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

[summonere]

That isn't enough for you?

[thinline]

More of a doer than a talker.

[summonere]

I'm more of a strategist than a soldier.

[thinline]

After our conversation, you're still both. I will say a sound strategy often wins over a soldier's strength.

[summonere]

One needs the other, and the real glue is trust.

WHOOPS used the wrong journal there.

[thinline]

In yourself or in comrades?

I SAW NOTHING

[summonere]

Both is preferable, but

[ He actually sends it unfinished like that. His texting etiquette is a little weird, and this is the first time he's had to stop to consider exactly what he wants to say. Not the sentiment itself but how much of his experiences he intends to expose with it. ]

Sometimes there isn't time to build trust. You have comrades and they need direction now or you're all going to suffer.

[thinline]

A current dilemma for you?

I've been in that situation many times. It's the first step to loss. It's in everyone's best interest to work together and affront a challenge as a unit, but if they go down, you have to carry them through as best as you can.

[summonere]

Lacking my comrades, right now. And I am feeling lesser for it, but everything needs to be addressed all the same.

No time to miss them. Or too much time, it depends.

[thinline]

There's both. Right now though, the capacity to learn or do much towards returning home is… restricted. Tried looking for answers, but if it were that easy, none of us would be here.

I find the best choice is to be patient, take care of yourself, and act at the right time.

[summonere]

Taking care of myself wasn't a priority.

[ He doesn't want to say it like this, but he's translating through this filter of soldier, so it's what he comes up with that makes his emotions clear, but also doesn't say too much. ]

While on a suicide mission.

[thinline]

[ Dark. He's troubled, she can tell. For all she herself taunts as an Apex Champion—Pain, death… nothing phases me—no one actually wants die. She's fine hanging in between, because she has the choice to fight and the chance to win against all odds. Not everyone has that luxury.

So, meditatively, she crafts her response. ]

But you're here now. What would a strategist do in the event a mission is altered or compromised?

[summonere]

Pull back, re-asses.

[ That's what they'd had to do when they discovered the demon they were hunting had grown much stronger much faster than they'd anticipated. He'd had to drag Nero away so that they could rethink their strategy. ]

Be patient and act when the time is right.

[thinline]

And take care of yourself until then. Get stronger, smarter. Then you'll be ready.

[summonere]

This is much too practical for a philosophical argument.

[thinline]

But isn't philosophy—belief the driving force behind action? If you don't think or believe in what you do, why do it at all?

[summonere]

Fair enough. Maybe I was being too lackadaisical after all.

[thinline]

Or maybe you're just tired. Or hungry. When's the last time you did either?

[ She's not normally the mother of her group, but she's got to look out for fellow moon people. ]

[summonere]

I don't know, but I'll take the suggestion.

[ He is likely both, and if nothing else it's something to focus on addressing in the face of all that's nebulous right now. He'd have to move onto the bigger items as he was able to. ]

[thinline]

It's a full-blown festival out here. Lots of food. I've done my share of help for the locals so I've got more than I can eat. I'm about to take a break and don't mind sharing.

[summonere]

The festival was a bit much for me. I've been-- in contemplation in the temple district. The steps of this closed up shrine was the quietest spot I could find.

[ Imagine that really. ]

[thinline]

I know. That's why it's where I'm planning to camp for the rest of the night.

[Also, she's waiting for those doors to open. Surely, it's the place for answers. ]

I'll look for someone with a book?

[summonere]

Am I that obvious? I can read aloud if that will help.

[thinline]

Don't worry. I'll find you.[ if it does sound slightly threatening, it does, given her career and with a username like "wraith"… but v doesn't have to worry. she's caring! See: ] Anything you're allergic to or dislike in terms of food and drink?

[summonere]

I don't like greasy food. But beggars can't be choosers, can they.