[TCPDEX] TCP Research Initiative

[skinstealer]

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RESEARCH TOPIC: HORROR

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HR-1-1: Where are the local horror vents?

Horror mutation isn't something that's brought up often with TCPs, though it's just as dangerous to you as it is to any other complexes. TCPs like yourselves are just as susceptible to horror mutation, and can mutate in new and strange ways, often causing specific conditions- ones that we take very seriously as researchers, at that. This research prompt is not to be taken lightly- we want you to investigate horror vents. Horror vents, well, ventilate horror radiation from under the planet's crust. Most of them are hard to detect and not particularly dangerous outside of direct, constant exposure, but those left unchecked can cause serious damage to a nearby population. 

Horror vents are typically cracks in the ground, sometimes under buildings or otherwise undetectable. For your safety, we do not recommend seeking these vents out in person. You're better off investigating via testimony and statistics- ask the people around you, look into mutation statistics, and as silly as it sounds, consider following urban legends. Local folklore can be more telling than you'd expect, especially when dealing with something as mysterious and terrifying as horror radiation. Finding out what kinds of mutations are caused by local horror vents could be very useful as well- we have some evidence that horror vents have patterns in how they transform people. 

By letting us know where your local horror vents are, we can look into preventing damage done to your local community, and make your home (as well as the world at large) a safer place to live. We have equipment that'd allow us to research any spots you find further- please, once again, do not seek out the vents directly. Your lives matter more to us, and we have what it takes to follow through on these reports. Do your best!

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RESEARCH TOPIC: [SPECIAL] DARKEST NIGHT

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DN-1-1: What areas celebrate Darkest Night?

Darkest Night is a holiday celebrated all over the globe, and centers around celebrating the darkest night of the year- a universally agreed upon day by (most) gods, meant to encourage people to gather together and appreciate their lives together under lantern and candlelights. Of course, this is far less effective in cities where there's plenty of light to go around, but it can be quite stunning in rural areas or towns. Many areas celebrate with block parties and masquerades, some going as far as to make full costumes and prepare feasts of sweets. 

Why is this relevant to your research? For one thing, as newly spawned TCPs, it's up to you to learn all about the world, and holidays are a big part of that. Not all of our research initiatives have to be boring, after all! 

With Darkest Night approaching, your job is to find out whether your area celebrates it, and how! You aren't required to take part in any festivities of course, but it helps to know what's going on in your local community. If we hear back anything particularly interesting that could lead to bonus opportunities for our lab, we may send out researchers to investigate. Have fun!

OOC Note: Special research topics have a time limit, and will lead to bonus events + point rewards! They're intended for holidays and other fun events...enjoy!

This research post will be active until November 9th, 2019.

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RESEARCH TOPIC: SPAWN POINTS

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SP-1-2: What is the correlation between spawn points and scrap activity?
We've received some reports that spawn points can be particularly active around hospitals, schools, and even graveyards- this begs the question...does scrap activity have some correlation to spawn points? Could this be the missing link between what causes certain types to spawn?

Scraps are a phenomena that you've heard of during your time here, seeing as all of you were tested for sensitivity. The majority of you have no way to interact with scraps, let alone sense them, but that does not keep you from investigating their presence. While they're far easier to detect with innate abilities, we here at the facility have developed technology that allows TCPs to view, touch, and examine scraps even without sensitivity. Right now, we have no way of creating tech that could let you manipulate them, but pure observation is all that's needed for this report. 

Back to scraps- they're parts of the soul, and contain memories, emotions, and energy. They often resemble orbs made out of various kinds of matter, though many have been observed to attach to objects and even people. People develop and shed scraps naturally over the course of their lives, separating from their source after a notable event in their life. Trauma and injury are well established causes of scrap shedding, as well as death, birth, relationships starting/ending/changing, and any other notable changes in a person's life and experiences. Using the tech we've sent along, you should be able to look inside of scraps you find, though it's best to be careful- in the case of particularly powerful scraps, you will experience the contents of the scrap as if they were your own. 

Your job is to visit your local spawn points and investigate what kinds of scraps linger around, and whether they relate to the frequency and kinds of TCPs spawned. Please report back any and all findings. Should a notable correlation be found, we will send out extra researchers.

Your new scrap-viewing equipment has been included along with this letter. Each piece of equipment is unique, customized to your unique typing- you should be able to use your abilities for a bonus effect! Those who report back on how their tech works will be awarded bonus points, as field tests will be invaluable for us furthering our developments.

OOC Note: You can choose how much scrap sensitivity your TCP has! 

SP-1-3: What do people currently utilize spawn points for?

We've received some reports saying that some local spawn points have been used for crime, something that concerns us greatly...this research prompt is simple. You are to interview those around your community, and, if possible, observe the spawn point directly to see what happens to the TCPs that are spawned there- do they go on their way, are they directed somewhere, are they taken? Any observations are useful to us.

Spawn points of particular note will have researchers sent out to investigate...we hope that the crime rate will be low, and that most spawn points are safe for people. That said, we need to know for sure...good luck! 

OOC Note: Parts can be done out of order, and require separate reports! That said, it's recommended to do them in order- most of them will make better sense that way, and build up on eachother.