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Spellbind Mods ([personal profile] spellbindmods) wrote in [community profile] spellgrinders2017-06-17 07:42 pm
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( 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?

        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.

        There's also a mysterious trail of soft, felt bags, tied off with thin rope, leading your character to what appears to be a specific destination. These items can be as useful as a granola bar to as seemingly useless as a stapler. Let's just say that some of these mysterious objects are pretty out there.

        They're free to travel off the beaten path, but that comes with its own perils. Maybe your character has a power that could fend these creatures off...? They aren't exactly happy about sharing their territory.



    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?

        B ▢ Feel free to have your character explore the mansion (the won't find much but you can take some liberties with the TDM), and they're free to open these mysterious crates. In them they'll find edible fruit and bread, modern clothing in a variety of sizes and portable medical kits. Characters who apply using the TDM are free to carry these objects into the game opening.

        If you want some specifics, there are a few rooms of note: the game room (containing a working pool table, non-electric pinball machines and a card table with supplied chips and multiple decks), the cellar (filled with a variety of liquor and wines, all aged quite well) and a large room upstairs that contains a glass ceiling and a variety of books in a foreign language.

        One more thing -- if you happen to go rummaging around, you may find tiny pin cameras. They're minuscule...you may not even notice them unless you look hard enough.

    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.

        E ▢ Time to explore the beach huts! Most of them are abandoned, but your characters will notice they seem to be more livable than the mansion somehow. This is in part due to a little note tacked to the door of each beach hut that reports in scrawling script "Claim your hut, please!" Will your character listen or reject the sinking feeling that they may not be leaving anytime soon? Some huts are also bigger than others, and a few even contain small sinks and softer beds. Grab these while they're available!

    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!

  • kimaris: (214.)

    [personal profile] kimaris 2017-06-19 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
    [ There's a nod given to her when he pulls the bag back, hovering over the remaining stain of blood while she talks. ]

    I'm Gaelio Bauduin. [ Now that he can introduce himself, he's back into the habit of using his full name, in case it's memorable and someone recognises him. ] That's not a bad idea.

    [ It's fine to be a little skittish, concerned. He's wiping off the blood of his foe, here. Maybe he should mention that. He's a little banged up, and he's bled enough himself, but he's not at any risk. ]

    This isn't all mine.
    unendured: (pic#11486649)

    [personal profile] unendured 2017-06-19 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
    [ The cautious, more alert part of her rose immediately the moment those last set of words left his mouth. Telling her to take a step back and subconsciously she does, brows furrowed as brown eyes gazed at him with an expression that's all but frightening. ]

    —Then I'll keep my distance.

    [ In case her body language wasn't evidence enough. ]

    And you'll keep yours... deal? [ There's no order in her voice. Sounding much more like a dulled out plea, lacking in both fear and life. However she goes down the path towards the sound of water she claimed she had heard earlier, only glancing over her shoulder once to see if he'll follow. ] Gaelio. [ Finally repeating his name. ] Do you remember coming here at all?
    kimaris: (237.)

    [personal profile] kimaris 2017-06-23 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
    [ ...what happened to this girl?? It's kind of concerning; not that she's wary, that much should be apparent, but that she's this deerlike is... well, he can't judge or anything. Instead, he nods. There's little use in telling someone they have nothing to be afraid of.

    He's not following. "I'll go check" made it sound to him that he probably shouldn't, so instead he's going to sit and begin working off the remainder of his helmet. ]


    Nothing useful. I was in a ship bay just before this happened.

    [ He's talking loudly enough for her to hear, for the moment. ]
    unendured: (pic#11511969)

    [personal profile] unendured 2017-06-24 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
    [ when you start seeing ghosts your whole world changes my dude

    He's not following, fortunately, and she takes in a deep breath of needed air before continuing forward. The ship bay talk can wait for later.

    Treading carefully through thick grass and vegetation, going over a small slope and careful not to lose her footing before she catches the sight of the sun reflecting off the water and creating an all to evident shine.

    She's made some distance between herself and the man now, looking back and needing to cup her mouth in hopes that she'll hear him—though her thoughts may reach him before she says anything, her signet tingling against her chest.

    It's here. ]


    Gaelio! There's a stream here! [ Wow she's so used to trying not to scream and speaking silently that calling out to him actually hurts somewhat. ]
    kimaris: (215.)

    [personal profile] kimaris 2017-06-25 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
    [ It's... weird. He can't say he's ever had a voice in his mind, so he's not sure that he believes that's what it is, at first. Instead, he holds a hand to his head and grimaces.

    But then he hears her actual voice, confirming the thought in his mind. He gives the direction it was from a sharp look, dropping his hand back into his lap.

    After a couple of moments, he's lifting his voice back to speak to her. ]


    Alright, I'll join you.

    [ And now he's following, a hand on the back of his neck when he comes across her and the stream. ]
    unendured: (pic#11511924)

    [personal profile] unendured 2017-06-25 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
    [ By the time he arrives she's knelt down by the stream, splashing her face with a handful of water. While the trip hasn't tired her out, the heat is less than desirable but still obnoxiously evident.

    She glances over her shoulder when she hears his footsteps, turning towards him before hesitantly gesturing him closer with a small dip of her head. There's a large enough rock for him to either sit on or lean against, which coincidentally enough leaves them with a few feet of space. ]


    That water's clean... I think. [ She's no expert, but it's not green due to algae or waste and the water appears sparkling clear. It almost seems too perfect, as if only something you'd see from a professional photograph. ] I can try to see how much I can get off the bags, if you want, while you clean yourself off.
    kimaris: (219.)

    [personal profile] kimaris 2017-06-27 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
    [ He could accept that offer, but... he shakes his head, instead. ]

    No, I'll do both. [ But instead, he's going to offer her a better explanation about the source of the blood while he does it. Sort of. Maybe. He's working up to it. ] You shouldn't have to clean blood off of anything, especially not...

    [ ...he's unhelpfully trailing off. ]

    Not from this person. That's my duty.
    unendured: (pic#11511942)

    [personal profile] unendured 2017-06-29 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
    [ After that explanation she understands why he wouldn't want her to bother trying. It's not that she felt less inclined in helping him in general, but in this situation... she gathers that it's best for him to do this on his own.

    It's all vague. Yuri, unfortunately, is curious, and she knows of a way that she could possibly find some answers. ]


    Are you a soldier? [ That should be an easy enough question that is blatantly obvious. ] ... Were they an enemy?

    [ It's better than asking if it's from a friend. Or perhaps it's worse. It's better for her to be in the dark in this situation, and yet her heartstrings are being pulled—of course Yuri realizes that this is her own fault. ]
    kimaris: (219.)

    [personal profile] kimaris 2017-06-30 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
    [ A nod. He's already squatting next to the water, dipping his gloved fingers into it and letting it trail out of cupped fingers. ]

    Something like that, to both questions. [ But now he's properly washing, giving the water a tight smile. ] It's strange realising that there are people in this world that don't know about it.
    unendured: (pic#11534317)

    [personal profile] unendured 2017-06-30 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
    [ She watches in silence for the most part; the water runs clear and while the blood is cleaned off the stream carries it and it slowly transitions it into nothing, as if the red wasn't even there to begin with.

    Yuri draws her hands out from the water, keeping them busy by idly playing with the hem of her shirt. Looking over her own clothes for anything, really, to ensure that she had nothing on her. ]


    Do you mind elaborating? If you're not a soldier then what would you call yourself? [ There's a small pause, lips pressing together as a small crease appears between her brows. ] You don't have to explain about... whoever it is you...

    [ Even if she's become so familiar with death it's difficult to speak of it with ease. She likes to believe that she's progressing, but it remains an obstacle that she's still in the midst of struggling over. Admittedly, despite first impressions, there's something that puts her at ease seeing Gaelio clean. It's probably because of the obvious, that he appears less threatening, and it allows her body to relax. ]

    I work at an antique shop. [ Changing the subject on that last part, giving him tidbits of information so he's not the only one. ] And we also find things that people have lost.

    [ It's probably less impressive compared to what he'll tell her but??? It's something. ]
    kimaris: (181.)

    [personal profile] kimaris 2017-07-05 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
    [ A nod, he'll elaborate, but he waits for her to finish first. He's learned patience. He's got two years worth of practice in the most painstaking patience game in the world.

    An antiques shop. Those were once pretty important to his family—rich people, obsessed with older things. Technically, his Gundam is an antique, a family heirloom. So he nods again, acknowledging her own words. ]


    I used to work for Gjallarhorn as an auditor. But I was a regular soldier, at the same time. Specialist Major. [ He's finished rinsing out his gloves, moving onto a bag. ] Lately, I've been an adviser to one of Gjallarhorn's generals. This, [ the blood. ] was my final duty.