fellmemes | Test Drive #3

Welcome to the November test drive! We're so excited to have you with us.

A few things of note:

✦ Test drive threads can be considered game-canon if you choose. They're essentially in a shared dreamscape and take place between your character leaving their world and arriving in the audience hall with their faction leader.
✦ Reserves will open at 12:01 AM UTC on December 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on December 7th. This is to reserve a character, not an application slot.
✦ Applications will open at 12:01 AM UTC on the 8th, and remain open until 11:59 PM UTC on the 15th, or until all application slots have been filled. Once Activity Check ends, we will have an application slot number available on the application page. The IC & OOC intro logs will be posted two days later.
✦ Questions? We have a FAQ that's chock full of good information! If they are test drive specific, we have a top level thread below that allows for OOC questions to be posted.
✦ The network is available to use! No matter where your character is, their compass arrived on their person. Please feel free to include a network post in your top-levels! Once opened, the compass will display instructions on use, such as using voice-commands to activate it. Usernames are your characters first name or their most common nickname.
✦ Below will be a header for OOC questions as well as a request for Fortuna if you risk having your fortune read in Kyst.
✦ Current players who participate in the test drive by tagging new players will be eligible for a secondary blessing in December.

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES.♪
You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple doors, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way. The thing is, you can hear a lot of commotion in the distance, and smoke rising from the center of a district; you may want to check that out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!

Except the smoke is not at all something to be concerned over. Instead, people are gathered near a large bonfire in the decorated city square, drinking and carousing, singing songs of celebration; Moon saviors have arrived! War winners! The residents of the city laugh and sing and dance in pairs throughout the square that's dusted with snow, grateful for those who have come to aid them. Their merriment doesn’t dwindle as the sun begins to set on the horizon, twin moons rising in its place.

When you (and other new arrivals) are finally noticed by the revelers, do not expect to be left alone! Crowns and laurels of fir and juniper will be deposited upon your heads, seasonal fare of food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear. You’ll be invited to dance, to drinking games, and offered food and flowers and other items of value. Some may cry when they look into your face, thanking you for becoming their champions during this long and exhaustive war.

Hopefully you’re here to enjoy the festivities. Sneaking off is just fine, too, but don’t expect to be let go of quietly; the people of the Moon Temple are so happy to see you! Enjoy the celebration while it lasts long into the night. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Temple will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

THE SETTING STARS.♪
You'll find upon your arrival that the castle is not accepting visitors as they decorate the interior in preparation of the festive season that quickly approaches. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where further preparations are being made.

Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are decorating for the evening's party that will enlist you to help, or perhaps you're a late arrival and the celebration has already begun! Festivities are in full swing in the Court of Stars. Starfolk have begun their celebrations of the new arrivals and the ushering in the season of the Winter Festival. Once hesitant, guarded, the Stars citizens now welcome new arrivals with open arms, celebrating their appearance with a deep gratitude.

Large circles of dancers will pull you into the fray or pull you to dance one-on-one. Others will place bundles of cedar and juniper in your arms for decorating or perhaps learning to weave your own wreath to wear: some will even take pity, create it for you, and set the laurel upon the top of your head. You'll be invited to dance, drink, eat, and participate in the festivities through a snow dusted square. Even the soldiers will join, knocking shoulders and welcoming you to the Court of Stars.

Whether you choose to remain for the festivities or wander off, one thing is certain: you are more than welcome in your new home. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Court will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

MARKETS OF THE COAST.♪
The coastal city of Kyst is abuzz for the holidays, some calm finally beginning to settle in after the rocky past few months. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their pricy but beautiful wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and stories of holidays of old. The air is rife with music and the smell of delicious baked goods. Perhaps you'll hear or smell something you recognize from your home; as Fellden is the beginning of all worlds, it wouldn't be an impossible likelihood!

Those looking to help out might be coaxed to assist in decorating homes with laurels, garlands, berries, and other bright green, red, silver, and gold colors. Those who seem very eager to help might be recruited by shopkeepers to stand outside and try to get customers in to see their wares, to have a drink, or to rent a room. Anyone willing to do so even for a day will receive free food and drink for the duration of their assistance.

And for the auspicious, some may notice a person who has set up a mild little stall in the back of town, sipping eggnog as she offers fortunes. "Fortunes for the new year, my friend," she tells any who approach her. She offers only a small smile. "A laurel for a card. Only one."

BEYOND THE CITIES.♪
In the distance from Kyst, a large forest looms, the Gods Wood imposing even from this distance. Should you travel there, everyone you encounter will urge you to be respectful while within the forest. There, people can be found visiting intricately decorated shrines, prepared for the upcoming holiday, while people leave seasonal offerings in the bowls and plates within the shrines. You're free to leave the crown you were given at your faction celebration, or perhaps something else that you've been granted since your arrival is better suited for your offering. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees. Best foot forward!

If the forest is too intimidating, there appears to be a gathering at the nearby Lake Theta where the Festival of Aeons is taking place. You'll be drawn into the fold readily where people will inform you that it is a celebration of souls, both living and passed beyond the veil. You'll be taught how to make paper lanterns to be set into the sky when twilight falls, with further revelry coming after. Be prepared for a long night of celebration ahead of you as the dancing, music, and festivities last long into the night.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A. Court of the Stars

[Ramza stands, arms newly laden with strips of fiber for weaving. Amber eyes widen in shock. He has no idea what to do with these.

The reveler who gifted him the items takes pity and reaches to take them back.]

I can weave it for you.

No! [What was previously perfect military posture shifts into flailing.] You need not go to such lengths on my behalf. I will endeavor to learn it. If you but show me how to begin….

B. Markets of the Coast

[~~did someone say job propositions?~~ Ramza is never one to turn down a ~~side quest~~ request for assistance, so here he is, wreath in hand, eying a hook on the second story of a tavern wall.

He looks from the hook to the wreath, judging this distance.]

I do not see why I couldn’t throw it...or I suppose I could climb up there…

[He looks around, trying to gauge how other people are managing.]

C. Beyond the Cities

[There is a silence in the woods that reminds Ramza of a church. It is not the absence of sound, but rather a reverent aura in the air. It is the kind of place where one steps carefully and speaks only in hushed tones.

That is not to say that Ramza is not armed. A sword hangs sheathed at his hip, because in his experience, woods that locals warn you about entering tend to be monster-infested or haunted. One should always hope for the best, yet it is ill-planning not to prepare for ambush.

He enters the forest all the same. He no longer has a god to pray to, but he still possesses both faith and desires for which to pray.

In a less occupied section of the Gods Wood, between shrines, he kneels and bows his head.]

[ As for Orchid, she isn't managing very well. Or, at all. She's doing her best, trying to be useful at every opportunity she can find...

The young girl is struggling as she tries to hang up a garland, standing on tip toes to reach a hook protruding out of the wall. Eventually, she gives up, finally resting on her heels. She lets out a defeated sigh through her nose. ]

...too high.

[Ramza’s scan of the crowds reveals a young lady in distress, and he immediately tables his own ~~terrible~~ ideas about decorating for the moment. He loops his arm through the wreath and lets it rest on his shoulder as he crosses the street to the struggling girl.]

Please, allow me to help.

[He holds out a gloved hand for the garland.]

If you help keep it from tangling and I hang, we can make short work of it.

[ Orchid wants to be able to accomplish a task on her own, but obviously, she's making no progress. She pauses a moment, staring at Ramza's offered hand, somewhat embarrassed that she has to rely on another for help again.

She places the end of the garland in his hand. ]

I... I can do that. Thank you.

[ At least he gives her the task of untangling instead of doing all the work. She doesn't feel useless. ]

[Ramza nods his head, solemn. In his mind, her role is as important as his own in this task. Support units are no less vital than any other.

He takes up the garland and begins draping it, careful not to go faster than the girl is untangling the strands.]

I am Ramza, formerly of Ivalice. It is nice to meet you.

[ And she's thankful that he's working at a steady pace that she can keep up with. She is a bit slow, especially since this is a task new to her. Carefully, she untangles the garland as he gradually hangs it across the hooks. ]

Ah. My name is... Orchid. [ Usually she stops just right there, but she sort of mimics Ramza's introduction, her speech also on the awkward, slow side. ] Formerly of Erste... it's a pleasure, Ramza.

[Having someone to keep the strand straightened out making Ramza's job easier. He reaches the end of the garland, and takes a step back to get a look at the whole thing.]

I'd say it looks very festive, wouldn't you?

[He glances back across the street to the hooks he couldn't reach earlier.]

Perhaps you could help with my task as well. Do you have a fear of heights?

Mm. It looks nice...

[ Likewise, she takes a step back to take a look at their work. Not bad. A tiny smile edges onto the corner of her lips. ]

There are scarier things than heights.

[ Meaning yes, she will help. She does feel that she owes him for helping her anyway. ]

You are very brave.

[He points to the hooks along the tavern wall.]

Do you think you could reach those if you stood upon my shoulders?

( just to the side, noctis hadn't fared so well either when it came to being draped in... festive items? cedar and juniper filled his arms as he stood there awkwardly, not entirely sure what to do with the bundles that had been thrust upon him— but still trying to maintain an air of confidence.

he turned to the young man that had found himself in the same position, looked him up and down— then offered a simple... )

First time?

[Ramza nods. He juggles some of the fibers in his arms and manages to tug off one of his gloves so he can start unwinding the bundles.]

Yes, this is a completely new skill for me. You as well?

[Now that the local has nodded her assent to help Ramza get started, he is much calmer. There is no shame in not knowing how to do a new task. He just doesn’t know how to do this yet.]

This charitable maiden is going to give me a tutorial. I am certain it would be no hardship for you to join us.

[ Hoju, likewise, is overly familiar with ~~sidequests~~ requests for assistance, and thus finds himself in a similar position. Given his height, Hoju is assigned the tasks that require such a reach— although the second story is a bit high, even for him.

He's just about to offer to assist the other up there, because he can do at least that much, when he is a bit startled to get a proper look at the man. ]

— Ramza?

[ There are two he knows with that namesake. Given the dress, he's inclined to believe it to be the one of Ivalice. Were he not already subject to seeing comrades here that should have been dead, or from another time, he might be more surprised. ]

[Ramza looks up when he hears his name...and then up further, to meet the eyes of the taller man.]

Yes?

[For his part, there is no recognition. He is certain he would recognize this person, had he met him before.

He nods his head in greeting.]

I fear you have the advantage on me, Ser...?

[ —Ah. From a different time, then. His smile grows apologetic, and he offers a short bow. ]

Forgive me. I am Hoju. [ And while he has no qualms explaining the... complicated way in which he knows Ramza if pressed, he does not volunteer it. Instead he returns to his original intention: ]

I could assist, if you like. It's a bit out of reach even of me, but together?

[Ramza is not unaccustomed to people knowing who he is- it comes of having a famed knight for a father, and then being the most wanted heretic in Ivalice.

It is a little strange for it to happen here, but this man seems peaceful, so Ramza gives him the benefit of the doubt. He nods at Hoju.]

Yes, with our efforts combined, I believe we could manage it.

[ Hoju's smile warms, and he offers a nod. ] I could assist you up, then — or if you prefer climbing, I could pass up the wreath, so it is not in your way? [ The framing looks like it could comfortably hold someone of Ramza's stature to get up there, if he felt getting a boost was too... undignified. ]

Test Drive #3

Ramza Beoulve | Final Fantasy Tactics

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