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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.
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?
G'raha Tia | FFXIV
[ Waking up in a container of seeds certainly... It certainly is an entrance, that's for sure. For a moment, he can't believe that there is someone out there whose aim is worse than his. Surely whomever thought it best to pull him from his very important work wouldn't want to drop people here of all places.
So, without further ado, he casts a quick float spell to pull himself up out of the seeds themselves. It would be very easy to struggle and end up sinking in them further.
It's not until he's actually reached the opening that he notices that there are others as well. G'raha is actually quite willing to lend a hand to anyone struggling inside the silos!
Otherwise, don't be surprised to find a small cat man approaching. ]
Pardon me, are you from here?
[ How is he to know otherwise? ]
( Be Responsible )
[ Someone is very much not into the party scene. It's quite all right for others to engage. There will be no judgment here. Thus, instead of being out with others, G'raha puts his talents to other use.
Mainly, he's helping out in the medical wing. If nothing else, he does have some skill with healing magicks and what better way to make himself useful? How does one be idle? G'raha doesn't know. ]
There we are. Best to rest before attempting to get to your feet again. Wouldn't do to take a tumble, yes?
( Wildcard )
[ Basic starters are very basic. Willing to plot things out through PMs or just throw something at me. I'll adapt! ]
arrivals!
... No, but I have been here for quite some time. Are you new here, Sir? Just arrived?
[For now, he places the bucket of food onto the ground. Astralin removing his gloves, and taking a step forward to stare at G'raha Tia to give him a once over. His eyes trailing up and down, making sure that he isn't injured upon arrival.]
[ooc: FUN FACT ASTRALIN LOOKS LIKE AYMERIC IF GRAHA TIA WANTS TO BE CONFUSED hehe.]
r u kidding me i was confused for a minute
But then he turns and speaks. Ah. No. Perhaps not quite? Especially when he says that he is not from here.
G'raha doesn't know if he should be relieved or consider it a pity. It would be much more beneficial to come across someone native to this place. However, if it is someone who has been here a while, he supposes that some answers might be had. ]
Ah!. Yes, yes I have actually. Mayhap I wish to find the summoner to thank them for a very gracious landing. A superb execution of transportation magicks.
[ Okay so only moderately sassy. ]
GOMENS!!
... Unfortunately, you will not be able to find the ones that brought you here. There are plenty of people searching for the people who have brought us here, but alas. They are quite good at hiding from us.
[He likes this man's sassy attitude. It's enough for an amused hum to leave him in thought at his words. Transportation magic, eh? These gods, or whoever brought them here certainly didn't want them to stick their landings upon arriving here, it seems.]
Are you alright? Are you in need of any healing magic? My magics are not as potent here, but I am able to heal a broken bone or two.
no subject
[ Look, G'raha just wants to talk. Just wants to talk! Certainly that can be arranged! No? Oh well. At least he has someone here who seems to be personable. Reasonable in the sense that he is willing to speak and perhaps provide some answers. ]
No need to worry about me. While I am not the most talented of mages [ ...Don't let a Warrior of Light or a Scion hear him say that ] I am more than capable of seeing to any injuries that might occur.
[ In other words? He's fine. Perfectly so! ]
Rather, I would like to know where it is I have been taken.
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boo (Be Responsible)
Initially he's not paying much mind as he shuffles back to his bed. He has his head down and shoulders slumped, looking...not visibly battered but certainly not well. That is, until he chances to raise his head and see something (someone) vaguely familiar. Someone he only recognises by Sight. But...their physical appearance is quite different.
With how tired he is, he's a little slow to get out of the way as the boy turns. He quickly arranges his face into one of disinterest and attempts to side-step with a mutter: ]
My apologies.
yells
Thus it is surprising to see him like this. With the face of a man that had been nothing short of a tyrant. The same face that had shot him in the back. Don't think he's quite forgotten that.
But he takes a steadying breath. Here, none of that really matters. They are on equal footing and seeing someone - even this man in such a state just. Doesn't sit well with him. ]
Forgive me if I seem incredulous about such a sentiment. Though I will not ask it for chasing you to a bed. Immediately.
[ Maybe it isn't surprising that he wouldn't really care who Emet-Selch is, given that he had smarted off to him as the Exarch. ]
no subject
And yet, that initial response suggests the boy does know and chooses to focus on his outward state instead. Typical do-gooder. It annoys him for some reason. ]
I'll be fine, thank you, [ he says tersely. ] I am only here at the insistence of the chirurgeons.
no subject
[ If he hadn't been expecting that reaction initially, then Emet-Selch probably doesn't expect that reply either. Granted, he doesn't much care for the man, but G'raha can put that aside for the time being.
The truth of the matter is... If they can figure out how to get the Ascians abilities to work properly, he could be useful indeed. ]
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be responsible
Looks like you're hard at work. Didn't feel like celebrating?
no subject
Ah... Not especially, no. How can I when there are so many that still need attending to?
[ Because partying isn't making himself useful. And he has to be, of course. If there are tasks that are in need of doing, then he should aid in any way that he can. ]
no subject
I guess that's fair. You certainly don't seem to be the only one who feels that way. [Judging by the others helping out, that is. And while he's on the subject--] ...anything I can help with? They say many hands make light work...and it looks like there's plenty of work to be done around here.
no subject
That I am not and yet as much as it is pleasing to see, there is far more that remains to be done.
[ Then the man states that he is in need of a task. Rather, that he would also like to help. It makes G'raha's ears twitch again and his tail swish from side to side. ]
There is a rather stubborn patient who does not wish to take any kind of medication. Perhaps you might assist me in convincing them?
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be responsible
Excuse me. [ She greets one of the few healers who have remained at work. ] Have you seen the extra bandages?
no subject
All that he is focused on right now is his own task. HIs holding hands out to cast healing magicks upon those that he can to heal minor injuries for the moment. Anything more severe he doesn't think it wise to expend aether upon, lest he be unable to help others.
...Though it is tempting either way. ]
Mayhap you should also take a moment? You have been working quite diligently yourself.
no subject
No, I'll be alright. I have to do my part.
[ She sounds a little frustrated with herself. A lot of people had been hurt in the chaos, and she has to make up for failing them. Celebration is the farthest thing from her mind.
She appears to be wrapping the bandages around the patient too tightly as a result...Ouch. ]
no subject
When he sees the patient flinch from the too tight bandages. That's when G'raha decides that perhaps he shouldn't.
Thus his hand falls carefully on top of the woman's. ]
Aye, that you are. What I mean to say is, all of us need a moment to rest. If we work ourselves to the point of exhaustion - both physically and mentally - then we are not able to give it our all. The work, and those that we wish to help, will suffer from it. A quarter bell is all that I ask.
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arrivals-ish
You are... the Crystal Exarch, are you not?
[And the one who sealed him away once and for all. He could just walk away and leave things be, but he doesn't. It's too compelling to say something, now that he knows and remembers so much more than before.]
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Which is why his tail stops its movements and his ears twitch. As he turns, he's wary. Not hostile, but wary. ]
'Tis a question without a straightforward answer.
[ This is... Not a face that he recognizes. Though G'raha would wager that this person must be one of the 'ancients' given both mask and robe. But to call him Exarch would mean Ascian and he's seen Emet-Selch's true face so - ]
You have me at something of a disadvantage, I fear.
no subject
[He places a hand on his chest and regards G'raha as neutrally as possible.]
It comes as little wonder you wouldn't recognize this form, as it has been long since I used it. I am Elidibus.
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And yet Elidibus sought him out regardless. An impulse, he says. Now G'raha doesn't completely relax, but there is little reason to be quite so tense. ]
An impulse that couldn't be ignored, you say.
[ Now he is curious as to what that might mean. ]
Truthfully, I am surprised you would look upon these features and immediately call out for the Crystal Exarch. [ And since the other had been honest - ] The Crystal Exarch's soul was carried beyond the rift back to the Source, given to G'raha Tia still locked away in the Tower. The result is as you see, a man who is both and neither at the same time.
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be responsible
she smiles at G'raha's patient, then at him.]
Thank you for helping out. Are you new here?
[she didn't recognize him, anyway, though it's possible she hadn't seen everyone that was here.]
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So he's taking a seat and using his scarf to wipe his brow when someone approaches him. His smile is there, but a little tired. ]
Of course. I couldn't well allow suffering to continue if I have the ability to alleviate it.
[ And has nothing to do with his own inner conflicts about making sure that he is useful. Nope. Not at all. ]
You would be correct. I only recently arrived. Not the case for yourself, I take it?
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But don't wear yourself out in the process.
[pot calling kettle here.
but she shakes her head.]
I've been here a few months. Just enough to get familiar before all this... [she gestures vaguely towards the exit.] happened out there. Do you need anything? Some water or a snack, maybe?
no subject
You say this but it would appear I am in better health than the one who would think to lecture. Come, rest.
[ They can talk more about these things when the one before him has found a place to sit. ]
Once that is addressed, I will ask my questions. Of this you can be certain.
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