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

[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.

[Count on Yuja to have exactly what they need. Erichthonios had only a mix of connifers... Perhaps it would not be unwise to collect other seeds, should the opportunity arise.]

How much space?

[Erichthonios is no Halmarut. Identifying what species of oak the tree will be by seed alone is beyond his current knowledge. Still, he is already scanning the banks for signs of a roomier clearing. He soon manages to spot one a little further downstream, and gesturing, points in its direction.]

...Would over there suffice?

[ She looks thoughtful as she glances around. ]

Enough space for a tree that will someday grow to be quite large, like those in the Shroud... [ She trails off with a soft laugh as she realizes he wouldn't know what the Black Shroud looks like. ]

In any case, over there should be good. [ She points toward an area not too far away before making her way over. ]

[She is entirely correct; being from the past, he has not an inkling of what the Shroud or its flora look like... though from the sound of name and description, he would guess it a place well-shaded.]

Mayhap we could collect other seeds to see what might be grown with the blessing bestowed on us... Do you suppose it might work on those used by mankind for sustenance?

[ Once she makes it over to the stop she kneels down and digs a little hole for the seed before dropping it in and covering it up. ]

Do you mean crop-bearing plants? [ She rises and dusts her hands off on her pants before taking a couple steps back. ] If so, I don't see why not.

[ With all of that done, she conjures up the magic needed to channel into the seed and cause it to sprout. A tree quickly bursts forth, sturdy though still young. ]

This should do, bamboo would have been ideal but I have not seen any such seeks around.

[ She slips her knife from its sheath with a little flourish before she begins to scan the tree for a sturdy branch or two that'll be just right for a spear. ]

[Crop plants... berries and trees of a fruit-bearing nature. Though the seeds granted him were evergreen, he thinks the forest would be enhanced with a bit of diversity. The sustenance could be of aid to other creatures as well.

He shall have to put their theory to the test later. For now, he stands back, taking a step in the reverse as the tree sprouts and grows, marveling at the boughs that spread to catch the light and shade the ground. 'Tis almost a shame to cut it so soon, but once it is done he shall help it grow a little more.]

We shall have to ask around and see what manner of flora this place holds.

[ Forests should have more than trees, Yuja wouldn't disagree there. However, else will various creatures find more to eat. What would people forage for if the forest didn't have more than just trees? However, she doesn't have any seeds aside from those meant to grow trees. ]

That is a good idea. I'll need myself a new journal for my notes. [ Granted, her notes consist of drawings and very few words. ]

Now... That one seems sturdy enough. [ She has to climb a little to remove the branch then quickly goes for a second.

Once she's back on the ground she slings both sticks across her shoulder and starts back toward the river. ] Hmm, do we have what we need to start a fire?

I'm sure I can manage a spark... though I find it far easier to use such magicks when transformed. Sustaining it for the purpose of cooking, however...

[Erichthonios knows how to cook, a skill he sought to acquire when he continued to struggle with creation magicks. As luck would have it, Elpis being a testing ground for new creations meant that it contained quite the array of ingredients.]

If you would take on the task of fishing, I will see to making preparations for the fire.

Edited 2023-06-25 16:14 (UTC)

We need dried wood to sustain a fire. [ She supposes there is some around, left over from what was destroyed. Though she's not sure if it'll burn or not. ]

Sure, thing. I'll turn this other branch into a spit for the fish to go on. [ She makes a couple of notches in it before snapping it over her knee. Once done, she settles on a rock and begins carving the ends to a point. It'll take her a little bit before, her daggers aren't exactly made for whittling wood but they do the trick. ]

In that case, let us return here when our tasks are complete.

[Though in Erichthonios' case, he'll likely be making repeated trips.]

May we meet again soon.

[A gentle hope that their efforts shall be fruitful sooner rather than later. Resolution spoken, Erichthonios makes for the woods once more, searching for wood which will suit their needs; dried, and not riddled with mystery fungus.

Given the nature of his task, he is gone for more than a few minutes.]

[ She bobs her head in a nod before she continues working the ends of the branch into a nice point. So focused on her task that time passes without her realizing he hasn't yet returned.

Once done, she looks around having expected him to have returned, and frowns. Well, it hasn't been that long, perhaps he'll be back soon enough. In the meantime, she can begin trying to catch some fish.

Rolling up her pantlegs and slipping off her boots she wades into the water with one of the spears and waits for the fish to come within range.]

[Erichthonios returns some time later, arms full with sticks.]

Mayhap one more trip should do it...

[He deposits them at the agreed-upon site, and once having done so, lifts his head to ascertain Yuja's whereabouts.]

[ Yuja isn't too far away. She glances over when she hears he's returned but then once again focuses on the task at hand.

It's not as easy to catch with a spear as it is with a rod. She has to be even more patient and try not to move lest she scare the fish. Though as soon as one is within range she strikes, lightning fast.

Her prize is a decently sized fish wriggling on the end of the spear. ]

[Catching glimpse of her just as she lunges in for a strike, Erichthonios cannot help but smile, a little proud of her victory. His friend is so very talented... though perhaps it may seem a small thing compared to fighting enormous beasts.

Spirits lightened, he makes one more foray into the forest -- this time much briefer, on account of already having found a good place from which to get the wood they need. He soon returns, ready to start the fire... if Yuja has not already.]

This should last us a while.

[ She's focused on catching fish so the fire remains up to him. Though, by the time he returns, she has a couple more fish and is in the process of preparing them to go over the fire. ]

Indeed. The fish will be ready to cook soon.

Then I had best get the fire ready to cook it.

[A feat that goes much more quickly than the search for wood did. In short order he has it arranged and kindled, the flames growing as they spread along the dried sticks.]

[ By the time he has the fire ready, she's making her way over with the skewered fish. She kneels down and sticks the ends into the ground around the fire so they can hang over it and cook. ]

There! [ She stands up, dusting her hands off. ] Now we wait.

[ Her gaze darts around, hoping to spot something else they could have with their meal, but the landscape is rather barren. ] Well, at least I caught some extras.

Aye.

[It will be rather plain fare, all in all, with the forest as depleted as it is. Hopefully he'll be able to remedy some of that in time. Perhaps bringing seeds for an herb or two along would be wise... He shall have to consult the residents of Aldrip about what manner of herbs and spices are available in their clime.]

This seems a good place to rest, as well. I think I shall stretch out for a bit, once we are done eating...

[ Made plainer still because she doesn't have any of her spices with her. It makes her sad that her chocobo and all of her supplies have been left behind. ]

It is nice. If I had my camp supplies I'd probably set up right here.

[ It's not too far from town and there's moving water with fish. The thing that would make it better was if the forest hadn't been recently leveled.

She keeps an eye on the fish, turning them every so often so they don't burn. ]

[The thought of camping out under the stars has a certain appeal to it, not the least because of the company present.

Mayhap another time.]

They look about ready. Shall we give them a try?

Aye, let us dig in!

[ She pulls the fish away from the fire so as the remainder don't overcook while they eat. One is passed to Erichtonios before she takes a bite out of her own, humming her approval. Would it be better with some herbs and seasonings? Yes, but it's still some good fish. ]

Careful of the bones, wouldn't want to swallow one of those. [ She says after spitting one out. ]

Aye.

[That would be most uncomfortable. Fortunately, with her minder, he is extra cautious not to carelessly bite too deeply.

All in all, the meal is simple, but it is good. And he is glad for the experience.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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Seems like a good point to start wrapping up!

sounds good

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