EVENT ∞ PLOT POST — July 2025

[thediadem]

Event ∞ Plot Post

In the Flesh

Jump ⇅ :: Details — Mechanics — Plot Form

Summary

What's going on?

Across the diffusion zones, old mannequins appear sporadically. From a distance, they resemble hitchhikers. Characters that make contact with one or more mannequins in a diffusion zone will unwittingly bring these "hitchhikers" back to the city—where they take on a life of their own.

When is this happening?

July 6 - 20. To keep things simple, new arrivals on this month's TDM will not be affected. However, current characters can be dealing with their personal mannequins when tagging into new characters.

What should I know?

• While this will be your character's first cosmic storm, for others who've been on the Diadem longer, it'll be nothing new. A cosmic occurrence is defined as a storm when its influence penetrates the usually stable strongholds.
• Most cosmic storms can't be stopped or resolved, but storm chasers and other researchers often search for solutions regardless. Characters have the option to help out with theories.
• Mannequin appearances are sparse, and the impact is subtle. Some will say they've experienced a similar incident while others will claim they haven't noticed anything wrong.
• We'll have an Event Interaction comment on the Event Log. Reply there with a request for more details if you aren't sure about the outcome when engaging directly with a part of the setting (for example, if you need an answer to a question your character asks a victim or witness).

What does my character know?

• Storm chasers nickname the mannequins "hitchhikers."
• Characters might hear about the mannequins via rumors, but details will not be consistent. Use misinformation to set up your character's involvement in the event.
• Though the strongholds are largely protected from cosmic influences, they can't avoid being hit by storms.
• Even the storm chasers can't always describe the nature of every storm. Some experiences are impossible to put into words.
• There will be no warning before this storm hits.

∞ Links ∞

Travel — NPCs — Setting

Event Details

In this event, characters or others may make first contact with a mannequin (hitchhiker). You do not have to have your character make first contact. They can also participate by dealing with the impact these mannequins will have on the population. The storm can affect all fluxdrifts and fluxborn, not just player characters.

Characters are only required to incorporate the effects detailed below if they pick up a hitchhiker. Characters can also meet a mannequin without gaining a hitchhiker if the mannequin has chosen a different victim. While a mannequin will always latch onto someone at first contact, if more than one individual is present, it will pick someone at random. In other words, there are plenty of reasons why your character might avoid a hitchhiker of their own!

The mannequins won't be found everywhere. They're less of an open invasion and more of a subtle infestation. A portion of the population will go about their lives unaffected or feeling the effects only peripherally. Some might even believe that the mannequins aren't as serious as people say, dismissing stories as tall tales or lies. Others don't want anything to do with it lest they invite trouble to their doorstep.

First contact is defined as a character acknowledging the mannequin's existence in any way. Examples include looking at them, slowing down to see if they're really there, bumping into one accidentally in the dark, running one over, and so forth.

First contact applies to mannequins in the diffusion zones only. Once a mannequin "attaches" to an individual and follows the victim to a stronghold, others who come into contact with it will not be affected.

Mannequins (Hitchhikers)

The description below refers to the mannequins during a character's first contact. Their appearance and behavior will evolve over time. See Mechanics for those details.

• Their appearance is dull, muddy, and old. While typically flesh-colored, they can also be black, white, or any common mannequin color. They might be missing limbs, have cracks, or other damage. They are plastic.
• They won't move or speak (yet). They might disappear and reappear in a different location when no one's looking.
• They can be physically damaged and will display that damage like any inanimate object except for one key factor: if they fall over, they will stand upright again when no one's looking.
• Each individual must meet their own mannequin. This means if two or more characters are exploring a zone, there must be two or more separate encounters if you want both to have a hitchhiker. Alternatively, if they all run into just one, the mannequin will latch onto one person in the group randomly. Players are free to decide who the unfortunate person will be.
• Each individual can have only one hitchhiker. It will not be possible for multiple mannequins to latch onto a single person.
• Anyone can see them. They're neither invisible nor an illusion. Their form is solid and real.

Encounter Scenarios

We've summarized a few prompts for you. Full details will be available on the log. As always, you're not restricted to what we've given below. Feel free to make up your own diffusion zones, but be sure to check with us if you need clarification.

These zones will be further away from the city (travel time can be as far as 10 hours for one zone while the nearest is 3 hours away, which will be specified on the Event Log) so we encourage you to find reasons to get going on a road trip! If you need help in this aspect, you can ask us, as well.

• An abandoned mall filled with unusual shadow corpses and plenty of stores to "shop" in, including clothing stores featuring mannequins in the windows. The shadow figures will cause a psychological effect when touched. Reports of a missing girl might bring characters here.
• A small foggy town where a mannequin might abruptly appear in the middle of the road or in the field. They may resemble a person in danger from an unknown and unstoppable entity.
• An abandoned temple belonging to an unusual alien denomination. At first glance, it looks to be a fairly safe place to rest after a long drive, though characters will soon discover that it is a test of faith. Within the passageways, you might encounter a mannequin.

Related Incidents

Once the mannequins surface in the strongholds, more problems will arise including a doctor paying to perform amputations, a wanton act of arson that inadvertently cures some victims (though not without detriment), and more. We'll detail these items in both the Event Log and the Storm Report.

These scenarios serve two purposes: 1. for characters who are unaffected by the mannequins directly to engage with the event through other avenues; and 2. as a backdrop or a reason for how characters might come to know of the solutions outlined under Preventing or Reversing Effects. It is also acceptable if characters come to the conclusion on their own (through trial and error, by accident, or via theorizing), but if you need a catalyst for your character to move forward, you can consider engaging with the incidents detailed on the IC Log.

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Event Mechanics

After First Contact

Once a character makes first contact, the mannequin's behavior will change. Effects will begin slowly before evolving. You can choose how far each described element progresses and in what order. Hitchhiking is the only element you must incorporate if participating. The rest are optional. You can also decide whether the mannequin manages to entirely copy the character or not. Each individual will have one hitchhiker at most. There are no cases where someone will have two hitchhikers.

In all cases, the mannequin will retain an uncanny valley quality. Up close, it can't be mistaken for the real person, but from a distance or via other methods, it'll be enough to sow discord.

• Hitchhiking ∞ always occurs first (if gaining a hitchhiker). The mannequin will appear wherever the character goes. It will pop up in the backseat, show up in their room, wait in the closet, etc. Usually, this will happen in secluded areas, but not always. The mannequin might linger, or its appearance might be so quick no one but the person affected sees it. Any damage they receive will remain at this stage, meaning characters could have a head or a limb appear randomly in places rather than the whole mannequin.
• Assimilation ∞ optional (required for transformation and mimicry). The mannequin will start to absorb aspects of the individual it is attached to, such as voice, behavior, thoughts, appearance, and memories. Can include powers or abilities. At this stage, the mannequin will begin recovering from major damages such as any removed limbs.
• Transformation ∞ optional. As the mannequin continues to assimilate, the affected individual will begin to lose aspects of themselves, as though the mannequin has sucked it out of them. They might find a core memory slipping away. Their finger turns plastic while the mannequin gains a fleshy one. Their eye grows cloudy as the mannequin's face forms human features. Pain levels depend on how aggressive the assimilation is. It can range from mild discomfort to deep agony in the afflicted areas. Can include powers or abilities. At this stage, the mannequin will have recovered from all damages.
• Mimicry ∞ optional. The mannequin will mimic the individual, causing confusion and chaos. If its appearance remains unassimilated, it can make phone calls with the same voice, sign papers with an authentic-looking signature, and write a note with perfect handwriting. If it has absorbed significant physical features, it can perform troublesome acts that can result in mistaken identity, such as theft. It can also speak thoughts or reveal memories a character wouldn't want to be said.

The transformation effect does not need to be 1:1. A mannequin can closely mimic a character without the character losing all equal parts of themselves in exchange. One or two aspects lost can suffice. Choose what works best to make sure your character remains playable.

Preventing or Reversing Effects

Once assimilation begins, a mannequin will actively prevent the individual from acting against it. No matter how hard they try, they won't be able to, as though an invisible force is holding them back. As a result, characters will need to look for help from another fluxdrift. This includes if both characters are affected. As long as an individual is not acting against their specific hitchhiker, they can do anything they want to the others.

As noted above, the IC Log will contain Related Incidents that will help guide characters toward these solutions.

• Set on Fire. Melting the mannequin is the simplest way to stop the entire thing and reverse all effects immediately. In exchange, the victim will feel every agonizing moment, too, though they will not actually be physically harmed. It may not be the solution for everyone. Only the effects of fire can be felt by the victim. Other physical attacks will not have the same consequence.
• Remove the afflicted body part. Losing a stiff finger or scraping off a patch of plastic skin might not be the worst trade-off compared to turning to plastic. There's a high chance cleanly removed appendages can be reattached after the storm with no repercussions, if kept on ice. Past 96 hours, the possibility dwindles. The larger the limb, the less time you have, as well. A finger can be on ice for up to a week or more.
• Return to sender. Bring the mannequin back to the diffusion zone it appeared in and release it back into the wilds. This relies on the diffusion zone still being there, so acting quickly is key. Characters must put up with the mannequin's behavior throughout the trip, including cruel comments and physical attacks.
• Wait it out. If an individual is lucky enough to be afflicted later in the storm, once the storm blows over, the mannequins will disappear and the effects will reverse over 2-3 days. This will only work if the mannequin did not manage to complete its assimilation. A complete assimilation occurs when the mannequin looks nearly identical to you with only a few subtle uncanny effects, such as plasticky eyes or odd movements.

As an option, you may select an aspect that does not reverse. This is not required; however, if you'd like to make one of the effects permanent, feel free. The aspect should be minor, i.e. a small patch of plasticky skin or one small memory that doesn't return.

∞ Plot Form ∞

<b>Character:</b> <b>Canon:</b> <b>First Contact Scenario(s):</b> (What first contact ideas are you thinking of? If you don't plan on having a hitchhiker, you can answer by saying what diffusion zones you're interested in or if you want to be involved in somebody else making their first contact.) <b>Mannequin Scenario(s):</b> (What aspects or scenarios are you interested in regarding the mannequins? This includes if you want to be an unaffected individual helping someone else) <b>Other Plans:</b> (Anything else you want to do)

Questions? Ask here

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Comments

EVENT ∞ Questions

[thediadem]

Permissible Actions
Actions you may take without mod pre-approval:

• Have an encounter with a generic NPC's mannequin or use it to get out of trouble.
• Make up a storm chaser (who is not Felix) or other generic NPC that will provide the information needed for characters to progress their thread.
• Make up a generic NPC whose mannequin a character uses to test a risky theory. You may inflict suffering on this NPC and/or (accidentally or purposefully) kill them altogether. As always, be reasonable about the scenario and keep narrative consequences in mind.
• Engage with the diffusion zones but avoid attracting a hitchhiker. Not everyone will get their own hitchhiker! You are free to play in the event without being affected. Your character can be caught up in the chaos or help others instead.
• Control your mannequin to cause low-grade destruction or trouble. Destroying a store or starting a bar fight is okay! Please avoid leveling an entire neighborhood without talking to us first.

If anything is unclear, please ask!
This includes if you're having trouble gauging appropriate consequences or the limits of certain actions. We'd rather have you check with us first to be sure!

We encourage you to ask about the impact of unique abilities or other theories characters might try, but depending on what it is, we might ask you to wait for the Event Log before we answer.

[mechatheism]

this is just me asking for an opportunity to be a different flavor of horrible but can Viktor's mannequin take on the appearance of what he USED to look like

[thediadem]

Yes! If your character had another appearance that was significant to them, that would be possible.

[kitetsu]

if the mannequin imitates someone whose ability is weapon based, would they obtain/have their own, or somehow take the original? Zoro’s sword isn’t physically part of him, but it’s pretty central to his identity.

[thediadem]

They are not capable of mimicking objects; however, they can mysteriously steal the character's unique weapon and run off with it! This means Zoro would not have his sword anymore and would have to try and get it back.

[tolight]

hi mods! piggybacking off of this — Lucina's unique weapon is extra special, in that only she (& the rest of the royal family) can use it; for anyone else, the blades will mysteriously dull, and it turns into a fruit knife equivalent.

SO GIVEN THIS will her hypothetical mannequin be able to actually use her Falchion, causing her even more distress?

[hexcurse]

Do regular skills count as powers/abilities a mannequin can assimilate? Like say, you wanted your character's mannequin to run around stealing parts to build something weapon/bomb-like (items to self-destruct before completion so the mannequin not going around adding a bunch of ghost guns or handmade grenades to the setting)?

[thediadem]

Yes, it can absorb knowledge and skills in the same way it absorbs memories and mannerisms!

[faithfall]

Hello I'm sorry in advance for all these questions...

1. Adrian has a few spells he'll want to try even if they don't actually work, specifically Remove Curse & Dispel Magic - would it be reasonable for me to play with the effects of these spells? For example, Dispel Magic working only for a very short period of time (say, making the mannequin "dormant" for 5 minutes?) or even Remove Curse allowing the mannequin to be separated from someone only prior to assimilation, and only to immediately attach to another nearby victim? Seeing the effects would prevent him from using these more than once each but I thought it might be fun for prompts. Also very open to other ideas or nothing at all happening when he tries to use these!

2. He's gonna go try to find the components for an Identify spell out in the diffusion zones. Would he be able to get any interesting info from that? Again, totally fine if it's just a dud.

3. It might be too early to ask about this so if so just let me know I'm happy to wait but since there's a prompt for temple exploration and tests of faith... I've been kind of hand waving that Adrian's connection to his warlock patron is a bit unclear to him at the moment so he's not sure if something else has taken over his pact to allow him to still use magic in Diadem. Is that something he could get some ~vibes~ about in the temple? Are there any single eldritch deities looking for a warlock left in a box on the side of the road?

[thediadem]

1. Yes, this is completely fine!

2. The Identify spell would sort of "corrupt." You can interpret this effect however you want, but essentially, it would be comparable to when someone uses a tool to measure the threat level or components of an item and the measurements end up frying the tool itself.

3. The temple will be disconnected from how his warlock magic functions in the sense that he would not find anything that would answer the nature of his own patron. You may be able to clarify your question once you read the prompt itself, however, and are welcome to follow up!

[faithfall]

Sounds good, thank you!!

[catharses]

Hi mods! I'm also here with a few questions:

1) When first meeting the mannequins, do they have any sort of resonance to them? Sunday might be able to notice this since I was thinking of it happening through either mind reading or tuning from his specific powers. If it's just Bad Vibes for flavor rather than anything actionable that's excellent too.

2) Once the mannequin effects begin on a player character, is there anything additional he could sense about what's taking place? I'm mostly curious if the mannequin can be sensed as a separate being from the character at any stage as it absorbs their traits though especially once the effects intensify. If this would depend on what the other player intends to do I can plot that out with them first (and with permission) and come back with details at that time.

3) Sort of adjacent to both questions, are there any consequences for him attempting to use tuning on his mannequin or someone else's to remove the effects? OOCly I really want this to backfire rather than actually help/solve anything and was wondering if there might be any added bad effects which would come out of his attempts.

Thank you in advance!

[thediadem]

1. It would just be bad vibes in this case!

2. Yes, even physically, the mannequins will still retain an uncanny valley quality to them. They cannot be fully mistaken for that individual up close if the other person has the chance to examine them. This can apply on a spiritual level, too.

3. If Sunday attempts to tune or control the mannequins in any way, he will either cause the effects to worsen even faster. Additionally, he'll feel particularly ill or unsettled, as if he's touched a slimy black hole where someone's emotions should be. Whatever exists inside the mannequin, it does not have the same "moods" as people normally do.

[magike]

if rowena used magic on her mannequin after the transformation had happened (like just telekinetically throwing it somewhere), if it got "hurt", would she end up hurt also?

[thediadem]

Physical harm caused to the mannequin will not affect the individual outside of the cleansing fire! However, as we noted, characters cannot bring themselves to physically harm their own mannequin so she would not be able to throw it. Some unusual force would simply stop her.

[positivelyroomy]

Hey mods,

Say that John and Martin agree to take their respective mannequin back to the zone it came from once they've reached a troubling stage of assimilation... While neither of them would cause harm to the other (cough), does that extend to their mannequins, ie: would they retaliate in a manner atypical to the original out of some form of resistance to being dragged away from the city?

(Listen, it's a long car ride if your not!boyfriend decides to use his creepy eye powers to keep him from returning him to the great outdoors.)

Thank you for the delicious ...sadly canon typical nightmares. <3

[thediadem]

The mannequins can behave in ways that aren't entirely in line with the original versions! Their mimicry is primarily to cause trouble or confusion, but it's not strictly all they can do. This means they can fight back, resist, or spew disturbingly pointed insults from the memories they've inherited. The degree to which they're able to do this is up to player discretion. For example, while you can choose to have a mannequin absorb a character's passivity and refuse to fight back, you can also choose for it to not and allow it to remain uncharacteristically violent.

However, in either scenario, they will be limited to the "knowledge" or powers they absorb. In other words, a mannequin can struggle ferociously and be willing to kill, but can't suddenly have the combat skills of an expert assassin if their host is a librarian.

[primepool]

ok I have a really stupid question but I HAVE to ask it

There's basically an "AU" version of Wade (which is the original version of him in the movie canon before he got retconned) who gets Experimented On and gains swords in his arms (please do not ask) and Wade technically "killed" this AU/timeline version of himself, but still has a memory of him. Since it's technically "him," could the mannequin have this power?

ty I'm sorry marvel is like this

[thediadem]

For the rule of funny, we will allow it, but since the mannequin cannot physically absorb a power that isn't there, we recommend you circumvent this by having the mannequin simply steal two swords and shove it into its arms in a grotesque mimicry of this ability.

[decussate]

1. Due to Arlecchino's bloodfire curse, she continues to see afterimages of the people her flames consume in the form of memories, voices, silhouettes, etc. Can the mannequins count as "people" enough for them to stay with her after being burned, or are they more like objects in essence?

2. If a mannequin is burned pre-assimilation, will the affected character still feel the associated pain?

[thediadem]

1. For our purposes, they are more like objects; however, if you would like her to continue seeing them, it would be no problem if a few of the mannequins absorbed enough of an individual's "soul" to count as a person. In other words, she won't see all of the mannequins but the ones most fully assimilated can show up.

2. The character will not! The pain only occurs once that full connection is made. Pre-assimilation, harming the mannequin will simply cause them to continue to pop back up, undeterred. They will bear the marks of being burned but can't be rid of.

[littlemushroom]

Hello hello~ Not sure where I am going with this, but I've been mulling on some questions in case scenarios pop up.

1. Would anything happen if the mannequin was the one to get absorbed? Would it be different if it was a personal mannequin vs. someone else's?

2. On the flipside, An Zhe has the potential to negate effects. He is not aware of that though, so it'd be a 'stumble into it' scenario. That being said, it'd very much only work if plot allows, so would he have any effect? The initial thought was potentially minor reversals while assimilation is still in progress, or more likely negating any further transformations.

3. Do the mannequins change size to fit the form they are absorbing? Or do they just become human mannequin sized versions of the person/thing? is joel last of us going to have a bad time

Thank you!

[thediadem]

1. He might feel as if he has absorbed something he cannot physically contain. It will cause him undue distress (mentally or physically, of your choosing) until he eventually is forced to expel what he's absorbed.

2. Yes, this is possible for his own personal mannequin! You can play with this however you like.

3. We'll let you choose the option you think is most interesting!

[nashua]

Hey mods! Any chance these mannequins will ping as ghostly or ghost-adjacent?

[thediadem]

There is no ghost energy in the mannequins; however, we can signal that the mall option may have a number of ghosts for her to explore. You can consider sending her there if you'd like to play with her ghost abilities!

Once the Event Log is up, you can follow up with any further questions you have about that scenario.

Another option is that a ghostly spirit may cling to a mannequin if the person it absorbed is now dead. While not common, it would be possible to encounter one or two generic NPC mannequins that have this feature.