fellmemes | Test Drive #1

Entry tags:

! test drive

Test Drive #1

Welcome to the August test drive—our first in

fellden! 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 are open and will continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on Tuesday, August 20th; they are not necessary to apply! They're valid for the first four days of the application cycle.
✦ Applications will open at 12:01 AM UTC on the 21st, and remain open until 11:59 PM UTC on the 27th. 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 either arrived on their person or available in the Gods Wood. 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. (Apologies for missing including this on the initial test drive!)

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, 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! Flower crowns will be deposited upon your heads, 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.

THE SETTING STARS.
Unlike the Temple, your arrival to the Court of Stars is met with a rather somber greeting, however expressions are relieved, despite any emotional guard that may be up.

A gathering of knights, weary from a skirmish along the border they're returning from, pat you on the back and lead you through an open air courtyard. All the gathered people of the Emperor's Court look up from their tasks, giving the passing Otherworlders a knowing nod. There's gratitude in their eyes, but that's all the welcome you'll receive: your presence is appreciated, but growing an attachment is another heartache for those that care so deeply for their faction fellows. The silence is broken when a high-ranking member of the guard gives the proclamation: "Our heroes have arrived! Court defenders, world travelers! Help has come from the far lands to aid us in our battles for our Emperor, for all of Fellden!"

From there, the few knights that have not yet departed will lead you through the Court's castle, a brief tour of the most important areas (dining hall, housing wing, guard barracks, and the throne room) is given before they instruct you to rest, because the real excitement begins when the sun falls behind the horizon.

Left to drift, you can explore the castle, or venture out to the surrounding city as it prepares for the celebration the Starfolk have in store for the returned soldiers and, now, the new arrivals. You'll be invited to the party that spreads across the entire Court city, drawn into large circle dances, and will find that the locals become more at ease and welcoming the longer you spend with them.

WELCOME TO THE GODS WOOD.
Between one blink and the next, your eyesight has seemingly been stolen from you. Or, perhaps it’s more likely that something is covering your eyes? Yes, that’s definitely a blindfold tied around the back of your head, although quite the mystery as to how it came to be there. You vaguely remember a wolf that may or may not have spoken to you, but the blindfold is certainly a new addition to the situation.

Once removed, you’ll find yourself in the thick of the woods, with no path or directional indicators in sight. The moon is obscured by the tree line, and the stars above do nothing to light your path; seems like removing the blindfold wasn’t as helpful as you may have thought. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, it’s obvious that you are not alone in this; other people are removing their blindfolds just as you are, staring blearily into the dark of the forest with a similar lack of understanding to how they came to be here.

Thankfully, you’ll find some nearby travel packs with self-lighting torches, a few rations, and your faction-provided communicator. The compass, unfortunately, remains broken, which means you’ll have to find your way out of the woods without it. Hopefully your sense of direction is passable!

Whether you team up with others, or go your separate way is entirely up to you, but you must find your way out, and the fog rolling in is not going to be of any assistance. This is a Dropping, and the Gods Wood is not kind to loiterers.

DRAWN TO THE COASTLINE.
Needing an escape from the hectic energy that greeted you in your faction, an empathetic bystander pointed you in the direction of a nearby transport mirror, which you either stepped into without stating a destination, or didn't give one with enough clarity for the mirror to understand. Spitting you out on the beach just outside Kyst, it doesn't seem keen to let you back the way you came; temperamental teleportation magic.

As the largest trade city in all of Fellden, there is no shortage of things to do here! Shopping with what coin was hoisted upon you before your departure, mapping out the city itself to memorize the in's and out's, enjoying a drink on the house at a local tavern where you can get into a mean game of cards with some faction soldiers, or even meeting someone else that seems to have stumbled into this world just as you did. Perhaps you're more keen to the outdoors, rather than the bustle of a large city, wandering away from the city just far enough to find a stretch of pristine beach and inviting crystal clear waters of the ocean; the salty air fills your lungs while the rays of the midday sun are almost blinding against the swath of bright white sand that meets the crashing waves.

Regardless of what you decide to do, or where you end up, you're in the closest thing to No Man's Land you can get; enjoy your time fraternizing with the enemy, make some new friends in this neutral land, or stick with those from your own faction to get a lay of the land.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As the Moon Rises

[It had been just a few doboshes since the paladins had disembarked from their lions and decided to split up and explore the environment. The planet seemed kinda Earth-like, but there was something unfamiliar about it. But a few doboshes was just enough time for Hunk to register that he could no longer hear the chatter of his fellow paladins through his helmet communicator. Kind of suspicious, since someone's usually bantering, but Hunk doesn't want to freak out just yet.]

Hey, you guys see anything out here?

[He waits a few tics for a response, but nothing.]

Guys?

Keith? ... Lance?

[He can feel his heart rate quickening. The last thing he wants is to lose his entire team right now.]

Piiiidge?

[He swallows hard.]

A-a-allura?

[His pace slows a bit as his reluctance to keep going mounts. He wants to go back, retrace his steps. Find the others. He materializes his bayard at his hip, and somehow feeling the warm, ergonomic grip in his gloved hand makes him feel a little more at ease, but the little comfort he has wanes when he realizes he can't get it to transform. He looks over his shoulder for the yellow lion, then spins in a double take when he notices he can't see its silver ears peeking over the treeline anymore. Had he really walked that far in such a short time? Was Yellow even still there?]

Hunk? Good, at least I'm still here.

[He looks around for clues, evidence, life forms, something that could help, and pauses when his eyes land on some form of civilization. Well, it's a start.]

[His pace quickens a tad, but not so fast that he isn't able to take in his surroundings.]

Guys, I found some kinda city up ahead. I'm going for it.

[He announces it into the microphone in his helmet, just in case the radio silence was a minor interference. His determination steels as he keeps walking, listening a few more tics for the voices of his comrades that don't come.]

[It's not long before Hunk is traversing paved stone, and he can start to hear voices that sound cheerful, yet unfamiliar. He glances in the general direction of the sounds and starts to pay a little more attention. He can hear cheering and music, and an orangey-red glow, warm and inviting, draws him closer. Is that... a party?]

[When he's close enough, he notices a handful of smiling people who have noticed him and started making their way to the paladin. Maybe these folks know something. He begins speaking as soon as they're within earshot.]

Hey! Uh, hi! I'm Hunk, paladin of Voltron - [One of the citizens reaches for his hand, nodding and guiding him closer to the festivities.] Uh, you guys haven't... [another reaches up and places a friendly hand on his shoulder.] seen any other people - [a little one runs up and follows, walking backwards and sideways with the group to look up at Hunk.] dressed like me, have you?

[Another citizen reaches up to grip Hunk's helmet, delicately yanking it off despite his small sounds of protest, and places it in his hands. The smell of savory food attacks his nose, reminding him of just how many vargas it had been since his last meal.]

Ugh, wow, that smells delicious.

[His growing appetite distracts him long enough that the pretty young woman who had been walking with them for several tics seemed to appear out of nowhere when she placed a crown of daisies, lilies and sunflowers atop his dark hair.]

[Hunk figured this could definitely be worse, although he hasn't forgotten that the last time he had been lured by beautiful people with food and entertainment, he was being brainwashed my merpeople.

[Spending just a little time here probably wouldn't hurt.]

Drawn to the Coastline

Hey wait a minute, wh-- ! Where... *siiiigh* Aw great, now I'm even further away from my lion!

[As he looks around for the way to get back, he comes up empty, as nothing around here looks anything like what he stepped through to get here. The clear water and ocean waves remind him even more of home, but his discomfort isn't quelled yet. There was still no sign of the rest of team Voltron. He takes a few steps along the coast, eyeing a rock formation in the distance.]

My connection with my lion has gotten a lot stronger lately. Maybe I can call it here? [Hunk settles down on a rock and gets comfortable, closing his eyes.] We did just call our lions to Earth all the way from Saturn, for godsakes.

Wildcard

[I'm down for anything! Plurk at me if you want!

lexieb]

[It's easy to lose track of time out here in the wild, the in-and-out push-pull of the surf something to match your breathing to. Away from all the crowds it's quiet, easier to think, easier to be.

It's no wonder people gravitate to the shoreline. Lightning herself is no different, walking barefoot through the surf without a direction in mind until she sees him. This far from the hustle and bustle Hunk sticks out like a sore thumb. The armor...doesn't help, and so she calls out:]

You'll get heatstroke if you stay there too long.

[Hunk opens his eyes, a little startled at the voice. He hadn't heard the woman approach.]

I'm more likely to get a regular stroke with you sneaking up on me like that!

[He pauses, a little embarrassed for being so on edge, and grateful for the body regulation of his paladin suit.]

I just came out here to think for a bit.

[Oh. He's young. Not as young as Hope had been, but to be pulled into a war? Dammit. Her jaw tightens; why are they bringing kids into this?]

In full armor. In the sun. [Up goes an eyebrow as she shoves the thought away. Now isn't the time.] Must be something big you need to think about if you couldn't find shade first.

[Hunk gives a small smile, appreciating the apparent concern.]

It's actually pretty good at regulating my body temp. Alien tech made for space travel and all that.

[He picks up the helmet that was next to him and places it in his pretzeled lap, knocking on the dome a bit to hint at its sturdiness.]

Plus the ocean breeze is kinda nice.

[He looks out at the waves, suddenly missing family trips to the beach back home.]

[Well now, that's handy. She's not even going to ask about alien tech and space travel--it's been too long a day to learn anything else majorly world shaking--but if it keeps him from overheating that's actually pretty impressive.

He's probably going to need it before this is over, too.]

It is. [She looks over her shoulder at the blue line where sky meets sea. How long has it been since she last saw a Bodhum sunset? Too long.] At least that's the same, even if this world isn't.

[It's still so much to wrap her head around. Cocoon and Pulse were one thing, but so many different worlds? It's...definitely something.]

[Hunk almost immediately recognizes that look and tone: homesickness. He's no stranger to it. He looks up at her as she views the horizon.]

What's it like where you're from?

[What's it like back home? Complicated. She shakes her head.]

It was quiet. Peaceful. A small town by the beach with people just trying to live their lives.

[No one called her savior there, just Sergeant. A different life, let alone a different world. Realization sinks into her tone with her next words, even as her eyes remain on the horizon.]

It's not really that different from here.

[Her tone makes his face drop a bit, but he won't pry too much just yet.]

Well, that's kinda good, right? Means you probably won't have to adjust as much - y'know, at least until we get to leave, that is.

Hunk | Voltron | Moon Temple (Wow, what a long intro, I'm so sorry!)

Coastline!

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Wildcard-ish

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Coastline

^-^

Heeeyy

Re: Heeeyy

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