expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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.

info | world

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1. Warm Welcome

[well, you certainly can't miss him. At over 7 feet tall with a vivid green mohawk, fangs, tattoos, the works, Bartolomeo stands out in the sea of tall grasses and flowers. If not for how he looks, for how he sounds, cackling madly at the parchment he's reading]

That's it? That's the only one you're gonna accuse me of? Keeeheehehehaaahahahaa! I'm gettin' off light!

...oh well. [shrugs, crumples up the paper, tosses it over his shoulder casually] Add littering to it. Start keepin' a list.

[he takes a deep breath and looks around to see who overheard, not out of shame, but pride. If his noise is offensive to the ears, so much the better]

2. Those Who Were Where?

a. [If he was noisy before, Barty is absolutely unbearable by now. No one told the locals not to give him booze. He has had booze. He's whooping it up in the town square, coat off and someone's sashes - or possibly curtains - tied around his chest like a gladiator bandeau, clashing with his ridiculous harlequin pants. He really can't dance but to this music, can anyone?]

Oi, come on! Isn't this dumb? What's all this tra-la-la shit, you guys don't know music! Gimme that...

[the townsfolk may have been encouoraging him before but as soon as he goes to grab a lute and bang out a guitar solo, the mood instantly sours. Please stop him before he causes a one-man riot]

b. [Thankfully someone has turned his attention a more appropriate expendature of energy: fighting! Yeah, he's in the ring, this is more his style whether or not he's sobered up by now.

He does cut an imposing figure at his height, without his jacket it's clear he's pretty ripped. Yet, he doesn't draw the weapon in his belt, but rather stands around with hands in his pockets, cracking his neck as he waits for his next opponent]

C'mon, let's do this. I got some good partying left in me after this.

3. Wildcard

[anything else including pirate talk. Will match formats if prose is easier! I'm super flexible with anything and everything. Bartolomeo is rude, crude, and loud, and a good target for both hilarious and contentious CR, more info in his profile and journal]

[After she had worn out nearly every townsperson she came across with the same sort of question Ashi had been directed to one last place where she might be able to find this fellow named Jack she was looking for.

"Does he fight?" Yes. "Then he might be there."

Once Ashi arrived she had naturally gone into the ring. There were people to ask there too and like with every fight she's been in thus far she starts out this one with the same question.]

Have you seen a dark-haired man in a white robe?

[She's given up just saying 'Jack' or 'the Samurai'. Clearly this isn't Jack's past and no one here knows what she means by either term. Or hasn't so far anyhow.

Compared to Barty she's sort of mundane looking. Dark hair, dark eyes, dark bodysuit, short in stature and slim. She doesn't have any weapons but apparently she's done well in most of her other fights?]

[not being the, uh, type she's looking for, doesn't mean Bartolomeo doesn't understand...

...except that he can't help, alas.]

Ehh? A white robe? Nah, nothin' like that around here that I've seen.

'Sup, then, you won't fight me or something, girlie?

[Same answer as everyone else. This really wasn't Jack's past. She looks somewhat disappointed but is equally unsurprised.

Her brows perk up high at Bartolomeo's question.]

Oh I'll fight you. I just wanted to ask that first before you couldn't answer me.

[She says it like it's the logical conclusion to whatever fight they haven't had yet.]

[he cackles, but in a friendly-enough way. Sort of.]

Scary! You got a lot of confidence for someone half my size, hope that means you can back it up.

[and yet, he still doesn't change his stance, playing it cool with hands in his pockets. Mostly, he just wants to see what she can do before he even thinks about how to block it.]

[For a moment Ashi isn't totally sure what he's waiting on. Most everything that wanted to fight her either came right at her or like the army that had come after Jack took some prompting to do so.

She purses her lips a little as they both just sort of hang out there for a moment or two. Ah, he wants her to swing first. Sure, okay.

So she does just that. There's no finesse in this first attempted punch. It's just her closing the distance between them and giving a real good right hook. If it lands it's clear that she punches sort of like a freight train.]

[he should know better than to underestimate the short people. There's some heat on that punch, Bartolomeo is briefly surprised and barely dodges just out of the way of taking a punch]

Whoa, whoa! You really know what you're doin' then, eh?

[and yet he's still got his damn hands in the pockets of his ugly pants. Now he's just fucking around, but he can tell from that close-miss that he'd better not fuck around too long - out of respect for Ash's skills, of course. Totally unrelated to how drunk he might still be, totally...]

[Seeing the townsfolk being "terrorized" by someone, likely a drunkard, made One consider stepping in. The noise he was making only confirmed it being the right choice, not just for the people, but for the sake of her poor ears. She tried her best to hide her displeasure, until she spoke, and her calmness had been traded for her true irritability.]

That's quite enough of your poor performance! We are their guests, and even if we disagree with their culture, they should be treated with some level of-- [She blinked, just now realizing something about his outfit.] ...are you wearing curtains?

[She almost missed just the angry drunks. Almost.]

HUUUUHHHHH?!

[Barty whips around, ready to get mad like a good and proper angry drunk, but he's just as derailed by her observation as she is]

Oh, yeah! You like 'em? I found 'em...

[he spins around looking for a place to point to but uh. Not a good idea. Around and around and now he's on the ground with a thump and a burp]

...oh shit that was dumb...

[....well that was new. She rolled her eyes as she looked down at the man. Well, at least she didn't have to get violent.]

Quite. Take this moment to calm down, and let our hosts return to enjoying themselves.

You can't tell me what to do!

[he claims while sprawled, squeezing his eyes closed to try to stop the dizziness. Clearly in no shape to be protesting.]

I ain't gonna calm down. Just because you said so, whoever you are, so nyeah!

No, by all means, keep trying. At this point, you defeated yourself.

[She chuckled now, somewhat finding this amusing. Sometimes did have a way of getting back at people.

She grabbed the lute away from him at least. Helps her ears at least.]

Though you do have me curious. The way you played seems far too rough on this tool. I take it your home world has something stronger?

[The world is better off if he doesn't try, that's a good move.]

Stronger? Yeah I guess you can call it that. What, no electric guitars in your neighborhood?

Bartolomeo | One Piece

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