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thirstology2018-04-01 12:05 am
futurologists) wrote in thirstology2018-04-01 12:05 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME
FANTASTIC MR. FOX  Welcome to Azeria, a small single-biome planet covered almost entirely by deep, mossy forests. The natives of Azeria, a sapient foxlike species called Vulphytes, have reached out to Hathaway for help in repelling a planetary invasion. Other Vulphyte tribes have sent word of dangerous aliens descending in silver machines and laying waste to the forest, killing and capturing Vulphytes and animals in their wake. Hathaway analysts have calculated that the Merging is to blame for this sudden invasion; before, these two nearly identical universes didn't see each other, but now that they are one, these strangers are suddenly planetary neighbors. The aliens, seeing a new planet, must be searching for colonization prospects, while the Vulphytes are helpless against their spacefaring weaponry. ▸ FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS.On greeting the Hathaway agents, the Vulphytes will initially be very awkward and surprised, or as awkward and surprised as sapient foxes can appear. The Vulphytes speak telepathically, and eventually a spokesfox explains the cause of their discomfort: the invading aliens are humans, just like most of you. ▸ PROMPTS Your mission is simple: protect the Vulphytes, forests, and native animals from the invading humans. It's not necessary to kill all the invaders (unless you want to), simply keep them from taking the planet for their own and do a good enough job to persuade them never to come back. Of course, the invaders are a bit... forceful in their methods, so it's up to you.   The Vulphytes live in a cluster of burrows which are unfortunately not large enough for anything human-sized to visit, but the presence of non-aggressive aliens (that's you!) is enough to get the majority of them to pop out and curiously observe. The Vulphytes are variably black, grey, or red, with fur transitioning to moss along their backs; animals you might see in the forest, including deer, rabbits, and owls, have a similarly moss-covered look. The Vulphytes will take awhile to warm up to anyone who is human (or those who visibly look human), their telepathic tones suspicious as they ask questions about their loyalties, where they're from, and what their homeworlds are like. Those who are clearly not human will receive a much warmer reception, the Vulphytes asking curious questions and the Vulphyte kits trailing behind in fuzzy little rows. When the invaders' silver machines -- spaceships -- become visible in the sky, through breaks in the tree canopy, the Vulphytes look skyward and begin to howl. It's a pre-battle ritual, one of them explains, and characters are invited to join in: howl to the sky, to your enemies, and get ready to fight. TWO ▸ THE INVASION. The silver spaceships of the invaders crash down through the trees, sending animals fleeing in all directions. The Vulphytes stay put, snarling in the direction of the noise and waiting for the invaders to come to them. If you'd like, you can rush forward and head them off -- or stay and fight alongside the foxes. Just as the Vulphytes claimed, the invaders are human. They are dressed in armored space suits, the visors on their helmets obscuring their faces and reflecting the forest all around. Their weapons are various types of laser guns, though a few are holding axes that have laser blades, which they use to start chopping down trees as their compatriots march toward the Vulphyte dens. The invaders are surprised to see people here, but they're not interested in talking: they open fire on anyone they see, not recognizing any of the recruits as their people and thus pegging them immediately as enemies. Though they're aggressive, they're not suicidal; if a single invader encounters too much violence or are outnumbered, they'll run back to their compatriots for reinforcements, so it's best to dispatch them quickly (or prevent them for running for help in some other way). Once the invaders reach the Vulphyte dens, the foxes fight viciously, swarming individuals in a flurry of claws and snarling teeth. Kill the invaders or simply give them enough trouble to make them retreat for good, it's up to you. But either way, look after your furry/mossy hosts; despite their telepathic way of communication, the Vulphytes don't possess any magical abilities, so they'll need to be looked after in the face of laser weapons. THREE ▸ BABYSITTER'S CLUB. The baby Vulphytes are in the greatest amount of danger from the invading humans, being entirely unable to defend themselves and uncertain of what's actually going on. Hathaway has been tasked with rescuing them from their dens and whisking them away to safer areas away from the fighting where they can be cared for until the fighting is over. The only problem is that baby Vulphytes are... well, babies. They're quite upset by all the ruckus, yowling in a way that resembles crying, and aren't exactly happy to be taken away by strangers they don't know. In fact, some of them might try to make a great escape, so you'd better be quick! Those who make it to a safe area will need consoling and, once that's done, entertainment. They'll also need their caretakers to make sure no invaders sneak up on them -- since some are hidden in the woods. It's a big job, but you can handle it, right? FOUR ▸ VICTORY CELEBRATIONS. Once the invaders are finally chased off, everyone gathers together to celebrate. The Vulphytes bow (as well as a fox can) as the team enters and apologize for their uncertainty before; they see now that many of you are nothing like the aliens who threatened them, despite your similar looks. They'd like you all to stay and celebrate, if you have time. The celebrations are... a bit different than most might be used to; it's definitely not a human party. There are games with handmade balls of packed moss, which the Vulphytes seem to love. In fact, they go crazy for Fetch, a game they were never introduced to before due to their tragic lack of opposable thumbs. They "sing" for the team in howls, a rare example of adults not communicating telepathically. As for the team, they receive a congratulatory message from Imogen on their magitek suggesting they take the rest of the celebration to meet and greet with the unfamiliar faces. There won't be much time to do so back at Headquarters, I'm afraid, she adds. Drakstaden awaits, darlings! FIVE ▸ CHIT-CHAT. It's your standard network option. Make battle plans, chat about how cute the foxes are, or share good hiding places. No matter what, you get one username to identify you and one only -- if you don't enter one, it will default to your real name (for example, Voldemort's would be tomriddle.) Choose wisely... or make it assfarts69, if that's your thing. More information on the jewelcomms can be found on the devices guide. SIX ▸ WILDCARD. Do whatever the heck you want! Go pick wildflowers. Climb a tree. Hunt animals. Loot innocent fox dens, you monster. The world is your oyster. ▸ OOC NOTES Welcome to the second test drive meme of Futurology Season 2! This test drive will function as an optional mini-mission for both new and current characters, similar in feel to the missions we have in-game but on a much smaller scale. Threads on this test drive are game canon by default unless one of the participants would like to retcon it. Current characters may use TDM threads for non-!plot AC proofs. Both test drivers and current characters are welcome to top level! While current characters are allowed to tag other current characters, we ask that you please make an effort to be welcoming to test drivers as well! Since incoming characters currently don't have official specializations, we have no specialized prompts. However, feel free to play as if your character is level 1 of whichever specialization you would like to choose. Questions about the game in general can be directed to the FAQ. If you've been with us before, you might notice things look a little different around here. Make sure you check out the welcome page for the basic rundown of how your character joined up with Hathaway. For further information about the game, the full navigation has all the links you'll need. ▸ Upcoming Events (Futurology runs on timezone UTC): |
jester | critical role campaign 2
➽ THE INVASION.
[ Technically, Jester can heal. It's one of the gifts that the Traveler bestowed on her, wherever he is at the moment ( she leaves that thought for another time ). Which makes her role pretty clear, really — stay in the backlines, help the fighters. Make sure they can keep fighting. Rinse, then repeat.
Problem: she's currently running straight for the invaders, a giant, spectral lollipop floating behind her. Her eyes have a wild glint to them that speaks less of mania and more of excitement. Time to get fucked, weirdos with strange magical weapon ... things.
And she would've had a great time, except she swears she passes by someone that just goes down and — that's less good. She seriously ( obviously ) contemplates ignoring them, but her morals get the better of her; stops, sighs, then turns back around. When she jogs back, there's a long, frustrated groan ( the lollipop floats dutifully where she stopped; the invaders that catch sight of it seem confused ).
She dramatically drops down to her knees beside the injured teammate, rolling her eyes as her hands begin to glow. The light is ... warm to the touch, especially on the wound. Which would be nice if you didn't have one (1) grumbling tiefling by your side. ]
I always have to do this, because everyone keeps getting hurt and then I can't beat up any of the bad guys. I would've been really great at it, you know! I have this cool spell that lets me ring bells to hurt them — [ A breath, and then the voice takes a certain terrible, german accent. ] but no, Jester, you're The cleric! You have to heal! [ Is she even talking at anyone, who knows. ]
➽ VICTORY CELEBRATIONS.
[ Picture: a blue haired, blue skinned girl, with horns coming out of her head, in a dress. Now picture her sitting in a circle with a couple of moss covered foxes. Also imagine a small pile of slightly sparkly rocks and maybe a couple of wild flowers, sitting in a neat pile in front of each ... sentient being.
Also picture: playing cards in front of all of them, with the foxes — Vulphytes — listening raptly to whatever the tiefling — Jester — is saying. They seem confused at best, but they've down with their savior and now it'd probably be a little rude to get up, or something ( the lack of opposable thumbs means they definitely can't play this game properly. Jester hardly minds ). ] Oh!
[ Until she notices someone else is lingering — yet another victim, nice. ] Would you like to play a card game? It's very easy!
[ Don't. She cheats. ]
➽ WILDCARD.
( if none of the options work, hit me up with a wildcard. if it sounds stupid enough, jester'll probably do it. she's very easily distracted. )
➽ wildcard idk
Being clearly Not Human and also clearly covered in lots of interesting shiny things made Molly a fast favorite of the younger Vulphytes soon after landing. Quick enough that he's got himself a small handful as a shadow as their parents warily explain their plight and nervously negotiate with the rest of the (largely human) crew.
He notices the kits creeping up behind them pretty quickly, but feigns ignorance for a while as they follow. A handful of little aliens, chattering psychically and watching with wide eyes and chasing clumsily at his lashing tail. Whe they spot him watching, he awards them with a wink, and shifts to occupy them by juggling his swords in front of him, whistling a little tune under his breath that manages to be off-key but enjoyable at the same time. Tosses the blades higher and higher to the awe of his audience, catching them a little lower to the ground for a good thrill.
Until, that is, a certain fellow tiefling (named Jester, that tiefling) rounds a corner too fast and stumbles into him and sends him just short of stumbling, himself. Rhythm broken, the sword arcing down from the sky flies a little too far behind him, a little too close to the kids for comfort. He recovers and catches it—but not before the kits can cry out and scatter in rightful alarm at the close shave.
There's a pause. The negotiations have gone silent at the commotion as the Vulphytes hackle at the perceived threat to their children and the audience of children catches its breath...and then gushes in excitement at the show of dexterity that only thumbs can really deliver. Molly carries the arc of his last-minute catch into a flourish, as if it was just a part of the trick all along. Spreads his hands into a proper showman's tada, as he gestures back at Jester with the tips of the blades.
Baldfaced and brightly—]
...my assistant, ladies and gentlemen.
["Assistant."]
no subject
Surely it's not because she saw something exciting across the clearing, just around a corner. Turns out that exciting this is Molly ( she's not sure what she expected, considering not a lot of things reflect light in a forest aside from metallic piercings and weapons ). Turns out she realizes this a second too late, and ... well, that's how she ends up in the situation she ends up.
And helpfully, she gasps the moment the sword goes flying in the air. Both of them are on their feet pretty immediately, but even in her eyes the sword catching was pretty impressive. Her eyes dart from Molly's hands to the scattered Vulphytes, waiting for a reaction, until they're being applauded and Molly introduces her as his assistant.
Well this proves that she would've done great at a carnival, at least ( no ). ]
... Hi! [ Brightly, easily, as if she definitely meant what just happened. Absolutely. She even does a little curtsy once she's introduced. Then, to Molly— ] We should show them that other trick, too!
[ While they're at it, you know. Since they have a small gathering and all ( she's helping!! ). ]
no subject
Molly straightens properly, tossing one scimitar up and catching it by the hilt one last time before stowing the both of them under his robes. The adult fox creatures seem to settle down as the sharp things go out of sight.]
You know, that is an excellent idea. In fact, I was just about to suggest it.
[No. No, he wasn't But since Jester is helping, they may as well "yes, and" themselves out of this.
Despite the fact that any sane person could see that this will probably only end in tears—]
And you, my friend, have been so excellent that I think you ought to go ahead and start us off.
[#yolo. Make him proud, Jester.]
no subject
She beams. Not a moment of hesitation when the proverbial ball gets thrown right back into her court, instead easily taking the entire situation with gusto. ] Yeah! Okay, okay okay okay— [ Except she needs to look around for a really, really good idea to start them off, surely there's something that will work here, until— ] Oh!
[ She easily steps over to a lit campfire someone's set up, grabbing a particularly long branch. The Vulphyte parents get nervous at the sight of open flames around their young, but surely they've proven themselves to be trustworthy. Jester grins and brings the flame down to their level so that they can take a good look at it. ] This! Is a regular fire. [ Amazing. She's got a hushed voice to add the dramatic effect. ] But sometimes, it changes its color to pink! And when it changes to pink, he [ Meaning Molly— ] ...
[ She looks back at him, grin as wide as ever. ] I can't spoil the sur-prise! [ #helping. She looks back at it, making a big deal out of Focusing On The Torch For Dramatic Effect. Surprising absolutely everyone except the people running the show ( the mark of a true showman, surely ), the torchlight gets brighter and brighter before it ... turns bright pink.
( The other option was earthquakes, but she's learned this thing called restraint because she still wants the foxes to like them. ) ]
victory
But despite the white hair and golden eyes, he looks human. Weird.] That's what they all say.
What's in it for me?
no subject
Well, we found some nice rocks and flowers that kind of work, sort of. But I guess we'll take other things, too. [ C'mon, what kind of cool things do you have, let her be nosy. ] I can add more, if you want...?
But only if you're playing!
no subject
Fine, whatever. [It's not like he wanted to play or anything...
But he sits on the opposite side with the rest of the Vulphytes, cross-legged and partially lumbering in the back-center with two on the right and two on the left. They don't seem to mind his intrusion, so maybe they've grown to trust him. (Maybe it's the stupid ears.)] This is all I've got.
[He pulls one half of a scallop shell out of the inside of the red robe, and he deposits it down in front of himself by the rocks and flowers.]
no subject
Anyway the more the merrier, really, as she watches with a certain kind of satisfaction as this weird eared guy settles down in the circle now ( speak for yourself, Jester ). The moment the sea shell settles down on the ground, she, with the rest of the Vulphytes, all lean over. She's probably speaking for the rest of them when there's a quiet— ] Oooooh. You know, I used to live by the sea! We used to have these all over the beaches. Some of them looked like they were shining and everything!
But this one's nice, too. [ ... ] Do you know how to play Crick Queen's Call?
backflips into victory celebrations
[ Sparkling rocks? Caleb, already worn thin by the entire experience of being here in the first place, doesn't see the little pile as a suitable lure.
And he has some conflicting feelings about the foxes themselves, but it's nothing he cares to begin unraveling. The bigger draw is what he's earning by protecting the foxes from invasion. Protecting them from Jester isn't part of the bargain, so the foxes will have to look out for themselves. ]
catches with open arms!!
That is a very serious accusation, you know. Especially for someone like me. [ Dramatically, as she does. Because she's clearly the epitome of honesty and good will. ] I just want to play, and they just want to play. It's like it was destiny!
[ ... So, with that said. ] Does that mean you're not playing?
settles in casually
One round.
[ A stipulation that allows for escape. Frumpkin drops from his shoulders to his lap, warily eyeing the cards fluttering between Jester's fingers. ]
What are we playing?
[ This is a little bit of an attempt to make up for his earlier, blunt commentary. However, even as Caleb considers making himself a part of Jester's ruse, he is very aware that he isn't a very good candidate for it. Caleb's brand of con requires a completely different kind of distraction than Jester's employed to cheat at cards.
But he's already sat down. So they'll see how they go. ]
i swear i love you i'm just the slowest
She leans back once more. The sigh happens the same time her shoulders slump forward, but when she responds to Caleb the enthusiasm returns just as quickly. ] Crick Queen's Call. [ Obviously. ] I already explained all the rules to everyone else, you know how to play, right?
[ The foxes look confused at best. This will go great. ]
take your time fam i am never in any hurry
Well, the reward is worth it. Caleb reminds himself of this as he sits, watching Jester cycle through disappointment back into the gleam of excitement in the span of a few moments. It's still vaguely impressive to see, but not even remotely something to be questioned. Just like he's not going to question the rules of the game, though Caleb isn't totally sure it's a) a real game or b) that Jester would be following the rules exactly even if it were. ]
I'll catch on as we play, [ Caleb tells her, hands folded in his lap. ] You'll have to go slowly at first, for my sake.
[ And their audience. Unless their confusion is part of the plan, in which case she'll take Caleb for all he's worth right along with them. ]
After this I really should see about finding the others.
[ This is a very generous way to say "I want to go look for Nott." ]
no subject
[ I mean, as long as he's playing. Jester's just here to win ( her nefarious plot, revealed ). She deals out three cards to each player, her tail swishing back and forth while she takes a peek at her own cards. After some struggle, the Vulphytes seem to do the same.
( Jester slips her hands into her sleeves, attempting to swap out one of the cards in her hand with a much better one. ) ]
Oh. Haven't you already met everyone? [ Not everyone is you, Jester. ] Who are you looking for? Is it Nott? [ #helping. ]
no subject
Yes, I'm still looking for her.
[ Of course he hasn't met everyone. Caleb wouldn't want to meet everyone under the best of circumstances. ]
I didn't realize there were so many people to meet.
[ Or to scream with as they tried to survive a direct assault. Did that count as an introduction? ]
fuck it i'm writing a break tag
Hmm... [ She could always just — tell him that she hasn't seen Nott yet. And she's seen a lot of people ( and foxes, lots and lots of foxes ). But to admit something like that to Caleb so casually is ... well, Jester's happy to get a rise out of people, but she's not cruel.
So, she keeps her mouth shut. Deals another card to each player ( much, much better ). ] I can help look for her with you! After the card game, obviously. [ Obviously. The thought of playing cards with foxes had been alluring at first ( is still attractive, to some degree ), but she is easily distracted at the end of the day. So.
It might be fruitless, but she has no reason to say no. ] I bet it'd go faster if both of us are looking.
[ ... ] Maybe she's in a tree!