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April-May 2024 Test Drive Meme
April-May 2024 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 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: Forced Relocation, Forced Sharing, Potential Violence & Harm
New Star Children arrive in Wintermute. Not at the hot springs, the school, or anywhere else near civilization. They arrive in the middle of white, snowy nowhere. The good news is that Wintermute is no longer dark twenty-four seven. There is enough light to avoid crevasses, blocked up wells, and other dangerous features of the landscape. Further, no one is expected to figure out how to get out of there on their own.
Usually Thoth finds the lost travelers in the cold expanse of Wintermute. However, she's busy exploring the multiverse for new and interesting ideas for technology. Not to fret! She hasn't abandoned ye who've entered here. There's a new emergency lost and found network:
The Wandering Dog food carts are now open twenty-four seven! The dogs work in shifts, but the food remains as delicious as ever. When a Star Child gets lost in Wintermute, another Star Child will happen to be buying food from a Wandering Dog somewhere in Folkmore. One such lucky unlucky Star Child gets transported to the School of Thoth. Specifically, to where the mechanical sled dogs hang out. They receive a warm winter coat over whatever they were wearing and another one on hand for whoever they are rescuing. Then it's off across the snow! Don't worry, non-mushing experts, the dogs know what they're doing and lead the sled right to the designated lost Star Child.
The rescuee gets to lay in the sled for the ride back, wrapped up warm and cozy in their new winter coat (it may be spring, but it's always cold in Wintermute). The sled dogs bring Star Children back to the hot springs, so that they can warm up even more. Alternatively, Star Children can explore the Cutting Edge, the School of Thoth, or something else in Wintermute. However, the Star Children cannot part ways or leave Wintermute immediately.
The sled dogs, yes the whole team, will stay with the pair to enforce this. They may surround the pair like a pack, cuddle pile on top of them, or lay around the edges of a hot spring. No matter how long it takes to realize the dogs are doing this and that there's a reason for it, Star Children will eventually find instructions in one of the dogs' collars: Share something that other people have refused to listen to you about. Everyone ought to be listened to.
Only once both Star Children have shared something with each other will the dogs let them part ways and see, perhaps, the rest of Folkmore.
On the walk to Akhlut Station, Star Children will see plain weapons sticking out of the snow: swords, guns, knives. These are simple, non-magical practical weapons. Experienced Star Children may know to suspect such free offerings, but nothing immediately happens upon picking one up. However, once on the train, the train will be attacked by frost spirits. These icy spirits must either be hacked to pieces until they can no longer reform or melted with fire. Innocent passengers who didn't pick up a weapon may be forced to get involved, but the frost spirits will be most focused on those who picked up weapons.
New Star Children arrive in Wintermute. Not at the hot springs, the school, or anywhere else near civilization. They arrive in the middle of white, snowy nowhere. The good news is that Wintermute is no longer dark twenty-four seven. There is enough light to avoid crevasses, blocked up wells, and other dangerous features of the landscape. Further, no one is expected to figure out how to get out of there on their own.
Usually Thoth finds the lost travelers in the cold expanse of Wintermute. However, she's busy exploring the multiverse for new and interesting ideas for technology. Not to fret! She hasn't abandoned ye who've entered here. There's a new emergency lost and found network:
The Wandering Dog food carts are now open twenty-four seven! The dogs work in shifts, but the food remains as delicious as ever. When a Star Child gets lost in Wintermute, another Star Child will happen to be buying food from a Wandering Dog somewhere in Folkmore. One such lucky unlucky Star Child gets transported to the School of Thoth. Specifically, to where the mechanical sled dogs hang out. They receive a warm winter coat over whatever they were wearing and another one on hand for whoever they are rescuing. Then it's off across the snow! Don't worry, non-mushing experts, the dogs know what they're doing and lead the sled right to the designated lost Star Child.
The rescuee gets to lay in the sled for the ride back, wrapped up warm and cozy in their new winter coat (it may be spring, but it's always cold in Wintermute). The sled dogs bring Star Children back to the hot springs, so that they can warm up even more. Alternatively, Star Children can explore the Cutting Edge, the School of Thoth, or something else in Wintermute. However, the Star Children cannot part ways or leave Wintermute immediately.
The sled dogs, yes the whole team, will stay with the pair to enforce this. They may surround the pair like a pack, cuddle pile on top of them, or lay around the edges of a hot spring. No matter how long it takes to realize the dogs are doing this and that there's a reason for it, Star Children will eventually find instructions in one of the dogs' collars: Share something that other people have refused to listen to you about. Everyone ought to be listened to.
Only once both Star Children have shared something with each other will the dogs let them part ways and see, perhaps, the rest of Folkmore.
On the walk to Akhlut Station, Star Children will see plain weapons sticking out of the snow: swords, guns, knives. These are simple, non-magical practical weapons. Experienced Star Children may know to suspect such free offerings, but nothing immediately happens upon picking one up. However, once on the train, the train will be attacked by frost spirits. These icy spirits must either be hacked to pieces until they can no longer reform or melted with fire. Innocent passengers who didn't pick up a weapon may be forced to get involved, but the frost spirits will be most focused on those who picked up weapons.
- New Star Children arrive in remote areas of Wintermute.
- Star Children buying food from The Wandering Dog get teleported to the School of Thoth to rescue people with a team of sled dogs.
- Star Children get amazing new winter coats!
- Star Children cannot part ways until they share something others have refused to listen to! The dogs enforce this.
- Simple, non-magical weapons stick out of the snow on the way to the train station.
- Anyone who picks up one of those weapons will see their train get attacked by frost spirits.
Content Warnings: Potential Forced Participation, Potential Harm
Thoth has been listening to any and all ideas people have had around science in the last few months. Whether they were shower thoughts or a discussion between scientific colleagues or anywhere in between, she's made her list and built every one as an experiment. On a human scale. A human test subject scale. Because every idea has merit. That's right: Thoth believes in you.
Posters saying Thoth Needs You! go up around Folkmore. They offer a reward for participating in an experiment. Simply tear off a piece of paper from the bottom of the poster, and at some point in the future, you're in. Now, there might be a little hiccup here or there. These posters are experimental too! So some Star Children who don't tear off a slip might get pulled into an experiment as well. (Who said Thirteen ought to recruit for her trials? Thoth listened… or she tried.) Oh well, at least it's all in the name of science!
Perhaps Star Children need to sing Baby It's Cold Outside to convince the other to stay (it really will be cold outside). Perhaps they have a choice of spinners, buttons, levers, or other devices to interact with. Perhaps they make their way through a maze. Perhaps they try a new contraption. Perhaps they even recognize their own idea come to life! There's a multitude of new tech to try, and it has not been safety tested.
Nothing will explode. Probably. Maybe. Okay, some experiments are definitely going to have explosions. How about pressing that button anyway and finding out if it's this one?
Once Star Children survive the experiment—and they will, Thoth may be a loose cannon of a scientist, but she's ensured that much—they will emerge from one of the School of Thoth's laboratories. Togo, the grey wolf mascot, waits on the other side with an item for each test subject: an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item.
No one is left to the cold to fend for themselves. One of the nearby classrooms has been set up as a first aid center. Dog spirits of all sizes, from the smallest Maltipoo spirit to the largest Great Dane spirit, staff a healing clinic and will treat any injuries Star Children received in the experiments (or already sported). They offer hot lemonade—lemon juice, molasses, and hot water—to everyone to warm their soul. Injured Star Children can find a corner to rest by themselves or company with which to discuss their experiments.
Thoth has been listening to any and all ideas people have had around science in the last few months. Whether they were shower thoughts or a discussion between scientific colleagues or anywhere in between, she's made her list and built every one as an experiment. On a human scale. A human test subject scale. Because every idea has merit. That's right: Thoth believes in you.
Posters saying Thoth Needs You! go up around Folkmore. They offer a reward for participating in an experiment. Simply tear off a piece of paper from the bottom of the poster, and at some point in the future, you're in. Now, there might be a little hiccup here or there. These posters are experimental too! So some Star Children who don't tear off a slip might get pulled into an experiment as well. (Who said Thirteen ought to recruit for her trials? Thoth listened… or she tried.) Oh well, at least it's all in the name of science!
Perhaps Star Children need to sing Baby It's Cold Outside to convince the other to stay (it really will be cold outside). Perhaps they have a choice of spinners, buttons, levers, or other devices to interact with. Perhaps they make their way through a maze. Perhaps they try a new contraption. Perhaps they even recognize their own idea come to life! There's a multitude of new tech to try, and it has not been safety tested.
Nothing will explode. Probably. Maybe. Okay, some experiments are definitely going to have explosions. How about pressing that button anyway and finding out if it's this one?
Once Star Children survive the experiment—and they will, Thoth may be a loose cannon of a scientist, but she's ensured that much—they will emerge from one of the School of Thoth's laboratories. Togo, the grey wolf mascot, waits on the other side with an item for each test subject: an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item.
No one is left to the cold to fend for themselves. One of the nearby classrooms has been set up as a first aid center. Dog spirits of all sizes, from the smallest Maltipoo spirit to the largest Great Dane spirit, staff a healing clinic and will treat any injuries Star Children received in the experiments (or already sported). They offer hot lemonade—lemon juice, molasses, and hot water—to everyone to warm their soul. Injured Star Children can find a corner to rest by themselves or company with which to discuss their experiments.
- Thoth has built experiments to bring Star Children’s ideas to life.
- Pick a paper tab off a Thoth Needs You! poster to participate. Or don’t. A mishap may bring Star Children there regardless.
- Do science! Be a human experiment! Maybe experience explosions!
- Togo, the Thoth mascot, will have an item from home for every Star Child who participates.
- Dog spirits man (dog?) a first aid center in a nearby classroom.
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She scoots over a bit to peer at the paper Rue's plucked from the dogs. Looks like they had a message? No wonder they were so insistent.]
Let's see... "Share something that other people have refused to listen to you about. Everyone ought to be listened to." ...What a strange request.
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[Different instructions, but it's all the same as always really! Thirteen sticking strangers together to share their most personal memories or traumas or whatever she is willing to drag out of her star children.
At least this one isn't worded quite so harshly and Thirteen hasn't picked the trauma to share herself. It gives them a little more wiggle room.]
I'm afraid we won't be able to leave until we fulfill the note's request. It is a fairly common trick of Thirteen. I'm kicking myself for not seeing it before.
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[Something others refused to listen to, huh. ...That's tough! That's really tough! Hardly anyone listens to her. Outside of school, anyway. Though she can think of two recipients to her criticism who have been very bad at listening most of her life.
....
She shrinks a bit.]
I really have to talk about it?
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I'm afraid we must. But I promise you, nothing will leave this space. Whatever you tell me, it stays right here, just between you and I.
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....
Oh, but what does it matter, anyway! She already announced all of this practically in front of the whole family factory. All her friends know. Who cares if she says it in front of a stranger (new friend?) too?
She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. Envisions the smug visage of Odalia Blight in front of her. What she'd say... what the woman would absolutely continue to ignore.]
I... I'm not some doll for you to remake yourself or push your ambitions on! I have my own dreams, I want to be myself and do what I want! I don't want to join the emperor's coven, I won't forgive you for helping him, and you're a monster like he is!
[In her mind, her mother is unmoved like she always is, but... it felt strangely good to say it.]
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Their talons curl gently around the girl's tiny hand, encouraging her forward with a soft squeeze of tickling feathers.]
Let it all out, dear. Anything that is weighing you down. Yell it as loud as you like.
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She shifts a bit, feeling awkward and a little too seen.]
It's... it's okay. She'd never listen, anyway. And I'm never talking to her again.
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For a moment, they simply hold Amity's hand right there in the hot springs, watching the young girl's face as she allows herself to breathe again, the words that she'd spoken tugging so worriedly at Rue's heart.
They have a feeling, but they feel they must ask-]
Pray, you need not answer me if the question is too invasive, but darling, who were such sentiments directed at?
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My so-called mother, [she admits. And easy guess, but it hurts to say it, anyway.]
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No words exist that would properly express how deeply sorry I am. As a mother, I can not even begin to imagine inflecting such selfish cruelties on my children. I hope you believe me when I say that none of it was ever deserved. Not ever.
You always should have been treated better than that, treated for the beautiful soul you are, loved for exactly who you are, not who she wanted you to be.
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You shouldn't say all that, you don't know. I did exactly what she wanted for so long. I hurt people who didn't deserve it. It's only recently that I learned how to say no. I... didn't want to see that I really was becoming like her.
[Like- sure, she didn't have much choice when she was a small child, but it's been many years since. She should have resisted far sooner.]
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[And it may be a little too much and a little too soon, but Rue stretched a wing to drape over her shoulder, gently tucking the young girl against their side, against their feathers.]
I will not allow you to speak such things. You can not be blamed for an adult's manipulation of you. You were a child. [Are, Rue does not say, though they certainly know it is true.] Children are meant to be protected and taken care of, not exploited by their own mothers. You never should have had to question her motives.
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Not meant to be exploited, huh... they make it sound like such an obvious thing. Yet that was her whole life.]
I think... even back then, I knew she was awful. The way she looked down on other people, or how she threatened to get her own way. But I thought it was normal. I didn't know she was just... evil.
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I know. It is difficult to look at the people we love most and see them as anything but just. Especially a parent. How could we not? They are the people we grow up looking towards to learn from, to emulate, to make proud. No one can ever blame you for wanting to be accepted by your own mother.
[For wanting to just be loved.]
I imagine you know that my Hunter went through a similar situation. He struggled with it as well, coming to terms with how cruel Belos was. But he has been able to find such happiness in this world away from that man, accepted by people who truly love him and expect him to be no one but himself.
And Amity, dear, I can see the same for you as well.
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"That's just life, rat. Everyone has a use, and if you don't- buh-bye! Your friend gets it."
He'd been wrong, though. She'd been wrong.]
He told you about Belos, then. The real truth?
[Not the invented version, where he's a good and giving ruler everyone should rightfully adore.]
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[And then some.]
It wasn't easy and it does not mean the memory of that awful man doesn't still haunt him at times, but Hunter has overcome so much pain and mistreatment, you would be shocked to see him, I think. It is as if a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders and he can finally breathe.
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She looks down.]
My mother knew what Belos was doing, and... she was helping him, anyway. She was going to let so many people die because of his promises. I thought- she's horrible, but she can't be that bad, right? She'd stop if we warned her. She couldn't possibly know and be okay with it. But she did. All so she could be rich and royalty. It's her fault we couldn't stop the Draining Spell, or Belos.
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I'm so sorry, Amity. I can not imagine the grief and betrayal you carry from experiencing that. The only thing I am grateful for is that you were able to see the truth before it was too late. For anyone to put status or wealth over their loved ones, I don't understand it.
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[Amity is quiet for a bit, soaking up those words, until finally she wipes at her eyes, trying to be subtle, and clears her throat.]
You're... really good at this. [Talking? Comfort? All of it.] Thank you. I feel a little better...
[She did what was required of her. There's surely no point in continuing to fuss over things she can't change now.]
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[They give the girl a gentle squeeze around the shoulders, before giving Amity the space she may need to just collect herself.]
Ah, alright. My turn. I suppose the one that sticks out most to me relates to my own home as well. Back there, the different faerie courts were completely divided, warring and scheming to steal one another's status and magic. But I was so very against the idea of courts as a whole. There was always enough magic for everyone, only the greedy wanted more than they needed for themselves. I wanted nothing more than to see the courts as a whole come to an end, maybe then I wouldn't have been so ready to flee.
But it was an impossibility to think that one owlbear could turn the tide of tradition. Still, I can only think of how happier everyone would be united.
no subject
It sounds a little like the coven system. People love to split magic up and keep it that way, when it would be better for everyone if we could all share it. Wasn't there anyone else who felt the way you did?
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[Even the ones who hated the system weren't quite willing to listen to Rue's desire to tear the whole thing down.]
I hate to hear that anyone else can relate to such a thing, but I'm grateful to know someone who understands. It just doesn't make sense. When there is more than enough for every single person, why divide it up so unevenly? Why let some suffer just for others to feel richer in comparison? It's terrible.
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[That's how it is with the coven heads not part of the rebellion, and her mother, and Belos. Greedy people only out to take care of themselves, nevermind those who suffer at the bottom.]
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[To see that extended to every world and realm, Rue shouldn't be so surprised. They've long since learned that it is not only the fae who are cruel.]
But I do believe that we have both fulfilled the requirements to leave the hot springs. Would you like to try?
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[Relieved to have a distraction, she stands up again - slower this time, shivering a bit at the cold air but not immediately frigid - and heads for the edge. The dogs don't move or show any indication of getting in the way, so she turns back to Rue with more confidence in her expression.]
Yes! I think we can get out now!
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