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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.
II. B
When she's being honest, she will admit that Alphen cannot cook anything unless it is able to destroy your digestive system with the amount of spices involved. Some of it is good and she's less of a baby as say Law, but food isn't supposed to hurt you.
She can't stop the narrowing of her eyes as she looks over at her companion.]
Alphen, what has everyone else said about it? [She looks over at the operator of the stall.] Can I have a small sample?
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He still worries about the others, of course. But if Shionne is here...maybe they are, too. Somewhere.
... Right now, though, he's feeling sort of judged. The vendor hands Shionne a sample, but when Alphen's head is turned to look at her, said vendor kind of shakes his head as if to say don't do it if you want to live.]
... I'm not sure, come to think of it. Most people I've talked to ran off pretty quickly after they tried it. When I asked one of the locals, she just...laughed.
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It also helps that he can touch her without feeling pain that would make others pass out screaming. He's the only one. As for the others, well, maybe it's okay that they're not here.
But food? She knows better. She's careful not to touch hands with the vendor, but her thorns spark up and she gives him an apologetic look.]
Sorry. [She eyes the food and then carefully takes a small bite. It's... actually not as bad as some of the meals she's shared back on Dahna.] I can see why. This is pretty spicy, but I like it. We've had much worse.
[She can't help the half-smile that comes across her face.]
Law would definitely cry though.
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[He says it almost thoughtfully, like he didn't realize it was that bad. In all honesty, maybe he didn't.
In any case, as Shionne mentions Law, a smile flickers across his face. It may also be coupled with a hint of cringe, imagining just how loud the kid would holler at the very implication that something would make him cry.]
If you were looking for a way to find him in a crowd, I think you've got it.
[No change in the noise, though. Guess they'll have to keep looking.]
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[Or Kisara with fish, but delicious, delicious fish is always in order as far as Shionne is concerned.
There's a part of her that's disappointed that her comment or the sound of Alphen's voice doesn't pull the martial artist out of wherever he might be. Yes, the party technically started with just her and Alphen. It's how they took down Balseph, after all, but that doesn't mean that not having the other four makes her feel any better about things.]
Were you hoping that he'd pop up like some sort of zeugle? He's as dense as a rock sometimes, but he's not that bad.
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[There's a faint chuckle in his voice -- even if they're in a strange place and separated from the others...they're partners. If anyone can figure this out, it's them. And anyway, if he's like that with spice, and Rinwell's like that with sweets, then Shionne is the same way with food in general.
She's not the only one who's disappointed, though. Alphen has been searching the crowds for any hint of someone familiar: a flash of red hair, the hoot of an owl... No luck so far.]
Honestly? Maybe I was, a bit. I keep hoping he's nearby...or any of the others, for that matter. I don't like to think that we've all been separated like this.
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[And, yes, she's a little bit obsessed with food because, let's be real, food and clothes are ways for her to actually connect with other people, since touch isn't really something she's been able to engage in. Until Alphen.
He's made her care about others and given her hope, even though things have been hopeless for her for a very long time. When he talks about her being freed of her thorns, there's a pain she's not sure she can really put into words, but there's also a sweet sadness that she's pretty sure is longing for the life he thinks she can have once they have the Renas Alma.
So, instead of focusing on that, she's determined to just do what she needs to do. Being here has only possibly delayed that, but if she's going to be put on trial and sentenced for her crimes, well, she's not going to sit back and let things happen to her. And definitely not to Alphen. Or the others, if they show up.]
It's been a while since it was just us, even before we met Rinwell, Zephyr.... Zephyr was there.
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Things sure can change, can't they?]
I know what you mean. [Even if he'd prefer to find the others as soon as they can, there's something nostalgic to it.] Just like old times, right? Give or take a couple of differences.
[The mask. This world. The friends they've made. At least, up until this point, most of the differences have been for the better.]
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And he'd made it easier for Shionne to really let Alphen (and the others) in as much as she had.]
The clothing is better now.
[She gives a pointed look to the armor he's sporting. He's come a long way from the rags she found him in.
There's a quiet moment where she seems amused and pleased before her face falls flat.]
We should eat and continue to look to see if anyone else is here. I think it's likely we'll find them if we keep searching.
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I can't say I disagree. I'm glad to be past those days.
[Even if they did have to go through an entire dungeon to get there. Shionne.
Even her change in demeanor is familiar in a way that puts him at ease. That way she has of opening the door, just a tiny bit, only to slam it shut whenever someone takes a look inside... Even though he deflates a bit, he can't say he doesn't expect it from her. And besides, she's not wrong. He nods softly.]
Fair enough. The sooner we start looking, the better chance we have of finding them.
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Not everyone gets nice clothes given to them by women with crushes.]
Definitely an upgrade.
[For the both of them. Tilsa has good taste.]
I'm worried the others will cause trouble if left alone.... Well, not Kisara. She's reasonable. Besides, once we know where the others are, we can work on finding a way towards our captors.
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I agree. And maybe if we're lucky, we'll find some hints along the way to tell us more about this place.
[Ever an optimist. He finishes his lunch quickly, nodding as he does.]
Ready whenever you are, Shionne.
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When it just grows in the wild...]
It seems strange that we were just brought here from Dahna, without any notion of how. The timing is suspect.
[Considering she doesn't trust the structure of Lenegis and Rena, how the previous Sovereigns have always been so hands off with things, issuing orders and letting the rest of the Renans handle the hard work.]
It's a good thing you don't get indigestion. I don't think I'd use healing artes if you were doing stupid things on purpose.
[It's not that she won't heal him. Eventually. But she'd let him live with his stupidity if suffered from it for a while.]
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I know what you mean. There are plenty of people who would benefit from something like this, after everything we've done.
[Had the Renans found some sort of way to truly banish them from Dahna? And if so, why here, exactly? He frowns, pulling the paper from his pocket again, re-reading the supposed crime.] But it'd certainly make more sense of this, wouldn't it?
[As for the rest, he offers a short, breathy laugh, slightly sheepish.] Believe me, the last thing I want to do is injure myself on purpose.
[He's had enough lectures from her on that to last a lifetime.]
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It's not as if she's been the most trusting herself, but there it is.]
I could think of at least a few hundred thousand, if I'm honest. Only one of them is the Lord of Water.
[Any of the Renas on Lenegis would have been ready to chuck them all into a prison planet, even with all the horrible things that have happened on Dahna that not a single one of them would have blinked an eye at happening, because... Dahnans.]
Other than that, nothing really makes sense of them trying to make me feel bad about my "crimes".
[When he laughs and comments on her not-recrimination, she can't help but give a small smile herself.]
Well, good. Let's see if it holds up here.
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He frowns, thinking of that, thinking of whatever they might have charged Shionne with. His own crimes. It's been hard to think about the whole thing without getting angry over it, and until now, he hasn't been able to put a finger on why. It's not like he's been "charged" with something that's false, after all. But maybe that's what's bothering him about it...being charged with something that shouldn't even exist.
His eyebrows lift at Shionne's particular turn of phrase.]
Do you really think they're trying to make us feel bad about them? Trying to get us to...what, repent and change our ways? I guess that could be what they mean by "prepare a defense."
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As for her crimes, if they failed at any point in their rebellion against the Lords, she would have expected a public execution like what Zephyr went through. If she was lucky. If the Crimson Crows hadn't rescued her for "questioning", she's not exactly 100% sure that any time spent with Balseph would have been enjoyable for either of them. But, does she feel any sort of shame or pain at what she's done? Not at all. And no time spent here or anywhere else would change her mind about it.]
If it is what that means, do you think that it would phase you? I don't care about it. I'm pretty sure that Law would feel the same way. You hardly struck me as the wishy-washy type, Alphen.
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No, it wouldn't. [The answer is almost automatic; he doesn't need to put any thought into it at all.] I don't regret anything I've done up to this point, and I don't see that changing any time soon.
[Nor does it change any of his goals -- including his promise to her. He looks at her with a smile.]
It just means whoever brought us here has no idea what they're in for.
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And after her confrontation with Rinwell, she's actually been a bit nicer about how she's handled situations as well. Unless she's been pushed.
His prompt answer gets a small smile from her.]
Good. It's pointless to regret things that you don't actually regret doing. And, well, whomever thought they'd bring us here to shame us for what they see as crimes, I suppose they're in for a surprise. Especially if we find Rinwell.
[The Dahnan mage is surprisingly full of a lot rage. Not that it's unwarranted. So, anyone expecting her to take any sort of kidnapping like this sitting down, is in for a world of pain, because Shionne will definitely back up her fri.... comrade.]
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[Any more than something being a law makes it right. If that were true, the countless injustices done against Dahnans would never have stood. No one would have allowed it. He might not have the same long memories that other people do --that he, himself, should-- but he knows that much.
His expression fades a little at the mention of the missing mage.]
... I hope she's okay. I don't know which is worse: her being here but none of us can find her, or her being on Dahna alone, without the rest of us.
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[She stares out at the town moving around them, a sense of dread hanging over her. She needs to go back. Time is running out. The longer she's here, the closer to the end that Rena, Lenegis and Dahna become.
And, there is a part of her that knows that helping the Dahnans is the right thing to do and that her need for the Renas Alma actually helps depose horrible monsters from their seats of power. The only Lord worth saving is literally a part of their party and helping them with their goal, so she's stopped thinking about Dohalim like that.]
I'm sure she's okay. She's gotten this far without us. And, well, let's be honest, she's done more than others in our party.
[And she's fairly certain that Rinwell has stopped hating her for simply being a Renan. But, she'd be actually lying if she said that she wasn't a little worried for her...companion. She was really fragile during the Almeidrea fight and if it hadn't been for Law, she might have actually gone further that she was ready too.]
And if she is here, we'll find her.
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[That's what makes all of this so frustrating, anyway -- the fact that some stranger can decide they've done something wrong and put them in whatever prison this is, while people like the Lords are allowed to continue running free. They still have Master Cores to collect, a world to liberate... Alphen has always known that doing the right thing could land them in hot water, but he doesn't like leaving things unfinished like this.
He nods at her words about Rinwell, though, and even relaxes a bit because of it. Rinwell managed to survive on her own for a long time, while hiding her powers and her very existence...if there's anyone that'll be able to make it through this alone, it's her.]
You're right. If she's here, we're bound to see her again.
[And if not...at least someone is still at home to keep fighting for their cause.]
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Let's find the others. We can probably share information now and find a place to spend the night.