expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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TEST DRIVE MEME #2

TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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. Characters already in the game, however, are free to use TDM prompts in their own catch-alls and logs. 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 (with the stated limitations).

You may find the below links helpful in getting to know themes of the world, locations, the people, and so on.

info | world

BE OUR GUEST

You may possess any number of questioning thoughts as you traverse the blindingly white room and are dropped into a darkness beneath your feet, but perhaps those same thoughts will be replaced with an awe and curiosity as you come to. Expiation has you now and you have joined the ranks of the Chosen, a seemingly select number of individuals who have arrived with parchment either in-hand or near them, detailing physical and mental statistics in addition to a particular crime to which you have been accused.

How you choose to spend your time here is largely up to you...

IT'S A WINDMILL, NOT A GIANT

As you begin to acquaint yourself with the lay of the land about you, you'll find that not too far from where you've woken there's a rather grandiose tower windmill. Its blades rotate at a casual pace as it faces the ocean and its accompanying shoreline. It appears to be in relatively pristine condition, implying that it is cared for well and often, likely by the locals of the town of Aldrip, which can be easily spied from the elevated level of land upon which the windmill sits.

Outside of the main structure is a collection of wooden crates in various display. Some of these are closed. Some are open. If you observe for long enough, you'll eventually find that a few relatively muscular sorts arrive on the scene to retrieve some of these crates and take them back the distance toward the town that lingers at the base of the mountains. If you choose to inspect the crates, you'll find some of them filled with heavy canvas sacks that contain flour. If you choose to ask the town locals retrieving them about this, they will explain that the windmill companion you have woken near is just one of the many implements that the locals use to provide sustenance to dining tables, festivities, and more.

You have the option to help the locals carry crates back, potentially to curry some favour with them, or simply take some sacks of flour yourself. Crates require more than one person to carry due to the weight, but two able-bodied adults should be able to handle the job quite well. A sack of flour can generally be carried by one, but perhaps you'll find yourself needing some assistance anyway. Maybe ask one of the others who've woken up near you. It certainly seems you're not alone in this new endeavour.

WHERE ONLY THE BRAVE MAY GO

If windmills and manual labour aren't your thing, you may find yourself drawn to the seemingly mysterious cave at the foot of the mountains, not far from the windmill in question.

The locals refer to this cave as Lorentia. Jagged rocks poke out around the entrance and have been sculpted and shaped to resemble what appears to be the massive sharp-toothed mouth of a dragon. It is possible you may be momentarily stopped by one of said locals who will explain that the Lorentia Cave is a passage system that leads through the interior of the mountains, though due to some collapse of the inside, the passageway does not go in far and is currently blocked off for the safety of local citizenry. In other words, proceed with caution.

If you're still feeling brave and care to take a peek inside, by all means. No one's going to stop you.

The interior of Lorentia Cave consists of both narrow passageways and some larger, more cavernous like rooms. There are assorted mining implements scattered along the ground, propped up against the walls, and carts that are filled with various ores, rocks, crystals, and more. The locals of Aldrip use Lorentia Cave for largely mining purposes and many of the things that are retrieved can be used for the smithing forges, the crafting of weaponry, or fashioning into jewellery and other accessories that are sold locally and taken to other towns on the continent.

There are some crudely designed signs that note to take care and depict simple skull drawings, indicating that certain paths may be a little more dangerous to traverse than others. If you are especially lucky (or unlucky, as the case may be), you may even spot some skeletal remains from some less-than-fortunate souls who got caught in a dead-end path and simply never made it out again.

If you listen closely, sometimes you hear the flutter of wings and a distant roar. Maybe it's best not to linger...

NO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

MAXWELL'S SILVER ROCK-HAMMER

The townsfolk are welcoming to newly-arrived, something that has largely been met with a fair amount of scepticism and wariness from prior arrivals. That said, they continue to be hospitable, eager to share stories and songs about their land, their people, and their traditions.

A jewelcrafter is displaying their work today, putting their various wares out for locals and members of the Chosen to admire, or perhaps to purchase. Part of their demonstration is opening geodes with rock-hammers and showing off the impressive inside of colour and masterful natural works of art gifted to them by the land's bounty. They may choose to speak a little on how they revere the land, the resources they've been given, and how all of this has been bestowed upon them by the very gracious Those Who Were There, a mysterious and seemingly celestial higher power.

For those who are interested, they have the opportunity to offer some assistance to the jewelcrafter by opening some geodes as well. There's plenty of rock-hammers to go around and the most recent retrieval from Lorentia Cave's mining appears to have been very successful. The jewelcrafter is so moved by the offer of help that he's more than happy to let those who aid him keep one opened geode for themselves at no cost.

Congratulations on your new piece of decor!

FORGING BONDS IN THE FIRES OF PASSION

If you were a brave soul who made visit to the Lorentia Cave and came back with some weapon or armour crafting materials (including skeletal remains), you'll find that the smithies of Aldrip are eager to do business and many of them enjoy their craft for the sake of being passionate about what they do.

They'll waste no time in starting the forge and should you have a specific piece in mind you are requesting, as long as they have the materials on hand, they'll even be willing to show you the general process from start to finish on a rough draft of the piece in question. If you're feeling especially keen to help, they may offer to let you work directly on your project, though they will express apprehension and a wary eye for those who fail to have prior experience with such gruelling tasks.

Once your piece is finished, you can either wear it immediately, learn the best way to maintain and keep your equipment, or put it out on public display to show the rest of Aldrip and its residents, new and old alike. If you choose to let the smithies keep your piece, they'll pay you the cost of the materials you've brought them, plus a small percentage markup depending on how much personal effort you put into the craftsmanship personally.

Better yet, you may have just come out of the situation with a permanent bond. The smithies have an appreciation for those who share similar interests and may be willing to provide future discounts to those who purchase their wares.

FEEDING THE MASSES

YOU'RE A REEL CATCH

Aldrip locals always have a need for food and with many Chosen having recently arrived, that need has increased exponentially, for now they have a larger number of mouths to keep fed and stomachs to keep happy. To help inspire this retrieval of food, Aldrip is hosting a fishing competition and anyone who's interested in participating may do so, provided that they follow the guidelines set in place.

All participants must use local fishing equipment and this will be provided by the various merchants in town free of charge, save for those who wish to keep their fishing tackle. All fish caught within the local rivers, ponds, and the nearby ocean are acceptable for submission. Citizens (local or Chosen) are forbidden from using magic or technology as a means to catch their quarry. Anyone found breaking these rules will be disqualified and will be fish'd (that is, they will have raw flopping fish thrown at them).

The winner of the competition is chosen by having caught the largest fish (determined by size and weight) and will be announced at the end of the competition. The applicable winner may keep their fishing tackle free of charge and have their winning fish cooked in the style of their choice by the locals, which can then be shared amongst the people if they so choose (a fantastic way to make friends). The winner will also have a mediocre fish sculpture awarded to them with their name chiselled into the details in honour of their glorious victory.

OOC Notes:
Both TDM participants and characters already in the game may participate in the fishing competition. Please use the designated comment if you wish to partake. On the 13th of March (after applications have closed for the cycle), the winner will be announced and drawn by RNG. We will announce who the winner is on this TDM post (in these notes), the moderator plurk, and the OOC community.

I'M A [X], NOT A FISHER

If you're not a fishing kind of individual yourself, there's still plenty for you to get involved with.

Aldrip has need of people who are capable of preparing meals, especially seafood. It is probable that many participants of the fishing competition will end up fishing up things that are not fish or eligible for submission, but still edible. These include crabs, lobsters, jellyfish, octopuses, clams, and other related sea life. If you have experience with cooking or simply want to help out, the Aldrip locals will welcome you with open arms and may even pay you for your assistance.

If cooking isn't your forte, you'll find that some of the Aldrip citizens enjoy a betting pool from time to time. If you have some coins or something else you don't mind putting up for gamble, you might just come out with the whole pot if you put your currency on the winning fisher. Anyone found to be attempting to rig the betting pool and competition, however, will be returned their bet. We don't take kindly to cheaters here.

At least not openly.

Fishing can be a sometimes dangerous pastime. You may find a fisher who has gotten themselves accidentally hooked on their line or perhaps when they were freeing a fish, the hook got lodged into their thumb. Aldrip welcomes those who have healing abilities to help assist those more unfortunate situations, so fishers can go back to casting out their lines to make the most of the competition. That said, there's nothing in it for potential healers, just the notion that you've done a good deed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

a; MAXWELL'S SILVER ROCK-HAMMER

[ It'd take a more basic bitch than the dread pyrate Blackbeard to say no to a jeweler showing off shiny wares. He's genuinely, albeit gruffly, enthused by the whole practice of cracking open what looks like a stupid boring rock to reveal a wealth of crystal glittering inside. ]

Huh, look at that. Shit on the outside, but kind of a nice interior. How much is it worth, something like that?

[ Not as much as it looks, apparently, which explains why he's given a small one to keep for himself at the end for free. Some of the other pieces of jewelry though... Well, pirates gonna pirate. If you're paying any attention at the moment Blackbeard drops that little geode he's just been gifted and the shop's owner rushes to pick it back up, you might catch him pocketing a much smaller, much fancier-looking gold ring from the open display. The jewelcrafter doesn't seem to have notices, and Blackbeard smiles widely behind his mess of a beard to have the gifted broken rock back in his hand. ]

Thanks, mate. Lose my own head if it wasn't attached.

b; FORGING BONDS

[ Yeah, Blackbeard didn't go barging into any smelly caves with only a knife and a gun and no muscle on him, which means he has no goods to offer the smithies. So why's he approaching them? ]

I'm looking for gunpowder. Where can I find it?

[ Not that the flintlock pistol on his hip looks like the best weapon for hunting but... Can't blame a man for wanting to protect himself in a strange new world, right? Once they assure him that this is the place, Blackbeard pulls, not a half-moon kind of coin, but a gold ring out from his pocket. ]

How much will this get me?

c; I'M A ~~pirate~~ CHEF, NOT A FISHER

[ Someone's going to pay randos off the street to cook a fish? Uh, sign this guy up. Blackbeard takes to it with gusto. Octopuses and shit other people won't touch? Send it his way. He plays with the tentacles and claws and things like they're toy soldiers a bit, dead seafood killing each other before they're sliced, grilled and/or boiled, but ultimately, they're simply, evenly-cooked. Not in a wealth of spices or anything, but just the perfect done-ness in a variety of marine flavors.

—Some of which, he's immediately going to eat, of course. It's been a day and he's fucking famished. He holds up an opened raw oyster from a platter between him and you and raises a cheers with it. ]

Bottoms up.

[ And down it goes. Though Blackbeard isn't immediately watching, busy shoving food in his own face, he'll expect his dining partner to do the same. ]

[it's unexpected, to see him, all of a sudden out of nowhere, like a spring rain shower or a sudden swirl of petals in an unexpected wind. In fact if Ed weren't so distinctive, Stede would be sure he imagined it or mistook him for someone else. But no, there he is, surrounded by odd looking sea food and chatting with someone Stede doesn't know.

But it's someone who looks- at least a little like him. Or maybe not at all like Stede. Which means he'll like the person better perhaps. And, well Stede is in a dishevel anyway with only the coat he's had for a month which is starting to look a little worn and clothes from here that feel strange and don't sit right on him so- it's best not to draw attention to himself- especially since he's still holding flowers for god's sake. But he might watch just for a little while longer...]

[ That itchy raised-hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck feeling of being watched has Blackbeard distracted away from his current conversation. Well, not really conversation as the poor lad he'd cheersed oysters with has decided to choke on his halfway instead of swallowing it all down. Blackbeard laughs through a joke about practice and first times as he pats the guy overly hard on the back and rings his shoulder as, casual as you like, he glances back to see who's around—

And all teasing playfulness is dropped at the sight of Stede Bonnet, Gentleman Pirate himself, standing there with a modest bouquet in hand, and looking about as weathered as Ed feels himself. His eyebrows raise, gone doe-eyed in an instant, and he leaves his dining companion instantly and without a word in favor of his friend. ]

Stede! Fucking there you are, man!

[ As he drops both hands on Stede's shoulders before leaning back again to look him over, one hand lingering there in connection, Ed's laugh this time is completely different: a rumble from deep in his chest, free of teasing or malice, just joyfully possessive, like a dog greedily gnawing into a bone left greasy with all its meaty bits still attached. His voice drops quiet and soft, just for them. ]

Been looking everywhere for you, mate. Where the hell is this place? Aldrip, Talion Sea... Never heard of any of it. We're off the fucking maps. Service to the king... More like service to the King of Atlantis.

[ Ed scoffs and looks around again at the strange collection of people gathered at this little dinner gig with naked suspicion now, though his hand stays anchored on Stede's shoulder. ]

Edited 2023-04-13 14:08 (UTC)

[Stede nearly jumps out of his skin at the sudden attention. He doesn't know what to say. Before he can even formulate a thought, Ed is there, larger than life and pleased- it's like swimming in the sea on a hot day and getting smacked in the face by a wave.

It leaves him breathless and grinning and clutching the flowers in a white knuckled grip.]

I really have no idea. [his heart is beating so loud he's sure Ed can hear it] I've been-a bit out of my depth. [and lost in the swirl of everything. And Ed only adds to the feeling of being in a strange storm, but somehow just the sight of him and the warmth of him and the smell of leather makes it exciting. Should he return the touch? Does he dare?

He should probably stop grinning at him like an idiot, but he can't seem to make his face do what it should]

Hello, Ed. [he says just to say his name]

[ Everything about this world is foreign and weird, from the indestructible scrap of paper tucked over Ed's heart beneath his jacket to the hexagonal gold charm etched with a wave dangling from Ed's left ear. —Everything except Stede, now. Even Ed himself didn't realize how on edge he's been until he feels himself melting under his skin from the warmth of Stede's sunshiny smile.

Ed smiles back, eyes crinkling, and finds himself momentarily breathless by the sound of his name on Stede's lips. At a loss for words, he squeezes Stede's shoulder again, then forces himself to let go and right himself before he says (or does) something embarrassing. ]

Well then, 'least we're out of our depths now together.

[ Even stepping back for a breath of air, that still feels like the only important thing to Ed at the moment. ]

Together... [He loves that. Too much. And he'd said it too soft and too warm and he'd like to do a million things together with Ed. Well, they are co-captains after all. So it makes sense. Despite Jack and everything else it seems. So long as Stede doesn't ruin it somehow.

He remembers his own scrap of paper, hidden in his coat pocket-- Destroys Beautiful Things, and gets a little sick shiver. But surely Ed is indestructible. He's Blackbeard!

Blackbeard but with such a kind smile, so warm and Stede melts a little under it and finds himself taking a half step toward Ed to close the distance before remembering]

Right...uh...well I can show you around or...fill you in... We can find somewhere to get a drink. [oh he's babbling. He has to stop babbling. He lets out a breathy little laugh, somewhat nervous]

Whatever you want.

[ Together, yep. Nice to have said it, even nicer to have it repeated. There's more important things to worry about, time and place and consequence, but isn't there always? Stede sways forward, and what little breath Ed's caught is gone again, and he thinks— He's always thinking these days— Wondering, if he dared, if Stede would— Or if he'd—

Then Stede's inhaling and taking all the air with him, babbling, yep. A delightful and much needed distraction, and Ed's shoulders square and his chin lifts as he nods on automatic, agreeing to whatever Stede's saying even before he's processing the words. ]

Yep. Yeah, drink'd be nice. Hell of a good idea. —Oh, hang on.

[ Remembering the glut of free food behind him, Ed turns back towards the table of platters of cooked seafood yet to be served and helps himself to a plate. His conversation partner from before is now conversing with someone else, and Ed doesn't bother to excuse himself as he shoves a chunk of white-and-purple meat into his mouth as he turns back in Stede's direction, and explains around the mouthful as they begin to walk. ]

Free food. Cooked it myself. Want a bite?

Ooh! Looks delish! A man of many talents.

[this is better, this is nice, he can at least think and fall into the strange rhythm he has with Ed that feels both very new and very old. He shifts the flowers to his other hand and scoops up an oyster]

I can't even cook an egg... [he pauses as he realizes he doesn't even have an oyster fork to eat it with. Oh but then-he does remember seeing some of the other lads eat them slightly different]

Erm... How do I...? [he gestures with the shell]

[ Ed accepts the compliment with a slow nod and a flourish, only barely remembering to keep some part of his mind on his surroundings with how distracting Stede is, just living the way he does. Since when did a day apart from him start feeling like an eternity? There's something to worry about. ]

Eggs are tricky. Easy to overcook.

[ Ed reassures vapidly, distracted by his own thoughts running in a million directions at once: where are they, how were they brought here, who gave Stede those flowers he's decided are important enough to keep carrying, and whe— Ed's thoughts drop dead entirely, though, at the question. ]

Hm? Oh. See? No cooking at all with these. Just down the hatch.

[ With his free hand, he picks another oyster up (because of course he does, like he's going to say no to another yummy little morsel?), leans in to knock the shell against Stede's with a cheers, then demonstrates: teeth dragged where a fork might go, one slurp and the shell's left empty. Ed hums after, savoring the flavor. ]

Mm... They're really better fresh like this.

[ As opposed to, you know, the shit you buy at the docks from god only knows when and where. ]

[he grins at the clink, as if the shells are flutes filled with the classiest wine. It makes him feel rugged. Manly.]

Bottoms up! [and he slurps it down just like a pro... well aside from getting juice down his front and clicking the bottom of his teeth against the shell and accidentally inhaling some which leaves him coughing and leaves oyster juice stinging in his sinuses and he nearly spits the oyster part on the ground but manages to keep the slimy thing between his teeth and cheek while wheezing]

Delicious.

[in a second he'll attempt to swallow it]

[ Ah, went well until it didn't. Making a mess of yourself is part of the whole rugged and manly thing; no worries there. But when Stede starts coughing, Ed lays a hand on his back, brow creased with concern that Stede might start turning blue at any minute, until he doesn't. Once Stede's seems to have recovered himself, the hand on his back turns into a consolatory pat. ]

Y'okay? Think that one might've still been wriggling. Slippery little buggers.

[ ...Hang on, isn't this just what happened with the last guy? The coughing and everything? And Ed responded completely differently then. Hm. Well, probably no one else will notice. ]

Wr..wriggling? [the pat is nice until those words hits him and he swallows the slimy thing convulsively.] My God, do you mean it was still alive?

[had he just inadvertently killed it? Well he hopes it's dead now but the thought makes him feel just a little queasy]

[ Oops, did he make it worse? Ed looks caught in a lie for all of half a second. "Well, it's dead now," he just barely manages not to say. Instead his expression relaxes again, and he gives Stede a reassuringly firm squeeze to the shoulder before letting go of him. ]

Pft, nah. Lot of things keep wriggling after they're dead.

[ Hm. Maybe that's not any better? Time for a change of subject. He leans forward was they walk to look pointedly at Stede's far hand and the bouquet there. ]

Nice flowers you got.

Blackbeard | Our Flag Means Death

Fisher

🖤

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