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đź“ş SETTING
LOCATIONS
Serling is an All American town located in a nondescript region of the United States. It's the perfect, peaceful, restful place, where residents can slow down and live their life to full measure. In Serling, you can find all amenities fitted with the latest, modern technology. Everyone is happy and lucky to be here. Why would you want to leave?
For now, here are some basic locations that can be found. I'll update as more locations become relevant. If you would like to request a location or investigate a location please message me on plurk or discord so we can expand on things!
Located smack-dab in the middle of town, you can find anything on Main Street. The street is lined with boutiques, flower shops, appliance stores, offices, and all the things one would expect to find in a modern town! The locals are all happy and perfect, model citizens. Interestingly, there are no children under the age of 12…
Notable landmarks include,
The City Hall is right in the center of everything. It is a large, modern stone building. Upon entering, you will find a reception area and a map that tells you where to find whatever department or official you're looking for. However, once you set out to find those actual places, you'll find that the halls twist and turn and become almost labyrinth-like. The chances of you finding something are slim to none. Everything feels infinite and before you know it, you'll circle back around to the reception area. Regardless of the time, you entered or how long it feels like you've been wandering around, it will suddenly be 5PM and time for everything to close.
The Drugstore where you can buy groceries and household goods. It's also a popular hang out spot for locals. Adults gather at the diner counter for coffee and fast meals. The local youths like to buy candy, soda, and floats. Interestingly, as convenient and popular as it is, it doesn't seem to have a name. It is simply called "the Drugstore."
Mr. D's Diner is easily recognizable after hours by their bright, neon lights. Popular with all ages, one can get delicious all-American burgers, hot dogs, pies, sundaes, shakes, floats, and sodas. The adults can even enjoy some fancy cocktails and beer on tap. In the afternoon, one can hear the rock and roll of youths from the jukebox but once evening hits and the families begin to gather, the mood mellows out. Many locals fondly remember it as one of their first part-time jobs.
Serling Public Library is a modest library. There are plenty of books and in theory, you can find magazines and newspapers but the latest publishing date is 1959. You can find all types of books ranging from fiction, history, science, and more. All publications line up with what one would expect to find up to 1959. Interestingly, you won't find many books on Serling's local history. It looks like the municipality was established around 1950 when several small towns were combined to make Serling. Anything before that is missing.
The Police Station located near city hall. It is divided into two main sections: The first section consists of a front desk and an open office where the officers do all of their deskwork. In the back is a private office for the police chief. The second section consists of interrogation rooms and then a jail/holding cell area. Not a lot of crimes happen in Serling so it doesn't look like the area gets much use but you never know! There are also rooms for records, evidence, and general storage but trying to find anything specific will result in the same lost/wandering feeling one experiences in city hall.
Dusky Cocktail Lounge and Bar for adults (21+) only! ♡ In the afternoon, this small and cramped little lounge serves lunch and serves as a place for businessmen and politicians to get friendly and make whatever deal is set to benefit them next. It closes for a couple of hours and reopens again for dinner time in the evening. In the early evening hours, it's a popular place for young couples to gather for a drink and a nice conversation that might lead to something more. As the hours get later, the back corners begin to fill with smoke from the cigarettes and pipes of businessmen and city officials. Who knows what really goes on in those conversations. The lounge stays open until late, closing at 2AM and doesn't open again until the next afternoon.
Tuesdays are ladies night and Thursdays are couples night! The target audience can get a free drink. Despite how fancy the meals are, they're pretty mediocre.
Other Landmarks might include a fire station, courthouse, miscellaneous boutiques, and anything else one can feasibly imagine in a popular downtown area. Some locations might even seem to appear and disappear suddenly depending on ??? factors.
Serling has one school: A combined junior and senior high school.
Don Parks Junior and Senior High School for grades 7-12. In general, most students are age 13 or older. According to the locals, it used to teach students of all ages as from kindergarten to high school but due to population, it split up to become more manageable… and yet, there is no elementary school in town.
Despite everyone citing population growth as the reason for the school splitting and everyone saying Serling is the perfect town for families, there aren't any children younger than the age of 12. Characters younger than 12 will somehow end up enrolled at Don Parks regardless of their age. They will not be able to move onto the next year until they reach the appropriate age. Weird!?
The mascot is a black bear. The school colors are blue and gold.
Each house has a garage and inside is a 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in your favorite color and even two bikes for the kids!
Every home is fitted with the latest modern appliances— an oven, a television, a radio, refrigerator and freezer, washer machine, and so on. The latest models are from 1959. The only thing you really have to worry about is restocking things like food and other household supplies.
Interestingly, while there are other streets with houses, player characters all seem to live on the same street: Maple Street. It also looks like… there aren't any other neighborhoods in the town either. Huh!
Serling General hospital can be found on the east side of town. It is a large, modern building with several floors. In general, it can handle most treatments but there might be a few things that require referral to the "city hospital" outside of town... where ever that is. Despite the fact that you're usually the only one in the waiting areas and no one else seems to really be around, it takes a while to be seen by any sort of nurse or doctor. The halls of the hospital seem to have the same labyrinth effect the police station and city hall have.
It is open 24/7.
The houses and buildings will begin to thin out as you leave suburbia. Just before you leave, you'll hit the Serling limits, you'll see an old gas station at the very edge. It's self-service, the prices are cheap, and you can buy last-minute items for your road trip at the convenience store inside. It is not 24/7 so plan accordingly! It opens at 5AM and closes at midnight.
Keep driving past the gas station and you'll hit a long, desert road that keeps going and going... until you see the exact same gas station and find yourself driving back into Serling.
The gas station in the north and south are exactly the same.
For now, here are some basic locations that can be found. I'll update as more locations become relevant. If you would like to request a location or investigate a location please message me on plurk or discord so we can expand on things!
MAIN STREET
REFERENCES.Located smack-dab in the middle of town, you can find anything on Main Street. The street is lined with boutiques, flower shops, appliance stores, offices, and all the things one would expect to find in a modern town! The locals are all happy and perfect, model citizens. Interestingly, there are no children under the age of 12…
Notable landmarks include,
The City Hall is right in the center of everything. It is a large, modern stone building. Upon entering, you will find a reception area and a map that tells you where to find whatever department or official you're looking for. However, once you set out to find those actual places, you'll find that the halls twist and turn and become almost labyrinth-like. The chances of you finding something are slim to none. Everything feels infinite and before you know it, you'll circle back around to the reception area. Regardless of the time, you entered or how long it feels like you've been wandering around, it will suddenly be 5PM and time for everything to close.
The Drugstore where you can buy groceries and household goods. It's also a popular hang out spot for locals. Adults gather at the diner counter for coffee and fast meals. The local youths like to buy candy, soda, and floats. Interestingly, as convenient and popular as it is, it doesn't seem to have a name. It is simply called "the Drugstore."
Mr. D's Diner is easily recognizable after hours by their bright, neon lights. Popular with all ages, one can get delicious all-American burgers, hot dogs, pies, sundaes, shakes, floats, and sodas. The adults can even enjoy some fancy cocktails and beer on tap. In the afternoon, one can hear the rock and roll of youths from the jukebox but once evening hits and the families begin to gather, the mood mellows out. Many locals fondly remember it as one of their first part-time jobs.
Serling Public Library is a modest library. There are plenty of books and in theory, you can find magazines and newspapers but the latest publishing date is 1959. You can find all types of books ranging from fiction, history, science, and more. All publications line up with what one would expect to find up to 1959. Interestingly, you won't find many books on Serling's local history. It looks like the municipality was established around 1950 when several small towns were combined to make Serling. Anything before that is missing.
The Police Station located near city hall. It is divided into two main sections: The first section consists of a front desk and an open office where the officers do all of their deskwork. In the back is a private office for the police chief. The second section consists of interrogation rooms and then a jail/holding cell area. Not a lot of crimes happen in Serling so it doesn't look like the area gets much use but you never know! There are also rooms for records, evidence, and general storage but trying to find anything specific will result in the same lost/wandering feeling one experiences in city hall.
Dusky Cocktail Lounge and Bar for adults (21+) only! ♡ In the afternoon, this small and cramped little lounge serves lunch and serves as a place for businessmen and politicians to get friendly and make whatever deal is set to benefit them next. It closes for a couple of hours and reopens again for dinner time in the evening. In the early evening hours, it's a popular place for young couples to gather for a drink and a nice conversation that might lead to something more. As the hours get later, the back corners begin to fill with smoke from the cigarettes and pipes of businessmen and city officials. Who knows what really goes on in those conversations. The lounge stays open until late, closing at 2AM and doesn't open again until the next afternoon.
Tuesdays are ladies night and Thursdays are couples night! The target audience can get a free drink. Despite how fancy the meals are, they're pretty mediocre.
Other Landmarks might include a fire station, courthouse, miscellaneous boutiques, and anything else one can feasibly imagine in a popular downtown area. Some locations might even seem to appear and disappear suddenly depending on ??? factors.
DON PARKS JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH
REFERENCES.Serling has one school: A combined junior and senior high school.
Don Parks Junior and Senior High School for grades 7-12. In general, most students are age 13 or older. According to the locals, it used to teach students of all ages as from kindergarten to high school but due to population, it split up to become more manageable… and yet, there is no elementary school in town.
Despite everyone citing population growth as the reason for the school splitting and everyone saying Serling is the perfect town for families, there aren't any children younger than the age of 12. Characters younger than 12 will somehow end up enrolled at Don Parks regardless of their age. They will not be able to move onto the next year until they reach the appropriate age. Weird!?
The mascot is a black bear. The school colors are blue and gold.
BEAVER WOOD
The premier neighborhood in Serling. Every house is model perfect— two story homes, a large front lawn and a fenced backyard perfect for family gatherings. With a living room, kitchen, dining room, two bed rooms, a master bedroom, and two bathrooms, a family of four can live here comfortably. Each house has a garage and inside is a 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in your favorite color and even two bikes for the kids!
Every home is fitted with the latest modern appliances— an oven, a television, a radio, refrigerator and freezer, washer machine, and so on. The latest models are from 1959. The only thing you really have to worry about is restocking things like food and other household supplies.
Interestingly, while there are other streets with houses, player characters all seem to live on the same street: Maple Street. It also looks like… there aren't any other neighborhoods in the town either. Huh!
SERLING GENERAL HOSPITAL
REFERENCES..Serling General hospital can be found on the east side of town. It is a large, modern building with several floors. In general, it can handle most treatments but there might be a few things that require referral to the "city hospital" outside of town... where ever that is. Despite the fact that you're usually the only one in the waiting areas and no one else seems to really be around, it takes a while to be seen by any sort of nurse or doctor. The halls of the hospital seem to have the same labyrinth effect the police station and city hall have.
It is open 24/7.
THE GAS STATION
There is the main road that runs through Serling from north to south. The houses and buildings will begin to thin out as you leave suburbia. Just before you leave, you'll hit the Serling limits, you'll see an old gas station at the very edge. It's self-service, the prices are cheap, and you can buy last-minute items for your road trip at the convenience store inside. It is not 24/7 so plan accordingly! It opens at 5AM and closes at midnight.
Keep driving past the gas station and you'll hit a long, desert road that keeps going and going... until you see the exact same gas station and find yourself driving back into Serling.
The gas station in the north and south are exactly the same.
SERLING?
While everyone settles into their perfect lives in perfect Serling, there is another side to this perfect town. This place is a mirror image of Serling in every way except for one: There are no people.
While you are here, you will find yourselves in with whatever was on your person but most importantly, you will also have all of your powers and abilities here… but with some catches.
A. Characters with that have special powers or abilities— magic, unnatural strength, and the like— will feel a sense of growing discomfort. There's a ringing in your ears, your head feels stuffy, your nerves feel on edge, and your body just feels heavy. In some ways, it feels like you're beginning to come down with a cold without actually getting sick. Using your powers/abilities will make you feel worse.
B. Characters that are not human will begin to feel uncomfortable in their own bodies. Your skin crawls and you can feel your hair stand on your neck. Your entire body begins to itch but no matter how much you scratch, you can never find exactly what spot is bothering your nor can you ever satisfy it. Even if you scratch yourself until you bleed, nothing stops it. The feeling never gets worse but it also never gets better.
C. As for characters that are completely ordinary? Totally human with no special abilities at all? You're fine! Completely and totally fine... and being around you seems to alleviate the negative feelings of those who are suffering ill effects. Aren't you so lucky to be normal? Everyone else would have it easier if they were normal, too.
The general idea is that you'll feel uncomfortable or disoriented in your own bodies for one reason or another. While these effects are largely mild, the longer you stay in this world, the worse the effects will become. Eventually, you'll begin to experience mood swings, extreme agitation, and increased paranoia.
Lastly, it's difficult to tell the time in this version of Serling. All clocks seem to work at different times; some clocks move faster, others move slower, and some don't move at all. Some clocks spin backward and some clocks might suddenly jump hours ahead in the blink of an eye. Machines that run on timers like microwaves or washer machines will also speed up or slow down at different intervals. While the sun shines, it never moves and it never gets darker or brighter.
All other electronics seem to work, the food never rots or goes bad, and while there is a layer of dust on everything, it never grows. Time just doesn't seem to work normally in this version of Serling and it's nearly impossible to tell how long you're really here...
While you are here, you will find yourselves in with whatever was on your person but most importantly, you will also have all of your powers and abilities here… but with some catches.
B. Characters that are not human will begin to feel uncomfortable in their own bodies. Your skin crawls and you can feel your hair stand on your neck. Your entire body begins to itch but no matter how much you scratch, you can never find exactly what spot is bothering your nor can you ever satisfy it. Even if you scratch yourself until you bleed, nothing stops it. The feeling never gets worse but it also never gets better.
C. As for characters that are completely ordinary? Totally human with no special abilities at all? You're fine! Completely and totally fine... and being around you seems to alleviate the negative feelings of those who are suffering ill effects. Aren't you so lucky to be normal? Everyone else would have it easier if they were normal, too.
The general idea is that you'll feel uncomfortable or disoriented in your own bodies for one reason or another. While these effects are largely mild, the longer you stay in this world, the worse the effects will become. Eventually, you'll begin to experience mood swings, extreme agitation, and increased paranoia.
Lastly, it's difficult to tell the time in this version of Serling. All clocks seem to work at different times; some clocks move faster, others move slower, and some don't move at all. Some clocks spin backward and some clocks might suddenly jump hours ahead in the blink of an eye. Machines that run on timers like microwaves or washer machines will also speed up or slow down at different intervals. While the sun shines, it never moves and it never gets darker or brighter.
All other electronics seem to work, the food never rots or goes bad, and while there is a layer of dust on everything, it never grows. Time just doesn't seem to work normally in this version of Serling and it's nearly impossible to tell how long you're really here...
NPCs
Serling is populated with… people! They’re called Serlingers. For the most part, they’re vapid, friendly, and cheerful people. They always smile and wave when they see you, they’re quick to have generic conversations, and they swear you’ve been in Serling for ages. At most, they might acknowledge you aren’t from around here but will insist that you moved here ages ago and are practically a local at this point.
While they are friendly and harmless in general, there are times when things are… off about them. Sometimes they’ll try to poison you with a smile on their face, oblivious to the fact that what they’re doing is causing harm. They might try to run you over with their cars and then act as nothing happened-- simply laughing at you to watch where you’re going. They have little regard for you or your feelings. They don’t even really care about themselves! If you try to kill them, you’ll find that they laugh and smile and act like this is totally normal and expected.
Serlingers do not have any extraordinary powers or super strength. They are ordinary people that can be injured like any ordinary person. They can be cut, they bleed, their bones break, and under most circumstances, they'll heal normally. Some of the police officers might have self-defense classes under their belt but otherwise, Serlingers are limited to what ordinary people can do and whatever they have around them to hurt others.
If you kill a Serlinger, their corpse just… stays there. It doesn’t rot or decay but it does begin to look unnatural. The skin becomes smooth and poreless and the faces become particularly artificial looking. Closer inspection reveals... the bodies have become life-sized and very realistic looking mannequins. The bodies stay exactly where you left them until one day, at the end of the week it just… disappears on trash day. After a few days, the NPC will suddenly return to town, unharmed, perfectly fine, and maybe with a few differences…
Because the Serlingers can evolve. The idea is that the NPCs want to appeal to you and for you to accept them. Over time, they will gradually evolve to appeal to you more. What does that mean? They might begin to style their hair like someone from your world. They might adopt some of their likes, hobbies, or mannerisms. While the NPC might have been generic and vapid before, they might evolve to become grumpy or serious to match someone you know. The changes are small, subtle, and meant to be uncanny… just enough for you to see what’s happening. In the end though, these NPCs are ordinary people and will never become the people you love. They won’t adopt anime hair colors, gain powers, and world-specific quirks will translate to ordinary ones. For example, NPC Edward Fullmetal Elric might develop an interest in tinkering but he’ll never become an actual alchemist.
The most dramatic thing that might happen is suddenly a male NPC becoming a female NPC or vice versa to appeal to you. Their hair or eye color might change to a (natural) color to match the person you like. They might even begin to speak with the exact same voice as the person they’re trying to emulate. The NPCs will always act like this is normal though and insist that they haven’t changed at all.
For those of you who have NPCs as family members, you can choose to replace them and not worry about them again or you can have them keep trying to come back home. NPC spouses will try to evolve to become more appealing spouses, NPC children will evolve to become more likable kids… how the change will vary for each character! NPC children might be well behaved or little rascals depending on your character’s preferences.
While they are friendly and harmless in general, there are times when things are… off about them. Sometimes they’ll try to poison you with a smile on their face, oblivious to the fact that what they’re doing is causing harm. They might try to run you over with their cars and then act as nothing happened-- simply laughing at you to watch where you’re going. They have little regard for you or your feelings. They don’t even really care about themselves! If you try to kill them, you’ll find that they laugh and smile and act like this is totally normal and expected.
Serlingers do not have any extraordinary powers or super strength. They are ordinary people that can be injured like any ordinary person. They can be cut, they bleed, their bones break, and under most circumstances, they'll heal normally. Some of the police officers might have self-defense classes under their belt but otherwise, Serlingers are limited to what ordinary people can do and whatever they have around them to hurt others.
If you kill a Serlinger, their corpse just… stays there. It doesn’t rot or decay but it does begin to look unnatural. The skin becomes smooth and poreless and the faces become particularly artificial looking. Closer inspection reveals... the bodies have become life-sized and very realistic looking mannequins. The bodies stay exactly where you left them until one day, at the end of the week it just… disappears on trash day. After a few days, the NPC will suddenly return to town, unharmed, perfectly fine, and maybe with a few differences…
Because the Serlingers can evolve. The idea is that the NPCs want to appeal to you and for you to accept them. Over time, they will gradually evolve to appeal to you more. What does that mean? They might begin to style their hair like someone from your world. They might adopt some of their likes, hobbies, or mannerisms. While the NPC might have been generic and vapid before, they might evolve to become grumpy or serious to match someone you know. The changes are small, subtle, and meant to be uncanny… just enough for you to see what’s happening. In the end though, these NPCs are ordinary people and will never become the people you love. They won’t adopt anime hair colors, gain powers, and world-specific quirks will translate to ordinary ones. For example, NPC Edward Fullmetal Elric might develop an interest in tinkering but he’ll never become an actual alchemist.
The most dramatic thing that might happen is suddenly a male NPC becoming a female NPC or vice versa to appeal to you. Their hair or eye color might change to a (natural) color to match the person you like. They might even begin to speak with the exact same voice as the person they’re trying to emulate. The NPCs will always act like this is normal though and insist that they haven’t changed at all.
For those of you who have NPCs as family members, you can choose to replace them and not worry about them again or you can have them keep trying to come back home. NPC spouses will try to evolve to become more appealing spouses, NPC children will evolve to become more likable kids… how the change will vary for each character! NPC children might be well behaved or little rascals depending on your character’s preferences.