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

II • B

[bathrobed]

( The battle may have ended, but Loki knows better than most that the wheel of war never truly stops turning until it's broken. Letting himself fall behind is out of the question: his alchemical supplies are significantly depleted in the aftermath of the most recent conflict, and Kyst remains the best place to find Fellden's more open minded stockists. Some of the ingredients he requires are best sold under the counter as opposed to over it, and he's always been one to make the most of post-war chaos.

Fortunately for Kyst's merchants, the markets seem to have remained as lively as they were before the fighting. Having procured the majority of what he came for Loki is now taking a stroll for please; he wants some new robes made in the his faction's colours—deep purples and pinks—for when he's required to show up at Court in an official manner, and he's particular enough about this sort of thing that he'd rather commission his own from the fabric up. He approaches a stall overflowing with bright bolts of fabric dressed in throat to floor black robes, just in time to catch the tail-end of a conversation:

Is it my faction, gender or glaring sense of newness that's the issue here?

Loki's glances between the red-head and the merchant, the tail-end of an eyebrow lifting a little way as he levels the man with an amused smile. )

Well?

( He makes a vague gesture towards Pepper. Honestly, Loki can't help but get himself involved when he can sense a wrinkle of discord, especially if there's the potential to somehow turn it to his advantage down the line. Intimidated merchants are more likely to offer discounts, after all. )

I'd say that's perfectly reasonable question, all things considered. It'd be a shame for word to get out that you're charging unfair prices to Otherworlders drafted in to fight for you.

( Pepper may hate cheaters—and unbeknownst to Loki, hate this cheater in particular—but a little mischief can go a long way. )

[efficacy]

[ Pepper is so incensed it takes her a moment to catch onto the fact that another person is getting involved in the argument, busy staring down the merchant with her most forbidding of stares that works on 99% of all stubborn representatives of the male gender. She turns a little to include this mysterious third party, the empathetic yes, thank you! in response to the excellent counter dying on her lips.

Stunned astonishment follows, flickering visibly across her face. Is she seeing things? Is this merely a very good lookalike, or is this actually Loki, that Loki that let the Chitauri into New York and tried to take over Earth?

Pepper struggles to regain her wits from the surprise, corralling her galloping thoughts and emotions. She can't fight on two fronts simultaneously, so to speak, so she lets that matter rest for now and focuses on the merchant who's now visibly cowed, figuratively sweating bullets. ]

I don't think that's something you wish to risk. Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as bad press.

[ Just look at Justin Hammer after the Expo debacle. The merchant hurries to placate, but Pepper shakes her head a little, lips pressing into an unhappy line for a beat. ]

Maybe I'll come back later, to see if your customer service has turned more equitable to all parties. Good day.

[ It doesn't sound like a well-wishing, despite the words. The merchant takes the hint and tucks tail, retreating to the other end of the long counterspace of the stall to nervously serve another patron. Pepper eyes Loki next. ]

Auspicious timing, Mr...?

[ It's a trap, she wants to see how he'll introduce himself. ]

[bathrobed]

( Loki just smiles as she effectively shuts the merchant down the rest of the way—honestly, he detests a liar who won't even try to talk his way out of a difficult spot—then turns his attention towards the woman more fully. Auspicious timing indeed: he certainly isn't a helpful soul, nor is he the type to get involved for the greater good, but there's a very particular kind of enjoyment to be taken in forcing someone to confront how pathetic they are. As for her query, he'll introduce himself the same way he's introduced himself to everyone else: )

I am Loki, of Asgard—

( With the exception of Stark, he hasn't met anyone who's come to Fellden with an express vendetta against him. There have been those who've heard the myths, yes, and so far Loki has quite enjoyed separating fact from fiction, but he's finding being an unknown quantity is generally working in his favour so far. )

Although 'Loki' will do just fine.

( He folds his arms across his chest, his smile genial enough that anyone unfamiliar with his past exploits might even consider it charming. Might, because there's also something vaguely aloof in the cool of his eyes and the sharp slant of his lips, but you know? Some people just look like they might sell you to Satan for one corn chip. It's not his fault.

... Alright, it's a little bit his fault, but that's neither here nor there. )

And you are?

[efficacy]

[ Oh boy. Sometimes she really hates being right. Only sometimes, but now is definitely one of those times. ]

Pepper Potts.

[ She affords Loki with that same fake smile she reserves for difficult journalists and old sexists with more money than common sense, kindness and apparent appeasement hiding steel and guile. She may not have Loki's extensive years in lies and subterfuge under her belt, but she's certainly built up enough smokescreens of her own during her decade as Tony's assistant. ]

Just Pepper will do.

[ Now she has to make a decision on whether or not to betray the fact that she absolutely knows who he is and what he's done. Could she feign ignorance in order to see if she could use this to her advantage somehow? Long cons aren't really something she usually bothers with, even if she's no stranger to them. The corporate world she lives and breathes back home could be just as cutthroat as war-torn fantasy realms. While she considers the pros and cons, Pepper goes on perfectly pleasantly, ]

So, what brings you to the markets today, Loki? Out for something in specific?

[bathrobed]

( Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on how she looks at it) Loki is neither a difficult journalist or an old sexist, and he'd be a fairly terrible God of Lies if he couldn't recognise a fake smile. Still, from his standpoint it has to be a reflection on their situation as opposed to something personal, and so he brushes it off without so much as a second thought. )

Then it's a pleasure, Pepper.

( Interesting name, but you know? Not the worst he's heard. He indicates the merchant's stall with a wave of a hand in answer to her question: )

I'd been hoping to find some fabric for a new set of robes. ( But there's already a prick of humour settling on his lips. ) Although after that frankly underwhelming display, I think I'll take my custom elsewhere.

( He has no interest in supporting the business of someone quite so spineless, after all, and there are plenty of other textiles traders scattered throughout the market. Speaking of, he straightens up and indicates the rest of he markets with an open palm: )

There are some hidden gems to be found here when you know where to look. I'd be happy to show you to some other merchants, if you're in need of assistance?

( That amused smile widens just a little. )

... Not that you haven't already proven yourself more than capable of taking care of yourself.