felldenmods: (Default)
Fellden Mods ([personal profile] felldenmods) wrote in [community profile] fellmemes2020-01-27 12:03 pm
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Test Drive #4

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!


stompadour: (now that im grown i eat 5 dozen eggs)

markets

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ TERRIBLE news: this is not a stranger. She's wearing a big fancy cloak right now to make herself feel a bit better about being divested of her superhuman abilities, so it's understandable that Lapis didn't recognise her from behind. However, when she turns around, it's impossible to mistake her: Jasper is as huge and orange as ever, and her eyes go round when she sees for sure that she wasn't just mistaking a stranger's voice for someone familiar. ]

You...

[ A slow grin. ]

... You want to fight a monster, huh?

[ She presses one fist into the palm of her other hand. ]

Sure, where do we start?
Edited 2020-02-01 06:58 (UTC)
mirrortide: (076)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-01 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh.

Well, sometimes, everyone makes mistakes! Lapis' mistake just happens to be a giant orange quartz that she has history with. Who doesn't seem terribly displeased to see her, and in fact, seems quite the opposite!

Which. Like, to be fair to her, Jasper hasn't done anything as far as Lapis knows. But also she hasn't seen her since the whole... Thing on the boat.

It's been a long time.

Lapis breathes in to steady her thoughts...

And turns around to walk away. BYE.
]
stompadour: (pic#)

webecca....

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
Wh–

[ Jasper grabs her by the shoulder, because she has no manners. ]

Why not?? You think you're going to find someone better to fight a monster with here?? Come on!
mirrortide: (123)

xdrbfsg THATS STILL THE FUNNIEST EDIT

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-01 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Grabbed, once again.

Lapis stops in her tracks, and- she's really trying to behave herself, because she is on an upswing she feels, and Homeworld abolished their caste system, and really, she shouldn't mean anything to Jasper anymore, but-
]

No.

[Just! Be cool, Lazuli!]
stompadour: (pic#12875289)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 07:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jasper's shoulders sag a lil, but she doesn't let go. ]

Seriously?
mirrortide: (104)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-01 07:44 am (UTC)(link)
I don't want to fight it to kill it.

[Killing, as it turns out, is bad.]

Also we shouldn't even be in the same place! Let alone working together for anything!

[Not because of factions, just because of their very history.]
stompadour: (now that im grown i eat 5 dozen eggs)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Why not? I know you better than any of these Earthlings do. We'd make a much better partnership.
mirrortide: (126)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-01 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Seriously?

[ Does she sound exasperated? Absolutely. She's changed, Jasper should have changed, and she's starting to feel the anxiety gnawing at her. And it's starting to come up me out as frustration and anger, despise her best attempts. ]

That's not what I'm talking about and you know it!
stompadour: (pic#12875293)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jasper folds her arms, looking kind of exasperated too? ]

No? What are you talking about? This isn't Earth. None of that stuff matters any more.
mirrortide: (126)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-01 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
You can't just- [She makes a frustrated sound.] Of course it matters! What happened between us has nothing to do with this being Earth or not!
stompadour: (?? ???? ?)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
But – [ Jasper makes a broad, frustrated gesture. ] None of the people you're afraid of me hurting are here. And I can't ask you to fuse. So what's the problem?
mirrortide: (126)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-01 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
The problem is- [Another frustrated sound, and Lapis gestures widely with both arms.] We shouldn't be near each other!
stompadour: (pic#12875289)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-01 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jasper just stares at her. ]

Why??
mirrortide: (055)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-02 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
Because we're bad for each other!

[Ugh! Lapis squares her shoulders, angry and annoyed. How can Jasper not see that?]

We've gone years without talking to each other! There's no reason to start now!
stompadour: most of these icons from <user name=sways> ((camera zooms in on jaspers face))

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-02 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jasper snorts derisively. One of her eyes twitches a little. ]

Really? This is a completely different situation. Hah – I knew you were a coward, but I didn't think it was that bad.
mirrortide: (121)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-02 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
[The problem with what Jasper is saying isn't that it's wrong, but that it's entirely too right, and Lapis knows this. And she really shouldn't let it, but it does dig into her own insecurities, and that feeds into her anger and frustration.]

At least I changed, unlike you! Why are you even here, Jasper? I know you don't care about organic life. There's no reason for them to pick someone as dull as you as a hero to save the world.
stompadour: (Default)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-02 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Predictably, Jasper bristles in indignation. ]

I don't need to be a hero. [ She sneers the word. ] I don't care why they want me to fight. I just want to fight.

[ She jabs one of her big meaty fingers at Lapis. ] What about you? What would they want out of a gem who's only good for destroying worlds if they're trying to save them?
mirrortide: (040)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-02 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Lapis flinches back in indignation at that, though she's also just as quick to fire back:]

I've created a bunch of things! I helped save Earth! You're just a simple minded pebble who can't think past wanting to punch something! Typical Quartz, but that's why you're soldiers, I guess. Not like you're good for anything else.
stompadour: most of these icons from <user name=sways> ((camera zooms in on jaspers face))

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-02 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jasper's lip curls, baring a bunch of her awful teeth. ]

At least I know what I am. You have these delusions about being something else, being better – you're really telling me you're happy with that? That you don't ever want to do what you're made for?
mirrortide: (126)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-02 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
If I do what I was made to do, I'd destroy the things I care about! [She shouts, gesturing broadly.] I am better, but you haven't changed at all. You'd think you'd do something with the second chance you got, but no, you're the exact same gem you've always been!
stompadour: (Default)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-02 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
Second chance–?? [ Jasper laughs, disbelieving and bitter. ] Second chance to do what? There's nothing for me on that worthless planet, Lazuli. And I know there's nothing for me here, either, but at least they want me to fight. You can keep fooling yourself if you want to, but I know what I'm for.
mirrortide: (126)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-06 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Then why stick around? I know you never left Earth! If you hate that planet so much, why not return to Homeworld? You chose to stay on a planet you hated so much!
stompadour: (Default)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-06 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jasper jerks back, scowling. ]

There's nothing on Homeworld for me either now! Your Crystal Gems made sure of that!
mirrortide: (126)

[personal profile] mirrortide 2020-02-06 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Then learn to change like the rest of us had to!

[you DENSE BRICK.]
stompadour: (Default)

[personal profile] stompadour 2020-02-07 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ NO!!! ]

Gems like you and me don't change, Lapis Lazuli. You know it even if you've managed to convince your little friends that you did.

(no subject)

[personal profile] mirrortide - 2020-02-13 13:57 (UTC) - Expand