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seasonsgreetings2023-04-14 10:33 am
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Test Drive Meme #2

Test Drive Meme #2
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
April is the time for a strange weather effect that affects all of the districts, save for the one in the middle and Frostreign. It's not weird that it rains, but it's what the rain does that has been dubbed as the Rain of Affection.
Anyone who stands in the rain will feel the need to get close to someone. It starts with a need to gently touch someone gently, but can escalate into needing to hug someone. The ultimate craving of the rain is kissing in the rain but that's the most it can make happen. It's a very Safe For Work Rain Effect.
After a successful kiss in the rain, the cravings slowly become less urgent, but the effect can start all over again at any given time.
Of course, there are individuals who don't get too affected by the rain (at all or not as badly) and it only works if it directly hits someone. So staying in a shelter or being in Nightwake Center or Frostreign is definitely a way to avoid this whole phenomenon. Even avoiding the worst of the effect is easy by just going under a shelter or purchasing a nice, maybe even a color changing, umbrella.
It's raining very often until the end of the month at different times in each districts.
After the rain, a rainbow usually appears. Rainbows formed by the Rain of Affection are special, wish granting ones. The natives will explain that if you hold someone's hands and make a wish that wish will come true in some capacity.
Someone wishing for wealth may win a gift card for a shop while someone wishing to see a loved one they're missing may get pictures sent to their mobile devices (how? magic). Those wishing for world peace may find their very presence be calming to others. But the biggest prize is a free regain of a non-magical item or an animal companion. If someone asks for a magical item it will come as a non-magical item and the magical part of it would have to be purchased by a magical-regain, so it's cheaper to just not.
Be careful what you wish for, as each character only gets one wish, no matter how many rainbows they end up seeing during the rainy season.
Solarpeak has a new way of battling against the hot summer days (you know, when it isn't raining). Many shops along the streets sell ice cream mochis of varying flavors. You have your very normal flavors like different berries, fruit and chocolate, but also some very excotic and weird ones.
There's even a flavor called random mystery that is literally that. A randomized flavor that is a mystery to all. It can even be a flavor that no one has thought of before or even something that definitely should not be in any kind of food. Anyone who buys a pack of two mochis will get a free mystery one if they want it (and sometimes even if they don't).
Other districts also have some treats out for different climates. There are various flavors of hot cocoa in places like Amberfall and Frostreign, and nice light treats like macarons in Blossomcrown. Of course various restaurants have their own menus that fit their own season, so you could definitely have a gourmet journey all over the city of Nightwake if you wished.
One morning, on all of the bridges leading outside into the segments, round gates appear. They're portals that bring in monsters. They look normal from the outside looking in, like portals to a lovely garden. But the gardens are the problem as they are infested with different monsters, waiting to attack the city. This isn't the first time natives have seen these portals and before they had people to deal with them, but now? They need otherworlders.
All of the monsters inside need to be defeated for the portal to disappear. No one knows exactly how many there are, but with the defeat of the last one, the portal will disappear from around anyone inside of it, leaving the characters on the bridge.
The portal can be entered from both the city and the segment side and it looks flat when looked from sideways. Like it's just a random 2D structure in the middle of the world.
Those who explore the portal further will notice that they will loop around. It's very similar to the place they started in, back when they arrived, as it doesn't seem to have an end, no matter how you explore the place.
For noncombatants, natives have set up stations to help with first aid and making food for the fighters so they can occasionally come back from the portals to take a much needed rest.
Anyone helping with the fight, either in the portals or outside, will receive a hefty 5000 Moon Coin reward for their hard work. A good way to earn some starting funds!
Monster List [ Click to Expand ]
All of the Monsters listed here will be in all of the portals and there will be several of each to fight.The danger level is indicated with Stars. The lowest level threat is 0 while the highest is 10. From 7 and above, the likelihood of a beast going for a kill increases significantly.
Name | Description | Stars |
---|---|---|
Bubblefish | Bubblefish are lumbering, two-legged creatures, with fins for arms, a long, muscular, finned tail, and a big fish face. They are fast, dangerous predators while in water, but do not count them out while on land, as regardless of whether they are above water or below it, they can blow large bubbles which capture their targets. Once inside the stretchy bubble, victims begin to go numb, their body feeling like it's on pins and needles as the Dragonfish begins to cast various debuffs on them. The bubbles are tough to escape despite their appearance, but the debuffs are lesser when shared, and can be escaped with the propper application of mint or minty treats! Mint has the effect of weakening the bubble to allow it to pop, although you may then find yourself being charged as the Bubblefish goes wild trying to get that minty goodness. | 5-8 |
Bugboars | These are really more like rhinocerous beetles, but they are the size of wild boars, and they act similarly, roaming about in family groups together, rooting through the ground to unearth any edible material. They are highly territorial, and charge at anything or anyone who gets close. Their eyesight might be poor, but they make up for it with their antennae and the fact that these massive beetles do have wings, and they possess enough control over wind to lift themselves off of the ground at great speeds, or send powerful gales at those who come too close to their young. | 6 |
Crockodile | Crocodiles with elemental powers of earth, leading to them being able to travel through dirt and stone as if they were water, these large reptiles often hide beneath the earth with only their eyes and nostrils peeking out, resembling the stone they hide within. They are ambush predators, popping out of the ground, large stony jaws open to crush their prey, but even once dragged out of hiding they are hardly easy to defeat. These crocks are stony in appearance and their hide is just as hard to pierce. In addition, they're a little closer to the size of a small car than your average crocodile. | 6-9 |
Flurry Flock | White birds acting like a swarm that may deceive you into thinking they are harmless doves at first. Upon closer inspection, they more closely resemble a vengeful murder of crows with pure white feathers that they can use to reflect light so brilliantly that one can be blinded, leaving the flock's victim open to attack as they descend upon their prey like a group of voracious piranhas, claws and beaks as cold as ice as they try to tear their foes apart | 3-6 |
Lavapotamus | These large hippo-creatures seem to be either made of or covered in molten rock that hardens over time when in the air. Usually they prefer to soak in lava and be left alone. Pulled through portals in an environment far too cool for their liking and with people so nearby has them aggressive and dangerous, charging down anyone who gets too near and leaving a red-hot trail of lava in their wake. | 3-8 |
Minosaur | This creature seems to be a horrific mash of other creatures, similar to a traditional chimera; it possesses the body and horns of a bull, a head like a Tyrannosaurus, the plates of a stegosaurus all the way down it's powerful back and becoming spikes as they trail down it's tail, which ends in a very angry snake head. There is no end of this creature's body which is not hard, sharp, and completely pissed off. If you manage not to get bitten or gored at it's head, you will still need to contend with the powerful hooved legs attempting to stomp down on you, and take care to dodge as the snake head on it's tail spits fire. | 8-10 |
Even after the defeat of the Portals, there's still a lot of things to do! All of the Guilds are open. There's a good training space outside of them to test our powers and computers where you can learn all about what kind of powers you can unlock.
All guilds also have the same Questboard open! Why not take a look and see what adventures await?
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you're not a friend of the mods and 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!
- Feel free to visit the EMP/ATP - meme!
- New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new! They can also comment HERE to promote their new top levels.
- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well.
- 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.
zenyatta - overwatch (new)
[Statue-still among the trees, Zenyatta tries to make sense of what has happened.
The shift is so sudden, so impossible, that at first it simply refuses to register that, between one step and the next, the snow beneath his sandals has given way to the loamy softness of grass and blossom. That the mountain forest through which he had until this moment been exploring has been supplanted, that the very clothes on his back- so to speak- have transformed.]
a. blue screen
[He stays that way for a very long time- easily long enough for any other confused soul who comes across him to wonder if he has crashed completely. Petals dust his shoulders and catch on his face plate, the glow of his jieba the only sign of life within.
Maybe you should check on him...]
b. spring showers
[Could this be the will of the Iris, perhaps, in all its obscure omnipotence? It is the only possible explanation Zenyatta can find, but he is far too curious to stop there. There is a why here to be uncovered.
First things first: his location. The forest seems to stretch endlessly from down here, but a bird's eye view may reveal more. After a few false starts Zenyatta manages to shin his way up onto a branch... and shower any unfortunate soul passing beneath in a sudden downpour of pink petals.]
... ah. Are you alright?
rainbows
[To say that Zenyatta has acclimatised would be generous, but he is, at least, coming to terms with his strange new circumstances. As uneasy as it makes him to think of what he has left behind, this world is strange and beautiful and fascinating in its own way; surely it would be unforgiveably short-sighted to ignore all it had to offer him now?
And now, as if to validate his hope, there is a rainbow! As it emerges from the blue like watercolour spreading across a page, Zenyatta finds himself wondering how many others across the city were doing the very same thing- how many at home, even, were staring up at a rainbow of their own in more familiar skies?
It is a buoying thought, and one he will reflect upon later in private. As he soaks in the atmosphere, however, he is struck by a sudden thought, and, then an impulse. Whoever passes him by on the street next is going to have their hand gently taken by his own- large, metal, cold- and tugged.]
Would you like to make a wish with me?
portals
[Of course, no world is composed only of light and joy; where there is harmony there is necessarily discord, and it does not take Zenyatta long to find it. Tempting though it is to explore the portals and their deadly gardens, he knows better than to go it alone.
Instead, he seats himself in lotus position nearby, watching the bridge for other challengers; those leaving the portals he approaches with a small cant of his head, seemingly unbothered by the blood and gore that may or may not be their own.]
Please, allow me to ease your suffering. [The orbs around his neck thrum melodically as they turn, a hypnotic counterpoint to the cadence of his voice.]
blue screen.
Honour, unfortunately, forces him to stop what he is doing and watch, expression terse, before he steps over and leans down, trying not to let the irritation show on his face. ]
Are you functional?
Re: blue screen.
Oh. [He sounds a little dazed. Then, as he begins to return:] Hello.
[Only now is he starting to focus on the man, head tilting just a little as he takes all of him in: a stranger, he thinks, but a striking one, with his silver temples and tattoo. Zenyatta's attention lingers on it for longer than it probably should, his memory stirred.]
I believe so, unless we are both sharing the same dream.
no subject
Greetings.
[ A little nod of his head, but then he's standing up and taking a step back, trying not to look as put out as he actually feels. ]
I did not think that omnics were capable of dreaming.
[ He doesn't mean to be rude, just... To the point. ]
no subject
As for the man's assumption... it rolls off of him like rainwater. Somewhere in his mind's eye he sees a younger, angrier version of himself bristle with indignation, marvelling at the distance between the two of them.]
A common misconception. For many of us, it is the most productive part of the day. [His voice is light, droll.] Although, in my own experience, they are never quite as real as this.
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Portals (❁´◡`❁) hey hey friend
He was favoring a side when he caught notice of someone addressing him and nearly froze when eyes lifted at catching... note quite tone, but with all the time spent around Omnics here and there even now you never really could miss how they sounded. Each one different, but there was just something.
And the design was unmistakable, even if not familiar with this one. Shambali monk? The orbs were familiar from the ones he had met before. Even if briefly in another lifetime.]
Acting the part of a medic?
[Keeping his tone calm, albeit dry, but there were some thoughts going a mile a minute. First person from home he'd seen.]
no subject
No. Focus. Do not overreact.]
I would never claim to be so qualified. [There is humour in his voice, in spite of his shock. After a pause, Zenyatta hedges his bets.] Perhaps you are familiar with my order. The Shambali are trained in a variety of arts.
no subject
I've heard of the Shambali enough to be at least somewhat familiar, yeah.
[Even if it was that much more that solidified something in common that might've already been there. Something there, controlled and calm as this Omnic was being, 76 couldn't miss the reaction- slight as it could've been. Already on alert as he was.
There was a slow exhale, shoulders rolling as if to loosen up some muscle in his back- around his neck.]
Won't turn down aide, not a good idea in a place like this. Even with safety on the inside.
[For the most part.]
no subject
Ah, excellent! Then I do not suppose I need to explain myself... Soldier: 76, I believe?
[His voice remains warm and even, without so much as a trace of wariness. In truth, it barely exists in the first place. Rumours and reputations are rarely true representations of their subjects.]
My name is Zenyatta. Shall we sit down? [Already he would like to get his hands on the man's neck and shoulders and feel what sort of kinks and knots he has cultivated there.]
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rainbows. I'm sorry
However, since this is very visibly not a human, Evangeline immediately goes into Flirt Mode.]
I'd love to!
[Her eyes are sparkling.]
w o w he was a MONK
Wonderful! [He lifts their joint hands between them, and then, after a moment's thought, takes her other hand, too, just to be sure.] Do you suppose we should discuss our wishes beforehand? I have heard that if you share a wish, it may not come true.
[If he sounds very earnest, that's because he is. Already, Ellipsa is providing him with a healthy supply of new myths and legends to absorb.]
you never know unless you shoot your shot
Let's see... I don't have to wish to meet a kind stranger, that's already happened. What are you thinking of?
spoken like a true player
[He gives a deep, melodious hum, his orbs chiming softly as they turn in time with his thoughts.]
I would not object to a new sash.
life is short and robots are hot
- friedrich nietzsche, 1880
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Rainbows!
So he was caught off guard by hand, gentle as it was-- and noticed immediately how it was inhuman. Metal, not gloves, and as he turned to look--
"Ah--" There was no mistaking the robotic nature of the other being next to him. He could feel his processor run, calculations -- Querying what he was seeing.
Was this another AI? Another one... like him?
"--Yes. I would love to."
Please excuse his slack jawed reaction, but he closed his hand around the metal one that held his own.
"I have heard these rainbows can grant one wish during the season... I had been dwelling on what one to make." And now seemed like a great opportunity to take advantage, considering who he was going to make it for...
no subject
The feeling slips between his fingers like sand. For now, Zenyatta can only nod in agreement.
"As have I. I believe that we are granted only a single chance to make it," he answers, touching his free hand to his chin in thought. "I am not sure that I have been here long enough to make a useful choice just yet."
Although he could just wish for something completely frivolous. That could be interesting, too. "May I ask what you had in mind?"
portals (saw it this morning and I love me some misunderstanding xD)
He spits a bit of blood to the side and wipes his mouth, trudging along until he hears that. And he groans.]
Can we, like, not? I'm not suffering that badly for you to have to finish me off. [He gives the... 'robot' guy a look- yeah, he definitively can't take another fight on, the guy looks without a scratch.]
lmfao oh sweetie nooo
And just as he is about to say something to that effect, the man spits and sigh, and-]
Oh! [Zenyatta's jieba blink at him a few times. Then he bursts into bright, silvery laughter.] Fear not, my friend! I can see you have life in you yet. It is merely healing I offer you.
[In demonstration, he gestures with one hand and summons a ball of light, glowing like a jewel with harmonious energy.]
xDD
[Mollymauk's posture visibly deflates and his shoulders relax- he's usually the one that fucks around with phrasings, he didn't expect tables to be turned at him. Gods, he's overthinking things; his head is still ringing from screeching and yells from the fights, it's kind of a wonder he didn't pass out just yet.]
I won't say no to that, [he jabs both of his scimitars into the ground and leans against them, for support, watching curiously that little ball of light. Even his tail makes a question mark in a sense of "what's that gonna do?"]
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spring showers
And laugh.
An omnic up a tree; wonders never ceased it seems and Lifeweaver shields his eyes as he makes sure he's definitely seeing what he thinks he is.)
Never better. Are you having fun up there? I bet the view is amazing.
h i m
Ah! Company! [At last! While he certainly isn't opposed to a little solitude, the sheer emptiness of this place was beginning to unsettle him.
Parting leaves and flowers, he finds that he is looking down on an elegant young man who wears the small avalanche of petals as if they were a crown, his hair studded with pink and white.]
It is beautiful, if a little monotonous. This forest seems to stretch for miles without end. I have never seen anything like it! [He begins his descent, now, feeling the way down with his feet.] You would not happen to know where we are, would you?
sparkles
Really? I can't complain that it's a vast abundance of nature, but I don't think it's good news for either of us. Watch your footing, those branches can be deceptive, actually let me help you out —
(Oh wait, he doesn't have his gear, just white clothing. Niran pauses and looks around, the feeling of being a fish out of water kicking in. Just where is his equipment? His technology? It isn't the kind of thing that can just be left laying around. Well, first things first. He did offer to help and Niran simply puts his arms out, ready to catch should the worst happen (knowing full well an omnic landing on him would probably be the end).)
— if you fall I've got you.
Re: sparkles
zero shame here.
rainbows, naturally
[ This was almost like retirement, honestly. ]
[ What he's not prepared for, however, is a metal man taking his hand. He's definitely seen some oddly shaped denizens by now, so he's not too startled by that, but people usually knew better than to try touching him out of the blue. ]
[ He stares back at the friendly visor - short, annoyed, half his face still covered by bandages and he's leaning on a crutch on the other side. His voice is an impassive deadpan; ]
I'll pass.
[ Maybe he just needs more harmony in his life, though. ]
Re: rainbows, naturally
Fortunately for Levi, he knows better than to hang on, and lets go of his hand almost immediately. Unfortunately, he does not know when to quit- or, if he does, he has conveniently decided to forget.]
I understand. A wish is not something one should make in haste. [Although Zenyatta knows right away what he would wish for, just from looking at the- young man, perhaps? It is difficult to tell under those bandages.] I could wish for relief from your injuries.
no subject
[ He might look younger than he is, though the injuries have probably evened it out. But he doesn't consider himself young at late thirties, not when there's kids as young as fifteen joining the military. ]
[ He says nothing at first, confused, or maybe annoyed by the unprompted wisdom being presented to him, but his frown gets a little deeper when the stranger proposes making a wish for him. What? These things obviously wouldn't work, and if they did, why would anyone, let alone a stranger, waste theirs on him? ]
Don't worry about it. Wishful thinking doesn't cure shit. [ Is what he says instead. Still dismissive, but not entirely hostile. ]
Portals (also hello friend!)
[Wait... a robot?]
[Fumikage blinks, and despite his pain, he can't help but stare.]
You... are here to help?