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

Ok then. Goodbye you!

(that tiny fish? goes straight to chuuya's hat, well-aimed so it would just drop on the edge. a little decoration for it!)

[Chuuya snarls, flicking the fish back into the lake where it will... well, it's probably dead already, but he's got new priorities right now.

like wringing Dazai's neck.]

Oh hell no you don't!

[Another grab at Dazai, aiming to yank him closer by the collar before he can escape.]

You've got a lot to answer for, you bastard!

(expected that one, too, and his hands are up, palms showing, and his knees even bend a little for their usual routine to carry out.

but surprises do come ever so often.)

... Huh? What did I do this time? Are you still mad that you're getting calls on my behalf? Are you having a delayed reaction to all the murder attempts? What am I answering for?

I'm mad because you tried to drown me, you fucking traitor!

[It's so nice of Dazai to oblige Chuuya by bringing himself even more in range for the punch that follows those words.]

(oh, oops. the punch lands way too well, he hasn't been exactly healthy in prison, so there's a little blood that bubbles to his mouth.

but there's genuine confusion on his face.)

... Yeah, like, five years ago. Six? Why are you mad now?

Are you seriously trying to screw with me right now? You tried to drown me before I got here!

[Chuuya grabs Dazai's collar again, shaking him angrily.]

You telling me your big brain really couldn't think of any other plan than drowning me along with Dostoevsky?

(ok. this is getting out of hand. chuuya can yell at him for shit he's done, but not about shit he dreamed of. absolutely not.

so, both hands go to chuuya's cheek to refocus the man, so he stops yapping and looks at dazai, stop shaking him!!!)

Chuuya, I have no idea what you're talking about. Last I remember, Dostoevsky and I were in our cells, talking. I can't drown him from a glass box. I'm not that good.

(maybe????)

[Chuuya does stop yapping, though not precisely because of the hands on his cheeks. It's Dazai's expression, his voice: He really does have absolutely no idea what Chuuya's talking about.]

What the fuck.

[Dazai didn't know? Did he hit his head in that elevator or something? No, Dazai's head is made of fucking concrete he's survived so many head injuries.]

You really don't remember anything? You and he both got out of those boxes and kept playing your head games. And I busted in after being turned into some fucking mindless zombie thing.

I really don't. Last I remember was asking the nice officers for some crab for dinner, and then talking to him for a second. Then I was here. I don't know anything about any of that, so can you please let go already? My knees are hurting, and I am super not into it.

(let's totally ignore the fact that his stomach is hurting, too. chuuya packs a hell of a punch, but he doesn't need dazai to tell him the obvious.)

I could break your knees off for you, if that helps.

[It's said sarcastically, but Chuuya does release his grip on Dazai's collar nonetheless, letting the gangly man drop before straightening his gloves.

Ugh, there's fish slime on them.]

Shit, what the hell is going on here?

Thank you, very nice of you. Do you know how long it's been since I stretched? My body feels all wrong, because I'm so tall for that little glass box.

(dazai shut up)

(either way, at the question, there's only a shrug as he takes his bare feet to the ledge, sinking them into the water to feel the current. this is just so nice. things you take for granted in prison, the ability to just throw yourself into a body of water!)

Noooooo idea, Chuuya! Best guess, Book, but it's a very bad guess. I need to snoop around a little bit more, when I feel like it. Did I tell you I just got out of prison? I'm really not in a hurry.

[Dazai really should shut up, before Chuuya shows him a brand new, very painful way to stretch--

That being said, he discards his fishing pole, no longer interested in participating in the contest. Figuring out what the hell is going on is the more important priority.]

We can't just put everything down to that Book thing and call it a day, Mackerel. I'd think you of all people would want to get back as soon as possible, so you can keep doing... whatever the fuck you were doing.

[He obviously let himself get imprisoned for a reason, after all. Definitely Dostoevsky related.]

Well, last I checked Fyodor was drowning you as payback.

Edited 2023-03-03 01:25 (UTC)

Eating prison food and playing mind chess? I'm certain we can do that here, too.

(definitely, dostoevsky related, but well, there are reasons why he isn't rushing. time might move differently, poking around too much too soon could raise flags, finding the actual center of gravity of this place is going to take some blending, observe–orient–decide–act, and many many many other strategies that don't involve just running headfirst into anything.

he could either list them to chuuya, only to get yelled at, or he can just shrug and move his feet in the water.)

Oh. Then I'm dead?

I'd hope the food is better here than prison. [Dazai hiding things from Chuuya isn't anything unusual, at least. He's sure Dazai has multiple reasons for pretty much anything he does, because that's just his way. But does he have to be happy about it?

Nope.

He doesn't miss the 'playing mind chess' big included in Dazai's assessment. Does that mean....?]

Please, like that shit could kill you.

[Dazai he's seen you try to drown yourself so many times and you are still here.]

So no, I doubt it.

How would you know? Have you even been arrested since I was gone? Did you just slip through the bars? You wouldn't even have to use gravity, Chuuya!

(sorry, he's been so long without being a total ass to his former partner that it just piled up. didn't you miss him, chuuya? didn't you? gross.

but there's a snort, eyes rolling before they close to receive a breeze, a hand reaching for chuuya to join him by the ledge.)

You two suck at murder.

(??????????????)

You know I haven't. And I wouldn't have to slip through the bars because I wouldn't get caught!

[Dazai hasn't had anyone besides fyodor to annoy in so long, poor, poor him!

Not.

Chuuya eyes Dazai suspiciously when he reaches out to him, because he just knows Dazai is up to something.]

And no, you're just a cockroach.

[He'll take a step closer, at least.]

Ugh, right? Maybe if the three of us work together, maybe we can drown me for real!

(chuuya's heard all this before - how absurd it is that dazai can so easily take any lives other than his own. how unfair! how ironic!

how fucked up.

his half-bandaged hands support his chin as he looks straight ahead into the waves.)

I've met Gogol. We need to figure out who else is here.

[Oh, he certainly has. Ugh. Same old stupidity out of Dazai's mouth.]

I'd rather go back home first, personally.

[And as annoying as Dazai is, he's also got a big brain that could be useful for that endeavor.]

You thinking Dostoevsky is here too?

[Finally Chuuya sits down, suddenly a bit weary. Bad enough being pried away from home, but if they're stuck here with those guys....]

It would be good if he was. One less problem to think about regarding home. Mostly, I just hope anyone is! The more, the merrier.

(the more abilities, the more people, the better. people are a resource. this would be beneficial in ways he doesn't even have to explain.

but if fyodor is here, it means there's less rush. his hands are as tied as dazai's own.)

So you'd rather he be our problem here then.

[Oh, he certainly gets Dazai's point here. But managing it is another story altogether. Chuuya rests his chin in the palm of one gloved hand, looking just a bit sullen.]

He's not in a box anymore, Dazai. Sure, he can't keep his plans up in another world. But who says he won't fuck with us anyway? His resources might be limited, but that's never stopped you.

My limited resources never made a fool out of me. See, Chuuya, what does Fyodor want? What does Gogol want? What do you want? I have a plan, and you're going to have to trust me on this.

Do you want to know or is it a super fun, extraordinary surprise? The unsurprising bit - you and I will despise it!

I want to go home.

[It's said in a deadpan, Chuuya leveling Dazai with a look. The one that says he knows this is going to suck, so out with it already.]

But since I can't have that... sure, tell me your plan.

Well, we can, probably. Maybe. We do have to strategize with what we have. On the occasion the four of us are here, I'm selling them Double Black. Do you want to hear the thought behind it? It gets even worse!

(DAZAI..........)

[The more Dazai says, the more Chuuya does not like this. Really, it's one thing to be considered a powerful weapon. He's long ago accepted that as part of his lot. It's another to be commodified as part of a deal, destruction on demand.

~~Mori was the only one allowed to do that.~~]

Well I'm already finding the very idea nauseating just from how you phrase it, so I'd love to hear how much worse it gets.

[The sarcasm is thick in his voice, sickly sweet. He's contemplating dunking Dazai into the lake and holding him under.]

You're not the only one. I don't like it either.

(which is, well, dazai speech for apologizing at this point. he doesn't see chuuya like that, but truth be told, it's leverage that they have. there's no reason not to use it, even if he knows where chuuya stands. not very far from dazai's own feelings about it.

chuuya's power aside, he also doesn't enjoy any little single bit from the plan he's made.)

We need to cooperate somehow. Don't take it personally. Convincing them and making it in a way that is controlled by us is the hard part. I think we should all inhabit the same space, under some strategic conditions - that way, Gogol can't reach Fyodor so easily if we can stop it, Fyodor can have some protection over Gogol, they can "keep an eye on us", while I keep an eye on them, and Fyodor and I can come up with a plan. I intend to use both of us, Chuuya.

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cw suicidal feelings

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