( TDM | #1 )

[spellbindmods]

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.

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. Depending on your situation and ability to acclimate, you may not fully understand what's happening. A dream, a hallucination. But when you feel the trunk of the trees surrounding you, it's oddly...real. The smell is real. The moisture on the ground is real. The small grass snake you find slithering close to your feet seems very real as well. There are a few other sensations that also begin to feel a little more like reality with every passing second. Like the fact that your intuition is trying to tell you something that doesn't seem plausible. One is more obvious -- you now have a new piece of jewelry inserted snuggly between your collarbones. Maybe that's when you realize it is real. When you realize that there's no delusion here -- you aren't where you once were. But if that's the case...where are you? A ▢ Your character's first experience here will be waking up in a forest. Specifically, located here. It's up to them to traverse and try to figure out where they are, whether they make it to the beach or the main house area. There's also a mysterious trail of soft, felt bags, tied off with thin rope, leading your character to what appears to be a specific destination. These items can be as useful as a granola bar to as seemingly useless as a stapler. Let's just say that some of these mysterious objects are pretty out there. They're free to travel off the beaten path, but that comes with its own perils. Maybe your character has a power that could fend these creatures off...? They aren't exactly happy about sharing their territory.

After an hour or so of trekking through the forest, you finally come upon a break in the tree line that reveals to you an area that appears to be inhabitable. Your first stop is the large mansion that sits in the valley of the opening...if anyone is here or there's a way to get out of here, the house makes the most sense, right? There are a variety of rooms in this mansion, and you're free to explore them. You also spy a lot of crates sitting in the middle of the floor in one of the main rooms...are you curious enough to open them? B ▢ Feel free to have your character explore the mansion (the won't find much but you can take some liberties with the TDM), and they're free to open these mysterious crates. In them they'll find edible fruit and bread, modern clothing in a variety of sizes and portable medical kits. Characters who apply using the TDM are free to carry these objects into the game opening. If you want some specifics, there are a few rooms of note: the game room (containing a working pool table, non-electric pinball machines and a card table with supplied chips and multiple decks), the cellar (filled with a variety of liquor and wines, all aged quite well) and a large room upstairs that contains a glass ceiling and a variety of books in a foreign language. One more thing -- if you happen to go rummaging around, you may find tiny pin cameras. They're minuscule...you may not even notice them unless you look hard enough. At this point you notice that you aren't alone -- there are other people in the same boat as you! When they're around you, that signet you feel in your chest tingles slightly. The sensation isn't unpleasant, but instead like a warm tingle is spreading from their neck outward. You instinctively attempt to talk to your fellow kidnapping victims, and that works just fine...but what are all these voices you hear in your head now? Are you crazier than you thought you were? C ▢ Here's where you can play around with the telepathy mechanic. It's likely your character won't be used to it which can lead to accidental broadcasting. If they happen to tap the signet purposefully or try to pull it out, everyone within a radius of 100 feet will feel a throbbing pain in their head. But your character won't know that, will they? For those more inclined to adventure, there's also another building to investigate. From the outside, it looks very circular and unidentifiable, but upon entering you'll discover that it's a fully-functioning bath house. D ▢ Despite containing steamy water and luxury bathing accommodations, the bathhouse is currently being overrun with crabs. The not-so-smart members of this species have fallen into the extremely hot water, flash boiling themselves after being unable to get back out. Others are a little more intelligent but equally aggressive. Characters: watch your toes and be cautious if you really want to take a much-needed bath! They may also want to check twice before using the restroom, otherwise the experience might be more painful than they're used to.

Exploring the mansion and the bathhouse was fun and all, but aside from the crates they didn't prove to be very useful. When you came into the clearing, you also saw a row of very colorful buildings down near the beach. It makes sense that this area may be more beneficial to any escape plans you have, and taking a dip in the ocean might be nice! It's not until you reach the beach huts that you realize that murky blue color you spied wasn't the ocean. It's outter space. There goes any hopes you had of swimming to safety. E ▢ Time to explore the beach huts! Most of them are abandoned, but your characters will notice they seem to be more livable than the mansion somehow. This is in part due to a little note tacked to the door of each beach hut that reports in scrawling script "Claim your hut, please!" Will your character listen or reject the sinking feeling that they may not be leaving anytime soon? Some huts are also bigger than others, and a few even contain small sinks and softer beds. Grab these while they're available! Even though it turns out the ocean was a lie and you're precariously close to falling off the edge of the world, the area around the huts is decidedly beachy. Sitting on the beach is a lobster trap, though about 10 times the size of any you might have seen before. Inside are more felt sacks, though larger. The weirdest part is that peering through the bars, you notice each has a nametag attached. The reason you know this to be true is because you just spied your own name written on one of the labels. There's also something else underneath it. The descriptor may not mean much to you yet, but it will soon: it's the title of their newfound magic. In each felt sack is a sort of starter kit: a set of dated and drapey plainclothes, a bag of dried boar jerky, a leather flask filled with water and a small tube of sunblock (the writing is in a bizarre pictograph language, but the giant picture of the sun on the tube should explain the purpose). There's also a rolled up paper tied with a string that reads as follows: "Welcome. Things will be explained in due time. For now, understand that you have been blessed with a gift of magic. Look into your brain and feel the instinct for both. Practice makes perfect." F ▢ Here's the official prompt for playing with newfound magic (and telepathy if you want more practice). It's likely characters have already accidentally broadcast their thoughts, utilized the C prompt or used their magic inadvertently, but maybe this new information and small explanation has motivated them to try and see what they're truly capable of. Don't worry. If they're lucky enough to stick around, all will be explained. ...What if you're a wildcard, though? Someone who doesn't play by the rules and follows a different path, no matter what direction the world may be guiding you in? This island is large and contains many areas of interest, from crystal streams to hidden locations. Maybe you want to do something different...so break the mold and explore! G ▢ 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

Heine Wittgenstein | The Royal Tutor

[he_smol]

a. Forest

[ There's this... child? You may have seen him awaken along with you but he seems to take no notice of anyone else. For now, at least. But off the corner of your eye, you may notice him approach. His stride is purposeful. ]

Begging your pardon... but would it be correct to assume that you've only just appeared in this forest same as I?

[ And a pause as he glances into the forest before gesturing to the path ahead. ]

...I suggest we keep moving. These woods seem foreboding. It would likely be best for us to travel together.

--

b. Manor

[ The fact that the path seemed to be leading them here had already piqued his curiosity to begin with so he had decided to try to get the lay of the land so to speak. Naturally, this led him to the library. Where better to try to get an idea as to where they were, after all? Maps? History books? Newspapers?

Unfortunately, the next book he wants is a few shelves over his head. With that, he's reaching up with an arm outstretched and on the tips of his toes. His fingertips are barely brushing the bottom of it.

Help a guy out? ]

--

c. Magic?

[ Having had no luck with research, he can be found on the beach much later on. His coat has been folded over with the small bag placed on it along with his hat. He's standing on the sand with his eyes turned upward. Above him is the sunblock tube and it seems to be... floating. ]

...curious.

[ The tube continues to float, moving ever higher - until it falls and lands directly on his face. ]

I see... so it seems even magic has its limitations...

--

d. wildcard!

[ Open to anything! ]

a

[p_mortem]

[ Oh. Hmm... precocious children are something Minato thought he'd be used to, but not like this. He'd been just loitering around the forest, really, idly wiping the grime off his sword with his pant leg when Heine approaches him. ]

What seems foreboding?

[ Besides, like. All of it. The fact that they're even here. But he's got a sword, and looks relatively unafraid. ]

[he_smol]

[ At least this one has a sword. If whatever's out there decides to come over, this boy can protect himself. ]

I can't help but feel that we're being watched.

[ He's glancing back into the trees momentarily before looking back up at Minato. ]

Though if worst comes to worst, you seem to be a rather capable boy.

[p_mortem]

That's... probably people here looking out for each other.

[ He doesn't say anything about being capable, but being watched isn't all bad, when it could be being watched over. Watching over people isn't something Minato is a stranger to, so he lifts his sword to keep it at the ready, glancing down the path, over towards the trees, down at Heine. ]

Are you sure that's the way out, though? I usually have a navigator...

[he_smol]

I can only assume as much. The direction I came from seems to only lead further into the forest...

[ Glancing back over his shoulder. Minato could be right. Could be paranoia... but he's never been one to shun gut instinct...

But his eyes go back to the trail - and those bags. ]

And these certainly seem to be leading us in the opposite direction.

[p_mortem]

[ That's fair, seeing as he hasn't done much exploring on his own, so Minato shrugs and starts down the path, leading even though he pauses and glances at Heine every time there's a fork, despite eyeing the bags marking the way the rest of the time. ]

The easiest way to tell would be to cut them down, but...

[ If they're really to help guide, then he should leave them alone. ]

Do you trust whoever hung these?

[he_smol]

[ His eyes are on the bags, using them as a guide. But he does stop, turning his attention to Minato. ]

If I were to be perfectly honest, I do not. But they seem to have been hung for a reason. Whoever did may have the answers we seek as to how and why we were brought here.

[ And a tilt of his head. ]

This forest isn't the least bit familiar to you, is it?

B

[vowlyball]

[Most of the things in the manor hadn't been very interesting, and though Bokuto had attempted to play the pinball machine, it hadn't kept his attention for very long. So, a few extra shirts slung over one shoulder, he headed up the stairs to see what else might be here, spotting someone who looked like they might need a bit of help.]

Hey, hey do you want me to get that for you?

[At a little over six foot, it should be no problem, but he didn't want to imply that this little guy couldn't do it himself. He'd seen some short people pull off more impressive feats, after all.]

[he_smol]

[ At 5"4, he's definitely getting some trouble from the higher shelves.

There's a tiny stab in his chest when he turns to the boy who had spoken... and realizes he's barely reaching his chest.

But he isn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. ]

If it isn't too much trouble. Normally, I'd employ a ladder but this library seems to be devoid of one.

[vowlyball]

No trouble at all!

[Bokuto reached over to grab the book, pausing to look back down at the shorter kid.]

Did you want any others?

[Then, looking over the spine of the book curiously before handing it over:]

Can you read this?

[he_smol]

[ He nods his thanks before accepting the book and starting to thumb through the pages. Though he's silent, his displeasure is evident. ]

Not a word. The language looks like nothing I've ever seen before, to be perfectly honest.

[ Snapping the book shut with a definite 'thud'. ]

I take it isn't the least bit familiar to you either, is it...?

[vowlyball]

Do you know a lot of languages?

[Because honestly, Bokuto even struggled with his native one at times, so the thought that this guy knew more than one was impressive enough to him. He poked around a few of the other books, shaking his head at the question.]

Nope! But they look like they could be important, right? Knowledge is power.

[Which was a bit laughable coming from him, but hey, if enough people said it, it had to be true right?]

[he_smol]

I'm glad to know the importance of knowledge isn't lost with the current generation.

[ Heck, one of his students managed to turn over a new leaf. ]

As for this... I know several languages, enough to make an educated guess as to what this could be but unfortunately it doesn't at all familiar.

[ But he'll set this book among the others he'd placed on a nearby table. ]

Did you just arrive here?

b.

[enflame]

( Emil has no real special interest in books anymore outside of the fact that they're valuable in original condition. Exploring the manor, he'd come across these.

His desire to read them is next to zero, but he still gingerly opened one -- half expecting it to disintegrate in his hands due to the condition of the manor -- but it remained intact. Too bad whatever is inside is gibberish he doesn't even recognize as any language.

But sure man, he'll help you out. Not that he's tall by any means, but he's got some height on this...guy? Kid? Question mark? He looks like he could be the same age as his cousins. Anyway, here's that book you wanted, sir. )

Can you actually read any of these? ( He asks since some spines do have printed titles but the letters look more like pictures to him than a, b, c, etc. )

[he_smol]

Thank you.

[ He accepts the book with a nod of his head and proceed to thumb through it briefly before shaking his head. ]

I'm afraid I can't read a word of it. Though I had been hoping to find something else in these books: maps, a history of the area...

[ A beat as he looks up at Emil. ]

I don't suppose anything is familiar to you, sir?

[enflame]

No. I opened one and it was just weird gibberish. I don't really care about trying any more of them since they'll probably be useless too.

( He's barely let two languages into his heart, let alone some weird alien scribble nonsense permeate his interests. ) Important books with pictures are usually the bigger ones, right? Just find the ones that look useful and start there.

( And he has a side job as a historic book locator to boot. )

[he_smol]

[ With that, he motions to a small pile on a nearby table. ]

I'd already looked through the larger books within reach. Unfortunately, they didn't fare any better so I thought I'd try my luck with a higher shelf.

[ So much for wishful thinking. ]

[enflame]

( He couldn't care less about research on his own...but if this guy likes it, maybe he can get some information secondhand if he actually finds something useful. Hmm. )

Do you want me to get anything else from the higher shelves? ( Not like he's an example of height, but he can reach at least a shelf higher than this guy. )

[he_smol]

No... that's quite alright. It doesn't look like there's going to be anything else that could be useful in discerning where we are or who brought us here. [ He looks up at the shelves as he speaks, as if trying to double check for anything he could have missed. But he does turn his attention to the other man. ] Have you looked around the rest of the manor yet?

C

[brokenlight]

Hey, you okay?

[Ven wanders over to him, looking half curious and half worried.]

[he_smol]

[ He's caught the tube at least and is rubbing the spot on his forehead before turning his attention to Ventus.]

More than, thank you. I'd only thought to test the limitations of this... magic... that seems to have been gifted to us.

[ But he does seem suspicious nontheless. ]

I'd found a bag with my name in one of the nearby lobster traps. Have you found yours?

[brokenlight]

It does seem rather limited. I still haven't figured out what mine is yet.

[Not that he wants to know. Ven already has a lot of magic under his disposal.

A blink and a headtilt as if he's trying to remember.]

Nope, not yet. [Ah, he should find that, shouldn't he? Before someone else does.]

C

[dancermai]

[ There was a cute small child and she can't help but watch him as she's sitting nearby, playing with the sand between her toes. There was exploring to do and probably really important things to look at but she has decided for now to take a break and go with the flow.

That and she wanted to see if she could meet up with a few people to explore with them. And as she's watching the most unfortunate -- cute -- incident happens and she's trying really hard not to laugh. ]

Are -- Are you okay?

[he_smol]

[ Goodness, how embarrassing... someone's already seen that. But he turns to her, rubbing the area beneath his glasses and holding the tube in the other hand. There's a small bow as he acknowledges her presence. ]

I apologize for having you witness such an embarrassing display though rest assured, I am quite alright. Thank you for your concern, miss.

[ He's just gonna pop the tube back in his bag though. ]

It seems I'll need a bit more practice to make the most of this... magic... they speak of.

[dancermai]

[ And that reaction catches her off guard a little too. Very polite for a small child. Much more polite than even some of the adults she knew of. Although she should probably make a move on her own magic but...that could only happen if she went to look for her own bag. ]

It looks like you've already figured some of it out! Was that hard to do?

[ Maybe she could...learn some tricks from him. ]