![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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.
Meadowlands
And so when Fushi turns, what he'll find is not a human-sized human...but a rather large-sized demon made of smoke and bone-coloured flesh, staring, all while smoke rises up from his body.
(sunlight? is no bueno for demons.) ]
What?? Do what? Why the hell're--ugh, forget that, aren't you bothered by all this?! Yer gonna burn up in all this sun!
[ .....at least, a werewolf might. And that's what he thinks Fushi is after seeing that transformation :D ]
no subject
... I am not. Is that what's happening to you? You should go to the shade then...
(fixed. he's great. thank you.)
no subject
There is pain from the sun though, a harsh stinging sensation--like being burnt, slowly--which Chagrin ignores in favour of casting his shadow over Fushi. ]
You're not?? Damnit, some people get all the luck...
[ Well, there's nothing for it then. Chagrin spreads his wings and crouches. ]
Looks like there's a tonna humans heading over that way. [ He jerks one thumb ] Keep clear of it! There's probably a whole town over there 'r somethin'.
no subject
(the more the sunlight hits chagrin, the more it hurts fushi in return. he's got a gazillion questions, the only other non-natural thing he's ever met was, unbeknownst to him, a type of god who is too cryptic for fushi's taste, and the knockers, who don't really say anything. they take. kill humans and take from fushi. not a great experience, but... he looks so vulnerable like this, so there's no hesitation to take the creature's wing to drag the other to shade. stop!! hurting!! unnecessarily!!!)
... Do you have another form? I think they'll be a little scared when they see you. Not all humans are bad, you know?
casually forgets to <B> all his speech oops
...But he will let Fushi grab his wing, up to a point. It'll take forever for him to lumber his way like this--so he reaches over and scoops Fushi up into his hand like he's nothing more than a stuffed toy. That makes it easy to spread his wings and flap them once, taking off toward the woods with an appropriate amount of speed. ]
Maybe not all of 'em, but they're still a pain... I wouldn't be in this mess if they hand't tried ta kill me! You should know--yer here too, aintcha?
[ The assumption here is that if someone's in this place, they must've died. It's what happened to him, after all.
It only takes a few beats of his wings for them to arrive at the forest. Chagrin touches down with a large thump, horns and bulk catching on branches and snapping them like tinder as he clears a space and sets Fushi down. ]
happens to the best demons
unexpected is as it is, he's taken by surprise and wraps thin arms around the thumb, just so he doesn't fall. he could probably change into someone else, someone who has stronger arms to hold tight, but there was no need once they land.)
I don't know anything. I'm immortal in every sense, so, if you're here because you died, then this makes no sense.
grips ur hand
[ Isn't that vampires? This guy was definitely a wolf when he first saw him. Chagrin squints, leaning closer to inspect Fushi with a critical eye. ]
Ya don't look immortal. Yer just a tiny thing. How old are ya, pipsqueak?
[ Thankfully for Fushi, the trees do provide enough cover that the worst of Chagrin's pain is gone. He's still smoking, but it's more steam-like now. The worst is the throbs of pain he gets from having been in the sun in the first place; the same sort of feeling one would get from a burn after the fact. ]
no subject
(BECAUSE, NATURALLY, these are normal things to say, in a very normal manner, about a very normal topic.
and he still is mad over the burnts. the demon might sustain them well, but they hurt and that's not fun at all for the orb.)
no subject
[ Really strange. If anything, immortals like vampires and stuff seemed to know the most--it was Demon born of humans that were the least knowledgeable. The werewolf back home knew more about shapeshifting than him, and he'd been around for fifty years. Although one could also say that was a result of his own lack of effort in that area....
Bah.
Chagrin scratches his head. ]
You never been to the Demon Realm before? Should be plenty of ya there. I ain't as immortal seeing as how I died an' all, but Demons still live a pretty long time.
no subject
(but he isn't particularly scared about the demon's features, or anything that could potentially scare a human. dying hurts, but he's never really been very dead after all. it'd be fine if that would be his destiny from this conversation.)
I'm an orb of light. I can take the form of others, it's all.
no subject
[ And Chagrin would've continued his explanation from there, only Fushi goes ahead and tell him he's an orb of light.
He...he honestly doesn't know what to do with that. ]
...An orb of wha? Seriously?
[ Chagrin squints. Fushi doesn't look very orb-like. Or light-filled. Where the heck did all this talk about orbs come from? ]
no subject
(honestly, chagrin, you're hitting him with way too much information, it's not really helping the fuck out.
he's just slowblinking in confusion, much like the other is.)
Yeah. That's really just it. I'm here to learn and grow. I just learned that you exist, and I'd never seen something like you before.
fushi you are just...the goodest boi. orb.
[ How the heck can he not know what those are?? Those are basic-level things! There shouldn't be gaps this big in the memory of someone who looks as old as Fushi. But there he goes, just agreeing with the whole orb thing, and Chagrin really has no idea what to do with that either. ]
If yer really an orb, how come you were a wolf earlier? An' human-looking now? I never met any ball o' light that could do that.
wait till the existential crisis and temper hit
(it's more complicated than that, truly, it's about stimuli, and there are way more things fushi should be able to do and isn't quite aware of it as of now. god-like, but blissfully unaware.
it'll fuck him up later, anyway.)
... You've met other orbs? You just said! Talk about it!!!
(DEMANDING ORB. DEMANDING ORB!!!)
oh nooo
Oi!! Hold up, that ain't what I said...! I just meant I ain't seen any balls o' light... Like. I dunno, you don't mean like a marble or a candle or anything like that, right? I got no idea by what you mean.
[ fushi nooooo ;A; ]
no subject
(or a mind... for that matter... fushi was a rock for a long time, then fushi was moss, and then that wolf happened to die on top of it. from that, the boy that now is the preferred form - fushi couldn't do anything to stop his death, the concept foreign. even basic things had to be taught - eating, drinking, understanding--)
It's complicated. Do you look like a human sometimes, though? They'll know you're very different... It's best if you don't show this for a while. I can help hide you.
no subject
It's not like I was plannin' on just waltzing into town or anything. That's a great way to get yerself killed.
[ It's not like he can't shapeshift, but if he doesn't have to...he can be a little lazy about it? He'll do it for Hetappi but he's freshly dead here, sir!! Give a guy a break! ]
no subject
(see, the wolf is easier for reasons of size, but you know what is great for smelling? a mole. he's probably blind like this, but if he just holds on to the demon, they can find shelter - most likely a nice cave away from the people, and the sun.)
... You know, you could just look more normal if you're worried about getting killed...
(a little mumble. from a little mole on the demon's shoulder. sniff, sniff...)
Go straight...!
no subject
[ Aaand he's a. rat. Mouse? Blind...thing. It's small, it's on him, and now suddenly Chagrin is hyper-aware of each of his movements, just in case he jostles the poor thing. He's never been great with tiny creatures
Hetappi is the exception]And anyway--listen!! Slow down a bit, wouldya kid? And warn a guy before you go turning into tiny shit like that, I coulda squished you by mistake.
[ h u f f.
(there really isn't a chance of that happening, Chagrin is taking extra care despite his lumbering steps. ]
...Where we headed now, anyway?
no subject
(the little voice is squeaky, considering, well, the size of the mole who's complaining about all this.)
I wouldn't die, it's fine. You're very big, you have ears that size, and yet you don't listen very well...
(FUSHI!!!!!!!! anyway, sniff, sniff--)
Left, right, left. There's a cave-- I'm also not a kid!! I'm older than you!!
no subject
[ Just calling it as he sees it Fushi sorry-- ]
Besides, just because you don't die doesn;t mean it's fun gettin' squished.
[ That said, he is following the other's directions; he takes all his rights and lefts as they come, one hand poised--just in case he needs to stop mr. squeaky up there from being jostled off him. ]
no subject
(even if the answer is yes, perhaps fushi's answers are a big 'sounds like a you problem'. he's just spent 40 years on his own, alone, withering, scared, bored, fighting. no meaning, nobody, and he's still a little on the fence about loving and being left.
but he has to try, and this one seems... like he can understand. once the cave is reached, the smell so clear and crisp there is no doubts about it, the boy's form takes over once again, fushi's hands rubbing his now existent eyes.)
Here. We can be here for a while. Until we figure out if it's safe for beings like us.