( 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

[birthrighted]

[ Valko gives a small sneer at the mention of "mostly fish", but it will have to do. As long as it's not pudding or brownies or whatever else those chefs were trying to put fish in, he could probably manage. He'll give this gentleman the benefit of the doubt and believe him when he says they don't experiment. ]

When it's falling from the sky, I suppose they have no choice. [ He takes a seat and folds his hands together, looking over the place again. Perhaps he can appreciate it for what it is...

At the introduction, he raises a brow and looks back at his companion. He's not used to casual introductions and it may be obvious by the way he's all stiff about his own. ] My name is Valko.

[spaceforged]

[He can practically hear the unspoken title there. Shiro doesn't comment on it.] Well, you have to admit. You can't fault them for their forethought.

[No answer had been given about the food but he gets the impression he might as well order.] Give me just a tick.

[He slips away and talks quietly with the Palai behind the counter. It doesn't take long. He bartered for a few more hours work tomorrow. Shiro slips back into his chair without any comment.]

They said it would be fifteen minutes. So, if you want to ask me anything. Now would be the time to do it.

[birthrighted]

[ He considers that, and then nods. A slight smile curls on his lips ] Yes. We can give them that.

[ He nods and allows Shiro to go speak with the Palai (as if he needed to allow him in the first place). In the meantime, he sits back in his chair and looks around the place a bit more. It could be fun, almost, trying some of the food in a place like this.

When the other male sits down again, Valko tilts his head some, then clasps his hands together in front of him on the table. He doesn't even consider how Shiro procured the food they're going to supposedly get in fifteen minutes. ]

So then, Shiro. Where do you come from?

[spaceforged]

Well, I'm from Earth. The planet not a country. [He holds a hand up but lets it fall back onto the table. After being confused for a Voltronian he really doesn't want to have to clarify anything else.]

But I haven't been there for a while. [Shiro pauses. He actually has no idea how long it has been. Months? After he converted to universal time things got a little hazy.]

We're all from different universes so you might not have heard about it. How about you? Where and when are you from?

[birthrighted]

The planet Earth. That's broad. [ A whole planet. Though it's the next part that interests Valko even more. He hasn't been there in a while? He lifts both eyebrows at that comment. ]

Do you mean to say you've been traveling through space? Such a thing isn't possible where I come from. [ Or perhaps it's "when" he comes from. He still can't believe that it's possible for everyone to be from different times and places. But there's nothing to say that it isn't possible either, so he just has to go along with it. ]

I'm from the country of Riaznin. A time long before you, apparently.

[spaceforged]

Maybe. We don't know how to judge time between universes. [He isn't a tech expert like Pidge. The thought of her reminds him how far from home he is. Shiro holds up his hand as he continues, his tone calm and his voice steady.]

It was only recently possible for us to get into space. But for the rest of our universe they've been traveling everywhere for over ten thousand years. Myself and my team happened to end up out there and have been helping who we can.

Could you tell me about Riaznin? What is possible there?

[birthrighted]

Maybe not. But it seems you're from a place more advanced than I know. [ So he can only guess that he's from a time long before. In the end, he suppose it doesn't matter though.

He nods to the explanation. ] Over ten thousand years? Extraordinary. If other civilizations could get ahold of that kind of technology, it would be amazing. [ he seems more interested in that than in the fact that Shiro and his "team" were helping people.

But then his expression gets a bit dark. ] Riaznin. Well. It's a great country. With potential to be greater. What's possible? Right now, apparently, it's political revolt.

[spaceforged]

[The expression cuts right through his thoughts like a blade. He can think about his team and home later. He wisely steers the conversation back away from potentially upsetting topics. He has no idea if Valko has control over his magic yet. Sometimes when he had a bit of a surge of emotion, even just being irritated, mechanical lion.

It could be just as dangerous as that. Or harmless. Best not to chance it.]

I'm sorry if I caused you any pain bringing it up. [He blinks when a Palai waves his hand.]

We can go back to you asking me questions. [Shiro gets up and retrieves their baked fish. He sets it and the utensils down on the table. Warm drinks come next before he finally sits back down.]

[birthrighted]

[ Valko is inexperienced when it comes to magic, so it's wise not to further provoke the dark emotion that's starting to loom over him with talk of home and the revolution that was coming to its highest point there. No telling what might happen if he unleashed his magic without meaning to. Almost nothing was harmless when it came to Valko. ]

No. It's fine. [ He suddenly shifts moods again, back to a more amicable one, waving his hand as if that wiped away the whole matter. ] It's nothing, anyway. Not important.

[ He sits back as Shiro gets up to go fetch the fish. Valko takes a whiff of the freshly baked food and already feels better about it than he did with fish pudding. He picks up his utensils, examining them quietly for a moment even after Shiro's sat down again. ]

How did you end up finding a place like this?

[spaceforged]

I've been offering to work in exchange for information. I don't know much about this city and its people. [He takes a sip of his drink and sets it back on the table.]

It was a good way to help them recover from the recent attack and really get a look at where I'm staying for a while. Word got around and I've helped a few places like this. [He keeps track of them and the sense of doing something to help has made it easier to deal with his life being up ended. Again.

Shiro sighs heavily.] Not much. But, it's a start.

[birthrighted]

[ Valko nods. There's interest in his grey eyes as he listens. And he picks up his drink to give it a whiff before raising it to his lips for a drink. Shiro probably has no reason to poison him (that's the beauty of being from different times and places), so he doesn't have to drink with much caution. ]

Still, that's very resourceful of you. I would probably do the same. [ But he's not really sure what his skill set is outside of noble and diplomatic things. ]

You seem comfortable here already. It's... envious, I suppose. [ But he does take a fork and poke at the fish in front of him, getting ready for a bite. He blows on it to cool it down and then takes the plunge. ]

... Not bad. Much better than whatever I had before.

[spaceforged]

I'm used to sudden changes and this is exactly what I was doing before. [His brow furrows briefly as he takes a bite of his fish. He feels lost as everyone else but he can't afford to show it. The fish is flaky, tender, and just the right amount of salt. Nothing fancy but he can't complain. Shiro meets Valko's eyes as he picks up his own cup.]

I understand they're as curious and want to learn from us as much as we want to learn from them. If you want to help they'll teach you what you need to know to do it.

And I can help you too if you'd like that. [The interest in Valko's eyes and his reply. Maybe he can help him settle in too.]

If we give them enough feedback maybe they'll even stop making fish pudding. [He grins and takes another sip of his drink.]

[birthrighted]

So you're used to doing random jobs as well. [ There's something there, not quite envy, not quite admiration, but maybe a mix of the two. Shiro seems like a very useful person to have around. If only he was emperor still and could utilize him somehow. ]

I'm not accustomed to ... interacting with the common people. I have spoken with them, of course, but never asked for their help in anything. [ He usually wouldn't admit as much, but it really does seem like Shiro might be someone who it was okay to tell. ]

I would appreciate your help. [ He takes a sip of his drink, but quickly swallows it down, tilting his head back in a laugh. ] And that would be wonderful. I never want to see fish pudding again.

[spaceforged]

It did smell pretty terrible. I'm not sure what they did to get that gray color to it. [Not that his cooking is something to ever advertise. Disaster zone has been used once.]

Anyway. That is something I can help you with. I don't doubt you'll be pretty good at yourself in time. [He see a want to learn and that always makes for the best kind of potential. It's more important than ever in their present situation. Shiro takes a second to eat more of his fish. He still accidentally changes sometimes.

Best to be careful and have the energy he needs.]

I think you're already off to a great start.

[birthrighted]

I'm not sure I want to know. I did try a bite of it after all. [ Granted, Valko can't cook either. He likes to think he'd come up with something better than nasty grey fish pudding though. ]

Thank you. I like to think I catch on quickly. [ If it means surviving here, he'll do whatever it takes. Even if it means lowering himself for a bit. Well, ok, he'll have a little trouble doing that, but it's the thought that counts.

He pokes at his fish, taking another bite or two. ]

You think so?

*at it yourself (phone ate part of that)

[spaceforged]

You've already acknowledged what you need to work on. That's a step in the right direction. [He spears a hunk of fish as he continues. They need to survive. The Palai and the Coven. Even if he still doesn't know how to feel about the magic.]

More importantly, you're willing to learn. We have no idea what we'll be dealing with in the future. Developing new skills will help you have a more varied approach to whatever we come across.

[He won't automatically assume any training will be fine. That's foolish. But it might go alright.]

[birthrighted]

Hmmm. I think you're right. [ He didn't even really mean to acknowledge it, oops. But since it's a good thing, he'll accept it. ]

Yes, I wouldn't want to be caught not knowing how to survive on my own. That would surely be embarrassing.

[ He for one totally plans on not making a fool out of himself. ]