( TDM | #1 )

[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.

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!

GAME NAVIGATION

Comments

a

[drunkle]

[ Qrow, being a veteran Huntsman, wasn't quite worried about a couple of boars wanting to pick a fight with him. To be honest, right now he has way bigger fish to fry, and he hasn't even decided where to begin. Seriously, why is he here? And who the hell is this kid?! He's got enough awareness to realize that she "saved" him, although he imagines that it doesn't mean they're friends either. ]

That wasn't necessary.

[ ...He also doesn't like being the New Kid. Which he's totally being right now. He's so a 30-something year old New Kid. ]

[spellslash]

[Wow, what a way to say 'you're welcome.']

It's not like that's the only one out here. Let's see how you handle another one if you're so boar savvy.

[There's plenty in the forest, after all. All snorting and grunting and thrashing their heads about with their dull - yet dangerous - fangs.]

[drunkle]

[ He will if another one attacks, but he's in no hurry to go after any animals himself right now. Instead he snorts a little at her comment. ]

Boar-savvy? I think I'll leave that title in your hands.

[ Besides, he's got more important questions right now, such as-- ]

Can you eat these things?

[ Well, okay, he has other questions too, but let's start with basic survival. ]

[spellslash]

[Brie walks over and taps the sword protruding from the neck nonchalantly, watching it disappear into a vapor as it impacts her hand. Materializing anymore won't be necessary; the only slight spasm motions it's making are a death rattle.]

Yeah, you can eat 'em. If you're not gonna kill them for safety, you might as well kill one or two for food.

We kind of work on a "you eat what you kill" system here. [That wasn't true until she made it up. It's a new rule. Starting right now.]

[drunkle]

[ Thankfully, Qrow's flask of liquor made this strange journey to the forest with him, although he notices that there isn't much left in the tank. Hopefully he'll find more alcohol later, but for now he'll take a sip of what he has as he watches the stranger's abilities at work.

When she mentions the rule, Qrow lowers his flask and arches an eyebrow. ]

Is that right? And who exactly are this "we"?

[spellslash]

[There's not even a passing glance at him when she responds; Brie's too busy assessing the age and agility of this boar. A nice young one. Good, soft meat.]

Me and my army of devil minions. Just in case you were getting any big ideas.

[drunkle]

[ Oh boy, she's feisty. Not that Qrow minds, she's right to be wary of people she doesn't know. He hardly trusts her too, after all. ]

I just want some answers, that's all. If I get any big ideas, I'll be happy to meet your devil minions. They sound like a lovely bunch.

[spellslash]

[Since she killed this thing, there's no way this guy's getting any...new or not. Brie hefts the thing by its back legs, committed to getting a better grip on it before staring Qrow dead in the eye.]

Okay. Shoot.

[drunkle]

[ Shoot, she says. He'd love nothing more than to waste a bullet on a boar that's standing not too far behind the young woman. Instead he secures his flask back in his breastpocket and then crosses his arms. ]

Let's start with names, and then if it's not too hard for you, maybe the name of this place too. You may have noticed I'm not from... around here.

[spellslash]

It's blatantly obvious, trust me.

[Back to only responding to him verbally, though she is quickly glancing up at him to make sure he's not making any sudden movements. Men of a particular age are automatically on her Do Not Trust list.]

You can just go ahead and call me The Demon Master. This place doesn't have a name, it's just...I don't know, The Place.

[drunkle]

The Demon Master and The Place. Wowww. You know - I've had blackouts before, but this one is starting to turn into my least favourite.

[ As far as sudden movements go, he does indeed draw his big blade and doesn't hesitate in approaching the "Demon Master". However, his gaze is fixed on something that's beyond her, like the boar that suddenly started charging in their direction.

Will she stand still, move aside, or do something completely different altogether? ]

[spellslash]

[Don't worry, she sees it as it happens. Two can play at that game, certainly.

It doesn't take but a split second to conjure a bevvy of about 10 swords in the air while giving Qrow a scathing look. ]

If that's meant for me, you'd better think twice before you move again.

[drunkle]

Trust me, kid, the last thing I want is to do anything for you.

[ God, how can someone be more difficult than him!! Demon Master or no, Qrow is compelled to help her by virtue of being a dutiful Huntsman, even though there's an obvious difference in power between them. For starters, he hasn't felt his own Aura ever since he arrived here and he's well aware she could tear him to shreds with those swords.

Mistakenly, Qrow also believes the misfortune that he brings upon others is also at play here, meaning if the boar does anything to the young woman and her attacks somehow miss it, that will be because of his "blessing".

He'll take the risk of being skewered and make his move, which is by spinning right past her and slicing the boar. The swing of his blade is fast enough that it also sends the animal flying against a tree as it's cut in half. Whoops... he normally does this against monsters and not animals. ]

... You can call me Boar Slayer.

[spellslash]

[Well shit, son. Brie throws one sword, but misses; it thuds into a tree at a trajectory set for where his leg would have been had he not moved quickly enough. No matter what you say, she knows better than to trust words while ignoring actions.

She turns around in time to see and hear the grossly wet thud of half a boar hitting the tree while the other hits the ground. This one is indeed boar-savvy.]

Well look at that. [Her other swords fall softly into the Earth, not currently needed.] You get to eat tonight.

[drunkle]

[ Eh. Finding his appetite will take some while, but it looks like boar really will be up for dinner. ]

I take it you're not going to share yours.

[ It's said flatly, like he never really believed that she would. ]

[spellslash]

Nope. Consider it an exercise in survival. I'm not babying nobody.

[There's no apology for attempting to shank you through the leg, either.]

Share yours if you want, I'm not gonna stop you.

[drunkle]

Well, I suppose as long as you're not playing favourites.

[ Also, apologies are overrated. ]

Thank you for not stopping me from sharing my boar, Demon Master, I don't know how I would have lived with myself.

[spellslash]

You're welcome. [Yeah, she got that it was sarcasm, but whatever.

There's still currently the task at hand: taking this big pig back to her humble abode. Well, if she's going that way. ]

Are you also an expert explorer, or do you need guidance bringing your split dinner to base camp?

[drunkle]

[ Generally, Qrow prefers to work alone these days, but that's because he believes people close to him get hurt. He also figures the young woman's time is best served elsewhere, so he'll quietly dismiss that offer of guidance. ]

Finding places has never been a problem, but since you're here already, would you mind telling me a little bit about it?

[ For starters, he just learned that there even is a base camp of sorts. ]

[spellslash]

Well, for one it's not exactly built for a hoard of people. [There's not a problem with the layout or anything, but the supply department...that's a little iffy.] But you can get your own little hut that's falling apart, so that's something.

There's also my house and a big bathhouse place, but that's about all there is to see.

[drunkle]

That's certainly something alright.

[ So he's expected to stay there for a while, he gathers. That means The Place is nowhere near home, and that's not the news he particularly wanted to hear. ]

If you have a house, that means you have a job there, right? What exactly is your role in all this?

[spellslash]

Job makes it sound all official. [Gross.] My purpose right now is to make sure you guys survive the day.

You know. Since there's boars that want to gore you and everything.

[drunkle]

You don't seem to enjoy your purpose very much. What's in it for you? -- And don't say charity.

[ Nothing wrong with fighting for those who can't fend for themselves, it's pretty much what he does at home, but this doesn't feel like the same thing to him. ]

[spellslash]

It's complicated. Also not actually your business.

[She knows that's one of those answers that makes people curious though, but there's no real way to be vague about it without sounding suspicious or inciting interest.]

I mean, it's not like I can leave and I've been doing this shit three years. It's part obligation at this point.

[drunkle]

[ That's quite a bit to absorb, which Qrow does quietly without pressing too much about why she's been doing this for three years. He's no stranger to complexity either, he can't count how many times he had to answer something with "it's complicated", it's just weird to be on the receiving end of it now.

"Part" obligation, she says... ]

What's the other part?