![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
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
[Yeah, tree climbing for supplies or shelter material is on hold now. As he's giving April an incredulous look from above.]
no subject
Boy, you have two. You're probably gonna have three real soon. You feelin' okay?
no subject
ANYWAY, he shakes his head to get his mind off that and decides to jump down from the tree. Making sure to not land on April, more like beside her and give him a moment. April is shorter than he recalls, and he is standing near her in his full twenty-year-old almost 5'9" height.]
I'm fine and... You shrank.
no subject
--oh. Wait. She blinks up at him, that's... that's like a whole foot on her, isn't it?]
I didn't shrink. You got taller. [Holy shit. How is that fair?]
no subject
[He will argue this with her, don't tempt him April. And he is holding a hand up to about a little above his chin.]
When I last saw you, in the lair when... [Small, uncomfortable pause.] Just when I last saw you, you were around this tall.
no subject
...well. That's how... tall I was, like, last week. But this place is weird as hell, so you know. Hey, quick question, how long have you been here?
no subject
I've been here maybe at most a few hours? Why?
no subject
[And in just another moment, Donnie's going to hear his own voice issue tinnily from her relic: "This is just a heads up that I will respond to all voicemails with a text. You may express your gratitude for this courtesy after the beep."
Click. Yeah, that wasn't this Donnie's relic. Ahahaha.]
Congratulations. There's two yous.
kinda spoilers now? yeah.
And honestly his reaction is probably not what is expected.]
... Can't be weirder then the whole thing back home where an older Leo showed up.
no subject
Casey's Leo? We met him too. Uh... kinda. [Honestly, she's having a this might as well happen reaction because shit's been so bizarre lately. Two Donnies. Folkmore is either Not Ready or Will Never Notice because Donnie barely comes out of his lab these days.] Tell me he didn't drop in to tell us about more invasions or somethin'.
Another spoiler in here.
[Ugh how to explain this, Donnie is suddenly feeling awkward about this.]
He came back to stop Leo from having a portal mishap and... missing pop's passing.
[It's so recent too that even saying it, kind of hurts? As he's also avoiding eye contact with April.]
no subject
[--she breaks off. There's a moment where she'd really like to believe Donnie means something else by that, but the way he's standing, not meeting her gaze, the hesitation...]
Donnie. [Softly. How old is he? How far in the future is this? It can't be too far. What happens?
All questions that can wait. She can stave off the pang of grief for now, for a rat dad she loves as much as her own. It hasn't happened yet, for her.]
I'm so sorry.
no subject
Instead? He's just going to give a dismissive wave of his hand. Just brush off the emotions for now.]
You don't have anything to apologize for, you were there. Everyone was.
no subject
What killed him?
[Is it something they could be forewarned about? Would it make any difference?]
no subject
And he knows that dodging the question will result in O'Neil stubbornness happening until she gets an answer. To time to repress and answer her as flatly as Donniely possible.]
He got sick, so we let him rest. You know, maybe it might have been the usual?
[Rat Flu, he means, as Splinter always bounced back from that.]
But then the Leo from the future showed up, and all of us were there. Including the Joneses, Draxum, [Which wasn't too odd, when he seemed to be spending more time with his family.] heck even Todd.
[His voice maybe cracked a little there, but he inhales sharply and squashes the emotions.]
It wasn't bad, we got to say goodbye.
no subject
Can she even remember this shit if and when she ever leaves here?
This isn't fair. And she can't even. Treat this Donnie like she would have at the time, because he feels so different and he already got mad at her saying sorry--maybe he's thinking of her as not his April. Or something. This time stuff is so stupid.
Either way, there's a long pause as she stares at him, and then she shakes herself. Whatever. He's here now, they can deal with all the awkwardness as they go.]
You're looking for cubes, right? [Her own voice is uneven, blinking back the threat of tears, but she scowls determinedly.] The sooner we find what we need, the sooner we can blow this joint.
no subject
Also he got mad about the sorry because he took it the wrong way, as only Donnie can do. And her taking that pause makes him feel even more awkward and upset and just... When she brings up what they should be looking for? He lets out a breath he didn't even realize he had been holding in.]
I assume so, since looking for traditional resources has ended in failure. [His voice is his usual flat now. Conceal, don't feel, as he attempts to smile slightly.] Yeah, and your help is greatly appreciated, April.
no subject
And I'm not surprised. Nothing about this place is ever easy. Anyone told you the name of the game is generally Overshare Central around here? [Because it is. She gives Mayhem a scratch under the chin and he promptly vanishes off to do... something. (Okay, it's help them look in other trees nearby.)]
no subject
As to what she has to say about Folkmore itself, Donnie just hides his slight confusion at the mention of oversharing. Because hahaha no.]
No, just what the fox told me before I arrived here. I do not think that that kind of thing is needed for what she wants.
[Maybe Donnie only half listened to the Fox. Maybe. Shhh.]
no subject
Not for whatever this is, probably. Though I bet it's got somethin' to do with workin' together. She's like the most overbearin' weird therapist who gets everything wrong, I swear. Did you get told to do something specific when you got here or were you not payin' attention?
no subject
[Mild insultedness! He totally paid attention, which is why he was climbing a tree. To look for resources.]
Male a list of what you need to survive and then find the things.
no subject
Okay, so what's on your list? [Because a standard survival list is probably not the same as a standard Donnie survival list. She's gonna go check up the tree nearby, they can be tree neighbours.]
no subject
The basics, of course. Food, potable water, items to either be shelter or make shelter from... [Not a single cell phone or computer on the things he is listing off!]
no subject
And she...turned all these sensible things into cubes. Makes total sense. [Who knows how Thirteen's mind works, whatever. She's just gonna roll with it, not the weirdest thing ever.] It's like an Easter Egg hunt, only without the actual fun.
[Though there does look to be something caught in the branches up a little higher...]
no subject
Cubes, really. [Honestly he should be surprised, but mostly he's annoyed by that tidbit as he looks up the tree he had been in and squints.]
... oh no, please don't say that's one of them.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)