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TDM: MARCH
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aefenglom's test drive! All threads can be considered game canon, should you choose to do so; regardless of if you pick specific threads to remain canon to the game, the prompts and test drive itself will be. This will be touched on later in-game, so it's fairly important to note! Aside from that, here are some quick reminders:• Reserves Open Today! If you're interested in securing a character, put one in! This time around, reserves will expire after the first 48 hours of applications being opened. Those first 48 hours will be open to those who have reserves only, so we recommend placing one. It will not guarantee you a spot, but it will guarantee you can post your app immediately when they open.With that taken care of...
• Applications Open The 24th! There will be a cap of 30 applications accepted this round, and apps will close whenever we've reached that cap. If there are slots left after the reserves-only period, apps will open to those without reserves. The application page can be found here.
• If you have any questions about the game or the world, please refer to the FAQ page; if you still have questions, feel free to ask them! For questions specific to the test drive, please ask them on the appropriate thread.
• For the purposes of the test drive, your character will have access to all magics taught by the Coven if they're a Witch, and as much of their shifted form as you'd like if they're a Monster. Feel free to play around and experiment with each!
• Test drive threads can be used as samples for your applications!
You feel like you're floating. Around you, colors and sounds and smells swirl as if trapped in a whirlpool, vibrancy and hue ever shifting. The more you watch them, the less solid they are; they only become clear out of the corner of your eye. The area around you begins to feel more solid as well, until your feet are on the ground, the wind brushes playfully against your face -
and you know one thing, and one thing alone: this is a dream, and an incredibly realistic one at that.
The Underground
Take a moment. Let your eyes adjust to the dark, your ears to echoing silence, but for the steady drip of condensation down the stone walls that surround you. The tunnels down here are wide, the ceilings high, but they are dim, devoid of sunlight and breeze. The only light, in fact, comes from the shards of softly-glowing shards of quartz lining the ground and the bio-luminescent algae that smears the stone in long, blue veins, pulsing gently, pushing breathable air into the otherwise-stale passageways. The air is damp, but the temperature is moderate - almost comfortable. The tunnels fork off and meander from where you are, some narrowing and some widening, but none seem to lead you to the surface, no matter how long you wander. Is it a trick of the light, that the algae glows a little brighter, pulses a little quicker, when you head in a particular direction? It's hard to sort your senses so deep underground, far from the world above where things make sense. Hopefully you've found a friend by now.
 The Crystal Cavern Many of the tunnels, both wide and narrow, lead to the same place: a massive chamber hewn out of the stone by time, and the drip-drip of water from the ceiling into the central lake. Perhaps you came out toward the bottom, and the ceiling is a thousand feet above you, or maybe you came out toward the top, and the lake is a thousand feet below. There are a hundred or more holes in the sloping stone walls that lead to more tunnels, and something like natural steps down from most of them. In a way, it resembles a beehive, this room acting as a central hub of sorts. This is also the first place you find signs of life. Short, tough little tufts of grass growing from the thin soil, bone white in color, having long abandoned photosynthesis and chlorophyll. More of the glowing algae. Small, skittering insects - beetles, grubs and worms. The occasional albino rat, much larger and louder than rats have any right to be. Ruffled and capped fungi growing on the wet rock like parasites, some as large as a grown man. Blind, slimy cave fish wriggling around in the still waters of the lake. And milling around the great stone cavern, slurping up the glowing algae that covers the rocks and grows in lacy sheets across the water, are dozens of great beasts, bigger than horses. Shaped like worms, but with dozens and dozens of stubby, fleshy legs, these creatures are huge, with velvety, multi-colored hides, and though their antennae wave in curiosity when approached, they don't seem aggressive. At least, as long as you avoid the big silk-wrapped bundles stuck to the walls and ground all over the cavern. These are their egg sacs, and if their young are threatened, they'll quickly shoot jets of viscous slime, a quick drying adhesive, that can slow and trap even the strongest adult. If you find yourself in a sticky situation, you better hope someone can wrench you loose - the worms seem content to eat algae, until they've caught prey. Each worm has a long, hooked, chitinous blade concealed within its fleshy jaws to tear and shred, and a nightmarish round mouth full of multiple rows of teeth. Navigate carefully. There at the bottom of the lake, where it feeds into an underground stream that leads down another wide tunnel, there are a few small rowboats, some missing oars, certainly not enough for everyone. You'll have to share if you want to get out of here. Or you can keep hanging out with the giant wormipedes. |
 The Procession As you proceed down the stream by boat, the lighting grows just a little brighter, seeming a little more purposeful in how the glowing algae is planted, how the softly glowing crystals are placed. You start seeing a new type of moss, greyish-green and growing in ragged sheets from the ceiling of the tunnel. Watch your head - it's near impossible to cut through this stuff should you get tangled. For a while, you only hear the soft splashing of the gentle stream, but then... there is a flash of torch light, up ahead. The boat ahead is longer than the one you use, better kept, and full of people - three Monsters, all whose forms are based on creatures that thrive underground, in pieces of armor, holding spears, and one very elderly Witch woman, seated in the middle, wrinkled hands folded primly in her lap. Her milky gaze stares straight ahead, with something soft and proud in the set of her face. One of the Monsters holds the torch, the other rows the boat, and the third settles down next to her; they speak in hushed voices, with little smiles. After a while, the rowing Monster slows the boat, before they can bump into a thick, heavy, impenetrable curtain of grayish-green moss that stretches across the whole tunnel, blocking the way, like a gate. The other two help the woman to her feet, and guide her toward the front of the boat - and the curtain of moss. She reaches out for it blindly, and they help her step onto the edge. There is something almost ritual or reverent about the movements, the way they regard the Witch as she touches the curtain of moss... and is wrapped into it quickly, swallowed up, absorbed. After twenty minutes of gentle pulsing, the lump that used to be the Witch is no more, and the whole of the moss pulses with light and magic. The Monsters watch this whole process vigilantly, and once the lights die down, they continue on. The moss parts to allow the boat through, brushing against the Monsters but not swallowing them. The procession happens a few more times, in separate boats, with separate victims - but all are very, very elderly, and seem proud, even happy to meet their fates. Trying to follow them further after the ritual will have the same thing happen for your boat - the moss will part, and brush over those in the boat without causing harm. If you happen to be infected with the Cwyld, however... you might meet the same fate as the old woman, with the moss reaching and grabbing for you. The procession can be stopped, but drawing attention will draw the ire of the Monster guards, and, strangely, the victims themselves, who will fly into a distressed rage at the interruption. |
 The Marketplace Beyond the veil of moss lies... civilization? The cavern is enormous, big enough to contain a city at least as big as Aefenglom, if not larger, though the population at a glance seems to be much smaller. Twenty thousand people, perhaps, give or take. Buildings have been carved out of huge stone spires, or formed by draping cloth around and between the natural stalactites and stalagmites. Monsters tend to be quite tall or bulky, possessing obvious physical strength, while Witches and humans tend to be shorter than in Aefenglom. They all mingle on the streets together, with no immediately obvious class difference. Since there is no weather to dress for, some don't bother to dress at all, though humans at least tend to wear flowy silks or simple clothes made from wormipede hides. The streets are wide and the buildings far-spaced, and many get around on the backs of those worm creatures, having made them saddles and reins. The stream ends in a lake right next to a marketplace, with many small boats docked on its pebbled shores. The stalls sell all kinds of goods: clothing made from fine silk and worm hide or rat fur, skewered meat (It's bug.), weapons, armor, jewelry made from chunks of beautiful stone. Your arrival is bound to cause a stir though, so keep your head down, and maybe it's time to snatch a disguise from one of the clothing stalls. Monster guards, occasionally flanked by Witches, patrol the streets and keep the peace, and stopping to talk to anyone will make one thing clear: they are not at all used to outsiders. They won't believe a word you say about being from above ground, and they've never heard of your world or Aefenglom. You're nomads from the tunnels, right? Of course, don't be ridiculous, you can't fool them with tall tales! At least they're usually willing to talk - briefly, of course, everyone is very busy down here, it's morning and many will be heading to tend to the herd soon. Those who are subtle and pointed in their questions can learn a lot about the vast but also small civilization below the surface of the world. Strength is valued here - the stronger the Monster or more powerful the Witch, the higher their rank in society, and the closer they live to the center, largest spires of stone. Monster-Witch Bonded pairs are the be-all-end-all, and often wear matching wrist-guards or pendants proudly. Pretending to be Bonded to another will put many of the natives at ease, though Monster-Monster pairs get snide comments about how you have to team up to find a good Witch, and Witch-Witch pairs will get odd looks and assume you both have a very strong Monster partner somewhere. It must be quite rare for Witches to go un-bonded here, and any who pass through without an obvious partner may be propositioned by young Monsters showing off their various talents. Unbonded Monsters may be nudged in the direction of any strange, unbonded Witches - usually fellow Mirrorbound - in a poor attempt at matchmaking. Those poor unbonded Witches need protection, right? Or so the locals think. It's too bad trying to go any farther than the Marketplace will get you stopped by guards and turned back, however. They don't allow nomads into the inner city. |
Seox | Granblue Fantasy | Monster (Seal Merrow)
[ The priority for Seox is to leave this cave. He knows better than to hang around in an area with native creatures that have settled well enough into their homes. They haven't made a big fuss about him and his masked, fully hooded appearance and vice versa. The same might not be so easily said for whoever wants to ride in this boat he's taken. ]
What are you waiting for? Get on. I'm not waiting for anybody, you included.
[ It's a gruff voice, muffled somewhat by the mask. But in reality, he has no issue being a ferryman if left to do it. He might even make a few trips, since he notices that the boats are limited. ]
The Procession
[ Upon seeing what the moss does to the elderly folk, Seox sets down the oar in his grip to take out his clawed weapons from their initial concealment, but crouching down so that the guards don't take notice of their green blades. ]
OPTION A (for the uninfected)
[ Of course, the other occupant of the boat will notice if they aren't consumed with horror at seemingly carnivorous flora. ]
Hush. Don't say or do anything reckless.
[ Hm. Of course he can't make that telltale motion for his boatrider to be quiet, what with his hands occupied. He will react accordingly though, wound up like a spring at all of this. ]
OPTION B (for the infected, or a fluke on the moss's part)
[ The second the moss comes to life and makes a grab for the other passenger, there's a flash of thin blades. ]
Stay down!
[ The moss wasn't what he was worried about, with it now in shredded pieces. But now those guards... And elderly sacrifices, to his surprise. ]
What the...
[ He grabs the other passenger by the arm, bringing his masked face in close to their ear. ]
Can you fight back, or do you need to be taken to safety?
[ He's not afraid to get his hands dirty, but he doesn't want harm to an innocent on his conscience. It's already kinda heavy, if one could make a guess. ]
The Marketplace
[ Disguises would definitely help to prevent suspicion, especially after prior events. Conveniently, there's a place to grab disguises in a quiet corner of the marketplace. Less convenient is someone only willing to trade his distinctively white cloak for... Another cloak in another color, or something similar with a hood. Something that may be of interest is the fact he has cat-like ears atop his head, now visible as he switches out his outer later of clothing. Their brief exposure to curious eyes is not a concern to him, unlike his face. ]
I'm not taking it off.
[ The mask stays on, don't get any funny ideas. Or do, because the results may be worth it, if others who know him might attest to. We're someone to be fast enough, it's not hard to take, but he's also fast to put it back where it should be. ]
The Wildcard Option
[ What it say on the tin: Hit me up with a different idea if you've got one! PMs to plot it out are also a-okay too. ]
Marketplace
[He has no intention of making anyone wear or take off anything they don't want to. But how can he not be even a little curious about that specific denial.]
I bet your skin would appreciate the chance to breathe a little. And it would surely do your eyes a world of good as well.
[Truthfully he's not properly taken in the mask Seox has on just yet, other than giving it a quick glance. He's more focused on the different cloaks and veils on offer. He wants something low profile, but still something that just says him. It's a tough call.]
no subject
It's nothing to be concerned with, the reason or the state of my face.
[ If he doesn't worry about his complexion too much and doesn't feel impaired with it... Speaking of, it seems both of them are finding this to be less of a convenient task than they might have planned. ]
I can see you're trying to find something in particular.
[ Will he help? Maybe. ]
no subject
[Good skincare is very important after all, but he does tend to a take extra pride in it than most. Skincare aside though, it's true, they do both seem to be struggling with this.]
But yes honey, I'm looking for something... Burgandy, maybe. Dark but with still a little life to it, you know? I'd like to avoid looking like a potato sack if I can.
[Priorities.]
no subject
[ He washes his face when no one is looking, it's fine? But in his head he just hears Vyrn or Lyria say something like
"You deserve a little kindness too!"
So... Joke or not, no protests here. For now he can help Sylvan do, looking through a bin of clothes. ]
That's dark red, correct?
[ Despite the mask with the red eyes, it doesn't seem to hamper his color vision, pulling out warm-colored articles from the bin. No grays or browns, he's guessing. Soon enough hes holding out a pile for the guy to go through. ]
no subject
[He watches as Soex does his thing and, wow, this is a nice selection! The warm colours definitely hit a note with Sylv as he browses through them.]
Oh now these are marvelous! I was worried you might end up only seeing red. Now the only red thing here after all this is going to be my bank balance.
[Haha heee has no gold on him. Though he does have things to trade at least. While he looks through the pile he finds a very fetching bright red robe. Not subtle in the slightest, but he holds it up all the same.]
Ooh, this one goes perfectly with your eyes!
no subject
...Hah.
[ Is that a laugh, even a sarcastic one at the ruby red choice? Hell just resume his own search, going for blues and grayish hues that might have been blue. He is blue-eyed, even if he doesn't say it. ]
I'm already going to draw attention, that will just make it worse.
The Crystal Cavern, with the option of eventually going to the procession option a if desired
Do you even know where you're going to go in the boat?
[ Despite asking that, though, she hops into the boat without any further hesitation and settles down next to him. She knows a lot of intimidating-looking but nice people. ]
works for me!
No.
[ There's a pause, with only the waves of moving water and other cavern sounds. ]
...Boats mean there are people who know what they're doing in here, unlike most of us.
no subject
[ She also pauses for a moment, frowning in thought as she taps her knee with one finger. ]
Do you think the people who brought these boats here are still in the tunnels?
no subject
They know better than to linger in these parts, it seems.
[ Big worms. That's his cue to get moving as far as he's concerned. Leaning over, he pushes off the boat from the shore. ]
Tell me if you see anything, I'll have to focus on this.
no subject
All right. I'll keep a look out!
[ Leslie has never been on a boat in her life. She's even only seen the big ones at the Aefenglom harbour once. So when she tries to go to the bow to watch ahead for their voyage, she stands up and takes a step towards it. It's probably only the fact that she's still very small (most 10-year-olds would be bigger than her, let alone anyone her actual age) that stops her from capsizing the boat. When it tilts under her weight, she falls over with a yelp. ]
What did I do? I'm sorry!
no subject
Unfortunately that can't help much with a lack of boating experience. Seox tenses up at the rocking, moving to hold Leslie in place while making sure not to drop the oars. All of that in a perilous moment results in the most... Unexpected of sounds. ]
Eep—!
[ A squeak. It clearly came from him, but he has to compose himself as the boat stops wobbling. His hands are on Leslie's shoulders, to keep her in one spot but also out reflex to prevent her from falling out. ]
...Boats like this aren't made for standing on. Will you be okay?
[ He sounds upset, but not so much in a scolding tone. ]
no subject
At first, Leslie assumes she must have made the squeaking sound, but as the boat settles, she realizes that it wasn't her voice at all. Had...had the man in that kind of a mask made that sound? But as for the question: ]
I think I'll be okay. Is it okay to move in the boat if I crawl, or should I keep watch from here? [ She smiles up at him despite her embarrassment. ] Thank you for catching me.
crystal cavern
He's about to ask if he can join when he's addressed instead, and he gives a cheery grin and hops into the boat, apparently unruffled by the gruff tones.]
Hey, I was about to ask if that was okay, but I guess that answers my question. Do you do this sort of thing often?
[He'd help row if he had any guarantee he wasn't going to run them into a wall or something.]
Gasp... I love Momo
Thankfully, the boat can answer Momo's question. Either it bumped into something under water or Seox messed up his paring, as whole boat rock from the impact. Seox is quick to try and steady it with his weight, though it's obvious the attempt is a little sudden and clumsy. ]
...I'll try to inspire more confidence.
[ He's still gruff-sounding, but the tone is a bit more... Humble. ]
congrats on having good taste in peach senpais
Sorry, sorry, I don't do this sort of thing often myself. It's best to sit right in the middle to even the weight, right?
[He lowers himself more carefully as he says that, trying to sit an even distance away from Seox as well so all the weight isn't to the front or the back.] I'll try not to be a troublesome passenger.
[That comes with a cheeky little wink, like he's stowing away his mischief for the greater good.]
One of my other faves is beer oniisan so...
[ "Reassurance goes a long way." He's not particularly good at it compared to those he knows, but he can... Try? They are on a boat and it's still a precarious and somewhat vulnerable position. And yet, he's trusted to venture into the unknown. Hopefully, the unknown that gets them somewhere. ]
Do you know how to swim? That determines my course of action if trouble happens.
[ Sorry Momo cheekiness... He's got a sense for that, sensitive as that is. ]
beer oniisan needs more love anyway so he can love himself
I'm a pretty strong swimmer, so you don't need to worry about me. [When surfing is a favourite sport, it's kind of necessary. He figures capsizing can't be much worse than falling off a board except that he's folly clothed for this.] You'll be okay too, right? If I'll need to do a dramatic rescue it's nice to know in advance.
[He needs to prepare for it to be suitably dramatic, judging by the wink that comes with that remark.]
crystal cavern
And yet his pride balks at this masked man’s tone. His boots remain rooted on the shore for now, looking at him with a twisting frown. Scrutiny is bright in his eyes.]
And why might I trust you to navigate us properly through these caverns?
no subject
You don't have to.
[ He's not good at selling himself, especially with what would be a lie, so the policy of honesty it is. ]
You can navigate while I row the boat if that's you're preference. Otherwise I'm leaving.
no subject
Which leaves this one the only current option. It is either share it, or be left stranded ashore.]
Then for now, merely focus on rowing.
[Japser boards the boat in the next breath, and the small vessel gently sways with the added weight. He casts his look out towards the dark water.]
no subject
...If there are boats that still function like this, then others have been here and use them. Look out for that.
[ Civilization, he means. He's gotta row and doesn't want to look like he gets distracted by their surroundings. ]