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Entry tags:
July 2022 Test Drive Meme
JULY 2022 TDM
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Folkmore's monthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.
All TDMs are game canon. You can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Each TDM will provide a scenario for how characters arrive in-game that particular month.
Playing TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain canon items from homes especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.
Current players are allowed to have in-game characters react to TDMs via the Network or make a log with the prompts. Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!
TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.
Content Warnings: Unwanted romantic/sexual attention from a monster, optional sexual themes, optional monster fights, giant insects in 'accidents' prompt.
YOU'RE THE ONE I WANT
I HATE ACCIDENTS, EXCEPT...
YOU'RE THE ONE I WANT
Folkmore has many lakes and streams. You wake up suddenly beside one, the world coming into sharp focus the moment you do. It's sunny, and the sounds and sights are warmly nostalgic for the very idea of summer.
You can sit and relax a while. Maybe lounge in the shade. Let your mind drift, and relax. There's a few people around, some still sleeping and some awakening the same as you, but it's far from crowded here.
Suddenly a shadow falls over you. You turn and are greeted by a monster: it looks sort of like an avocado covered in kelp, with oversized hands and a huge mouth. It also looks like it's entirely made of rubber - even its eyes appear to be only painted on.
This monster waves its arms threateningly. “Gaaaaah!” it says. Its voice is muffled. “Gaahhhhhhhhh!”
Somehow this creature is a lot faster than it looks, and the next thing you know it has enfolded you in its embrace.
“You will be Greg’s bride!” the monster shouts, regardless of your gender identification. It looks at whoever happens to be in your general vicinity. “Who this?”
Struggling, you realise that Greg is stronger than any creature you’ve ever encountered before. You can’t seem to get it to let go of you, and it's rocking against you in such a way that it makes a sound like the soles of sneakers on a gym floor. On the plus side, it doesn’t have any genitals that you can see, so at least it’s not as bad as it could be? Still, desperate times call for desperate measures! “That’s my partner!” you claim before you can think about how stupid an idea that is.
“You bride? PROVE IT!"
Oh shit. Now you’re stuck - you and whatever innocent bystander you've dragged into this have to convince Greg that you're a couple! You could admit to something true about love or intimacy under the guise of it being about the other; Greg’s lie detecting abilities are good enough to call you out on untruths, but not good enough to know who you’re talking about.
Or you could just start making out, I guess. Whatever works.
If you're a terrible actor, Greg will abduct you and pull you beneath the water. You better hope your fake partner will try to rescue you!
If you manage to convince him that you're a couple, he will shed a tear from his unblinking eyes before either slinking away or flying into a murderous rage.
If you choose to fight Greg, either in the water or on land, you will find that he's pretty tough for a rubber monster. Any blows to his back or sides will land harmlessly, and the kelp on his body may grab whatever you hit him with. And that big goofy mouth of his hides rows of deathly sharp fangs!
However you get rid of Greg, once he's gone you will find a trunk shaped like a koi fish. Open it and you will find some canon items from home. Clothes or weapons, maybe. Lucky you!
I HATE ACCIDENTS, EXCEPT...
You don't necessarily have to complete the One I Want prompt to find these koi trunks! They seem to be dotted around Folkmore and you might find them just by virtue of exploration! The trunks seem to mysteriously know who is opening them so you won't find someone else's stuff by accident. There are also some unenchanted weapons sticking out of the ground in random places: basic swords, guns, shields, etc. They have no magic, but they're usable!
But be warned: the second you take one of these weapons, you'll have to use it.
As soon as you have pulled a weapon from the ground, a high whining buzz sounds, swelling in volume as somethings come barreling out of the sky at you. They are short humanoid creatures about three feet tall with the heads and wings of cicadas. They are also wearing human clothes - what sort depends on what part of Folkmore you're in. If you're in Wintermute they might be wearing cute sweaters, but if you're in Cruel Summer they might be dressed like your suburban dad on summer vacation. How cute! Except they have very sharp talons and the sound they make can incapacitate you. Better take them down fast!
Or run even faster.
Content Warnings: Mood altering substances, optional alcohol use, optional suggestive themes.
I LIKE SHINY THINGS
IN DIRTY DREAMS
I LIKE SHINY THINGS
Summer isn't all about getting bitten by mosquitoes out at the lake, or sweating your way up a mountain in uncomfortable hiking boots. For the less outdoorsy types, there's still plenty of fun to be had... and all within walking distance of an air conditioner when the weather gets too humid. Close to Epiphany, there appears a gem of a spa, nestled comfortably by a beautiful waterfall. The lobby is spacious and cool, with a distinctly mid-century modern sensibility. The gentleman working the front desk wears a crisp suit of burnt orange with a small golden fox pin on his lapel. He is more than happy to direct you to any of the spa amenities.
There are massage tables, hot tubs, and steam rooms. You can get yourself a manicure, pedicure, or facial. There's a full salon for anything you might want to do to your hair - maybe it's time for a kicky summer 'do? Any kind of pampering you're after, you can find it here! If you need to lie down, there are even some hotel rooms on the upper levels that you can rest in.
There is also a tea room - all soft pinks and sage greens, with plush chairs in sets of two or more around small round tables. You will be seated with someone else, as the tea room is designed to encourage conversation. The waiters in this delightful space are all flamingos - they move around the room with a sort of gangly grace, carrying trays on their backs or with their beaks. Unconventional, but they seem to have no problem understanding people's orders. Speaking of, what's on the menu? Seems every kind of tea has a different effect...
Black tea hypes you UP! Who wants to stay sitting around with a bunch of birds?! Let's go party!
Green tea brings a sense of great peace and mental clarity. You will find it easy to talk about emotional subjects without being overcome with feelings.
Oolong tea calms you and relaxes you deeply. You might even find yourself nodding off!
Milk tea inspires feelings of affection - whoever you're sitting with now seems like they could be your new best friend. (Or more?)
Spending time in the tea room really does encourage you to open up to other people one way or another, and all the other spa activities tend to put people in the mood to open up a little bit.
IN DIRTY DREAMS
If you tire of such relaxing pursuits but you still don't fancy wandering off into the woods, you could always poke around behind the spa, where there is a smaller separate building. If you listen you can hear loud music playing, carried faintly on the summer wind. Some kind of party? Why not check it out? Okay, so there's a big old 'STAFF ONLY' sign on the side of the building, but you could just wander in and come up with an excuse if someone spots you. Or sneak in through the bathroom window or something if you're that worried.
Once inside it becomes apparent that this building functions as a private club for the spa staff. The interior is dark and wood paneled, lit only by some old hanging lights with warm bulbs. At the far end is a bar, and beyond that the glow of a small kitchen. A few tables are scattered along the walls, but the bulk of the long room is taken up by a dancefloor.
And boy oh boy are people getting down.
The music is so loud that you don't have to be able to hear to feel the beat - it pounds through the floorboards like a pulse. It's a compelling rhythm that urges you to join the throng. Even if you lack any and all natural grace, the urge to dance is strong enough that you can cast off your reluctance. You can even find yourself a dance partner, although you might want to keep it a little more G-rated than some of the couples around.
If you tire, you can hit the bar. The bartender isn't checking any IDs, considering they think everyone present is a staff member. Just don't blow your cover!
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She turned towards Greg and cleared her throat. "See Greg. We're a thing so if we can go that would be awesome." Keyleth took a small step back and almost tripped over Percy to put some space between her and Greg. She had her magic but most of it was for long-range combat unless she wild shaped.
"Hey, Percy. How do you feel about being an eagle?" Then he might be able to fight... if Greg doesn't back off.
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Percy sighed as he watched the monster advance. "It's better than nothing," he whispers back. "If we need to fight, do what you need to do Kiki."
He hates that he doesn't have a weapon and his fingers itch to help somehow if they need to fight this thing. He doesn't notice his eyes are glowing silver again like they were earlier with Vex as his emotions overwhelmed him.
He calls out trying to calm the creature. "I promise we will not cross your territory again if you let us go."
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Her eyes shift over to Percy before looking back at Greg. He had slowed and it looked like he was thinking about what she had said.
That was a good reaction.
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Percy was glad he'd removed his gloves when he'd decided to go for a walk, because he didn't want to run the risk of shocking the creature accidentally with Diplomacy as he raised his hands. He puts a firm note into his voice, his Lord of Whitestone tone, firm but kind. "We mean you no harm," he says, "let us go and consider us your allies should you ever need one." This place must have more monsters right and even monsters have predators.
Greg tilts his head at Percy considering then the monster nods once. "Friends," it confirms and turns around to sink back into it's watery home and Percy lets out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and lowers his hands. "Well that went better than expected," he says, turning to Keyleth. "Hello by the way."
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"Oh. Right! Percy!" She turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a tight hug. She was wildly happy to see him. "I'm so glad that you're here! Vex will be happy to! And Vax. That's who's here. So far."
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Percy chuckles and hugs her back just as tightly. "It is so good to see you Kiki," he says warmly, "I am well aware Vex and Vax are here...I saw Vex in the spa just before I went for a walk. Saw was a simplistic way of explaining their conversation. It had been emotional for both of them and Percy was still reeling. "I haven't seen Vax yet." He's been afraid to seek out his friend just yet knowing what he knows.
It is going to hurt no matter how the gunslinger prepares himself...timelines be dammed. To him Vax was gone and he wasn't coming back. He was always going to mourn the time lost.
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Maybe it was the white hair but she wasn't sure if Percy looked older or not. "When were you taken from? Vex said that her memories were similar to mine." She had the tattoo to prove that she'd been to Zephera and her hair was cut short but otherwise it was difficult to tell when Keyleth was taken to Folkmore.
Half-elves aged far too slowly.
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Percy smiles, but there is a touch of sadness to it. He appears more settled and calmer than he might have been the last time Keyleth saw him and because his ever present holster is empty his time frame cannot be gleaned by his weaponry. The only thing that is different about him is there is a ring on his left hand. It's silver with a green gem set in the center of a sun and the setting flairs to a point,
"I am ahead of all of you by at least a year and a half or so," he explains, "So I have memories the rest of you do not have yet...but I've worked out how time works here and if you have questions please ask them...Vex did."
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"Wow." As succinct as always. "Do I want to know?"
She trusted Percy and if she didn't want to know, he'd know that she didn't want to know.
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He fights the urge to chuckle glad to see his best friend hasn't changed all that much or let this place change her. "That depends," he says carefully, "It was...emotional for Vex when she asked, but given none of us will remember we were here when we return home I see no reason why you shouldn't know if you want to. I will warn you that some of my answers will not be pleasant ones."
He has never been one to sugar coat the truth when it needs to be done and he knows Keyleth will understand that. "I will leave the choice to ask questions about your future up to you and do my best to keep my emotions to myself should you not want to know." He doesn't want to broadcast his grief and pain during his time here, it won't be fair to his family.
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"It's okay Percy." She took his hands in hers and smiled confidently. "You don't have to keep your emotions out of it. It's hard to know things that others don't. So tell me what you need too. You don't have to handle the future alone." It was difficult when she'd arrived with memories that Vax hadn't had yet but he'd learned the truth and it was easier now.
She didn't want Percy to keep anything inside either.
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He squeezed her hand gently and felt the tightness inside himself ease with her returned assurances. "Thank you," he says, "I suppose I should start backwards and allow you to ask questions to fill in the gaps between your memories and mind. My only request beyond this concerns Vax....please let me explain to him what I will be telling you. Any questions about his future should come from me should he want to know them."
While his connection to Vex is stronger than the one he had with her brother, Percy still feels Vax's loss deeply. The rogue had gotten under his skin quickly and was allowed things the other members of Vox Machina didn't get. He would give anything to hear his friend call him Freddy one more time or tease him about working too hard or pull him out of his own head when Percy's thoughts got too dark to handle on his own. "Vox Machina, where I am from is....coming to the end of their adventuring days. Not quite yet, there are a few things to wrap up as of yet, but parting ways has been discussed." A simple place to start that is open to any questions his friend might have.
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"I see." She considered this seriously and wondered if they were from similar times. "So... there is more after the dragons." There had been some loose ends but not enough for Keyleth to be worried... now... she's not so sure. Her teeth gently worry at her lower lip as she sorts through her thoughts. It takes a moment but she knows that Percy will be patient enough to let her think. "I had returned home and officially took the role as Voice of the Tempest." She lifted her arm and showed him the tattoos she'd recently gotten. "And I got this. Is... more after that? Everything seemed to be calming down."
They had been through so much. What more was there?
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Percy nods. "There is much more," he says, believing keeping things simple, "the return of the Briarwoods for one thing and the creature they resurrected for another. The battle was long and hard...friends were lost. Others left." He swallows hard. "It was a rough final battle."
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After letting her thoughts spiral for a few minutes, she shook her head and cleared her mind. "But we made it... right? Vox Machina, I mean."
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Percy shakes his head no. "The Raven Queen called in her bargain," he says softly his voice heavy with grief that to him is new and raw. "Vax has left us to join her."
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