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tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
tabularasa_mods) wrote in tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
Entry tags:
May Test Drive Meme
Test Drive Meme #1
New Locations ▲ New Species ▼ Scenarios ▲ CommentsPlease note that none of the locations and changes described below will be included in the game when it opens. To help create an accurate impression of the game, we have included several imprints suggested by prospective players from the TDM Imprints Submissions. These prompts and locations are only for the TDM. A new arrangement of imprints will be picked when the game opens, which will likely look completely different from the TDM. Please keep this in mind when applying to the game in the future.
Threads from the TDM may be used as samples on your application. TDM samples must be 2 threads with different characters, each with at least 5 comments from your character. Responding to other players on the TDM will also be part of an AC bonus, so we encourage anyone who plans to app to tag out to other players as well.
Full Navigation
Premise ▲ FAQ ▼ State of The World ▲ Locations
Pre-Launch Feedback
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New Location: The Lakeside
Currently the largest defined area within the world, the lakeside is characterized by gray stone cliffs, bright purple trees, and the large body of water situated next to it. Scattered in the clearings between the foliage are the ruins of industrial buildings, though most of them are completely empty on the inside. Fresh graffiti decorates the walls both inside and out, as well as some of the larger cliff faces near to the buildings. Empty dumpsters, metal barrels and broken scaffolding can be found laying around. Barbed fences in various states of disrepair surround most of the buildings, though the gates are all unlocked and open freely to intruders.
On a small island in the middle of the lake is a lighthouse. The lighthouse looks to be in much better shape than the rest of the lakeside's buildings. There's a small dock on the island, but no boats, so you'll need to swim if you want to reach it.
The inside of the lighthouse is packed with Japanese arcade machines. Some of them are stacked on top of each other against the walls, but many more have simply been left in the middle of the entrance and even on the stairs, making it a bit difficult to navigate the building. Colorful banners for popular games and game companies hang from the stairs and ceiling. At the center of the spiral staircase is a giant metal crane, not unlike the kind you'd seen in an arcade crane game. The lamp at the very top of the lighthouse has been replaced by two large TV screens.
Unfortunately, none of the machines in the building seem to have power, so for now they don't do anything.
New Location: The Heart Of Paris
At the edge of the cliffs surrounding the lakeside is a large red tower. From a distance, some newcomers may immediately recognize its shape as the Eiffel Tower, but upon closer inspection it's not like the iron structure one would be familiar with. Instead of iron, the whole tower is made of lengths of solid bone held together with lumps of warm, squishy flesh. The entire structure pulses as if it were alive. The stairs are still in place, allowing visitors to climb the structure, though the sticky fluid coating every surface and the slight swaying of the tower's pulse might make it more difficult.
Hanging from the very center of the tower is a massive blue heart, strung up by a large number of connected veins that weave into the various muscles of the tower. If any of the flesh is cut, it bleeds, and the entire area seems to sway slightly in response.
New Location: The Unforeseen Simulation Joint
On the opposite end of the lakeside area is a large dome-shaped building. The inside of the dome is mostly barren, and a realistic image of a beautiful starry sky filled with constellations decorates the ceiling. There's a small plaza area at the very center, featuring a decorative fountain and some more of the purple trees and plants from the outside. There are dirt pathways that seem like they should be leading to somewhere, but most of them lead to completely empty areas. Two of the paths lead to smaller domes within the main dome, though at this time only one of them contains anything.
The first area of the USJ contains a mountainous environment, featuring gray stone cliffs and luscious green plants. Stairs have been carved into part of the mountainside, leading down to a small spring area at the very bottom. The entire mountain area is set slightly below ground level, however, and what may have once been a small spring is now a large flooded pool with the mountain's peak barely poking up to the surface. A large spiraling water slide has been constructed above the peak, and a second spout of the slide pours a waterfall down to where the base of the spring should be. The water is ice-cold, but calming.
The second area is contained in the smaller red dome, housing the grounds and three-story mansion of a New England estate. The mansion is caught in a massive fiery blaze... although, nothing inside seems to be damaged, and anyone who enters will find that the flames are only uncomfortably warm at worst. Antique furniture, oil paintings and strange figurines can be found in abundance. A large library takes up the center of the building, though the books only seem to contain random nonsense words right now.
New Location: The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe
Near the USJ is a slightly run-down building that's easily recognizable as a bar or restaurant. The large wooden sign over the entrance reads "The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe" in mismatched letters, as if half the words were copied from a completely different source. There are some wooden tables and seating on the outside, as well as several thick pipes jutting in and out of the side of the building.
The inside is clean and cozy, with several conflicting menus on the wall above the counter. None of the lights work, but there's an odd mix of neon signs, classy lamps and plain hanging bulbs. Unlabelled bottles of what one can only assume is alcohol cover the shelves behind the counter, alongside jars of coffee beans and tea leaves. A jukebox, pinball machine and dartboard can also be found in the corner next to the bar, though only the dartboard is playable right now.
At the back of the building is a unisex washroom, as well as the stairs to the second floor attic. Oddly enough, the attic is decorated with thick metal pipes running out from the walls and a large section of metal grating on the floor. The room is stacked haphazardly with boxes and crates, a large TV in one corner, a punching bag, a single-sized bed, and a bench with a computer on it. Much like everything else, unfortunately, none of the electronics work. A large whiteboard takes up one of the walls, and a square table with wooden chairs rests on the grating at the center of the room.
New Species: Fireys
Fireys are lanky, furry humanoids with long ears and beak-like snouts. Fittingly, their pelts are a firey mix of bright reds and golds. Even more fittingly, they can combust their hands and bodies into actual flames. This fire doesn't seem to harm them, though, and they can often be found tossing it among themselves as a sort of game. They have loud, squawking voices and spend much of their time singing together in large groups.
Playful and hedonistic, the fireys are friendly creatures... however, they can be overly persistent in trying to rope others into their games. For whatever reason, the fireys have unusually weak necks and seem to enjoy tearing off each other's heads. This doesn't hurt them at all, though if another creature hangs around them long enough they might try the same thing on them. All in good, harmless fun, of course.
New Species: Jellyrabbits
Jellyrabbits are a jellyfish-like creature covered entirely in short, soft hairs that glow with a faint light. A pair of long ears rest at the top of the umbrella. They have sharp hearing, and their ears are often swiveling about to listen to everything around them. They float like balloons, undulating their bodies to gently drift through the air at a slow and leisurely pace.
Jellyrabbits are incredibly docile. However, they aren't completely defenseless. Touching the tentacles below the umbrella will deliver a painful sting. The fuzzy top is fine to touch, though, and they seem to enjoy a gentle pat or scratch behind the ears.
New Species: Ghowls
The ghowls' natural forms are monstrous creatures roughly the size and shape of a human. They have sharp avian beaks on their faces, vacant white eyes, sickly grey skin with only a handful of feathers still clinging to their bodies, and talon-like fingers and toes with razor-sharp tips. Known for being incredibly violent and relentless, these creatures will attack anything and anyone that isn't one of their own, clawing and biting their victims until they cease moving. There doesn't seem to be any purpose behind these attacks, and the lack of death means that their victims can't be "killed" anyway, but they cannot be reasoned with and will only stop if countered with force.
They have a unique talent, however, that makes them trickier to deal with. Ghowls have the uncanny ability to perfectly mimic any voice they hear. They cannot speak or form their own sentences, but they can copy words and sentences like a parrot. They can also shapeshift their bodies to a limited degree, allowing them to mimic the appearances of humans. While these disguises may not be able to fool someone up close, from a distance they can be easily mistaken for the person they're imitating - and once they're close enough that the disguise fails, they can launch their assault at dizzying speeds.
Scenario A: The Creation Of The World
At first, there is nothing. The endless white of the void stretches out in all directions. For a moment of time that lasts both a millisecond and an eternity, there is nothing but you and the strangers you've found yourself with in this empty, alien world.
In the next moment, there is something. Entire landscapes lift up out of the ground, plants and trees grow to full size in a fraction of a second, water bubbles up from freshly-formed lakebeds, and even buildings spring up from seemingly nowhere to fill the growing space that has just now been defined. The world is suddenly alive, thriving, and expanding at a rapid pace.
The problem is, you're right in the middle of it.
You may have gotten lucky. Maybe you ended up safe and sound on the lakeside, standing under a tree and no worse for wear. Or perhaps a building decided to form itself around where you were standing, and now you're stuck in the middle of it. You might even find yourself at the very tip of the Heart of Paris, clinging to whatever you can grab a hold of to keep yourself from falling.
Wherever it is you are, you're not alone, and you might just need a hand getting your bearings.
Scenario B: Something In The Water
While there is little to eat, people soon find that there is plenty to drink. Every drop of clear, refreshing liquid, no matter whether it be part of the landscape or something found bottled in the bar or cafe, bears the slightest hint of alcoholic heat.
It soon becomes clear that this isn’t quite the alcoholic beverage that its subtle but distinct flavor suggests. No matter how much one drinks, they cannot become drunk. Their judgement remains unclouded and they never become disoriented in the slightest. However, that does not mean it has no effect on those who drink it.
Even under these circumstances, lost in a strange environment that does not know what to do with itself, a drink of water serves to lighten the mood and brighten the spirit. The full effect varies from person to person and from drink to drink - one might simply be more prone to smiling, while another will be filled with such good cheer they cannot help but share it with all who listen. In company, many people become more inclined to talk to their newfound companions, about any and all subjects that come to mind.
If nothing else, it gives people the chance to relax, and with people more inclined to be social it’s a good time to make new friends.
Scenario C: Playing With Fire
An endless blaze rages on within the inner dome of the USJ, and the fireys seem to have taken a liking to it. The furry creatures can be found frolicking within the dome's burning mansion, dancing in the flames and tossing anything they can get their hands on. Every room they touch ends up a mess - the fire may not be able to damage anything, but the fireys sure are making up for it.
They don't seem bothered by people. In fact, they seem quite friendly, though it may be startling at first to have a fireball hurled at your face. If you can keep up with their games, you might even find yourself learning a thing or two about handling fire, tossing it around and picking it up like a natural-born firey.
There isn't much need for the light or warmth of fire right now, but it makes for a fun party trick if you want to surprise someone.
Scenario D: Body Snatchers
The fireys can be a troublesome bunch, but they really don't mean any harm. The same can't be said for every creature here, however...
It might start with a friendly voice, or with a familiar figure waving in the distance. Is it someone you've run into before? But something seems off - didn't you just see them going somewhere else a moment ago? Or is that your own voice calling back, beckoning you to come closer?
Obeying the voice is a mistake, but they won't just stand around waiting, either. The ghowls are faster than they appear to be, and once the gig is up they'll charge forward on all fours, claws out and ready to tear apart anything they can reach. They're bloodthirsty, horrible creatures, and unfortunately for everyone else, they're stuck here too.
You can try to outrun them, or you can try to fight back. Whatever you decide on, you better hope you don't fail. Recovering from disembowelment will be a slow, agonizing process.
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no subject
She can only imagine how it would feel to see fragments of home here, knowing that she's no longer there.
And so her smile shifts from helpless to sympathetic, watching the other's motions in silence until the cup is placed in front of her. It looks like coffee, it smells like coffee...
A sip, and... it tastes kind of like coffee too, she supposes. And like the other liquids in this place, there's something about it that seems to ease the edge off the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. At this point, she's pretty sure the alcohol will be the same. And honestly, she's not much of a drinker anyway... but she sure feels like she could use that "extra kick". ]
Mm, I might take you up on that! [ A decisive nod, and she holds the cup out to the woman. And this time, instead of waiting in silence, she can't help but observe: ] This place, this building... you kinda know it, right?
no subject
Was it that obvious?
[She hadn't meant to be, but maybe she isn't as good at hiding behind a smile as she likes to think she is. Her mind has been thrown off track since she leapt off that scaffolding, so she faults that for her inability to put on a braver front. Tifa can only laugh at how ridiculous it all is, and it's... kind of refreshing.
In a way, the conversation already reminds her of the ones she'd have with Jessie at home, especially as she pours the caramel liqueur into Rinoa's cup.]
Used to run a bar that looked almost just like this... minus all the fancy coffee.
no subject
Maybe not to everyone? I'm just... I'm kinda good at knowing how people feel. It's kind of a talent, you know?
[ Squall would call it annoying. But the woman behind the bar laughs at least, and Rinoa smiles, accepting the freshly-liqueured cup with a smile, raising it to her lips. It smells delicious, the perfect mix of bitter and sweet. She takes a small sip as the other woman speaks. ]
That has to be really weird for you... are you okay? [ It's said with a small frown of sympathy, and she may only have just met this woman, but she can't really help the way her hand goes out, fingers patting - hopefully comforting - at the top of her hand.
Perhaps that's strange when they don't even know each other's names. Whoops. ]
Oh! Um, I'm Rinoa, by the way. And this is delicious!
no subject
Especially when she compliments the drink, which is a relief. She wasn't sure how well steaming hot tap water would work, but it didn't taste as bad as she worried when she taste-tested it earlier. It was surprising, but not an undesirable outcome, and she has to wonder if there's something special about the water here.]
Tifa, [she responds with a brightening smile, this one reaching all the way to her eyes.] It's a little strange standing here, yeah. It's like it's trying to be it, but it isn't. I don't know where all of this other stuff came from, but it's definitely not mine.
[ ... ]
Especially since it doesn't even exist anymore.
no subject
[ She's being completely genuine in saying so, too; it's really nice to meet a friendly face! She takes another sip of the drink Tifa made for her, letting the warmth and the comfort sink into her bones. It's a sigh that she feels in her whole body, a relaxation that the other woman will be able to see in the way she smiles.
Not that the smile lasts for long. When the bartender mentions her place not existing anymore, that small sympathetic frown comes right back to Rinoa's features. ]
What happened to it?
no subject
It was destroyed...
[Quickly, she realizes that it's not quite the brightest topic for a conversation over drinks, and with someone she's just met, no less. Tifa doesn't know anything about Rinoa or where she's from, what she did before she arrived here with the rest of them so, not wanting to be a downer, she quickly adds on—]
I was planning on building a brand new one, though! Once I was finished what I needed to do. Didn't think it was gonna do all the work for me.
no subject
I'm sorry. It must be really weird for you. With it being kind of yours and kind of not.
[ She shakes her head. It's something almost too big to comprehend. For Rinoa's part, her experience has been the opposite - everything she knows is gone, with not even a hint of its existence. ]
I don't know anything about this place, but if there's a way I can help you...
[ Well, it would certainly be better than doing nothing but helpless wandering and hoping to find something she knows, too! ]
no subject
No, it's fine! Sorry, didn't mean to...
[It wasn't to seek pity, or to make anyone feel bad, and it wasn't intended to turn the tone of the conversation down. It was just what happened, and that's a fact – the bar was gone and there was nothing they could do about it now but look forward to building a new one together. That's what will keep her going in the end, even if this is a little weird.
Tifa's smile widens, crooked again, but still genuine.]
Honestly? You're already doing enough. Didn't see an owner, and didn't think there'd be any customers.
[It's at least keeping her mind off things!]
no subject
Then I'm extra glad that I'm here. And that you're here, too! I really didn't imagine I'd be able to get a drink!
[ She's not sure how many people Tifa has met, but it's probably a good idea to tell her about her own experience in this place: ]
It's been really different for me. There's nothing from home here.
[ Speaking of not dragging the mood down, Rinoa's eyes widen in shock when her voice quavers over the words. No, she wasn't trying to... With a small, embarrassed laugh, she shakes her head, and this time it's her hand that waves a little. ]
Sorry... That's the first time I said it out loud. I'm okay!
no subject
She isn't sure which would be weirder – having something here that is oddly familiar and yet, so unfamiliar, or knowing that there are others here with that and not having the same. In that sense, they aren't so similar, but she can certainly empathize with Rinoa. It mustn't help being the latter case...
Coming out from behind the bar, she steals the stool next to her.]
You sure? That must be pretty weird, too. Have you had the chance to look around more?
no subject
Yeah. I mean, there might be stuff here I haven't seen? But I'm pretty sure I got a good look around while I was climbing up here...
[ Her nose wrinkles as she thinks once more about that horrid, fleshy-looking toward she saw in the distance. ]
It's all new to me.
[ She pauses thoughtfully, tilting her head as she tries to work out how to ask. ]
What about, like... I dunno, is there stuff you can usually do that you can't here?
no subject
[A breathy laughter comes and goes, because while she is taking this whole thing seriously, another part of her can't help but find some humour in how ridiculous it is. Rinoa's thought does give Tifa pause, though... because besides that, she hasn't exactly tried anything else.
She wracks her brain for something that could fall into that category, and that's when the materia in her gloves shimmers in the light, catching her eye. Hm...]
... You mean like magic?
no subject
Yeah. Like magic.
[ Rinoa stretches her hands out, looking at them, feeling - again, not for the first time today - like her own body has betrayed her. ]
I've tried, but nothing happens.
no subject
For a world that seems so magical, I'm honestly surprised.
[Then, Tifa rests a hand on the counter and opens her palm, trying to channel the magic within the materia to see if it will work. Her magic isn't natural, and comes from them, so maybe...?
After a moment of her brows furrowing in concentration, she shakes her head.]
Nothing. Not even the materia work?