves unlucky as well. The virus is transmitted through all bodily fluids, and being bitten by a hungry Bristol sufferer is highly likely to infect you as well. If not infected, you might still not be safe -- you could be an asymptomatic carrier, infecting your friends and teammates while remaining unaware. Of course, being bitten's not the only way to contract the disease. Even innocently kissing someone who has come into contact with a sufferer can spread the virus, so be careful. While those native to this universe usually reach the latest stages of the disease within 3 to 5 weeks, the slightly different biology of Audentes recruits gives them a little more time: if they are infected, they have 6 to 8 weeks before they descend into insanity. Of course, they'll realize they're infected much sooner than that, and waiting for the inevitable insanity isn't much better. The disease will progress as follows: 1-2 WEEKS: The disease begins with an insatiable hunger. At this stage, characters will find themselves craving meat in particular, although they will also crave any and all food available to them. At this point in time, they will have no increased aggression, cannibalistic desires, or personality changes (aside from being hangry). 3-4 WEEKS: On top of their hunger, characters will begin to feel crabby and irritable, possibly even lashing out in violence. Their skin will begin becoming pallid, with dark circles forming under their eyes. Of course, if you're trying to hide it, it's nothing a little make-up can't help. 5-6 WEEKS: By this point, characters will begin to feel a ravenous desire to attack and consume. They may be still in possession of their mental faculties, but they'll be able to feel their sense of self slipping away with each passing second. Thinking about anything for extended periods of time will become difficult, and eventually, they will find themselves obsessing over the uncontrollable hunger. They will still have their sense of morality, although they will begin to have difficulties listening to it. 7-8 WEEKS: By this point, characters will be lucky to have short periods of sanity and lucidity. They will be overtaken by pure animal instinct and the desire to satiate their hunger by whatever means necessary. At this moment in time, there is no known way to deal with a sufferer aside from death. One way to make the symptoms subside, however, is human physical contact. Oxytocin released by non-violent physical contact with another person seems to dull the hunger and bring them back to sanity, albeit temporarily. For those who don't wish to kill and are less physically capable than others, this is the only way to subdue a Bristol sufferer, although it comes with many risks. When touching a sufferer, you run a high risk of being bitten or killed. In many cases, it may be better to just run. This is neither a safe nor long-term solution, but it does relieve symptoms for a short period of time. Because of the danger posed by sufferers, everyone has been encouraged never to travel alone, and to stay indoors after sundown. Even if these conditions are followed, there is still a slight chance of running into one of the infected. Nearby police will attempt to subdue and possibly kill any who attack during the day, but in lesser-populated areas or at night, you're on your own. Might want to invest in some night-vision goggles! Woodhurst, as opposed to some of the other mission locales, is largely unfamiliar with the concept of interdimensional travel outside the confines of science fiction books. For this reason, characters will be expected to keep their involvement with ALASTAIR on the down low. While you can tell the citizens, none will believe it, and trying to convince too many people will lead to unpopularity within the city. What does this mean? Audentes will be posing as newcomers moving into a growing city, spread out in apartments and houses across Woodhurst. They will need to dress and act according to the universe's standards; this means anyone incapable of appearing outwardly human on their own will receive a cloaking device, which, when activated, will make them appear human to the people of Woodhurst (and, if you choose, to their other team members as well). Backstories aren't necessary, but they are encouraged to ward off nosy neighbors. ALASTAIR will be able to place characters into temporary jobs such as a hospital worker, police officer, etc. using their government connections as long as they have good reason to be there; if you're interested in doing this, please contact a mod! As we have received many requests for police work, we are capping police at 8 people (10%) - currently 8/8.

Comments

(frozen comment)

[secondnature]

NAME: Quicky Deliveries
DESCRIPTION: An early 1990s version of Postmates: only it works somewhat in reverse. QD specializes in delivering groceries, food, and anything else that might be needed. It has a lot of contracts within the city so that when someone needs their groceries, tools, giant furniture, or whatever else delivered, they can call Quicky with the order to set up a time to get it to the customer. Groceries and food delivery are much faster than furniture delivery given the need for additional prep, but it's available to a wide number of businesses. Customers can also call a grocery store to make an order that is then sent over to Quicky to have it delivered. (Because it's overly complicated without the internet.)

Name: Sweet Servings
Description: A local ice cream chain that specializes in soft served ice cream. It has a wide variety of flavors that often rotate according to the time of the year. Despite the fact that it can get quite cold in New England, the multiple locations are known for their ability to draw crowds because of their innovations regarding ice cream-based deserts. In addition, some of the newer locations cater to these winter crowds, offering comfortable indoor seating for people to converse while eating ice cream so they can avoid the chill outdoors.

(frozen comment)

[digiorno]

NAME: East Woodhurst High School
DESCRIPTION: It's just a high school. Not the best high school in the Woodhurst area, but not the worst, either. Attendance is a little spotty since the outbreak, but so far staff and students are more or less holding it together.

(frozen comment)

[fateality]

NAME: All That Glitters Pawn Shop
DESCRIPTION: It's a pawn shop! There's a variety of a lot of random crap in there. Some of it useful like if you need a few cheap appliances, some of it more along the lines of "who needs a creepy doll and why are there 20 of them". The more potentially worthwhile items are kept under a lock and key. Despite all of the variety, it seems well kept inside, clean, and organized.

(frozen comment) WHOOPS

[iomnic]

NAME: Vinyl Resting Place
DESCRIPTION: Stereotypical (HA!!!) record store in the 90's. Has all the classics, from the 70's onward, but maybe just a little different than what you remember (since it's not Earth and all). Also starting to sell CD's, because that's the way of the future. Smells heavily of incense, to cover up... other scents, and the carpets were last washed a decade ago.

NAME: Shirt Ranch
DESCRIPTION: Like Dress Barn, but stupider sounding.

NAME: Hot Topic
DESCRIPTION: It's literally a Hot Topic. Hot Topic apparently transcends the multiverse.

(frozen comment)

[predomination]

NAME: Woodhurst General Hospital
DESCRIPTION: An average-sized hospital, Woodhurst General boasts a modest assortment of doctors and specialists. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak they're painfully understaffed. Two entire floors have been revamped and outfitted to deal with infected who have been detained and awaiting a breakthrough in treatment, because they can't be sent to the larger hospitals in the area. The floors are minimally staffed (due to justified fear) and families are allowed to visit ( the infected are kept in restraints to avoid damage to themselves or the staff), but for the most part it's a bit unsettling.

[slapfight]

CHARACTER: Peridot
PLAYER: Chris
PREFERRED CONTACT: quasigina</a

(frozen comment)

[moneyballer]

NAME: Saved by the Dumbbell
DESCRIPTION: Your quintessential 90s gym, complete with overly enthusiastic trainers and tacky, colorful decor. While this establishment is quite popular, it definitely seems to be suffering from a bit of an 80s hangover.

(frozen comment)

[moneyballer]

oh my god

(frozen comment)

[iomnic]

I wish I knew which one you were omging at

(frozen comment)

[slushfund]

NAME: Lye & Steel
DESCRIPTION: Lye & Steel is a criminal law firm in the heart of Woodhurst, spearheaded by the most resilient couple in town. Specializing in the defence against myriad crimes ranging from DUI to stock fraud, this firm will take even the most unlikely cases — but only if you’re willing to pay top dollar. Skilled and knowledgeable, Lye & Steel knows its way in, out, and around criminal proceedings, close with the city’s authorities and court’s judge. Their attorneys are sharks, willing to risk anything for the right verdict, and their interns are no better. When your neck is on the line and you’re seeking reliability, it’s them you should be calling. However, there are rumours surfacing about their rather… Loose definition of “justice” and how exactly to get it…

(frozen comment)

[moneyballer]

hot topic existing in every universe, but mostly all of them

(frozen comment)

[assent]

NAME: DA BOMB
DESCRIPTION: Nightclub that is open every night with different styles of music / eras. There's the classic pop night (90s general music), 80s night, rock, jazz, and whatever else the owners decide to run for special events. It attracts a wide range of ages, depending on the event you go to. (Only 21+ can actually drink alcohol though, please get your hand stamp at the door.)



i'm sorry i'm useless and posted in the wrong place first smh

(frozen comment)

[winces]

NAME: Buds N' Roses
DESCRIPTION: a small, privately owned flower shop sandwiched between two larger buildings. open everyday from 11am to 9pm, the shop is owned by an elderly couple who shared fifty wild years together and now just want a quiet life sharing their favorite flowers with people.

[grunehexe]

Though it's a suburb, does Woodhurst have a bus system/public transport? Or do characters who can't drive need to call a cab or hoof it?

(frozen comment)

[forcevisions]

NAME: O'Flannery Auto
DESCRIPTION: O'Flannery is an old man now whose mostly family-run auto repair shop gets most of its custom from lifetime patrons of the business who remember when his sons, who now work as mechanics, were still standing on stools to see over the counter and taking payment. None of them have any official certification, but everyone trusts them. The shop itself is a little bit run-down with a sign that's been repaired so many times it should have just been replaced (currently missing the "NE" in "O'FLANNERY") and the concrete floors are permanently greased. Still, the two hydraulic lifts always have cars on them.

[strictdiscipline]

helloooooooo i have a quick q:

is the bristol virus limited to humans only or can animals also get infected (with either the same strain or something slightly different)?

[futurologists]

Woodhurst does indeed have a bus system! It is very unreliable, however -- either the bus is early by 2 minutes so that a character just misses it, or it's late by 10 minutes on the exact day the heavens decide to open up and unleash a torrent of rain.

[futurologists]

As stated here, the virus only affects sapient species so animals will be unable to acquire the virus. They can still get bitten, however.

[grunehexe]

Thanks, mods!

TIME FOR SOME CRASH COURSES IN DRIVER'S ED

[racking]

if i wanted to have part of shiro's cover be that he's a graduate student, would it be feasible to assume there's a wakefield university nearby?

[futurologists]

A player has already added a Woodhurst university to the map, but if Shiro is willing to pull off the commute every day, he could certainly attend the more prestigious Wakefield College in the big city.

(Please add any new locations to the suggestions thread if you do end up going that route!)

(frozen comment)

[twinkle_toes]

NAME: East Woodhurst Middle School
DESCRIPTION: Your standard middle school, complete with soccer field, endless rows of identical lockers, and a crappy cafeteria lunch menu*. The fire alarm goes off often enough that rumors of a ghost haunting have started to spread, but honestly it's probably just a bunch of dumb kids trying to avoid tests.

*Walking tacos are served every Tuesday.

(frozen comment)

[longtempered]

NAME: East Woodhurst Elementary
DESCRIPTION: Your similarly standard elementary school housing grades K-5, located only a few blocks away from East Woodhurst Middle School. Features the usual elementary school things, including a playground with all the too-small plastic slides you could ever want associated facilities, a gymnasium building that doubles as an auditorium, and an on-campus library with books for the appropriate grade levels and a Scholastic Book Fair at certain times of the year. The fire alarms almost never go off unless it's drill day, but the lawn sprinklers tend to come on randomly at highly unexpected times of day (right as you're walking down the sidewalk in a particularly nice pair of pants, usually). Potential culprits haven't been found yet, though ghosts are insistently ruled out by staff.

(frozen comment)

[iomnic]

youre welcome

(frozen comment)

[feytality]

NAME: Pew Pew, Laserboom
DESCRIPTION: A laser tag establishment with way too many fog machines, a deep space set up + theme + arcade in the main area. People can sign up for team battles, free-for-all, or various challengers.

NAME: Oakea
DESCRIPTION: A huge, very popular furniture warehouse, complete with showrooms, a ball pit for the kids, and i mini-restaurant. There's a regular catalogue mailed out to everyone!