Hiding Under Searchlight OOC

Silvern · 2025-07-07T17:03:00Z

Hiding Under Searchlight OOC Hello, everyone, and welcome to Searchlight! Since it's no secret that you're stuck here, why not find out a little more about where you are? ~ Setting Information ~ moon This roleplay will take place over the course of one night in Searchlight, from sunset to sunrise. My thinking is that our characters all cross paths somewhere just before sundown— a diner, or maybe a motel— gradually piece together from shared and individual observations that not everything here is as it seems, and attempt to escape together from there. moon What's up with Searchlight? Part of that is a mystery to be revealed along the way, but for the sake of context I'll spill a little: Searchlight is an area where reality is thin , like it's sitting on a fault line of our universe. Things can slip through. Something may disappear, with something that doesn't belong taking its place. Characters may encounter versions of themselves or others that inexplicably feel distorted and wrong, versions that clearly aren't from this world. The roads leading out of town will impossibly lead you back— if your car doesn't mysteriously stop working first. And most importantly, the locals seem to think there's something out there, a thing they will only describe as it . They say it's hungry, but they don't say what it's hungry for . moon And yes— that song stuck on the radio, as you might have noticed from the audio file, is Hotel California by The Eagles! The irony of it referencing a different state is not lost on the locals, and neither are the ending lines: "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." ~ Roleplay Information ~ moon This roleplay is open to everyone and very beginner friendly! If you're looking for a way to break into the roleplay scene or eyeing the Storybooks but wanting more experience first, this RP is for you. As a Realm, it's also more casual and low-stakes than a Storybook, so if you want to be more involved in RPMo but are worried about burnout, it's a much easier commitment. moon Since things fill up quick during RPMo, this roleplay does not have a spot limit! There is a list of six suggested roles for characters to fill, but the roleplay is still open once all roles here are "claimed", and you can come up with your own archetype for your character. In fact, you can do this anyway, even if there are unclaimed roles! The list is merely a compilation of the types of people who might find themselves in Searchlight and that I found compelling; if no one's interested in a particular role and more people want to come up with their own, then we can start without that position being filled. moon The potential (again, suggested, and not exhaustive!) roles are: The Drifter (@goodolnoah) - You were just passing through, like you always were. You had no plans to stick around— that would mean something you left behind could catch up. But Searchlight has a way of changing your plans. - Gift: You've spent your life off the grid, unnoticed, learning how to vanish into anonymity. Whatever lurks in Searchlight, it has a hard time tracking you down. - Curse: The town knows you don't belong. Clues and warning signs will evade themselves from you and your untrained eyes. The Local (@Wolfi) - You never left Searchlight, whether you hoped to or not. Have you ever been anywhere else? You can't remember. You were born here, and that probably means you'll die here too. - Gift: You know Searchlight better than anyone, and are familiar with its tricks and unspoken rules. - Curse: The town knows you, too. It always knows where to find you. Better hope it doesn't bear a grudge. The Survivalist (@Ravena) - You are an experienced hiker, stopping for the night on your way to a National Park— Death Valley, maybe, or the Grand Canyon. But as your stay extends, you find more adventure and danger here than anywhere else. - Gift: You know how to get by with almost nothing. Years of honed instincts and harsh conditions might just keep you alive. - Curse: The laws of nature don't always apply in Searchlight— and sometimes, your practical tools and knowledge may fail you. The Believer (@Glitch0Ghost2024) - You came here on purpose, allured by ghost stories and inexplicable mysteries, fueled by a sincere faith in the paranormal. Although you did hope to be proven right, you didn't mean to become part of the legend. - Gift: You're more attuned to the town's strangeness than most visitors. Every slight distortion of reality is glaring to you. - Curse: Belief won't protect you. The false confidence that because you understand something, it won't hurt you, can have dire consequences. The Prodigal (@snapshot) - You were the lucky one who, by some miracle, managed to get out of Searchlight once you grew up... and now you've returned, for some reason. Unfinished business beckons to you from the desert. - Gift: You've evaded the town's grip before. Some of its rules will bend just for you— doors unlock, watchful eyes look away, old debts are forgiven. - Curse: Not everything is as you left it. Was it always this unsettling? Searchlight doesn't like unfinished stories, and you're one of them. The Witness (@Silvern) - You came to Searchlight with a story of your own, something you saw and can't explain: your car resisted your attempts to steer it and directed you off the highway exit to here. When you looked in your rearview mirror, something looked back. Then it was gone. - Gift: The thing that pulled you here left a mark. You have a sense, like a compass in your gut, for hidden places and escape routes. - Curse: You're being followed, and no one else sees it . Reflections distort near you, showing things that aren't there. The more you notice it, the closer it gets. moon Since this is a Realm, posts don't need to be very long (1-5 paragraphs are typical), and writing happens more at your leisure in shorter bursts. There's opportunity for collabing on longer posts, mostly if your character is in a smaller group and you and everyone else writing want to approach it that way, but for the most part this will be more casual and rapid! moon And last but not least, have fun! ~ Back to Roleplay ~ Hiding Under Searchlight

Silvern

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Mon Jul 07, 2025 9:51 pm

Silvern says... · Mon Jul 07, 2025 9:51 pm

@eulogy if you confirm that you'd like it, it's all yours!

@Areastrixleiell @pixels Yes, you are both very welcome to come up with your own roles if you have an idea!! All I ask is that you have a short description for me and maybe a title (though I can also come up with one based on your description of them if you can't think of that)!

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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herb

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Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:02 pm

herb says... · Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:02 pm

i'll take it *^^*

[soon, i will submit myself to the stars]

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Ravena

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Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:05 pm

Ravena says... · Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:05 pm

If nobody wants the Survivalist... May I snatch it up?? (00 )

(Formerly RavenAkuma)

~ "Believe only half of what you see, and nothing that you hear." ~

- Edgar Allan Poe

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Silvern

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Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:16 pm

Silvern says... · Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:16 pm

@eulogy @RavenAkuma Awesome! Howdy and welcome to the crew! This RP does remain open to anyone who has or hasn’t asked yet— feel free to suggest your own role, or you can pick my brain for ideas!

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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herb

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Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:21 pm

herb says... · Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:21 pm

grabbing my scalpel rn lobotomy time >:)

[soon, i will submit myself to the stars]

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Silvern

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:01 am

Silvern says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:01 am

Cal is up as my character! Everyone go say hi <3

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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Ravena

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:28 am

Ravena says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:28 am

Yayy, Cal looks great!!! Love the Appalachian lore (00 )

I should be able to get a character in soon, right now my main problem is that my brain cannot fathom the concept of "short" character history >.> lol

(Formerly RavenAkuma)

~ "Believe only half of what you see, and nothing that you hear." ~

- Edgar Allan Poe

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Silvern

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:35 am

Silvern says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:35 am

That's okay! It doesn't have to be short (it's not like I'm gonna check your word count), mostly that's there so people don't feel like they have to go on at length! ^^

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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goodolnoah

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:20 am

goodolnoah says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:20 am

@SilverNight should we stick to keeping our characters fully human? It wouldn't affect the powerset of my character, rather add a bit to her experience. I was thinking of making her immortal.,.

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Silvern

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:21 am

Silvern says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:21 am

@goodolnoah I’d prefer human, although she can definitely have some strange/unexplained connection to the supernatural! For example, she could be mortal but have evaded a few near-death experiences by having some premonition that something bad was going to happen?

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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goodolnoah

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:28 am

goodolnoah says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:28 am

Ahhh okay I see! I actually like the idea of near-death experiences. I think I will work that in!

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Silvern

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:23 am

Silvern says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:23 am

Sweet!

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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deleted48

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:32 am

deleted48 says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:32 am

not an rper but this seems perfect for a conspiracy theorist character. love that.

In a shadow there is the blessing of a shadow.
— Kuki Shūzō

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Silvern

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:46 am

Silvern says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:46 am

@floodlights you are so right! it definitely calls for someone who's maybe just a bittttt too much of a fanatic about this place and everything happening within it (*sideeyes @Glitch0Ghost2024's wfp believer character*). also much thanks to you again for the banner advice <3

Democracy dies in darkness. Also at 4:30PM in Pacific Standard Time, apparently.

silver (she/her)

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Wolfi

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Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:52 pm

Wolfi says... · Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:52 pm

and the folktales there start with "one time", not "once upon a time", as if the events were in recent memory.

Loved that line!

Tis a pleasure to meet you, Cal!

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.

she/her | team monkeys | #unclassified

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