( TDM | #3 )

[spellbindmods]

IMPORTANT: This TDM takes place on the current world the coven is part of. Please read the linked Google Doc about the world AND be aware that the world is high-frequency, meaning canon magic and powers can be used.

TDMs can be used for anyone interested in the game and/or testing out a new muse.

Test Drive samples are encouraged to be used for your application sample, though they are NOT a requirement.

Feel free to use one prompt, multiple prompts or make up your own!

These threads can be considered game canon upon game opening if you so choose.

Telepathy and magic can be used at any point in time on the TDM, from Prompt A to your wildcard prompt. A specific prompt exists, however, that makes sure all characters have an equal chance to use this mechanic within the TDM. You're encouraged to have characters use telepathy and their magic accidentally or even purposefully on any TDM prompt.

If you aren't set on your character's power yet or want to try out a few, you're still able to use the test drive. Maybe your character is a late bloomer and hasn't fully unlocked their intuitive drive yet. In the case of multiple powers, only prompts that contain the power you choose for your application will count as potential game canon threads.

While only one character can be apped or reserved during a cycle, feel free to post with more than one character if you like! This is for those who are uncertain of their first choice or who would like to try out different characters within the setting.

Prompts A and B take place on the island above Aimintas, so in-game characters can only utilize these prompts if they know how to get here or you can handwave how they would get there. It's not that deep.

WORLD ONE: AIMINTAS

You blink and that's all it takes. At first the picture doesn't come in clear, like you're waiting for a screen to fully load -- more aptly, it's like you're waiting for a camera to focus so you can find image clarity. Before you happened to rapidly close your eyes and open them, your life was normal...well, normal for you, anyway. Fighting an alien, making a quesadilla, dying. And then that blurry picture suddenly takes over... One point of implant is a sandy beach, next to an ocean shore. This may not be that abnormal to you, but there is a point of interest -- there is a huge, pulsating cube that lies inland, covering most of the island. There's about a mile stretch of land surrounding the cube's sides that is forested and sandy, but that's it. There is the ocean, though the tide is very choppy. Characters may be able to swim across...or can they? A ▢ Want to take a dip in the ocean? If you're so inclined, be careful -- the currents are strong and can quickly suck your character under if you aren't careful enough. There ARE boats on the shore, and you can also utilize these as a means of escape. Your character will just have to hope there's someone around to help them if they land in trouble! B ▢ Some other characters may be checking out the island, so there's a chance your characters aren't alone on this mysterious island! If you ask them where you are, your character can take a magical journey to their real destination. Hope they aren't afraid of water travel.

The more fortunate potential coven members -- or those who made it from the island to Aimintas -- are located in the marketplace. There they'll be introduced to the Palai, their strange cultures and attitudes, as well as renewed excitement at the new members. There's getting to be so many coven members that they won't immediately recognize new additions from the old guard, but they're hospitable creatures anyway. C ▢ The Palai have recently become interested in weaponry, especially weapons powered by Elto energy magic. There are still Palai youth who haven't learned their lesson from the coven celebration, running around and shooting characters with magical slingshots in an effort to be mischevious. The newer development, though, is that the older Palai are also trying to get in on practicing using weaponry. Because they aren't totally sure who are new coven members and who has been here for a while, a Palai might challenge you to a duel. Will you take this as a threat, or the friendly scrimmage that it's intended to be? D ▢ The Eltos are being utilized more and more for technological advancements, and while the Palai have failed at flying machines, they are trying to work on other, newer forms of transportation. They're still in the early stages of development, and they're looking to create transportation modes outside of the objects young Elto magic in an effort to have fun and play. However, this requires some experimentation. Characters may find that certain items they touch immediately become motile, from pens that lunge forward and propel their holder through the air, to rugs that become magic carpets once they're stepped on. To everyone else: watch out! E ▢ Despite the recent death of some Palai, the Palai "mating season" is beginning soon -- while their mating season syncs up with their past life as wild creatures, this is more so like a two week long Valentine's Day for their species. Palai are very much invested in family and relationships, and they haven't let go of pushing this belief onto coven members. While their ideal family unit is three beings, they're willing to take baby steps. Your character has suddenly been grabbed and sat next to another character and the questions begin. The Palai matchmaker begins with this one: "What do you look for in an ideal partner?"

The land of Aimintas recently experienced some salty rainfall -- actually that's still going on for some reason. When will it stop? Nobody knows. Because their resources may be limited while new harvesting methods are implemented, the Palai have to limit their use of vegetables, fruits and grains as the ones currently planted may be too damaged by salt water to be used. This has caused some changes to the Aimintas marketplace, reflecting the food rationing. F ▢ The smart Palai have actually been saving up some of those dead fish that were falling out of the sky. Don't worry, they've been properly iced. The food being sold around the marketplace will focus on this fish, though they do need some characters to help prep the fish, including removing the scales and deboning the fish. Is your character good with a knife? G ▢ Alternatively, Palai chefs have been experimenting with a complete line of fish delicacies. From fish sandwiches to fish brownies, your character will likely be asked to try a nasty ass fish something or other. Unless they're into that kind of thing, it's going to be hard to swallow -- but the Palai hope your character likes their new foods! H ▢ Wildcard prompt. Go nuts and utilize your own creativity within the setting. This can mean striking out on your own or utilizing a certain location in a different way. The world is your oyster!

GAME NAVIGATION

Comments

Alvin | Tales of Xillia

[outofplace]

( B )

[Beach. Definitely not the landscape he was looking at last, but not unfamiliar. It doesn't take him long to find one of the boats. Alvin gives it a thorough inspection. Seems solid. But considering the waves and the distance-- going out there alone and unprepared would probably be on par with suicide.

That's why his eyes go back to scanning the beach-- only to ultimately stop on one of the people by themselves on it.]

Wanna give a guy a hand? I can get you to the other side safely.

[Seems shady... but confidant.]

( E )

My ideal partner?

[Well that was unexpected. Surprise registers for a second before he shifts his weight, reaching up to tap his chin.]

Can't say I have a "type". It'd be a real shame to limit yourself like that before you get to know them.

[It almost sounds like a respectable answer. So... why does it seem so shady?]

Well. Can't say I'm exactly the type that settles down easy like that. Picking just one...

[Ah. That's why.]

( G )

[Alvin has seen some poorly executed dishes in his time, but fish and chocolate is a combination that was never meant to exist. Well-meant or not, he's not exactly eager to utterly wreck his insides.

At least. Not alone. Misery loves company.]

Well, I'd hate to keep all this to myself--

[He says, although that is clearly a very average size brownie. Nonetheless he drapes an arm around the shoulders of the nearest person and drags them in, grinning. The smell alone is... well. Potent.]

As they say. Sharing is caring.

[Quoting the child and her talking doll, of course.]

e (i'm not gonna count this as game canon)

[talim]

[ narrowing his eyes. ]

Seriously, Alvin? That's your answer?

[ in all likelihood, jude knows he's (probably) just teasing. he can't see alvin settling down, either. more than one, though... ]

[outofplace]

[well excuse him professor. he didn't know he was being graded.]

Alright then, Mister Honor Student. What's your answer?

[he jabs the other boy lightly with his elbow. this he definitely wants to hear.]

[talim]

[ a light flush colors his cheeks as he rubs at the back of his neck. jude doesn't have an answer, but still... even a year later, alvin is good at embarrassing him. ]

I've never really thought about it, so...

[ that's... well, that's not entirely true, but it's not exactly a lie, either. things like that have always been on the back-burner compared to more important things there are to worry about. ]

[outofplace]

[to be fair, it's not difficult. still, alvin has always been a master of redirection.]

No time like the present to shake things up.

[which is actually just the keywords for it's about to get a whole lot worse.]

If you want, I could probably answer that for you.

[talim]

[ well, that piques his interest, at least. he has a feeling he shouldn't give in to alvin and take the bait, but... ]

Try me.

[ sweet, innocent jude always ends up taking the bait. why would that change this time? ]

[outofplace]

[of course he does. and that's why alvin will never stop baiting you jude.]

Alright. Let's see... for starters-- honor driven, stubborn, blunt... but kind, wise... oh. And it doesn't hurt if they've got a few years on you either.

[he all but says 'you know the one, right?']

[talim]

[ if jude wasn't blushing before, he is now. ]

Why are you being so oddly specific about this? And having a few years on me? Where would you get an idea like that?

[ he's not wrong though. rip jude. ]

You have a few years on me.

[ maybe more than a few, but... still........ he has to point it out. redirect the attention from him. ]

[outofplace]

Why not?

[alvin shrugs casually, but the smile on his face says he's enjoying this way more than he should be. uh huh. uh huh. just as he expected.]

There's nothing wrong with liking a little maturity in a partner.

[speaking of which-- you went there, so now you're going to have to live with what follows.]

Ahhh. Is that why my answer earlier bothered you?

[talim]

I'm not going to answer that.

[ yes? no? maybe? leave it up to your imagination? ]

Why can't you tease someone else for once? Why does it always have to be me?

[ jude heaves a sigh. okay, elize gets her fair share of it, too, but she doesn't count. alvin is, like, her dad. ]

[outofplace]

Because you're always worrying, even when you don't have to.

[makes you an easy target. alvin reaches out and affectionately ruffles jude's hair.]

You could try teasing me for a change.

[not that he thinks jude could ever pull that off. too nice. and way too pure.]

[talim]

[ that's a... surprisingly earnest answer. jude averts his gaze, crossing his arms and hiding a small smile. only when alvin makes that suggestion does he glance back at him, eyes flickering up in thought. ]

In that case...

[ he stands up on his tiptoes — and even with a little bit of a growth spurt, it's still almost comically difficult to reach — and gives alvin's hair a ruffle, imitating him and mussing it up. it doesn't have the effect it should when he's This close to teetering over, but. he gives alvin a pat on the head before letting his arm drop and settling back on his feet, giving him a coy little grin. ]

Well? How does it feel to be treated like a kid?

[ spoilers: jude's never actually minded the hair-ruffling. they've come so far over the course of their friendship, it's a comfort he's come to recognize as distinctly alvin. ]

[outofplace]

I get it. Our little Jude's all grown up.

[a l v i n.

still. he wanted to be like the daughter right? but listen. his hair isn't like yours. and the vain creature alvin is, he needs to immediately fix it. doesn't keep the smile off his face though.]

They grow up so fast.

[alvin, jude has literally always been more grown up than you.]

[talim]

[ see this icon? jude is making This Face. ]

So even when I try to tease you, I still end up falling into a trap. When will I learn?

[ he shakes his head. ]

You're impossible.

e!!

[divinestreak]

[ hey alvin, pick your head up and look at where you've landed yourself.... ]

While I don't disagree that keeping your options open is a good strategy, why don't you try giving an honest answer this time?

[ why are their lives like this ]

[outofplace]

Well, well... if it isn't the great Maxwell herself.

[ why do his friends always show up when he's making the biggest ass of himself, the world may never know. but he'd sure as hell like to. good thing he's so good at rolling with the punches. ]

Heh. I like a woman who knows how to hit a guy where it hurts.

[ alvin stop. ]

G.

[pactfulfilled]

--Whaa, hey!

[Congratulations, Alvin, you've wrangled yourself someone who under normal circumstances would totally buy into your "sharing is caring" speech. Except holy crap that brownie reeks. Asbel can make out a few, uh, more chewy parts sticking out of it too, like some kind of weird fishy garnish. His nose wrinkles. He's pretty sure he's turning green from the smell alone.]

Yeah, thanks, but I think I'll pass.

[outofplace]

[Don't worry. This works just as well for someone like Alvin. Watch and learn Asbel-- and probably be real darn confused.]

Well, you heard him. No can do. Maybe next time.

[Why does this mean Alvin can't eat it? No one knows. But he's using this as his ticket to freedom all the same. But explanations (or whatever you're going to get trying to pass for an explanation) can wait until after they're both a much safer distance away from that food.]

That was a close one.

[...yep.]

[pactfulfilled]

[Asbel's attention darts from Alvin to the Palai and back again as he tries to process his part in all this. Huh? What?? Hold up, he didn't mean it like that! ...Except he kind of did, and well, he's definitely going to follow Alvin on out of there, but not before offering the Palai one last apologetic smile first.]

You know, you could have just said 'no thank you'?

[He can't really complain, though. He really didn't want any part in being a taste tester either.]

But... you're right. That food smelled pretty awful, huh? I hope they find a solution to their harvesting problems soon, otherwise I hate to think what they'll be serving up next week.

e......

[hydrostorm]

Oh, a heartbreaker, huh? Be still my heart.

[ it sounds theatrical, at best, as she tosses a poignant look across the table at him. now this is someone that's intriguing. at least he's brutally honest and not like every other boring person out there playing pretend. hm. ]

cackles

[outofplace]

Not if I can help it.

[alvin winks, turning his eyes to the other girl. he's smooth. probably more charming than anyone like him deserves to be. from a glance, he can't help but this this one will be interesting.]

Name's Alvin.

i'm already laughing

[hydrostorm]

[ .... oh my god did he find that line in a fortune cookie? how cliche. ]

I see. [ a beat... ] You can call me the Great Magilou for short.

[ you don't want to hear the full name. it's speed dating so she's saving time. sorry, prett boy, try harder. ]