( TDM #7 )

[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.

IMPORTANT: This world is low-frequency. No canon powers or abilities are allowed! Also check out the setting information for more info about Shehui.

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 ▢ Perhaps the signet in your chest isn't the most pressing matter right now. You notice that the building you're in (Chips!) is pretty large -- but even that isn't the most demanding thing capturing your interest right now. It's the video game you're in front of. Maybe it's Duck Hunt, or a zombie killing game that involves those huge red and blue guns. There are a variety of arcade games in Chips!, after all -- but are you Player 1 or Player 2? B ▢ After a strange incident a couple of days ago, the area around Anmung tower has been essentially dead. This may or may not be lucky for you -- since you're on the top of the observation deck, and all. If you're afraid of heights...oops. It's not that people aren't allowed to be up there, it's just that there aren't too many people. The view is still pretty good, though! C ▢ Let's say that you just want some answers and information about the strange signet you now have. You may find some success in asking around, but be warned: not everyone in Shehui will know what the fuck you're talking about. If you're lucky enough, you may eventually run into a coven member that will be able to explain. D ▢ Since your character didn't show up via any special means, they may not know that magic is a bit taboo in Shehui. If their new magic manifests, it might be a bit of an issue. Locals certainly won't like it, and they'll definitely attract the attention of more than a few monitors. The good news? This is also a pretty good way to snag the attention of a coven member who is here to help! E ▢ Let's get back to some fun stuff. Your character is enveloped in darkness for a brief moment, something clasped in their hand. Lights, camera, action -- the glowing screen that suddenly flashes on turns out to belong to a karaoke booth TV! You and and someone else have been locked in this booth for an hour -- at least there's a mini bar and some snacks! F ▢ For something not so fun, the snowfall has stopped in Shehui, except for those residences and businesses who want to keep paying for it. A lot aren't willing to cough up the credits, so it's safe to say the streets aren't. Everything is frosty and slippery, from melted snow to frozen water littering the sidewalks. Watch your step or you could hurt yourself...or bump into an unexceptional stranger! G ▢ Finally, you may have had the fortunate luck of ending up in the coven's apartment complex. There are names on the door to all apartments, if you want to go exploring. Whether you find the name of someone you recognize, or maybe you just want some shelter from the cold weather, knock knock...is anyone home? H ▢ Wildcard! How will your character react to this strange world?

GAME NAVIGATION

Comments

[allbroea]

[ Magic is ... kind of normal, where he comes from, but it requires a lot more than just willing a spell to work unless someone has special circumstances, so he wants to get some clarification real quick.

How does he word this without being as confusing as possible, though. He's already coming to terms with the fact orbal technology isn't particularly common here ... ]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you can cast magic without an orbment—or, you could under normal circumstances. [ This is a weird question to ask, but someone who was trying to hide it probably wouldn't be so forthright about it anyway. ] I don't suppose you're a witch?

[testified]

A witch? Sir, if I were, I believe you would know this.

[ Witches in her world are a tragic concept; young women who offer themselves, willingly or otherwise, to a cruel god who grants them power in exchange for their souls. It may as well be death. The sheer thought of that makes Celica's heart ache for the victims of Duma. ]

I am a priestess who serves the Earth Mother Mila. What business do you have with witches?

[allbroea]

[ For a moment, his frown deepens—he's clearly misread the situation—but he's quick to return to unfazed form. He folds his arms, fingers crinkling in his jacket. ]

None. [ Even in his world, they're a strange, sort-of-taboo subject. He doesn't quite understand the context here, but he can tell it's not a topic he should breach. ] I was simply acting on rumors. Forgive me if I've offended you, miss.

[testified]

[ Celica is quick to shake her head; it's not the gentleman's fault for her mood or the state of the world she hails from. ]

There is nothing to forgive, I assure you. May I ask about what rumors you were acting on?

[ Her question is borne simply out of curiousity as well as her innate desire to always help others. It's why she gets sidetracked a lot, much to her company's chagrin! ]

[allbroea]

[ He was hoping she wouldn't ask, but it should be easy enough to vaguely skirt around. No fetch quests here. ]

Nothing more than the occasional gossip about them. You should be heartened to know I have not personally heard any claims more severe than that they exist. [ He hadn't intended to stop for a conversation, but she seems more than amicable, and respectable besides, so he stands a bit further to the outside of the sidewalk. ]

You said you were a ... priestess? Are you here on travel?

[testified]

While it's true that I am on a pilgrimage of sorts, I'm afraid I may have taken a wrong turn somewhere.

[ That's putting it mildly, and she knows it. Her frown is visible, for all her attempts at trying to mask it. ]

... I believe I was brought here for a reason, and yet I feel as if I don't belong. There is much I still don't understand about this land.

[ For example, she's staring at a parking meter. ]

Why is this warning travelers about time limits?

[allbroea]

[ Right. He was trying to get an angle where he could determine if she was in the same boat as he was, and that's about all the answer he needs.

He takes a closer look at the parking meter to make sure he doesn't give her the wrong impression, but he feels pretty confident he can explain. ]

If it's like the meters from where I'm from, it's a warning for people who drive cars. [ Gesturing to the payment slot. ] You would put your mira here for the amount of time you intend to park, and face a fine for overextending your welcome.

[ And then, a realization: ]

You ... do know what a car is, right?

[testified]

[can you eat it]

I was raised in a small priory on a remote island.

[ That's not the reason she doesn't know what a car, or driving, or parking is. ]

However I'm relieved to know that whatever this is, it does not apply to me. No cars in my inventory, how fortunate! [ She giggles to herself. ]

[allbroea]

[ Jusis is torn between exasperation and amusement, and ends up with a mix of both, a bit of disbelief mixed in with his slowly forming smile. ]

You sound even more liable to cause trouble than I initially thought, Miss Priestess. [ He taps a finger on his arm, once or twice, in thought. ] We seem to share similar circumstances, but your lack of worldly knowledge has you at a disadvantage. If you'd like to investigate our surroundings together, I'm not completely opposed to the idea.

[ Celica seems like she needs the help with some of the more ... modern aspects, and there's strength in numbers. ]

[testified]

[ Cool! She scored herself another team dad! He's only one year older than her... ]

Truly? [ She clasps her hands together in delight! Doing this alone doesn't sound appealing to her at all, and - well, he's right about her being at a disadvantage. ]

But you've already helped me once, and... I'm afraid I don't have any gold for you.

[ Valentian currency is useless here, as it turns out. Who knew! ]

Are you still willing to accompany me, knowing about your own disadvantage?

[allbroea]

[ please don't call him a dad he's already embracing adulthood far faster than he should have to ... the prime of his youth is slipping through his fingers ... !

He doesn't know anything about the Earth Mother or whatever she worships, but he can respect a holy woman, and aiding the less fortunate is a responsibility of the nobility besides. ]

Please. Even if you had gold, I would insist you keep it. [ He almost looks offended. He's no do-gooder, but ... asking for a reward from a lost stranger when he's trying to benefit from the arrangement just as well definitely doesn't sit right with him. ]

As such, I am at no particular disadvantage besides answering any questions you might possess about modern technology. ... And, frankly, I think it would reflect poorly upon me if I were to abandon you on that condition. So, yes, I would be willing, at least until we both get our bearings in order. [ Though— ] If you must repay me, I would gladly hear your name.

[testified]

[ So he's more of a noble knight than a mercenary, it would appear. Like Sir Mycen - her grandpapa wow jusis is getting older by the minute. But she had grown used to traveling with mercenaries who either owed her or the other way around, so this is already a pleasant turn of events. ]

Very well, in that case, I wish to know yours, too.

[ She smiles quite genuinely for once, perhaps one of the only few times since she arrived in this strange world. An immense feeling of relief overcomes her now that she's meeting more people she can count on. He wants to know her name, but she can't give him her real name. She never quite liked that name more than the one her friends knew her as anyway, and... well, maybe he can be a friend instead of just a tour guide, too. ]

Please, call me Celica.

... [ She loses her footing on the ice a little, and soon enough her feet begin to dance again. It might be best to keep moving from here! ]

[allbroea]

[ Jusis tries to make a point of keeping his hands to himself—and keeping to himself in general—but if he's already saved her from a fall once, he's not going to waste his efforts by letting her crash down now. Even if it's only a wobble, he takes the precaution of taking a cautious step to her side so he can support her back with his arm. His other arm takes some support of its own from the nearby parking meter, just in case—those are usually sturdy enough.

This one gets an eyeroll out of him, a scoff, and a mutter: ] Honestly ...

[ He should be grateful he's wearing boots with decent footing instead of his usual dress shoes, or they might both be making disgraceful tumbles. He clears his throat in an effort to figuratively balance himself. ]

You may call me Jusis. Before we proceed with any further pleasantries, I suggest we vacate to a drier, safer locale. [ He doesn't know how much more of his pride he can spare to this ice; he can already imagine how his classmates would tease him, and he is simultaneously homesick and glad none of them are witnessing his acts of chivalry today. ]

[testified]

[ What a saint, this man! Honestly, Celica doesn't mind the assistance, and even goes as far as holding his arm - politely, of course. She feels as if she's being a nuisance after that eyeroll, but it's well-deserved. ]

A-Ah, yes, I was about to suggest the same. We can't stand around here forever, after all.

[ She glances at the parking meter again. ... She still doesn't understand how it works. ]

...Jusis. [ She repeats the name, committing it to memory. ] Do you think we should find a tavern?

[ She means for info gathering, not... partaking. ]

[allbroea]

[ Ah ... He probably shouldn't be surprised that the girl from the remote island is asking about taverns. The only actual tavern he's seen in recent memory is in a remote village in the first place, but he figures it's a matter of semantics. ]

A tavern might be out of the question, but a similar establishment might do. [ ... Not a bar, but maybe a cafe? ] A city this large must have hotels and inns, and I'm willing to bet one of their clerks would be familiar enough with the layout to direct us somewhere of more help as well.

[ He didn't see anything of the sort in the direction he came from, so he tries to see if any exorbitant sign might help in the direction he was heading in the first place. ]