expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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TEST DRIVE MEME #3

TEST DRIVE MEME #3

Welcome to the TDM for Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with fantasy, science fiction, and some horror elements. We ask that top-level comments are reserved for new characters and players looking to experience a taste of the world and overarching storyline. Characters already in the game, however, are free to use TDM prompts in their own catch-alls and logs. Feel free to submit any TDM / prompt-related questions to the corresponding comment below.

New players / characters looking to app are free to use TDM threads as samples in their application. Preexisting players / characters may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs (with the stated limitations).

You may find the below links helpful in getting to know themes of the world, locations, the people, and so on.

info | world

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN...

BRAVE NEW WORLD (ARRIVALS)

After receiving the paper with your sentence, the whole world quickly becomes dark and you find yourself falling through what seems to be an infinite void. You lose track of time after a while, but as soon as your focus seems to waver, your vision clears and you find yourself resting rather unceremoniously in a pile of seeds used for chicken feed.

Once you make your way out of the grain silo (and we of the moderator team wish you good luck in finding a fun way out of it), you may find that several other people have been dropped into the world just like you have. Some are disoriented, others are panicked, and others yet are simply angry about being brought somewhere against their will. Amidst the chaos of new arrivals to the world of Expiation, the newcomers will find that there are some people in the crowd who seem a little more familiar with what’s going on.

These people will tell you that you find yourself in a strange new world, and that it’s best to make your way to a nearby town called Aldrip to get settled down there. It’s a few hours by foot away from this area, but it’s the only place in the nearby area that can accommodate newcomers like you.

WE LIKE TO PARTY (WE LIKE, WE LIKE TO PARTY)

Recently, many Chosen have emerged victorious from a hard-fought battle, taking out a gargantuan creature that threatened to suck the energy from the whole area surrounding Aldrip if it had not been stopped. Such efforts do not go unrecognised, and in the aftermath, the locals all decided to band together to celebrate their saviours’ heroics. Nothing less than a village-wide party and parade would be fitting for such an occasion.

This is an undertaking that will likely take a significant amount of effort. While the locals wanted to make this into a surprise, many of them lack skills to put the thing together properly. Chosen who want to get involved in the preparation process can put their organisation and culinary skills to the test to create fixtures and food for the event. Better yet, your efforts over the past months have improved supply routes into Aldrip, meaning that the food shortage has passed, and you’ll have just about anything your heart desires for the occasion.

Alternatively, you can choose to enjoy the spoils of your efforts! Once the day of the party arrives, Aldrip will erupt into a full-scale celebration, and all Chosen are encouraged to party as hard as possible. Good food, good drinks and good times will be in no short supply for the occasion. Additionally, those who took to the front lines in the previous event will be revered as heroes and likely spoiled rotten.

THIS IS HOW YOU GET ANTS

PLEASE PARTY RESPONSIBLY

It’s no understatement to say that some of the Chosen like to party hard- and that’s quite alright! A few days ago, the people of Aldrip had already set aside a few rooms in the inn to act as an infirmary for those who had been injured during the battle with the Branded. It took little effort for them to expand this project into a full medical wing for those who would undoubtedly be acting irresponsibly during the festivities.

It’s up to you to decide what circumstances brought you here. Perhaps you were injured in the previous battle, and have been stuck in bed as you recover from your wounds. Maybe you had just a little too much to drink, and you decided to come by while you collect yourself. Regardless of what your reason for being there may be, the people of Aldrip have guaranteed that you will receive the best of care.

With that said, the place is terminally understaffed. Aldrip’s locals will certainly appreciate any assistance they can get- even if your character might not have the best training or bedside manner. Medicine can’t be that hard- what’s the worst that can happen?

MR. MAGNIFI'S MAGNIFICENT MIXTURES

Once word of the upcoming celebration spread, several individuals from outside town came in to offer their services or goods in Aldrip. One such individual came into town riding on a rickety cart with the words “Miraculous Magnifi’s Medicine! Guaranteed to heal what ails ye!” emblazoned in gold on its side. The thing smells a bit off, with a strong chemical scent coming from the back, but the moustachioed man who emerges from the back assures you that all of his “mixes are made with meticulous ministrations!”

Those who buy and consume the potion might find themselves feeling strange over the next few days as symptoms emerge. Some people wake up to find that their hair has taken on a rainbow of colours during the night, that rats cuddle up to them for no reason, or that their irises have been replaced with strange spiral shapes. Feel free to come up with inventive but harmless side effects for the miracle elixir- it’s meant for some good fun.

They’re strange symptoms for sure, and certainly not the advertised cure-all. However, Magnifi is already gone by the next dawn, meaning that no one can get a refund. Thankfully, the symptoms will go away after a few days, but the chaos that ensues in the meanwhile will certainly make for some fun stories.

IT'S NOT OVER

♪♫ LET IT GROW ♫♪ ► (FUTURE EVENT TIE-IN)

The party celebrating the dread beast’s defeat can be heard from miles outside of Aldrip, but the situation is not quite yet resolved. Much of the once-lush forest outside of Aldrip had its life force absorbed from it, leaving little more than profaned ground and an overwhelming scent of rot. Worse yet, there are reports that some of the beast’s severed golden tendrils have taken on a life of their own, creating snake-monsters that threaten the local wildlife.

However, the monsters are not the only new arrivals in Pessiria Forest. Those who go to investigate the area will find that fairy-like creatures have gathered in the profaned land and are trying their best to help bring the area back to its former glory. At first, they seem to keep their distance or ignore you entirely, but after determining that you mean well, they inform you that they can temporarily bless the Chosen with the power to make full-sized plants burst forth from the seeds they plant into the ground.

It’s still going to be hard work. Even with the power to bring plants to life, planting seeds in the miles of dead forest will likely take a very long time. Still, these strange fairies could use the help, and tough jobs can be better if you bring a little help from your own friends. (Or enemies. No one’s going to judge you for who you bring.)

WHAT'S THAT MYSTERIOUS LAUGHING SOUND?

The process of regrowing the devastated part of Pessiria forest is well underway, but the process does not go entirely smoothly. Partway through the process, locals start to report that they can hear a strange girl laughing in the forest in the middle of the night, but no one seems able to track down its source. Curious Chosen can patrol around the forest at night to try and figure out the mystery.

Those who are particularly sharp-eyed might see a faint spectre of a little girl wearing a straw hat dancing about, but she never seems to stay in sight for more than a few seconds. One blink is all it takes for her to vanish.

You probably won’t be able to catch this strange spectre, but it’s become something of a game among the villagers to go looking for her anyways. Some say that seeing her is a sign of good luck, and wave to her before she disappears. Others say that if you see her while holding hands, it will bless you with a lifetime of good love. Almost all of these assertions are probably nonsense- but what will you do about it?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(who knows how long jinx has been wandering around and searching, but there doesn't seem to be any sign of the gemstone or any of her weapons yet. it's becoming down right frustrating and she's beginning to wonder if she should just cut her losses for now. after all, jinx can always build another pow-pow, pistol, and fishbones. this place doesn't seem to be a wasteland, so surely she can start from scratch again. the problem, however, is the gemstone. but the girl can only hope maybe it'll be lost for good and won't be found into the wrong hands.

after all, she did accomplished her mission back home and as for her older sister? ... there's definitely no way of rekindling that relationship now. 'here's to the new us.' she had said. and what better way to really mean it by starting entirely over? as the blue haired girl strolls along, another girl with sunny blonde hair (also in long pigtails) catches her eye above. jinx stops to silently watch, head cocking to the side to read if this said banner had any writing scribbled over its colors. )

( when the wind picks up and the blonde hair plunges, jinx's eyes widen and instinctively catches her into her arms. but instead of asking if she's okay, express worry, or any of the like -- the prodigy frowns over with narrowed eyes. )

If you're not gonna use a ladder right, don't be up there.

[Oh wow, what a cute girl.

Usagi then blushed and cleared her throat, sitting up in Jinx's arms.]

Oh um... s-sorry... but uh thank you! For catching me, I mean! [Usagi slowly made her way out of Jinx's arms.] That would have been a nasty spill if not for you!

( she lowers her arms to help the other squirm out of her hold, then place her hands on her hips. and it's the last bit usagi says that sparks a wicked idea in her head. the smirk twists on her face while she sways gently from side to side -- her braids lagging behind in movement. )

Yeah, you're right. Guess that means you're in debt to me, eh? — Or 'least you owe me for savin' your twiggy self.

( but isn't jinx just as skinny as usagi, if not more? )

Oh... yeah, I guess I do? [Usagi isn't used to demanding debts from people after saving them so she can't really say that she's been through this before.] What do you want from me? [She doesn't have money and she's not told anyone about her crystal.]

( she scrunches up her face as she thinks, a hand reaching to grab a lock of usagi's hair to twist along her fingertips. jinx hums sweetly and her eyes takes a full gander at the slightly shorter girl. )

How about stickin' with me, Blondie? I'm new around this place and there's some stuff I'm looking for. And they say, four eyes are better than two.

Yooou YOU WANT ME TO COME SHOPPING WITH YOU! [Usagi grabbed Jinx's hand, smiling brightly.] Absolutely! I love to shop! Watcha looking for? Oh! By the way, my name is Usagi Tsukino, nice to meet you, what's your name?

( whoa, alright!! the sudden burst of energy catches her by surprise and her eyes widen at their hands clasping together too. not that she is afraid of touch, but... people are usually frighten of her. and besides her sister and her father, no one has ever laid a hand on her that isn't aggressive. )

Jinx. But uh... I'm not really shopping. ( slowly, she pulls her hands away from her grip. ) — I'm lookin' for something that I lost.

[Usagi perpetually lives... lived? Lives for surprising people. She tilts her head and smiles.]

Ah, well, like you said! Four eyes and all that. Sure, I'd love to help you Jinx-chan! What are we looking for?

( jinx...chan? that's an odd way to her name but she'll roll with it. )

I'm looking for a crystal. It's not shaped exactly like one but it's circular. Blue and it has lil' stuff inside like it'll hold a lotta power. Seen anything like that around?

[Usagi initially went still when Jinx mentioned a crystal, her hand twitching to stop her for reaching for her brooch. Was... was Jinx a senshi? Was she looking for her star seed? She let out a soft breath slowly when Jinx mentioned the color.]

Ah no, I... don't think I've seen anything like that. [Should... should she reveal she's Sailor Moon? One senshi to another? No, just to be safe. Maybe Jinx would be... pissed that Usagi failed in her fight.]

When did you notice you lost it?

Edited 2023-06-04 01:55 (UTC)

When I woke up here. It was in my weapon but that's vanished too. — All of my stuff is.

( and despite no longer being in her realm, that crystal being in the wrong hands can really mess things up if they figure out how to use it. )

I'm... havin' a suspicion someone might have swiped while I was still out. ( while jinx explains this, there's stress showing on her face. she sucks in her bottom lip as she contemplates if she should dig further in her story. the girl quickly decides against it, but goes on another way of continuing: )

Usagi, it's... really important that I find that stone. Let's say, uh, a lotta bad stuff can happen if someone else has it that ain't me.

Ah... yeah, the only thing I arrived in was a dress. [Well, and with her ginzuishou, but seeing as that's her literal heart, that is probably why it came as well.

But she had never heard of a senshi's crystal being put IN a weapon, though they certainly WERE weapons, she supposed, in their own right.

She supposed Jinx wasn't a senshi after all. Usagi felt a little sad knowing that but then pushed the sadness away. She shouldn't have assumed so quickly anyway.]

I- trust me, I understand. I'll try to help as best I can, Jinx-chan. Should we head back to where you woke up? See if there are like, clues or something?

Sure, but I woke up in that big tin can waaaay over there. ( and to enthesis "there", she thumb points over her shoulder. )

And that thing's got a lotta seeds in it. — There's no way we can dig through it, 'less I blow it up. But I'm outta explosives, too.

( she turns on her heel to glance back at the direction of the grain silo. )

But... I guess we could head back there and check it out.

Ah, I woke up there too, getting the seeds out of my hair was a major pain.

Um, no no, you don't have to blow it up, I mean, seeds are usually for growing and eating, right? So, you'll need the food from that place too, Jinx-chan.

Maybe... hmm... maybe... well, I dunno, don't think you can like, x-ray that thing. But we'll look. Four sets of eyes!

But isn't this place prison or something? — The guards should be providin' us meals and not expecting us to do all the horticulture or fetching it.

( since it's decided the two of them will go on a seeking journey, jinx takes her best foot forward and leads them on to the direction of the can. )

— But y'know, that would be a great punishment. Think of all the people who will suffer.

Edited 2023-06-14 06:10 (UTC)

Um... when you say it would be a great punishment... you mean the fetching part and not... not the blowing food up part, right?

Besides, I don't really think we should be HELPING the people keeping us here as prisoners... [Usagi was still a little... unsure of what to make of her sentencing. Being charged for not ending the war... did that mean the right choice had been to let the Galactic Cauldron be destroyed?]

Besides, no reason for the people here to suffer, so far everyone has been really nice!

Edited 2023-06-16 05:05 (UTC)

It's a tactic, Blonde. A lotta of us are criminals. ( her glance back at the girl beside her with a small grin. )

Some of us might be falsely accused, that happens, but how would ya know if someone is innocent or guilty? There's no real way of tellin' since we're all from different worlds and places.

( jinx takes a step, entering the girl's personal bubble with a light twinkle mischief in her eye. )

Prison or not, people are still crooked and out for themselves. So, you better watch your step.

Edited 2023-06-16 22:25 (UTC)

I mean, maybe, but also according to whom? I've never been here before, and I'm pretty sure some "other world prison" should be something we all agree on from each planet.

And I'm going to assume someone is innocent until shown otherwise, or at the very least, I'm not going to assume the worst about a person.

[Usagi blinks as Jinx comes into her bubble though she doesn't move away.]

I don't think people are only out for themselves. But thank you for telling me to be careful.

Yeah, well... I like ya. So it'd be crappy of me to not share my knowledge.

( still grinning, she flicks one of her long pigtail with her index before taking a step back. )

You got everythin' ya need before we start going?

Oh... I like you too, Jinx-chan! [She smiles bright and wide. Jinx has made the mistake of telling Usagi that so as far as Usagi is concerned, they are now friends.]

Um... well, I guess? How long are we going to be gone?

Uh, not long? ( or possibly long. ) — From here to that can isn't that far is it?

( at least she didn't think so. then again, jinx did sprint and used her shimmer speed to make it here. she is still new to her abilities and she's been making this open area her testing grounds. )

Then there's nothing I really need to get ready! [She grabbed Jinx's hand, smiling bright and wide.]

Lead the way!

( her entire body jolts when her hand is grabbed, an alarming stare between her and their hands together switch like the second hand ticking on a clock. she... is touching her? grabbing her hand, no less, with no fear at all? when it comes to physical contact, it's always jinx that leads it (wanted or not) and it was never the other way around. people would do their damnest to keep away from her as they possible can.

either this girl is super naive or just that friendly. it takes jinx a few quick seconds to catch up usagi is waiting for her to move. with a blink and a lump lodge in her throat, the teen averts her gaze away and marches off mutely. this girl is... different. a good different, but... different. and maybe it's okay to keep her around a little longer. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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