seasonsgreetings | Test Drive Meme #7

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Test Drive Meme #7

Test Drive Meme #7
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Arrival

Part 1

You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.

The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:

An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.

All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.

Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.

And it looks like you're not alone.

Part 2

After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.

Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.

The Message [ Click to Expand ]

Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.

Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.

This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.

We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.

That's where you come in.

All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.

These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.

Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.

That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.

The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.

In the Arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.

First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits or joining one.

Second type of stands is for the Welcome Center that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.

Third type of the stands is for The In Touch Support Group that is led by the Otherwordly Ambassador, Kamisato Ayato. The pamphlets have contact information for businesses looking to help Otherworlders. They also focus more on the lore of the World and what they have discovered so far, as well as a guide on what to think about when preparing to venture out to the Segments.

Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.

Part 3

The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.

All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?

Near, Far, Wherever You War

Part 1

Nightwake City is now full of posters for a new place that has been opened recently. The Titanic Dome is accessible with a teleport crystal from any of the Guilds. It's specifically made for those who want a safe place to fight with their powers without worrying about harming their surroundings or others. It also has enough room for giant transformations to fit comfortably.

There are two different arenas. One of them is a private one that needs to be reserved beforehand, but the other one is a public one that has audience seats for those who don't mind people watching. It's here where there's an event going on to celebrate the opening of the dome.

Riki's Rewards has provided a free single dose of the Enlarge potions for anyone to use. These potions give the user a temporary boost in height and general body size (including clothes). Abilities will work the same as in "normal" size, but may appear bigger. When the potion is consumed, all the person has to think about is how large they want to become and that will happen. This limited version of the potion has a limit of 60 meters / 196'10 feet and only lasts for one hour at a time.

Using these potions, people are challenged to a giant pillow fight. All the pillows are very soft and fluffy and won't do any actual harm, but if someone is "defeated" by a pillow they will gain a bunch of feathers all over their body and hair for the next five hours as a silly punishment.

Part 2

There's a scenic route you can also take from or to the Titanic Dome. It's a longer hike: the journey takes three days in one direction on foot (less with horses or snowmobile). The whole route is protected by barriers, so even natives sometimes find joy in just taking the longer route in the wilderness. There are even small gazebos for taking a break and dedicated spots where you can set up a tent.

Of course, sometimes natives do get out of the paths and might need rescuing from wayward winter monsters or wild fauna. Usually it's because something looks shiny and they go to investigate because "what could go wrong with a little visit outside the safe route".

Some of the "shiny things" the natives see are various frozen flowers that shine in different colors. The closer someone gets, the more tempted they are to touch the flower. All of the flowers give a different effect. Red flowers boost the feelings of love and will make someone show more affection towards people, platonic or otherwise, purple flowers make someone want to show their feelings through physical means (even negative, so a punch would also be included) within character's boundaries, yellow flowers will make someone (temporary) fall in love with the first person they see and orange flowers will make someone more giggly and more likely to make jokes, with the possibility to make others laugh with them. All the effects last 1-3 hours.

The flowers will melt after they're touched, only to grow back somewhere else later. They will also melt if they're brought to a warmer atmosphere. If one manages to put them in a potion there and then, they work as a highly potent ingredient in long term love potions.

Flour, Sugar, Egg, Magic

Part 1

All around Nightwake, a special festival is taking place. Even if the seasons are very fixed in all of the districts, they still want to host celebrations according to calendar, like this time: it's a festival to say goodbye to winter and to say hello to spring.

All of the districts have set up bonfires here and there that will be constantly burning. They're not at the centers of the districts, so they're easy to avoid, if someone wishes to. These bonfires are gathering places, where people come to dance and celebrate in costumes that are inspired by both winter and spring. Various masks are sold at the booths, for those who want to get into the mood but don't want to dress up. The masks represent devils, witches, goats, swamp fae, and other joyful and frightening characters.

Otherworlders new and old are also asked to act out the battle between winter and spring. One of them will be dressed up as winter: big sized (additional pillows stuffed in clothes if necessary), wrapped in various furs. The other one will be dressed up a spring: a scrawny person in much lighter looking clothes. The only advice they're given is: make it dramatic and let the spring win in the end!

Part 2

Another important part of the celebrations is the pancakes. All districts have booths where people can either make their own pancakes or buy from others. There are various different toppings and fillings that can be added, as well as warm and cold drinks to enjoy them with.

Some of the districts may have slightly different views on how to make a proper pancake and what can and cannot be added to it. Especially the winter and spring related districts are constantly bickering over whose pancakes are better and will shamelessly promote theirs in the others' district. It seems Coldreach is the only one that falls in between their silly argument, considering it's in between the two seasons (and the alcohol they serve there might also have something to do with the peace).

Inspired by the friendly (?) competitions, a new mini event has appeared! It's called the Pancake Tours! The goal is to visit each and every district to taste each of their pancakes and rank them. This all doesn't need to be done on the same day, at least. Those who complete the tour and bring the results to the Research Center will get a spell that will make anything taste good, even things they would normally hate the taste of and 2000 Moon Coins.

Part 3

Attracted by the smell of pancakes, a new creature has appeared in the city. These relatively small creatures are called jellycats, due to looking like cats that have jelly-like shells protecting them. The shells wiggle everytime they purr and they can retreat back into them whenever they're uncomfortable. Despite their appearance and name, they're not edible.

Jellycats come in a variety of colors and smell different to each person. A yellow jellycat, for example, may smell like lemons to someone, but flowers to another, depending on preferences. The scent becomes stronger the more a jellycat likes and trusts a person.

Befriending these creatures is rather easy: they really like anything and everything sweet, which is why the pancakes attract them so much. It is also likely for a jellycat to follow someone home.

OOC TIPS

- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.

- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well. New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new!

- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.

- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.

- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!

- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.

- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary.

- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sorry, I lost my memories so I'm no help with your old friends. Quirk of the species.

[ It follows that he'd be a charming guy, really. ]

I've been here almost exactly a year, I was with the first crop of otherworlders. I like it, there's always a lot going on.

Hell was... I'm not sure how into the bureaucracy you are, but the production team that did the torture idol reality series? That's where I was. [ So uh not a great time. ] I'd say we ran the spectrum of sins over there, and here too, but lust is more my personal funhouse.

Oh dear. I'm sorry. That has to be inconvenient.

[Lucifer thinks for a moment.]

Not sure. I don't watch a lot of TV. Scrambles the brain. I kinda let Hell run itself, to be honest. The Overlords do most of the micro-management.

[He clears his throat. Enough about that and the uncomfortable thoughts that springs up.] But we're not in Hell anymore so we don't need to think on that. Or the afront this world has committed to the Holy Order.

We can focus on important things. Like coffee and your outfit. That is very nice. Who is your tailor? I might need to give them a call myself, if I'm feeling a new coat.

It could be worse, I could be in a decades long hibernation right now. [ Oddly specific, isn't it? ]

Ah, that makes sense. I imagine you're in high demand down there. Fair warning, some people here are buttoned up pretty tight, they might believe everything they've read about you. [ You know like the ever annoying Old Testament. ]

Aren't you sweet? I make all my own clothes, actually.

[ She opens the door to a coffee shop and motions toward the menu. ] Order whatever you like, I've got it.

I suppose. That's oddly specific.

[Lucifer just comments on it. He hums and shrugs.] They can believe it if they want. I'll either prove them wrong or they'll get desperate enough and ask me for a deal. Usually how it goes. Sacrificial lamb and all.

[Lucifer smiles softer. Well, he knows who to go to for a new coat now.]

Thank you. Let's see. Oh. That looks good. [He orders the Maple Pancake Mocha.] You're the sweet one, buying the devil a coffee. I'll pay you back.

My species has a lot of quirks and most of them suck. Pun intended. [ Bloodsucker and all. ]

I guess you would be used to being misunderstood. Heaven does love their propaganda. [ She had a brief run in with god and no, thank you. What a sadist, and not in the fun way. ]

A man after my own heart. [ Saya gets one for herself, too. ] Maybe I just prefer to be on your good side. Or I could just be one who gets judged a lot for being who and what I am and I try not to do that nonsense to anyone else.

Good pun. Bad situation but good pun. [Lucifer nods along with the discussion of heaven.]

They are all about their rules and not accepting anything outside of them. Or the box.

[The bitterness in his voice is obvious.] We each have good tastes. From clothes to coffee. You are on my good side. I don't judge, I can promise you that. That has never been my thing. Heaven judges.

Thanks, I try.

[ She nods along. ] That is their whole thing, yes. I spent my years on Earth trying to conform to human standards, I'm not about to trade that for the discerning eyes of a club I have no interest in joining. Not that Heaven would want me either.

Heh. You know, you could earn your way in to spite them.

[Lucifer grins deviously.] Because, you know. Redemption is possible. I could let you in on a fun cosmic secret. No individual angel or angels judge anyone. Names just appear in Peter's book. None of them actually know why souls get into heaven or not. I know I don't.

I'm pretty sure you have to be capable of dying for that, and I'm an immortal. The only person who could kill me that I've ever met has a pretty vested interest in not doing so.

[ Oh she likes those teeth. ] You've got a great smile.

That is interesting, though. So they're just clueless and stuck up about it, hm?

[He smiles wider when she says that. Sharp teeth all over. Shiny and white too. Clearly he takes care of them.]

Pretty much. Heh. And thank you. Immortality can be a double edged sword. I'm sure it's a good thing they would rather not kill you though. Since your soul would just pass om somewhere. And who knows if your need to drink blood would follow.

Why don't we talk about something a little more pleasant, hmm? Like tell me. What is your favorite animal?

[ She is fascinated by his teeth. She smiles and shows her own fangs. ]

See, who needs Heaven? The power of lust always worked better for me. Although it's more like love now, but definitely not the heavenly kind. [ Demon + vampire, not exactly good for saints. ]

My favorite animal? Dragons. But I am married to one. Yours?

And what a lovely smile you have too.

[Lucifer nods along.] Love and lust are powerful motivators. And can give one power. One is stronger than the other, though.

Dragons, huh? I get that. But I prefer the best animal of them all. Ducks. [He pulls out a little rubber duck with feet and a top hat on from his jacket.]

This old thing? It just fell out of my closet this morning.

Oh? [ Seems like he might want to get into the love versus lust issue, she's happy to hear anyone pontificate on this issue. But in her humble opinion anyone who thinks love is stronger than lust needs to get more of the right kind of action. ]

Ahhh it's so cute! [ She leans down to get a better look at the duckie. ]

[ Oh, their coffee order is up. ]

Yes. Don't get me wrong. Lust is nothing to laugh or sneeze at. In fact, lust and love are very much entwined. They go together. But I do believe love does give one an edge that lust just can't give.

[He picks up his coffee. The duck does a little backflip. Then he moves it to the side. It spits out a jet of fire. Patrons and the employees gasp but nothing catches fire! So that's good!]

There are many kinds of love, it's true. But you can have one without the other. [ Hatesex is GREAT and everyone should experience it. ]

[ Saya issues a red-eyed glare to the panicky patrons and employees. Mind your business. ]

That's the best duck I've ever seen. I have a thing for fire.

You aren't wrong. They can be separate but can also intermingle in beautiful ways. That's all I'm saying.

[He catches those red eyes. Blood red. Beautiful really. Like an apple.]

Why thank you. I made it myself. The Fantastical Back-Flipping Rubber Duck. The breathes fire. It's a hobby of mine.

No argument here. I wouldn't have as many romantic partners as I do if they didn't.

[ "Like blood" is more apt given her everything, but she'll take apple as a comparison if it's from an enthusiast. She uses her red eyes to wink at him. ]

Are they all different, or is this little guy a prototype?

[He grins and his own eyes flash red like hers. He chuckles.]

Oh one of many different kinds. I've made all sorts. Different sizes and shapes. Oh I already miss my workshop.

[Coffee sip.] Right. You said you have a thing for fire. [He holds up his hand and a duck made of fire appears in his palm. He tosses it to swim through the air around Saya before spreading its wings and fly out the door.]

You think this world needs more ducks?

[ Goodness, those eyes. They pull at her mating instincts like crazy. ]

You can have a workshop here, if that's something you're interested in. I'll bet a lot of people would appreciate your ducks.

[ She looks delighted at the fire duck, reaches up and sweeps her hand through the flames. Bless the Summer powerset. ]

I think this world needs more you, so that'd be a yes.

Wow! [That is not something he thought he would hear. From anyone. Ever.]

How can I say no when I hear that! I'd normally just make one but I'll play by the rules of this world. Make money, buy a building, the whole thing. This is going to be exciting. I've never had to work like this before.

Where do you work? Judging from your outfit, it's a very lustful place. I'd love to see it.

[ She smiles indulgently. He's great. ]

Yes, well. No accounting for taste. [ Who wouldn't want to play around with the devil? Boring people, that's who. ]

Making money isn't hard, at least. There's lots of quests doing everything from catching funny animals to killing monsters to things that are more... adult. [ Her smile quirks. ]

I work in a club for those that appreciate my kind. The darker side of life. It's a little cheesy with the theming, but fun. Come by sometime, my friends drink for free.

[He is great, isn't he? He chuckles. Saya is so nice and sweet. And he can feel her interest. He feels odd with that. His fingers fiddle with his wedding ring. They are split, after all. Still. He is not used to people flirting so obviously and so many have been lately. Oh dear.]

Sounds like it's a fantastic dealer's choice. Go with one's strengths. I know I can probably do most of them.

Oh. Wow. You make friends fast. I won't turn down drinks and good conversation. I'll be there.

[ Hey, if he's monogamous then she'll respect that. And find it adorable. But she's married too, twice by some definitions, so doesn't find nonmonogamy weird in the slightest. ]

I imagine you have many strengths, if even half of the legends are true.

[ Another smile, warm. ] I don't mind serving my employers out of some cash. They're exploiting me for cash, I exploit them for it. It's in my contract.

[Monogamous is pushing it. More like just having relationship issues. He smiles though and laughs.]

That's what every contract is. Both parties working through the rules and loopholes to get more of what they want or need. You're an expert already. You'd make a fantastic Overlord. [He chuckles and offers his arm.]

Let's walk and talk. You're off work, yes? Let me walk you home.

So it is. I didn't feel bad for taking them for every cent possible and tons of benefits besides. The supply of vampires willing to work there is basically just me, it's the law of economics.

Sure, I just got off the clock. I'll take you on a tour of Blossomcrown. We live on the very outskirts.

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