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expiationmeme2023-01-23 02:02 am
TEST DRIVE MEME #1
Welcome to the TDM for Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with fantasy, science fiction, and sometimes subtle 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. 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.
You may find the below links helpful in getting to know themes of the world, locations, the people, and so on.
A WARM WELCOME
The journey here has not been a particularly convenient one. The last thing you can recall is the room of blinding white and the incomprehensible voices that were speaking about you. Then came the dropping of the floor beneath you and suddenly you were falling into black. As you come to and regain a more clear vision of the world about you, you find that you are surrounded by pleasant greenery.
Deciduous trees are sprinkled here and there in some miscellaneous fashion. There are plants and flowers all about, the chirping of birds. Above you rests a fairly clear sky with a dotting or two of clouds. The sun is pleasant. Overall, it’s comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable.
MEADOWLANDS ARRIVAL
Within eyesight, though you can’t possibly know the footing distance, there appear to be fields. A portion of them dedicated to long stalk vegetables and the rest a neatly organised collection of leafy greens. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find that some of these look ready to be picked right away. Not much further past the fields are other buildings. Simple in style and not at all grand in structure or make. There’s people, too. It looks lively. The locals will tell you that you’ve set foot in Aldrip.
Not far from you, in fact relatively close if not in hand already, is a rolled parchment bound by a rather nondescript twine. If you unfurl it, you’ll find a generic welcoming message addressed specifically to you.Welcome to Expiation. We, who have found you so worthy and deserving, have declared you to be one of the Chosen.
The cryptic written greeting is followed by a collection of recorded statistics—physical and mental attributes, along with other observations about your person that clearly weren’t made by you (but may not necessarily be inaccurate).
Nearing the bottom is a peculiar line—You have been charged with ▬▬ and in accordance with the doctrine of this world, you have ▬▬ until you will face your sentencing. Prepare your defence adequately or face the repercussions.
In spite of that strange little addition at the bottom, which may or may not make sense to you, you’re not the only one arriving in the meadowlands. You have some options. Maybe check with a nearby fellow otherworlder, scour the fields, meet the locals. First impressions, after all, can sometimes last a lifetime.
WILD COMPANIONS
The collective of newly-arrived aren’t the only ones exploring the meadowlands. Curious about the various sounds created by those not native to the world, there are animals living in and near the surrounding areas drawn to the attention. Different types and sizes of birds and beasts or other creatures that may resemble ones from your home world begin to close in on your location. Do they mean to do you harm or are they only simply wary about who you might be and what you’re doing?
Some of them are incredibly friendly, especially if you’re inclined to provide them with food, or if they’re younger and they simply don’t know better. But be aware, for every young animal, there is likely to be a parent not far behind, and less inclined to be understanding of your strange fate in this new predicament. As such, no matter how cute something may be, reconsider taking it with you, else you may simply stir the ire of their families.
If you find yourself in a position where you’ve inadvertently stepped into a territory not meant for you, you’ll need to find either a strategic escape or resort to force and self-defence. Fortunately, some of these larger, more aggressive beasts, are much the same ones that the locals in Aldrip have been seeking to cull for the safety of the citizens. Maybe you can make some fast friends with the Expiation natives by bringing them something you’ve had to put down.
THOSE WHO WERE THERE
Those Who Were There are what the locals refer to their gods as, considering them responsible for their continued growth in the world, the abundance of their crops and sea life, the greenery that surrounds them, native wildlife, and some of the strangely advanced luxury items that make their livelihoods a touch more convenient.
You’ve arrived at an opportune time. Although the peoples of the continent freely show their appreciation for their higher beings, every once in a while, they celebrate by way of joyful festivals, grand songs, and more expressive means of their devotion.
FESTIVITIES
Aldrip seems to be a bit busier than usual, with a little more foot traffic than what may be considered a normal day in the life. There’s music in the air provided by lutes, panpipes, and the dulcet tones of men and women alike, expressing songs and tall tales of those they have come to revere as celestial beings. They believe that honouring their betters can be done with song and dance as much as it can be with offerings and prayer.
The town is bustling, a plethora of additional street stalls selling all kinds of local cuisine, jewellery, weapons, and accessories branded with insignias that represent the same wave motif as can be found on the charms every newly-arrived will receive. There’s raucous laughter, a plethora of drinks (alcoholic and non) that are passed along merrily to those wandering through if one doesn’t have a drink already. It’s the perfect way to integrate yourself with the people whilst taking in the celebration.
A portion of the town has had the land cleared, set up with a minimalistic coliseum ring for archery competition and one-on-one combat. Winners of these exchanges don’t get anything grand, but are presented with plenty of free food and drink, and some may even be awarded with some modest badge accessories from the local shops for providing the people with some sport.
Out by the fields, closer to the shoreline of the Talion Sea, there’s a grand pillar of fire that’ll burn all through the day and into the dark of the night where more music follows and accompanies spirited dancing.
SENTIMENTAL OFFERINGS
If you’re searching for a momentary reprieve from the bustle of the festival, there’s a modest walkway of cobblestone that will lead you from the main streets of stalls, drinks, and making merry. Following the way it winds and curves will eventually take you to an elaborate display of dried flowers, jewellery, fanciful cloths, and other items. Some of these hang from nearby trees. Some are draped over an altar fashioned of dark wood.
A local who spies you there kindly explains that it’s a place to leave items of offering for Those Who Were There, as gratitude for all they have granted their loyal people. They also explain that the more sentimental attachment you hold for the item you give up, the more pleased the gods will be with you. What does that mean, exactly? It’s difficult to say, but it seems that it might endear you to the locals at the very least.
Those who leave an item will receive a noticeable wave-like mark on the interior of their dominant hand wrist, almost as if it’s a brand of some kind. This is temporary mark and will only last the length of the festival, but if locals see it, they will be more inclined to give information on the land, the people, and perhaps even extra drinks, food, or shop wares.
Even if you don’t leave an item, as you’ve only just arrived and you may not have much on your person, the locals won’t punish you or think ill of you. It’ll give you a chance to gather yourself before you go back to the festival proper. If you choose to go back at all. The relative quiet is so welcoming, after all.
THE GLITCH EFFECT
NO SIGNAL
If you’ve arrived in this world with a mobile device or something akin to (notebook, laptop, and so on), you’ll find that whilst there are no electrical outlets, there are slender and flat platforms available to keep items of this nature with a charge. You cannot connect to a network and there’s no signal for a connection to grapple onto. That said, programmes that don’t require a connection to be of use (note taking applications, calculators, games), are still operable.
You may find, however, in the use of these programmes that perhaps images are not displaying properly. The colouration may be inverted. There may be unexplainable lines drawn across graphics. Text may not accurately be presented, instead a jumble and tangle of letters, forming what looks more like a mass of verbal tendrils across your screen.
Bizarre and strange sounds may emerge from your device, sometimes a low hum that may be indiscernible to others. Sometimes a high frequency that lingers in the air. It may be just a flash of sound. It may be several seconds long.
Furthermore, it is possible that you may find strange imagery imprinted on the screen temporarily, even where there should be no graphic at all. It’s there for a moment or two before it fades away, almost as if it’s subliminal messaging. The strange imagery is difficult to make out—a highly detailed eye, or perhaps what appears to be an angular face. No two images will be the same, though some may hold some eerily similar depictions.
This strange happenstance will occur periodically until the festival reaches its conclusion.
STATIC BUZZING
Don’t think if you didn’t arrive with a mobile device or related that you’re free from some of the strange electronic phenomena. Devices that are native to Expiation will experience similar errors. The difference is that the devices as a collective (personal computers, printers, cameras, the platforms for charging devices, and more) will emit a fluctuating and repeating frequency of sound cycling from high to low. Some will be able to hear it, some will not, but for those who do, it will come accompanied with a static buzzing sound, as if a connection somewhere is on its last proverbial legs.
There isn’t a means to stop the sound from emerging without depowering the device in question and even the locals don’t seem to know what to do. There are several devices strewn about Aldrip, however, so even if you should unplug one, there will be others expressing the same assault on the ears. Aldrip’s people don’t seem particularly alarmed, however, explaining to those who ask that this sort of thing simply happens every so often, and should they but have faith, Those Who Were There will handle all things ‘in good time.’
Unlike the personal devices brought in by newly-arrived, the electronic devices of Expiation will not display incorrect / jumbled graphics, text, or bizarre flashing images, which may be considered a blessing in disguise, despite having to experience the potentially annoying hum. This strange occurrence, too, will mysteriously end once the festivities have drawn to a close.
no subject
[Excuse you, Law, but you're insane. She hasn't been taken by anyone. Stop being an idiot and get with the program.
Shionne looks him over, trying to make sure he hasn't hit his head or been too jostle in battle. He seems fine, but that doesn't really comfort her. She's been arrested already by Balseph and transported by his damnable trains. She's not exactly keen on having that happen again, with or without the others in the party.]
I've only seen you and Alphen. I don't think Rinwell, Kisara or Dohalim are here. Alphen's in town.
[She puts her hand into the pocket of her dress, pulling out the paper with her "crimes" on it.]
Did you get one of these too?
no subject
[ What is he talking about? He knows what he saw, what they've all been through in the times since Vholran snatched her and disappeared, but the matter-of-fact way Shionne counters all this kind of makes him question his sanity. She's looking at him like he's the one who's lost his mind, and like, yeah, maybe he drank some of the seawater when he got thrown overboard, but... yeah, uh is all he has to say for himself for a second there. ]
Oh. If you've seen Alphen, then... I guess there's nothing to worry about?
[ R...Right? Alphen would know exactly how to handle this situation. He'd have explained it, made sure she's okay, all that. That must be why she's so calm about it! Settling on this seems to ease some of the concern creating tension in his posture. Not only is she okay, but Alphen's here, too. ]
Ah—is that that letter thing? Yeah, I got one.
[ Just like that, his expression darkens, and he goes for his pants pocket to pull out the crumpled-up ball that is his welcome letter/rude accusation. ]
It's a bunch of crap, though. Did yours say something about a crime, or whatever?
no subject
She'll just have to keep an eye on him since Kisara isn't here to mother them. Besides, Rinwell seems like she would be upset if something were to happen to Law while she wasn't there to help.]
It's just us and Alphen. Not the others. There's plenty to worry about if that's the case, considering the six of us were together beforehand.
[Although, honestly, if she had to be trapped with just one or two of the party, she could do worse than Law and Alphen. And when his face darkens, she gives a slight nod. At least they weren't alone there either.]
Evidently, I'm being held on insurrection and terrorism. [Not wrong, at all. And she'd do it again every time.] I take it yours is like that too?
no subject
[ Let's just... focus on that. If Alphen's here, and they can meet up, that'd be an excellent opportunity for him to ask what the heck is going on. Shionne must just be—confused, or something. Or she's intentionally trying not to talk about it? Could that be it? There are about a million things wrong here, but they'll figure it out once they're together again. If not Alphen, then one of the others, surely. Until then, he'll just try not to worry about it.
And more importantly, he'll try not to let anything else happen to her. Not on his watch!
In the meantime, sorry, but he laughs outright at those charges. ]
Sounds about right. Mine's—kinda like that. Yeah.
[ Rather than explain it, he un-scrungles his paper from the angry ball he'd crunched it into, then holds it up for Shionne to see. Uh... ignore the parts where it calls him small for his age, impulsive, reckless, and callously mentions a certain guilt complex that is strictly Not For Being Discussed. What's important is the so-called crime: murder, specifically of several unfamiliar names, none of which have surnames, so they must be Dahnan. ]
...It's not true. The Snake Eyes did that, not me. This must be their way of tying up loose ends, huh? Twisting stuff around to make us look like criminals. Pretty typical, I'd say.
no subject
[She's not sure if she hopes they are or aren't. This isn't their world, or set worlds, or whatever you want to call their system. And while that might be a relief for the Dahnans, she's not sure what's happening there.
That scares the hell out of her, considering what she knows.
But she's not sure that Law, Alphen and she are safer here either. Of course, the sooner they're together, the better things will be, but until she can figure out what's going on, she's going to reserve judgment about their situation completely.
Shionne is careful as she takes the paper from Law, looking it over as carefully as she did her own. There's a lot of information about them on these little notes, but the list of names is hard to miss.]
If the people who brought us here are anything like the Renans on Dahna and Lengeis, it doesn't matter who's responsible. Besides, we've done enough against the governments of Dahna, Lenegis and Rena already that whatever else they tried to accuse us of would be pretty pointless. We definitely killed Ganabelt and Balseph and turned Dohalim away from the Crown Contest. Everything else feels like.... window dressing.
no subject
For now, though, Law doesn't seem to mind handing over a bunch of personal information and his so-called list of crimes for Shionne to peruse as she pleases. They may not all have occasion to tell each other everything all of the time, and he's not sure he's ever properly confided in Shionne about anything important, but there are really no secrets he feels he needs to keep from her. He's stupid enough to think the same holds true for the rest of them, but give it, oh, three months and a few days and he'll find out there's one teensy little thing Shionne's not telling them... y'know... no biggie. But for now, it's fine.
Like what's she gonna do. Judge him for being short. She's shorter than he is. ]
Mm, it kinda reminds me of how things were in Cyslodia. Once they had you trapped, they could just call upon whatever trumped-up charges they had on you, even if they weren't technically true. At least whoever wrote this is nice enough to let us plead our case.
[ BIG SARCASM. ]
Penning us in a weird place and telling us we're guilty of something as an excuse for keeping us detained... tch, it's not even original.
[ When she's finished reading, Law carefully takes the paper back from her and pointedly crumples right back up into a ball. He hasn't tried to destroy it, just in case he needs it for something, but that doesn't mean he has to Respect the Paper. ]
Whadya make of the "chosen" thing, though? That's the part that confuses me. "Worthy and deserving"... but murderers and terrorists.
no subject
She wishes she could, but it's too much. And she doesn't want to steal their hope for their freedom when the Crown Contest is halted and Lenegis and Rena counter.
And, well, if they're all together when things happen, it might be better for them to get over it. It being her probable death. She's just a Renan, after all.
As for the information on this list? None of it matters.]
I suppose you have a point about us being corralled like this. It does feel familiar. Although, it's not quite as bad as Cyslodia under Ganabelt. We're not being used against one another.
[Not yet anyway.
Also, Shionne is full height for a woman. Taller than some. Law's just short.]
As for the rest, who knows? Nothing good, I'd wager.
no subject
[ He'll give you one paranoid, slightly worse thing than "yet": the notion that they could be getting set up right now and just don't realize that they're playing into some sort of scheme, traipsing into a trap unaware. You can't really blame him for thinking that way after the life experiences he's had, particularly the ones that brought the Blazing Sword straight to Ganabelt's doorstep. They were all unwitting pawns in that, from Rinwell all the way down to himself, and the cost of not realizing it sooner... well, y'know.
It just pays to be vigilant. Which, speaking of, Law takes the time to do now, belatedly, turning in a circle to make sure there isn't anything else lurking around for them to deal with. There aren't any more giant zeugles, but he does notice those two smaller wolves at the edge of the tree line, tails wagging cautiously when he spots them. He, uh, pretends not to see them so they don't come running over, which is sure to work out absolutely perfectly. ]
You said you've been to that town, right? What's it like there? Is it safe?
no subject
Shionne ignores the two smaller wolves, taking a moment to check the air and the fields just to make sure that they're safe...ish. But she sees them regardless, staring at Law like they just want to play with him and nothing else.]
It's... fine, mostly. It reminds me of Viscint in a way. The people seem happy and happier to see us.
[That makes her worried, because why would hey be so happy to see new people. It's not exactly a good thing, in her book.]
Stay away from the one that has the different types of curry. They're all spicy, despite what Alphen says.
no subject
[ Worried... yeah, a little. Viscint's the only time he'd ever seen anything like that before or since, and he's not quite mentally prepared to experience it again. By now, he hasn't completely grasped that this is definitely not Dahna or Rena just yet, and that means anything and everything can be a threat. For that matter, it can be whether it's either of those places or not, but still.
He's pulled away from mulling that over to snort under his breath, shaking his head in an oh, you kind of way. It really does his heart good to know some things don't change, no matter how weird the circumstances are. ]
Go figure he'd manage to find the curry first thing off the bat. Even though he can actually taste it now 'n everything, he's never gonna change.
[ Yeah... about that. ]
He didn't say anything, uhh... weird to you, either? About the ship, or... y'know. Anything?
no subject
The snort and shake of his head is something she can understand.]
What do you mean? He's always been able to taste things, even if he doesn't seem to realize that spicy things, covered in pepper, are not safe for normal people's consumption.
[He had the audacity to trash talk her porridge when he'd never cooked a day in his life before she came around, even.]
No, he hasn't said anything weird. Well, not weirder than normal, this is Alphen we're talking about. Why?
no subject
[ Now there's a bright side to look forward to. It's been nothing but doom and gloom since they washed up in Ganath Haros, what with Alphen getting his memories back and all, but this is something they can all appreciate. Especially now that Shionne's... safe? Safe and apparently fine, suspiciously with no memory of The Incident at all.
Unless she's hiding something. Which is possible. He'd like to think he knows her well enough by now to be able to tell, but even he, with all his years spent picking people apart, is no lie detector. Either way, why would she lie about it? ]
Oh—no reason. Just wondering. If you say it's okay, I guess we can—crap.
[ Guess who's back. It's the wolves, the two friendly ones from earlier, who have decided the danger's over and it's now officially safe to play again. And one of them has even brought a stick. They come bounding over, tails wagging, trying to get one or both of them to throw the stick, which for Law isn't as much of an issue, but... uh... ]
Careful!
no subject
[He's just that weird. She can't see that changing. His love of spicy food just seems like something that's ingrained into the fighter. If he suddenly started acting like Law or Dohalim about it, she would be too confused. Besides, his food tastes aren't that bad.
As for what she's hiding, that's a big deal and she's not going to spill it. There's no way she's dragging the rest of them into her issues with her nightmares. However, the fact that she's been an outsider for things a lot longer than she cares to admit, she has spent a long time watching people, and she can avoid probing better than anyone else.]
What?
[She looks around to spot the two wolves headed their ways. She's not quick enough and one jumps up on her, knocking her to the ground in her shock and activating her thorns.]
no subject
It's fine. This is fine.
At least the second one is just standing there watching this all go on in confusion instead of joining in on the fun. ]
I—I got it, we're good!
no subject
The second wolf senses that something is very wrong and starts to back off, the stick in its mouth hitting the ground while it starts to whine in confusion and fear. And still Shionne doesn't reach for her gun.]
Let it go, Law.
[She's hoping that it'll run away once it's free, considering she's healed it. If he's still holding it, it will just panic more.]
His friend looks ready to run.
no subject
Thought I'd get it in time... we should, uh, probably give them some space.
[ That second wolf starts to make its way over to give its friend a sniff, and Law backs away a little further, fingers flexing. That was only a shock-by-proxy, really, but it's been a hot minute since the last time he got hit with the ol' thorns. Once he's a little more aware of himself, he wipes any lingering trace of discomfort off his face and plasters a slightly awkward grin onto his face instead. Everything! Is! Fine! ]
You okay? Never seen a wolf that eager to play fetch before.
no subject
I'm fine. I've never really been around animals like that. I.... I'll just let you deal with them from now on.
[She looks over at the town and then back at Law.]
We should go find Alphen. I'm sure he'll want to start looking to see if we can find the rest of the group soon.
[Or he's trying to "spice up" all the food in the stands.]
no subject
[ Yeah. Overexcited... dogs? Wolf monsters, whatever. Law gives them one last look and is relieved to see that they seem fine. The one that got the shock is stumbling around as it gets to its feet, its expression (if wolves can even have Expressions) kind of comically stunned. With the help of its friend, they both get the message and beat it on outta there. No fetch for them today.
And that's that. Law immediately perks up at the mention of Alphen, and by extension the others, not much different from an eager dog(?) himself. No harm, no foul, that sting's all but forgotten now that he has something else to focus on. ]
Yeah, let's go! The others've gotta be around here somewhere. I mean, we were all together right before I got here, so nobody could've gone that far, right?
[ "All" except for... Shionne, but uh, that's... not a thing anymore? She's safe now, anyway. With the wolves out of the way, Law starts off toward the town, glancing back over his shoulder to make sure Shionne's following. ]
Do you remember where you saw him last?
no subject
[She's not used to really anyone trying to touch her without listening to her warnings. Of course, she didn't really warn Nyath after the first time he got zapped to hell and back by her thorns.
And, well, she might be a bit embarrassed by all of this, and she never does well with that.
It takes her a moment to calm herself and not feel like she's going to snap at him for nothing.]
I left him in town. He was looking around at all the shops, but I wanted to come out here and check the fields.
[She might not have told him where she was going...]
no subject
[ See, there's proof that Law's not just the dumb family pet. He at least has the wires in his brain capable of understanding the signal "that spicy lady doesn't want to play." Although to be (un)fair, sometimes he's pretty sure that spice is just a little affected.
At any rate, without any more lupine interruptions, they might actually make it to the village pretty quickly. The way the field seems to stretch out ahead of them forever makes everything look like it's a lot further away than it is, which kind of reminds him of Menancia, not for the first time. ]
Hope you didn't leave him with the gald. If you did, by the time we find him he'll have blown it on some weird new weapon or something. Or something nobody can eat but him.
[ It'd be atypical of Alphen not to be at least sort of frugal, but temptation is a powerful thing. ]
no subject
And, excuse you, you cannot prove that her disdain for all people is affected. It's not like she stops to heal everyone on the side of the road, regardless of who they are.]
Well, it's better than wasting it on strange shoulder ornaments or meat that's too tough to be consumed by normal humans. [She gives a bit of a smirk that might almost be amused.] Besides, I have the gald. And they won't take it for the things here.
no subject
Eh, it's still good eatin'. Especially if y—hey!
[ It finally clicked. ]
It's not strange, it's a wolf! You can tell what it is right away, there's nothing weird about it. I thought you said it suits me, or whatever.
[ That was how he chose to interpret whatever it was she said about it, anyway. Walking a pace ahead of her, the pout isn't visible, but it's plenty audible in his voice. ]
no subject
But then he catches what she said about his shoulder wolf and gives him a slightly teasing smile.]
I said it suited you. And it's strange. Both can be true at the same time.