spellgrinders | ( TDM

Entry tags:

!tdm,
npc: brie

( TDM | #1 )

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?

here

its own perils.

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?

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.

Claim your hut, please!

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

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[A - into the woods]

[It takes her a tick. First, because it's slow to register, and then because it's almost too real to take. What had once been the Castle-ship is no longer, and instead she's surrounded by an unfamiliar forest. She stands up immediately, the space mice in the midst of doing her hair falling off her shoulders at the sudden motion, only to scramble back up her flightsuit upon noticing the small green snake slithering across the princess' foot.

For a moment she stands there, blinking, wide-eyed, hair a mess of braids and poofs and looking completely ridiculous. At first she thinks it's the Castle's AI gone haywire, but when she bends down to pick a flower nearby and smells it, it registers that...wherever this is is a very real place.]

Where...am I? [It's quiet, no response, but then she notices a figure in the distance, near a trail of hanging fruit...no...bags. Beginning to undo her mess of braids and poofs, she moves forward, cautious.

If she's somehow been magically kidnapped then...well, she best proceed cautiously. No one else had been in the Castle besides her and Shiro, after all.]

[C - telepathy]

[It happens intentionally. The device on her back, whatever it is, taps into a part of her that had once been a channel seemingly reserved for her connection to the mice. In fact, it's different enough where she feels like she can...switch. It's a strange shift in her energy.

Either way, as she explores the mansion on her own, she reaches out to others in hopes are out there or nearby. Or if there are even familiar voices.

It's simple, short, and registers in her voice.]

If anyone can hear me...please respond.

[A pause, and then:]

Coran? Paladins? Are you here?

[Waver had been staring at the bags for the past five minutes, unsure of what to make of them. The whole thing was unsettling, as was the fact there was a trail. It smacked of being a slightly more bear-safe Hansel and Gretel, and that put him ill at ease.

Now, in this moment, he realized he wasn't alone. There was another voice, and every instinct put him on the defensive. Dropped into nowhere, with strangers, and zero explanation. There was no scale for judging safety right now.]

A place that is definitely trying to lead you somewhere without telling you where you are.

[Unfortunately Waver's tendency to be annoyed at situations and react to them childishly win out, and his response is all venom. It is one of his only forms of defense.]

[Her own instinct is to be on the defensive, and even with her ridiculous hairstyle (she's only managed to one poof out of its many hair ties) she responds to his venom with a sharp and almost demanding tone of voice.

She stops her approach, if only to keep a safe distance between her and this stranger.]

Then are you not the one who brought me here?

[Immediately, Waver folds his arms over his chest and scowls, very happy to keep a safe distance and have to project his voice instead.]

If I was, do you think I'd be staring at random bags hanging from trees like I had no idea what was going on or why?!

[Waver's anger is, primarily, directed at his own ignorance. But for lack of anyone else to talk to, that means his conversation partner gets it all doled out. Yelling at trees rarely accomplishes anything.]

[~~Already he's reminding her of someone...~~

She frowns, crossing her arms in turn.]

Well, for all I know, this could be a trick. [But the anger and frustration in his voice feels a bit too real to feel like the trick of a druid, so while she remains cautious, she will take his word for now.] When did you arrive here? And do you remember how?

[Sorry it's the natural authority in her to dole out questions when she doesn't have the answers herself.]

About two seconds ago! [He throws his hands up in the air in absolute frustration, one hand hitting a bag and his arm becoming tangled up in the rope tying it to the tree branch above. Rather than try to untangle himself, Waver simply continues to gesture as he talks.]

One second I'm standing right by a river in Japan, then there's some kind of, I don't know, distortion and then I'm in the middle of a forest trying to figure out what's happened and having to play twenty questions with someone I've never met and thinks I'm the mastermind of this!

[Actually, that last part is almost flattering. If only Waver could be that skilled a mage.]

[The use of seconds confirms that this man is an Earthling, and considering how...admittedly disconnected humans are from her part of the universe puts her a bit more at ease. Plus his hand is tangled in the dangling rope so he's...certainly not a threat.

She goes back to undoing the rest of her hair, letting it fall down to her back in its usual style. It's obvious she's thinking through what he's saying, regardless of his attitude.]

So it seems we have been brought here through similar means, but from different parts of the universe.

[She has no idea what Japan is. She casts a more asserted glance at his tangled arm.]

Do you need help?

Help? Why would I need-- [He pauses, following her eyes and realizing just how tangled his arm has become. There's a twinge of red in his cheeks as Waver reaches over to start releasing himself from the clutches of the bag.]

I'm fine, it isn't hard to undo something like this.

[He moves the bag itself around carefully, following the rope's loop with ease.]

And if you're from somewhere else, that's at least useful information to have.

[She watches him as he begins to detangle his arm, arms crossed once more.]

You seemed a bit stuck.

[There's an almost condescending tone to her voice, before shaking her head, shrugging her shoulders, and her posture straightens. When she responds next, her voice sounds a bit more formal.]

I am. I am not from Earth, which...is where I am assuming you're from.

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juniberries - 2017-06-18 03:55 (UTC) - Expand

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"I'm hearing you loud and clear." [The voice that responded was composed. Far more composed than it should be in this situation, but that was how Joshua was. Sure, he had his questions,a nd sure, he was definitely rather skeptical of all this.]

"I see you're a bit of a veteran at this telepathy thing, seeing as your thoughts aren't leaking like everyone's." [His tone carried with it a sense of elitism, but nonetheless, he was trying to at least engage here with the person that wanted help. Might as well, seeing as when in unfamiliar territory, there was a tactical advantage to gaining allies.]

Edited 2017-06-18 01:53 (UTC)

I had been wondering if I were simply hearing things.

[The elitist tone doesn't escape her but she lets it slide, if only because it doesn't seem directed at her specifically.]

I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a veteran, but it is how I communicate with my mice. This feels no different, beyond the device.

[And she taps at it, not knowing the effect it has on others in her radius.]

So you are new as well?

"To this particular world, anyways. Although... I do have to say, whoever is behind this has to have a good deal of power behind them." [It takes someone special to forcibly change the frequency of a Composer, after all. he is actually hoping to meet this mastermind, if they feel keen on revealing themselves.]

"Anyways, if you want to speak to me a bit more... privately, maybe we should get away from the noise?" Because Joshua really wasn't a fan of crowds of people himself. Or people in general, really.

It is concerning. Surely we will encounter someone who knows why this is happening...

[She hesitates a bit when asked to join him in private. She's not one to be overly cautious when someone's character seems innocuous, and he is obviously in the same situation as her, but still--]

We can speak face-to-face if you prefer.

"Yes, I'd prefer that. It's always nice to have a face to a voice. I suppose you don't mind if i set the place?" [After all, setting the location gave him just a slight bit of leverage. And it was always best to set up the power dynamics of a relationship early. She wouldn't realize it consciously, but this was a subtle gesture of power. That he was the one who would be taking charge in this relationship. But still, he did need to make one thing clear.]

"And given that this is supposed to be on friendly terms, I do hope you won't mind not coming armed. I will be doing the same." [Not like he had any weapons anyways.]

Edited 2017-06-18 04:04 (UTC)

[......buddy.]

If you are also in the mansion, you can come meet me at the entrance.

[And it's not like she has any weapons on her person...nor does she really need them.]

[Welcome to Joshua's mind games Allura.]

"Well... I'll concede to that." [He had no need to push further, after all. There was plenty of other opportunities available to him. And thus, Joshua heads off to meet her in front, and hopefully be able to talk without having to deal with any of this telepathy resulting in anyone else overhearing them.

[He startles suddenly at the sound of Allura's voice in his head. He's in another part of the mansion and it takes him a moment to really concentrate on how to send his thoughts back. It's weird to think about, that this is telepathy. How do people not let certain thoughts leak out without warning anyway?]

I can hear you, but I am not sure I am doing this right. Can you hear me?

[And then, a moment later:]

Why are there so many crates here. [That may or may not have been an intentional question, whoops.]

I can.

[and following that because she does think he's directing that question at her--]

And I haven't a clue. Perhaps the owners of this place were packing to move.

[He'll get the hang of it eventually and sooner or later stop being surprised by people answering.]

Maybe. But this seems like a lot of stuff to just leave behind. Has anyone found anything that might help identify whose house this is?

[ Kougyoku is a imperial princess. Royalty of a higher caliber, raised on manners and morals since birth. A woman of dignity— ]

Uwaaaaaah! Wh-who are you? I won't let anyone get into my head again. Rrgh, what's the spell for this... Oh, I should have asked Aladdin. Stupid, stupid— No, I can do this. Begone, you cur! Ah, I hope they're gone. That was scary.

[ Kougyoku is a princess. ]

Edited 2017-06-18 05:32 (UTC)

[ The rustle of trees not too far away steal Lukas' attention away from the trail of string and little felt bags, and he looks over to find himself being approached by a young woman—a little cautiously, he notices, and so he flashes her a kind smile. He's not sure he can make out her rank just by appearance alone, but if he had to guess... (it probably doesn't hurt to play it safe either.) ]

Well met, my lady. [ He inclines his head slightly in greeting, one hand tucked neatly behind his back and the other gripping his lance. ]

Do you require assistance? [ Never mind that he probably isn't in much of a place to help anybody right now, but. ]

What's a Coran?

[Nagisa has heard of paladins. They had those in games. Not Corans though.

There were a bunch of voices buzzing in his head, but somehow that one stood out. It was 10% freaky, but 90% neat that he could talk to hear people with his mind.]

Um... Hello?

[She.... really hopes she's doing this anywhere near correctly. Because she's not at all used to actual people talking in her head as is.

Those names, though...]

Are those your friends?

[The figure turns out to be a blonde young woman. She looks more or less normal, human, though her right arm happens to be a little metal it is impossible to tell that given that she is wearing a coat.

Her name is Yang and she is opening one of the bags and dumping the contents into her hand...buttons come spilling out.]

Well that's just weird.

[There are actually a few bags emptied and scattered around. Is she looking for something or what? She notices movement out of the corner of her eye and turns her head.]

Uh...hi?

[There's a slight panic attack from Lloyd as he keeps getting hit with more and more stranger things. Now he's hearing voices. Sure he heard them from the Spirits back home, but that's there and this is here.]

Why's there a woman in my head?!

[Thankfully he pulls himself together after a few seconds and reminds himself that sure,
things can happen here, too. It's anything goes at this point.]

Hello? [aloud]

...Hello? [It's faint, but this time he has his telepathy working.] Who is this?

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( TDM | #1 )

princess allura | voltron

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Re: princess allura | voltron

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