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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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Still, it's nothing nearly as strange as this building, so.]
... I am not.
[He tried to school his expression, but it hasn't kept his eyes from widening considerably. The shock in his expression fades pretty quickly the conversation starts, however.]
I am as new as you are. [Apparently, but he sees no reason to assume the guy is lying.] That said, this place sure is interesting, isn't it?
[Perhaps even more so for a long-haired man in robes that looks like he just walked off a fantasy movie set.]
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And Yukio's expression is friendly, calm and polite as usual.]
It is. Have you met with anyone else here?
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But if this young man were the same, he'd likely attack outright or do something about what is, after all, not a very reassuring appearance. So Wuxian will give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides... he could really use a friendly little chat right now.]
Not a single soul! [It's half a private joke, wondering if the other guy's got a soul at all. But, for what it's worth, it's just casual wondering, not intended to judge.] Whoever our host is, they have interesting taste.
[Both when it comes to their surroundings as to the both of them, really. Finally tearing his attention away from the building properly, he raises folded hands, giving a tiny bow. Sure, Wuxian seems to be the older one, but this is a strange situation, and he'd rather not be overly rude when he doesn't know who or what this young man is.]
My name is Wei Ying, courtesy name Wuxian.
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Okumura Yukio. I'm glad to meet you, Wei Wuxian.
Have you seen any sign of whoever's in charge here? [He asks, because he hasn't.] I'm surprised they haven't at least announced their presence yet.
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And I'd say that depends on their purpose.
[So many questions; so few answers. It's enough to give one a headache - or at least a healthy desire to have a drink or two. But even Wuxian is not desperate enough to consider the chance of trying this new place's alcohol a benefit to coming here.]
Let me ask you, Okumura-xiong: do you remember how you got here?
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And I didn't even notice that until you mentioned it.
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[Was he even really with that person at the time, though? It's hard to figure out what's real and what's not.]
I'd say coming here feels like a dream, but I doubt even I could make this up.
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I wouldn't be surprised if whatever demon brought us here is controlling our awareness, especially when it comes to our arrival.
What happened with the person you were with that made you question how you arrived here?
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[It might well be; it wouldn't be the worst Wuxian has seen, either. But the assumption says something about Yukio, if nothing else.
Just like Wuxian's line of reasoning says something about him, clearly - but being called out on it is still a little embarrassing. What a novel feeling!]
"What happened"... Nothing really happened. I was just thinking about him, and one thing led to another.
[Wondering where you are only because you're wondering where someone else is in relation to you probably doesn't make the most sense, but with some kind of supernatual power at play here, clearly Wuxian has every excuse!]
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And then, there's the other part. Yukio nods, already used to making this adjustment in terminology but not enough to make it without the reminder.]
"God" might be a better word for it. Something brought us here, for some reason.
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[He's not saying it's not the case, but it does come with more questions than answers. Turning towards their surroundings, he taps the nearest wall, table, or whatever else is within reach, a quick rhythm that helps his thoughts follow pace as his eyes wander once more.]
The heavenly realm must have enough trouble of its own.
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They tend to have their own reasons for collecting people, even if those reasons are just amusement.
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[Well, perhaps that's not so strange, either. Yukio isn't human himself, after all - or so Wuxian assumes, with a look like that. It doesn't make Yukio a lesser person, but it does make it more likely for things him to interact with a higher range of divinity... possibly? Wuxian is just going to roll with it.]
The reasons I've personally encountered are only for eating. Eating the flesh, or eating the soul.
[He counts off the two options on his fingers. A set-up like this seems rather complicated if it's just for gathering food, but Wuxian isn't discounting the possibility yet.]
Do you think we're intended as dinner?
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Yukio would much rather not move in these particular circles, but even without interdimensional kidnappings he's been caught up in games with too-powerful demons for his whole life.
And then it comes to... the eating part. Okay, sure, every world is different and every world's versions of demons are different but why is there a world where eating is the main goal of a demon.]
I... think if something is powerful enough to bring us here and create this world, they probably don't need us for sustenance.
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He gives a little hum, more or less agreeing with Yukio's line of reasoning, but still not sure they can count on that being true.]
Let's hope that's true. [Then again, isn't serving as food better than serving as amusement? At least getting eaten comes with an ending at some point!
Maybe it doesn't matter, anyway. Wuxian, for one, isn't planning on waiting for someone - something - else to decide his ending, or lack thereof.]
Regardless, it's better not to wait and see what they have in store for us.
slides back in here
slide it like a xuanwu of slaughter tbh
[He says it like the most self-evident thing - but then, isn't it? He's not about to give up just because they don't know the details of their situation.]
The rest, we can figure out once we know what we're fighting.
i still have. so many questions on how xuanwu anatomy works. i watched those scenes just like "????"
How would you usually start fighting something like this?
xuanwu anatomy: the only thing worse than xuanwu cg
Finding it would be a start. That said -...
[He's lacking in powers at the moment, and that is honestly disturbing, not to mention how it doesn't bode well for fighting a big bad. Not that Wuxian will let it stop him, but he can at least acknowledge the complications.]
Okumura-xiong, you're not a cultivator by any chance?
at least they didn't try practical effects, I still can't think about the giant dog without laughing
I'm not familiar with the term. [Not that that's a surprise, when things are so different across worlds.]
I am an exorcist, and I've been training to be a medical doctor.
if ever anyone doubts xiao zhan's acting skills, they just need to remember the dog
[Or not. Wuxian may have a completely wrong image of that term - but it's whatever. Satisfied enough, he presses on with his main point regardless.]
Do you have any special skills? The use of spiritual power, for example?
Because I, for one, am finding myself suddenly lacking in that.
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Not exactly, my exorcism relies on more physical methods than spiritual ones. I have some magic, but it's designed for medical use, so I haven't had the opportunity to test it yet.
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Medical use, is it? Hmm... All right! Wuxian bites his own finger, just hard enough to draw blood, and holds it out to Yukio.]
Healer Okumura, may I bother you for your services?
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What isn't a good sign is that when Yukio reaches out for magic he finds absolutely nothing. His forked tongue flicks out again, and he pulls at nothing again.
He lets go of Wei Wuxian's hand, and shakes his head.]
There's... no magic here. [Which is a strange concept. He's never lived in a world where the supernatural just wasn't an option.]
Even if my internal magic fails, I should be able to pull wild magic from the world itself. [There are a few good things about his current existence, and that's one of them.]
And it's incredibly unlikely that I would have lost my ability to sense magic. [Just to eliminate that possible train of thought.]
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It's almost like we're not really here at all...
[After all, if they were physically here, their bodies and their magic should function as expected - or at least malfunction as expected. This is decidedly different.
Oh, well. Whether they're physically here or not, the important conclusion is the following:]
Looks like we'll have to put some actual effort into defeating whatever brought us here, then.
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