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Entry tags:
October & November 2023 Test Drive Meme
October - November 2023 TDM
Introduction
Welcome to Folkmore's bimonthly 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 and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’
TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.
Playing and interacting with the 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.
🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.
and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.
🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.
Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.
Content Warnings: Potential nonconsensual physical changes
Tides doesn’t have a farmer’s market. However, it does have a regular artists’ fair. Spirits—and Star Children—can set up stalls to offer art they have already made or to make it right before people. On the spot commissions! It’s a great way to see a wide spread of the art available in Tides, on rare occasions even Jewelia’s own.
Within the artists’ fair is a makers’ square where everyone is invited to join an artist in learning to make some kind of art. It might be painting and wine. Lithography. Embroidery. You name it. Seriously, feel free to put a suggestion in the box of what Star Children would be interested in. The artists leading the space don’t all teach at Jewelia Academy. This could be the only chance to learn from them!
This time it’s making salt water taffy. Spirit Children can learn how to complete the process from start to finish with a bit of an arm workout. If they aren’t interested in or cannot handle the arm workout pulling the taffy, they can help a spirit wherever they’re interested. There is any flavor Spirit Children can imagine to flavor their taffy, even ones only found in their home worlds. Share a little culture!
Star Children may keep up to half of the taffy they make, but the rest will be offered to everyone coming through the makers’ square in the artists’ fair. Perhaps it’ll encourage other Star Children to make their own! Star Children, whether they make taffy or simply take free samples, will find that eating taffy can have an effect on them.
Eating taffy made by Legends will give Star Children color changing eyes that give away their mood, just like Legends. Eating taffy made by Myths will give Star Children horns, claws, or a tail that grows larger when they react more logically and less emotionally. Eating taffy made by Familiars will give Star Children animal features. These effects last from one-six hours.
Eating taffy made by Spirits has no effect at all!
Tides doesn’t have a farmer’s market. However, it does have a regular artists’ fair. Spirits—and Star Children—can set up stalls to offer art they have already made or to make it right before people. On the spot commissions! It’s a great way to see a wide spread of the art available in Tides, on rare occasions even Jewelia’s own.
Within the artists’ fair is a makers’ square where everyone is invited to join an artist in learning to make some kind of art. It might be painting and wine. Lithography. Embroidery. You name it. Seriously, feel free to put a suggestion in the box of what Star Children would be interested in. The artists leading the space don’t all teach at Jewelia Academy. This could be the only chance to learn from them!
This time it’s making salt water taffy. Spirit Children can learn how to complete the process from start to finish with a bit of an arm workout. If they aren’t interested in or cannot handle the arm workout pulling the taffy, they can help a spirit wherever they’re interested. There is any flavor Spirit Children can imagine to flavor their taffy, even ones only found in their home worlds. Share a little culture!
Star Children may keep up to half of the taffy they make, but the rest will be offered to everyone coming through the makers’ square in the artists’ fair. Perhaps it’ll encourage other Star Children to make their own! Star Children, whether they make taffy or simply take free samples, will find that eating taffy can have an effect on them.
Eating taffy made by Legends will give Star Children color changing eyes that give away their mood, just like Legends. Eating taffy made by Myths will give Star Children horns, claws, or a tail that grows larger when they react more logically and less emotionally. Eating taffy made by Familiars will give Star Children animal features. These effects last from one-six hours.
Eating taffy made by Spirits has no effect at all!
🦊 Star Children can attend an artists’ fair and make salt water taffy.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Star Children will give temporary features of that kind of Star Child.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Spirits has no effect.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Star Children will give temporary features of that kind of Star Child.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Spirits has no effect.
Content Warnings: Pocket universe, dungeon castle crawl, forced relocation
One of the many food carts in Tides serves homemade ice cream. The fox spirit serving it promises that it will provide a jolt of inspiration—even to Star Children who cannot eat. Even holding a cone or cup of the ice cream can jolt someone’s imagination, the fox says. It’s free as part of the welcome to Tides, but no one has to accept it, not even to hold. The fox spirit won’t cajole anyone, and Star Children can go along their way.
At least a few hours later, long enough to have forgotten the offer or to get frustrated by the lack of promised inspiration, Star Children fall down down down into a painted, sculpted, sidewalk chalked, or otherwise artistically bent world. They are as artistically made as the rest of the world around them. They match it, as do their one to three companions who arrive with them. They may be friends or strangers. They are compatriots in this strange world.
Whether starting deep in the bowels or high in a tower, this artistic world is that of a castle. A unique castle to each Star Child host. Elements of its design, decor, and mechanisms tie back to a creative endeavor of the host. For the castle is a direct manifestation of whatever project the Star Child host experiences creative block around, whether that’s art or science or anything else. It’s baked into the design. Not only that, the castle is under attack! Dragons or monsters or knights, oh my! Whatever attacks, the very creative idea may crumble if it doesn’t get solved.
Star Children who ate the ice cream will have an easier time shoring up defenses, buying time to think, and even experiencing a breakthrough moment of inspiration. Any companions who ate the ice cream will have an easier time helping the host. Regardless, the only way out is a breakthrough or to see the idea fall to uninspired ruin. Which will it be?
When a group breaks through, they return to Tides with up to four nearly identical dollhouse castles. A miniature doll of one party member will be in each dollhouse. The doll will also have a miniature version of an item from home. Take it from one’s doll, and it becomes lifesize. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
One of the many food carts in Tides serves homemade ice cream. The fox spirit serving it promises that it will provide a jolt of inspiration—even to Star Children who cannot eat. Even holding a cone or cup of the ice cream can jolt someone’s imagination, the fox says. It’s free as part of the welcome to Tides, but no one has to accept it, not even to hold. The fox spirit won’t cajole anyone, and Star Children can go along their way.
At least a few hours later, long enough to have forgotten the offer or to get frustrated by the lack of promised inspiration, Star Children fall down down down into a painted, sculpted, sidewalk chalked, or otherwise artistically bent world. They are as artistically made as the rest of the world around them. They match it, as do their one to three companions who arrive with them. They may be friends or strangers. They are compatriots in this strange world.
Whether starting deep in the bowels or high in a tower, this artistic world is that of a castle. A unique castle to each Star Child host. Elements of its design, decor, and mechanisms tie back to a creative endeavor of the host. For the castle is a direct manifestation of whatever project the Star Child host experiences creative block around, whether that’s art or science or anything else. It’s baked into the design. Not only that, the castle is under attack! Dragons or monsters or knights, oh my! Whatever attacks, the very creative idea may crumble if it doesn’t get solved.
Star Children who ate the ice cream will have an easier time shoring up defenses, buying time to think, and even experiencing a breakthrough moment of inspiration. Any companions who ate the ice cream will have an easier time helping the host. Regardless, the only way out is a breakthrough or to see the idea fall to uninspired ruin. Which will it be?
When a group breaks through, they return to Tides with up to four nearly identical dollhouse castles. A miniature doll of one party member will be in each dollhouse. The doll will also have a miniature version of an item from home. Take it from one’s doll, and it becomes lifesize. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
🦊 Star Children will be offered homemade ice cream by a fox spirit.
🦊 Star Children will be transported into an artistic world set within a castle under attack.
🦊 1-3 other Star Children will join the host.
🦊 Escape by breaking through the host’s creative block.
🦊 Star Children whose groups break through will receive a personal item from home. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
🦊 Star Children will be transported into an artistic world set within a castle under attack.
🦊 1-3 other Star Children will join the host.
🦊 Escape by breaking through the host’s creative block.
🦊 Star Children whose groups break through will receive a personal item from home. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
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Toph considers this report. ] Hmmm. Okay, good enough for me. I want to see what kind of loot they give out. [ She can be motivated to just generally help people, but she's been part of a war too long to assume somebody is the good guy and somebody is the bad guy. ]
I've had more than enough practice fighting enemies that throw fire. [ Toph cracks her knuckles. ] Let's go.
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Then again Casey had surprised him so. He just makes a faint sort of scoffing noise as he heads for the castle. ]
You're a human. How do YOU usually fight fire?
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[ Toph picks up the pace quickly; now that they've decided to fight, she's not going to sit around, and before long she's running in a light clip. ]
Actually, I usually do this! [ she shouts back, then slides into an earthbending stance utilizing all of her forward momentum to thrust her hands out ahead of her. Several enormous boulders pop out of the ground and launch themselves at the dragons at high speed across the distance remaining between them. Notably, she only targets the ones in contact with the ground; any of them flying, she can't feel. ]
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And then she earthbends and uh that shuts him up pretty quick actually. He's never seen a human do magic like THAT. ]
-- Okay fine that works! Also what was that!
[ He's not going to spend ALL his time talking though. He shoves back his sleeve with a rustle of fabric, exposing a pair of ice glyphs. A wave of a hand sends a spear of ice to bring down one of the flying dragons to the earth with a loud crash. There's a sizzle as the design burns into his skin a bit, accompanied by the vague scent of wood crisping up. ]
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[ Toph cackles. Slightly maniacally. But then she's diving head on into fighting those dragons without an ounce of hesitation, propelling herself forward with a spike of rock to catapult herself next to the dragon Hunter just downed. A few sharp, decisive earthbending moves later, and the dragon is restrained with shackles of earth binding it to the ground. ]
Think you can do that again?
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[ It takes him a moment to get his brain back into gear because holey muck he's outclassed. That isn't unusual for Hunter, given his relationship with magic, but he's not used to it being so obvious. And by a HUMAN? Whatever this earthbending nonsense is, he needs to know more.
Right after he takes care of these darn dragons, anyway. He's definitely not the powerhouse but that doesn't mean he's not competent. ]
Okay, okay! I can do that! Just - give me a second!
[ The sleeve is already back, so it's easy to fire off another ice shard with a similar vegetal sizzle. The dragon roars in pain, but this time it only clipped the creature's wing. Not enough to bring it down. Quick, he needs to do something else. ]
Close your eyes!
[ Is all the warning she gets. (Not that she NEEDS it, but he doesn't know that.) This time, Hunter slaps a single glyph on the back of his hand, sending a brilliant ball of light up into the sky. It explodes into a blinding flash for a moment, which sends the second dragon crashing down. ]
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Frankly, Toph is used to outclassing everyone in regards to her earthbending... but she still can't deal with things in the air, so she's delighted to have the backup. ]
I don't know what you did, but that worked great!
[ Toph slides her feet sharply along the ground, following up with flat-handed jabs. Another dragon shackled, and she adds a few punches to keep this one's neck flat along the ground, since it doesn't seem inclined to stop spitting fire everywhere on its own. Now it's stuck aiming its fire in one direction only. ]
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[ He's not sure how she didn't see that but good for her on hiding her eyes really good apparently?? Anyway. That seems to be all of the dragons in the immediate area, so he hops to the same side of the shackled critter as Toph, mindful of that fire still coming out. He does NOT want to get scorched. ]
You really pinned them down...
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[ Toph reports this with the matter-of-fact attitude of someone sick of repeating it. She can get the sense from Hunter joining her and his lack of physical tension that maybe the fight's ramping down. ]
That was all of them? I can't tell when they're in the air.
[ They're probably not going to stay stuck pinned for long with just that rock, though, given their size... she's going to need to find some metal if she wants to keep them there. Toph starts scanning her surroundings by crouching down and placing one hand in contact with the ground. ]
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[ Hang on, loop back, that was important. He's totally distracted from the dragons and also what she's doing. ]
You're blind? Are you sure?
[ Hunter, ]
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[ Toph sounds like she's barely paying attention. ]
Hope you don't mind if I borrow this --
[ Assuming there is some kind of metal component to the castle, Toph straightens up into a stiff, set position, and starts peeling pieces of metal away from the building to layer on top of the dragon bindings. She has a serious, focused expression, a far cry from her gleeful bragging earlier. It's comparatively small, tiny motions of her individual fingers that warp and bend the metal, testament to how small the impurities are that she's manipulating. ]
... Because you're probably not getting it back. [ Toph lets out a long breath, showing some of the effort it took. ] There.
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[ Because dang that's impressive. He still has no idea how the heck she's doing this. The movements, maybe? But there's no spell circle, and no staff analog he can see, or even a glyph that might explain it. Not that he has the first idea how to put together a set that would manipulate metal like that. (Maybe if he had a VERY intricate interweaving of plant, fire, and ice--)
As she's strapping down the first dragon, the second one starts shifting in alarming ways. So Hunter scoots over to it, swiftly drawing a large plant glyph in the dirt and slapping his hand down on it. Immediately, a whole passel of vines come creaking out of the earth, wrapping firmly but firmly around the dragon and (most importantly) the mouth spitting flames. It winds up wriggling for a moment before flopping in defeat. ]
Was that "earthbending" too? With the metal?
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Toph grins, more than pleased that he's not only reevaluating assumptions but openly admitting to it. Actions speak much louder than words and so far he's seeming all bark, no bite. Which she doesn't mind at all. ] Yeah. I invented it. [ She sounds proud, but not like she's looking for affirmation or needs to dwell on it. ]
You know, you're not half bad. [ Sidling up to him, Toph offers out a closed fist in the air for a fist bump of victory. ] Give it here.
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[ Admittedly he's at least partially impressed based on not having seen bending at ALL before but. Still.
He straightens back up again now that the dragon is secure, and. Uh. What is he supposed to give exactly?? He winds up blinking at her before just sort of settling a gloved hand on top of her fist. He's wearing some sort of armored gauntlet made with metal plates. ]
Uh. Okay? There you go?
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You're hopeless! I was trying to say I appreciated the backup.
[ Toph eventually releases him, rocking back on her heels and looking wickedly entertained. ] I'm Toph Beifong, by the way.
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You - this is no way to treat the Emperor of the Boiling Isles!
[ Said emperor winds up sitting flat on his butt for a moment after she releases him, continuing to make indignant noises. ]
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She sets her hands on her hips, smugly leaning over him. ]
Does the emperor have a name? Because otherwise you're stuck with Prissy.
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It's Hunter.
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[ Toph's hand shoots out again and grabs him, dragging him forcefully back up to his feet before she starts to walk off. ]
Come on, let's go see what they wanted so bad inside that castle.
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[ But he follows after her, since he ALSO wants to figure out what's going on here. ]
I've never seen a dragon act like that before.
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Then, genuinely curious: ] What was different about it? I've never met a dragon before.
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[ He cranes his neck back at the two they pinned to the ground. ]
These have weird limbs, for starters. The one Kikimora rides is more gnarly. And he just liked eating anything that moved.
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[ She doesn't sound critical, instead still curious. Toph may have a huge ego and a towering sense of self-confidence, but it's well-founded enough that she doesn't have a problem directing a conversation away from herself. Not to mention, she's specifically here to experience new things. ]
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[ He's been here a month and he still hasn't bothered to learn the name of the place. Despite definitely having been told a few times. ]
This place has weird stuff like this happen constantly. It's never anything that makes sense.
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You said this place looked like your castle, [ she points out. ] What's that about?
[ If there's any kind of accessible door, Toph is leading them unerringly toward it. And if there isn't, well, she can make one. ]
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