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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
He speaks and she definitely hears him. Questions? Yes, okay. They all have questions. Probably. When he crouches down, she stays right where she's at. Whether she's putting on a brave face or genuinely doesn't want anyone thinking they can just intimidate her into action because that won't work.
Chagrin points at her and she takes a moment to examine his finger in her direction and then she looses a sigh.]
Well... I can try. I don't know that I'll have answers to anything you're going to start asking me, though. Don't you at least want to know my name first or something? It's not polite otherwise.
[She suspects he does not care much about being rude, though.]
no subject
[ ...She doesn't look like a mayor. She looks more like a noble, by his world's standards. Her clothes are evenly dyed and aren't tattered, her hair's all washed and nice... Yeah, she's got the feel of a noble. One that hasn't left their pampered home.
So why the heck isn't she quaking in fear?? ]
no subject
[She can't help laughing a little. Does she look like a mayor? Clearing her throat, Aerith folds her hands together. He's not as frightening when he's saying things like that.]
But I'm not a local here. That's what I was trying to say. Which means if you have questions, I might not be able to answer them. I didn't want to deliberately disappoint you, so it seemed fair to warn you in advance. If you have questions about plant care or something, I can help you with that.
no subject
She looks leagues cleaner/fancier than most humans he sees outside those pompous bastards at the church....so yes. Mayor Aerith!!...Or not. No-go on the mayor, huh? Then what the heck is a well-to-do-looking girl like her doing out here? It sounds like she's in a similar boat to him, but why is she bringing up-- ]
.....Plants????
no subject
He seems so caught off guard by her input that she can't help being a little amused. To be fair, she's pretty good at talking her way out of a bad situation. Is this one of them? She can't tell just yet. But he's not trying to attack her, so that's a good start.]
Yes! I like plants. [Cloud's told her not to talk too much, but surely there's no harm in this.] I grew lots of them back home and sold them to people.
no subject
[ This place and the people in it do not stop getting more and more confusing, oh my god. Aerith is pure but he's only ever dealt with crabby old women!! Not...flower girls.
Chagrin resists the urge to drag a clawed hand down his face. ]
D'you know anything about this place? Or are you--y'know, dead?
no subject
[Her immediate response is rather murmured, disappearing elsewhere before she focuses on the rest that he has to say. Why would she really know anything more than he does? And why even ask the other question? Does he make it a habit of asking if others are dead?]
Oh. Uhm. [Well. The second one is a bit touchy, she supposes. Or could be if he were to ask the wrong person.] I probably don't know much more than you. I've tried to get information, but they haven't been real forthcoming just yet. They were helpful in getting food and a place to sleep, though.
[Why yes. She's just decided to skip past the death question.]
no subject
But he's also not surprised. Like, who would want to talk about their own death? Depressing topic, much? But he really wants to know more about that--if he isn't in the afterlife, did he really die?
Well. He's pretty damn sure he's dead. He remembers Hetappi's song, how beautiful it was....right before it destroyed him. But still, he isn't in the afterlife. Chagrin's got no idea what's going on, but if there's a chance he can get back to Hetappi, he's got to try. ]
For real? What a buncha useless... Gah, whatever. They must be hiding something! If they're not gettin' all worked up about a buncha people showin' up outta nowhere, something's definitely off.
no subject
[Which... she didn't really know or even consider.]
I don't really have any advice on this except to maybe wait for an opportune moment to get that information. Assuming they're willing to give us any. I don't think it's as bad as it could be. They're not trying to hurt us. [Yet.] That's got to count for something, right?
no subject
[ That is a possibility. And one with great appeal to a demon like him! People always squawk when their lives are on the line. It's foolproof. ]
Well, thanks anyway. I'll have to go an' find myself one of those villagers and see if I can't wring an answer out of 'em. Be grateful, human! Thanks to my great generosity you get to live another day.
no subject
If they haven't threatened us with that yet, we shouldn't be doing it to them.
[The rest of what he says is just as troubling and she shakes her head with a quiet 'tsk.']
Are you trying to make things difficult for the rest of us? I don't think we need the additional trouble, really. Many of us are just trying to wrap our heads around what's going on and how we're going to go day-to-day.
no subject
[ what is this b"peaceful coexistence and consideration for the situations of others" of which you speak, Aerith. ]
Pussyfootin' around those guys isn't gonna get us answers any faster. Interrogation is best! And way more fun, too. I haven't tortured anyone in a long time.
[ it's been so long... Hope he won't be too rusty. ]
no subject
[She shakes her head. Why should it matter what he is? She's not completely human and she's not treating that any differently. What he is, what she is—none of that matters. Probably.]
Fine. You do that, but understand you're not going to get answers that way. People aren't going to answer things because you scare them into trying to do so. And then when you've made it so none of us have food, and no place to sleep, that's going to be on you and you're going to have a lot more problems than just people not giving you information.
[She hasn't kept count, but he's going to wind up with probably at least thirty plus problems. Ants and the lion, goes the saying.]