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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
She watches as he takes out his sunglasses before looking back at the chest. She recognizes the heart brooch with two small wings instantly, relief flooding through her as she picks it up and holds it to her chest.]
I guess it's our reward from the fox.
[She feels more secure now that she has her transformation brooch, folding into her hands as she looks across the sand, squinting at what looks like tents in the distance.
We should keep going- it's so hot.
no subject
Implying the worm was a challenge?
[Something put there on purpose, maybe? He didn't like the idea of that but there wasn't a whole lot he could do about it, especially right now.
He eyed the chest for a moment, closed it, and picked it up. Maybe it'd be worth something if they ever reached civilization. Tucking it under his arm, he straightened up and picked up the canteen from where he'd dropped it.]
Yeah. I'll be a lobster by the time we get there.
no subject
[She gives him an encouraging smile as she starts walking beside him. Hopefully, the tents aren't as far away as they look but at least they won't be alone for the walk.
It's really hot but she doesn't feel as tired as she expects, keeping a steady pace and looking at him to make sure Ronan is ok. If he faltered she wasn't sure she could carry him the way but she would at least try to get him to the tents which are finally getting closer.]
I'm Usagi by the way. It's nice to meet you, despite the worm.
no subject
[But they'd both come out of the fight alright, so he couldn't complain about that part, at least. Now, if he got sand in his boots, on the other hand, he absolutely would complain about that.]
Ronan. And you, too.
[It was as close as he was (usually) going to get to being polite. But she'd been nothing but kind and helpful so far, so she deserved at least an attempt at him being nice.]
Let me know if you need a drink.
[Since he had the canteen and all.]
no subject
[Usagi gratefully takes the canteen to take a small drink of water before handing it back. She suspects that he doesn't hear that a lot but she won't let that stop her from showing her gratitude.]
I think the tents are closer, come on!
[She grabs his hand excitedly without waiting for a response as she walks fast, almost running. It's hot but the thought of finding some relief and shade was too promising.]
I hope they have water. This is too much!
no subject
Instead, he might've blushed when she took his hand, or maybe he was flushed from the heat. Either way, he followed dutifully.]
Thank fuck. This heat is insane. Have you ever heard about any of those reality shows where they drop people in horrible places and watch them try to survive? That's what this is like.
[Except it was also a good way to pick people off as they fell prey to the elements or things like that worm.]
no subject
[She lets go of his hand when they start to get near the tents. She's panting from the heat, her face flushed but the thought of getting out of the heat keeps her going.
The first thing that hits her when she sets foot into the nearest tent is the cool air. Maybe she should be more cautious about leading them to strange tents but the air is chilled, making her lightheaded.]
We...made...it.
no subject
People are fucked up.
[It was a relief to reach the tents, to pass into the shade and feel the immediate temperature difference. In different circumstances, he'd clap her on the back, but in this case he was pretty sure doing so would knock her over right now. So, instead he found the nearest out of the way spot in the shade and sat down.]
You good? You should probably sit for a minute.
[Or twelve.]
no subject
[She turns to make sure he reaches the tent as well, smiling with relief before deciding to flop on the nearest pile of cushions with a loud oof.
It feels so good to be off her feet and out of the sun, she stays there for a moment before rolling over with a happy sigh. She doesn't move for a bit but after a moment looks up to find a fox looking at her.
Before she has a chance to jump away or get scared she sees that it's holding a tray out to her which contains cups of shaved ice, water, and some food.]
Uhhh...
no subject
I'll take some if you don't. They seem friendly enough.
[And they weren't a person, so there was no sense being rude--even to Ronan. He typically treated animals better than most people.]
no subject
[But it's friendly and holding out the tray for her still so she gratefully takes the water and one of the bowls of shaved ice that looks like it's favored.
She sits up, feeling a lot better already now that she's not on her feet in the hot sun.]
I wish they had clothes, I smell of worm stuff and grossness.
no subject
[But it was somehow only mildly weird, all things considered.]
Clothes are a pretty low concern right now.
[He understood though, since he'd also been covered in sand worm ichor.]
Personally, I'll start worrying about that after we get out of this desert. I never thought I'd experience heat worse than Virginia summers but damn.
no subject
[But the shaved ice is delicious and she accepts the offer of ice water from another one of the attendants.]
Where's Virginia? Is it a desert too?
[She might have slept through most of geography and world history wasn't exactly was her best subject.]