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

[ Yuja's near worn herself out at this point but it feels rewarding to plant a seed and then be able to cause it to sprout so quickly. So she hasn't yet taken a break today and it shows. Sweaty, dirty, and perhaps a little winded she turns her attention toward a familiar voice. ]

Oh, Erichthonios! [ She flashes a smile as she straightens up. ] I should say the same, did you just arrive as well?

Arrive is... a way of putting it.

[As cheerful as the celebrations have been -- something he, even having busied himself with other things, ha managed to hear -- he was a little more disturbed by the brazenness with which he had been plucked and inserted into their current environs.]

I know not how I was brought here, but 'twould seem someone or something has seen fit to do so. Unless you mean to this field...?

[Because if so, then yes, he has just arrived.]

[ Arrive. Abducted. It's kind of all the same thing in Yuja's mind. ]

In general, I guess? [ She shrugs. ] I would think some form of magicks at play. G'raha did something like before.

[ With magicks that were not precise at all. ]

[G'raha? Erichthonios wonders if there might not be a story behind the mention. Perhaps that is one benefit to being here. To hear more of his friend's life would be a welcome thing indeed.]

I admit I am not as accustomed to being displaced without warning.

[Even Hephaistos' early attempt to take him had come with some sign that something was amiss. But he can't help but admire her a little bit, for how easily she takes something like this in stride.]

I would be glad to hear the tale, if you would share it.

[ There is certainly a story there, though she's not sure if it's one she should share. Would telling him stories of the future and of the Shards be alright?

She may appear to be taking it all in stride but she's a little annoyed. Why is it that the timing of these things are never ideal? ]

It can be pretty strange the first time... and every time after, I guess. [ She mutters the last bit. ]

Oh, um... Mayhaps later? It's one of those long stories, you know?

Oh.

[Perhaps now was not the best of times after all... Well, no matter. Story or no story, he is glad to see his friend. Even under as strange a circumstance as these.]

Later, then. But tell me, how fare you? Have you had a chance to explore the surroundings yet?

[ She's glad to see him as well, though a little surprised. As far as she knows they're all here for some crime committed and she can't think of anything that he would be here for. ]

Of course. [ She smiles and bobs her head. Perhaps she'd be able to share the story at another time. ]

Hale and whole, you?

[ As for her exploration... ] I've yet to explore all that much. They've been keeping me busy.

[Hale and whole. It's good to see that the recent battles have not had an adverse effect on her health.]

I am well, and I too have been keeping busy.

[Finding one way or another to assist, to help. It was all he could think to do in the short run, lacking answers as he was. But perhaps now...]

But perhaps, now that we are here together, we might take the opportunity to explore a bit of this...

[He parts his gaze from her, glancing over the desolate, scarred land.]

...unusual terrain.

Exploring with friends is certainly more fun than alone. [ She smiles brightly up at him before turning her attention to the land as well. ]

Though I suppose we should see the task at hand to completion first.

Aye. The land is in sore need of attention.

[He need not have Halmarut's knowledge of flora to be able to discern that much.]

And... 'tis easier to go about exploring when one's hands are free, besides.

Exactly! Shall we continue then?

[ She could probably use a break but it feels weird to do so when there's so much left to do. ]

[Erichthonios responds with an affirming nod, traversing but a short distance away thereafter to begin his work.

Soon there are numerous flora where once was a barren waste. Buoyed by the blessing, he's been taking to this, on the whole, rather well. Yet, as time proceeds forth, the warmth of day causes sweat to gather upon his brow, to collect at the tips of his hairline and, beading, to trickle down the back of his neck.]

[ Yuja watches him for a moment before continuing where she left off.

She was already at the point where she probably could have used a break, but she'd much rather see all the seeds she has left put to ground before resting. At some point, she pauses to pull her hair up in a messy bun.

Despite her abundant stamina, she's the one to stop first, lifting her head to take in how much they've completed. ]

Ah, there's still so much more to go but I think a break is well in order.

[Erichthonios would like to do more, and were it only his body being put to the test he might stubbornly continue until his stamina runs out completely. Yet the call of his friend suggesting they pause is one he heeds, he straightening up to wipe his brow with the back of his wrist.]

You may be right.

[Taking a deep breath, he sighs, arm dropping back to his side.]

I have heard tale that the limbs of a dangerous creation... or creature, yet cause trouble in the area. 'Tis perhaps for the better that we do not exhaust ourselves entirely.

All the more reason. [ She'd much rather have more energy than she does right now if something dangerous were to show itself. ]

Let us find a place to rest and perhaps a meal. [ Water, at the very least would be wonderful. Not just to toss over her head to cool down a little. ]

A meal... [Drifting into thought, Erichthonios poised a hand before his mouth, head bowed and brow gently furrowed.]

There is not much out here, that I have noticed. There do not appear to be any eating establishments this far into the wilds. However... there are waters nearby. I have not yet investigated the variety of life within them, but fish do appear to be a staple of the local diet...

[ Yuja had meant to return to town and see if there was anything there, but to procure their meal from the wilds is more appealing. ]

Ah and me without my rod. [ She sighs. ]

Well, we can take a look, won't hurt.

[Lifting his head, Erichthonios responds with a brief nod, the hint of a smile stretching his lips ever so slightly. Rod or no rod, he's glad to have come up with the idea.]

If nothing else, we'll be able to rinse off the dirt before returning to town.

[Cooling down a bit would not hurt, either. And who knows, mayhap they shall manage to discover something of interest while they are there.]

[ She bobs her head in a nod before she starts for the nearby river. With this option in mind, all she can think about is how nice it'd be to take a dip in some nice cool water. ]

If we can find some sticks or a thing branch or sapling we would be set. [ She could rig up something for fishing with such things. ]

[A branch or a sapling... Erichthonios' gaze drifts downward, the man looking absently at the seeds in his hand.]

Yet all we have are these seeds...

[It takes a moment for the thought to click. But click it does.]

...Wait, I have it. We can plant some of the seeds near the water, and use the magick we were gifted to make them grow.

[With the blessing, they would grow full and lush, replete with branches.]

The seeds... [ They start, not quite getting where he's going with that until he continues. ]

Oh! Great idea. If there are any fish to be caught then we can do that.

[ They won't know until they get there, however. Luckily, it's not too far of a journey to the river and they soon find themselves at the banks.

Yuja's quick to move to the edge of the water and take a look around for any signs of fish. She doesn't immediately see any but there is plenty of river to investigate. ]

[Erichthonios cannot help but feel a touch of joy well in his chest at the positive reception to his suggestion. It is a feeling that carries him forward, lightening his steps on their journey towards the river.

When they reach the river after their short journey, as Yuja inspects the waters for signs of aquatic life, so does Erichthonios look for a suitable bit of soil to carry out their plan with. The seeds should be planted close to the water, he thinks, but not so close so as to have their roots and bases submerged when the river floods.

After some time of bending and examining the ground, Erichthonios finds what he considers to be a good spot. Rising, he pivots to face the water, looking for Yuja in the direction in which he last saw her.]

Do you see anything?

[ She slips off her shoes before prowling along the bank, taking it slow in order to avoid spooking any fish, should there be any. She does eventually, comes across a few leisurely swimming against the current in a way that makes them look as if they're simply floating there.

They wave to Erichtonios and point to the water, hoping he'll understand that they found some fish before backing away and making her way over to him. ]

Aye. [ She unsheathes a dagger, giving it a little flip while doing so. ] Let us see about that tree, hmm?

[Catching sight of her gesture, Erichthonios smiles in response before returning his attention to his own task. When she joins him, he is dutifully looking through his seeds, selecting the one that looks the most healthy, the most robust of those yet unplanted. Sinking back into a crouch, he plants the plump brown slip, covering the seed over with soil after.]

This should do it.

[With a focus intense for the endeavor, Erichthonios rises back to his feet, stepping back to give the location one last look-over. Satisfied, he lifts his arm and begins to feed the seed his aether.

It is a pine.]

[ As the tree's features begin to take shape, Yuja frowns. ]

This wood will be too soft. We'll have to try with another seed.

[ She digs into her own pouch until she locates an acorn. ] This will be perfect, but will need space.

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sticks them all in workaholics anonymous

but then they wouldn't be working!

You're right they would be miserable. Finish work first. Then R&R.

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Spearfishing? :D

best choice

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