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expiationmeme2023-05-29 10:59 am
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?
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humming ever so sweetly, jinx wanders her way closer to caitlyn -- hoping to put her on edge just because she's moving. it's such a wonderful rush for her, having people on the brink of screaming or pissing themselves. )
Well! — I hope you find a way back to your perfect richy life, Enforcer. And I'm wishin' ya a lotta luck. 'Cuz my sis and I don't really need you. You're just a waste of space and skin.
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And honestly, she was prepared to drop it. But then Jinx had to bring up Violet, leaving her wondering if Jinx has done something with her. Could that be why they were separated again? She can't help but clinch her fists, her gaze turning into a glare.]
Where's Vi? What did you do to her?? [She doesn't mean to let any emotion into her words, but she really has grown to care about Vi during their adventures together. Vi may think she can bring her sister back, but Caitlyn realized a while ago that Jinx was beyond saving. She really hoped Vi hadn't fallen for Jinx's tricks again.]
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What I've done? ( she exclaims, chuckling and even placing a hand over her heart. )
I didn't do a thing. ... Ever thought that maybe it was somethin' YOU did? I mean... she did look pretty bent outta shape when you tried to fire at me back there.
( the girl takes one dangerous step closer. )
Think about it Cupcake: Everythin' would had been fine if you had just. stayed. in. your. seat.
( and with those words, jinx makes extra sure she put a lot of emphasis in each word. )
Everyboooodyyy knows you gotta excuse yourself first if you wanna get up!! Yyyyessh, no wonder you're such a buzzkill at parties.
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No. [Does she regret trying to shoot at Jinx? Not for a second, but the hurt in Vi's eyes does still sting. Caitlyn was only trying to protect her. Jinx killed Silco, who was to say she wouldn't have eventually turned on Vi? Her own life was definitely at risk in those moments.]
Do you know where Vi was, all these years? Locked away! In Stillwater. Another one of Silco's tricks. You never would even know your sister was alive if I had stayed in my seat. [Of course, she doesn't know of Marcus' involvement, but it's easy to point fingers towards Silco.]
I don't regret my actions then, but I hope you do. Before you lose your sister again.
no subject
You don't know anything! ( it's true she has no weapons, but that doesn't stop her from shoving the woman with full force with her palms. )
— Silco had no idea Vi was in Stillwater...! He told me himself. That was all Marcus' crap, your beloved Captain. So don't you dare put that on him!
( she snickers cynically while moving her bangs out of her eyes. )
So once again, you Topsiders ruin things up for me! And the Enforcers are suppose to be all good and lookin' out for everyone's safety. Gimme a break. You're all the same. All twisted and only caring about yourselves.
no subject
But even with being shoved, it's Jinx's words that take Caitlyn's focus.]
Marcus? But he-- he wouldn't-- that's not-- [not true, she wants to say, but how else could Vi be put in Stillwater with not a trace or even a reason for arrest? Why else would Marcus constantly block her from trying to investigate Silco? Constantly ignore her warnings about more going on. It made sense that Silco would have someone on the Topside as an insider. She told herself her parents were probably convincing him to keep her out of danger, but was it really more than that? Was what Jinx said really true?
She doesn't stand back up, but she at least rights herself into a sitting position before she speaks again.]
Even if that is true, even if Marcus is-- was dirty, that doesn't mean I am. I came to the Undercity to try to find a way to help. All I've ever wanted to do was help Piltover, and Zaun. Believe me, or don't. It doesn't matter.
cw: NSFW-ish. i'm kinda sorry but not really.
Ahahaha! — Y-You? Help the Undercity? Pfffbbhtt, that's a real good one, Hat Lady...!!
( jinx exhales out a relaxing sigh as she stands up right, flicking her long braid back then drying a single pink tear away from her eye. )
C'mon, we all know that's bullshit. You came to the Undercity for that precious lil' gemstone. And by the by, Cupcake? Even here, you ain't gettin' it back. It's belongs to me now. My name's written aaaalll over it.
( is she imply that she has it on her right this very moment? possibly. but in truth, she doesn't (not yet). jinx is still on her search for that blue crystal, but she rather not have caitlyn know it's out there in the wild somewhere. )
'Sides, you really oughta watch out for spreadin' lies like that. Not good for the skin.
( she pauses there -- a devious smile creep along her face with a subtle tilt of her head, and her eyes glue to the other's. )
... And believe me, I've seen your skin. It's gonna be hard for ya to keep it nice and smooth without your lil' rich products around. Maybe if you're sweet enough to me, I can let you in on my beauty tips. I'll even help you get all the tough spots you can't reach.
no subject
Or maybe she's bluffing. It wouldn't be the first time Jinx bluffed. If she didn't show it, she wasn't going to trust her words. And she sure is going to try to ignore her words about her skin, even though she can feel heat in her face at it.]
Why can't it be both? Sure, maybe I was looking for the gemstone. But when I saw the truth, what was really happening to your people-- It's not right, what you all go through. It's not right that the Council sits in their tower and thinks nothing of you all. I want to change that.
no subject
( twirling her left braid like a cane, jinx puckers up her lips in thought, making light clicking noises with her tongue before she decides to speak again: )
SO! This is what we're gonna do: Starting now, I want you to stay away from my sis and you can find a new girl around here to steal and slobber over. You go one way and she goes the other. OH! And the best part? You get to live!! Doesn't that sound like a bargain?