Test Drive Meme #11

[seasonsmods]

Test Drive Meme #11
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

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 (someone near the hologram mumbles that Olwen still hadn't sent them a new message, even if he talked about updating it).

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.

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?

Hymn for the Missing

Part 1

October is once again the start of the nameless festival of honoring the dead, where regular people can join in helping ghosts pass into afterlife. This ritual can only be done at this time of the year, as the air is filled with a mysterious essence that helps with passing on. The scientists have yet to properly determine what the essence truly is, but it seems to concentrate on the park and at least it's not dangerous for the living.

Much like last year, the key is to partner up with someone and hold up a special wreath made of flowers. Once the wreath starts glowing they must release it and let it float upward. During the ascent, the ghost will be visible to everyone, even if just for a moment, before vanishing with the wreath, leaving behind glowing, floating lights in the air.

Another part of the festivities is sending off floating lanterns. These lanterns can be used to pour all thoughts and feelings of someone the person misses and send it to the skies. Legend says that it will eventually reach the person they thought of, alive or dead, eventually on its journey. It's also viewed as a way of lessening one's emotional weight.

Ortherworlders are also encouraged to light special candles. Doing so will grant them a protective spell that will be with them until its spent. All damage they receive will be halved for three hits. This spell can't be stacked, but it can always be redone during the course of the festivities (until late November).

Part 2

The restaurants in Blossomcrown are also participating in the festivities. They are offering the ghosts a chance to enjoy one final meal before leaving the world. This is only made possible by volunteers.

The food will be provided by the chefs: All the volunteers need to do is let ghosts possess them. They'll be given a magical brooch to hold that will make this happen. Once the ghost has taken over someone's body, they will tell what their favorite food is. It could be just a strawberry cake or something more exotic like haggis.

After they've enjoyed the meal the ghosts usually leave the brooch and the stop possessing the person. However some of them are greedy and will run from the restaurant. It's likely they want to fill their heart's final desire, whatever it may be. It could be singing on a rooftop or even running naked through the marketplace.

During the two months the festivities are happening, the natives will be much more understanding of any weird stunts and crimes the otherworlders do, assuming they're possessed by a peculiar ghost. Unless they see that someone doesn't have a brooch, of course.

Those caught doing dangerous and/or malicious things without being possessed will be put into a pillory for the afternoon, so natives can toss tomatoes at them.

Pumpkins Scream in the Dead of Nightwake

Part 1

Nightwake has adopted Halloween as an official holiday. The city has been decorated with various spooky things and people dress up in different themed outfits. Even the cat-sized dragons residing in the city have cute accessories like witch hats or devil horns.

The natives are especially proud of the haunted houses they've set up on every district. They fit the theme of the place they're in and some of them even have actual ghosts to set up the mood. Nothing actually dangerous happens in the houses, just some good-willed spooky fun and perfectly cut screams.

Stores are also doing a promotion for boo baskets! Anyone who gathers a basket full of halloween and autumn filled things (clothes, food, decorations, chocolate etc) will get 50% off for their total purchase! The boo baskets themselves are designed as various things, such as pumpkins, bats and different monsters from all around Ellipsa. Anyone is also welcome to design their own basket.

Speaking of baskets, during the festivities everyone will receive a harvest basket on their doorstep. There are those filled with vegetables, some filled with fruit and berries and then a mix of both. Usually all baskets have at least apples, corn, potatoes, pumpkins and squash. The card in the basket says "Please enjoy these, but don't leave them sit in the basket for too long!"

Part 2

A few days after everyone has received their harvest baskets, something strange starts happening. Vegetables that haven't been eaten or prepared for later somehow start growing at rapid speeds. Most vegetables just grow into the size of middle sized dogs and stop there. Locals suggest carving the pumpkins especially into small houses for Harvest Fairies... or just for decorations. Some pets really, really love pumpkin and might enjoy a small house built for them.

Corn is the worst one to leave in the basket as those grow a full corn maze all around the district they end up growing in (including in the house it started in). It's entirely possible to encounter a corn maze even in the middle of Frostreign. Magical corn doesn't care about the soil it grows in.

It doesn't take long for corn maze turf wars to start happening. Mysterious moving jack o'lantern (creatures with pumpkins as heads on different bodies - including void cats pretending to be jack o'lantern) and very regular seeming scarecrows start fighting over their territory.

The locals try enlisting anyone to stop the fight because jack o'lanterns carry lanterns and try to set the scarecrows on fire - and no one wants the corn maze to go up in flames when some of them connect indoors. The scarecrows in turn use any weapons they might get their hands on - including people and animals.

Of course getting rid of the mazes is also a priority. Fire is a no go, but the farmers are willing to lend their scythes for the occasion.

Part 3

During October 21st, Nightwake natives are engaging in a weird new tradition. Apparently, while looking at modern holidays, they found a something called a National Throw a Short Person - day. So it's entirely possible to see short people being thrown into different soft mattresses and other surfaces lined up for the occasion.

They're even encouraging people to participate, saying that it seemed like such an important holiday to honor. How they came to that conclusion isn't very clear.

OOC TIPS

Summary of the prompts [ Click to Expand ]

Arrival
• Characters appear in one of the four seasonal spaces, depending on what season they are
• After half an hour they are teleported to the Research Center lobby and given information
• Hologram of Olwen (Winter Guild Leader) plays, explaining the situation
• They're given their smartphone-like device and told about the Starter Apartments next door
• Possibility of finding a roommate!

Hymn for the Missing
Part 1
• Nameless festival of honoring the dead starts and continues until late November
• Flower wreaths are used to help ghosts pass onto afterlife
• Floating lanterns are send to skies with thoughts and emotions of someone missing attached
• Lightning candles will give people a protective spell

Part 2
• Volunteers are asked to let ghosts possess them so they can enjoy one last meal
• This is possible by a magical brooch
• Some ghosts will want to do other things as well and run away
• Those caught doing dangerous and/or malicious things will be caught in the pillory

Pumpkins Scream in the Dead of Nightwake
Part 1
• Halloween is now an official holiday
• Decorations and costumes pop up everywhere
• Every district has a themed haunted house
• People are encouraged to make boo baskets
• Everyone will also receive a harvest basket with an ominous message

Part 2
• Few days after the harvest baskets are received, magic happens
• Vegetables start growing into the sizes of middle sized dogs
• Corn will make full corn mazes everywhere
• Turf Wars start in the corn maze between jack o'lanterns and scarecrows

Part 3
• October 21st is the National Throw a Short Person day

- 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

Comments

Esme Faulkner | Changeling the Lost | Autumn

[albionchanged]

Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths
This was such an interesting custom, nothing like anything Esme had known. But knowing that ghosts and spirits are indeed real, just made him want to assist in their passage. It felt only right.

Finding a nice clear spot to release a wreath or two wasn't hard, but approaching someone to ask as his partner was more intimidating. It was for a good cause though, so he stepped up to the first person he spotted.

"Um...'scuse me? Are you also doing wreaths by chance?"


Hymn for the Missing - Lanterns
If he was honest, it would probably have taken around twenty candles to really cover the people he missed, but instead he focused on two. There hadn't been much time to think about home and his parents, and he'd kind of avoided doing so as much as he could in favor of filling the void with his new loved ones. This was the perfect moment to think about that closure though.

Sitting on the edge of a rooftop and enjoying the cool evening breeze, he looked down at the two lanterns in his hands. Was it magic that carried it into the air, or science? Maybe both, though there wasn't much of a difference in his understanding.

What mattered was the doing, so he held the lanterns close. He thought long and hard. About things he appreciated from his life with them, regrets for never becoming the man they wanted him to be and never making it home, the love he still had for, the feelings of loss knowing they were gone alongside his entire world and there was no going back, and a little bit of hope that they had lived well with his fetch providing what he couldn't.

But once he was finished, he found that he couldn't release the lanterns. Couldn't make himself do it.


Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief
Was it a bad idea to just let a ghost possess you? A lot of people would probably say yes. Right now the answer was probably absolutely yes. But Esme had done it because it was meant to help, and now stood balanced on a tall tent pole a megaphone in hand.

"This is an invitation to clear your schedules for an exhilarating performance. In three hours, at 3pm I will grace you all with a death defying stunt as my final send-off before my journey to the great beyond. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!"


Pumpkins Scream in the Dead of Nightwake - Part 2
Normally an excess of crops like this would be an amazing boon outright. But the corn mazes were an obvious case of too much of a good thing, so Esme didn't hesitate to take up a scythe and set to work. It was hard work, so he focused on trying to clear doorways and alleys, listening for anyone who might have gotten lost.

"Anyone in need here?"

Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[melodymania]

Max would never blame Esme for this. He had done it to help. It was supposed to be a simple last meal. A final send off for the spirit to go to the other side. This thrill seeking asshat had decided to take advantage of Esme's kindness. That didn't sit well with Max. Which was why he appeared under the tent pole with a death glare at Esme's possessed form.

"Just what in the hells do you think you're doing inside my lover, asshole?"

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[albionchanged]

"I thought that would be obvious, friend," the spirit announced, rather obnoxiously still through the megaphone. "This fine young man is assisting me in my finest performance, and I couldn't have asked for a more capable volunteer to pull it off."

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[melodymania]

"Is that so?" That fucking megaphone was too loud. Max shifted the volume down on it with his powers.

"And what, exactly, are you planning for your final performance? Because if it is going to hurt him, I'm not against ripping that broach off and tearing you out of him, friend."

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[albionchanged]

"No need fo--" The spirit looked from the megaphone then to Max, before shrugging. "No need for threats my friend, though you are cutting into my prep time with your pointless concern. I don't plan for any harm to come to his adorable little head. Not when he's so athletic and coordinated. As his lover, I'm sure you can visualize the kind of performance I'd be planning with his unique talents."

Hymn for the Missing - Lanterns

[livesoutofspite]

Esme wasn't the only one who decided to find solace somewhere for the lantern releasing. Mike joined him on the rooftop with a lantern of his own. He hadn't planned to be up here with anyone but Esme was welcome company.

"Hey," He said softly as he sat next to Esme, his one lantern in his lap. "You doing okay, Esme?"

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Lanterns

[albionchanged]

"Hullo, Mike."

Esme didn't startle, looking sideways at Mike as the mage sat down. Just one lantern? For who?

"I'm okay. Just don't wanna let go..."

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Lanterns

[livesoutofspite]

He's glad Esme wasn't startled. He nods.

"Letting to is hard. You don't have to until you're ready. ...I know the feeling," Mike looked down at his lantern.

"I let go of the two I had for my mom and dad. But this one is for my grandma and I'm not ready yet. I think it's because back home I, well, sometimes can still go see her. It doesn't really feel like she's gone even though she is. So I understand, Esme." He reached out and wrapped an arm around Esme's shoulders and pulled his friend closer.

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Lanterns

[albionchanged]

"Your grandma?"

Curling to nestle into Mike's side, he looked at the candle. There were implications that even he couldn't miss, and he was quiet for a moment.

"If...if you can still see her, would that make this lantern more the feelings of missing her rather than letting go?" he asked tentatively.

Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[noodleboi]

MK is sitting in the wreath area when someone approaches. He smiles when he is asked. He stands up and nods to Esme, dusting off his pants.

"Yeah, I am. Do you want to do one together?"

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[albionchanged]

"Please."

Esme offers a smile, extending a hand to MK. He seems nice enough, so maybe he'll be a friend. "I'm Esme. It's nice to meet you."

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[noodleboi]

"Sure," MK shakes Esme's hand.

"I'm MK. Nice to meet you too. Are you new here Esme?"

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[albionchanged]

"I am. I arrived two months ago. Yourself?"

Esme gives his hand a firm shake. "How long have you been here?"

Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[castaside]

This whole ceremony gives Macaque the creeps, seeing as last year sort of outted him as a formerly dead person. At least this year there's none of that.

He's watching the festivities when he hears a voice behind him and turns. He can't help smiling when he sees Esme. Despite his distaste about this whole affair, he doesn't have it in him to say no to someone he likes.

"Hi, Esme. I don't mind helping." He's not 'doing the wreaths' but it's fine.

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[albionchanged]

Esme definitely wasn't hoping that Macaque would say yes when he asked. He's definitely not happier for that reason. Except he definitely is, because he's missed Macaque.

"Hullo, Macaque. It's been a little while. I hope you're well."

It's not his place to pry into the discontent he can slightly sense.

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Wreaths

[castaside]

Macaque smiles in spite of the occasion. Esme is like a salve to the spirit, like someone else he knows.

"I'm doing my best. What about you?"

Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[nodealplz]

Oh hell no. Eliza's anger took over before her common sense had a chance to kick in as she shifted into her mostly human form. Short blond hair growing over her cheeks, neck, and arms as she stormed over to that tent pole. She grabbed Esme's shirt brooch and all with her now clawed fingers almost before Esme's feet even touched the floor and pulled him close.

"Get out of him right now if you know what's good for you." She growled showing off her sharper teeth.

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[albionchanged]

"Young lady. Threats are completely unneeded here. Especially as I am nearly finished with my final business. What would I have to gain by quitting now?"

Taking her hands gently but firmly, he pulled them away at the same time he tapped into Esme's ability to just...not be in her grasp, smoothly stepping away.

"I'm on the cusp of my final performance and then I can finally leave altogether, I just needed a capable person to assist me."

Re: Hymn for the Missing - Ghost Mischief

[nodealplz]

Oh, she's not allowed to keep hold of you bodysnacher? Fine, she'll just step right back into his space and look over him without grabbing.

"I think threats are very much needed here body snatcher." Eliza growled upper lip still curled. "You are only ment to possess people long enough for a final meal. As much as I hate deals Esme took part in this in good faith and you are breaking that."

wreaths

[starwill]

Stelle points at herself with a look of brief confusion before she finally answers.

"I am. Or at least, I plan to, anyway. What's up?"

Re: wreaths

[albionchanged]

Esme nods once, offering her a smile. "It takes two to help a soul pass on, so I was hoping you would be my partner for one or two," he answered, holding up the wreath in his hands.

[starwill]

"I don't mind," Stelle answers with a shrug of her shoulders. "Was there anybody in particular that you were thinking about?"

wreaths

[abnormalizes]

"I was planning to, although I don't really know what I'm doing. But it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

She's not an expert on grief or mourning by any means, but even she can't screw this up, probably.

Re: wreaths

[albionchanged]

"Oh, Evangeline. Hullo! I hope you're well."

Esme's glad to see her again. Their first meeting had been nice. "It's very easy. The hardest part is finding someone to be your partner, but we've solved that now.

Re: wreaths

[abnormalizes]

"Doing alright! Good to see you again. -It really is just as simple as holding it together with someone else? You don't have to, like, focus on any specific emotions or something?"