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

[euphemism]

Even if she doesn't know the target, Illumination clearly approves of the sass. Yes, good. Whoever or whatever a Jinling is, they deserve a little mockery. Perhaps they're some flavour of tiny djinn?

"Supposedly." She has her doubts about that, please and thank you. "In that case, I've two more questions, if you'd be so good: first, what is there for work around here; and second, what do you wish someone had told you on your first day?"

[yinception]

He lets out a soft little 'heh' at her none-too-subtle doubt - but hey, it's not like he can confirm or deny, either. There are a lot of things like that around here, unfortunately. May as well treat it like half a game.

"Work? There's the war, of course. The High Priestess will expect you to get involved sooner rather than later, so you may as well pick a side of war you're good at, and at least pretend to be doing it." He gives her a look up and down. "... Maybe not infiltration. No offense, but you do stand out a bit."

The other question is a lot harder - so of course he goes for a joke answer first. "You can get even Emperor's Smile here, so don't worry about missing anything from your own world." He's clearly not very invested in telling the joke, not bothering to explain what Emperor's Smile is just yet. He should really consider how that makes him look, all things considered, but he doesn't care.

But okay, okay... A real answer - or an attempt at one. "The information I want is information I still don't have. What the truth is behind this war, who's right and who's wrong..." In a way, it's not so bad to have that puzzle persist: it's definitely interesting. But the lack of prospect of improvement in his near total ignorance does bother him a bit. He wants to do what he believes is right - but how can he do that when he has no idea what the right thing to do is? "So perhaps the answer is: don't hope to find answers anytime soon, for even your respected senior Otherworlders don't have a clue." Just like he doesn't, in spite of being her obviously highly respected senior here.

[euphemism]

Of course there's a war. There's always a war. At least that means there will be work for someone of her talents. (Even if that work isn't in infiltration.)

In her experience, wars mean magic gone wrong. When there's conflict and mismatched spells that hit each other, it all too often spits out all manner of monstrosities and undead. Usually, it pays well. Often, it's actually even interesting work.

"Oh, you sweet thing." She clicks her tongue and gently lays a hand on his shoulder in sympathy. "Who's right and who's wrong? Really? A war is a war. The literal high ground is always more important than the usually absent moral high ground."

[yinception]

"I disagree." That said, he's not disapproving of her attitude either - at least not so far. "If there's no moral high ground in this war, there's a moral high ground in ending it."

Funnily enough, he doesn't at all see himself like some kind of morality knight on that account: he doesn't see himself as an especially good person for feeling that way, nor would he automatically consider other people 'bad' for feeling differently. It's very practical, to him: he wouldn't feel right if he let such large-scale injustice persist and hurt a lot of people, and so he means to end it.

"So we end it by winning, or we end it by stopping. Either way, it's going to end."

[euphemism]

Illumination smiles in genuine delight. It does show off her slightly too sharp teeth, but it's not meant to be a threat display.

"You are making an assumption, dear one, that war, is and of itself, immoral or bad for society." When the next person that comes by with little cups of something to drink, she accepts one and has a sip. "How long has this war been going on for? Who benefits? Yes, there is usually a toll on the young men, but if the population is already too high? Or consider industry: someone must make armour, weapons, and provisions. If not this kingdom, then another is neatly lining its coffers. By ending the war, you put all those people out of work. Is that better?"

[yinception]

Her teeth could be a shark's, for all he cares; they're still not nearly as frightening as a dog's. In fact, he'd rather punch a shark than face a puppy! But that's a different and (for now) unimportant story.

Oh, now she's drinking? Perhaps surprisingly, he's starting to lose even his great taste for alcohol, with this conversation topic.

"It's never only the young men who suffer. It's their families who suffer as well, directly or indirectly. There's people losing their homes, their possessions, their access to food. For one industry that suffers from ending the war, a hundred others will blossom for once again having access to the manpower and materials they need."

Another person walks by with drinks, and Wuxian isn't sure they're for sharing around, but he grabs one anyway, gulping it down in one go before giving the flabbergasted man back an empty cup. The poor fellow doesn't even get a look, Wuxian's eyes on the tiefling.

"Your turn."