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

[Look, it's very possible that Shionne's point of view of things is very skewed as well. He's pretty popular with everyone as the Iron Mask, Liberator of Dahna, but she seems to only remember the women, who stare too much in her opinion. She will never acknowledge the why of that statement either.

But, hey, at least Kisara will probably pick up on the fact that there's more tension to their relationship before Shionne and Alphen do. Who knows.

Shionne is more than pleased to shift the topic to the mark on her wrist.]

The people around here assure me that it'll fade pretty easily without me having do anything. They refer to their gods as "They Who Where Here Before" or something like that. And they've been pretty welcoming.

[She grimaces.]

It's a little strange. I'm still waiting for someone to yell at me for being a Renan and call me a killer.

[The nature of one's closeness to another, regardless of the reason, is always worthy of a closer (if not silent) inspection. Kisara has already made note of some input here and there from both and maybe that just comes from observation. She may not know where she stands in relation to the guard of Viscint, but the habits she's developed from such a position stick with her.

They will surely come in handy as they embark on their future misadventures with one another.]

You think they're gods.

[It's more like an observation than a question. Makes sense. Probably the logical conclusion to make. Why not just call them gods, though. Why say the whole thing? Tradition? Devotion? Something deeper than that? Kisara's still looking thoughtful and when she hears Shionne continue, her features soften just a touch.]

I didn't think about that. Doesn't seem like it matters to anyone here what we are. Or what we're not. Dahnan. Renan. Might as well just be the same thing here. [Isn't that the way it should be. Equality for both. Isn't that what they're trying to accomplish?] It's probably a huge change for you. A well deserved one, too. I know the Dahnans were probably very quick to look at you and just equate you to their Renan overlords. If I hadn't been in Viscint, I might have done the same thing. I'm sorry that you've had to answer for things that you didn't do.

[If Kisara would try to say that Shionne and Alphen were close, Shionne would disagree vehemently. It doesn't matter that they've spent the longest time together and that he's literally the only person that can touch her without passing out from the pain. It doesn't matter. Not important. Doesn't mean anything.

Nope.

However, he's not as annoying as he once was to her, so that has to mean something, right?

Kisara's statement makes Shionne start.]

No, I don't think so. I mean, what are gods? We don't have them on Dahna, Rena or Lenegis. The closest would be the sentience behind an overabundance of astral energy, but that's pushing it.

[The apology from the former guardswoman startles Shionne and she just stares for a minute.]

Renans have done awful things to the Dahnans. And while I might not have done it myself, it's true that I didn't really care about the suffering that was so far removed from me when I was on Lenegis. I'm not so sure that I'm much better than the other Renans, truth be told.

I think... gods are probably... the equivalent of that sentience, right? Something that people might not necessarily be able to see, but put faith into?

[Because living life without reason or faith can be a tricky subject to get around. Kisara's never personally needed that kind of reasoning herself, and she can't imagine anyone back on Dahna has, but it seems like the people here almost need it in order to function.

Or maybe that's a hop, skip, and a jump toward a conclusion she doesn't have adequate evidence for.

When Shionne pauses, so too does Kisara. She isn't sure how likely she would have said such a thing to her back home. Maybe she wouldn't have. Shionne has, to Kisara's knowledge, always rather liked keeping to herself. But the fact of the matter is that Shionne has, unfortunately, been put into the position of answering for the crimes of her people. The Dahnans have every right to be overcome with rage and anger. This is, at least, three hundred years of mistreatment and abuse that they've weathered over time.]

I... maybe. But you want to stop it all now. That has to mean something. It's better than just moving along like it's not happening. Ignorance is easy. Acknowledging something's wrong and trying to do something about it? That's a lot harder. The others might not say it, but I'm grateful for all of the help we can get. No matter what the source is.

I... I don't think so. The sentience of the Fire Astral Energy in Calaglia was a lumbering monster. There was nothing but destructiveness behind it. How much of that was Balseph and how much of it was just the nature of Fire Astral energy, I don't know, but that's not a god. It's more like an extremely powerful zeugel.

The gods these people want to follow seem... almost kind.

I don't trust either of them.

[And that's how she's going to look at it. She'll examine and she'll make her way, but she's not going to trust things blindly like these people of this world. That's how you get killed.

As for the Renans and Dahnans, she thinks that Kisara is giving her way too much credit.]

My reasons for what I do are still my own. I want to stop the Crown Contest and get the Renas Alma, but it's not because I want to stop the Dahnans from being used as slaves. [Not entirely.] It's just a lucky coincidence that Dahnan freedom comes with deposing the Lords from their seats. I'm not that noble, Kisara. Not really.

[It would stand to reason that gods can likely be cruel and kind, but that too, is purely conjecture. It's hard to know that when they come from a world in which they don't worship gods. Kisara suspects that she will likely give this far more thought than perhaps she ought to. Or at least more than it actually needs. They don't even know if the beings in this specific world are gods or not.

Sure would be nice to know more than what they have, which feels like a lot of nothing.

Thankfully, Shionne diverts her attention elsewhere, though it's disputable whether it's an improvement or not. Kisara knows better than to assume Shionne is really doing anything for the sake of the Dahnans as a whole. Why would she? She's not a Dahnan, after all. She's likely only known about the real plight of their people since meeting Alphen and it's probable that travelling with the others has been a case where their ends just happen to be taking them on the same pathway.

Kisara can't even be angry about it. It's pragmatism at its finest and though Kisara is far more inclined to perhaps care too much, it would be completely unrealistic to put that expectation on others.]

Noble or not, regardless of your reasons for getting involved, for staying involved, it's helping us. I understand where you're coming from, though. It takes a lot of courage to be that direct about why you're here. I'll make sure that the others don't ask too much of you. And I'll make sure that I don't ask too much of you either.

[Maybe, in an ideal future, they can be on good terms, regardless of where they've come from, but that too, might be a concept excessively lofty at this point in time.]

[Shionne's not going to put much more thought into things about these Gods. They haven't shown themselves and the only proof that she has that they do, in fact, exist is the mark she and Dohalim wear on their wrists from leaving offerings at the altars.

She needs more than that when she has other things on her mind.

As far as Shionne working with the rest of them, she's told Alphen repeatedly that she's only working with him because he can wield the Blazing Sword and her healing artes can repair the damage he takes. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. Once it stops being so, she plans on just leaving them.

Whether she can or not after all this time is a different story.]

I'd be lying if I said that it's not nice to be the "good" Renan in some places, like after we defeated Balseph. Children didn't run from me and they seemed excited to see me, as well as Alphen. I just... I'll stay with all of you while our goals align. After that, I can't guarantee more.

[Why that hurts to say, she's not really willing to examine. But it does.]

[She settles on Shionne's words, wondering how much truth lingers in them. She can't say what it is, but there's something weighted that isn't being said. Maybe it's something important. Maybe it's something that simply has to be approached in time. Kisara isn't the sort to pry. Not so overtly, that is. As a result, she eyes Shionne with a quiet respect.]

You know, if you wanted to stay with us longer, we would welcome it. If it's your choice to leave, we'd respect that, too, but we like having you around.

[Shionne may be a bit prickly, but that doesn't embody the whole of her person. People are never a singular trait or experience. On the contrary, all people are filled with complexities and though Kisara will never be presumptuous to know what those multifaceted descriptions might be, she knows it's important to consider the whole portrait, not just a portion.

All of that to say that Kisara is not spurred or warded away from Shionne, regardless of how she may be cold, at times.]

What I mean is that when you need it, when you want it, you have a place with us.

[Shionne frowns and looks down at her wrist. She knows that it's an indication that all of her time around Alphen and the others that has changed her. She won't say it, but even she knows that she's not the same woman who started this mission when she left Lenegis.

It's going to be that much harder when she has the Renas Alma and she has to sacrifice herself. There's no other way. And she hasn't told them what she suspects that "curing" her curse means dying, but she knows that her curse is related to her dreams and the danger that she can't understand the origin of. It was so easy when she didn't care, when she didn't have a reason to care outside of her desire to not have all of the planet system be destroyed.

Now, however, she can put faces to the distant Dahnans, faces and thoughts and dreams. It's almost cruel now that she might have made friends right before she has to die.

Kisara can't know how much the words she means to be helpful are painful to Shionne, but they're appreciated, even if the Renan can't really express it or even accept them.]

I don't have a place anywhere, Kisara. [She can feel her curse sparking, tingling down her skin and making it obvious how very alone she is.] The only person who can touch me is Alphen and that's because he doesn't feel pain.

[Kisara looks a touch sympathetic. It's not overbearing. She tries not to be, that is. She can't claim to know what's going on in Shionne's head and in truth, she doesn't know her a great deal aside from what they all experienced together when going through the Razum Quarry. If anything, she feels like everyone else knows her significantly more so, and that was only because of the way circumstance played out.

It is very possible that someone like Shionne has often felt like she has no place. Why would she, after all? She can't be touched. Can't touch others. Always has to be held off at a distance. To anyone, it would feel like being in a world all her own with no one else to turn to. A captive in a world that she hasn't been able to free herself from.

But that's what they're trying to do. Kisara doesn't imagine it'll be easy. There might even be a price for such a thing. Freedom, after all, always comes with a price. She has found herself more than once wondering what it'll be. Shionne might very well know better than the rest of them.]

Maybe we can find a way to work through that while we're here. We don't know until we try, right? I'm not going to give up. You shouldn't either, but if you find that you're having difficulty facing it, I'll carry you. Maybe not in the way that Alphen can, but I will in my own way.

[She's not willing to just surrender. As long as there's a fighting breath in her, she has to use it.]

[She doesn't find Kisara's worry for her overbearing. She has a feeling that it is just the way of the other woman to worry about everyone she comes into contact with. Even when she fought them down in the quarry on the way to meet up with her brother, there was a sense that she wasn't going completely full-force. And even with the short amount of time that they've known one another, Shionne has felt cared for in a way that's foreign to her.

It's why she's slowly let others in, but it's not exactly easy for her either. She regrets it, but it's inevitable with Alphen around, isn't it? He didn't really give her a choice. He didn't really give anyone a choice.]

I'm not even sure that the idea that collecting the Renas Alma will completely work. But, there's something a lot different than what we're used to at play here.

[She doesn't want to get her hopes up that she can get rid of her curse. That way lies madness. She's just going to keep plodding along and if it gets cured, it'll be a pleasant surprise, an unexpected win.]

You're as bad as him, aren't you? [It's said with a fondness laced with exasperation, a sign of defeat. If only for a moment.] I think I liked it better when none of you trusted me.

[Kisara doesn’t know what to think of the Renas Alma. She can’t even say she really knows what it is, and that seems fair. There have been plenty of things said to her, shared with her, that she just doesn’t really understand. At least not yet. All things with time, however, and considering the current situation, it would be hard for anyone to take.

Except maybe someone who was accustomed to world hopping.

”You’re as bad as him, aren’t you?”

Kisara takes it the way she thinks it’s meant to be taken. Playful irritation, which is a fair response when it comes to facing Kisara’s stubborn composition. She can’t even stop herself from looking a touch proud over it. If there’s one thing she doesn’t do, it’s surrender. She wasn’t kidding when said she had to fight with the strength she had inside of her.]

I don’t think you can go back to that. It’s harder to have people care about you, but… isn’t it better, too? Because when you need them to lend an ear, you’ve got that. Unity is more than just listening, though, or being present. It’s everything. Time together. Experiences together. Memories together. I wouldn’t want things to be any different with you than they are. We’ve gotten where we are because we’ve had to earn that.

[Shionne may not make things easy, but that just makes a friendship with her all the more worth it.]

[Shionne considers what Kisara's saying. She sees the truth and logic in it, but that doesn't making easier for her. She wishes that she didn't have to hold herself away from others, wishes she could touch someone without the curse that's plagued her whole life getting in the way.

And it makes her so sad to know that's probably never going to happen. And instead of letting Kisara see how badly her words have affected Shionne, the Renan decides it's probably better to lash out.]

I didn't ask anyone to care about me. I just want to get this done and over with. No one asked to be sent here but that doesn't stop the fact that all I need Alphen for is to wield the Blazing Sword and help me take out the Lords on Dahna in my way.

[She isn’t arrogant enough to assume that there’s something beneath the surface, under all of that hostility that Shionne breeds on the outside. Deduction, however, implies that there very likely is. Anyone in Shionne’s position would have some hangups about their situation. Maybe Kisara is just an overwhelmingly understanding person, but there’s nothing about the onslaught of sharp words that makes her want to back down or lash out in return.

That’s just not the right way to handle this. Sympathy isn’t either, and for that reason, Kisara carefully hides away any remarks that might be uncalled for. She doesn’t want to upset Shionne anymore than she already has.]

You should feel the way you want to feel. If that’s to mean you’re only with us for a period of time until you accomplish what you mean to, we’ll all respect that. [And they’ll do their very best to make all of those moments memorable, good or bad, or every shades of grey in between.] But we’re all here right now. So let’s take advantage of that while we can. We’ll focus on everything else when we get back to Dahna. Sound like a plan?

[Shionne pushes people away before she can hurt them, because she means that physically and literally inflicting pain just by being around her. Even with Kisara, who she sort of understands and doesn't dislike, it's just easier for her to not build up any sort of expectation by keeping her distance. And normally no one likes an angry woman always taking down to them and telling them their faults.

It's a great defense mechanism, but it's terrible for actually having relationships with other people.

And she knows it makes others eye her like she's about to turn on them at any moment.]

We're not all here, Kisara. [And that might be a bit of her issue. With Rinwell missing, she doesn't feel like things are right.] But I can't really see anything wrong with what you're saying. So long as you don't try to stop me when the time comes, I don't seen any problems in continuing to work together.

[You knew what I meant.

Of course not all of them are here, but of those who are, of those who know her, Kisara feelings with a certain confidence, she can get away with speaking on their behalf. Besides, being with one physically isn't the only way to be with them. Migal may be very, very much gone, but he's still so soundly with her that in some ways, it almost feels like he's never gone to begin with despite the very sound and weighted truth of the situation.

Either way, she knows the trap it can be to argue. On this, it's a battle she has to let go. If it's a war, then there will be future battles and maybe she'll be more properly equipped for them. One thing at a time, however. And the first step seems to be figuring out how to survive in this world with what they've been given.]

We'll see how you feel when you get there. None of us can tell the future, after all. And like water, we're always changing, even if we can't see it. For now, let's focus on what's in front of us.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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Wrapping this one up, so we can do NEW THINGS... :] :] :]