dagung | TDM: January

Entry tags:

* tdm

TDM: January

Test Drive: January

All threads can be considered game canon,

the prompts and test drive itself will be

• Reserves Open Today! If you're interested in securing a spot, put one in! We accept applications without reserves too, of course. Reserves will expire three days before the end of the application period, on the 28th.
• Applications Open The 24th! These will last until the end of the month, the 31st, with the intro log going up on February 1st. The application page can be found here. As a reminder, this will be our last uncapped application round!
• 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 Prehistoric Wilde

Thick summer heat hangs heavy over the uninfected landscape like a damp blanket, smothering. The jungle around you is thick and wet, full of the sounds of chittering animals and the high-pitched drone of insects. The flora and fauna are like nothing you've ever seen before, large and alien in colors and shapes, though they bear no signs of the Cwyld. Flowers the size of a man's head and brightly colored in rainbow hues curl their tendrils invitingly, and giant mosquitoes buzz through the air seeking a meal. You can barely see the glow of the twin moons through the thick canopy above. There are no signs of civilization - at least, not the civilization most will be used to; only the distant sound of the river, compelling you to follow its winding path. But will you go forward, or will you go back?

Rumble in the Jungle
Making headway through the jungle at night is a chore. The foliage grows thick and the humid heat is oppressive for even those who enjoy the warmth. There are no clear paths here, no easy way through. The canopy of the ancient trees far, far over your head is just as dense, but the faintest moonlight filters through the holes left by the huge leaves in stippling patterns across the musty forest floor. 'Large' seems to be the theme - lining whatever path you pick your way through, there are pitcher plants massive enough to swallow a grown man, with small animals and giant insects being digested down inside the sticky liquid that fills them. The flowers are as big as a man's head, and come in a rainbow of colors, their venomous tendrils curling toward signs of life. The trunks of some of the trees are as thick as houses, and shade the ground beneath them with leaves like umbrellas. The hand-sized mosquitoes thrive in the sticky heat and if not killed first, can make off with a full pint of blood from an unsuspecting person.

At some point in your journey, the ground begins to rumble beneath your feet. The farther you go, the longer you walk, the more signs of life become visible: thick, winding trails of crushed foliage, huge, animalistic footprints in the mud. Luckily, to this world, you are small and insignificant, and may escape the notice of the local Monsters - the massive, prehistoric ancestors of today's Monsters.

They seem like giants, colossal Titanoboa Nagas with hollow fangs like swords, towering Fauns with the lower halves of mammoths, sabertooth Turnskins, pterodactyl Harpies with leathery wings. Even the parts of them that resemble humans (and they have far fewer human-like parts than their modern counterparts) are larger than any actual human being. They operate primarily on instinct, made even stronger by the full moons above, and perceive the strange new creatures as threats - or food.

Sticking to the river seems safest - at least until you run into megalodon Merrow, singing an alien, but alluring, song to draw in prey, or the apex predator of this prehistoric world - Dragons, bigger and scalier than the ones Mirrorbound may know, stopped to drink at the river. All other Monsters flee from the huge reptiles, lest they become food themselves. Luckily you can defend yourself with your new abilities, or your neat changes - you're small, but not totally helpless.

Interesting to note... while all other Monster types are represented, there are no Fae or Chimeras in the Wilde here, and the Vampires are more like huge bat-monsters that traverse the jungle on all fours than humanoid bloodsuckers.

The Natives
Going backward, away from the distant sounds of the sea and against the current of the river, leads you through dense jungle. How long have you traversed the landscape? Hours? Days? Time passes funny in dreams. Eventually the trees thin out, grow taller and less leafy, and the air becomes drier. Instead of loamy soil beneath your feet, you start to feel rocky, harder earth, and spot outcroppings of stone. The sun begins to rise, which makes it easier to spot people on the horizon, a little settlement coming to life in the morning, nestled where the river forks into two.

They're much hardier than the familiar people of Aefenglom, sunburned and dressed in natural, rough fabrics. Their homes, if one can call them that, are shoddy little structures made of sticks and leaves and mud, pressed up against the sturdiness of the stone formations. And, when they spot strangers approaching their village, they scramble for their weapons - crude clubs, stone axes, even just large rocks snatched up off the ground.

The translation magic works on them, thankfully. Their speech is halted and simple, but they get their point across. Tell them who you are, or they'll beat your brains in. Monsters might get their brains beat in anyway if they aren't careful, even though they're much smaller than the Monsters these humans are used to. And Witches? May the gods help you if you use magic in front of these terrified, unevolved people, lest they mistake you for a Fae (the word is whispered with fear and revulsion in their voices) and swarm you with simple iron tools. If you're an actual Fae, an obvious Fae? They'll whisk their children into their huts protectively and then run you right out of the village. Violently.

The truly observant, or those who can see through illusions, among you may notice something strange, though. Some Fae actually seem to live among them, heavily cloaked in natural illusions, with the primitive humans none the wiser. There are just a few, but all of them look young, twelve or thirteen at the oldest, and they are all scared of their secret coming to light. Fae who get caught tend to be burned at the stake around here.

The Invaders
Perhaps you chose to go forward, with the current and toward the distant sound of ocean waves, where the river pours into the sea. More long-time residents of Aefenglom may notice that the shoreline is familiarly-shaped, but wider, bigger, not yet worn down by thousands of years of erosion. There is no bustling Harbor, only the waves crashing on the rocks, small islands dotting the water near the shore. There is no Bright Wall - there is no city, even, only an expanse of beach transitioning gently into an idyllic grove dotted with gauzy, pointed tents, and a beautiful, gilded ship half sunk into the sandy earth.

It seems safer than the jungle, at first - until you notice all the Fae. They're more insectoid than the ones many are familiar with, with big, glittering eyes and either bright, jewel-toned wings like dragonflies or butterflies, or delicate, leafy wings in greens and browns. They're also taller than modern, lesser Fae, though not by much, and they're thin and angular, standing on spindly limbs that barely seem able to hold them.

Characters receive a warmer welcome here, by the band of true Fae that have made their camp in the grove, though the alien-looking beings have a tendency to treat them like toys, children, or both, cooing over their sizes and their magic.
"Look at the little Monsters! Aren't they cute!"
"We should make some of our own! And oh, the little humans have magic! Delightful!"
It's hard to have a conversation with one - they're condescending at best, and at worst, flit off to another entertainment out of boredom while you're mid-sentence.

And entertainments abound in their camp. They're served and tended to like emperors by collared humans - adults and young adults do the heavy labor, including pulling grand little chariots for transportation, though there are some highly-supervised human children running about fetching drinks and fanning their Fae masters with palm leaves.

Farther out, a large, deep pit has been dug out of the earth, ringed by a waist-high barrier of logs, a few Fae gathering at the barrier and leaning over, talking in conversational, happy voices. Down below, Chimera gladiators fight for their amusement, while the Fae keep up running commentary, discussing each warrior's chances, new breeding prospects, interesting crossbreeds their fellows have come up with ("She's trying an Arachne and a Turnskin together, how delightful!"). Trying to disrupt the proceedings will only result in the Fae turning their magic on you - illusions and curses, nasty little tricks. Sit down, silly little ones! The fight is just getting good! Or maybe... Maybe they'll toss you into the pit to see what your chances are in battle.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Name's Juza.

[His bear ears flatten against his head. He's not exactly thrilled with this plan of action, but he's an act guy, not a plan guy.]

... Yeah. [Weird that he seems so reluctant to admit it.]

Soren. Wait, I said that, right? [he shakes his head, not important right now!]

Watch the door. There's a lot of stuff in here, I think they hid my sword. I feel it's in here. [how? He doesn't really know, but it's a real intuitive feeling. The hut was clearly some sort of storage because it's full of stuff. There's other weapons even, but Soren wants his sword. Nothing these natives made is going to hold up in the wild like a properly forged blade.]

Yeah. [Soren did already say that, but he's also agreeing to watch the entrance. While he prefers to avoid fights these days, he doesn't think they're going to have much of a choice if one of those people wanders in here and decides they both need to be tied up and burned.

He'll stand next to the door and look incredibly uneasy about this whole affair.]

You feel it...? [Like a psychic connection to a weapon or something?]

Yeah. Yeah! Like it's apart of me. Or something. [he can't really explain it? Words aren't his strong suit, obviously. He's also never had magic, not aware that he's low key divining it's hiding spot for himself. He can picture the sword so clearly, it must be nearby. Just a matter of following intuition, he thinks.

And yes, he ends up uncovering it not long after. The moment he does, though, someone enters to hut curiously. Soren is out in the open, so he draws the local's full attention. Juza should have his opening]

[That doesn't sound right to him, but he doesn't know anything about swords OR magic. Maybe that's how it is for everybody who has a sword? Itaru plays enough games that he might have some idea.

As soon as somebody comes in Juza mumbles an apology under his breath as he hits the guy in the back of the head, sending him straight to the ground. Years of brawling serve him well, though he's absolutely not pleased he had to do this.

The guy's just on the ground though, not passed out or anything. But he does seem dazed.]

Let's go.

[Soren watches the punch land, but the man is clearly not out clean. He puts the sword down to rush over, not wanting to use lethal force if they can avoid it. These people might be willing to burn him at the stake, but they're just stupid, scared people.

Grabbing the man while he's still prone, Soren forces him into a choke hold, covering his mouth so he can't be heard yelling. Juza just get such a look, the knight hissing at him]

Let me knock him out, come on. We don't need him chasing us, too..! [Soren's going to relax the hold once the guy struggles himself out cold. He throws some blankets over him to hide him... somewhat. His feet still stick out. Soren isn't fussed about the details]

[Look at him all you want, Juza's ears are still flattened to his head. Clearly still agitated. He's good at brawling and getting people to leave him alone. Incapacitating people isn't exactly part of that skill set.]

Fine.

[He hisses, but it's not like he does anything to stop Soren. Juza does stop to cover this guy's feet properly. The less leads the better...?]

[Once the man is set aside, Soren rushes to grab his sword again. He tucks it at his side, pat it when it's back where it belongs]

Alright. Let's get outta- [he starts to say, before giving another peek out towards the stake.

Is that-?]

... Juza. We need to do something else. First. [that's a kid getting tied up in his place- that's. That's not right, they can't leave if that's the distraction for their escape]

[ He stands back up and moves towards the entrance. What he sees there.. obviously they can't just let a kid die, even if it is a dream. Just conscious would yell at him and it would have every right. ]

Got a plan? One of us could distract them and the other can grab the kid.

[ It's a very broad plan with no specifics and he's fully aware of that. ]

That works, that's the plan. [Soren agrees immediately, this isn't something to argue about. He's prone to hesitation, but usually when his conscious is fighting him. This he has no doubts is the right things to do.]

I have my sword, so, I can cut the kid loose and carry them away. What do you have for a distraction? You just run like mad and they might not even chase...

[ Juza doesn't know anything about fae, iron, or silver, so he's assuming this is the best option they've got.]

I can start a fight.

[ This time he sounds considerably less reluctant. That's a kid they're trying to kill, his personal ban against fighting is thrown right out. ]

[POINT... pointed point.]

That's how we do it. [respect!! Soren is always up for solving problems with fists. Also, Juza hadn't been seen helping Soren escape. His presence won't immediately set off an angered response, unlike his.]

You got out and start a brawl. I'll jump out the window and free the kid. We got this.

Got it.

[ With this barely cobbled together plan, he charges out of the hut and punches the first guy he sees, letting out a low roar he wasn't aware he was capable of. The guy goes down.

Immediately, all the natives have their weapons drawn on him.]

[Soren watches Juza just rush right out and punch a guy. It's the most I wish that was me moment. Alas, he does not get to be the one punching, not yet at least. He's on another mission.

Waiting for the right moment, when the people at the pyre are rushing off towards the fight, he vaults out of the window behind them. Rushing to the stake, he slices free the fae of their bonds. They cry out at the iron being so close to their skin, Soren pulling it back quickly once the ropes are free. He offers the small creature his hand, but now that nothing holds them back, they simply reveal their insectoid wings and fly away. Soren jolts back, surprised, but has time to notice some of those rushing towards Juza are looking back to him. W, well, new plan! He yells to Juza]

Mission accomplished! Run! [he's going the opposite way, trying to split the attention of the town and wrap back around to where he thinks Juza would be heading. He won't leave his new companion behind to meet the same fate he was going to face, not a chance.]

[He's in the middle of grabbing the villager's weapons and tossing them away from the crowd to really pay much attention to what Soren is doing. He assumes the plan is going fine, because everybody seems ready to murder him on the spot.

Not that he makes it easy. It's not the first time he's been in the middle of a lot of guys that want to fight him, but it's the first time they've been armed with weapons.

Mission accomplished, the kid is free, even if he can't see that. With a final parting growl he just... barrels straight through the crowd, shouldering them out of the way as he heads towards the forest.

Soren will probably see him coming.]

[While he's running like mad, Soren is keeping an eye on Juza from across the town. Soren wraps around that way, seeing at least a couple men in the mob gaining on his new found buddy. Not on his watch. Bull rushing in perpendicular from Juza's path forward, Soren hits one guy with a haymaker and shoulder checks another with his plate armor, knocking them both out.

He's ready to turn and follow Juza out into the jungle, but some in the crowd are hurling rocks. One large enough to make Soren's head spin clock him just above an ear and makes his head spin. Disoriented, he's not sure which direction is best to go. More than ever in this experience, he feels lost in the dreamscape.

Is he about to wake up? About to die? Impossible to tell the difference. Some more help is definitely needed]

[He hears the rocks being thrown and the noise as one hits Soren. Immediately he turns back, unwittingly turning into his shifted form, a grizzly bear-man standing at his full height. He swipes a paw at one of the villagers that's standing too close. Some of the others back up a few steps.

Fine, that's all he really needs. He grabs Soren in a princess cary and keeps charging into the woods. The bulk of his body should be able to take the rocks being thrown much better than Soren.]

Wh, whoa..! [Holy shit, did this guy just turning into a real bear?

Soren yelps as he gets picked up in such a disoriented state. Guess this is happening. Whatever this is. He's not exactly about to struggle when they're clearly still escaping. Luckily, too, the mob isn't willing to chase a monster and a witch out into the jungle. Just glad to be rid of them finally,

When they're well enough away, Soren finally thinks to bat at the bear. Wow, bro, let him down!]

Enough, enough! I got this, oof!

[He keeps running until he's basically being asked to stop. It seems like they weren't followed. What a relief. Even though he's sure he could still fight, he doesn't have any experience in this form.

First, he sets Soren down. And then he just kind of stares at his own claws? Hands? Paws? The fuck.]

[Soren get's his footing and rubs the side of head. The really hit him hard, he's bleeding a bit, but he can feel it's just from a cut to his scalp. He'll ... live. If it even matters, here. He looks to Juza carefully,]

You okay? Can you, like... turn back somehow? [click, click, click....]

Wait, are you actually just a big, magic bear!? [not really ding!, but sure]

I don't even know how I turned into this to begin with.

[He's giving Soren a flat stare, but this bear face isn't great at expressing the subtle emotion of: I don't know what the fuck is going on, my guy.]

No, I'm a human.

[As far as he knows...?

More importantly.] You doing okay?

Well, a giant bear just said "I'm a human" to me. So, I'm probably not okay.

[rubbing his head just a little more before letting that be, only going to make it worst if he keeps messing with it. He's definitely taken far, far worse hits.]

I don't know what's goin' on. Deal with it.

[This bear man is taking a moment to take a seat and deal with the dream reality of being a bear-man. He could probably be taking this worse, but it's about as surreal as dreams tend to be.]

I mean, like, you know. It's cool. [Being a giant bear, that is. Soren doesn't know what's going on, but it's obviously very cool to be a giant bear.]

... thanks. By the way. Bear boy!

Thanks...? [ What else do you say to a guy telling you that being a bear is cool? Especially when you don't remember ever actually being one.

A heavy sigh that he doesn't manage to fight. ] Juza is fine. Or am I stuck with that now?

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