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

[elessar]

[ He offers the elven woman a warm smile once she intervenes. As much as he adores children, pressing matters are afoot. The hobbits must be here somewhere and Aragorn means to find them.

The little ones let out their displeasure before eventually dispersing. Aragorn pats their heads gently as he ushers them off. Someday, he'll have children of his own. If such a dream comes true, he hopes it would be with his beloved Evenstar and no one else. Yet such a dream seems utterly pointless with such a threat looming over Arda. Middle-Earth is in jeopardy, its fate tied with the Ring. He must find a way to return but what of this place?

His thoughts turn dark as he watches the trio leave. ]

They call us "saviors". [ He states after a moment. ] But we're nothing but strangers in a strange land.

[ Aragorn spares the elven woman a glance. She looks reminiscent of the elves of Rivendell but something about her seems more man than Elf. She lacks their mannerisms, to say the least. This is coming from a man who lived among the elves since childhood. ]

[unabatedly]

[ She watches the children go, keeping her smile strong until well after they've disappeared back into the crowd to go welcome other soldiers. But it weighs heavily upon her heart, even if it does not fully reflect itself in her expression beyond her eyes where hints of sadness gather in the flicker of her gaze. ]

It's indicative of their desperation. They have nowhere else to turn to but outwards...to those who do not understand their people or their world. They have only hope to cling to, and that hope has been placed on us.

[ If she was pressed to admit it, she might indicate it is wrongfully placed, but that is too cruel a thing to say. War ravages more than just its people, and it is clear that they simply want it to end. ]

We don't even know why this war is happening.

[elessar]

Hope is fleeting.

[ Aragorn says as he carefully takes off the flower crowns. He can't help but admire the craftsmanship for a moment. The trio must've stayed up all night making these for their would-be heroes. It's touching but oddly disturbing. ]

But hope is needed above all else. [ He tucks away the flowers within his tunic. ] Even if that hope is misplaced, I won't discard it.

[ He turns towards the elven woman with a grim expression. ]

What of you?

[unabatedly]

[ Her expression grows thoughtful, considering. And in the end, Neria can only dip her head into a nod. She doesn't disagree with him: hope is all that they might have, but it is still essential. ]

If they abandon their hope, then they have already lost. So we must protect that too.

[ Neria's gaze finds his own. ]

I...have many concerns, many of which should not be expressed in mixed company, lest it be misconstrued. But I fear that we know too little of what is truly occurring in this world, and I fear for the fate each of our worlds in turn.

[ What kind of being can summon so many people at once across realities and worlds? Why is this war occurring? What will happen to their own respective worlds without them? ]

I have many questions and few answers.

[elessar]

I fear the same. [ He admits with a hint of shame. ] There are far too many unknowns here.

[ Aragorn seems prepared to fight on their behalf, but the hobbits' safety must be guaranteed first. The fate of his realm lies with the Ringbearer. Everything rests upon Frodo's shoulders. ]

Whatever power that exists here, wasn't meant for mortal hands. [ He says in regards to the 'summoning' . ] This is a foolish endeavor, a dangerous one.

But often does desperation guide many.

[ He lets out a sigh as they wander through the busy plaza. ]

Tell me, what is your name? You look like a maid of Rivendell, but I doubt you know of Lord Elrond's court.

[unabatedly]

And it is this desperation I wish to guard against so it does not bring ruin to those who have already suffered enough.

[ Those in power may have done all of this for the good of their people, but the good of some may lead to doom to others, and it is a fine line to walk. This sort of power in the wrong hands, in any hands, simply sounds dangerous to her...and she is one who wields magic far better than a blade. ]

We cannot make decisions for these people or for their rulers. But I find myself wanting to help them in any other way that I can.

[ Neria tips her head up, curious at the name. ]

My apologies; I am not familiar with the name Rivendell nor of Lord Elrond. My name is Neria Surana. I hail from Ferelden, a country in Thedas. I am more soldier and mage than anything else.

[ Even if she actually bears several other titles. She gestures to him. ]

What may I call you?

[elessar]

Strider. [ He says far quicker than he liked. ] Many know me as Strider but only do a few know me as Aragorn.

[ A name for a name. Throughout the long decades, Aragorn gone by many names. The Elves of Rivendell knew him as Estel. Meanwhile, the men of Gondor knew Aragorn as Thorongil, but the common folk knew him as just Strider. All these names, and yet he feels detached to each one. It's almost as if Aragorn knew of the next name he would receive, the one he'll be christened with by the Lady of Lorien. But that's neither here, nor there. ]

I know naught of Thedas, nor Ferelden.

[ A beat. ]

Is it common for us to hail from different realms?

[ It certainly seems so. ]

[unabatedly]

[ Very quickly said. A moment passes where she considers him in silence, and then shakes her head. ]

If you prefer that those here know you as Strider, then that is what I shall call you, and I will not speak of your other name to those here. I do not know your reasons but...rest assured, I understand the need for discretion.

[ Very few knew the name 'Neria'. 'Surana', too, was not a common household name. She'd never dream of listing her titles or what she'd been back home, far more content to stay out of the limelight. If people recognized her, it would only add to her shame, would only make her feel far more guilty about not doing more.

But the rest coaxes a furrow to her brow, concern rising in her gaze. ]

I am...wondering much the same. Admittedly, I am not very worldly in regards to the lands outside of my country, but-- How could such a thing be possible?

[elessar]

Discretion comes with the years.

[Aragorn murmurs quietly for only her ears alone.]

For too long, I've been hunted by an evil that stalks the shadows. It took the life of my father and the lives of countless others.

[He keeps his expression neutral, but there's sorrow in his gentle tone. While he doubts Sauron's presence in this world, the enemy has many spies. The Mordor's shadow remains cast over him, even now.]

Magic.

[He answers quickly as he turns to meet her gaze.]

Magic is beyond me, but I know of those who wield it.

[unabatedly]

Your secret is safe with me, Strider. I have known the diligence of shadows far beyond my understanding. If I can afford you this discretion alone, it would make me glad to do so. Especially now in a home that is not your own.

[ For all that either of them might know, they could still be in danger now, and so it would be best to maintain even this small of a facade. She regrets, now, telling him her full name, but Aragorn seems a trustworthy sort for the moment. If only he knows, then it is well enough.

Both brows lift and, with a smile, she gestures. ]

Magic is not beyond me, however, though I cannot prove it to you. My magic is...dampened here, stowed away. I can feel it but I cannot summon it. And this is what disturbs me most of all.

[ That they might have been brought here with magic she can neither replicate nor fight against. ]

It is no magic I am capable of, nor have I seen or heard of before, save for very old tales about crossing veils and attempting to meet gods. This manner of magic should not be used by anyone. It is far too dangerous for any mortal means.