( 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

Carla Morir | Original Character

[andsobelow]

Quick Info: Carla's from a world where her people fled underground to escape magic run rampant! They share the Underground with the insect clans, and their main form of fuel is crushed up tiny faeries. Using these faerie guts, they have a level of 'punk technology that's more sophisticated than the usual fantasy land setting. Carla's a member of a special city guard that hunts down magic users....... Not 100% sure on her loss and her power yet, so I'll probably just... skirt them for the moment. Also voicetesting, fleshing out some of the specifics of this character!

Feel free to PM me if you need anything, have ideas for a wildcard, etc!

---

THE FOREST - ABOVEGROUND
[ It isn't her first time in the sun, but it never gets any easier. She was Hel-folk, a denizen of the Underground city of Vos, she was not meant for sunlight. Her translucently pale skin tells that story, even if she weren't shading her eyes with a dizzy, sour look on her face. ]

I can't see where I'm going.

[ She's grumbling to herself, a hand outstretched to steady herself on tree trunks as she walks. ]

THE MANSION - TRIES TO REMOVE SIGNET - CW: SELF-MUTILATION
[ Her kind did not believe in magic, and the thing pulsating in the hollow of her throat is disturbing. She is a Witchfinder, she will not be corrupted by this foulness, and the sooner she can remove this arcana the better. She's sizing up a knife at her throat in the mirror, chin lifted with a narrow-eyed look of cold determination. ]

THE BEACH - NOT ALL BAD
[ The large sunhat she's wearing does not quite look right with her dark bug-carapace armor. She doesn't look quite right there on the beach, all in black, gleaming like an obsidian beetle shell, imposing, authoritarian.

She's not generally given to romantic thoughts, but... This is the first time she has seen an ocean and she is standing with the waves washing over the very tips of her dark boots, looking outward over the miles of it, the sea-spray cool on her face. The air is different here, filled to bursting with so many different scents.

She startles when you approach, which is unlike her, she is a hunter, and the look of contemplation on her face fades to a dark scowl. ]

Move along, peasant.

mansion

[he_smol]

[ In his defense, he isn't one for magic either.. but its a little hard to deny. However, he's seeing all these people trying to get rid of their signets and--

Hold the phone what's she doing? ]

....And what exactly do you plan to accomplish with that knife?

[andsobelow]

[ She stills, looking at him in the mirror for a moment before turning her head, lowering her knife. It's an odd looking thing, as though it isn't made of steel and it has a glowing vein of something in in the blade. Were he from her world, such a weapon would mark her as a Witchfinder. They had their own little faerie slave who imbued their weapons for them, to help them in their hunt agains the magic users. ]

There is something in my throat. I can feel it.

[he_smol]

[ It's a curious weapon, yes. Otherworldly. But he'll save the questions for later as soon as she's out of danger.

Before answering though, he loosens his tie and pulling down the collar of his shirt to just barely show his own signet peeping from beneath the collar. ]

I assure you that you aren't the only one. It seems everyone here does.

[andsobelow]

[ She raises an eyebrow, the cold look on her face now accompanied by a smile. ]

Are you offering to be my test subject for this surgery? Or making some other obscured point.

[he_smol]

[ ....cue dry look back. Oh dear. What has he gotten himself into...? ]

Most certainly not.

[ Adjusting his tie again. ]

The only point I wished to make was that this... thing... had been placed on all of us. In the same place. There must be a reason for it.

[andsobelow]

And you are content to wait until that purpose is ascertained.

[ Said with disdain, she is not a patient woman... ]

I am not, it is intrusive.

[he_smol]

It isn't so much waiting as it is gathering information.

[ An exhale, arms folded across his chest with what looks to be a childish huff. ]

Slicing it out of your body without further understanding is too large a risk. How are we to know what purpose it serves? What then if it happens to be what keeps us alive here?

[andsobelow]

Do I wish to be kept alive by some fel magic?

[ She doesn't. The set of her face says as much. ]

I am no slave to the arcana, I choose my own fate, independent of the spirits.

[ This comes as easily to her as a mantra. She is Witchfinder, she kills those enslaved to the currents of magic, she does not consort among them. ]

the beach!

[ex_galvanist88]

[ The fact that this lady's super imposing, super intense, and wearing some sort of armor would scare away most people. Is Whale one of those people?

Nope. He's rolled up the sleeves of his lab coat and taken off his shoes as he approaches Carla looking over at the ocean. Let's go talk to the imposing woman because Whale's sense of self-preservation sharply plummets whenever there's an attractive lady around. Her calling him a peasant only gets a raise of his eyebrow. ]

I'll forgive that peasant comment just because this has probably been the weirdest past twenty-four hours of your life. Anyway, last time I checked, it's a free beach.

[ He has no idea if it's a free beach or not. ]

[andsobelow]

[ She looks at him for a long moment. Abovegrounder, clearly, from the way his skin is pink, touched by the sun. The Hel-folk did not come in pink, blonde, blue eyed. They were all of them pale, dark-eyed, dark-haired with cruel, mistrustful expressions... Carla is very much of her people in the way she looks at him.

She's not used to anyone speaking to her so... casually. She purses her lips. ]

I have seen my share of oddity and illusion.

[ It came with the territory, hunting down magic users who did not know how to control what they did, they warped reality. Sometimes it has been ugly. ]

But this is outside the realm of my experience.

[ She is not used to feeling out of her depth either. She was a capable woman. ]

[ex_galvanist88]

Well, as it just so happens, I'm a bit of an expert in being yanked from place to place by magic spell.

[ Because that's what this has to be, right? Some sort of curse, cast over all of them for...some reason. Whale's still trying to peace out just why.

He takes a few steps closer towards Carla, giving her a flirtatious smile. ]

I'd be happy to talk more about this sort of thing over a drink or two.

[andsobelow]

[ She tilts her head at him. Most were... too intimidated by her to flirt with her. The intimidation was more her station than merely her look. Everyone in Vos was rather severe looking, but they knew her as Witchfinder, reason enough without her elder brother being the captain of that specialized regiment... It amuses her, piques her curiosity. ]

Very well. Perhaps a drink is warranted.

[ Spirits were common in Vos, water was a conduit for the infectious magicks of the aboveworld... much safer to drink the distilled. ]

I wish to go somewhere dark. The light hurts my eyes.

[ The hat is not for fashion. Her eyes are hugely dilated, and when the light catches them in the right way, the reflective nature of her tapetum lucidum shines a opalescent color. ]

[ex_galvanist88]

[ In contrast, Whale A: has no clue that Carla's a Witchfinder to begin with, B: has absolutely no shame when it comes to flirting and C: has absolutely no idea about when a bad time to not flirt with someone is. So he's viewing this as a potential win in his column. ]

Are the beach huts dark enough for you? I've laid claim to one of those beach huts and I've managed to scrounge up a bottle of wine we could split.

[ Well, three fourths of a bottle of wine. One fourth got drunk while Whale was exploring the mansion. ]

[andsobelow]

[ The corners of her eyes crinkle, a sharp sign of amusement. The utter depth of how out of the norm this is provides a surreal giddiness that she is aware of in the very back of her thoughts. She is far too stubborn to ever truly let herself seem off-balance, rigid in her presentation of control, but... that little sign of mirth is something human in her otherwise stark appearance. ]

Lead on, peasant.

[ He didn't introduce himself, the mockery is also an invitation to now do so. ]

[ex_galvanist88]

It's doctor, not peasant. My name's Dr. Whale.

[ He does lead on though, gesturing for Carla to follow him as he walks back towards the beach huts with utter confidence. Strange new world, been here for less than a day, already got himself a date? Whale is nothing but self-assuredness and egotism right now. ]

[andsobelow]

Lieutenant Morir.

[ As she turns her back towards the lowering sun, she sweeps the large hat off her head with a sigh of relief, eyes closing. She assumes her eyes will adjust to the upper world, given a few days. This is her first time out, unprepared and unprotected, in full daylight, what is to be expected.

Entering the small beach hut brings a little more relief still. ]

What is your specialty, doctor?

[ Hel-folk were very oriented around their work, the physical, demonstrable things which they did. This is less small talk to her than a continuation of introductions. ]

the forest

[tropism]

What happened?

[ he can't feel gold experience at all. he doesn't think he's dead, just .... that something is keeping his stand at bay and preventing him from summoning it. so, that's a serious issue, one that he's putting on the backburner for now because apparently he's not the only one who wandered into this forest accidentally. ]

If you need help moving around, I'm here.

[andsobelow]

[ She can hear his steps crunching through the leaves and underbrush. It is noisy. The aboveground is such a noisy place, it makes her delicate ears and eyes ring, blur. ]

And who are you?

[ Mistrustful, that is the way Hel-folk way. ]

[tropism]

Another one who's lost.

[ he moves closer to her. where her hand is outstretched, he lets her brush against his fingers before withdrawing from the touch; she can decide if she wants that or not. ]

[andsobelow]

[ She slaps his hand away. ]

Don't waste my time. Identify yourself.

[tropism]

Identify. Now that's a bizarre one.

[ spoken like a cop, too, or at least a couple of the cops that he's played with back in naples. giorno sighs. ]

My name is Giorno Giovanna.

[andsobelow]

[ Not an incorrect read on her mannerisms. Her rank was a bit more powerful than a simple police officer, but she performed some of the same duties. ]

What can you tell me about the surroundings, Giorno.

[ More a demand than a request. Someone has probably never said 'please' in her entire life. ]

[tropism]

[ well, just because you asked with all that attitude. giorno leans against a tree and slips his hands into his pockets. ]

There are a lot of trees in this forest, and I found a felt bag tied to one of the trees. Inside is a paperclip.

[andsobelow]

Tch. Useless.

[ She lowers her hand from where it is shading her eyes briefly, watching the forest swim before raising her hand once more. She'll just have to manage without this child. ]