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April 2023 Test Drive Meme
April 2023 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: hallucinations, poison, giant worm
One minute you were a falling star, but as your body reforms you become aware of one important detail: it's friggin hot.
That's because you've landed in a desert! Yes, you have had the misfortune of landing in Cruel Summer, the hottest and arguably most dangerous part of Folkmore. Lucky you!
The first bit of good news is that you're pretty sure you can see a train station off in the distance, although it's extremely difficult to judge exactly how far off due to the flatness of the terrain. The second bit of good news is that you have awoken with either a canteen of water, or an umbrella to keep the sun off. The third bit of news - good or bad, depending - is that you've awoken near another Star Child. Whoever this is will have the opposite gift than what you received; if you have water, they have an umbrella, and if you have an umbrella they have water. Well, you know what they say: sharing is caring! Undeniably the water is a touch more important, so hopefully whoever has it isn't a colossal dick.
As you trek through the desert towards the distant structure, you will notice periodically the air off to either side of you will shimmer. You may dismiss it as merely the heat playing tricks, but if you choose to investigate you will find mundane weapons like swords, guns, shields, etc.
At some point as you walk, you will feel a tremor beneath your feet. It grows in intensity until suddenly the sand sprays everywhere as something bursts forth from the earth below!
Wavering above you is a blood red worm. It is large - end to end it runs about thirteen feet - and its segmented hide is tough enough that rocks bounce right off of it. You might have more luck with bullets or bladed edges, but it's still going to be a tough fight. It also boasts some impressive offensive tricks; its mouth is ringed with many rows of fangs, and itspits a thick yellow acid that will corrode your skin and your weapons if you're not careful. If that wasn't enough, during your fight you might here a sudden brrrrrrrrrapppp! as the creature farts lightning at you. Hilarious... until it knocks you to the ground.
You would do well to work as a team to take this monster down. You and your partner might have powers or skills that could come in handy, or maybe you're quick on the uptake when it comes to any new abilities afforded you by your new role!
If you defeat the worm in battle, a golden chest will appear. Inside of it are items from your homeworlds - these rewards are especially likely to be any weapons you owned back home.
But hey, maybe you're a lover, not a fighter. There's no judgement here in Folkmore. You can outrun the worm instead if you're both fast and clever - finding any terrain that is more rock than sand will give you a decided advantage.
Once you have either defeated or escaped the worm, you will find that you come upon a small group of tents. Under their shade are first aid supplies, and kiosks manned by fennec foxes offering water, food, and shaved ice. Nice!
One minute you were a falling star, but as your body reforms you become aware of one important detail: it's friggin hot.
That's because you've landed in a desert! Yes, you have had the misfortune of landing in Cruel Summer, the hottest and arguably most dangerous part of Folkmore. Lucky you!
The first bit of good news is that you're pretty sure you can see a train station off in the distance, although it's extremely difficult to judge exactly how far off due to the flatness of the terrain. The second bit of good news is that you have awoken with either a canteen of water, or an umbrella to keep the sun off. The third bit of news - good or bad, depending - is that you've awoken near another Star Child. Whoever this is will have the opposite gift than what you received; if you have water, they have an umbrella, and if you have an umbrella they have water. Well, you know what they say: sharing is caring! Undeniably the water is a touch more important, so hopefully whoever has it isn't a colossal dick.
As you trek through the desert towards the distant structure, you will notice periodically the air off to either side of you will shimmer. You may dismiss it as merely the heat playing tricks, but if you choose to investigate you will find mundane weapons like swords, guns, shields, etc.
At some point as you walk, you will feel a tremor beneath your feet. It grows in intensity until suddenly the sand sprays everywhere as something bursts forth from the earth below!
Wavering above you is a blood red worm. It is large - end to end it runs about thirteen feet - and its segmented hide is tough enough that rocks bounce right off of it. You might have more luck with bullets or bladed edges, but it's still going to be a tough fight. It also boasts some impressive offensive tricks; its mouth is ringed with many rows of fangs, and itspits a thick yellow acid that will corrode your skin and your weapons if you're not careful. If that wasn't enough, during your fight you might here a sudden brrrrrrrrrapppp! as the creature farts lightning at you. Hilarious... until it knocks you to the ground.
You would do well to work as a team to take this monster down. You and your partner might have powers or skills that could come in handy, or maybe you're quick on the uptake when it comes to any new abilities afforded you by your new role!
If you defeat the worm in battle, a golden chest will appear. Inside of it are items from your homeworlds - these rewards are especially likely to be any weapons you owned back home.
But hey, maybe you're a lover, not a fighter. There's no judgement here in Folkmore. You can outrun the worm instead if you're both fast and clever - finding any terrain that is more rock than sand will give you a decided advantage.
Once you have either defeated or escaped the worm, you will find that you come upon a small group of tents. Under their shade are first aid supplies, and kiosks manned by fennec foxes offering water, food, and shaved ice. Nice!
Content Warnings: emotional trauma, impalement
Giant death worms aren't the only danger in the desert, they're just the most obvious.
Even if you avoided the worms entirely, you still have to make it to one of the train stations in Cruel Summer. As you trek across the dunes you will gradually become aware that over the sound of wind and shifting sand you can hear someone singing. You feel an urge to follow the sound to its source.
This song could be anything - one that exists in your world or others, or just a melody spun in the air for the first time. Whatever it is, it is heart rending; tears may spring your eyes as you follow the sound, precious moisture falling to the thirsty desert ground.
The singing is coming from a cactus. It is taller than most humanoid creatures, tinted purple and pink at the tips, with abnormally long spines. Its song reminds you sharply of some deep loss from your past, and at the same time inspires a terrible compulsion to go to the cactus and sink against it.
And what a relief it is, to embrace that melody and feel the spines slide easily through your flesh to pierce your heart. You do not bleed. By some strange alchemy, your heartache drains from your body as liquid, filling the cactus and causing its flowers to bloom and its song to cease.
You could very well stay pinned there, dying a slow death of desiccation, but lucky for you Star Children are all over the place this time of the month and someone is bound to see that you need help.
Trying to pry someone off of the cactus is impossible. The key lies in the flowers - they must be removed. When they are, sweet liquid will spray from the place where it had grown, dousing the rescuing Star Child. With this impromptu shower comes psychic flashes of the painful memory that has trapped the victim.
Once all of the blooming flowers have been removed, the cactus will retract its spines and release its prisoner. There will be no physical wounds left from this encounter.
You will also discover nearby that there is now a golden chest. Inside of it are items from your homeworlds, although none of these items are weapons.
Thankfully, you should be able to reach either Oozlum or Obambo Station without further incident. At either of these you will be able to get some water and supplies, as well as get the hell out of Cruel Summer.
Giant death worms aren't the only danger in the desert, they're just the most obvious.
Even if you avoided the worms entirely, you still have to make it to one of the train stations in Cruel Summer. As you trek across the dunes you will gradually become aware that over the sound of wind and shifting sand you can hear someone singing. You feel an urge to follow the sound to its source.
This song could be anything - one that exists in your world or others, or just a melody spun in the air for the first time. Whatever it is, it is heart rending; tears may spring your eyes as you follow the sound, precious moisture falling to the thirsty desert ground.
The singing is coming from a cactus. It is taller than most humanoid creatures, tinted purple and pink at the tips, with abnormally long spines. Its song reminds you sharply of some deep loss from your past, and at the same time inspires a terrible compulsion to go to the cactus and sink against it.
And what a relief it is, to embrace that melody and feel the spines slide easily through your flesh to pierce your heart. You do not bleed. By some strange alchemy, your heartache drains from your body as liquid, filling the cactus and causing its flowers to bloom and its song to cease.
You could very well stay pinned there, dying a slow death of desiccation, but lucky for you Star Children are all over the place this time of the month and someone is bound to see that you need help.
Trying to pry someone off of the cactus is impossible. The key lies in the flowers - they must be removed. When they are, sweet liquid will spray from the place where it had grown, dousing the rescuing Star Child. With this impromptu shower comes psychic flashes of the painful memory that has trapped the victim.
Once all of the blooming flowers have been removed, the cactus will retract its spines and release its prisoner. There will be no physical wounds left from this encounter.
You will also discover nearby that there is now a golden chest. Inside of it are items from your homeworlds, although none of these items are weapons.
Thankfully, you should be able to reach either Oozlum or Obambo Station without further incident. At either of these you will be able to get some water and supplies, as well as get the hell out of Cruel Summer.
no subject
okay maybe he was overthinking things. However, the last thing he thought he'd see was the Champion of Kirkwall running towards him...with wings made of blazing fire. The elf stands there completely bewildered at the sight. The thought of this being some part of the Fade comes to mind because how else is Hawke here? He was supposed to be on the other side of the world at Weisshaupt.
His momentary muteness ends though as Lavellan waves a bit back in response. "Oh, you know, less than having a mountain dropped on your head but more than....well, I'm not sure there's anything that would hurt more than a mountain. Maybe one of Vivienne's barbs would do it," it might've been a joke that probably didn't need to be said right this second. Disorientation does do something to one's brain.
Still, Lavellan jogs over towards Hawke to close the distance, calling out to the Mage. "This was the last place I thought we'd be seeing each other again." He says it with enough familiarity, but Sen had no idea what he was about to be in for.
no subject
Hawke snaps his fingers. "You're from the future, aren't you?"
That's how all the other folks from Thedas knew him. Or their version of him. Those Inquisitors that were around all had their Hawkes and their future with them. A future Hawke had yet to experience.
"So, let's clear the air. It's only about six months or so after the Chantry blew up in Kirkwall for me." He puts a hand on his chest and then gestures towards the elf. "We're both from Thedas but we're from different points in time. We might even be from different versions of Thedas. Thirteen, the fox spirit, can pull us from different universes and different times."
He grins. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
no subject
He'd call it fanciful, maybe even downright insane if not for the fact he had already dealt with time travel and dropping into the realm of dreams. "I'm sorry...come again?" He says slowly. "Quite a bit of lore dump you're giving me. Even Dorian isn't as blunt with this sort of thing and he created the theory for time magic," he replies with his own hint of humour.
"I'd ask if were pulling a fast one on me, Hawke but considering the things I've been through I'm fairly inclined to believe it...as for getting used to it? That is going to take some time," Lavellan answers as he scratches at his cheek. Some of the cheer he had felt at having seen a familiar face does leave him. Regardless, this was effectively a first meeting.
"All right, Hawke of the distant past. I'm Inquisitor Lavellan or well...Sen if you prefer. I hope you know how terribly inconvenient this is considering we had just escaped a giant spider demon," Sen says with a tone that says 'you tell me this and you didn't even get me flowers?'
no subject
"Come on, let's get out of the sun." It's almost uncomfortably hot for Hawke whose wings give off a soft warmth of their own. He's used fire magic for decades so he's used to being slightly warm. In this heat? It's not as fun as in the winter.
He motions for Lavellan to follow him back towards the ruins where there's some shelter from the sun meaning there's shade. "You won't be the only Inquisitor here. There's another one. And I'm not the only Hawke. There's Sarajane."
Again, he's probably not helping. Hawke huffs out a breath.
"Other people explain it better," he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. "But the spirit that brought you here, Thirteen, is very powerful. She can take people from anywhere she wants. In the case of myself and the other Hawke, our lives are similar but not exactly the same. She's a woman is the most obvious one. But other little things change. People here tell me when those changes happen another world is created."
It's been a bitch to wrap his mind around that one. Hawke's still struggling though he treats it very casually in the moment. "Thirteen took me from my version of Thedas. And she took Sarajane from her version. And now we're both here. Is that helping?"
no subject
"Yes. I think I understand. It's sort of like the Fade. Many different versions of it depending on where you are in it," the man responds in turn. "But other Inquisitors...my. I hope our Marks don't suddenly all just explode on contact. That would be a bad day."
Still, it wasn't hard to see that Hawke was trying his best at explaining it. It made him feel just a bit bad for having caused the trouble in the first place. He does nudge Hawke with his elbow with a small smile, "It helps. Thank you, and if it's any consolation, Hawke, the one I knew was definitely a man and looked a lot like you."
"This spirit though, Thirteen? Is it benevolent? Or are we dealing with a powerful demon?"
no subject
He makes a hum noise and a so-so gesture with his hand. "Thirteen isn't like the spirits and demons we know. She tests us with trials but she's not really trying to hurt us. And she doesn't possess people. You're going to meet a lot of spirits here though."
None of them are like the spirits back home. Hawke's learned over his time here that the spirits of Thedas are not like what everyone else is used to. The mixing of universes really does confuse things.
He steps under some shade and wipes a hand across his forehead. "Most people here have magic as well. No Chantry. No Templars. A lot of very nice people if sometimes a bit strange."
no subject
Lavellan looks perplexed, if not uneasy at the description of Thirteen. A spirit that gives trials and tests to people she kidnaps. "I don't suppose these trials are voluntary? Unless it's a nap or a very long, long hot bath...what I wouldn't give for a marble bath right now," Lavellan mutters running a hand through his white blond hair.
A part of him already wants to ask more on the spirits and what they were like. If Thirteen wasn't like the ones from Thedas what of these? He's sure Solas would have some kind of field day on it. As for the magic, Lavellan pokes his head into Hawke's view with a curious look. "Wait, really? Now I feel like you're having me on. Absolutely no Templars or Chantry? Sounds like a dream come true," Lavellan responded a statement he feels more easily made since some of his companions weren't here.
"These people you speak of, are they also from Alternate versions of Thedas? Is there a Cullen with bad hair?" Okay maybe he's joking now.
no subject
It was very overwhelming but he was glad to see the whole bit about no Chantry was taken well. One of these days Hawke's luck would run out and one of the people to arrive here would be a Templar. Or someone devout. It would be... awful, really.
"I'm not kidding." His grin is a little more free, a little more open. "Magic is respected and people are eager to learn it. There's none of the fear we're used to back home."
He shrugs. "No one's mentioned Cullen to me. I don't know anything about the man. Last I saw he was trying to hold Kirkwall together."
no subject
Still, magic not seen as something to be feared? It's almost a dream. "Honestly, this sounds like a breath of fresh air. I was getting a little tired of having to attend sermons," the elf answered, his face showing a clear bit of distaste. While he might respect people's views on Andraste and the Maker and all that, he never did feel comfortable be lauded as chosen one; especially for an institution that had so many failings.
As for Culenn... "Well, he's in charge of the Inquisition's forces and before you jump to him becoming mage jailing happy, he's apparently calmed down. At least, that's what he and Leliana say," Sen replies as he follows. "But, just how long have you been here, Hawke? And How much are you even aware of what happened back in Thedas?"
no subject
Hawke has to take a moment to think about it. How long has he been here? It didn't feel like very long at all.
"Five months?" Hawke counts on his fingers for a moment. "Yeah, five months. I know what happens in the future because there's another Hawke here. Sarajane. She's around the time of Inquisitors and such. She's told me what happens in her Thedas."
And he's very determined that when he goes back he will stop it from happening. The Conclave, Corepheus' return, and all that business. Hawke is going make sure that doesn't come to pass in his world. It's all his damn fault to start with after all.
"There's another Inquisitor. She's easy to see. She wears pink all the time. And a Hero of Ferelden. I don't see them often but they're here somewhere." Hawke gestures to the land meaning Folkmore in general.