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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.
arrival
When Wanderer hears an unfamiliar voice ring out behind him, he turns towards the unarmed swordsman, allowing a clear view of not only his completely sweatless face but also the Anemo Vision and golden pinion on an ornament hanging from his left shoulder. Despite his appearance being quintessentially Inazuman, his Vision bears Sumeru's design rather than Inazuma's. He regards Kazuha with an aloof expression, speaking in a matching tone.]
I did, though not as recently as you.
[Then, he holds his canteen out to the other man. Wanderer doesn't necessarily intend for it to be a gesture of kindness, but rather he's just trying to get rid of something that's an inconvenience to him.]
Take this. I didn't drink any of it.
no subject
The young samurai tilts his head a little as he slides down the rest of the dune, relishing in the cooler sand of a shadow cast by the ridge, and he takes a moment to study the stranger. There's something strange about him that wasn't related to the fancy Inazuman dress or the swaying tail like a nekomata— he seems almost ethereal, as if untouched by the landscape.
To avoid rudeness, he turns his eyes down after a moment, taking the offered canteen with a small bow of his head of thanks.]
Thank you, though I would not have minded if you did.
[Since it seemed they were at a moment of brief standstill, Kazuha takes a moment to open the canteen and take a small sip. He hadn't quite realized how thirsty he was until the cooler water hits his parched throat, but he takes no more than the sip to conserve it.
He sifts the umbrella under the corner of his arm to free a hand to push his bangs back. They stick slightly, the consequence of being human. The stranger doesn't seem inclined to speak much, and while Kazuha is generally fine to let silence be in that case, he can't help but be curious.]
I didn't think when I spoke with the Fox I would run into someone from Inazuma so quickly. It seems I'm not quite far from home after all. Has it been long since you left?
no subject
He turns his head towards the man again when he mentions Inazuma. Wanderer had a feeling that he was also Inazuman since Thirteen seems to love pairing him up with others from Teyvat for some reason, but now that he's confirmed it, that red streak in his hair evokes mental images of a certain someone... Surely it's just a coincidence.]
I've been here for about four months. You're lucky that you landed near me because I know this desert like the back of my hand. There's a place called a train station that provides transportation to all the other areas of Folkmore. I can lead you there, but I'll leave you behind if you're more trouble than you're worth, so I hope you know how to handle yourself in harsh environments.
no subject
On reflex, he gives the other man a small, warm smile when he looks over at him, though when he speaks of the desert and this 'train station' makes his eyes drift back across the landscape of dunes in front of them, as if admiring the scenery.]
Not to worry. This is my first desert, but I am well acquainted with the challenges nature proposes. I am a bit of a wanderer in Teyvat.
[The man is intriguing, though Kazuha is unbothered by his manner of speech. The offer of help alone is enough to alleviate any concern of actually being left behind— after all, if he wished to, he could've done so already.
Not wanting to stall for longer, Kazuha makes quick work of removing his scarf and folding it to make a makeshift sling across his chest to securely hold the canteen. Out of habit, he dusts the sand off his short hakama, though removing sand would be a fruitless task in the desert.]
I am not one to overlook good fortune. I'll consider myself in safe hands then. Where to?
no subject
[A fellow Inazuman wanderer, huh? He didn't expect to have that much in common with this man, too. However, he continues to keep his cards close to his chest for now. This isn't the time to be casually chatting about themselves, anyway.]
We're heading southwest. There's a river we'll encounter along the way called the Selkie. The water is safe to drink, so you can drink as much as you want and cool off while we're there. Then we follow the river to a bridge, cross it, and the train station will be right there.
[It sounds simple, but it's going to be a pretty long walk. And they'll definitely encounter dangers along the way, but that should be obvious enough that he doesn't need to say it. With that, Wanderer starts walking in the southwest direction and falls silent as he continues to keep his eyes peeled for said dangers.]
no subject
There's likely a reason why they were dumped in the desert, each of them not too far from each other. Kazuha wonders this to himself, watching the other intently as he speaks.]
It sounds a solid plan to me.
[Danger is to be expected, and doesn't need to be outlined. He has heard the desert of Sumeru is also quite dangerous; the curious part of him wants to ask the stranger about it, but he holds onto his questions for now, choosing instead to start after the other Inazuman.
For some time, he remains quiet, watching the sway of the other's hat ornaments and the flick of his tail. Kazuha has always liked cats, feeding the street cats around his old estate in Inazuma city when he was a child— perhaps that alone makes him feel at ease.
Taking a few more steps so he's following a little closer, he decides to speak again.]
How does this compare to the desert of Sumeru? Have you been? I have only been as far as Port Ormos...