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

i. meadowlands

Why choose someone like me? There must be some mistake...

[ Parchment clasped in her hands, Marianne reads the first line of the greeting twice. Confusion fills her despondent eyes. It sounds like a summons, but what was she chosen for, and why her? Surely, there were more 'worthy' and 'deserving' people...

When she finally reaches the peculiar line at the bottom of the greeting, her face pales and she clutches the parchment close to her chest. Her head reels as she takes a shaky step back. She hadn't told a soul...so how is it that they knew that about her? ]

ii. wild companions

[ The stroll through the woodlands calm her nerves a little. Or rather, it's the presence of the forest critters that she finds soothing. Marianne's always felt more comfortable in the company of animals than people, and perhaps it's her quiet presence, but animals seem to relax around her, too. The curious ones trail after her as she walks, or curl up to her as she extends a hand to pet them. At present, she can be found speaking to a small squirrel-like creature perched on a tree branch. ]

Hello, little one, are you out here by yourself? [ ...there's a pause, as if she's listening for the squirrel's response. ] Oh, you're hungry? Let's see what we can find for you...

iii. those who were there

[ Marianne stands before the altar at the end of the cobblestone path, her hands clasped together and head bowed in prayer that she might even be mistaken for a local worshipper. In truth, she does not know these gods, just as the locals have not heard of her goddess. Still, having found herself outside of Fodlan, and feeling pressured to contribute something with the locals watching her, she hopes the gods of this land will accept her prayer.

Afterwards, Marianne remains gazing upon the altar, lost in thought that she doesn't hear what is spoken to her at first. ]

Um, sorry, did you say something?

(awfully nice is the woodlands, and as they don't exactly know where they're supposed to live, the woods are as good as any. a good place to contemplate the weight of the accusations, and to try to figure out what this place is. fushi's wolf form serves them just right for this purpose.

so, as the wolf, he had been taking a very good nap not too far from this conversation, his head poking out to check where the voice is coming from. he can help, taking a branch with some fruit in his mouth, carefully, and hoping he doesn't spook as he approaches just enough to set it on the ground, nudging it with his nose.

there! helping!)

[ The appearance of the wolf doesn't startle her as much as it should, perhaps because Marianne senses no animosity from it. Despite lacking confidence in herself, she trusts her intuition when it comes to animals. What a beautiful wolf with a mane like snow. She crouches down to see what it has set on the ground. ]

Oh! Could this be for...? Thank you.

[ She plucks the berries off the branch and holds it up to the squirrel-like creature, who eats out of her hand with gusto. Its cheeks puff up as it stuffs itself with fruit, and seeing this, Marianne shares a rare smile with the wolf. ]

I think she likes it very much!

(he shouldn't bark, it would startle the squirrel seeing a predator, so instead, there's a nod, his tail wagging at the approval. there's no doubt that he understands, and still, there's no reason to come close and ruin a nice thing, so there's a moment he does a little circle to lie down, watching the scene.

tail wagging. still.)

[ The smell of fruit attracts the attention of another squirrel, and soon the two animals are bickering over the last berries in her hand. Once that's devoured, the squirrels disappear back up the tree, sated. Marianne chuckles lightly and extends a hand to the wolf that's remained by her side. ]

Good boy.

[ She can't help it, he looks the picture of a dog with a tail wagging happily like that. She reaches out slowly, to let him sniff if he wants, seeking a sign that he's comfortable with her before she strokes his fur. ]

That was kind of you. Are you really a wolf?

(lying is so bad. he doesn't like it, he's learned differently, and once those squirrels are gone and he isn't in the way of anything, he comes close, nudging the hand to encourage the pets.

ah, well.)

Nope.

(there we have it.)

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snowslip - 2023-01-31 06:30 (UTC) - Expand

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snowslip - 2023-01-31 06:32 (UTC) - Expand

marianne von edmund l fire emblem: three houses/hopes

i. meadowlands

ii. wild companions

iii. those who were there

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