Test Drive #1

[felldenmods]

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.

Comments

Billy Hargrove | Stranger Things | Court of Stars

[driving]

[ His canon point is the end of season 3, so these prompts contain SPOILERS. ]

1 / the setting stars

[ Things could be worse. A lot worse. He didn't know what he expected from his death, but it wasn't this. Being called a hero stings a little; he certainly doesn't feel much like one.

If anything, he's the monster. But these people don't need to know that.

As the night goes on he tries to be his usual extroverted self and mingle a little instead of hiding up against the wall with his arms crossed like some kind of shy wallflower. ] I could really use a keg right now. [ He says it to whoever happens to be standing nearby. ]

2 / the gods wood

Who the fuck - [ Billy is not a happy camper. Being kidnapped and blindfolded immediately brings some unpleasant memories to light, and he rips the blindfold off as soon as he's able to, his teeth clenched. ] Where are you, you bastard?

[ He tries to look around but his eyes still haven't adjusted to the darkness, and in this light he doubts he'll be able to make out much more one they do. That doesn't mean he can't hear, though, and sure enough it seems like there's someone close by. ]

I can hear you. [ It's said in a sing-song voice, like a playground taunt. He just assumes that whoever this person is, they had something to do with the fact that he's here. ] Come out and I'll go easy on you.

3 / coastline

[ Now this was more like it. It seems like an eternity since he's been to the beach, even though it's always been his favorite place. If he's going to be stuck here, at least he can have that; he can probably even make his own board or find someone with a bit more finesse to make one for him.

For now, he's happy enough to swim without catching any waves, stripping down to his boxers and romping around in the water like he's truly at home there. Sometimes he swims out further, sometimes he just sits back in the shallow water and basks in the sunlight.

He has a large scar on his bare chest over his heart, and a scrape on his shoulder where he brushed up a little roughly against a rock has a streak of blood drying out on it. Notably, his blood is pitch-black. ]

gods wood.

[deheaded]

Ufufu....

[ the giggle meets billy's proclamation first, and a few moments later does shuten finally step out from the shadows, a shimmer of gold mana against the trees. ]

So forceful. [ she might be very short, very slender, very small... but those red horns on her forehead mean she's not something to be taken lightly. ] Do you truly think you can go "easy" on what belongs in this wood?

[driving]

[ The Billy that existed a couple weeks ago probably would have turned tail and ran. She's got horns, for god's sake. The Billy that exists right now stands his ground, just barely flinching. Funny how quickly that can change, he thinks. ]

I've probably seen worse.

[ At least, he certainly hopes whatever belongs here isn't worse than a twenty foot tall melted flesh monster. ] Did you bring me here?

[deheaded]

Me?

[ shuten feigns innocence, looking down at her tiny hands palm-up, and then glancing at billy. ]

I am too small to carry a piece like you as far as this wood. [ that's a lie, shuten can carry things much bigger than her thanks to her oni strength. ] Ah, but whoever has? They have good taste. [ a shrug of her shoulders, and shuten lets her kimono open, draping down over her shoulders and exposing the electric tape she seems to call an outfit. ] You are quite handsome for a human.

[driving]

[ Okay, on one hand, he's in this weird creepy forest, he's just been kidnapped, and whoever this person is has horns.

On the other hand, she's pretty hot and almost naked. Other hand wins. ]

So I've been told. [ Never with the 'for a human' bit, though, but he'll still accept the compliment. ] You're not bad yourself.

[ He smiles, shrugging his shoulders a bit so his already unbuttoned shirt flares open more. On his otherwise smooth chest is the scar that was left when a giant monster claw pierced his heart. It's a new scar, and he kind of forgets it's there. ]

setting stars

[direly]

[ Sansa has rarely been as active in parties like she was as a young girl. Feasts and tourneys were everything she could've dreamed of at that age. But even the celebration at Winterfell after the battle with the White Walkers was a somber affair for her. And that was around people she knew. Here? It seems safer to remain to the side and observe.

That doesn't mean she won't converse if addressed. Looking over to him at hearing the statement, ]

A "keg"? Of ale?

[ She's heard it used in that context. ]

[driving]

Yeah. [ He would never have used the word 'ale' himself, but it's basically what he's describing. ] You ever do a keg stand?

[ He's still not used to the fact that not everyone who got dragged here is an American teenager from the 1980s who would find keg stand to be a perfectly normal term. ]

[direly]

[ She stares at him for a moment, unsure exactly what he's referring to. Doesn't a keg already stand on its own? ]

No. I don't believe I have. What does it consist of?

[driving]

Oh, it’s awesome. [ And he really thinks it is. ] You set the keg down on the ground, put your hands on top of it like this -

[ He reaches out like he’s holding onto the top of a keg. ] - and then someone holds you upside down by the legs while you drink from the tap for as long as possible without stopping. Whoever’s got the longest time wins.

court of staars

[veneries]

[ Ramsay is entirely deserving of this hero's welcome and taking wholehearted part in the festivities.

The young blond man gets his attention with the question. For half a moment he looks angry that his revelry's been interrupted. Then--]

More ale? [ That's what comes in kegs, after all. He grins.] Not a bad idea. Let's go find one.



[ ]

[driving]

[ Why does everyone here have to call it 'ale'? The proper term is booze, you weirdos. ]

That's the spirit. [ This guy seems like he knows how to have fun, at least. Some of the people here are a little stuffy. Billy loosens up a little, uncrossing his arms and taking a more casual stance. ] You know where to get one?

[veneries]

[ How is that a question someone even has to ask? ]

From where all good lords keep their ale... in the cellar.

[ Ramsay sets off through the crowd, just expecting that the young man will follow. ] Someone will know where that is.

[driving]

[ He looks around. The cellar? Who actually keeps their alcohol in a cellar?

Right. Rich people. ] Yeah, I guess this place probably has a cellar just for that. I usually get it at the grocery store but that works too.

[ Are there even grocery stores here? Probably not. ]

The Setting Stars

[primordialerebus]

[ She looks at the man… boy… teen? silently for a moment, slightly annoyed that he was even interacting with her because look. Walls at parties? Safe zones. It’s the Law, don’t @ her. At the very least, it’s how she’s survived every college party she’s been dragged to. ]

Are you even like… old enough?

[driving]

[ Billy is, unfortunately, an obnoxious delinquent who has no respect for social safe zones. ]

I'm eighteen. But my ID says I'm twenty-one, if that's still the drinking age here. [ He winks. ]

[primordialerebus]

[ She rolls her eyes behind her sunglasses, glad for the extra barrier between her and the world. God, she hopes she wasn't this annoying as a freshman (she definitely was). ]

Idk if a magical world or whatever would even have drinking laws? Especially considering we're about to be thrown into a fucking war we know literally like nothing about. There's literally jack shit in the library and it's kinda terrifying.

[ Whoops she's started rambling again. Bring the conversation back Coraline, you got this. ]

Anyways. Sorry. Uh. So... Did you like, choose to come or?

[driving]

[ He's not bothered by the library, because he never goes to the library to begin with and he isn't planning on changing that. ]

Didn't have much of a choice, but here's better than home. [ Better than being dead monster chow. ] What about you?

god's wood

[enchangement]

[ River's steps stop suddenly, every ounce of the threat in Billy's voice bearing down on her shoulders, through her skin and into every nerve ending, every cell. Fight or flight teeters on the edge of freezing...and then, in a burst of movement, River is climbing a tree off and to the left of Billy.

She doesn't know if it is enough but it's something. She can always go further up. Further in. Run. Run screaming.

Hopefully someone nearby would notice and do...something?

From her new perch in the tree River shrugs, and clears her throat to give him a better sense of where she is. ]

It isn't her fault you were snatched.

[driving]

[ Billy's strong, but he's not that fast and he's not limber enough to get up the tree like that. She's safe for now. ]

Who's fault is it? [ She's certainly not what he expected his kidnapper to look like, so that puts him at some ease that maybe she really didn't do it. ] And what're you doing here?

[enchangement]

Unclear parameters and unknown variables. [ River shrugs but he may not be able to see it in the half-dark they've found themselves in. Her tone carries the same lack of concern, though. ] A test, a ritual, a hazing. Something watches, fog encroaches, and movement is necessary and needful.

2

[scoopertrouper]

[talk about the last person you want to be stuck in a woods with.

being blindfolded had sent her into a bit of an internal panic, she'll admit to that. it's too familiar to being held hostage by a bunch of crazy Russians, and combine it with being completely not in Kansas Indiana anymore, and you've got yourself a bad mix.

but, a face she's taken care to avoid the moment he made his way into Hawkins? combined with the fact that as far as she knows, is supposed to be dead? well, talk about a night of the living dead circumstance and she doesn't quite care to be caught in his wrath.

she's luckily found the traveling pack before hearing Billy's voice reverberate in the wood, and staying out of the light she instead makes a beeline for a bush, scrambling to crouch hidden in its brambles.

but, as he approaches, Robin realizes how bad of an idea that was. especially when she realizes the strap of her bag is peeking out, and to tug on it would give Billy even more of a reason to move directly towards her.]

ROBIN omg

[driving]

[ Billy's used to having people run away from him. With his reputation, plenty of 'em go running when they know he's out looking for them.

He stops, listening to the rustling in the bushes as he storms over in that direction. ]

Come on. You can't hide forever. [ His eyes are starting to adjust enough to see the strap peeking out of the bush, and he chuckles before sticking the toe of his boot underneath it and giving it a tug. Either someone's there or someone's left him some free stuff. ]

BILLY THO.

[scoopertrouper]

[talk about a rock and a hard place. because he's right, she can't hide forever, and dying cowering in a bush is not exactly how she plans on dying, if at all. and, regardless if this Billy is (what's the word those kids used...) mind-flayed or if this is just regular creepy old Bully Billy, Robin isn't exactly in the best position either way.

because either he's a monster in the actual literal sense, or he's the monster in the societal sense and she is but an innocent band geek in the closet...

she sits silent in the bush, hand still gripping the pack for dear life so his tug is met with resistance, and after a second or two of figuring out just how she'd prefer to die, she calls out:]

You're right, Billy, I can't! [hoping that by using his name she'll be granted some clemency. the bush's branches crack a bit as she manages to stand up, ignoring the way the leaves scrape and catch in her hair. she does keep her foot on the other strap of the pack as she stands, holding her hands up in an attempt to calm him.] I was dropped off here blindfolded too. It sucks! I get it, I'm in the exact same boat.

[and because she doubts he'll even know who she is, since she's such a nobody.]

I'm Robin, I'm from Hawkins High. I'm in the same shitty situation as you.

[driving]

[ He...doesn't actually know a Robin. Billy doesn't spend much time around the band geeks (though all things considered, being ignored by Billy was probably the best possible option).

He was used to people knowing him whether he knew them or not, though, and no one would actually claim to be from a shithole like Hawkins unless they really were. ]

Fuck. Alright, fine. [ He rolls his eyes, shoving the bag back towards her with his foot. ] Do you know the way out of here?

Gods wood

[cowared]

[ It's a stranger sensation for the Nian to have to adjust to seeing in the gloom in the first place. He's used to having exceptional night vision, and the fact that his senses feel dulled his agitating him almost as much as waking up blindfolded in some strange section of woods he's never seen before.

The fact that they are dulled should also tip him off to the fact that he might not be as tough and durable as he usually is, but somehow that easy to make connection has skipped right past him. It's why when Billy calls out with that clear threat, the Nian steps out through the trees towards him, looking only mildly frustrated. ]

You want to fight?

[ It's not a challenge, the tone suggests a genuine question. ]