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

[terraria]

[ The wing nearest to Louis's direction twitches at his speech - Aspen looks over his shoulder curiously, uncertain of the new arrival. ]

You would be surprised at how 'tasty' I might seem.

[ Yet, when he offers his hand, Aspen gives him his, head tilted to the side curiously, like a confused little parakeet. It's not unlike the automatic motion a cat or dog does when taught to shake hands, especially when he fluffs up his wings after. ]

I would, if you are offering?

[coagulant]

[he actually doesn't know how to respond to that at all, so he does his best... in not even trying to acknowledge he said it. did he mean his blood? no, that would be way too on the nose. or maybe he's just been in situations where monsters have tried to eat him? in that case, he can sympathize with the endeavors of avoiding being someone's dinner meal. either way, it's not social protocol to get into that sort of conversation upon first meeting, and if anything, Louis is going to observe the unspoken rules to a T.

the same protocol that delineates how usual it is for people to shake hands upon meeting, but that might be a cultural difference between the two. he looks down to their hands when Aspen provokes a sort of confused look. he wants to enlighten the other on greetings, and apologize if he's made anything weird- coming out of nowhere to offer himself to go fight a monster, intruding on his conversation with a cat, shaking his hand. nonetheless, he nods at the other when asked.]

You don't seem very confident in your battle capabilities. It wouldn't be wise to go out there alone, in that case. And besides, with two of us, we might be able to lure it and take care of it quickly.

[terraria]

Well - that is... my battle capabilities aren't really... here. I'm proficient at magic, but being unable to cast makes my strength a weakness.

[ He draws his hand back, lips pursed and wings drooping as he sulks. ]

Luring may be the best option, but I'm afraid I'd be best as bait. It's alright. I can fly.

[coagulant]

[why does he look so saddened? Louis' frown deepens, and if he could age, he'd have to worry about those facial lines forming in his face from being so dour in perpetuity. perhaps it's time for some brevity?

maybe.]

Excellent. We can go fly fishing then.

[awful.

but he's interested in the aspect of magic, which isn't something that exists in his world. or, it does, kind of, but it's more science than actual crystal staves or enchantments. it's just simply a part of a revenant's blood code. he's already moving, ready to head out, and assumes that Aspen is going to follow along, because he's slightly socially inept, but as he does-]

What kind of magic can you normally use?

[terraria]

[ ... is that meant to be a pun? Even if it's not, it ekes a surprised laugh out of Aspen, who has to fight down another snicker as he follows. ]

Green and healing magic, for the most part. I'm not sure what fishing would entail. I've never done it.

[coagulant]

[he's relieved- at least it didn't fall as flatly as he imagined it would have. Louis isn't exactly chock full of jokes- with his level of seriousness he'd be the dad in the car screaming at the kids as they pass by a mcdonalds that there's blood at home to drink.]

I'm not exactly an expert either... if I ever fished before in my life, I can't really remember it.

[which is, admittedly a weird thing to forget, but Louis follows up quickly enough with another question that he doesn't let it linger.]

Magic has colors to it? What makes magic "green"?

[terraria]

[ Oh, does he have amnesia too? Aspen remembered when he was told to have it, when it became clear that he was never going to quite remember what happened in Lotus or when he was a child -

... it was unlikely though, wasn't it? The doctor had told him that it was rare. Perhaps he just had a faulty memory? ]

Some... magic does. Green magic is referred to that way due to its power over flora. Plants, and some fungi. Healing magic is sometimes called white magic. ... at the very least, where I come from. I've been told that across the sea, their magic is different.

[coagulant]

[something like amnesia, but a little sadder a lot more to digest than where their current conversation is heading. revenants lose memories every time they die, and Louis is left with a handful of ones that are crisp and bright, and huge chunks of his life that are missing, all at once.]

Fascinating. There were books before The Great Collapse happened that told tales of magic and the like, but it was just for entertainment purpose. The idea of magic being real is a fantastical concept, and it seems you're living proof that it exists.

[he doesn't mean to over-analyze Aspen... but it is a compliment, wrapped up and tangled into an observation. either way, if only he could use it on the Nokken, it might've made their soon-to-be encounter trivial.]

Are you born with it, or is it something you learn back home?

[and part of their talking is just to keep nerves at bay. he seemed skittish about fighting a water spirit, so maybe this is helping? he doesn't know. he's trying his best, though.]

[terraria]

[ Worse then amnesia, then, and he didn't know that was possible. Yet the claim brings some confusion, his wings wrapping around him once more for warmth.

Of all people, he felt the least emblematic of what magic had to offer, given how he used it. ]

Both...? From my understanding - and I shall make clear that while I can cast spells normally, I wouldn't call myself a mage proper but it's the best word we have - mages are born with an affinity to a magic. It is akin to being born with talent, however. It will only take you so far. A mage must study and learn their magic to handle it properly and truly shine.

Those without a natural gift for magic can learn it, however. It takes dedication and work, but one with magical talent that's too lazy to work at it will always be worse than someone with no magical talent who trains vigorously.

Mmmm... I think magic must seem boring, put that way. It's not very different from many other things.

[coagulant]

It... doesn't really seem that boring to me.

[he takes stock of the conversation, committing the insight to memory. he takes a guess internally, assuming that Aspen belongs to the category of beings from his world that are born with it. he can't tell if it's an off base assumption.]

We revenants have something of a parallel to draw from. Our blood's genetics guide what we're capable of. I guess you could call it a sort of blood magic.

[is that dark magic? god, who knows.

more importantly- he notices Aspen trying to keep warm and he frowns at the sight of it.]

Are you cold?

[terraria]

Aha - [ Well, of course he's cold. ] A bit. My island never observes snow or cold. It has been... almost a year since I've felt any chill.

[ His wings ruffle again, but he falls quiet as he listens. ]

'Blood magic'... I've heard of those, but they're lost to time where I come from.

[coagulant]

[with a heavy frown on his face, he pulls down his shoulder to remove the arm of his jacket and holds it out to Aspen. he doesn't ask if he even wants it, it's simply offered as-is. the sizing's weird on Louis to begin with, considering if anything it's more a cape for his arm, but judging by the size, it might work out. at least his wings could keep warm.]

Here, I don't feel the cold, so it doesn't bother me.

[he expects that explaining the long story about why it's not technically magic would be tedious and probably make the air awkward between them, so he nods along with it.]

I can create fire, but that's about it. My code is called "Prometheus," like from the old Greek myth.

[terraria]

[ Hah?

Aspen blinks when Louis holds his jacket out to him, looking to him before he... looks away. There's the slightest little flush on his face, and he seems to pout a little before he actually accepts the jacket. ]

... thank you. You're very kind.

[ He'll file that away for later, though. 'I don't feel the cold' is a little suspicious. ]

I'm a little surprised... I wouldn't have thought you would create fire. You seem so calm.