( 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

Sophie Lhant ❋ Tales of Graces

[sopherias]

[ i'm still in the process of canon reviewing as a heads up ahhhhh ]

B.

Asbel?! Asbel! Where... am I?

[ Sophie thinks aloud to herself. One moment, she was on Telos Astue, finally preparing to sleep for an important task coming up on the next day. The next moment, she's on an island. All familiarity of her friends' presence and Fodra had vanished. Even with Sophie's heightened senses, she can't pick up any traces of their scent, voice, and footsteps.

She looks worried. There was a lot she needed and wanted to do. If she can cross the water, will she be able to find Asbel and the others? She doesn't know how to operate a boat. ]

C.

[ The Palai youth seem to have taken joy in targeting Sophie with their magical slingshots, seeing her as a challenge and a game. Surely, she possesses the combat prowess take on a bunch of children. She's Protos Heis, a humanoid whose original purpose was a weapon to fight. She's quick enough to dodge most of their attacks, stepping aside and sometimes doing a skillful flip out of the way. But she refuses to harm any of the children.

For when she's unable to simply step out of the way, particles of light gather around her arms, materializing into a pair of gauntlets. She holds up her arms, shielding herself. ]

Please stop. I don't wish to fight.

G.

[ When one of the Palai chefs offers Sophie a plate of fish brownies, she surprisingly accepts it without hesitation. She wouldn't know if that was a "normal" dish or not back in Ephinea or anything. However, when she takes a bite of the brownie, she immediately spits it back out. ]

Blech. I don't want it. [ Rude, Sophie. Spitting and saying it right in where the chef can see her. She pushes the plate back to the Palai. A few other chefs begin trying to offer her other fish delicacies. She's hungry, but she decides against touching any of the offered plates. ]

I miss Cheria's cooking and I miss eating crablettes.

H. WILDCARD

[ Feel free to tag in with any other starter ideas! Or PM me if you're unsure and want to discuss it first. ]

G :*

[probablynoteren]

... That's probably a good idea. Those fish...

[Lenka happened to be nearby, politely doing his best to redirect the plates of fish delicacies (can these even be called delicacies, because he is pretty sure the Palai are just throwing fish into literally whatever they have in their archives now); surely there are passing amphibians or amphibian spawn more interested in the cooking.

That, and he's a little leery of where these fish could have come from. The Palai raise some fish, but he hasn't seen a flood of fishy cuisine like this before. So. Also, there's that other thing--]

And, uh, be careful about crabs, too.

[It's been like two months since the island crab incident but, given what happened recently and general low-key crab PTSD, he feels like he should still give that warning.]

[sopherias]

Yes. Crablettes are a far better delicacy.

[ Sophie can shove more fish into her mouth if she wanted. She tasted raw apple gels without a second thought before. Today, she's being picky. Crablettes are the finest dish. These fish delicacies cannot compare. She really wants her favorite dish and no one's able to prepare it for her. ]

Are the crabs dangerous?

[probablynoteren]

Some of the crabs we ate before messed with our powers. And the pastries here.

[He figures it's a good idea to give the newbies some plot armor against getting enthusiastically magically misfed by their hosts somehow; the majority of the food seems to be okay, but all it really takes is one crab leg. Though he doesn't know if they have the same type of crab here.

Speaking of crabs...]

... Are there crablettes here?

[He's never heard of them, so he assumes first of all that they must be some other kind of strange Palai cuisine.]

[sopherias]

How did they mess with your powers?

[ If it effects her powers in a negative manner, then maybe seeking out crablettes prepared by the Palai would be a bad idea. She's useless if her functions don't work properly. How will she be able to protect anyone? ]

...I don't have the answer to your question. I was hoping someone would know.

[ Everything she has seen so far doesn't resemble crablettes. ]

c.

[apatheia]

They don't mean any harm, but they can be rather stubborn. [Or really, they all seem to have a tendency to not really listen to what people are saying...

Like Sophie though, 2B has more than enough skill to challenge the children if she wanted to but also has no intention of fighting them. Unlike her, she makes no effort to dodge or avoid their attacks. Even with their magic, the attacks aren't really enough to damage her, and physical shots simply bounce off her metal frame. She's hoping that they'll eventually just grow bored with her.]

[sopherias]

[ The Palai youth now had two impenetrable targets. Sophie could stand still if she wanted, but she chooses to continue dodging and blocking.

She looks to the woman nearby, keeping her arms up to block further incoming attacks. This woman wears plenty of black like Asbel wears a lot of white! Maybe she isn't bothering to dodge because of the blindfold? Those thoughts she saves for later, noticing the shots deflecting right off 2B. ]

...They bounce off. How? Does it not hurt?

[apatheia]

Not in particular.

[She almost suggests maybe moving elsewhere so that they're not being pelted at while talking, but the children would just follow them anyways. Oh well...

Although she does pitch this next part a little quieter. She doesn't want them to get any ideas about trying to hit harder.]

I'm made of metal, so their attacks aren't strong enough to damage me. [This girl looks human (albeit one with surprisingly high HP, how strange), and she's had to explain what an android is so many times that she just immediately explains why things like rocks wouldn't hurt her. Not ones of these sizes at least.]

[sopherias]

[ (High HP and dodging a lot to replenish her CC gauge.) ]

Like a humanoid. But you feel... different.

[ Perhaps not similar to Sophie, but the combat humanoids stationed in Bathus Citadel. She can't feel the presence of eleth though and her design is unlike the humanoids on Fodra. They were more shaped like children.

She keeps her arm up, enduring a few more incoming shots from the children. Gradually, the slingshot attacks die down. Seems like they're getting bored when their efforts have no effect. ]

c

[granite]

[ Human children can be such a pain sometimes. Case in point, kids targeting a girl around Edna's size. She's impressed at the pair of gauntlets materializing, kinda reminds her of the divine artifact she gave Sorey when she became one of Lailah's sub-lords.

Still, the kids don't seem discouraged by said gauntlets and keep firing. Edna walks right in front of Sophie and slams one foot on the ground. Earthen walls break through the soil and block the children's fires.

It's kind of extreme, but nobody got hurt. ]

That's better.

[sopherias]

...You're strong.

[ Clearly. She's stating her observation out loud. She can't explain it, but something about the other girl's presence feels different from the average person.

Sophie can hear the shots dying down as they pelt the wall. ]

I think they're stopping.

[granite]

[ If one listens closely, one could hear frustration creeping into the kids' voices as their shots die down. Especially since the wall isn't coming down at all. It's not giant's strength, but she rather not do this kind of thing all the time. ]

Good. Kids should learn when to stop.

[ She'll be twirling her umbrella in a slow, idle manner as she turns to Sophie. ]

I am, but I don't do this often.

[ It's a pain, and sometimes it gets tiring. With great power comes great responsibility, after all. ]

[sopherias]

[ The gauntlets on Sophie's arms emit a brief glow, dispersing into particles as they disappear. It feels safe enough to withdraw her own weapons. ]

You protected me. Thank you.

[ Not like Sophie can't handle some measly slingshot attacks. She could have stood around all day blocking them. Still, she has to express her gratitude. She has some good manners... sometimes. She knows when to say "thank you" at least.

...Also, the umbrella might be a little distracting. Her eyes are drawn to it, staring at it like a cat as it twirls. Woah. ]

C

[travelles]

Hey, knock it off!

[Guess who has a body too small to hold all the fighting spirit she has, and isn't too happy to see the other kids picking on Sophie. She's pretty much just happened upon the scene just now, unaware of how well Sophie had been guarding herself until then.

She approaches the children, standing between them and Sophie and throwing them her best glare in an attempt to look threatening. Spoilers, she doesn't, but it does draw pause from the offenders of a kind.]

Didn't you hear? She says she doesn't want to fight!

[sopherias]

Huh?

[ Sophie's taken by surprise as the girl steps in. She's somewhat reminded of Asbel when he was younger, how he would insist on protecting her despite how much smaller he was.

After the brief pause, the Palai youth have found a new target by aiming at the smaller girl. Sophie lunges forward to re-position herself in front of Elle, holding up one of her gauntlets as a shield. She could have kept enduring the shots on her own, but now someone else is involved in the mess. Must protect. ]

We should leave. They don't want to stop. I don't understand...

[ Stubborn kids. ]

[travelles]

[In some manner, she was almost asking for it when she stepped in to defend Sophie. And for a moment, she was tempted to stay and fight, but the first shot fired certainly meant business, and even Elle, reckless as she might be at times, knows her limits.]

Yeah, we should. No one wants to play with meanies.

[So after a poor attempt to dodge a shot thrown her way--one which gets her on the shoulder--she stares them down one last time before engaging in a tactical retreat.

Still, it's not enough for the children to stop, and one of them decides to aim for Elle's back as she walks away...]

[sopherias]

Yeah. Meanies.

[ Sophie might have quickly picked that word up from the small girl, even mimicking the same tone as she says it.

As she moves to walk away, she hasn't kept her eye off the Palai children, especially since they've been stubborn enough to keep gunning for her even before Elle's arrival. She holds her gauntlet out just in time to deflect another attack from the slingshot.

She has no intention fighting or harming small children. The next best course of action is to lose them. ]

Let's run.

[ Or more like Sophie plans on doing the running. If Elle doesn't resist, she will attempt to haul Elle underneath one arm and try to make a run for it. ]

H.

[pactfulfilled]

[Uh oh. Asbel's overbearing dadfriend senses are tingling. And there's the culprit! A Palai matchmaker is making a beeline towards Sophie. He's already been questioned up and down about his own personal tastes, and he's not about to leave Sophie to the same fate. Time to intervene!]

Hey Sophie, come and check it out! They sell little Palai dolls. [He beckons at her from one of the nearby vendors.] They've even got clothes and tails sewn on.

[Suuure, Asbel. Real neat.]

[sopherias]

[ She sees one of the Palai approaching and then- easily, Asbel's voice grabs her attention. Dolls, you say? Turning away before even the matchmaker can say anything to her, she heads over join him at the vendor. Good job, Dad. ]

Oooohh... it looks just like them.

[ It really is neat! They vaguely remind her of the dolls she gathered for Lara and perhaps, her Richard plushie. ]

Do they talk?

[pactfulfilled]

[Whew! Crisis averted.]

Yeah, they really do, don't they? I bet someone spent a lot of time making these.

[He picks up the nearest one, trying to be careful, and turns it around looking for a switch, or a string to pull, or anything else that might be hidden on the doll.]

Huh. I dunno, Sophie. It's not talking to me, at least. [He'll hold it out to her, if she wants to check it out.]

g

[hydrostorm]

Crablettes?

[ what. what? what! ]

Now those sound interesting. Are they baby crabs?

[ is she being serious? ]

[sopherias]

No.

[ A head shake. How is it that so many people here don't know about crablettes? Also, what a strangely dressed woman. ]

They're crab omelettes, the finest dish in the world.

g!!!

[sluggard]

[Wow, that's a reaction to the food, all right.]

Wow, that bad? Doesn't taste even a little like crablettes?

[What the hell is a crablette]

[sopherias]

It tastes nothing like crablettes.

[ Plus, it's fish. Not crab. ]

I'm hungry...

[ Despite all the fish dishes surrounding her right now. ]

[sluggard]

That's too bad, kid. Dunno if I've seen any either.

[Not that. He knows what they look like anyway.]

You try all the other things yet?