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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
He was highly suspicious of anyone offering compliments on his skills after Fisk had used such a method to get into his head. He still heard that oily voice in there sometimes, echoes of the things he'd told Dex, like how he'd never seen a talent like his before. At least right now his head was clear and focused, nothing on the inside distracting him like before.
His posture didn't relax but the former sniper seemed willing to listen since Arthur clearly had more experience regarding this sort of thing than he did. "Okay. How do we get it down?"
no subject
What he can do is look up at the box and think about how far he can reach. With certainty he knows collaborative efforts will bring the boxes down. Not looking to climb any trees anytime soon Arthur offers up his cane.
"Think you can hit it with this? It's mine-- that might be enough to consider things a joint effort. I'd prefer if you didn't break it."
no subject
He held the improvised projectile for a second or two to estimate the weight, length, and the material it was made of before he made another throw. What flowed through his head was a half-second made up of calculations and instinct that he couldn’t have explained even if he tried. Dex’s next effort was just as accurate as the first, though with less ricocheting on the second try made, and this time his efforts were more successful. When it hit the box, it was knocked to the ground, though floating slowly through the air as if falling through molasses.
The last angle the cane hit also brought it directly back to Dex’s hand. He reflexively caught it and passed it back over to Arthur. “That seems to have done it.”
no subject
The thoughts go out of his head immediately when he watches the spectacle of Dex bringing the box down. This is a person who has not only landed on their feet but has a strong will to survive-- a strong asset in a situation like this.
Taking back his cane he gives the other man a nod of thanks before settling and looking back at the box.
"You just arrived here, yes? You're probably more in-need of whatever's inside there. I've been here for a bit longer-- I have enough."
no subject
When the cube drew near, he saw Arthur reaching to touch it and figured this had to be part of the process of getting whatever was inside. When he touched it at the same time, the cube disappeared and finally saw what it had been holding. The knife he'd mentioned on his survival list, complete with a sheath to carrying it. He picked it up, spinning the blade around on his palm in a careless motion to test the weight of it before it grabbed it by the handle while it still had a fair bit of motion to it. "Not bad. This'll work."
no subject
The knife earns a long, assessing stare before his eyes return to the new arrival.
"Where are you from, friend?"
Last time he checked any sort of medical facility doesn't exactly endorse keeping knives.
no subject
"And you?" Did he actually care? Not really. But some social norms had to be performed if he didn't want people to find him unnerving and realize just how terrifying he could be just below the surface.
no subject
"All over. I'm a big fan of seeing the world in its entirety."
"Not trusting people here won't get you far. The spirit that presides over this place wants us to be open and transparent with each other. If you don't play by her rules she has her ways of making things come to the surface one way or another."
He's not resigned to this place by any means or the whims of Thirteen, but Arthur is starting to learn her game.
"Some people you meet might not even know what New York is."
no subject
Dex looked very unhappy at the thought of having to open up to people. Not only because he was always reluctant to open up to people about anything personal but also because he knew that the way certain one-on-one situations were presented made for a very effective method of getting him to open up. It was like a Pavlovian response that had been ingrained into him after ten years of intense therapy in his youth. "Sounds like some weird group therapy session. What's she getting out of it?"
no subject
He's thankful for any bit of honesty from the newcomer. It isn't easy to be so transparent with strangers, he knows, but vague is better than nothing. If the man was shipped out to destinations he must have had some sort of harsh reality where he came from.
"She's like a child with a storybook, really. Choose how to tell your own story instead of making her write it for you."
There doesn't appear to be any other cubes nearby. They're few and far between-- what the other man needs is likely found back in town rather than out here.
"I was in an institute myself before coming here. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I can get you some real clothes if you'd like. I doubt we're going to get that lucky and find them in another one of those cubes."
no subject
Then he listened as Arthur assumed he’d been in an institute before coming here. “I wasn’t–” Dex cut himself off, running a hand down his face as he sighed. “--Never mind.” Arthur wasn’t wrong, he had spent time in an institution. It was just that it had been many years ago and not recently. But he couldn’t bring himself to correct the mistake, given it was still partially accurate about his background. Arthur wasn’t wrong, he was ashamed to have spent over half his childhood in the psychiatric institute.
“I could use some clothes,” he admitted as he changed the subject. He glanced down at his poor battered feet. Walking around out here without proper footwear had been more aggravating than all the rest of it put together. “And some good shoes.”
no subject
Rummaging around the bag for a minute or two he produces an extra shirt which he tears in two longways. A few seconds more produces a small length of rope. Next a hardcover book which is torn for the front and back cover. The supplies are passed to the other man.
"You'll need to be careful. Tie them around your feet and put the cover at the bottom for a sort of sole. They're not perfect but they'll work until we get to a shop."
It's up to him, of course. He could walk barefoot into town or stay looking for supplies. But the offer still stands. Arthur turns as if heading back towards the direction he came.
"Let's go then, New York."
The man can reveal his story in his own time. If he won't, he's been properly warned that Thirteen will make sure it occurs.
no subject
Once he’d gotten the improvised shoes on and had tested his weight on them gingerly for a moment, he turned to Arthur. “My name is Dex.” No last name attached. Once again, he was reluctant to reveal anything more than he absolutely had to.