Tabula Rasa Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tabularasa_mods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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
▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲
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.
back to navigation
no subject
[ Faded. What - or who - had the ability to do that? Not Shinra, no way. Not even...Sephiroth, she thinks. For all his power, he couldn't just totally replace one world with another...
Right? ]
Midgar. [ Or, the dusty outcropping of rock just beyond it. ] We had our backs to it, I guess, and we were getting ready to get going, to see what came next... Pretty anticlimactic, if you ask me. What's the last thing you saw, Tifa?
no subject
[Well, at least they know now that this all happened at the same time, but it's still a bit strange that they weren't together when their worlds changed... as if the plane of existence expanded or misshaped in some way. Something that they'll have to figure out later, maybe if they find some others to put their minds together with.
For now, she just wants to find out if there even are others who arrived here the same way they did.
Suddenly, she turns slightly to face Aerith, her eyes round with concern as she's reminded that it was her who found Tifa on top of the scaffolding, and not the other way around, and she has no idea what the nature of Aerith's arrival was.]
Oh... are you alright? [In between everything, she forgot to make sure.] You didn't get hurt when you got here?
no subject
[ She wrinkles her nose, trying not to think of what it'd be like with the added complication of their remembering two different things before this. It was hard enough back there, when they had flashes of something (the future? another universe?) already contending with their sanity...
The question makes her smile, and Aerith nods firmly. Thanks, Mom! ]
I'm fine. When I got here, I was on the ground, so thankfully I didn't have to climb down from anything on my own. [ It'd end up with her on her butt or worse, for sure. ] Thanks, Tifa.
[ It's nice to have someone here with her who is both totally capable and really sweet. Aerith walks alongside the other woman, humming thoughtfully as she scans the approaching structures for any sign of...well, anyone. ]
...Oh! What about-...? [ Struck by inspiration, the flower girl stops short, face lighting up as takes a moment to produce her own cell phone, holding it up to show to Tifa. ] Could we try and call them? Or just send them a message, if that doesn't work?
no subject
Why didn't we think of that sooner?
[Her pace slows significantly so that she can better peer over Aerith's shoulder at the screen.]
You think we'll still be able to make calls? I didn't see towers anywhere...
no subject
Yeah...no such luck there. Maybe we'll get lucky? [ And technology will somehow find a way??
She offers the device to Tifa, nodding encouragingly. ]
I didn't get anyone's phone numbers, with everything going on, so... Do you know any by heart?
[ She'd bet money that Tifa knows at least one by heart....... ]
no subject
... I can try.
[But when she tries to turn it on, she's met with nothing. No dial tone, no lighting up of the screen... just black and silence. Frowning, she holds it to Aerith to look it over.]
It's... not working?
no subject
[ Or, she hoped. Aerith sighs, taking the phone and peering down at it. ]
It's dead, all right. I wonder if it got damaged in "transit," or...? [ That'd be too easy, right? Things can never be easy. She puffs out her cheeks in another frustrated huff before putting the device away again. ]
Well...back to the first plan. Check out those structures, see what we can see. [ She bounces back easily enough and nods firmly at Tifa, adopting an encouraging smile. ] C'mon, let's get moving!
no subject
At any rate, it's probably best that they keep on the move anyway. Who knows what else will crop up underneath them if they stay still? Hopefully not more scaffolding... By the time they reach the top of the hills, though, there are more people around than she was expecting to see, mingling about but looking just as confused, and Tifa stops to look around.]
Not much of a town, but I guess it's something...
[There are only a few buildings around here, and the domes are especially large, but it's a lot smaller than she was anticipating.]
no subject
[ Nope! The sparse crowds are wandering with the same purposeless-looking gait, and the flower girl tilts her head to peer at them, hunting for a sign of someone they know. ]
There has to be someone who knows what's going on. [ Maybe if she speaks with confidence, she can will the answers into existence. ] Let's just pick one of those domes and head inside. The worst that happens is we know as much as we do now. What d'you say?
no subject
[Though, there's something else in the small cluster of buildings that draws Tifa in. She isn't sure what, but her feet almost carry her there instead of in the direction of the domes, and her gaze lingers for just a touch longer before she turns back to walk at Aerith's side again as they make their way to the domes instead. Maybe it was just the handful of people that were there? Did she spot someone she recognized?
Or maybe her intuition is going off the fritz.]
Maybe it's some kind of welcome centre. It's got that look, doesn't it?
[Big and obvious, and like it can hold a lot of people.]
no subject
[ Meaning - hopefully- others had the same idea. She doesn't catch Tifa's divergent attentions, and so she starts off toward the dome with determination in her step. ]
I hope they have some supplies in there, too. I could really use a drink of water, and we should probably stock up on some bandages and things in case somebody has to climb down from an unsteady tower again.
[ Knock on wood. It wouldn't hurt to be prepared for anything, though, considering that they have no idea what to expect in this place... ]
no subject
Let's hope that doesn't have to happen again! Wouldn't wish that on anyone.
[Well, there are a few people she could name, but they'd deserve a far worse arrival than being plunged into the air on top of broken scaffolding.]
[As they reach the doors, she can feel the air grow chillier from the dome's shadows looming over them, and Tifa pauses just short of entering.]
I don't know what we'll find in there, but let's be ready for anything, alright?