Test Drive #4

[felldenmods]

Welcome to the January 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 February 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on February 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.
✦ We have added a Suitability section to the application. Check it out! We will be requiring this going forward as it not only helps players see if their character is a good fit for the game but it lets the mod team gather some ideas about direction for your character!
✦ 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 Death or its Attendants if you risk placing a coin in their offering bowl.
✦ As in December, a secondary blessing will be available in February to those that tag others on the TDM!

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES. You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple gates, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way, and the more you try to look up at the Temple structure the more insistent guards become in pushing you down the pathway to somewhere else. 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! Chrysanthemums will be offered as brooches or corsages, food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear — for this is a celebration dedicated to them. Several were lost in the battle held the previous weeks, and the Priestess has decreed a time of mourning through revelry. Spirits must be kept up, even in these dark times. 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 despite the pall that may hang over the town. 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 prepare the interior for a solemn remembrance of those lost. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where most of Starfolk have gathered to say their goodbyes and reminisce of memories past. Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are serving food and drink from nearby taverns, or those with drawn faces tired from battle. Or perhaps you're a late arrival and the worst of the exhaustion has left the city, now imbued with laughter and happier memories! Those loyal to the Court of Stars greet the newcomers with guarded gratitude in their eyes and wary hesitance. How many more of these Otherworlders will betray them, they wonder out loud. If you try and take a seat with a party or three, chances are the conversation will halt as soon as you grow near, and the longer you stay the more uncomfortable the gathered people become. Trust is not easily gained in the Court of Stars; broken now as it is, the natives of this world fear the worst for their Emperor. Will you help us, or will you hurt us, they ask, wanting to believe they still have a chance at surviving this exhaustive war. Whether you choose to remain for the remembrance or wander off, one thing is certain: things must turn around for the Stars soon. If you do manage to sneak off, a hopeful 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 with an extra amount of people who sought refuge here during the attack on the Moon Temple. Some calm had finally started to settle but now the foundation has once more been shaken. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and information to help you find your bearings. The air is rife with the scent of the coastline, fishermen bringing in their haul from the day. Perhaps if you pay enough attention, 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 for something more exciting will find closer to the northern border of Kyst a rather curious bi-pedal cat bouncing on its back legs. It flags you down with a wave of its paw, asking excitedly if you'd like to flex your claws into a juicy quest. You're just the hunter for the job! Purr-fect in every way! Out in the wild lands there's a great beast in a deep river, and it's bothering all the people who live in the nearby town! They can't get fresh water or fish for their meals; it's furr-ightening! If you agree to help, the cat will explain that the creature is a Nokken that has been luring many a brave fisher to their untimely death. It must be removed either by force or by convincing it to leave! Help them, Hero-wan Kenobi, you're their meownly hope!

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, and leaving offerings for their passed. If you catch their eye, they will beg of you to pay respects as well, and press a gold coin into your palm. Offer a wish or a happy memory to who you miss and place the coin into Death's offering bowl and there's a chance someone will be there to speak with you. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees. If the forest is too intimidating, Terebellum is open for semester registration, and the grounds are even more regal with a light dusting of snow all around. Students of all branches of magic can be found exploring the campus and practicing their craft. If you're lucky, perhaps you can find a teacher who will explain what is offered here at the University. But ah, there's a catch! Tuition is extremely expensive, so you must impress your faction leaders if you wish to widen your breadth of knowledge within these walls!

Comments

[turncode]

[What a godawful-looking thing. Unlike anything he’s seen, imagined only in the stories that sailors often tell each other, about creatures that live in the deep dark to tempt men to their watery graves.

As far as Shay’s concerned, there’s nothing tempting about this creature. The way it fills its mouth with blood, hungry and willing, is disturbing, but not enough to freeze him in his spot. As soon as her suggestion is spoken, he’s taking the implied-left.]

So you are. [Comes his own affirmation, and he’ll be the first to strike at the thing from the side, a simple thrust that’ll likely… garner its attention. The pointed end of a sword often does. His boot sloshes at the edge of the river as he moves forward just enough to reach it.]

[notched]

[ At his sloshing, the creature lifts its head. The shapeshifter's features are runny and melted, more focused on gore than glamour. It's horrifying to look on for an instant, but it remembers itself soon enough it's a naked girl lounging in the wading pool so close to shore.

This transformation moves Anna not at all and she flicks the whip, ripping a line across the creature's chest and throat. ]

Left.

[ Now would be the time to strike, friendo. ]

[turncode]

[Ah, so there’s the “tempting” part. The transformative delay is almost amusing, for how ruined the illusion already was when he watched the thing slurp up blood in the water. It has no affect on Shay, and perhaps more surprising is Anna’s whip cutting across illusory flesh.

He needn’t be told twice. This is an opening if he’s ever seen one, and so Shay lunges forward with his sword, water up to his boots as he moves. He attempts to run the steel straight through “her” chest, right up to the hilt, taking advantage of their flanking positions.]

[notched]

[ Anna stuffs her boot into the back of the nokken's shoulder, absolutely making certain the sword goes all the way through. Then she loops her bladed whip around its throat behind. Her gloved hands are protected, the creature's throat is not. It makes a very human noise first, blood dribbling from its open mouth, but then the less human appearance melts its way through again. The sound turns wet and guttural. It twitches and thrashes with its claws, kicking with its legs. Strangling itself in the twist of her whip like a rabbit in a snare, but oh is it determined to hurt one of them. ]

[turncode]

[Its claws come in close, a little too close for comfort. Shay leans back to avoid one swiping near his eyes, but his efforts are rewarded when the other set catches across his sleeve, tearing into the material. His skin remains untouched, but the ink of a crescent-shaped tattoo becomes visible on his forearm.

No time to worry about torn clothing. Shay lets go of his weapon, remaining stuck in the creature, and grabs ahold of the monster’s neck, just below Anna’s whip. From beneath his wrist, a short blade slides out and sinks into the nokken’s neck. He holds it there, tightly, hoping for no more thrashing displays of claws and desperation.]

[notched]

[ Anna lifts upwards, pulling the creature's neck back and only further exposing its throat to his dagger. The nokken begins to shudder, its hands still reaching but there's no force behind the gestures. Whatever ephemeral thing that made it alive is seeping out of its muscles. She grunts as she lifts just a little higher, serrated blades sinking deeper, and then lets the weight drop back into the sand and gravel. She relaxes her grip on the whip, stepping back with a sigh. Her weapon is embedded there now, she'll need to work the blades loose in a moment. ]

Alright then?

[ That's it, that's all the concern she has in her for the other man. ]

[turncode]

[The creature drops after a bit of struggling, moments that always feel like two seconds too long, and collapses across the gravel at an odd angle, limbs splayed — his sword is still stuck in its middle.

Shay shakes out his hand, frowning down at the thing. His blade retracts and he crouches down to turn the monster on its side so he can retrieve his weapon. It slips out with ease.]

Just fine.

[He taps at her blades still embedded in flesh with the flat side of his sword.]

Interesting weapon. Never seen anything like it.

[notched]

Trick weapons. We use them to hunt beasts.

[ Like this ugly thing. There, see, she did get around to answering the question of why she was casually carrying blood cocktail. The nokken on its back makes it easier for her to pluck loose the blades that have scraped up the underside of its jaw. She kicks with her foot to get the last of it to come out easily, rattling the dead thing. ]

The others must be in deeper waters.

[ Because there's never just one. ]

[turncode]

[His assumption was right, then. A hunter, beasts. Reason enough to carry blood that he still thinks he can scent in his nose, but no worse than the dead nokken. Pulled up from the waterline and lain against the shore, the body already begins to stink in the sun.

He stands, frowning and sheathing his sword. The rest of Anna’s notched blade-cane combination pulls free with a wet sound.]

And are you planning on dumping more blood into the river?

[Because without knowing how many, that sounds like a harrowingly terrible idea.]

[notched]

[ Anna has seen many harrowingly terrible things. It's fine. She's busy checking the delicate hinging of her whip for any damage as she distractedly answers, ]

We would need a team. Lead them up the channel with blood, spring a net and drag them onto the shorelone... [ This is not what he asked. ] Oil and flamesprayers.

[ But she won't go out to meet them in their kingdom of whispers. The ocean can keep its garbled secrets. She flicks the whip closed and hangs the cane at her belt once more. ]

I would expect a few Hunters to die in the attempt.

[ A shrug. It's a call someone else would have to make, Anna wholeheartedly does not consider herself a leader. She is a piece of a pack, but even before she came to Fellden she was alone. ]

[turncode]

And I think you might be getting ahead of yourself.

[Shay’s not sure he can act as casual about a few people dying after cobbling together a hunting party. And dragging an entire catch of monsters to shore like they were fish wriggling in a fisherman’s net?]

That cat didn’t mention more than one. Might be a waste of blood, and moreover, even if you’re right, who’s says they’d be stupid enough to move as group, no matter how much you dump in the water?

[His knowledge regarding the nokken is limited at best. Shay doesn’t want to work too much on assumption.]

Either way, we need to head back first. I’m not keen on standing here while this thing stinks up the riverbank.

[notched]

Go on then. We've no more business together.

[ Anna, that's cold. ]

[turncode]

[It is. He looks at her skeptically, all the same.]

You want to gather up a band of hunters, you need to find them. [Where there’s people. Like in Kyst.] Won’t find them out in the wild here.

[notched]

You were adequate, but I won't waste my time building a band I may have to kill later.

[ That was already a perfectly viable threat without the factions and the war. ]

If they want the work done, the Emperor will order it and I will come with my own.

[ Colder. Still. ]

[turncode]

Just like that, then.

[All business, not even the barest comfort in those eyes. No real concern of his, though — he’s met plenty of an equally detached nature on both land and sea.

If she processes this world, this war, in this way? Best leave her to it, though he hopes anyone else realizes what they’re getting into with this one.]

Stars has claimed you?

[notched]

[ She's almost surprised to hear it. Someone who carried daggers to spare and a sword and a pistol and who didn't flinch from strangling the visage of a woman with a throatful of blades? Her mouth purses. Grow up. ]

And I've claimed their call in kind.

[turncode]

[He’s no stranger to death. To violence. He’s sunk his blades into the flesh of those he once called brothers, and Shay would do it again if he had to. To save the world from their own folly.

But he didn’t enjoy watching the light drain from their eyes. Just as he doesn’t like hearing about wayward hunters dying at the hands of monsters the same way one speaks about the weather.

Not his business. Hers, and those that would work with her. Still, none will stop his own disapproval. The grin he gives her is thin.]

Might run across you in less friendlier terms one day, in that case. I’ll keep that trick weapon of yours in mind.

[notched]

[ Their terms weren't terribly friendly to begin with. Anna understands friendship only in shared vows and from the beginning their claims lay elsewhere. ]

You may try.

[ But he would have to see her coming first. ]

[turncode]

[Touché. But maybe there’s an equal chance that she’d have to see him coming, too!!

His lips skew lopsided, and he really has nothing else to say to that. Shay takes a step or two backwards, wiping away monster's blood with his sleeve before sheathing it away.]

We’ll see in time, if the state of this war is anything to go by.

[He’ll be taking his leave, then. The way back awaits him, just beyond the river.]

Happy hunting.

[notched]

[ How dare you! She's never happy! ]