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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Shouldn't have barged into my business in the first place.

[ unrepentant. he leans against the shelves, slipping his hands into his pockets. koichi ... sounds familiar. he can't quite place it. and he has a nagging thought in his head that he should more or less know.

well. it'll come to him eventually. ] You came here alone, then? Nobody else from Morioh?

Don't get mouthy over nothin'!

[ he stomps his foot down hard on the floor. another angry huff out of his nose. mah, whatever. everyone's on edge, right? i'm not gonna cause trouble for no reason. his eyes roll up as he wonders telling people what they should and shouldn't do is causing trouble, but lets it go. ]

I didn't see anyone from there. But I haven't looked everywhere... have ya seen anyone around here? Am I the first person that ya've seen?

You're not. I was just wondering if you were brought here with someone else from your world.

[ giorno moves away from the shelf and right in front of him. ]

Let's get out of here. Unless you're looking for a date in the cellar, in which case, you'll have to work a bit harder for that, I'm busy.

How many people have ya seen?

[ he glares down at him before his face turns red. ]

Don't say weird shit like that out of the blue! [ he spins around violently to stomp his way up the stairs. of course, with the spin, he did nearly lose his balance to collide with the wine shelves but keeps on stomping -- red-faced and all. ]

[ like 3 or something. ] A lot.

And it's not my fault. You cornered me in the cellar. This'd be like a manga, except that you're the protagonist and therefore nothing interesting will happen.

[ giorno looks around the layout of the mansion, humming to himself. ] Where to go next ....

[ what defines his friends? ] Have ya met anyone that's kind of short with spiky hair? Or got a pretty great pomp? A real intimidating presence but like has dolphin pins? Or ... a guy with a personality kind of like yours...?

[ take that burn. take it. ]

And if ya were cornered in a cellar by me, ya'd know it! [ hands shoved back into his pockets. ] I wonder... Hey! Oi! Is there really nobody in this house? [ okuyasu raises his voice to call out. this house doesn't look as bad as his own, so he can't help but wonder if someone's actually living in it but freaked out that people just suddenly came into it. like his pop would be. ]

[ ??????????? what gave u the right ]

No, to all of that.

And don't be - [ - too loud, there are other people who are trying to break in to this mansion properly, be respectful to the other delinquents, was what he wanted to say, but unfortunately okuyasu opened his mouth and started yelling and giorno just shook his head. ] Well, if your friends were here, I'm sure they'd know by now.

Those are the first people I'd think would come here... let's see... maybe... a girl with real long hair and talks about how much she loves Koichi? [ he clasps his hands together to tilt his head in a way he's seek yukako do. ] Or a real great chef? Maybe that shitty little shit that likes makin' dolls of people? He'd be carrying around a doll, maybe? Short with black hair? No? Maybe dude with tattoos on his face? He usually talkin' about how good-lookin' he is.

[ just stop, okuyasu. ]

Anyway... yer right that if they were in this house, they'd know that I was here. Still, I hope the people that are livin' here aren't freaked out. [ he cups his hands to add: ] We're not here to hurt ya! We're just lost! Really!

No.

And no.

[ they sound too wholesome for him to come across. and the moment okuyasu starts yelling again, giorno just pushes him to the side and out of the hallway. out of sight of anyone. this kid. he may look like a delinquent but he's certainly no ... yakuza, if he remembers the term right. ]

What do you call yourself? [ giorno that is not how you ask someone for their name. ]

Guess that's all right.

[ he swipes at the air above giorno's head -- a threat about shoving him, but it isn't like he's gonna hit someone just as lost as he is. josuke probably would say something like it's good to try to get along with people in confusing situations, or something reasonable like that. ]

That's no way to ask for someone's name, ya punk! But I'm Okuyasu.

[ giorno raises an eyebrow at okuyasu trying to swipe at him. he's taller, sure, but even without his stand he's a decent hand at fighting .... if things even come to that. frankly giorno just thought he was swatting a fly, because he doubt that this guy could even be ever serious at trying to fight him. (then again, who knows.)

as for him calling him a punk, well. giorno just looks at him insolently and smiles, in true punk fashion. ] It's as good a way to ask as any.

Alright, Okuyasu. How about we try this - we'll go around the mansion and hunt down people and start asking questions, but we do it in a way where you don't break my eardrums or anyone else's and you don't accidentally hit anyone in a misguided bravado. I'll even walk beside you if that's necessary.

[ he takes in a deep breath before he leans down to look into giorno's face. ]

Listen here. Right now, we're both equals in being lost, got it? I'm not too smart, but I ain't gonna be talked down to by no one! [ an angry huff out his nose. ] And! When someone gives ya their name, ya give one back. Show some manners to people and ya won't get hit!

[ patiently, ]

I don't care if you're not smart. You're loud and reckless, and that's why I'm the one telling you what to do while we go exploring.

My name is Giorno. Don't ask me for a fight, Okuyasu. It's a waste of time.

Now that we've established that, let's move on.

[ this person has the exact same shitty personality as rohan. putting it into perspective, he crosses his arms as he decides to just accept it. yeah. ok. getting into a yellin' match with him ain't gonna do anything.

besides like with dealing with rohan, he's learned how to deal with it and not get mad about it. the guy's personality may be no-good but he might be a good person. who knew that weird mangaka could teach somethin' like that? ]

Yeah, yeah, Giorno. Let's walk together, then. [ huffs. ] Walk beside me. Ya seem like the kind that'll get yerself into fights and I'm the kind of guy people don't want to fight with on sight.

[ he will neither confirm nor deny that he gets in trouble. ]

Well, if you put it that way, we make a pretty good pair - all things considered.

[ calmer, than before: ]

Don't think that makes me happy, Giorno.

[ hm. ] I really hope the people aren't scared off... that'd be real bad. I don't want to make someone scared in their own house. Unless they're shitty murderers, there's no good to come outta makin' someone freaked out. [ hm? ]

But, what is with all these crates? [ he kicks a box as they walk by it. ] Were the people gonna move?

[ giorno looks at him thoughtfully.

he's never been in a situation where he's in the company of someone so good. maybe trish, but even trish had her moments where you just don't mess around with her at all. there was koichi, but he prevented him from contacting his friends from japan and then used his money to his liking. who knows where that kid went after; hopefully back to japan where he can't spy on him anymore.

so there he is, with an oversized teenager looking intensely worried about the fact that his demeanour makes people scared and that he hopes he doesn't end up inconveniencing him. and here giorno was thinking that should someone attack him without his stand he'll just cut them with his knife and leave them somewhere convenient and go about his way.

apparently a readjustment needs to be made. giorno lifts open one of the crates. ] .... clothes. And some rather old draperies and other such things - table cloths and the like. Interesting.

Maybe they're giving them away. [ could be useful. he'll come back for it later, when he has the time. ]

Giving them away?

[ okuyasu leans over so that he can get a better look at the items. holding his chin, he wonders if that means that -- he starts digging around his pockets until he finds his wallet. if these people are gonna be giving stuff away, or being shy or some shit, it feels weird not to leave something. ]

Let's see... let's see... I don't have that much... [ mm. he finds a 500 yen coin and sets it on the corner of the crate before pulling out some of the clothes to get a better look at it. ]

I feel weird walkin' 'round my school uniform like this. If I get it all torn up, that'd be trouble later. So, I guess borrowing these will have to do. [ a beat. ] What year are you in, Giorno?

Why does that matter? It's not like we're going to school here.

[ borrowing, is he even serious. giorno takes out something with fur trim for himself. it is gaudy and he loves it. ]

I just thinkin' that ya might be my senpai.

[ time to shrug out of his school jacket to pull on a blazer that's a just a little too small on him. and it clashes with his tank-top underneath. ah, well. ]

Or I might be your senpai. "Okuyasu-senpai," would sound kind of nice. Though, ya don't look Japanese so probably not. [ and digging through the box to find some pants. ]

... you wouldn't want me as your underclassman, Okuyasu.

[ he looks at him and makes a face. ] Don't wear that.

[ good god, what are you, a barbarian? giorno rummages through the crates until he finds a leather jacket that looks cool enough to toss his way. ] Here, try that. Let me know if it doesn't fit you well enough and I'll find something else.

Huh?

[ he peeks up out of the crate that he's looking through. if a question mark could be drawn over his head, it would be. ]

Whoa. This is cool! [ he holds it out to take a better look at it before he tosses off the blazer to pull on the jacket. ] I really like it! Why'd ya say that ya'd be a bad underclassman? I don't get it! Ya seem good to me after got past that nastiness!

[ and: ] Your Japanese is really spot-on. I'm impressed, man.

[ that's gonna be a hard lesson, not just for him but for anybody else in the future which okuyasu might get involved himself; he feels bad bringing it up in the first place, and eventually just says, ]

You should let me decide if I want you to be my senpai. It's only fair.

[ that makes him pause. ] .... No. I think .... this world is forcing us to understand each other. I've never learned Japanese in my life, even if I was born there. I'm familiar with a lot of the phrasing and terminology, but I'm more comfortable in Italian.

Sure-sure...

[ that ALSO makes him pause. he swings around to look -- really look -- at giorno. ] Wait a second. You've been talkin' Japanese all this time, haven't ya?

[ he purses his lips in consideration, and then replies with, ]

No. I haven't. But we hear each other in the language you want.

A pity. There are uses for being able to speak your own whenever you need to.

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