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tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
tabularasa_mods) wrote in tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
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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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Riku | Kingdom Hearts | OTA
[Opening his eyes to find himself an unknown location isn't an entirely foreign sensation to Riku… but usually his jumps between worlds are fairly deliberate… and finding himself in the middle of the endless white of the void, was already a warning sign the last time it happened to him. At least this time there are no disembodied voices telling him to go back to the "safety" of sleep.
Before he can so much as mutter that thought, the white void around him changes, the ground shaking as it shifts and a second later a wave of water washes over him. Riku barely manages to draw in his breath before that wave drags him into the depths of… well, wherever he is. He keeps still while the water around him is turbulent – no point in wasting precious air and energy – then pushes towards the glimmer of light shining down from the surface.
Seconds later his head breaks through to the air again, deep breaths filling his lungs and Riku finds himself blinking as he takes in his changed surroundings. Huh.]
…So much for being stuck in the void between the worlds again.
[…Well, first things first. He won't be able to explore this place from the middle of the lake, after all.]
[ B – Playing with Fire ]
[A couple of hours in this world and Riku can say one thing with certainty: he has become way more reliant on magic and the enhanced abilities that he gained through his training as Keyblade Master than he would have thought. For all that he can feel that magic simmer under his skin – which is a little comfort at least – without any way to summon it, it's impossible to use.
That somehow, his attempt to light a fire at the lakeside have failed… though strangely enough he doesn't really feel cold, even with his wet cloths still clinging to him. Exploring that dome on the other side of the lake has been plenty distraction from that at least. Especially once he finds those bird-monkeys playing with the fire.
When the first one of them tosses one of their fire balls at him, Riku is a little too slow to dodge entirely and brings up his left arm to block… only to blink when the fire only licks with warmth over his skin. When the next bird-monkey hurls its fireball, he is more prepared and manages to catch the flames between his fingers for just a second… but then they fizzle out again. The bird-monkeys don't seem particularly upset by that at least… instead they look expectant. Riku glances between them and his own fingers, a faint smile curling up the corners of his lips.]
…Sure. I'll play with you guys.
[Later, he grins a little in wonder as he sits a little bit away from the dome, a flicker of flames cradled between his palms.]
It's funny. It almost feels like they taught me Fire magic all over again.
[ C – Wildcard! ]
[You know the drill; give me your own prompt, if nothing above works, or contact me via PM or plurk (iceyly) and we'll work something out! :3]
A
Sora yelps as one of those purple trees spring up from nearly underneath him. He flails a foot and arm and hops backwards as the tree sprouts and grows to full length before his eyes, big leafy purple leaves and branches sprouting from this way and that. He heaves a little.]
Just one step over and I would've been up that tree in a flash. Geeze.
[He puts his hand to his brow and scans out towards the lake to see if there's anything else worth noting right now. And that's when he sees a somewhat familiar speck in the distance. Sora squints carefully.]
... Is that? Riku? [Well, now he's yelling!] Riku! Hey! Riku!!
no subject
…Sora.
[The name escapes him like the whisper of prayer… and honestly, Riku doesn't really remember how he actually makes it to shore after that. It's not important anyway, not when Sora is here, when he has finally found him.
His breath comes out in harsh gasps when he stumbles those last steps onto dry land, sea-green eyes wide and fixated on the image of his best friend.
Sora better be ready, because he's just about to be caught in one hell of a (very wet) bear hug.]
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Ahah! Riku, take it easy! I'm gonna pop like a balloon if you keep squeezing so hard!
[Plus Riku is cold and wet so Sora can't help but flail a bit. It's good to see Riku, better than good, but he's gonna sneeze.
Whatever this weird building world is... It has given them a chance to reunite after some very intense events. Honestly, Sora feels like he has a lot to say. And the most important thing he wants to ask is,]
Riku, are you okay?
no subject
But Sora doesn't fade, or burst; he is solid in his arms and the vibration of laugh only makes Riku hold on tighter; the answering noise more akin to a sob than a laugh. There is water running down his face, but whether that's lake water dripping down from the strands of his bangs or actual tears is anyone's guess.
Sora's question definitely warrants a laugh though, even if it holds an almost bitter sound.]
Am I– I'm not the one that disappeared without a trace, you know.
[Short answer? No. Riku is so not okay.]
no subject
That's all he can remember. Not that he'd ever alarm Riku with those sorts of memories.
So instead he pats Riku's back insistently, as if reassuring the other with the rapid pats that he's real, whole and one hundred percent made of Sora.]
Sorry, I guess I took a bit of a detour, huh?
[Despite the light tone in his voice? He really is sorry. He knows Riku can't be okay. Kairi can't be okay. Not with him vanishing like he did.]
I'm here, promise.
A
I suspect there's no need to ask if you're a native of this land.
[Unless Riku enjoys taking impromptu dunks in water that just happened to materialize under his feet. No judgment either way.]
no subject
He shakes his head at the question, frowning faintly as he recalls that moment just before this world had come into being.]
…Who knows if there is much that actually is native to this world. The population of places this close to a void between worlds is usually pretty sparse.
[And any population to be found is almost certain to be unfriendly… at least if Castle Oblivion and The World That Never Was are anything to go by.]
no subject
[That's a first. Not that Chiron has a large sample size of people to talk to, but this young man is certainly to first to speak with such conviction.]
B1
By the time they make it there, the pure wonder of the strange creatures and the fire that doesn't burn has turned his grumpy reaction into occasional bursts of laughter and yells at near misses as he weaves in and out.
He doesn't realize that they've met up with someone else until they're nearly on top of Riku and he's spun around again. He ducks out of the way of a fireball on instinct, and yells a cheerful: ]
Heads up!
no subject
…Except there are just more of the monkeys(?) and another boy. Former are cheering happily and the group he started to play with eagerly gathers up more flames to throw at their newest playmates. Riku relaxes again at that, before turning to the other human around.]
You don't have to worry overly much about being hit. The fire won't burn you.