#✧ event : alternate allegory

[isolaradiale]

November was perhaps the most frustrating time of the year for Ofiuco. The Stars were always running maintenance on the island's functionality, making sure that even in a worst case scenario there would still be systems to fall back on if things went wrong outside of their own plans. It didn't happen often, but sometimes things slipped in that they didn't intend on.

But every November the Stars performed a big backup of the island's data. It was a lot of work, and involved pausing the city altogether so that the citizens that lived there had no idea that anything was amiss. That day, in this year's case November 8th, would feel like it had happened to them. Even though it actually hadn't.

"Why does this always fall on me to do? It's boring..." Ofiuco knew the reason. Her main body had evolved past her original schematics, but her robot body within the island's setting had all of the tools installed to make the data backup easier. None of the other Stars were allowed to touch that body since it was an extension of herself.

Ofiuco wasn't focused on the task at hand like she should have been though, so she didn't notice that she had accidentally hit the wrong button. "OOPS!?" At least until it was too late. Just like that, everyone's data in the city had been wiped. "...Good thing this is why we have backups in the first place." Everyone in the city was reconstructed from that backup, but something was wrong. Something that Ofiuco didn't catch at all.

All of the character data had been reinstated but it was jumbled. Characters were recreated as if they came from different worlds altogether, which would lead to a crisis that only some were able to realize. But how long would it take for the Stars to notice?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

Welcome to our last new event of 2024, ALTERNATIVE ALLEGORY!

Ofiuco made a little oopsie that slipped past her radar and accidentally deleted everyone's character data during the yearly big backup. Good thing she had the previous day's basic backup to reinstate them!

But something corrupted the backup, and while all of the characters were reinstated, all of the data has been jumbled up.

Because of this, the characters have been recreated as if they were from different worlds altogether.

Think of this as a chance to design an AU for your character, like Lloyd Irving from Tales of Symphonia as if he were an Ace Attorney character, for example!

All threads must be set on November 9th or later. The characters will believe they lived through November 8th, but the city was in maintenance mode on that day and wasn't actually active!

This event will run until 11:59:59PM EST on Friday, November 29th!

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR DESIGNING OUR CHARACTER'S AU?

You can pick any series from the masterlist to design an AU version of your character from! You only require mun permission if you're using an original character's world instead. You cannot use a series that is not on our masterlist.

You can design an entire backstory for that character as if they're from that world, however you must abide by our fandom OC policies. This means you cannot give them direct ties to any characters from that canon.

Similarly, you can give them powers or change their appearances according to the setting but must abide by our fandom OC policies regarding what is or what isn't acceptable. That means you can't give them any powers that rival or surpass the main characters. Powers are uncapped for this event so this isn't too limiting.

You aren't required to AU your character if you don't want to! That said, if you want participation for this event you will need to write with someone who is AUed.

Whether your character realizes they have been AUed and remember their original canon or not is up to you! Do whatever you think works better for what you plan!

You can change your character's AU if you'd like! You're not bound to one for the whole event, you can have several!

To make it easier for others to keep track of what you've done, we recommend making a post describing the AU and everything that has changed.

If you have any questions about the event, please send them to the masterlist! We will not be answering them in the Discord server so that everyone can see the answers!

[gaiaspoken]

Even as she went through her usual morning and afternoon routines, she couldn't shake her weird restless feeling since waking up. Something about this entire day had felt…off, but there weren't any signs of why. As she does her best to keep busy, a text from Keigo saying that he'd be stopping by earlier than usual leaves her feeling a little confused, but it's not entirely uncommon, so it's easily brushed off. As she hears the front door open and she goes to greet him though, she's met with a strange sight.

The unfamiliar visage of a stranger greets her but on instinct, she ducks behind a wall before she's seen entirely.

"Aerith, you there?" he calls for her, and the voice is familiar at least. But as she peaks her head around the corner to further examine him, it's clear that he isn't someone that she knows. He looked more akin to a bird than anything. Much more bird than man, she'd say. Deciding that she can't keep hiding forever, a hand reaches for the frying pan on the stove before she shows herself, the pan pointed toward him threateningly.

"Whoever you are, my boyfriend is on the way and then you're gonna have to deal with both of us."

@wingherc

[wiseoldmage]

ALTERNATIVE ALLEGORY Elminster awoke with the usual pain in his body but before he'd even opened his eyes he knew something was different. He could still remember the struggles of his rich life in Faerûn, but it was like something had invaded those memories like ink spreading to more paper than it should have. He could remember old companions and friends, the Weave, Mystra, the mighty Aumar name... But what was this about a hero with mouse ears? Mickey... Mickey Mouse was his name. His old apprentice. A troublemaker if there ever was one, but one pure of heart. Looking around the room, he now saw everything in a different light- magic was still the Weave, but it was also... light. Light and goodness, hope. Elminster had only ever seen the Weave and its endless bounds, but now he saw that magic could be in all things. More importantly? He knew that it had to be protected from those that did not understand.

((Yenminster lives! Consider this a starter call for this AU, and for now I'll cap it at 3!))

[thegreatfraud]

@salfxsher

" *COSMIC PROFANITY* BOSS! THIS IS THE SEVENTH TIME THIS WEEK. IT HAVEN'T BEEN FUNNY YOU TELEPORTED ME TO THAT SNOWY PLANET WHILE I WAS IN THE BEACH."

Huey of the Mask fool who was just taking a dump in the rest room suddenly open the door and....he not in the Luofu anymore.

Since mask fool don't really do space ships....their form of interstellar travel what the funniest for Aha at the moment.

Shit he in.......someone apartment? The owner just happen to open the door to his apartment as Huey immiedatly take out his ID. Yes he have a gun? But he haven't been a mask fool long enough to be THAT psychotic.

It's nothing on it. But one of the FEW blessing of Aha is lies and bs. If the target isn't in immediate high alert and believe him enough. They see whatever they wanna see on the paper.

"Huey Makoto Ponzi. I am....the plumber for the building. There was reports of leaking pipes?"

[ostentumm]

@lethalitisms

Someone Oliver recognizes, but then...there's this strange feeling of no, I've never met this person in my life. Large mutant hand clutches tightly onto the railing he's sat on. He doesn't mean to grab it so tight, but...

515--no, Oliver is still learning. He's still learning the ropes of the world OUTSIDE. He's really taken a step out and into a whole new world.

Hope the man below doesn't mind being WATCHED.

[sunliteve]

"Did you enjoy the performance?"

For some time the restaurant had been filled with the lovely sound of the piano beneath Hiyori's fingers. A few moments before, it had fallen back into the murmur of indistinct conversations. He was speaking to someone just off the low stage — well-dressed, distinguished, and the most attentive.

"If you have any skill, I would be happy to let you take over," he suggested with a smile, lightly patting the open space on the bench he sat upon.

@allswell

[starlightdive]

@darkenforcer

"Yuri? Got a moment?" Lilli pokes her head through the door, offering a small smile. They'd been coworkers for a while, but...

"Sorry to pester you about law when you're off the clock, but I wanted to ask about how we would document something like, say... a monster attack," she puts a hand on her hip. "We can't exactly press charges on a Polwiggle or a Stone Golem, you know." Not that she's seen too many monsters of these types here in Spirale... but she's sure there's some sort of monsters to worry about. There always are.

And Lilli knows how the agency is about paperwork... if and when something like that happens, she'd rather know ahead of time.

"Would it count as an animal attack? I'm not seeing an option for monsters on the forms..."

[innerbeast]

ironic, was it not? to be welcomed within a house of the lord. no resistance to keep the beast at bay upon his first step through open doors, no means of banishment for the sins draped heavily upon shoulders that carried their burden willingly. but of course, why would their be? He was always so gracious, was He not? so forgiving towards light-blessed children -- even should they bare their teeth against Him.

there was always room for change, right? to right ones wrongs.

oh, he could almost laugh at that. for what was there to change when it was that holy spark that drew him in? when it was the very want to seek it out and douse that dazzling fire with his own hands? such a want only grew as each step drew him closer, with every pew that passed him by and, of course --

with the growing sight of an angel most familiar. an abomination this city has done well to acquaint him with time and time again, familiarizing him with that which he despised.

( but loathe him as he may, why does this feel ... wrong? )

"of course it would be you."

agitation guides a partially barbed tail, barely scraping against a pew with a swift flick. the angel before him -- his face alone was enough to bring dar'khol's blood to a rolling simmer, memories shared from events prior still souring the name that came to mind along with it.

( why does this anger feel new? )

"who else would reserve a place to admire a man of false hopes, after all. have you nothing better to be doing? a seraph to be lying to, or something -- that's all you lot do, really."

@hollowfaith

[grymfared]

@wshingwells

Raven's the first one to notice the druid- the tressym's ears perking up at a sound and her little claws digging into Malchior's leg as a way to get his attention- because he was often lost in thought, reading that tome left behind. It hurts you, the tome, she says, it makes your emotions dark, it makes your magic dark- but I think there's a little bit of light about to walk into your life. At this, he looks up, taking note of the girl who had found her way to a spot he'd unofficially chosen as his 'thinking spot'.

The tadpole stirred ever so slightly. A survivor.

Raven was right; reading Rorek's grimoire hurt him, it filled him with anger and pain- because he wanted Rorek to survive. In his desperation to keep any part of the wizard with him, he'd consumed a second illithid tadpole- Rorek's tadpole managed to calm that spike of anger, because in the end, he was glad to see someone else who had survived that absolute hell. ❝ It looks like there's more of us than i thought- ❞

❝ I ... didn't see you on the Nautiloid, but ... ❞ Somehow, she had acquired an illithid tadpole, too. It seemed she was also offered some form of protection. Malchior was no fool- he'd learned enough in his studies with Rorek about the nature of ceremorphosis. At most, the process took a week- an agonizing thing ... but she looked as if she'd survived more than that- so what else could he assume? ❝ It's good to see you ... er ... symptom free. ❞

Raven had jumped off of Malchior's lap and had chosen to stretch her wings, her front paws extended and her back arched before she stared at the paladin. Manners, Mal. You should introduce yourself. ❝ Right, my name is Malchior. I'm a paladin hailing from Baldur's Gate. Sorry- I know this must seem a rather peculiar encounter ... ❞

[ellysiland]

lore—ley was being dragged around by MANTY again but honestly?? the hydro—allogene didn't care. MANTY seemed happy with whatever it was doing, seemed excited to drag her somewhere. and who was she to stop them?? ⁽ probably, as a creature tied to her sinner powers, it knew that it wasn't meant to be here at this moment and was making up for time lost ⁾ ❝ manty, slow down!! wherever you want me to go, will still be there. you shouldn't rush!! ❞

flickers of feelings, of emojis flashed through her mind, a response from the manta—ray ⁽ glee urgency fun fun puppy now ⁾ which caused the girl to laugh. where did the puppy come from?? was it cabbage?? ❝ oh wait, manty!! ❞ shoot, with her mind set to deciphering her companion's messages, lore—ley almost missed it slamming it's body against @lethalitisms , dousing the poor man in water.

[impinged]

ALTERNATIVE ALLEGORY -- oh- oh stars we bungled it oh no it's all broken it's failing it's rot—

[slaps siffrin on the back] this lad can fit so many AUs in 'em! :)c

instead of being from one particular AU siffrin is... fragmented. he can sorta sense every 'alternative' version of himself at once and it's only kind of haunting him in a very messed up and not very cool way.

they do not have a good grasp on which 'version' of himself is 'real' or 'the right one'. the various AU'd selves he can recall become more corporeal and take over as the "physical" self the more he focuses on a specific one.

granted, his AU'd selves are all very bare-bones, since he has a very limited understanding of himself and his backstory anyhow, so most of them are a simple cosmetic change. (me when i can only remember my tragic backstory in pieces because basically my entire country's existence was wiped from almost the entire world's collective consciousness including my own. uh i mean. it's tuesday. sparkle medium. start remembering!)

so anyway. he's kind of... everything? almost all at once? they have no idea what's happening and even though it freaks them out he is totally pretending it's normal (and is totally doing a good job at that. don't worry about it. just trust him.)

basically: they can sorta leech off anyone else's AU'd version, as they figure that it must be where he's from too... even if there are [glances at ml] um... a couple siffrins plaguing his brain at one time. surely one of them has to be real though, right? right??!?! he'll figure it out. probably.

but if he's ever not certain of what AU to 'be', he is just hobbling around like a person who is clearly silently being tormented by oh so many ghosts. so, y'know, totally normal looking and unassuming. they are really good at hiding their horrendous mental health. for sure. 100%. please help him.

if you need something consistent though: no matter what 'AU' his current self is, siffrin will always be inexplicably homesick for a place he could not properly describe to you even if he wanted to.

[wingherc]

@beforemeteor

｢𓆄｣ "It's strange." Sephiroth looked like a guy who would listen to idle chatter and yapping, so, of course he was the Rito's target! "I'm used to such an expansive sea that I would only be grounded for moments at a time." As for emphasis, he kicked his little bird feet up.

"But there's so much land here in comparison that it feels like there's a restaurant on every block. How's a guy supposed to try it all!" The street vendors so far were his favorite, it was a quick means to get a snack and then back in the air!

"You got any faves here, yet? I'd love to hear recs from other locals."

[darkenforcer]

@innerbeast

"don't you guys have anything better to do? trial's over. i did the best i could." honestly... as if they'd expected their dolt of a leader to get off with a light warning. desperate for cash or not, you can't just go around robbing people in broad daylight, for crying out loud! paid him up front expecting a miracle, seems like.

"'best ya could'!? landin' our boss behind bars isn't what we paid for, ya hack!" one of the burlier lugs up front snarls with a curl of his hammy fists, "if we woulda known, we wouldn'ta spent a single dust on your sorry ass!"

oh, so a reduced sentence means nothing? what happened to beggars can't be choosers?

yuri sighs, irritation festering; a glare peeks through dark bangs. "how about you turn around and spend what's left of it on his bail, then?" (also reduced, might he add), "i won't even charge you for the legal advice. aren't i charitable?"

"why, you little--" the big guy charges and...!

BLAM!! briefcase, meet face!

before another snarky quip can leave his snarky lips, though, an unseen assailant leaps in from behind, hooks beneath his arms, and lifts him into the air! "wh-- hey!" yuri struggles, kicking his legs to no avail.

"urgh--! let go, damn it!!"

[mortememoria]

ALTERNATIVE ALLEGORY -- { pkmn au }

originally from the hoenn region, he was brought to sinnoh under a business compromise resulting in his role as a gym leader under the name schwann. after ten strong years, however, he's clocked himself into retirement!

upon retiring, he'd taken the liberty of addressing himself under the name "raven", along with a more casual style of dress and persona, to attempt to cover his tracks and go about his life a little more peacefully.

but, having created such a reputation, it's difficult to avoid a battle now and again from a strong-eyed trainer that (unfortuntely) recognizes him. despite his complaints, he never does turn down a battle, though.

although he originally held a team of six, he carries with him only his three closest companions! a ditto, wigglytuff, and the ace of his team, a shiny altaria!

however, he's most commonly seen with his ditto -- a funky lil' fella that will often aid raven in sticky situations with its ability to transform, taking the appearance of its master more often than not.

his wigglytuff also takes the liberty of escaping her pokeball every so often to keep raven in line. his flirtatious behavior is nothing a good double slap can't fix!

speaking of pokeballs -- all three pokemon are stored in love balls!

as an aside, raven is very much aware his background has been altered, but he willingly plays ignorant. a good 'what if' for him to play out despite, unfortunately, knowing better.

[ultimatelifefcrm]

@hammertarot

"Amy." Well, the way his voice cut through the white noise of the idle passerbys and traffic was hardly friendly, he wasn't here seeking anything malicious. Actually, quite the opposite. Despite the fact she'd been in and out of Spirale like he had, there was something to be said about how neither of them let despair take them in its inevitable hold.

Maybe they'd find a way to beat it. But, that was hopeful thinking, and maybe impossible, but the idea was enough to stave off any grief that could threaten to take hold of either of them.

"Where are you going? I'll walk with you.." Despite his disdain for other magical girls (for more than obvious reasons), it was possible to crack through his fortified walls it seemed. And, those whom did manage to break through, though unspoken in his devout loyalty, would at least be able to see it.

While he didn't make for chatty company, he was always more than willing to be an ear for those who earned it. So, if there was something she had wanted to yap about, this was the best outlet for that!

[deathreversed]

@witchoftrinity

Something is happening in the city again. Nier isn't completely sure of what's it is, exactly, but she can tell by the buzz of uncertainty that hangs in the air that something is off. Standing in one of Archimedes' busy streets, she looks around. Names, faces, people, they're all similar, but... Not quite the same. She can't put her finger on it, no matter how many memory files she digs through.

Or has something changed with her? Nier looks down at her hands, which are still silvery metal. She feels her face, with her glassy visor and the warmth of her CPU beneath it. Her hair is still long and black, in her chest beats a bio-mechanical core, her eyes are still red- everything is as it should be.

Nier breathes a simulated sigh of relief. Whatever's happening, it doesn't seem to affecting her, thank goodness. For now, she can just do what she always does, and wait for it to wind down. Spotting a familiar profile on the other side of the road, another wave of relief washes over her. Mika looks the same, so perhaps she was also able to escape the influence of whatever's going on.

"A-ah, M-Mika! Over here- e-excuse me..." Being so short in a city of humans has its disadvantages at times, and Nier squeezes through the crowd. She finally emerges in front of the other girl, straightening her clothes.

"Sorry for calling to you out of the blue. I know we didn't have any plans, but today just feels... off. I'm not sure how to describe it..." She wrings her hands, feeling... shy? Embarrassed? She's not totally sure. "Would you mind if we spent some time together? I think it would help calm my nerves..."