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August-September 2024 Test Drive Meme
August-September 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 a canon item from home, 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 Wilderness Survival, Potential Death
New Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy, the largest school in Folkmore. They might arrive in the medical wing, or they could arrive in areas of the school that don't look like a school at all: forests with animals to hunt or gather, including for their medicinal properties; rocky crags with climbing routes; fields full of growing grains; meadows with sheep covered in soft wool; lakes and rivers with unusual denizens. It's like a miniature of Folkmore all in one school.
A fox with a clipped ear and a few scars greets each Star Child upon arrival. She explains that while things can be summoned with Lore, the best survivors learn to scavenge and to find what they need. New Star Children haven't earned much Lore yet, so that surely applies to them double. In fact, as befits a survival school, there are items that will help Star Children survive hidden all around and immediately outside the school. Star Children are directed to make a list on their Relic of everything they think they need to survive. Once made, the list cannot be changed. They will be more likely to find those items than others (though it will not be impossible).
Race, jog, or stroll around the expansive school in search of these items: clothes, bags, first aid kits, tents, survival supplies, etc. They might be harder to find than expected as they will be miniature and in little cubes aka survival squares (a misnomer). These cubes may be tucked away above, below, beside, or inside something. They also may float against a rock face or in the air among tree branches. The most likely locations are those densest in Lore. The longer Star Children explore, the more they will realize that these cubes are best and most easily obtained by working together. In fact, they will try to dodge and avoid the grip of a Star Child more than ten feet away from any other Star Child. Perhaps that's because two Star Children interacting are creating Lore and a Lore dense location? Once two Star Children touch the cube at the same time, the cube will disappear, and the item inside will grow to full size. Congratulations on being one step closer to survival. Remember to share.
Come mid-September, few cubes will remain inside the school. Star Children will have to check the perimeter of the school to find more survival squares. That task grows exponentially harder as the cubes are in the molasses-thick moat of concentrated Lore surrounding the school. Should anyone dip their spoon in the moat, in the Lorasses if you will, they will find that it tastes sweet, a rich spicy sweetness. Amazing! Less amazing? It is impossible to get past the moat of Lorasses. No matter how strong a swimmer or oarsman, it is impossible to make headway through or atop the Lorasses. Anyone attempting to fly across the moat will find themselves slapped by a giant sticky slappy hand rising like a goliath from the depths with perfect aim. Star Children can find themselves slapped anywhere from the shore to the center of the school. Star Children are free to get creative with ways to dig the survival squares out of the Lorasses, but beware! They'll have difficulty freeing themselves on their own from the sticky substance, should they fall in.
Since Star Children are likely to find themselves in sticky situations quite literally, they may be pleased to know that Amrita Academy has showers available for use. Unfortunately, due to one student's experiment, the shampoo is all made of beer. That's right, beer. It's good for one's hair! Or so the study should demonstrate. Be sure to fill out a feedback card outside the locker rooms.
New Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy, the largest school in Folkmore. They might arrive in the medical wing, or they could arrive in areas of the school that don't look like a school at all: forests with animals to hunt or gather, including for their medicinal properties; rocky crags with climbing routes; fields full of growing grains; meadows with sheep covered in soft wool; lakes and rivers with unusual denizens. It's like a miniature of Folkmore all in one school.
A fox with a clipped ear and a few scars greets each Star Child upon arrival. She explains that while things can be summoned with Lore, the best survivors learn to scavenge and to find what they need. New Star Children haven't earned much Lore yet, so that surely applies to them double. In fact, as befits a survival school, there are items that will help Star Children survive hidden all around and immediately outside the school. Star Children are directed to make a list on their Relic of everything they think they need to survive. Once made, the list cannot be changed. They will be more likely to find those items than others (though it will not be impossible).
Race, jog, or stroll around the expansive school in search of these items: clothes, bags, first aid kits, tents, survival supplies, etc. They might be harder to find than expected as they will be miniature and in little cubes aka survival squares (a misnomer). These cubes may be tucked away above, below, beside, or inside something. They also may float against a rock face or in the air among tree branches. The most likely locations are those densest in Lore. The longer Star Children explore, the more they will realize that these cubes are best and most easily obtained by working together. In fact, they will try to dodge and avoid the grip of a Star Child more than ten feet away from any other Star Child. Perhaps that's because two Star Children interacting are creating Lore and a Lore dense location? Once two Star Children touch the cube at the same time, the cube will disappear, and the item inside will grow to full size. Congratulations on being one step closer to survival. Remember to share.
Come mid-September, few cubes will remain inside the school. Star Children will have to check the perimeter of the school to find more survival squares. That task grows exponentially harder as the cubes are in the molasses-thick moat of concentrated Lore surrounding the school. Should anyone dip their spoon in the moat, in the Lorasses if you will, they will find that it tastes sweet, a rich spicy sweetness. Amazing! Less amazing? It is impossible to get past the moat of Lorasses. No matter how strong a swimmer or oarsman, it is impossible to make headway through or atop the Lorasses. Anyone attempting to fly across the moat will find themselves slapped by a giant sticky slappy hand rising like a goliath from the depths with perfect aim. Star Children can find themselves slapped anywhere from the shore to the center of the school. Star Children are free to get creative with ways to dig the survival squares out of the Lorasses, but beware! They'll have difficulty freeing themselves on their own from the sticky substance, should they fall in.
Since Star Children are likely to find themselves in sticky situations quite literally, they may be pleased to know that Amrita Academy has showers available for use. Unfortunately, due to one student's experiment, the shampoo is all made of beer. That's right, beer. It's good for one's hair! Or so the study should demonstrate. Be sure to fill out a feedback card outside the locker rooms.
- All new Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy.
- Star Children are greeted by a fox who prompts them to write a list of what they need to survive. These lists cannot be changed once made.
- Star Children search for tiny cubes with survival supplies, especially ones on their lists.
- Star Children must work together to catch & open the cubes.
- Come mid-September, Amrita Academy is surrounded by a Lore-rich molasses moat—Lorasses. Thou shalt not pass.
- Once the moat arrives, most cubes are in the moat. Shower to get clean afterward with beer for shampoo.
Content Warnings: Forced Close Contact, Coerced Behavior
It can be stressful to arrive in a new place among strangers and strange things. It can be even more stressful, sometimes, to be among people one knows. The fact remains that in Folkmore, no one is an island. The Shattered Spoon Shrine is a testament to that. Interact or perish. Those interactions usually don't even have to be positive. An emotionally charged argument generates Lore same as a touching reunion. However, Amrita's iteration has taken charge of Folkmore this month. She values cooperation and connection.
What does this mean for Star Children? It's time to get along.
When Star Children fight—physically, vocally, emotionally—they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt. This plain white t-shirt has 'This is our get along shirt' written on it on both sides, one in each Star Child's handwriting. (If a Star Child does not have handwriting, Thirteen will invent a handwriting she feels best represents them). The shirt works exactly as written on the tin. Until the two Star Children can get along, they will be stuck together in the shirt. Getting along can look a few different ways. It could be working through the reason they were fighting. It could be cooperating to accomplish something else. It could be helping someone else together. It could be large or small. Somehow, Star Children will have to get along to accomplish something.
The shirt will disappear, leaving them standing next to each other, only to reappear duplicated in each of their hands, perfectly sized to fit each individual. Should they so choose, either can be used for a repeat performance, with both of them trapped inside again. While the same condition will apply—they must get along to get out of the shirt—the shirt will now make it easier for them to work it out. Note: only the two people who originally wore the shirt can put it back on. No one else can wear these shirts.
One time only, a Star Child's cooperative escape will have an additional prize: their souvenir t-shirt will be wrapped around an item from either their home universe or their partner's. That's right, getting along can get a Star Child something from another universe.
It can be stressful to arrive in a new place among strangers and strange things. It can be even more stressful, sometimes, to be among people one knows. The fact remains that in Folkmore, no one is an island. The Shattered Spoon Shrine is a testament to that. Interact or perish. Those interactions usually don't even have to be positive. An emotionally charged argument generates Lore same as a touching reunion. However, Amrita's iteration has taken charge of Folkmore this month. She values cooperation and connection.
What does this mean for Star Children? It's time to get along.
When Star Children fight—physically, vocally, emotionally—they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt. This plain white t-shirt has 'This is our get along shirt' written on it on both sides, one in each Star Child's handwriting. (If a Star Child does not have handwriting, Thirteen will invent a handwriting she feels best represents them). The shirt works exactly as written on the tin. Until the two Star Children can get along, they will be stuck together in the shirt. Getting along can look a few different ways. It could be working through the reason they were fighting. It could be cooperating to accomplish something else. It could be helping someone else together. It could be large or small. Somehow, Star Children will have to get along to accomplish something.
The shirt will disappear, leaving them standing next to each other, only to reappear duplicated in each of their hands, perfectly sized to fit each individual. Should they so choose, either can be used for a repeat performance, with both of them trapped inside again. While the same condition will apply—they must get along to get out of the shirt—the shirt will now make it easier for them to work it out. Note: only the two people who originally wore the shirt can put it back on. No one else can wear these shirts.
One time only, a Star Child's cooperative escape will have an additional prize: their souvenir t-shirt will be wrapped around an item from either their home universe or their partner's. That's right, getting along can get a Star Child something from another universe.
- When Star Children get in a fight of any kind, not just physical, they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt.
- The shirt says “This is our get along shirt” front and back in characters’ own handwriting (or imagined handwriting).
- As written on the tin, Star Children are stuck until they figure out how to get along
- When they separate, both partners will get a copy of the t-shirt that fits them. They can choose to get back into said t-shirt together to figure out how to get along easier in the future.
- One time only, Star Children receive an item from their home universe or their partner’s.
no subject
"Mother? Why would you be so young?"
He doesn't say anything about her reaching for him. Aemond doesn't particularly care for being touched but he hadn't ever minded his mother's touch before and there's too many things that give the truth to this woman's words - she is indeed Alicent Hightower, even if he doesn't remember her at this age.
no subject
And thank her again for bringing her son back to her.
"This is how Thirteen brought me. It was after the princess's wedding feast, after I wore that--that dress. I've never been back to Westeros since then, I've been here for around two years. I'm so grateful to see you, I--that's what I've been praying for. For all of my children to join me here as men and a woman grown." What she doesn't say is that she worries that Westeros holds only pain.
Here there is safety. Here there is self-discovery. Here is a second chance, to live one's life as they choose to live it, not as it's been dictated that they must live it.
Alicent's joy at seeing her son again is nearly palpable.
no subject
She mentions Rhaenyra's wedding feast and he imagines it must be her first wedding, her wedding to Laenor Velaryon where she cuckolded him three times by Harwin Strong. Three Strong boys indeed. Rhaenyra is the cause of every problem his family has and he hates her for it even though he admires her ambition.
"I'm not what you knew."
no subject
It was that very wedding, though at that point in Alicent's life, she wouldn't have been able to pick Harwin Strong out from a crowd. He was yet another man at court she had to be sweet and courteous to, there were so very many men she had to maintain a cordial yet distant relationship to. And their wives treated Alicent the same way.
"...no. I suppose it's impossible for anyone to be who I knew. What's the Earth saying, 'life's what happens while you're making other plans?'" She tried to rally with another little smile.
no subject
"What you say isn't false. Life does happen while you make other plans. My plans are precise and meant to win this war. I just cannot account for Daemon Targaryen."
He's the biggest thorn in his side currently. Rhaenyra is weak and refuses to attack but Daemon has mustered an army and has already seen war and fighting, has already crowned himself a king once in the Stepstones. Daemon is dangerous. Aegon and Rhaenyra are not.
no subject
I do hope you stay for some time, this place is...peculiar. But the people are kind and good-hearted. That makes even the most troublesome Trial not as bad as it could be." Alicent couldn't help the imploring note in her voice. She'd found herself here, she'd found happiness here. Not love, not yet, but she had good friends to keep her company in the meantime.
And at the mention of Daemon and war, her face falls and she has to take in a long, shaky breath. "Then it is as I feared the most. I can't--isn't there another way?" Her eyes beg for another way, but there's a resignation to them that shows she's well aware the answer is likely no.
no subject
"There will always be war so long as Rhaenyra insists that she's queen and wants the throne. It doesn't belong to her. It belongs to us. Father told you so."
no subject
Happiness she'd found, but she still needed a tutor. Fencing foils, they were called? She was intent on learning how to use one.
"Viserys...told me? He never tells me anything, other than praise of his Targaryen ancestry and praise of Rhaenyra. What could possibly compel him to...? He was fond of the notion of having sons, but the practice was anything but." Harsh, but true. True, he'd cossetted and coddled Aegon as a babe, but by the time she'd had--well, by the time she'd had Aemond, the bloom was off the rose.
no subject
He has already decided this is the queer work of some woods witch and he doesn't know how he's stumbled upon it but he wishes he could stumble out of it.
"I don't have time to be marooned here."
sorry for the delay, impulsively went to a con this weekend!
Her own children were largely ignored by their father and Rhaenyra was clearly his favorite. Was it the lie Rhaenyra had told about keeping her virtue, that she'd been discovered in her lie later on? It would be poor form to cuckold Laenor even before they were wed.
"I'm--the fox doesn't care about that. I have heard that when we leave, time sort of pauses so that when we go back home, it will be as though we never left. But tell me of Aegon and Helaena, are they well? All of this must have been a terrible shock to them as well."
no subject
"We are at war. Everyone is suffering because of it, right down to the children. If Rhaenyra would give up her damned claim everything would be better for it."
And if Aegon died, he would be king. This is nothing he needs to share with his mother. Not this version of her.
(CW: self-harm---cuticles)
She couldn't help it. She brought up her hand to nibble on the cuticle of her pointer finger. "Do you think she will? I'd imagine she has as much to lose as--as we do. The Rhaenyra I knew was stubborn, but not unreasonable."
Alicent had to wonder how the crown was suiting Aegon, if he was strong and smart and wise. How Helaena was dealing with being the queen. The Seven knew Alicent's time as queen hadn't been joyful so far. Maybe that would change?
She knew she could never love Viseyrs or any man as men, but...she didn't know what. Only that her children were in danger and she couldn't do anything to help.
no subject
"She offered a marriage between her son and Helaena. Her bastard son," Aemond says. It isn't said kindly because everyone knows Laenor Velaryon did not father the children who bore his name. It's more than an open secret.
"This was her offer to mend things. Father thought it was wonderful. You did not. You were right, not them."
(CW: self-harm---cuticles)
"She has bastard children and no one remarks on it? It would be difficult to pass her children as the children of Laenor Velaryon. And I certainly wouldn't have Helaena wed to a bastard child. No matter how sweet tempered the boy may be." Alicent's look of concern grew deeper and she wanted nothing more than to chew on a cuticle to relieve her stress.
"It would be ridiculous to marry Helaena to a bastard child. Don't people...remark on their status?" Flaunting bastard children about seemed terribly bold, but not in a good way.
Re: (CW: self-harm---cuticles)
Aemond is a second son, something he's painfully aware of, but he still supports his brother's claim over any of Rhaenyra's family. They are not worth the throne or the legacy of his father. Aegon the Conqueror would weep.
"You have done your duty, Mother. I can assure you of that."
Re: (CW: self-harm---cuticles)
She didn't love her husband, but she did her children. And resented them at the same time as symbols of her destroyed youth.
"Whatever failings? He was always a fussy child. I take it that does not improve with time?" That's what she'd been told by those who tended to her children, that it was just a phase and he'd grow out of it.
"That's what I've always done back home," she says ruefully. Perhaps she'd been foolish to think she could live a life on her own terms here.
Re: (CW: self-harm---cuticles)
"But he is your son and our father's trueborn son. It makes him king whether my father wants him to be or not."
That is just how inheritance works.
no subject
She nodded. She'd always worried after Rhaenyra's position as heir. It seemed to be solid enough while her lord husband lived, but after? She could imagine many going back on their words, words were wind, not to be trusted. Even when she very much wanted to.
"I will do what I can to make him see reason," she stated. But she didn't know who she was speaking of. 'Reason' could mean a great many things to as many people.
no subject
Aemond hesitates to say that she does because Aegon often overrides their mother's will about things but it would be a lie to say that Alicent doesn't try. She tries more than most. Her voice just gets drowned by others who think they are more important than her, wiser than her. Even he dismisses her sometimes. Words are wind and men always speak over women. He finds it difficult to be cruel to this young version of his mother, however.
"Possibly the future can be changed. You never know - I did not expect this to happen."
no subject
The thought of having a girlfriend. The thought of having friends, period. The thought of being able to study anything she wanted and learn as much as she possibly could.
The dream that she'd never again have to return to Viserys's bed. That was something she was willing to fight for. He'd gotten children on her, surely he could be done with her? She would not parade a paramour around court, should she find an amenable young lady, but. If what her son told her was true, Rhaenyra all but flaunted hers about in court.
"Possibly," she said thoughtfully. "I like to think it may be so. I cannot imagine...there are so many things I cannot imagine! So you must tell me of them?" The 'please' went unspoken.
no subject
"I would like to tell you that we're all happy and safe but we are not. What if I told you about your grandchildren instead?"
That seems safe enough. She doesn't need to know about Jaehaerys.
no subject
Grandchildren! It was so strange to think of herself having grandchildren, but it was an overall better prospect. "Yes, please. I know they're wedding Aegon and Helaena. And what of you, do you have children of your own?