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

[darkestbefore]

[ She gives a soft laugh at his self-deprecating comment, ducking her head for a moment, but she can't argue. Then again, this slim 5'1 form of a former-Princess isn't one that would do anyone a lot of damage unless she was really trying to, so it had probably been a rather silly question to begin with.

But then he goes on to question her prayer and she turns much more serious once more. Pausing, she casts a glance back at the small shrine she'd knelt and made an offering to. Taking a deep breath, she offers him a small smile, but this time it's shadowed with sadness, a deep worry lingering in her normally-vibrant gaze. ]

I've suddenly found myself a very long way from my home, and from those who see it as their duty to watch over me. I don't know if my prayers can reach the gods of my homelands, or if the gods who dwell here can act so far away, but... I hope wherever they are, that they are safe, and that they will not worry too much at my absence.

[ Absently, she rubs her hands against her arms, as if fighting off a lingering chill, before glancing up and searching his face again. ] What about you? Did you come here to pray, as well?

[coagulant]

[he knows that countenance. it's the look of someone with regrets that course through their veins, a feeling that Louis knows way, way too much for comfort. their lack in shared culture, however, is something that isn't congruent between the two of them. his world lacks shrines and the shrine maidens who take care of them. instead... they're left to pray for mistles that spring up from the ground to leave them blood beads to nourish themselves off of.

Louis doesn't know anything about gods, but he'd wager that if they were real, it would be someone like this who has their ear, and not someone like himself. he doesn't smile, or at least, not very often these days, but he tries to be reassuring nonetheless.]

I hope your prayers will reach them, then. I don't know how far they can travel, but it looks like you're giving it your all.

I'm afraid that where I come from, we don't have them. Or, if we did, maybe they've left us.

[wow, that's real impressive for a first impression, mr. nihilist.]

This shrine is dedicated to Death, or the concept of Death, right? Admittedly, it's a weird concept for me, and I'm not even sure what to do. But I'd like to make amends with it, if it were possible. I think I've cheated it too many times.

[darkestbefore]

[ She doesn't know how far it could reach either but... It had felt right to try, all the same.

She lets him explain, a hint of sympathy in her gaze at his words. It's not the first time she's heard of someone believing the gods have abandoned them. She doesn't know anything about his world, but she hopes that's not true.

His admission of wanting to make amends, though, has her reaching out to lay her hand lightly against his arm. ]

There's no harm in trying? I'm sure the gods of this land will listen, even if you have never spoken with them before. Why don't you come lay down your offering and send them a wish or a prayer?

[coagulant]

[admittedly, he's a bit touch shy when it comes to the supportive types of touch- ones that have deeper meaning than "get out of the way!" or done as part of an agreement, like shaking hands. vulnerability in Vein is something that has, historically, led to death. or, rather, second death. Louis looks down at Yona's hand on his arm and his expression remains more or less the same. he understands the gesture, and it doesn't make him overly uncomfortable, he's just. not used to it, really. and at that touch, she should feel a temperature not quite right for normal humans, regardless of how cold or how warm it is outside.

but maybe she's right.

he's spent so much of his secondary life under the impression that fate, the divine- all of that meant nothing in the face of personal willpower. he had a dream he needed to fight for. a world at peace, where revenants didn't starve and humans still thrived. a compromise that only a very few of the vampiric race shared with him. the reality of it was, at the time, that bloodsprings were drying up. the supply was dying, and with it came a personal war for every single BOR-infested body out there to fight just to live on.

the regret in Louis' expression is ever persistent.]

You're a kind person.

[stated in a very matter-of-fact tone, as he acquiesces and takes his coin, bending down to his knees in seiza and places a coin in there.

and realizes that he's particularly out of place.]

... Can you teach me how to pray?

[darkestbefore]

[ She had taken a step back when he'd moved to kneel down, letting him take his place and not wanting to interrupt him.

When he glances up at her with that request, however, she doesn't hesitate. Even though she'd already placed her offering a short while before, she quickly moves to kneel with him once more, taking her place at his side.

Offering him a small, reassuring smile, she leans close, keeping her voice hushed and for his ears alone. ]

It's not actually that hard, honest. I'm sure some lands might have formal words and traditions, but my father always taught me that the gods love to listen to our words, our thoughts, our hopes. It's their nature, after all, to hear the pleas and the prayers of those they watch over. You can talk to them as you would anyone - respectfully, of course. What is it you'd like to let them know?

[coagulant]

[she's so forward and earnest in everything she does that it throws Louis off guard for a second. where he's from, it helps to be guarded. getting close to people usually ends in sadness... but he's been learning to accept it. it's been a long and hard path for him. he remembers Coco chiding him back at home base: "normally, you've got eyes like a dead fish. but now, you actually seem alive for once."

have they changed him so deeply that he can stand to be around Yona without guilt or apprehension? he asked her for help, it's a step.]

That I'm sorry.

[he's also way, way too hard on himself.]

I know that Death came for me once already, and he didn't get what he wanted out of me. My actions have caused countless people... [he sighs, even he realizes that he's being fatalistic.] ...have caused countless people who should've rested peacefully to continue suffering.