dagung | TDM: MARCH

Test Drive: March

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 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.
• 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's unlike anything I've ever seen. It's so much different than the reality of my waking world.

[ Understatement of the year right there. A desert wasteland versus a bustling city...Even the largest settlements lack the variety of goods around him. ]

Think nothing of my generosity. It's the least I can do for someone. A small kindness can be enough to change the path one walks on.

The thought is enough. [ Or so he says. There is more he could get into— like, my friend, do you even have local currency to buy anything? Though it seems anything that shines and is valuable works here. Or barter. ] It is a nice sentiment, though. It reminds me of different times.

[ Different places too. Also, what the hell to do when a stranger is being so kind? Besides, it's not like they really can bring souvenirs ]

Indulge me then, how different is your waking world then.

Markets like this don't exist. Not a lot exists beyond settlements holding together in the name of survival. It's been that way ever since the bombs hit. A few ambitious people staked claim on the new wasteland and established their territory...It only led to bloodshed and violence.

[ Despite how dire his words are, Shu still smiles. ]

There are still good people, of course. Those who protect the weak, those who want to bring peace. Those who are trying to bring back what we had before. What we lack in stability, we have perseverance.

[ "Since the bomb hit." "Wasteland." Caster might not have a full understanding of nuclear devastation as a modern man would— but he is a good listener, and he had heard stories. It makes his attention turn to a more serious and attentive one. ]

Sounds like my Bonded might be from the same world as yours. These concepts ring a bell, so to speak. [ Survival of the fittest, strength and danger— aside for wastelands and bombs, these were most telling, but yes, good people are there. Lex is a prime example. ] And I can confirm, she is good people.

[ They could use something to do drink, though. Wonder if they will find one of those free drinks-sharing here too. ]

So, are you one of those peacemakers, or the rebuilders?

Has she ever mentioned masters of Nanto or Hokuto?

[ That would tell him quite clearly whether or not they were from the same world. Even those far removed from their battle knew of Hokuto Shinken and Nanto Seiken and the masters of the different styles, or at least knew the rumors of them.

A drink would be nice, though Shu doesn't think much on it at the moment. He's still too used to the comforts of daily life being hard to come by. ]
I'm a little bit of both. I lead a resistance army against the Holy Emperor and save the children he wants to enslave. Anyone who wants to join me is welcomed with open arms. Many of the fathers of those we save choose to help us out and anyone who wants to stop the Holy Emperor's advance.

[ His expression turns somewhat somber as he continues. ]

Sometimes it feels like a losing battle, but we give people hope for the future and for peace. That's the least I can do.

[ He pauses as if he forgot something. ]

Oh, you can call me Shu, by the way.

[ Caster shakes his head at the initial question to indicate that no, he hadn't heard these names. But then Lex was also privy, and names of people or places, they came up rarely. He keeps listening but also noting their surroundings. Lots of fabrics and trinkets, nothing yet to drink but soon... ]

That's quite a heroic tale. You walk a difficult path, but the victory ahead all the more significant. [ Army of men standing against a tyrant, even in the desolate world it sounds like something that would go down with a song. That's how history was kept, that's how warriors of such caliber were remembered. And he'd lie if the old, familiar need of testing himself against such a warrior didn't stir. Of course, because Caster wouldn't be himself if he didn't throw something far more casual.... ] That emperor sounds like a massive dick.

[ y..e..ah

But as now it's time for introductions, he turns to Shu and offers a handshake ]

Well met, Shu. Name's Cú Chulainn and the island of Éire, later known as Ireland, has been my birthplace. [ All other circumstances are just... too complicated to start introduction with. ]

[ Shu laughs brightly at Caster's comment on the emperor. He's reminded more and more of Rei the more the other man speaks. It's a familiar presence among the unfamiliar surroundings. He may still be just a stranger to Shu, but he feels comfortable with him. ]

The emperor was not a kind man, no, but I didn't hate him.

[ It would be incredible if there were anyone Shu could hate.

He clasps Caster's hand in his own, giving it a firm shake with a warm smile. There's no recognition at the name given, though it doesn't seem to matter too much who Caster actually is. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Cú. If I could tell you where I was born, I would, but many things were forgotten or lost after the fall happened.

He simply is your enemy, I get that.

[ Enemies are your enemies, you don't have to hate them. Hell, you can even drink with them when the times of peace arrive. It's a familiar concept. Still, though, he can't help but suspect they're coming to the same conclusion from two very different places. ]

I had a friend in a different kingdom. You can imagine what happened when our rulers went to war with each other. [ That's probably best to leave it at that. And how conveniently he spots a stall with drinks— ] Oh, just look at that!

[ Leaving the past in the past is a good idea. Shu has no interest in pressing further on the topic and, instead, turns his attention to the stall. Bartering for pretty much everything is what he's used to. Old world currency had very little value to most people, a relic of the past and nothing more. As much enthusiasm as he had to be generous before is replaced with a sense of reality. ]

...I have no idea what they do for commerce here. [ A thought occurs to him and he chuckles to himself. ] This is a dream, isn't it? Maybe they'll take anything we can offer.

TDM: MARCH

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