Test Drive #3

[felldenmods]

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.

Comments

[sealeted]

[All of the above, and more.]

He's loud and he wears lots of jewelry, and has golden armor.

[She pauses, and feels the need to make an addendum, for the sake of accuracy.]

Very loud, when he gets worked up.

[summonere]

I see.

[ He gives. Griffon. A. Look. Don't you dare get into a fight with this guy on purpose, goddamnit. ]

I know a few demon hunters like that.

[ Look he loves Nero, but sometimes that boy got riled up. God forbid Dante. ]

[sealeted]

He's... definitely hunted plenty in his time.

[His long, storied time. An epic life, one might go so far as to say.]

Though, a lot of his fights ended up against the divine, really.

[summonere]

How does he like having the answer to Fellden's gods?

[ Somehow V imagines it involves being loud. ]

[sealeted]

[Hakuno just winces and shakes her head slowly.]

That's, um... that's a particularly sore subject at the moment.

[summonere]

That doesn't surprise me, based on your description.

[ He laces his fingers together over one knee, just adjusting position. ]

People have been telling me the gods have their ways of expressing their disapproval...

[sealeted]

He didn't carry out a certain task to our leader's satisfaction and was severely weakened as a... punishment.

[Her jaw is set.]

So, you can imagine the fallout of that, I'm sure.

[summonere]

[ He glances at her. ]

Have you been alright?

[ Was she included in this punishment, as the partner? He's not sure how it all works for them, or even just for here. ]

[sealeted]

Oh, I've got a headache that comes and goes these days, but I wasn't involved in the task or the fallout—he wanted what amounted to battlefield dibs on a certain person on the other side, and after a few too many boasts about her potential power and influence it got upgraded into an outright assassination assignment, with a month limit.

[Presumably, Neria is still alive. Hakuno didn't particularly want her dead, but she wasn't going to endanger Gilgamesh or betray him to derail the clash, either.]

[summonere]

[ Griffon has been blissfully silent, maybe even dozing with a belly full of bread, but he pipes up when it comes to assassination. ]

Oh man, nobody better ask this wuss to assassinate anyone. They'll heard him wheezing a mile off.

[ V's mouth thins, but also... he doesn't want to be asked to assassinate anyone. ]

What went wrong?

[sealeted]

Knowing him? He probably made assumptions and left the job nearly done. I know the punishment came as a surprise to him.

[She shrugs.]

Just, don't ask to fight someone specific, and you probably won't have to. Keeping your head down and your ears open is a pretty safe tactic; he's just... particularly ostentatious.

[summonere]

Ah.

[ That is an unfortunate mistake to make. Not one to be afforded either, if you don't kill it now, it will kill you later. Is that the Vergil in him that thinks that? ]

Keeping my head down is one of my better skills.

Yeah! You should see this guy turn tail and run sometimes.

[ He glances at the bird, ]

You're always telling me fights aren't worth it.

[sealeted]

There's nothing wrong with picking your battles.

[She says that very firmly.]

My partner likes to pick all of them, more or less, but even he's seen the sense in retreating once or twice when victory just isn't feasible. And he usually accounts for my limits, too.

[summonere]

I've been turning the tough work over to the demon hunters, but I may need to make some new contacts. Now that I can.

I'm sure Dante'll be thrilled to not have to pick up after you again.

[ Wowowow! Why did Vergil also jab him about running to Dante with his problems? ]

[sealeted]

There's places for researchers, if that's more your speed. But there are plenty of strong people here too, if team-ups are more comfortable.

[Hakuno likes those better, herself. There's a certain sense of safety in numbers.]

[summonere]

I can manage better on my own, if I can get back my other familiars.

[ He motions at Griffon and... makes his own dig for once, ]

He's not enough on his own.

Hey! You don't need them! I totally have this under control!

[ He tries to fizzle with electricity and. Fails. ]

[sealeted]

The first few weeks are rough on everyone, yeah.

[Aw, Griffon...]

I think the important part is that you shouldn't have to do it on your own.

[summonere]

It almost feels like its... just to make you feel helpless.

[ He's not a fan, really, especially because he's already done this before. He's been vulnerable and helpless, staring down an impossible mission with no way to know how to even begin. Now he's here again. ]

[sealeted]

I couldn't tell you one way or the other, though I've been looking into the magic loss a bit in my spare time.

[Mere logic doesn't do much against feelings like that, though.]

But—and this is just a thought—we could start chipping away at that feeling by getting you off the cold ground.

[summonere]

Oh.

[ She's probably right, and he's had a chance to rest now, he doesn't feel quite so awful anymore. He pushes himself up, a little help from his cane, and then turns to offer his hand to her next. ]

[sealeted]

Take it from somebody who spent a majority of her life sleeping on a floor: your level of impact and rest can really impact your whole day.

[She takes his hand and stands, patting the back of her skirt clean and then turning to peer up.]

Okay, let's get this finished. And you two out of the cold, for that matter.

[summonere]

[ His tired smile says... that this is also not something he's put much time or thought into. But he leaves it unsaid, instead nudging Griffon with his cane, ]

Help me finish this.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can't you two nerds just grow a few more feet and do it yourselves?

Can't you?

[ This makes the demon huff because no he cannot. He shakes out his wings, taking into the air and extending his claws for the next set of decorations that need to go up. ]

[sealeted]

[Her own small, unwavering smile tells him he's got the time to put in now, so he might as well.]

How could we possibly stride as high as you, Griffon?

[Is she laying it on thick? Yes, absolutely. But she's also got another bun out and waiting for him as thanks for doing the lifting.]

[summonere]

[ V adjusts the scarf around his neck, tucking it inside the leather collar of his ugly as hell jacket. He instructs Griffon calmly. Now that they're actually focused and performing a task, their ability for teamwork is a little more obvious compared to when they're just bickering.

The work gets done, and V does actually say, ]

Thank you. Eat your bun and then I'll put you in your core to rest.

[ While it is obvious the demon enjoys being out and making a ruckus... he's tired too. ]

Alright, alright, don't rush me or I'll get indigestion.

[sealeted]

Have a nice break, Griffon. I'll see if I can find something your friend won't mind eating while you're out. Ah—I'm Hakuno, by the way.

[She almost forgot to say, she's been enjoying the conversation so much.]

It was a genuine pleasure to meet you today.