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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.
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Gideon would not take Hawks to a vegan place. She's not vegan. She needs and values protein. Yes she eats her vegetables, but they aren't gross or slimy here. That's a plus. There's definitely chicken on the menu.
"Oh, no worries," Gideon waves off the concern, even as she puts much of her attention into flying exactly how she wants. Wouldn't want him to think he's a bad teacher. Still, it's not like she goes flying every day. There's no need so much of the time. Also, she has a motorcycle! "I'm one of the oldest of the olds so far as time in Folkmore goes, so I've seen plenty over my time. You're hardly the first not to remember me."
The fact he talks with her and makes eye contact is more than enough.
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"Oh yeah? How long have you been here then? I guess it's fair to say you followed a fox here to, or was that just me?" Hawks can't help but pepper a few lighthearted questions with a bit of excitement in his tone.
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"Two years and oh... three months now," Gideon checks herself to be certain. Yes, June to September. "I followed a fox, and when night time comes and you look up at the stars, those are other people following the fox right now. For all I know, I looked up at the night sky and saw you on your way over here. They don't come with labels."
She's down to explain most of Folkmore, whatever questions linger. At some point, she should let him know about the Fuck Lightning. Here's to you, Kyle. In the distance, a speck grows larger, toward something substantial in the sky.
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That's a long time. A really long time. The kind of long time that would serve his head up on a platter.
"Figured I'd check things out and soar back, you know?"
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"Got something you need to get back to?" Gideon asks. Some people only have death, so they aren't in any hurry. Everyone else, it's a mix. Some people want to leave but refuse to ask to go. Goes to show they don't want to leave that bad, not enough to bite back their pride. She wonders where Hawks will end up. She'll be sorry to see him leave again soon if that's the case.
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"Not sure being a star was as fun as just flying through the air."
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"I agree with you. Way more fun being here, but I guess walking between universes takes time."
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"I'm not sure this job will, it was pretty important. It's a big problem if I up and disappear."
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"Ah, but you didn't up and disappear," Gideon says, "Think of it like pressing pause. Stepping out while the rest of the world doesn't move. No one will know. No one will care. It's free time, baby."
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"Huh. How about that." Hawks smiles, but that's not comforting. He doesn't know what to do with that.
"Kind of a weird thing."
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"Weird is the new normal," Gideon says, "I could tell you all kinds of weird things about this place or that has happened. The only thing I could guarantee is that some other different weird thing will happen in the future."
They reach the edge of Never Fade. "Hope you like goats."
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"Goats aren't as tasty as chicken." Hawks says, flapping his wings. "I don't have an opinion otherwise. I'll take any information you have about this place. Haven't seen any villains yet either."
Kind of weird when most days his patrols are not smooth. That's the point.
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She lands, and her goat is already trotting over to say hello. Gideon gives the enormous goat some head scratches and watches for any others. "What's a villain to you? If you mean Myth, you've already met me, but the most dastardly deeds I do are forcing Harrow to eat food every day so she doesn't die and helping people improve themselves even when it isn't fun."
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"Why would a Myth be a villain?" Hawks can't help but blink in her direction.
"None of that sounds remotely illegal."
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"Oh, the roles often get simplified down to Legends are the good guys, Myths are the bad guys, and Familiars are the sidekicks. It doesn't really work like that, but given the wings and halos for Legends and the horns, claws, tails, and like for Myths... it slides neatly into that for people. I could give you a whole spiel about what I think they mean, but I'll save that unless you want to hear it," Gideon explains. She's happy to explain things time and again, but not everyone wants things explained.
"Well, there are no laws in Folkmore, so nothing's illegal."
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"Sure, give me your whole spiel. I haven't heard it before."
That's also interesting. Nothing is illegal? Huh. Maybe this situation is a commentary on just how dark his soul is beneath the surface.
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"I don't memorize it, so it's different every time. This one's just for you, fast guy," Gideon grins. "There's at least three different variables at play for Legends vs. Myths. We'll touch on Familiars in a bit. The easiest to map onto good and bad are selfless and selfish. Legends are more selfless, Myths more selfish. Selflessness isn't always a good thing. People treat themselves like shit, burn themselves out, sacrifice themselves pointlessly if they're overly selfless. Selfish can mean taking care of your own well being. It can get out of control too, but hey, any trait can. That's exactly why Legends and Myths aren't good and bad.
"Second trait is focus: community or individual. Not the same thing, mind you. It's how you look at and consider things, on a group basis or an individual basis. Communities treat a lot of people like shit and sweep it under the rug. While an individual basis can't solve all problems. You can continue or exacerbate them only looking at it that way.
"Third trait is drive: do you decide things based off your emotions or off logic? Legends tend to run off emotions. That's why their emotions often run high in Folkmore compared to where they were before. Myths can be emotionally colder. More inclined to base their choices in logic. That can lead to them acting heartless.
"Many stories of good guys are selfless, community oriented, emotional people. Many stories of bad guys are selfish, individualistic, logical people. Ergo, stereotype. Either can be bad when taken to extremes.
"Familiars meanwhile don't fall neatly between the two like that. They may be more balanced or jump out of the binary all together. They're often people who like to provide support to others, happier in the background than taking center stage. They're still more than sidekicks. I'd kick anyone's ass who thinks of a Familiar bond, a connection between a Familiar and a Legend or Myth, as one-sided, all about the Familiar supporting the other."
Gideon points out the restaurant. "Spiel done, and food time."
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He doesn't think he's the selfish type, and really isn't, but the other two traits are not impossible. He appreciates the community, but he believes it's made up of individuals and they have to work to find a solution to getting along, because how they're doing it isn't really working, that and he can be absurdly logical.
"A speech just for me? I'm honoured!" Hawks smiles brightly, making it lighthearted as though he's not just gathering intel.
That's exactly what he's doing. "Good, I'm starving!"
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"Menu changes here regularly. Different stuff every week." Gideon grins and takes a seat outdoors. Somehow, she feels this new guy would be more comfortable there than inside. The menu is thin, like newspaper, and Gideon eyes multiple dishes. Her eyes may be larger than her stomach, but her stomach is huge.
"Order whatever you want. First meal in Folkmore's on me."
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He drapes his arms over the back of the chair and looks at the menu from where he is.
"Ooooh, chicken soup. That would work."
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"Didn't learn until I came here that chicken noodle soup's what you're supposed to give people when they're sick," Gideon says, "Never knew that. Not that I got sick much as a child. Far more likely to be injured."
She likes everything on the menu, but she holds true and asks about fried chicken with big puppy eyes when the waiter comes out. They say they'll see what the chef says, and she orders steak and roast vegetables as a backup.
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"Oh don't look at me, I had no idea." Hawks says. It's not that he didn't get sick, but no one gave him chicken noodle soup when he did. "I just really like chicken." That's probably obvious already.
Hawks also asks for fried chicken and chicken soup. It's alright, if it's expensive he'll just return the favour sometime. With their orders taken, he rests his chin on his arms lazily. "This place is nice."
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"Here here to us who didn't know," Gideon says with a smile. What she knew coming here and what other people know? It differs greatly. After a couple years in Folkmore, Gideon can obscure that most of the time. It doesn't embarrass her, but she tries not to stand out like a sore thumb.
Gideon enjoys the view of Never Fade. Her goat is nearby watching but letting her be. It's a good time. "It is. The island's only been here since January so not too many people live up here."
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"Probably not that surprising that I like high places." He is very bird-like after all.
"I almost never walk around in my day to day life."
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She whistles at the never walking around. If she could, she'd check out his legs to see whether he skips leg day as well as walking. "Maybe I should try that. No Walk November or something."
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