EGGMAN'S WORKSHOP OF HORRORS | OPEN

[reneggadetinkerer]

Who: Eggman and You
Status: Open
Where: A large warehouse complex on Eltrut
What: Eggman is bored and wants information on riftfarers. So he's challenging you with a Chaos Emerald powered Haunted House!
Warnings: Intense theatrics


[Eggman is certainly not the ‘Attend a Formal Gala with Friends’ type but that does not necessarily mean he’s not incapable of having fun. It’s just that the ‘fun’ in question has to be on his terms. In a space that he can fully control and exercise his will. What would be the point, otherwise?]

[And, given recent events, it has come to his attention that he is woefully under-performing in the reconnaissance department. This world is full of do-gooders with all kinds of special powers and abilities. Being able to properly prepare contingencies for when those more heroically inclined stepped up to put a damper on his fun was certainly an endeavor necessitating the use of some of his stockpiled resources.]

[And so, with some preparation a flyer goes out about a week before the date in question.]

Are you a purveyor of chaos? Are you tired of being in control? Want to test how truly fearless you are? Then ignore that stupid dance and come have some REAL fun!

DR. EGGMAN’S WORKSHOP OF HORRORS

Put your skills to the test and show everyone you have what it takes to survive!

Dr. Eggman does not claim any legal responsibility should any physical, mental, emotional, or metaphorical harm come to patrons engaging with the event. If you screw up, that’s on you, buddy!

[That’s right, Eggman is opening up his own haunted, mechanical funhouse, aided by the power of the Chaos Emerald in his possession. A haunted manor/warehouse/laboratory combined with all sorts of non-lethal tricks and traps (that might be more dangerous than intended thanks to the power of a certain gem.) All are welcome to enjoy the fun! But be warned: All of the cameras that you see throughout the attraction are absolutely watching and gathering data. So feel free to strut your stuff and flaunt your powers to the utmost! Just know that, should you do anything interesting, Eggman will have knowledge of it and might make use of it for future plots! But don’t let that dissuade you from having a good time~]

1 FOYER

Well well well, it seems like we have some brave, would-be heroes! Welcome to Dr. Eggman’s Workshop of Horrors! I’ll be your host with the most, Dr. Eggman!

[Eggman’s voice booms over a loudspeaker and a grainy, cracked monitor descends from the ceiling. It’s hard to tell if this is a live feed or a pre-recorded message, though you won’t exactly have a long time to figure it out. This large foyer looks like it comes right out of a mansion studio set, which is strange considering this is supposed to be a workshop. Either Eggman got bored of his initial idea or decided to combine all of them for maximum chaos. Attempting to head up the stairs just makes the stairs mechanically shift into a slide, which deposits you back on the floor. If you can make your way up to the second level, you’ll find that the doors are fake and lead nowhere. But that’s okay, because no matter what, the floor itself will open up and drop you unceremoniously into a basement room via slide. Here, another monitor flickers to life.]

Come now, you didn’t think it would be that easy? Are you even trying to get through my fantastic funhouse?

[This time, it seems the feed is live, because Eggman is unwrapping a candy bar. Looks like a Zounds! Bar. Whatever that is.]

2 THE BACKROOMS BASEMENT

You realize you’ve been going in circles, correct? This showing is pathetic! What, do you want a hint? Well, TOO BAD!

[Once you leave that cramped storage room, you’ll find yourself in the undercroft. A series of maintenance tunnels eerily similar to the fabled Back Rooms. The lighting is fluorescent and flickers in such a way that it’s unpleasant, and every pathway looks identical. It’s hard to say where you came from and part of that might be because Eggman is using the power of his Chaos Emerald to procedurally generate this little labyrinth. In other words, you aren’t leaving until he decides that you are. The good news? He gets bored easily.]

[The bad news?]

[You hear the revving of a chainsaw from a distant passage.]

Uh ooooh, looks like something else found its way down there! Better get moving! I think that clanking is getting closer! GAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

3 EGGMAN’S LABORATORY

You know, I have to say, I’m rather impressed you’ve survived for this long! And here I thought you’d have given up by now! Perhaps it’s time I sweeten the pot! Make it all the way to the end, and I’ll grant you a fabulous boon! A real treat! But don’t think I’ll make it easy on you!

[Eggman continues to watch and antagonize, even after you make it up from the Backrooms Basement. You find yourself in a workshop and laboratory fusion, complete with enormous generators, conveyor belts of mechanical parts, and lights that just refuse to stay on for any significant length of time.]

Now let’s see...what would pose a suitable challenge? Naturally, you need to find your way out but doing so without being under some kind of duress is just boring.

For me.

And in case you couldn’t tell, you’re here for my amusement. Now, let’s play a little game shall we?

[The lights snap off once more with a resounding boom and it sounds as if all of the machinery has stopped too. From what you were able to tell, there was a door up on a raised catwalk, but no easily accessible way to reach the catwalk. Not without climbing on some machines that don’t look particularly safe.]

[But you might have a hard time focusing on that over the clattering of machine parts. An unnatural scraping followed by brief flashes of sparks as the light illuminates several jerking automatons milling about the room.]

You know, I hear that there’s some sort of fad about games with haunted animatronics. Something about spending...what was it? Some sequential number of nights someplace. Alliteration was involved. Regardless I’ve improved on the design! So, forget spending consecutive nights here! I dare you to last Eight Minutes at Eggman’s!

[Don’t look now, but a really decayed looking badnik with haunted red eyes is latching onto you! Good luck!]

4 HOME STRETCH

Well, aren’t you the intrepid little survivor! Well, I have one final challenge for you! And all you have to do is make it to the end of this corridor! And then you’re free to go and claim your reward!

[A task which might be easier said than done. Because the corridor already seems unnaturally long. But no matter how far you walk or run, the door at the end doesn’t appear to be getting any closer. Attempt to go back? And...well…]

Now now! Where are you going? The exit’s thataway! Here, allow me to send someone to help you get reoriented.

[From the ceiling, a panel opens and a cloaked figure drops down. It’s mechanical and seemingly made of a hodgepodge of parts. One leg is just a rusty circular saw blade that barely keeps it on balance. It also has a distinct appearance and silhouette. Though, that’s likely the least of your worriers. Because it’s currently hobbling towards you. And, for some reason, it can close the distance between you and it.]

Mark II, would you be so kind as to assist our guests?

5 FREEDOM

[Against all odds, you made it! You’ve conquered Eggman’s Workshop of Horrors! What is your prize for completing this maddening gauntlet? Well…]

I suppose congratulations are in order! Well then, step forward and you will be rewarded!

[You find yourself in front of a series of screens, all of which show photos of your trip through the funhouse. All of which are photos of the most embarrassing parts or where you’re making a particularly stupid face.]

You’re free to choose whichever photo you like and you can purchase them for a nominal fee! Or, if you’re interested, we have special bundles that come with refrigerator magnets! What? Maintaining this isn’t cheap!

But if you want a freebie…

[A small podium rises with a single piece of candy corn.]

Take your prize and go! I have others to entertain! Now get lost! GEEHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

6 CONTROL ROOM | CLOSED BUT OPEN TO REQUESTS

[In a large room at the top of Eggman’s little attraction, Eggman sits in a chair with his feet up and a bag of fun sized candy within reach, a microphone balanced on his stomach. He switches between monitors, laughing and sneering, toggling switches gleefully.]

Now this? This is what this night should be all about! Terrorizing fools!

[If you’d like to have access to the control room or to have a thread here, ping me on this journal, discord, or bitterbearface!

Comments

Control Room 👀

[fractales]

[This was certainly a lot, but wasn't it true that some people enjoyed the thrill of being frightened in a controlled environment? Of course there was some understanding that 'controlled' didn't quite mean 'safe' when it came to Eggman.

Hadn't stopped Turo from getting in touch when he had noticed a flier. Something else coming to mind—begrudging as the Doctor seemed to be about allowing him in.

So Turo had ensured to be quiet in his steps once in the control room, his usual leather travel bag at his back with a strap of it over one shoulder.]

It certainly keeps them lively.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Bah! Normally, I would protest that. I prefer my death traps to be more permanent but I'm feeling generous tonight! It's been ages since I've gotten to have some proper fun!

[Because terrorizing people is fun for him. They know what he's about.]

[Regardless, Eggman kicks a chair over to Turo to allow him to sit while Eggman works his theatrical magic.]

You seem to have recovered. I imagine it's thanks to me. Naturally, you owe me.

[fractales]

Certainly the time for this sort of fun, much like how Ghost Types tend to enjoy it, and of course... sometimes the foolish do not come back out.

[Ghost Types could get very extreme, depending upon individuals and even the entire species stumbled across. What a person was doing, and of course simply trespassing was enough to provoke. Most of them were also dramatic or even theatrical at times, if not going straight for an attack; 'playing' was all part of them.

He did catch the back of the chair, shifting to sit with a view, bag rested then just on his lap.]

A very large part of it is thanks to you, yes. I am grateful for that, and it is part of why I have taken the chance to drop by.

[reneggadetinkerer]

There's no such things as ghosts. And here I thought you smarter than that.

And if you're here to ask for my assistance again, you better make it worth my— hold on.

[Eggman wheels around and hits a few toggles, then grabs his microphone.]

I'd suggest you don't look behind you! I seem to have lost control of that little variable! But don't blame me if you lose a finger or three! That's what liability waivers are for!

[He turns to Turo.]

There are no liability waivers.

[fractales]

In my world there are—specifically Ghost Types, Pokémon that are the result of human or pokémon dying and their soul having enough energy to become something else. They are fascinating; there is a Ghost Type known as Rotom which is often used in electronics, such as phones, to make them smart devices. [He often wondered if he could reclaim his Rotom Phone.

He did, of course, pause as he watched Eggman's attention pull to whomever was currently going through this... Workshop of Horrors—




Of course there weren't. A different sort of horror there.]

Paperwork and waivers can certainly be its own type of horror, even in thought of missing it.

[There was something moving in that bag, some muffled noise as Turo kept a hand over where it did open. Keeping something from getting out just yet.]

As for being worth your time for assistance—I came across something of an anomaly while in the process of building what was meant to be a sort of "electronic" toy, using what I salvaged from Nilatast. I haven't been able to replicate the behavior in the two others I put together to see if perhaps I'd made an error in what programming could be done.

[reneggadetinkerer]

Admittedly, when you phrase it thusly, the notion of a soul having latent energy is not without merit. Though, what constitutes a soul is a philosophical quandary. I'm more interested in its quantitative properties. Souls are just ones and zeroes, after all. A series of electrical impulses routed through our brains. Consciousness and conscience? All constructs.

We are, every one of us, a machine. And machines need directives.

[Though, the thought of Turo building something and not being able to replicate an error is certainly interesting. He leaves his little Haunted House on autopilot for a moment and spins in his chair.]

A "toy" eh? What sort of "toy?"

[fractales]

Energy is quite the focus when it comes to Ghost Types; there are some that feed off the 'life force' of others, and a few people have gone missing or worse due to coming across one of the friendlier ones. Knowing no better, typically.

Machines that are simply made of different things, metal or meat, an so on.

[Turo did finally stop holding the flap of his bag down, even unbuckling the strap as he spoke. Whatever was in there was perhaps 'surprised' given how still and silent it was for a moment.

All the easier for him to haul the toy out of his bag as it briefly wiggled in his hands. Large 'eyes' taking in the room. Taking in Eggman and Turo himself. The screen. Whatever it could 'see' as it hung there in the AI's hands as if it were a living thing despite clearly being made of faux fur, a few covered in treated rubber limbs and face.

Then it began to scream, nonsense noises that were clearly from some pre-recording meant for a toy, but there was something else garbled in that.

Turo's expression was... a mix of exasperated and at some loss. He knew what he had intended to create, but—]

It should be easy to guess this isn't any behavior I programmed into it.

back rooms back rooms back rooms

[playertwotailed]

[The two-tailed fox moves quickly at the sound, and ducks into a small side room, one that's easily defensible and better lit than most of the places around here. He takes a moment to try and clear his thoughts — which aren't clouded by fear, but by frustration.]

Aughh... this place doesn't make any sense! Are you just making this up as you go along, Eggman?

[Tails didn't come here for the test of courage. He came to make sure that no one was hurt thanks to Eggman's shenanigans — especially if this is one of those ones that turns out to be a secret ship or giant robot. (You can never tell when he's going to play that particular card.) So, it's probably not a bad thing that he's bullying Tails rather than someone else...]

[But he is absolutely bullying Tails. Who takes a better look at his surroundings... and sighs.]

I've already been here before, haven't I.

[reneggadetinkerer]

[A monitor swings down from seemingly nowhere. It's cracked and occasionally the feed gets janked up, revealing some horrific animatronic Eggman puppet that speaks in Eggman's voice. Eggman could probably stand to revamp his avatar if he's going to start a VTubing career.]

What, you think I've been keeping track? What makes you think I care if you ever see the light of day again or not?!

[Eggman crunches loudly on some caramel popcorn, clearly just enjoying the show. Meanwhile, that scraping sound seems to get closer...and then further away at a rapid pace. Far faster than something would normally move.]

I thought seeing through all of my genius stratagems and schemes was your whole thing. Don't tell me you're completely useless without Sonic to make you look competent!

[playertwotailed]

I'm not having any trouble with your puzzles! I've found all the passwords so far, haven't I? ... that's rhetorical, so don't answer it. [As if Eggman would give him a truthful, straightforward answer.]

What I don't get is the vision behind your "genius" art project. [Yes, he did the air quotes.] Normally, I'd expect this all to lead to some kind of boss, but... so far, this just looks like a big loop. What, are you trying to bore me into submission?

[He talks like that, but then he hears that loud scraping again — and he goes quiet, listening carefully, his ears and fur standing straight up as he tracks the source. How far away is it? Is it getting closer? He has a window to move, but only if he goes now—]

[He turns and immediately yelps in surprise as he gets jumpscared by Eggman's monitor, which moved in closer while his back was turned. And then goes quiet again, ducking back into hiding as he glares at Eggman's janky animation.]

... your framerate's tanking, by the way.

[reneggadetinkerer]

It's called ambiance and I don't expect you to appreciate it!

[His monitor swings around, it's metal joints creaking like they might snap at any moment.]

But you see, that's what all of you fools expect. What's the point of a good deathtrap if everyone sees it coming? Why bother with a giant, robot serpent when you're all just champing at the bit to fight one?

You're all waiting for the day I reveal my master plan but none of you seem to understand the concept of Chaos Theory.

[Hey Tails, did you happen to notice that scraping sound stopped while Eggman was ranting?]

[playertwotailed]

[Yes, he absolutely did — because for all the noise Eggman's making, he is not an immediate threat. He's not even in the same room!]

What, you mean the deterministic principle that small differences in starting conditions can lead to radical changes in the outcome? Which makes it nigh impossible to make accurate predictions in a highly chaotic system like the weather, requiring an order of magnitude more evidence for an incremental increase to the horizon of predictability?

... because if we're talking about the same chaos theory, then that still sounds like you're just making it up as you go along.

[You know what? There's a bunch of canned drinks in here, for some reason. Tails is going to take one and roll it across the floor towards the source of the sound. It looks like there's a bump on the ground about twelve feet away, at which point it should rattle but continue on, getting the attention of whatever has the chainsaw...]

[reneggadetinkerer]

Congratulations, you passed second grade.

[The can rolls over the bump and seems to vanish. So either it passed through some sort of barrier or it moved so quickly in this aggravating, flickering lighting that it was hard to see where it went.]

[Oh but that scraping sound seems to be getting close again. And don't look now, Tails, but there's a weird, shambling mass at the end of the corridor. As it moves, sparks seem to explode from one of its appendages and it jerks unnaturally.]

And what's wrong with that, hm? You're all so keen to predict what I'm going to do next! You're all so obsessed with my next evil scheme. Wouldn't it just be better to just make it up? This way we're all surprised! Gehehehehe...HAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!

Anywhere everywhere

[wherethereislight]

[Here comes the best or worse candidate to enter Eggman's horror house. Depending on who you talk to. The doctor's voice is blaring over the speaker, but Shadow isn't paying attention. The moment he steps foot into the foyer, he felt it. A familiar energy that also courses through his body, all over this "funhouse".

A scowl. It wouldn't surprise him if Eggman finally managed to get a chaos emerald. Which means he has to locate it and take it from him, obviously. The jets come to life as he easily flies over the stairs that turn into a slide.

He hangs onto one of the suit of armor as the floor suddenly opens up on the upper floor. Please. The doctor will have to do better than that.]

[reneggadetinkerer]

[Well well, he has to say this wasn't unexpected. The main reason he's barely used any of the power of the emerald is simply because he wasn't ready. He knew Shadow's connection would draw him towards it the second he put it to any sort of real use.]

[But it's good to know that Shadow's sense hasn't been dampened. That's going right in the dossier.]

Well well well...

[Eggman's voice booms from hidden speakers in the foyer.]

I'm not surprised you showed up, Shadow. You never want me to have any fun! And here I am, using my vast entrepreneurial wealth to entertain the children of this washed up wasteland! Is this somehow villainous too? Perhaps you, Sonic, myself and the rest of the cadre of critters can meet and hash out a list of what you consider 'evil' and 'not.'

Could make for an interesting collaboration, wouldn't you say?

[Moments later, the floor resets. But, for now, nothing else seems to attack.]

[For now.]

[wherethereislight]

[His ears twitch when the booming voice of the doctor actually addresses him. He doesn't respond, looking at his surroundings and trying to figure out where to proceed from here. When the floor resets, he hops off the decor and cautiously returns to solid ground.]

You keep talking like that and you'll continue to draw suspicion. This has not been the first time you've attempted to "entertain" the masses that was hiding an ulterior motive. [Really think Shadow would be convinced after Egg Planet Park? More importantly.] Where is it?

[reneggadetinkerer]

Where is what? The candy? Why, that's at the end of the attraction, Shadow! Though, I'm disappointed. Shouldn't you be in costume~?

[With a few buttons, the suits of armor spring to life and jerk like faulty animatronics as they stumble and jumble their way down the stairs. Part way down, Eggman hits the switch to turn the stairs into slides, sending them clattering like a clanking avalanche Shadow's way.]

[He knows that they won't stop Shadow. They hardly function as it is. But he hopes it's enough of a distraction for him to open the floor again.]

[Only this time, he rapidly closes it and then opens it again, giving the illusion of it malfunctioning.]

Oh come now! This isn't how this is supposed to go!! Am I going to be foiled right at the start?! Is this what has become of the great, Doctor Eggman?!

Oh, how the mighty have fallen~!

[wherethereislight]

The Chaos Emerald. [Don't even bother trying to fool him Eggman. He can feel it's energy signature all over this "workshop". He looks to the incoming suits of armor, unimpressed.

He doesn't even bother to give them any attention, easily dodging and weaving around their janky attacks. Oh no, the floor is moving again....he just continues beyond the malfunctioning floor, easily jetting over it. Ignoring the woe is me, Eggman, if he can focus on where the energy source is strongest and follow it...]

[reneggadetinkerer]

I don't know what you're talking about! Are you sure that perhaps there isn't something in the air that's messing with your senses?

You and I both know you're not as powerful as you were on our world!

[Eggman fiddles with some dials and this time the floor stays open, falling away completely. The curved staircases shift and combine into one larger pincer, which snaps out with incredible force to smack Shadow down into the hole.]

[He'd built some extra powerful precautions, expecting these rodents to come snooping. He'd wanted to see for himself just how strong or how weak they were here.]

BACKROOMS

[spinsandneedles]

[Eggman's not the only one that gets bored easily. Sonic probably had his fill of the boring, trap free infinity basement long before Eggman decided to do something actually cool and apparently unleash a chainsaw freak somewhere in the labyrinth.]

Oh, finally! I was statrin' to think you were trying to kill me with boredom!

[Yes of course he's speeding off to find the source of the noise.]

[reneggadetinkerer]

[Eggman doesn't bother trying to keep up with his janky monitor. Instead, he just lets his voice drone on over hidden loudspeakers.]

Oh Sonic, to think we've been here for months and we've yet to come to blows. I must say, I was wondering how long you'd let me continue on unimpeded. Even Shadow has started becoming more of a bother than you are.

[As much as Sonic seems to run, it doesn't seem like he's getting anywhere. The same walls and doorways keep repeating themselves and the sound of the chainsaw keeps fluctuating. Like it's moving closer and then further away randomly. Like it's teleporting.]

Tell me, are you getting tired yet? You're not as fast as you are back home, aren't you...

[spinsandneedles]

[he has gotten kind of winded from all the running through an endless maze, so he pauses to catch his breath and take in his surroundings a little more closely.]

Wasn't the whole point of our truce to avoid coming to blows? If you've changed your mind, I'd be more than happy to come knock you down a peg.

[As for the chainsaw, Sonic chalks that up to some kind of sound system Eggman must have installed. Play the sound in one area and turn it off in another, doesn't seem too hard for a genius mad scientist to pull off. Surly there isn't actually a teleporting chainsaw murderer, that would just be TOO cool.]

[reneggadetinkerer]

Consider it like exercise, Hedgehog! We wouldn't want to get rusty what with all of the board games and useless parties. I can make nice for only so long before my brain craves something more stimulating.

[And speaking of stimulating, that sound of a chainsaw is alarmingly close as a door seems to shift into existence to Sonic's right. And from that door, a shambling, mechanical monstrosity wrapped in rags and wretched, torn cloth. It's clearly mechanical from the showers of sparks spraying from it, but the form might be familiar. That of the discarded Mecha Sonic Mark II, complete with revving sawblade leg.]

What do you think, Sonic? Isn't it thematically appropriate for the night to bring back the dead so that you can join them?

[spinsandneedles]

[big big sigh! Okay fine maybe Eggman has a good point there. Board games and parties can only be entertaining for so long. If there's one thing that Sonic and Eggman have in common, it's that they need to cause trouble sometimes, for each other if nothing else.

He's about to say as much, but the clanking monstrosity emerging from the randomly appearing door actually manages to surprise him. In more ways than one.]

Huh! And here I was thinking you'd forgotten all of your abandoned Badniks!

[reneggadetinkerer]

If they no longer serve a purpose, yes. But even I can't resist the allure of a good callback!

[With another button mashed, Mecha Sonic lunches, kicking with his sawblade leg, sending it slicing into the wall of the corridor. It's very obviously a real, whirling saw blade, sparks and all.]

You and I both know you've been able to overcome Mecha Sonic in the past, but let's not mince words. This world has weakened you and I have some new tricks!

[To further disorient Sonic, the corridor shifts wildly again, effectively stripping away the exits and depositing him and Mecha Sonic in a long, doorless room.]