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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
she had been alayne again here, briefly. she's so glad she isn't anymore.]
It's me, from Trench. I've missed you.
[so much!!! it had been like losing her family all over again. she pauses briefly.]
Have you met another Sansa?
[does she even want to know......]
no subject
H-holy shit.
[the briefest pause before she (sorry not sorry?) nearly launches herself at sansa, seeking to grasp her into a tight hug. she has so many questions, but they're all eclipsed by the stupid, happy tears she's blinking back without total success. she'll wipe them away later, it's fine.]
No. [more emphatically:] No. the last thing I remember is Trench. How the hell did I---
---did you do this?
[the idea of sansa summoning her? not the weirdest thing, considering. she's good at rolling with the punches, but this one was entirely unexpected. but in the good way, which is ...also unexpected.]
no subject
It was the Fox. You must have seen her. I thought she was Dorothea, at first. She's like a Pthumerian––[sansa has her own theories about this] she's the one who brings everybody to Folkmore.
[she pulls back a bit.]
It's wonderful here. You can summon anything with Lore. Not people––only the lady Fox can do that. There are schools, one in every land. They're beautiful––well, except for Cruel Summer. You might like it, because it's combat training, but it's very hot, and there isn't anything nice to do unless you happen upon Euphoria.
[there are saloons and gambling halls, but sansa thinks better ones can be found in tides... she's fond of the selkies in the river selkie, though.]
There aren't any lantern imps, so you have to take the train or call the Cat Bus if you want to travel any distance, and walk or ride for shorter ones. And it's harder to learn magic––I think the magic polluting everything in Trench made it very easy. But there's no true corruption, and people are still kind. I was afraid that if we weren't able to pull it out of everyone, it would just build up unseen, as it did in my world. But nobody has any reason to be cruel here, so they aren't.
[this is punctuated with a smaller, more rueful smile.]
I'm not the only person from Trench here––there's Ezra and Tory and Sharon, and her friend Meyerling, then Maul turned up, and now Lord Imyarek from the net work.
[and now vi! she giggles a little.]
You must remember the lady Fox. She always tells people a little about this place when she fetches them.
no subject
she cannot hug her friend forever, though it feels for a moment she might try. but she steps back also, laughing a little - looking overlong just in case this might be a dream.]
I was in the sea, I think? And yeah, then I was following a fox, because of course, I'm gonna follow if I've suddenly got legs again. [she grins, shifting her balance on the two leather clad legs she's glad to have. the idea of schools doesn't hold as much appeal to her as it might to some, but she isn't disinterested. her mind's already turning at what kinds of schools there might be (and that there's more than a few lands) when sansa mentions combat training. instant light in her eyes, there.]
Yeah, sign me up for that. I'm in, even if I have to take a...did you say cat bus? [but more importantly:] No corruption? What's the catch? [everyone's kind?] Don't tell me I have to hang up my cool beast patrolling threads for good. [it's not really a complaint, just the usual humor deflect.]
Woah, woah woah. Ezra like, your Ezra? [last vi remembers, she was trying to help maneuver these two into some kind of proper date, so your ezra seems like a totally normal thing to say. but now she's wondering if tory had managed to manifest another amusement park - wouldn't that be sick? and ...hold up:] Sharon's here? Maul?! No fucking way.
[a small rumble from her stomach as she reaches for the cube that now seems to be taunting her by dipping low and then zooming just high enough she's going to have to jump for it.]
Are they always this fast? [are they always in cubes? she makes an unsuccessful grab for the cube, though her eyes remain on sansa.]
no subject
Yes, my Ezra. There's no catch, we only have to do challenges like this every so often. Some of them can be difficult, but it's nothing like Trench. I don't know why Sharon hates them so much, but I've promised not to bother her about it anymore. There's monsters you can fight for training, in Cruel Summer. I mislike the thought of creatures born only to fight be killed, but perhaps they enjoy it.
[she frowns briefly, watching the cube with grey eyes.]
The boxes usually become easier to find when there are two of us together––
[she grabs vi's wrist gently and the box slowly begins to descend.]
There have been visitors from another realm. They only just left, I think. They made me into a Myth for a time, it was horrible. And there was a trial where they hunted people, before I came here. I don't know if the Fox can keep them out––some say she invited them here for the trials, but nobody knows for sure. I've done a little research, but there's little that anyone knows about any of it.
no subject
this doesn't seem too bad at all, and if sansa says there's no catch, there probably isn't. vi's quick to believe her, regardless - sansa has always been one to to her research.]
I can bother her, if you want. Just a little, because maybe she missed me. [vi hadn't known how much she'd missed any of them, because for her it's been moments (?days?), even if they seem far off.]
Too bad no one's though to ask them. Where's that witch when you need her, huh? [yes, she means snow white. absolutely a witch that commands an animal army. terrifying.] I'm down to fight, but only if they wanna.
Oh. [well, shit. yup, it's hovering down, and those are a bag of cheetos.]
Hunting people? Was it like the Riteoir bullshit?
[the slightest tremble in her voice there, but she shakes it off as the bad memory it is. what she doesn't like is the thought of someone doing something to her friend. her sworn sister. she made a vow, and she wasn't here. again. it's almost like that's something she's done before.
she doesn't know what a myth is in this sense, but she'll interpret it literally.] Did it hurt you? Being a ...Myth?
no subject
They didn't take people away with them, but it does remind me very much of Riteoir, how they came from some other world to trouble us. They came here and hunted people like animals. I don't know how much I told you about the Others, but they remind me very much of them, too.
[it's hard to keep track of what she had said to who with everything that had been going on, and all the information she had been getting from the ravens. she draws a breath.]
Being a Myth made me feel like Alayne. Myths can be as kind as anyone, and I'm sure there are those who'd scarcely notice the change––but it hurt me.
no subject
Good to know some things never change. [there's gravity under the sarcasm. always something coming around to poke its nose in and try to fuck things up. and sometimes under the guise of a lesson. those are the kinds of lessons she can agree with sharon's fuck no on.
she offers a squeeze to sansa's hand at the illumination on myths, the familiar feeling of being unable to do anything rising up, and to deflect again she asks a thing she almost doesn't want to ask, but she rips the bandaid anyway:]
How long have you been here?
[there goes the cube, hovering lower for a moment.]
no subject
It must be eight months, by now––as I said, I thought the Lady Fox was Dorothea, because her month was beginning.
[she pauses carefully.]
Vi, she calls herself Thirteen.
[it hasn't escaped sansa's notice. the thirteenth patron. as powerful as all of them combined, but much more imaginative...]
no subject
So that'd make her a lucky unlucky? And like you said, no real catch.
[speaking of catch, the cube has settled into a less fraught place, almost as if it's cool with being claimed.]