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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.
no subject
There may be some truth to them- however twisted it may be.
[He shrugs fluidly; he’s had so many accusations thrown at him over the years that it matters little to him if they’re true or false— usually. They’ve yet to build a prison that can hold him for long.]
Preparing a defense is quite a trick if one doesn’t know the details of the charges. ‘Treason’ is as broad as it is severe. It means something different wherever you go, beyond the whole betrayal bit.
no subject
I probably shouldn't think too hard on it, but... Someone is really out here slapping us with charges that may, or may not be true. I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan!
[She crosses her arms, and leans against a nearby tree. Silently taking his words into consideration, she has to wonder if it's one of those supporters back home. She wouldn't be too surprised if they made it here, but she doesn't say anything. Instead, she simply sighs and tries to ignore that paper.]
Well, I'll figure it out. I always do, for the most part.
[A pause.]
I hope you have an adequate defense for your charge. Wouldn't want to see you hanging from a tree, you know?
no subject
[The quip is near immediate; he smiles wryly, shaking his head.]
Whatever is at play here, they've not put us behind bars, at least none that we can see. That's something. I've not been hanged yet despite countless attempts, and I'm not about to start here. From your reaction to all of this, I'd say you're no stranger to trouble, either?
[Just to hazard a guess— not to mention she seems to think herself resourceful, which is an excellent quality to possess, should it prove to be true.]
no subject
[For the first time here, she manages to crack a smirk. Home sick or not, she would have to adapt. That, and he didn't seem like he had any bad intentions. It wouldn't be a bad idea to make allies, or even friends in this place for the time being.]
Hah, relatable. Fortunately, I've also seen my fair share of trouble... Whether I ask for it or not.
[There's a pause in thought. It seems like they would get along well -- likely bringing trouble amongst the two, but it wouldn't be any different than back home. In fact, some part of her wants to welcome the trouble, as she's made countless allies that way.]
So, naturally, we should team up and become allies at the very least. You look like you can take a hit or two.
[She eyes her katana, and then him, silently letting him know that she wouldn't use it on him. Only using it for their protection and all of that.]
no subject
As you say.
[It would be a waste of a pretty face, one that he's taken great care to keep exceptionally well-moisturized despite the amount of time he spends rooting around in tombs, tromping through desert caves and finding his way out of prison cells.
Some months ago, he might have balked at the idea of teaming up with anyone other than his chosen partner, insisted that he could do more than well enough on his own, but for some reason he can't quite pinpoint, he doesn't find his hackles raised the way they once would have.
His gaze moves to her katana for a moment, and he lightly taps the end of his holstered gun. They're both combat-ready, it would seem.]
I certainly wouldn't turn down an ally, at present. I'm beginning to feel it's going to take more than a smattering of luck to get through this.
no subject
So far, anyway.]
Glad to hear it! You won't regret me as an ally, I think. I tend to jump into danger at the first sight of it, and I'll always protect you from harm if I think you're about to get injured. Pretty good selling point, don't you think?
[She does note the gun, and she takes a step closer to take a better look at it. Silently eying the material, before pulling away. It was a nice looking gun, she could tell. She had to wonder if it was similar in the way that her husband used it, but she figures she'll get to see that when there's action.]
We should probably try and find some lodging. Then... Question some of the locals?
no subject
[Unfamiliar surroundings and questionable circumstances— danger seems unavoidable, of course, and he's hardly afraid of a scrap, but they would probably do well to take some care as they proceed. Best not to show their hand too early, and all.]
Still, you have the right of it. Lodging, perhaps food, but most importantly, information— as much as the locals are willing to part with. I don't usually have too much trouble in persuading folks into being forthcoming.
[Charm is as effective as any other weapon, and he's learned when and how to use nice manners and a nicer smile effectively. He tips his head in the direction of the town further down the road, his earrings giving a soft jangle in the process.]
Perhaps we keep this 'crime' business to ourselves for the time being, as well.
no subject
[She was always the reckless one. Such is the mind of a tank, but she had to be careful. Any blemishes or marks on her body wouldn't be good in the long run, and she didn't want to worry the people back home with injuries from this place. But who knows what's in store for both of them.]
That doesn't surprise me. You have the face and mannerisms of someone who could easily charm another person if they so please.
[Why does she keep running into people like this? It's almost laughable to her, but she focuses back on the matter at hand. Eyes following toward the direction he tips his head in. Immediately noticing that there's a town not too far from the two of them. Already beginning to walk in that general direction, as her stomach was beginning to grumble.]</small. Agreed. I don't need these townfolk looking at me like I'm sort of criminal.
no subject
I'd accuse you of flattery, but you're certainly not wrong.
[He knows how to use his assets to his advantage.]
I don't believe I caught your name, Ms...?
no subject
[She winks at him playfully, before finally reaching her hand out toward him to exchange a friendly handshake. He's been nothing but nice so far, and the least she could do was show that in turn. A soft smile appearing on her lips as she reaches for his hand.]
Rin. Rin Nesidri. And I don't think I caught your name, Mister.
no subject
He takes the offered hand and leans forward to give it a firm shake, giving her a crooked half-smile in return.]
Balthier.
[No last name, of course.]
A pleasure, circumstances aside.