August 2022 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

AUGUST 2022 TDM

INTRODUCTION

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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.

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two]

Summer Is Over

Content Warnings: snakes, cultists, optional violence.

FALLING DOWN LIKE PIECES INTO PLACE

A breeze with the crisp smell of dying leaves caresses you awake. You sit up to find yourself in the middle of an apple orchard, rows spreading out in all directions. Mouth watering apples hang from the branches, and nobody will stop you from taking one. You can wander the orchard as long as you like, but eventually you will find yourself emerging into the front yard of a little farm. There’s a red barn with perfect white trim set far back, and to one side of the yard is a kiosk modeled to match the barn. This is staffed by a woman who sure looks a lot like the fox that brought you here.

On the side of the kiosk are advertised a few different items: pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider, cold alcoholic apple cider, and hot chocolate. The cider, you will be informed, is made on site. (But you have to be of legal age to be given that hard cider!)

There are two other things advertised: APPLE PICKING and a SCAVENGER HUNT.

“You need a buddy for those, though,” the woman running the kiosk will tell you. “Lucky for you there’s plenty of people you can pair up with.”

If you elect to try the scavenger hunt, you and your partner will be handed a piece of paper. On it reads the following:

TAKE A PICTURE OF THE FOLLOWING ON YOUR RELIC! :)

- YOU HOLDING HANDS WHILE YOU GO DOWN A PATH
- FEET WITH AUTUMN LEAVES
- SOMETHING YOU THINK IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL
- A GENUINE SMILE

“When you’re done, bring it back here and show me,” the woman instructs you. “You’ll get a prize if you do.”

It’s an easy enough list, right? Although you have to follow the instructions - you really DO have to find something you genuinely think is beautiful, and that smile can’t be forced! Those might require opening up to your partner a little bit!

If you succeed in the scavenger hunt, you will be gifted with an item from home.


Now, what if you decided to go apple picking?

You will be given a bucket. “Be careful to only pick apples from the trees in the rows,” the kiosk woman tells you with a secret smile. “You don’t want to bother the old trees off the path.”

Yeah. That sure sounds like a challenge, doesn’t it?

If you do stick to the orchard proper, you will be able to pick your fill of apples. All of them are crisp and sweet and delicious. But at some point you will see the other trees.

They’re both huge and old, standing on two sloping hills just past the orchard rows. One of them has apples red as blood, and the other apples gold as the sun. In the shade of these trees are weapons sticking half out of the earth, as if they were carelessly buried many years ago.

If you pick one of the red apples, you will find that you are suddenly besieged with huge snakes. They are as big as anacondas and an inky black that absorbs the light, with eyes the same red as the apples. They aren’t poisonous, but they bite and they crush, so you’ll have to fight them off at least long enough to run like hell!

If you pick the golden apples, a crowd of people will silently begin appearing from the orchard. They are all wearing animal masks… and they are all holding hand scythes. Uh oh. You’ll have to fight them off in order to escape! If you don’t manage that, well, in some places it’s traditional to have a big ol’ sacrificial bonfire…

All the weapons below the trees are non-enchanted items, but you may keep them.

Plaid Shirt Days and Nights

Content Warnings: Optional themes of identity and school trauma.

IMAKEOVER MAKEOVER

Thirteen believes passionately in education. There are, after all, five academies in Folkmore all catering to different types of learning. While these academies are open year round, it becomes apparent if you walk through any of the districts housing shops that back to school is definitely a thing.

A new school year represents a chance to learn more about the world, and about yourself.

Also? It’s a great time for a makeover!

Yes, step into any of the shops selling clothing and accessories anywhere in Folkmore and you will find yourself passionately invested in helping another person discover who it is they want to look like! Do they want to look cool and aloof? Warm and approachable? Are they an e-boy or a cottagcore witch? Punk or prep? You two can figure it out together!

As you shop together you will find it easier and easier to open up to one another, sharing who it is you want to be.

You’ll also be able to score a sweet outfit. Nice.

SAVED BY THE BELL

Wander into any school in Folkmore and you will find a handmade poster instructing all new students and faculty to report to the auditorium. Normal enough, one supposes… but the moment you enter the room you will find reality swims all around you and all of a sudden you’re stuck in a school nightmare!

You know the kind. You’re late for class, no matter how fast you run. You’re in gym class, trying to climb that goddamn rope. You’re getting your books dumped. You’re naked and giving a book report.

These could be memories, but it’s just as likely that they aren’t - you and another person are just trapped in this cliche together. Whichever one of you is in the audience role could maybe help the other one out? Get them some pants or something? Yeah.

Comments

[keepcalmtaryon]

[That all sounds like a hot mess, Vex. His brows furrow, thoroughly confused. Not memory loss, but... some kind of time travel? And her brother is a good ways back- months, as far as Taryon can tell. Percival not remembering their escape from Hell... so much has happened!

Regarding Vax, perhaps he can give the little elf boy a flash card with his name on it. It's what Pike would do.]

Last I can recall... we were settling back in Whitestone, that much is true. I'd moved into your place at your generous invitation, and Percival and I were making plans to rebuild Doty. So, I suppose more or less what you and Keyleth remember.

[usedhuntersmark]

[Yeah, it's a mess. Even coming from a world where magic is responsible for a LOT of things, this is beyond their norm. If Taryon brings up the flashcards for Vax, she will die of laughter.]

Oh, Tary, I'm so sorry about Doty. I'm glad that you and Percy are going to work together on replacing him. I know that he's wanted to get his hands on Doty and study him for a while. Now, he has a chance to help make a better version.

[Helping Taryon might get Percy one step closer to being a clock maker that he so desperately wants to be when all of this is over. It's something that Vex is determined to give him. That and Cassandra a life that doesn't revolve around Whitestone so that the young woman has a chance to heal from her trauma.]

Well, now that you're here, we can just see about rebuilding Doty here. But, you're right, we should go on a tour. I doubt that a Scavenger Hunt will keep you occupied for long.

[They might have to get dirty.]

[keepcalmtaryon]

It's alright. Had it happened some months ago, I would have been terribly bereft. But with Vox Machina at my side, the loss of Doty is but a temporary grief. I will rebuild him! Better than ever. And then he can get back to protecting me and my dear friends.

[As a full-fledged member of the team, he can't think to do anything less than that! They're all counting him, after all.

...Well, maybe not Greg. Or Vax, in this world. But still! Most of them!]

For now, of course, I am at your disposal. Take me wherever you will.

[usedhuntersmark]

Tary, darling. It's okay to miss your friend, regardless of his origin or having more friends.

[She's well aware that the automaton was really the only friend he had before finding Vox Machina, but that doesn't mean that his loss isn't important to acknowledge.

And Vex will never answer for Grog, since he's his own man, but as far as Vax is concerned, he's already set to like Taryon because both Vex and Keyleth do.]

Let's start with our current home. My broom is there and then we can go on an aerial tour of Folkmore. [She takes a moment and lets her wings and aura appear, waiting for his reaction.] Ah, yes, this might be a good time to let you know that for some reason, our Fox captor has given us "roles" for our time here. She's likely to tell you where she's put you.

[keepcalmtaryon]

[Whatever else he might have said - about Doty, loss, friends, anything - is lost as soon as she changes. His eyes widen, and he almost jerks away, worried that some terrible thing might be happening to her. He'll protect her! Defend her honour! Whatever she needs! ...But oh, she's acting like this is normal.

...Oh dear. Maybe he should have been paying more attention.]

...I... I'm sure she did. [Yeah, he is absolutely staring.] Perhaps I should check in with her again about that...

[He wants to touch them. Can he touch them? IS THAT ASKING FOR TOO MUCH.]

[usedhuntersmark]

[The wings are beautiful, even she can admit that. And useful as hell getting around. She didn't have her broom until recently, but there's a certain sense of freedom that she feels with being able to just fly on her own.

She does see his reaction and feels a little like laughing. Wait until he sees Percy change into an eagle.]

You should, darling. Some people's changes are obvious: Horns, tails, wings, halos, or more like they can change into animals completely. However cryptic, Thirteen does tend to let us know where she puts us. Vax, Keyleth and I are Legends. Percy, however, is a familiar. Caleb—he's a wizard, and from Wildemount—is a Myth. Those are the three roles.

[And while she won't stop him from touching her wings, she hasn't let anyone but Percy do so yet.]

[keepcalmtaryon]

[Okay, okay. He will... very gently brush his fingers over a single delicate feather, before thinking better of it and withdrawing. He's brushed her hair, but perhaps feathers are a bit too much without permission.]

I see... I confess I've not felt anything like wings or horns, but I would not be surprised to find myself a Legend as well! It would be fitting, of course, considering all of my accomplishments.

[Though that doesn't really clarify why Percival wouldn't be one while the others are. And he hasn't the foggiest who Caleb is, but Wildemount is at least familiar, so he'll keep that in mind.]

[usedhuntersmark]

[Vex shivers at the touch, feeling very much like someone has brushed their fingers over her arm or the back of her neck. It's not uncomfortable, per se, but it is a very strange sensation. Since it's not a very intimate touch and she does actually trust Taryon not to do anything to hurt her, she just looks at him with an eyebrow raised.]

Certainly, I'm sure you are, in fact, a legend, Tary.

[At least he's always thought so in his own mind, but she's not sure what the criteria for what role each person takes is, but she thinks it might actually be from a state of mind than anything else. And that would be why Percy is a familiar as opposed to the rest of them.

She retracts her wings and the aura also disappears. As she always does, she sighs in relief when it's gone. (Back off, Pelor, she doesn't belong to you yet, sir.)]

Hm, I do need to tell you that there is another who lives with us who isn't from Exandria. His name is Peter and he's a werewolf. I think. That's not the word he really uses, but that's what I get from context.

[keepcalmtaryon]

[He'll be preening about that until he learns the truth. (Whatever that is.) And while she didn't slap his hand away, she didn't seem too keen either, so he takes note to maybe keep his hands to himself next time. (Whenever that might be.)

He watches, marveling quietly, as she withdraws the wings, then blinks a few times as if shaking off some kind of spell. Amazing.

...Wait, she said-]

A werewolf? I think I have that on my list somewhere. Battle a lycanthrope! ...Though mayhaps in this case we'll just... have a battle of wills over the last cupcake, or something.

[usedhuntersmark]

[She would expect nothing less from Taryon Darrington.

At his excitement, she can't help but smile.]

Peter is not the only werewolf. There is at least one other that I've met. And if you still want to fight one, I'm sure I can talk to either of them and you can go over to the Fighting Pits in Cruel Summer. It's sort of like the arena in Vasselheim.

However, I'd appreciate it if there was no fighting in the house. If we can destroy less of our things, I'd be very happy, thank you.

[keepcalmtaryon]

Fighting... in the house? Perish the thought. I'm not an animal.

[He's mildly offended she would think him capable! He's not Greg, come on. And provided he's in the care of better influences, he knows what does and does not belong in the household. Especially not his own household.]

[usedhuntersmark]

Ah, yes, I don't think you've seen Vox Machina at their worse.

[Of course, without Scanlan around, there's been less overall fucking around. There's been no chickens lobbed in the air as target practice or magical scat left to peep on people through. There's been less running from angry husbands too, if she can understand what was happening in Westruun and Emon from time to time when Grog and Scanlan went out together.]

Well, I'll trust you to behave. The others aren't that bad.

[She won't mention that it was actually her who caused the biggest scene the month before. Nope, not going there, sir.]

[keepcalmtaryon]

[He has no idea what Vox Machina at their worst could mean, but they're all fantastic people, so it can't be that bad. (Besides that Scanlan guy they bring up sometimes. He has no idea who that is.)]

You'll have to show me this house of yours. Though I will miss our place in Whitestone.

[He'd barely gotten settled... hadn't even really gotten to enjoy it much yet.]

[usedhuntersmark]

[The scene in the bar with Grog and the barmaid back in Whitestone was close enough, but that still seems much more tame than the things that got them thrown out of so many taverns, inns, and bars.]

You'll have to tell me how it looks now that it's finished. I have yet to be able to live in my own house.

[Not that she cares. So long as she's with Percy, she's happy. She wants the house because 1) she can have it done and 2) it will be hers and only hers.]

Ah, and our home here will be bigger on the outside than on the inside. I think it's part of the magic of this world and not something any of the rest of us have done.