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

[ Nearby, Orchid listens in on the bird and V as she goes about her shopping. She does eventually pause a moment, to watch him as he struggles decorating the building.

It's when V stops to sit, the young girl finally decides to approach him. A plush cat tucked underneath one arm and in the opposite, a bag of all sorts of edible goodies purchased from the nearby stalls. Her outward expression probably seems... impassive and cold at a glance. But then she pulls out a loaf of sweet bread, offering it to him. ]

...

Good work.

[ His eyebrows go up in surprise. It is strange to be approached but at least the message is clear, that he did the work and now he can eat. There's something simple in that and he appreciates it, when everything else about existing in this busy place is confusing and new.

He accepts it, although he doesn't immediately start to eat it. ]

Time to fatten up, V!

[ Thanks birb. ]

You don't have to give me something you paid for.

[ His only careful qualification. Money is a slightly strange concept to him, he knows people value it but he finds it a bit difficult to estimate the costs of things, how much of the worthless coins or paper make up any given item. ]

[ The tiniest of smiles creeps up on the edge of her lips. ]

It's okay... I want to. Usually, it's... everyone else giving things to me. I'd like to give to others too.

[ Even if he hadn't done the work, she would have treated him regardless. She takes a seat next to him, leaning her back against the wall and propping her stuffed animal by her side. Setting the bag down, she reaches in to grab a loaf for herself. This is a moment of respite for herself too. ]

Your friend is welcome to join us.

[ The birb, of course. She tends to eat a lot, so she bought plenty of treats... ]

Why thank you! I think I will!

[ He snatches the loaf rudely, finding himself a nearby perch to peck it apart messily. V watches him for a moment. Griffon didn't... even need to eat... and there he was, having fun and making a mess. ]

I'm not used to being... gifted.

[ An awkward admission, he generally didn't like to talk about how little he's experienced. How little he's used to anything, but this situation is almost demanding of it. ]

...ah. [ Only raise of an eye ridge and giving the most quiet noise of surprise as the bird flies off to the perch. There he goes. ] You're welcome.

[ It's fine. Luckily, she's difficult to offend. She simply picks out another pastry from the bag. Her tone is curious, lacking judgement. ]

You're not? How come?

Hmm. Haven't been around this many people very much.

[ By the time he's able to actually explore Red Grave at his leisure... it's been ravaged, all the blood sucked out of it by a demonic tree. ]

Busy with other things.

Mm. I can understand that, I think...

[ After having her existence hidden for several years, only surrounded by very few people... she was more regarded as a doll back then. Her situation is different now, but it hasn't been that long ago when she first realized that she's a person. ]

It might be strange at first, but... I think you can get used to it. Being around many people, it's... lively. And fun.

It's mostly been exhausting so far.

[ He gives her a small sideways smile though, aware that perhaps it might become more lively and more fun. ]

[ She can say that for the Otherworlders she has met so far, at least. The war... not so fun. ]

...Have you and your friend recently arrived?

[ After seeing the revelry from the Court of Stars, she can only make that assumption from his comment. No doubt the same for the Moon Temple. ]

[ He nods, ]

Very recently. I really... don't have my bearings yet.

[ This is an understatement. ]

Ah. I'm sorry. [ No wonder he's exhausted. She should have helped with the decorating instead of watching him struggle. ] If... you have any questions or if there's anything else I can do for you, you can ask me.

[ She wants to be useful... ]

[ He inhales, mostly he's just glad to have a few minutes. Griffon isn't squawking, no one is calling him moon-savior, he's eaten a little bit. ]

I'd like to read some new books, is there a library?

Mm. Terebellum and the Court have libraries.

[ The Temple she can't speak for, unfortunately. Closest to a library in Kyst might be a book store. The shopkeeper never seemed to mind whenever she loitered around for hours, poking through their books. ]

There is a book store nearby, here in Kyst. I can show you, if you'd like.

[ It seems odd to let a stranger lead him around when he hasn't... threatened or paid them for it... But it's the first time in a long time he's had this opportunity, and he wants it. ]

I would, if you don't mind it.

I don't mind.

[ Another small, subdued smile. It's fine! She's being helpful. As she stands, she picks up her bag and tucks her plush cat in the other arm. ]

...V, is your name?

[ Recalling what the bird was squawking earlier. ]

[ A small laugh. Yes, it was hard not to figure out what he was called when Griffon was calling out his name all the time. ]

That's right. What's yours.

[ ALSO JUST TO BE HELPFUL: ]

And I am the great and powerful Griffon!

My name is Orchid. It's a pleasure, V. [ "And I am the great and powerful Griffon!" ] Mm. Griffon, too.

[ And she'll start walking, expecting V to follow. It shouldn't be that far of a walk, much closer than going to one of the mirrors for Terebellum. ]

[ He pushes up on his cane and follows after her at a sedate pace, the obnoxious bird following along overhead. Griffon continues to complain and insult things as they go, he really seems to like to run his mouth. V mostly ignores it, focusing on not lagging too far behind.

It's likely he's grateful that it's not too far of a walk. ]

Test Drive #3

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