( TDM | #4 )

[spellbindmods]

IMPORTANT: The weekly update post will go up later than usual tonight to give time for any other barrier quest responses to come in. Nothing major will be affecting how old players respond to newbies on this post, so tag away! Threads here do count for September bonus AC for old players.

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.

IMPORTANT: This world is low-frequency. No canon powers or abilities are allowed! Also check out the setting information for more info about what the hub island looks like and what can be found there.

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. There's a lot to take in here -- you feel weird, your surroundings are weird. Everything is just weird. For starters, there's that new piece of jewelry inserted in the space above your chest. That certainly wasn't there before you opened your eyes. 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. If this new little signet catches their interest, fiddling with it will result in a bit of a neural vibration in everyone else with telepathy. Nothing painful; it's actually quite pleasant. But if they do decide to play with this new jewelry, they're likely to find some seasoned telepaths (aka old coven members) in their brain space, wondering that's up. A2 ▢ Alternatively, new coven members are notorious for being bad at telepathy from the jump. Their panicked reation to this journey or confused mental state may send out some network messages that maybe they didn't realize they were sending out. Or, maybe what's pushing them over the edge are all the other voices already doing exactly that in their brain. B ▢ Unlike the previous coven members who found themselves on the hub, new recruits won't find as many supplies randomly in the forest they're suddenly in. However, like old coven members, they will come across some wild boars that aren't too happy to see the humans have returned to their stomping ground. Your character may also come across a boar with babies in tow, which means that they're even more likely to be aggressive. If your character has useful magic within them somewhere, now may be a good time to discover how to use it...? C ▢ Whether you've braved a boar encounter or avoided one entirely, there's a lot to do and see in the forest, as well as other areas of the hub! Well, "do" is debatable. But! Coven members before them have discovered some pretty nifty locations that can be stumbled upon, from a phallic fertility shrine to tree homes and passageways.

If you eventually make it out of the forest and aren't devoured by a boar, you'll eventually come upon your new base camp. Someone (Genette) will be there with your introductory letter and a brief description of magic you now have. If you didn't discover it earlier...surprise! One thing of comfort might be that you aren't alone in this journey. There are other coven members here, fresh back from a journey to another world. If your character wants to get the lay of the land or understand what's going on a little better, they may want to hit up some of these folk for information. There's a large, gold, floating caravan hanging around next to a bonfire, and there's a back gate open that reveals something of a space pocket containing lots of different things. Luckily for new characters, the Palai from the previous world didn't want them to go hungry...which also means they'll be inundated with shrimp to eat. Hopefully they like shellfish! D ▢ Many of the old bloods in the coven can be found hanging around this area. Of course, a few of them have gone off on their own to do whatever it is they do, but since they just got back this is a good place to hang out if a new character wants to see a familiar face, ask questions or steal someone's belongings. You never know! E ▢ This will also be the place where they're given their first provisions. In a woven knapsack, they'll find a bag of cooked shrimp, a set of clothes (you pick the style) that may not fit, a toothbrush, and three other random objects -- dealer's choice! It's very likely that your character got something useful in there, but it's also likely you got something that your character would never use in a million years, or that doesn't fit. Time to start trading! F ▢ Finally, there's always the chance for your character to explore the big mansion next to the beach area. Actually, they may be asked to lend a hand. Everyone is tasked with unloading supplies from the caravan to the front foyer of the mansion, and there are quite a few trips to be mad. Or, alternatively, your character can slack off and play in the game room that they have. How good is your character at pool?

If you're much more of a loner and don't want to follow the flow of things, there are of course other locations that you should probably check out. Travel to your heart's content and find something new...but there are two other points of interest you may want to discover. G ▢ There's that bathhouse that's nearby, for starters. Your character won't encounter any snapping crabs, like last time, though the water for some reason isn't as hot as it once was. Whatever was previously heating the bathhouse seems to have died out, so there aren't any steamy, comfortable pools to take a dip in. There are, however, acrid waters with pond scum floating on the surface. The showers also spew out a greenish liquid, so any hope your character had at having a relaxing bath is gone. However, the lack of heat and many closed off rooms can make for some nice alone time. H ▢ Your character may want to claim a beach house while they're at it. Some characters have disappeared from the coven over time, and some of these few may have left their belongings before departing. This makes it hard to tell what huts are free and which need to be cleared out. Might as well play roulette and see if you picked one that doesn't have an owner or not. (For the sake of the prompt, you might want to choose the former, just saying). I ▢ 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

[potentite]

[Jake makes sure to move either way to give her space to land. Wow, she's really close now. Somehow he missed that the dog ears are apparently a permanent part of her but they look really cute. And though he has a lot to say, he's suddenly confused.]

Three years? [Wait no he thinks maybe that makes sense?] That must be... how long it took you to get to our session, right? What a frightfully long journey. I, um, I was only waiting about six months for you. In our session, I mean. But I had your queer window! Or rather, Grandma's queer window? But I had it and I looked at it everyday to see if you were here yet though I'm not sure that was actually how it worked anyway.

[witchhooded]

I will get to that in a minute!

[ the first order of business is a great big hug. it's the kind jade isn't quite accustomed to giving - mostly because she didn't grow up giving hugs to people. it's a full bodied hug that's tight and familiar but different all the same; it's strange to hug someone you feel like you've known for so long but who you've technically never met. jade's always known there was a hole in her heart that was begging to be filled, but it feels like she's found that hole all over again and has the opportunity to put the pieces back together.

it's nice. comforting. reminds her a little of hot cocoa during a snowstorm on the island. ]

I saw a movie with John on the boat finally!!!

[potentite]

[Oh. A hug. A hug from Jade. He always kind of imagined this, that they would hug when they met, because he remembers Grandma hugging him even if it's so distant and faded now. But hugs as something he actually gets and gives are a pretty new concept and he wants to give her a good hug that's worth how nice hers is but he thinks the way he hugs back might be a little too clingy, fingers curling against her back as he tightens his arms and tries to hold her closer.]

Really? Finally dazzled by the silver screen? Since it was John, I'm certain the choices were aces.

[witchhooded]

[ it's not a bad hug, in jade's opinion. she doesn't have much to compare it to, but she's sure it'd do fine on it's own. it's a combination of things that make her feel good, which feels more and more rare these days. between the breakup, the way john took it, her own feelings and then crashing right into being used against the people she cared for most - it's nice.

she feels needed and that feels good, like she's not messing up. she leans back a little, craning her neck so she make a face at him to illustrate that it definitely didn't wow her. ...she means well, though. ]

We watch Con Air! He threw a giant fit on his driveway and fell asleep because he hated it so much, he is suuuuuuch a baby sometimes.

I liked it, though, it's fun and silly and not too serious about itself!

[potentite]

[Seeing her face, even with that expression over a very excellent movie, feels wonderful. It's just so nice to see her at all. He's still not sure how long hugs are supposed to last but he's happy with this one lasting as long as she likes.]

Really? What a shame. I thought John would enjoy such a rip-snorting adventure. But I'm glad you did! I might have to take you on a tour through Hollywood's brightest stars, like Ben Affleck and Keanu Reeves and of course more Nic Cage.

[witchhooded]

That's the thing! John really loved the movie before but I guess it just lost it's charm for him? Well, it was a pretty intense birthday for him... [ always give the benefit of the doubt, especially for your brother. ]

Dooooooo you even have movies here? No offense, Jake, but this place seems like it's lacking technology!

[ ...maybe she can make a tv? in theory, it wouldn't be that ridiculous to put together. no movies to play, though, huh. ] You should tell me about them from memory, I think I would like that a lot.

[ they've both got a lot of missed bedtime stories to catch up on anyway. ]

[potentite]

[Now that he thinks about it, he could probably get them movies but he's not sure what sort. More importantly, Jade wants to hear about movies? From him? Sometimes he tried to tell her about them but it always seemed to really go over her head. And he thought maybe because of that, she didn't enjoy it. But maybe now after seeing one, she can enjoy it? Or maybe he's overthinking this.

Probably the last one, yeah. Okay. Deep breath.]

Do you, um, want to hear about Avatar? Or Weekend at Bernie's? Or, um, gosh, there's The Mummy or maybe National Treasure or Twilight... Do any of those titles strike your fancy?

[witchhooded]

[ he's definitely over thinking this. jade just likes to enjoy things with people - it's so different, watching squiddles next to someone instead of watching it on your own. it was a little jarring at first but... it's normal, right? this is how normal people do that thing. ]

Hehehe, Avatar sounds pretty interesting! Maybe not right now, though! You said something about my window thingie, but... if it's what I am thinking of, Jake, for me, it was your's. I never knew what it was for but once I did, it worked out pretty great, I think!! That means you have not used it, though, right?

[potentite]

Oh, no! I didn't want to mess with it and muck up your whole entrance! [Even though, with the way Paradox Space works, he guesses if he had, it would have been what he was supposed to do anyway. But he's trying not to think about that too much.] Um, I think I forgot it on my planet though...

[witchhooded]

That is fine, because I think I forgot mine in John's house! [ besides, if they're missing powers here, what's the fourth wall gonna do?

ahahaha ]

I guess we don't need it anymore, do we? There isn't really a way back... and even then, I am pretty positive I can find both of them. Remember? I have the spacey thing and all!!

[potentite]

Oh! That's right. Witch of Space. [He beams at her.] Well, we can look for them when your powers turn back on if you want but... so far it's not so bad here? Um, minus the others not being here but maybe they'll turn up.

[A little shier, he glances down.] I am just... glad you're here now! And, um, I... apologise if I um... come off strangely? I... am beginning to think I'm not very good at people.

[witchhooded]

They will? [ jade wants to pursue this if only because the goal here is to avoid ever talking about the fact she yelled at dave and then he got emotional back. Avoid, Avoid, and Avoid: that's the glassesfam way. ]

You are not good at people? Wow! Who told you that?

[potentite]

I did? [Like he really thought this was obvious, that he is very bad at this!] But um, I think so maybe? I don't know! But maybe!

[witchhooded]

[ honestly jade is not seeing it? maybe he expects too much of himself. or thinks he's supposed to be a specific way. ]

Well... I want to ask why you say that about yourself? I mean there are some people bad at being around others, but that does not mean I need a warning of some kind when I talk to them!

[potentite]

[Jake shifts, worrying his bottom lip.]

Umm... a lot of things happened in my session. And I was kind of an asshole to my friends.

[witchhooded]

[ jade ponders this for a moment before responding. ]

It is ok, if you want to tell me. I am not Rose but I can do my best to help!

[ not that jake knows the whole therapy thing with rose? jade thinks. maybe he does?? ]

[potentite]

[Jade is so, so nice and Jake wants to take her up on the offer but he doesn't know what he'll do if (when) Jade hates him. If Jade hated him, too, then what would he do? She's only the person he's been waiting years and years to finally see. No big deal. Just the family he always wanted might wind up hating him and he wouldn't even blame her for it.]

Um, golly, it's... really stupid and convoluted? And all over romance, basically, ugh I really can't believe we were such dunderheads over romance... [He trails off.] ...You don't, um— have to? Listen, I mean, it's just— I pretty much alienated everyone and... It blew heaving chunks.

[witchhooded]

[ well.

before jade answers, she has a question of her own. hesitating, she twiddles her thumbs together and looks at the dirt. really, she doesn't think jake is being fair to himself here. at the very least, there's probably a chance for him to do better. as for her... ]

I will answer you, I promise! But before I do, I guess I should ask this. Is... Dave here?

[potentite]

[That seems like a very odd and completely unrelated question but she seems so nervous.]

No, um— He was? But he vanished a while ago... [He isn't sure if that's comforting or not for her.]

[witchhooded]

[ okay so dave is not here this is still not dealing with the thing. cool, good, doable. ]

One of the last things I said to him was... pretty bad, I think and I feel terrible about it! Buuut I guess I also made a mess with romance! [ she winces before continuing. ] So I guess if there is anyone here who can listen to you, it would be.. [ she offers him an apologetic smile, tilting her head. it's surprisingly seamless following thar nervous expression. ] Me!

[potentite]

[Oh. That's actually a little funny and he cracks a small smile.]

Must be genetic? Sorry. [Even though he's still foggy on where this chicken and egg thing ends and which of them is actually genetically responsible but whatever. It's probably his fault.] I guess the short version is Jane and Dirk both liked me. And Roxy liked Dirk! And also apparently me at some point? And I didn't want to date anyone! I think I knew it would ruin things? But also I thought about it and I realised I didn't have romantic feelings for Jane but I did for Dirk. So we dated for a bit but I treated him badly and used Jane as my punching bag over it too and then Jane hated me and then Dirk broke up with me and that was the last time I saw them before, you know...

[It all comes out in a nervous rush and he swallows, fidgeting.]

Um, Dirk and I are patching up, but... I still balled up everything.

[witchhooded]

I guess it is genetic! [ really, they should just blame john. everything? it's john's fault.

either way, jade can't say things were quite a mess romantically for her, but a strider breaking up with you sure does sound familiar to her. they're slippery little eels. at the same time, it seems like jake thins he deserved that, whereas jade is fairly positive the only thing she could do was back off so davesprite could sort himself out. better to be friends than nothing at all? doesn't seem like this is the part where she talks about her romantic issues, and she thinks revealing the part about saying Bad Things to dave is enough for now. building a bridge so you can relate to someone who you are literally related to... normal people things are a lot. important thing to distinguish though: ]

Soooo, you still like Dirk?

[ if there's any surprise about the whole dude dating a dude thing for her, she doesn't show it. (honestly, jake can be as gay as he wants, just be safe regardless of who youre dating english) ] You are a very sensitive guy, Jake, it sounds like you are already trying to fix your mistakes and make people happy! Hmmm. You know, there is a guy I know who seems to be pretty bad at people, but it is just something of a flaw of his. He's a big old jerky jerk but he is a good friend.

[ jade totally misses karkat and also totally feels bad about the whole. murdering him thing. ] I don't want to tell you that you are wrong... [ uh. ] Sometimes it is hard to do things like normal people do them, I guess! [ jade is assuming jake also has those moment - like trying to wipe down a bathroom with a towel dunked in toilet water, thinking this is totally how normal people clean their homes. ]

[potentite]

[Jade's statement is definitely relatable and he'll get to it in a moment, but he's still flustered from her first part.]

Um, yes. I, um— Yes. I... like him.

[Which, really, is its own can of worms. He still doesn't know if he's really capable of those feelings.]

After he broke up with me, I just... kept wanting him to, um, be around? And... be my boyfriend again, so...

[And he got that via Brain Ghost Dirk mostly, but he kept shattering his own illusion by reminding himself he was fake. God. His own brain won't let him be happy, huh? Or maybe he just won't let himself have those illusions anymore, which is frankly for the best in the long run. But at the time, a little comfort would have been nice.]

But... Yeah, doing things the normal way... People might think we're making mountains out of molehills but from where I'm standing, it certainly looks like friggin' Mount Everest.

[Note: he has not seen Mount Everest he just knows everyone says it's the biggest or something.]

[witchhooded]

[ the liking him part is noted. jade tilts her head, and continues listening - it's very important to know the relationships involved here. hoo boy. ]

Hehe, you know, you cannot actually wash a bathroom with water from the toilet! [ the implication here is that jade didn't realize...you didn't do that. so. ] I think that sometimes it is a little hard to know when people are supposed to be around or not be around... like what kind of water you can use to wash certain things. You are still friends, and it sounds like you have things to sort out on your own! Maybe he does, too!

[potentite]

I don't know how to use a bathroom! [It seems important to reassure her? Like he knows in theory he just hasn't used one since he was about five so.] But, um. I hope he does? I worry about him feeling tethered to me but... yeah.

[But, more important than his inability to handle relationships:]

Um! I, um... is it... okay if I continue to think of you as family? I know the situation is actually a little more convoluted than either of us understood it to be when we were writing our letters but... [Jake tries to gesture but just raises his hand a little before it drops.] I dunno. It doesn't change that you're family to me I guess.