test drive 5.0
The world has shifted. Or maybe you’ve shifted? Either way, things have changed, and it’s going to be quite a while before you see them change back again. BASICSYou were going about your business as usual until the world went white around you, and when the fog cleared: Oska. You've arrived in a snag of reality between worlds, the full extent of which can be read about here. But in essence, you’ve arrived in a grand, magical, almost empty castle. Outside the castle is an empty, long-abandoned village, partially in ruin. Past that, the world simply fades out into white mist. Your best bet is probably to stick to the castle and its grounds.
Suits of armor patrol the quiet hallways, but good luck getting them to speak or answer any questions. There’s absolutely nothing inside them, they move under their own power. They don’t talk, but they also go out of their way not to hurt you. You can even attack one, it will just patiently wait for you to give up and leave. If, however, you ask one for directions, it will dutifully turn and lead the way to wherever you’ve requested.
Librarians lurk in the halls of the enormous, well-stocked library, in which you can find nearly any book from nearly any world. The librarians are tall, wide, and very muscular, but they’re also not out to hurt you. Provided you play nice, of course. The usual rules apply: be respectful of the books, keep your voice lowered, and never bring any source of flame into the library. That last one might make the librarians reconsider their nonviolent natures.
Outside, there's a greenhouse with every type of flora you can imagine (and more, since they're from all over the universe) — be careful, though, because not all of them are friendly. If you'd like to take a dip, you can check out the lake; just be friendly to the fish. You can catch sight of almost any animal you'd like in the stables, real-world or fantasy. Most of them have been tamed, and won't do any real harm. However, some of them can be a bit testy. Stay away from the unicorns unless you have perfect manners — they hate impoliteness.
Current characters in game can assume that the Timeline glitched and sent them temporarily back to Oska. You are welcome to take any threads that happen here as game canon, should both parties arrive in game. Threads done here by prospective players may be used as application samples, and threads done by current players may be used as Bonus AC.
PROMPTSONE ✗ THE KITCHEN
The kitchen is always stocked with food, freshly cooked and ready to be eaten — although there was no one to do the cooking, and it might just be you to do the eating. That doesn’t seem to discourage the kitchen in the slightest, which is constantly churning out new, fresh courses. Some of them are more innocent than others today.
That tart you just ate? It was harpfruit, native to Cendiares, and has a pesky side effect of making the eater blurt out everything that pops into their head. The completely average-looking salad actually has flakes of Raphian wildflowers, which cause a bit of dancing fever — it isn't contagious, but it does make the sufferer want to dance with everyone they can. The choices and effects are endless and up to you, and don't worry; ALASTAIR is working on getting the kitchen under control as we speak.
TWO ✗ THE TRAINING CENTER
Maybe you find your way into the Training Center. A lot of work went into setting this room up, and it can construct nearly any scenario that you can imagine. All it takes to activate this room, still and featureless until it comes to life, is the brush of a finger against one of the glowing pads on the wall. The magitek will take it from there.
Just envision the setting and any enemies you’d like to train against, and they’ll instantly materialize. Would you rather go sightseeing, without worrying about a fight? No problem! The room is eager to provide you with a sparring partner, but it can be convinced to hold off -- just don’t think of getting into any fights. The Training Center also offers any games you can think of: soccer, basketball, literal freeze tag, etc. Every supply you need will be simulated for you.
Additionally, the following scenarios are also preloaded into the system for user convenience, each coming with a small summary of mission objectives:
ANWICK: A ruined little village with a massive, dead dragon skewered in the center of it. The goal is to protect her young in a nearby cave. The terrain is treacherous, the wyrmlings are squirmy and unhelpful, and the townsfolk are furious. But for good reason -- it seems dragons have been plaguing them for decades. Even the simulation’s enemies are programmed to say as much, and will do their best to convince you to their side.
CHANTES: Chantes, Audentes' first mission, is a typical medieval town cloaked in darkness and surrounded by a winding forest. It comes in two default flavors and difficulty settings. Fairies are the easier enemy; the objective is to collect three jars of unpleasant, glowing sap from their nests without getting your eyes poked out. The fairy goop can also cause disturbances with magical powers, unwanted levitation, and unfortunate cosmetic effects.
Demons are the more difficult setting. The task is to clear ominous runes off of various town structures, but when approached, each one releases a red, misty spirit. It will fight tooth and nail to protect its ‘home,’ but is largely invulnerable short of destroying its rune. To prevent this, it may resort to spells, violence, and possessing someone else in the simulation -- consider this a lesson in PvP. (NOTE: You’re also welcome to use anything from the previous events from Chantes as well.)
OSKA TRAINING: The goal in this simulation is simple: outlast the timer. It’s exactly the same castle, but after it’s been pelted by a firestorm, architecture ruined to rubble and ash. Navigating the half-destroyed castle is hard enough, and the earthquakes and fireballs raining from the sky will continue until characters survive for a certain amount of time (from an hour to a day) or find a full bushel’s worth of food. And just to rub salt in the wound, all the dirt, grime, and mud in this simulation will last outside of it, so you might need a shower after.
NALAWI: An island nation populated by diminutive deer people. The first setting is a mini version of the Gilligan's Island event -- it's less action-packed and more focused on survival. Marooned on the drowned island of Dakal, it's up to you to figure out where to find food and shelter. You might also want to avoid the hungry sea creatures that have made their way up on the island, too.
The second setting involves lava monsters erupting out of Nalalona, the largest volcano on the Nalawi islands. Lava imps will do their best to hypnotize recruits into following them back into the volcano, and can be defeated the normal way or non-violently lured into the water. Next comes the fire golems, hulking but fast. Their weak spot is their glowing core, but it will require some cleverness to reach. (NOTE: You're welcome to use any scenarios based on other Nalawi events as well!)
ZETA-12: Oh boy, a whole planet to explore! The objective here is simple: protect your delicate goo baby at all costs. Luckily for you, the simulation has seen fit to skip over the frozen wastes! Your first challenge is crossing the deep forest: carnivorous plants try to get a bite out of you, but that isn't the worst part. Eventually, you come to a deep chasm, and have to choose between forcing your wailing, distressed squidge across, or soothing it for several hours until it's willing to go with you.
Scenario two is a thick bog inhabited by an aggressive plant monster. It spits a crippling neurotoxin, so anyone attempting to fight it should be wary. Outsmarting or avoiding it would be best for the squidges' well-being, but some people are too hot-blooded for that. What will you do?
Finally, there's the desert; it's picturesque, but only if you can ignore the dehydration and punishing heat. There's a cave network for you to seek shelter in, but make no mistake: pretty soon a freak meteor shower causes a cave-in and leaves you trapped inside with an increasingly aggressive squidge. Are you out there dodging meteors or navigating caverns? THREE ✗ HOT SPRINGS EPISODEOne of ALASTAIR's teams extracted an enormous, very hot core from a sentient and murderous AI. What better way to put it to use than to heat up the springs? It's a nice place to get some much needed R&R or just hang out. Some enterprising recruits have built wooden decks and stairs around and through the whole affair. It's a little bit of a hike to get there from the castle, but anyone who has visited can agree: it's worth it. FOUR ✗ THE NETWORKThere is some good news, along with all these bizarre and fantastical new sights: you’ve arrived with a new piece of jewelry which, if examined, gives you access to anyone else that might be currently inhabiting Oska. You can speak into the jewelry and be heard, you can get it to project moving images of yourself and others, you can even think a message into it and have it arrive as written word to whoever you’re communicating with. It’s a useful little trinket, provided you can get it to work. FIVE ✗ CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTUREYou are free to use any of these settings, or anything from the Settings Page. You may use any virtually created setting you can think of in the Training Center, even scenes from your character’s world (although they’ll be devoid of people, unless they’re brought in as opponents). |
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futurologists) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
thirstology2016-09-24 10:21 pm
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It's because of this he's surprised at her assertion, something which shows as a blankness in his expression and a slight tilt of his head to one side. Then he smiles slightly, half a laugh escaping him. He... isn't sure he can remember a time a human expressed any concern for his unease.] It is no such unease. [He's used to it, at this point.] To answer your question, though, my previous form is the one I use most often.
[He is careful to not confirm it was his "true" form. Those were the types of intricacies one must keep an eye on around a creature of his like.
He waves a hand in front of him, as if to brush away her apologies.] There is nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should have remorse for shocking you into letting your companion slip away from you.
[The frog had certainly taken advantage of that, it seems...]
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She takes a deep breath and uses a moment to right her posture, trying to look a little more reassuring. ]
If you prefer it, feel free to change back. I promise I will not shout again.
[ Though the mention of the frog has her glancing down, looking a little solemn for a moment. It's true, the frog got away but she wouldn't have known how to look after it anyway. ]
You need not worry about that anyway. I'm sure there are plenty of others here.
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He draws out the cloth again, and as he whirls it back towards the back of his head, it seems to magically draw one's attention so the transformation from human face to animated skull appeared perfectly fluid. This had been a type of magic he'd needed to become very good at, after all, to maintain his deal with the church.
Once returned to this state, he dips his head to her slightly, speaking,] Regardless of how I might present myself, I am Elias Ainsworth—a magus, to preempt any questions.
[Again, another one of those answers you'd have to squint at. He was a magus, sure, but that was his profession, not what he was. Not that many here would know the difference. That, also, was peaceful about this place. Far fewer fae to speak venomously about him behind his back.]
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It doesn't last though, as his other face takes form Sonia steps closer. It's a lot less cautious than before, though still with some hesitation because he is a lot bigger than she is should he prove to be untrustworthy.
For now though, she simply gives him a much warmer smile than before. ]
My name is Sonia Nevermind--and once again, I am terribly sorry for the way I reacted before. [ There's a beat of silence as she looks at the skull that seems to be her face, obviously debating asking something. Finally, she settles on: ]
...May I. May I touch it? [ At least with her looking so intensely at his face he might hopefully know what she means and not think anything weird. ]
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He remains, however, thinking he should take advantage of the opportunity to try and acclimate himself to interacting with humans. Even... the ones who did their switch from fear to unbridled curiosity faster than others.
He shakes his head at her comment, the red lights of his eyes disappearing as he closed his eyes.] You were no worse than how others have reacted to me in the past. Don't trouble yourself with worry.
[The skull was very determinedly his face. It wasn't the only oddity: the muscles of his neck were far stronger and denser than that of a human (to support such a head), the skin dark and purple in tone. The jaw of the skull also moved as he talked, complete with tongue and everything. An odd, unsettling creature. He had accepted this long ago and attempted to move on from it.
She... was a lot more direct than most. He doesn't react for a long moment (though he doesn't really have much ability to emote). Humans... didn't really elect to touch him very often. Really, Chise was the only one who seemed comfortable doing so, so it seemed strange, but... was there really any reason to refuse?
So, without speaking, Elias bends at the waist slightly to bring his face lower, closer to her, eyes watching without blinking.]
as a warning sdr2 spoilers in here in case anyone is reading this!
It's odd to think that while she's seen people half human half robot, that she's seen the monobeasts that were equipped with weaponry strong enough to take on an army and been brainwashed, put into a system meant to erase memories and replace them, yet this is considered unusual too.
Of course she's read stories of demons and ghouls, of childhood terrors, just as any child has. The difference is, that while others would cry and run in fear, she held a fascination. There's no hesitation this time as he leans down so she can touch his face, and her hand is ever so gentle when she places it on what must be the nose. Her hand flattens out as she gives him a warm smile, finding there really is nothing to fear here.
Her eyes close, trying to feel for warmth or coolness, taking in the texture and feeling the obvious strength hidden underneath. ]
You are incredibly remarkable. [ She says it quietly, but with certainty.
What may be more remarkable, she knows, is that he's giving her the chance to do this. He doesn't seem entirely comfortable or used to this kind of notion after all. ]
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None of this really meant he was all that prepared to be scrutinized like this, but really it's just the novelty of it. Not even Chise had been as direct (that was simply how she was). It made him curious of this "Sonia Nevermind" human, but it also made him cautious.
He can sense the warmth of her hand as she touches his face, though the skull that she felt would be relatively cooler—it wasn't a thin membrane, like skin, to convey heat toward the outside. Despite this, though, it was obvious he was alive, or at least showing the signs. Exhaling breaths, slightly warm, escaped the nasal cavities of the skull, lending one to believe he had functioning lungs. If one were to listen to his chest, they would hear a beating heart as well.
Elias studies her as she speaks. He doesn't reply, to a point where it's kind of a strain on the moment. Truth be told, he has no idea how to. He can't say he remembers being told something like that so directly—again, whatever kindness Chise might've shared would've been a little more indirect. The only discernible change to show that he'd heard her at all was a slight tenseness to his shoulders that wasn't there before.
Another long moment passes before he straightens up out of her reach, still eyeing her, not seeming to have blinked since she reached out to touch him. He is... confused. Humans often broke conventional responses to things, but it was still enough to jostle him. Eventually he remarks,] You are a strange one. [His tone is dry, and though the words might be interpreted poorly by some, his tone is more thoughtful than joking or mocking.] Very few feel comfortable doing what you asked to do.
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Yet, this creature in front of her seems to be calm. Controlled. Her head tilts to the side as he comments on her instead, and in return she gives him a piece of information about herself. ]
It would not do for a princess to dwell on her initial surprise, would it? You did shock me, but this is fine. [ She gives him a smile. ] Neither of us have anything to fear here.
[ Even if he probably could rip her apart if he wanted to, his actions thus far have proven he's gentle rather than brutal. He listens rather than thrashes around ignorantly. It's reassuring, over all. ]
At least, that is what I think.
no subject
He is still adjusting to close proximity to humans, still not entirely certain if it's something good or bad in the long run. Working with ALASTAIR would most likely make or break that.
A princess? The way she said it definitely sounded literal rather than figurative (and she would have to be a very vain human to call herself a figurative princess... though who knew). If he's surprised by this information he doesn't show it. He merely replies,] Very diplomatic—much like a princess.
[What one would do is far more important than what they could do. Elias could do plenty of awful, condemning things. He has, both in memory and out of it. Moving forward away from that was more important to him.]
That frog from before, [the lights of his eyes seem to "squint"—those who knew him well would see this as a smile,] I hope he was not your prince, since he seems to have made his escape.
[It's a bad, silly joke, just... let him be...]
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I would not have it any other way. [ Being diplomatic is a necessity, there's no other way of putting it.
And this. This is fine.
She does glance back at the mention of the frog, and for some reason the thought itself does make her chest ache a little, though she can't explain why. Instead she just looks back with an amused smile on her face. ]
If he was, I would think he wouldn't be scared away so easily.
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Elias himself is his least favorite subject.]
He just doesn't have your same fortitude. [The way Elias speaks is ordered and timed in a completely routine way, with no dips and dives a human might speak with as emotions like excitement or trepidation affected the. It makes him very hard to read, especially when combined with his inert, skeletal face.]
Which country would you call yours to rule, Princess Sonia Nevermind? [He treats the name carefully, as one should any name, for all the power they hold.]
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It's why she lets this new topic take over. ]
I am from Novoselic Kingdom. Do not worry if you have not heard of it, it is rather small.
[ Even people in her home world hadn't heard of it, so she isn't expecting a miracle. ]
What about you, Mister Elias Ainsworth? Where are you from?
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He considers the name. He wouldn't necessarily call himself a master of geography. He had been to several places throughout Europe and otherwise, though it was heavily weighted towards the northern wastes he had wandered with Lindel and England, where he had chosen to reside permanently. Through the centuries, country lines and names had changed often enough he only paid them heed when they directly affected him.]
Is it in Europe? [There still might be some small kingdoms he might not be completely aware of...
This question is relatively easy to disclose.] I've lived in England for some time, some distance outside of London, close to the ocean. [His speech is certainly accented that way, though the dialect is hard to pin down—it's a historical mish-mash of enough that even a modern Londoner would be somewhat confused.]
sorry for the delay, alex! u//u
You are correct. There isn't much there other than our castle and small towns, so I was not sure if you would know. It is nice to know that you are from a similar part of the world, however.
[ Because that's important(?) ]
Yet... that means very little in a place like this. Both of us have lost our connections to our homes. I wonder... what is the purpose of all this? There is very little I can do here.
[ There are multiple meanings to that, of course. ] Though I do hope that you can find a place to call home here.
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[Elias has been alive for a very long time—long enough that he isn't even exactly sure what the exact number is. He remembers times in Europe's earlier history where they were all small kingdoms of towns clustered around castles. It's curious that her country seems so antique in comparison, though her mannerisms and clothing seem... relatively modern.
He was going to address their curious mission, but what she said after that was more interesting to him. He pauses, skeletal head tilting to one side. "Home..." it was always a curious concept to him. It was a very human one. Sure, animals made dens, but that was just a place of relative safety. He believed humans attributed more to a home than animals did the places they rested.]
You needn't worry yourself, princess. [The words are spoken automatically, without inflection.] Such things won't bother me.
[And, yet, as he says it, something feels... off. A distant sort of hollowness in his chest followed by a twisting feeling as he remembers the main room, hearth ablaze, the silver lady placing down tea, Chise deep in study at her desk... For some reason, the image is distinct enough to throw into confusion what he had just said.
It passes after a brief moment. He blinks. He moves on.]
I would simply hope being away from your kingdom for an extended period of time doesn't bring you duress. [He's being polite, mostly, but he also thinks that Sonia Nevermind is a relatively agreeable human, so why not.]
Because, regardless of what we are called upon to do, they will withhold passage back to our places of origin until they deem fit.
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[ At least judging by his appearance, she's guessing that he doesn't have the same kind of emotional attachment or stress someone like her might have. Hers is a little more complicated given her foundations at home, mind you. Her country is technically gone, though she hasn't been witness to that in a while now. Half of her friends are in a coma. The other half are recovering from having their minds twisted to the point of breaking.
In some ways, it's more peaceful here. In others, she misses her friends too much, even if they won't all be awake should she return home. ]
I will be fine. [ Though the fact that he says it means a lot anyway. ] Though I must thank you for your kind words.
[ "Regardless of what we are called upon to do" is what worries her the most, but she doesn't let it show. Instead she just looks at him with that same simple yet polite smile on her face. ] We shall have to do our best.