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

Oh. [ She'll lead Cait to a nearby bed where she can sit. It doesn't occur to Mizuki until just then that the woman is new to Aldrip and to Expiation as a whole. She remains hesitant to speak and seemingly thoughtful, allowing Cait to do her thing, but ready to step in if she needs a hand.

Where does she even begin? ]

Well, it's kind of a long story. I guess the short version is that a monster showed up.

[ Despite the brand wearing off, she can still hear the beast's cries when she sleeps at night. She doesn't know whether it haunts her because she failed to protect it, or failed to fight it properly. ]

[It's hard for Caitlyn to accept help sometimes, but she's secretly glad Mizuki doesn't just dump her there and leave. All the same, she starts to gather what supplies she thinks she'll need for her injuries and starts to slowly and carful change the bandage.]

A monster? [She thinks of the monster she encountered. She feels a bit guilty, referring to Vi's sister in such a way, but what other way was there? Between everything that happened around the table, and then the bomb Jinx sent towards Piltover....She closes her eyes for a moment, forcing herself to dispel those thoughts. She had to believe her friends and family back home in Piltover were okay, so she needed to focus on the now and work on a way to get out of here and back home.]

Is there still danger? Is there anything I can help with? [If she could just get her hands on a gun, she was a really good shot!]

[ Mizuki doesn't sit, but leans casually against the wall as she settles. She folds her arms, but then shakes her head. ]

Nah, it's over. I don't think we'd be celebrating if it wasn't—but, well, I guess with everyone here, you never know. We're a rowdy bunch. [ With a few exceptions she could probably count on her hand, Mizuki really doesn't know anyone that particularly well, so she speaks vaguely. ]

Either way, just watch your back. If there's a way home, none of us have found it.

So I've noticed. [The parties she's witnessed were nothing like what she experienced in Piltover. The people here genuinely seemed to be having fun. She couldn't help but wonder if this was what parties looked like in the Undercity.]

I was just about to ask that. [But...it makes sense. If there was a way home, surely someone would have taken advantage of it by now. This just means she has her work cut out of her in searching for it herself.] Is there anyone in charge to speak to? Or someone that's been here the longest, that knows a bit more than others?

[She's gotta start somewhere, after all.]

[ Mizuki just shrugs. Everything about Cait's demeanor and her questions reminds Mizuki of her first couple of weeks here. There are still times when her mind goes back to that awful place, thinking of how the worst must have come to pass, and how she failed to stop it.

The urgency has faded in favor of just trying to survive another day. ]

Maybe get to know the locals. They'll probably give you a room to stay in, though they might be getting full at this point.

[ She finds herself glancing about the room, the chattering and laughing coming in through the doors. Did they really think they could just accommodate the Chosen forever as they keep coming...? ]

Did you wake up with anyone you could room with?

[Get to know the locals. Noted. Caitlyn tucks that information into the back of her mind, but it's the comment about waking up that brings her pause. If she woke up with anyone from home, it would technically be Jinx, given she only just arrived as well, and like hell was she going to sleep anywhere near her.]

I--- um. Well, a... friend, from home is here. Has been here. She offered me a place to stay for now.

[WHICH SHE IS TORN ABOUT... She hates to impose on Vi, especially since she already has a roommate, but she also doesn't like the idea of being away from her, especially with Jinx running around this place.]

[ Ah. ...Well, it's not as if there was a shortage of options for Mizuki either. After everything that happened, there was not only Vi, but Aerith as well, and by extension, Cloud...sort of. Ultimately, she felt she was less intrusive to Vi, who was still living alone then.

And speaking of Vi... ]

That's great for you. [ Just a reminder, since Cait seems to be hesitating. ] Who's that?

You might know her-- her name is Vi. Dark pink hair, curses worse than a sailor. [Cait sure is smiling to herself as she describes Vi. She still doesn't understand why she's so drawn to her. She's so opposite to everything she's known in her life.]

She said she had a roommate already. I just hate to impose, even if it would be nice to stay with someone I know.

[She shakes her head. She's probably just overthinking. They're all just trying to survive here, there's probably no reason to assume she'll actually be imposing.]

I'm Caitlyn, by the way. I don't think I caught your name?

[ Mizuki visibly reacts, perking up at Vi's name, but Cait will be able to finish her thoughts before she thinks to say anything. She looks a bit stunned, but ultimately places a hand to her chest to indicate herself. ]

It's Mizuki. Mizuki Date. It's me, actually. I'm her— I've been staying with her.

[ Just gonna...... Wait for a reaction, 'cause like... She doesn't what else to add.

She wonders if Vi told Cait anything about her. ]

Oh. Oh.

[Honestly, Caitlyn is just as stunned. She didn't expect to run into Vi's roommate so soon. But it's a small town, with a somewhat small number of "Chosen". She doesn't know much about Mizuki, other than Vi said she helped her out by getting her away from some creep, but Caitlyn doesn't intend to bring that up unless Mizuki does.]

If it's a problem, please, don't feel bad if you need the space. I can find another room, or, I don't know, something--

[She has no idea, but she doesn't know Mizuki, well, at all. But surely Vi wouldn't invite her to stay if she thought her roommate would have a problem...?]

No! [ Mizuki waves her hands in protest. ] No, you don't wanna do that. The... The inn is actually filling up pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure they're gonna run out of rooms pretty soon.

[ If they haven't already, with this latest group of Chosen. ]

I haven't seen Vi since this morning, but I'm sure we can work something out. Astralin always has a room for me at his farm, if nothing else. [ She likes it there. ]

Astralin? I met him too. He told me about his farm. [Caitlyn knows she shouldn't be surprised, this isn't exactly a huge town. It makes sense that these Chosen have gotten to know one another.]

Please, I don't want to infringe on a space you already claimed. I'll take the floor. Or a corner. I've slept in worse.

[Between hunting trips, or just overnight patrols and cramped Enforcer barracks, she could definitely manage places other than the cushy mattresses in her parent's home.]

[ As someone who's used to basically having the entire Date apartment space to herself, she can't quite relate. Sharing a space with Vi, who's just one person, is one thing, especially since neither of them are exactly drowning in worldly possessions... but she honestly can't say how she feels, introducing a third person into the mix.

Still, she's not about to rescind Vi's invitation. Surely she'd been planning to consult with Mizuki on the issue, right? Maybe she's even looking for her right now.

Yeah. That's what she'll tell herself. ]

It'll be fine. You seem nice enough, and I don't wanna put anyone out, either. We'll make the space. [ Furniture can be rearranged... They'll get creative. Whatever. ] Has she shown it to you yet? The room...?

She showed it to me, but I didn't want to intrude until she spoke to you. My luck that I found you first. [Mizuki also seems nice enough. It made sense, why Vi wanted to help her out. Vi was just like that, wanting to help the underdog. They had that in common.]

Thank you. For being so welcoming. [This has been a long day for her. She had already been going through hell at home, only to find herself here with all of this hell.]

I know you don't have to be.

Oh—

[ Cait is so earnest, it leaves Mizuki rather stunned. Is she being too trusting? Too nice? A little pang of doubt tugs at her, but she doesn't want to believe it. So for now, she doesn't. She needs more time to see what Cait's about. ]

No prob. This place is hard enough, you know.

...Anyway. If you feel better, we should find Vi together.

[Caitlyn puts the finishing touches on her bandage, then nods.]

She shouldn't be far. It wasn't long ago that I saw her last.

[That would be good, they could talk this out together. Let them communicate and figure out a living situation agreeable for all three of them.]

Cool.

[ Mizuki pushes herself off the wall where she'd been leaning to show that she's ready to go too, but ends up hanging back to maintain Cait's space. And Mizuki doesn't say this often, but since Cait saw Vi last, Mizuki will concede with a gesture of her hand toward the door: ]

Lead the way!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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